Modern Traveler

"Wait, Neo. Ehem, my friend here wants to ask for your number. But I told him that if he have something that interests you, maybe you can discuss an endorsement with him."

"Oh? What is it?" I return to my spot and listen.

"My friend here is kind of in crisis with his company. He needs a major sponsor. He learned about my partnership with you and wants your info, but I didn't give it. I told him that if you have something that interests you, I could help him. He wants to set up a blind date with you," JYP explains.

"A blind date? That sounds exciting! When?" I ask.

"Two days from now. What do you think?" the manager replies.

"Hmm, let me think first... I can't. I told So-Hee that I'll pick her up when she finishes her taping in the mountains. The next day will be good if there are no scheduling conflicts."

"Sure. Can I have your info for more details later?" the manager asks.

"Here. Now we are done, right? Nothing else?" I confirm.

"All good, Neo. I'll just inform you if something happens or in case of an emergency," JYP assures me.

"Okay, bye then. See you all later."

"Let me send you off, Neo. Do you have a car when you arrive here?" Jihyo also stands up.

"I'm coming too!" Momo and Sana say simultaneously.

Dahyun and the others want to join, but Jihyo's voice rings out, "The car is only four-seated. Bye!"

"Damn! They beat us. Those three are so in love with Neo," Nayeon comments.

"Let it be. Jihyo has been talking about Neo for the past few days," Tzuyu adds.

"Director, when will our photoshoot start?" Dahyun asks.

"After ITZY, it's your turn. They just finished the medicine promotion video. In two days, you'll all be busy for about two weeks, max. If nothing goes wrong, it will be a week at the earliest," JYP explains.

"Okay, director. We are going now. Take this time to relax for a few days," Mina and the others say as they leave the room.

"I've already helped you. It's now your problem to convince Kim Yoo-Jung. You still have three days anyway," JYP reminds the manager.

"Thank you. The company needs to secure a big investment this time," the manager responds.

The two talk for a while, while Neo is accompanied by Jihyo, Momo, and Sana.

"Where do you guys want to go? It's a shame if I don't treat you to something," Neo offers.

"Anything will be okay with us, Neo. You already gave us luxury jewelry," Momo replies.

"Can I ask you something? Can I buy a house in Korea? Since I have many girlfriends living here, I thought, why not buy one? Right?"

"Is that something you can decide on a whim? It's not like you're buying candy," Sana replies.

"I know that currently, you can buy property here in Korea even if you're not a Korean citizen," Jihyo adds.

"I also want to drive a car. I'm tired of always asking hyung to drive me. What do you think? Do you want to go house shopping with me today? Or buy a car?"

"We don't understand how rich people spend money. Since you want to buy a house, let's go," Jihyo says.

"Do you know someone, Jihyo?" Momo asks.

"I think Sana knows someone, right Sana?" Jihyo replies.

"My friend is a real estate broker. Let me contact him first," Sana says as she picks up her phone and dials someone.

"Hey Sana, tell your friends that we should meet at the car dealership," I tