Chapter 1046: In the Name of Mother (1)

Cheonho Best Elementary School was different from other schools. It had a separate parent association president for each grade.

The position Yoo-Jin had her eye on was the first-grade parent association president. The problem was that the candidate was a current top star. Even before my regression, I had never once heard of or witnessed anything like that.

"Yoo-Jin. Calm down first."

"No, oppa. Hye-Mi's mom already acts like she's queen of the group chat, doing whatever she wants. That's why Hye-Mi learned from her and behaves the same way. If someone like her becomes the first-grade parent association president, the whole grade's atmosphere will definitely be a mess."

Despite her packed schedule, it seemed Yoo-Jin had still found time to keep up with the mothers' announcements in the group chat.

"What about your schedule?"

"Most of it's already finished."

There were only two filming sessions left for Hwaranjeon, and just one post-production shoot remaining for She Was Beautiful. In other words, from this June through the end of the year, there were only a handful of official schedules left.

Unofficial commitments and future projects, however, were another matter.

"Those are just the official filming schedules. What about the Bucheon International Film Festival, the movie release, TV appearances, commercials, and offers for your next project?"

Production companies were lining up to cast Yoo-Jin as the lead in their dramas and films. That was despite the fact that she already earned 800 million won a year from commercials alone and 150 million won per drama episode.

"You know Miso is more important to me than any of that."

"Of course I do. I'm just asking if you're really okay with it."

I knew better than anyone how much Yoo-Jin treasured Miso. I wasn't telling her to keep working for the money. I just wanted to know whether she had thought it through carefully.

Writer Lee Ji-Yeon spoke cautiously as well. "Yoo-Jin. For Miso's sake, I do think it's good for you, as her mother, to be more involved at school. But... no matter how famous you become, this industry forgets you the moment you disappear from people's sight. Are you really okay with that?"

Writer Kim Soll-Ip nodded in agreement. "That's right, Yoo-Jin. You know actress Yoo Jung-Hee who starred in Rose Garden, don't you? She said she'd fallen into a slump and took a year-long vacation in Greece five years ago. She's still on an involuntary vacation even now. That's not somebody else's problem, it could also happen to you."

Writer Han Woo-Ju said she had seen the same thing happen before and was equally worried about Yoo-Jin's career.

Even after hearing the heartfelt concerns of the three writers who genuinely cared about her, Yoo-Jin remained unwavering. "Yes. I'm okay."

Once Yoo-Jin made her intentions perfectly clear, the writers and I could only nod.

At that moment, Miso, who had been thinking quietly all morning, slowly shook her head. "Mom... I don't want you to."

Yoo-Jin looked at her in confusion. "Miso, why? Don't you want me to come to your school?"

"No, it's not that."

"Then what is it?"

"You're... busy."

Yoo-Jin froze. "Miso..."

"So I'm okay. If Hye-Mi starts saying mean things to the other kids again, I'll tell my homeroom teacher. Or Uncle Yoon-Ho," Miso answered with a brave expression, insisting she could handle it herself.

That was when Yoo-Jin straightened her posture and spoke to Miso in a serious voice. "Jung Miso. Do you know why I quit working at Burger Queen and became an actress?"

"Well...I mean... I do. It was so you could raise me well."

"That's right. I started this job because of you. I found a new dream after I became an actress, but my biggest dream has always been you. So even if the whole world needs me, if my Miso needs me, I'll stay by your side. Because to me, you're the most precious person in the world. Do you understand?"

After hearing Yoo-Jin's words, everyone seated around the dining table fell silent. Even after being warned that she could lose an annual income worth tens of billions of won, Yoo-Jin never hesitated for a moment. She remained resolute as a mother.

Then Miso raised her arms above her head and made a heart. "Mom, you're the most precious person in the world to me too. And I love you the most."

Only then did Yoo-Jin's expression soften, and she made a heart over her own head as well. "That's my girl. Mommy loves you too."

A bright smile spread across Miso's face.

After firmly making up her mind, Yoo-Jin turned to me. "So, oppa. I have to become the first-grade parent association president. Help me."

Once she had gone this far, there was no choice but to help. I did have one condition, though.

I nodded and said, "Okay. But you have to keep acting."

"Will I even have time?"

"We'll lock your schedule down in advance. Keep one day free every week, and as long as we coordinate the important events ahead of time, it'll be fine."

Most school events were scheduled about a month in advance, so as long as we coordinated things, there wouldn't be a problem. More importantly, as long as I was around—the wizard of schedule management—there was nothing to worry about.

"Ah... really? I was wondering. Then what do I need to do first? Push-ups? Boxing practice? Hair-pulling? Whenever they show parent association elections on TV, everyone's always fighting..."

Yoo-Jin clenched both fists and threw a few mock punches into the air. She had been watching far too many dramas.

'Who pulls someone's hair over a parent association election?'

Just then, Lee Ji-Yeon chimed in. "I've heard moms these days are scary. They say some of them even buy votes with money. Should we prepare some cash? Hmm. Don't worry about the money. I've got plenty."

'Mrs. Lee Ji-Yeon. This isn't a political election. Vote-buying has no place in a school.'

Then Kim Soll-Ip turned to Lee Ji-Yeon with a grave expression. "Mrs. Lee, that's too easy to get caught. We need something more discreet. Like... have someone follow Hye-Mi's mom, catch her having an affair, and post the evidence in the grade moms' group chat."

'Excuse me, Ms. Kim Soll-Ip. Let's not turn a school story into a thriller.'

Next, the quietest of the three, Han Woo-Ju, spoke up shyly. "What if we put one of those button cameras on Miso and sent her into the classroom? Then we could film that Hye-Mi girl doing something bad. If we posted it in the moms' group chat, wouldn't the fallout be huge?"

'Ms. Han Woo-Ju. Are we writing a soap opera now?'

Just as I was about to tell them absolutely not, Lee Ji-Yeon and Kim Soll-Ip gave Han Woo-Ju a thumbs-up.

"Oh, Woo-Ju. That's impressive."

"See? There's a reason it's good to be younger. Your brain works differently. That's a fresh idea, Woo-Ju."

The four drama addicts, Yoo-Jin included, had barely put their heads together when Jung In-Ji came over carrying a pot of cheonggukjang and scolded them. "You really are drama writers, aren't you? You're making up one ridiculous soap opera after another. That's enough. Keep your mouths shut, leave everything to Chief Jung, and just watch."

Only then did the three writers snap back to reality and clear their throats awkwardly.

"Unnie, I'm just talking."

"We weren't actually going to do it."

"Ah, I was just talking about a drama. A drama."

Lee Ji-Yeon, Kim Soll-Ip, and Han Woo-Ju all flinched and watched her reaction. Still, I couldn't completely dismiss what they said. The few times I had seen Ham Hye-Mi's mother at school, she had been anything but ordinary.

After mulling over the writers' comments once more, I turned to Yoo-Jin. "When's the election?"

"This weekend."

"That's soon."

"The candidates are pretty much decided already, anyway."

There weren't many parents running for parent association president, so it was essentially guaranteed to become a one-on-one race against Ham Hye-Mi's mother.

"Got it. The parents will be coming to today's theater greeting, so let's start talking to them there."

"Okay."

Today, about ten students from Class 1-1 at Cheonho Best Elementary School would be coming to the theater with their parents. The school was having them watch Missing – The Lost Ones as part of an educational program to teach young children about the dangers of kidnapping.

Just then, Jung In-Ji called out, "All right, if we're done with that, enough work talk. Let's eat!"

At her words, everyone picked up their spoons. Miso, her worries finally gone, picked up hers as well. She scooped up a generous spoonful of mountain vegetable bibimbap and stuffed it into her mouth. Beaming, she puffed out her cheeks as she happily ate.

I also lifted a spoonful of rice with my right hand, but beneath the table, I sent a Kk Talk message with my left.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: Mr. Choi. I'd like you to look into Ham Hye-Mi's parents from Class 1-1 at Best Elementary School. Leave nothing out.]

It wasn't long before Chief Choi Go-Yoon from The Best Detective Agency replied.

[Chief Choi Go-Yoon: I'll send everything over as soon as I find it.]

***

In Class 1-1 of Cheonho Best Elementary School, the bright chime signaling the end of fifth period echoed through the classroom. There were no after-school care classes today, so all the children packed their bags and got ready to go home.

Their homeroom teacher, Geum Na-Yeon, looked at the students with their backpacks and spoke.

"Everyone who's coming to the theater in Cheonho-dong at seven o'clock tonight, make sure you bring your parents with you. Okay?"

"Yes!!!"

"And for those who can't come, don't be too disappointed. You can come with your parents next time."

"Okay..."

Out of the twenty-five students, only ten would be attending after school. Since attendance was optional, parents who had work or other commitments couldn't make it. As a result, the remaining fifteen children couldn't hide their disappointment.

"All right, let's say goodbye together."

"Goodbye, Teacher."

"Bye-bye."

"See you tomorrow."

After each child offered their own chaotic farewell, they turned back several times to wave before finally leaving the classroom.

Once everyone had stepped out into the hallway, Ham Hye-Mi planted herself in the middle of the corridor with her hands on her hips and gathered the children around her.

"Anyone who's coming to the theater with their mom and dad later, follow me. I'll buy you tteokbokki."

At Ham Hye-Mi's announcement, the ten children who were going to the theater with their parents jumped up and down with excitement. The children who couldn't go, however, drooped their shoulders.

Just then, Lee Song-Jung, Ham Hye-Mi's deskmate, asked hesitantly, "Hye-Mi... can I come too?"

"No. Your mom and dad aren't coming to the theater tonight."

"They said they'd definitely come next time..."

After thinking for a moment, Ham Hye-Mi asked, "Then are they coming to my mom's election on Saturday?"

"I don't know. Mom and Dad are busy, so they'll probably be working at the factory again this weekend."

Ham Hye-Mi firmly shook her head. "Then you can't come!"

Lee Song-Jung lowered her head.

"Okay... I'm sorry."

With her shoulders slumped, Lee Song-Jung turned away.

Just then, Miso reached out and took Lee Song-Jung's hand. "Song-Jung, I'll buy it for you. Come with me."

"Miso, you're buying?"

"Yeah. You barely ate your lunch because they served fish today, remember? So come with me. Let's all have tteokbokki and fried snacks together."

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

At Miso's offer, Lee Song-Jung's face lit up as she cautiously glanced at Ham Hye-Mi. "Thanks, Miso."

Then Miso turned to the other children who weren't going to the theater and spoke clearly. "Anyone else who wants to come with me can come too."

Miso had never once shown off her family's money in front of the other children. Today, though, she acted as if she was willing to spend every penny she had saved.

At that moment, Ham Hye-Mi stomped her foot in frustration. "Hey, Jung Miso! Why are you getting in my way?"

"Because what you're doing is wrong."

Ham Hye-Mi was caught off guard by Miso's unexpected answer.

Then Miso put her hands on her hips and dropped an even bigger bombshell. "And my mom's running for parent association president on Saturday too!"

At the same time, Eun-Byul and Han-Ul stepped up to stand beside Miso.

"That's right. Miso's mom is running too."

"Yeah! So stop treating people differently."

With Han-Ul, the smartest student in the class, and Eun-Byul, the best artist in the class, standing beside Miso, the other children looked at one another before slowly gathering around her.

They hadn't been standing with Ham Hye-Mi because they liked her in the first place. Ham Hye-Mi had pressured them into staying on her side, insisting they needed to get in her mother's good graces before she became the first-grade parent association president.

"Then I'll eat what Miso buys."

"Me too! Me too!"

The children rushed over to Miso. The only ones left beside Ham Hye-Mi were the three girls who always followed her around.

Grinding her teeth in frustration, Ham Hye-Mi shouted, "Jung Miso! Just you wait! I'm telling my mom everything!"

With that, Ham Hye-Mi stormed off with her three followers. The remaining children immediately threw both hands into the air and cheered.

"Yaaay! Miso won!"

Just as Miso proudly puffed out her chest, the classroom door opened and their homeroom teacher, Geum Na-Yeon, stepped outside.

"Class 1-1, why are you all still here?"

"It's nothing, Teacher. Goodbye!"

As soon as Miso greeted her, the other children bowed once more before hurrying down the hallway.

"I want lots of tteokbokki!"

"I want lots of fried snacks!"

The children clustered around Miso, chattering excitedly about their upcoming tteokbokki feast. Miso's afternoon was beginning with a victory she could be proud of.

***

Outside the Gangdong LT Cinema at the photo zone set up beside the ticket counter, the cast of Missing – The Lost Ones greeted moviegoers as they collected their tickets.

"Hello, I'm Ju Yung-In. I hope you enjoy the movie."

"I'm Jung Miso, and I play Lee Soo-Yeon!"

As Ju Yung-In, who played the mother Oh Jung-Hyun, and Miso, who played her daughter Lee Soo-Yeon, stood side by side greeting fans, countless moviegoers who had finished getting their tickets came over to take pictures with them.

Despite Ju Yung-In being the film's lead actress, Miso wasn't overshadowed at all. That was thanks to the popularity of the daily drama Land of Happiness and the weekend drama Haze, both of which were currently airing.

Watching the scene unfold, Yoo-Jin couldn't have looked happier. "Oppa, don't you think Miso looks especially happy today?"

"She does."

Just as Yoo-Jin had said, Miso's smile seemed brighter than ever as she chatted with her fans.

"I knew it. Running for parent association president was the right decision."

Seeing Yoo-Jin shrug with satisfaction made me chuckle. She looked even happier than she had when she had been nominated for the Grand Acting Award.

Still, it was too early to relax.

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch. You heard what happened at school today."

"True... But oppa. Hye-Mi only offered tteokbokki to the kids who were coming to the theater tonight because she assumed only parents with enough free time could come to Saturday's election, right?"

"That's probably it. If the parents couldn't make it today, there's a good chance they won't make it to the election either."

Yoo-Jin trembled with anger. "Seriously... What kind of mother does something like that? Making her daughter do things like that when she doesn't even know any better..."

"Don't worry. Miso handled it well."

"...Okay. Anyway, oppa. Everything's ready, right?"

I had already begun putting my plan into motion to make sure Yoo-Jin defeated Ham Hye-Mi's mother in Saturday's parent association election.

I nodded. "Don't worry. I've prepared thoroughly."

Just then, the elevator doors in front of the theater opened, and another wave of moviegoers poured out. Among them were several very familiar faces.

Ham Hye-Mi's mother, Kwak Ji-Hyun, dressed head to toe in Louis' Batton, walked over with Ham Hye-Mi alongside several other parents and children. Including the students and parents from Class 1-1, there were around twenty-five people altogether.

'So she's finally here...Hye-Mi's mom.'

Earlier, The Best Detective Agency had already sent me a report on her. She was the only daughter of one of Cheonho-dong's wealthiest families and was married to a partner-level attorney at KJ Law Firm.

On top of that, she owned dozens of homes in Cheonho-dong's redevelopment district and came from a family that had produced several city and district council members, giving her extensive political connections.

Just then, Ham Hye-Mi's mother spotted us and led her group over. "Oh my~ So Miso's mom is here?"

Instead of calling her Yoo-Jin, she deliberately referred to her as Miso's mom, emphasizing that they were fellow parents. Her tone carried a hint of condescension, but Yoo-Jin simply smiled the way she always did when dealing with difficult customers.

"Yes, Hye-Mi's mother. It's been a while. By the way, your outfit is so beautiful."

Today, Yoo-Jin was wearing a peach-colored pastel dress and a white blouse from LM, costing about three hundred thousand won—not a luxury label. Yet people always said the face completed the fashion, and somehow she looked as though she was wearing something far more expensive than the Louis' Batton outfit covering Ham Hye-Mi's mother from head to toe.

In truth, no matter how much money an ordinary person spent on luxury brands, standing next to a top celebrity usually made them fade into the background. It was a bold move to approach her so confidently.

Sure enough, several of the mothers began whispering as they compared Yoo-Jin's outfit.

"Which luxury brand is Miss Yoo-Jin's dress?"

"Is it an LML Black Label design?"

"Probably. She's a top star, after all. It looks several times more expensive than Hye-Mi's mom's outfit."

"We probably couldn't afford it."

At that moment, Yoo-Jin smiled brightly and held up two fingers on each hand toward the mothers behind her. "It's not a luxury LML. It's just a regular LM. It's one of this summer's new designs. It costs three hundred thousand won. If it's on sale, you can get it for cheaper!"

"Really?"

"Yep. The LM store here in Cheonho-dong always gives discounts because of me. Just go there and tell them you're a mom from Class 1-1 at Cheonho Best Elementary School and that you're friends with Jung Yoo-Jin. They'll probably throw in a little extra service too."

"Th-Thank you, Miso's mom... I mean, Miss Yoo-Jin."

In an instant, Yoo-Jin won over the other mothers Ham Hye-Mi's mother had brought with her.

Ham Hye-Mi's mother shot them a sharp glare. The mothers flinched and quickly looked away. Then she turned back to Yoo-Jin and raised her voice.

"You think these mothers are going to vote for you over something so trivial? You haven't even shown your face at school until now."

Yoo-Jin answered with the same bright smile, "That's why I'm going to start coming from now on. I've already rearranged my entire schedule through the end of the year."

For a brief moment, Ham Hye-Mi's mother looked rattled.

However, Yoo-Jin didn't stop there. "And why do you assume only the parents standing here will be voting?"

"The rest won't even come, and they don't care about the election anyway."

Right then, the elevator doors opened again.

Ding.

Geum Na-Yeon stepped out with the fifteen students who supposedly couldn't come earlier. Instead of their parents, they had arrived with the talent agents. These children were my trump card.

At that moment, Yoo-Jin pointed toward them and spoke. "Hye-Mi's mother, it looks like your information's a little out of date. I heard those children's parents will definitely be attending Saturday's election too."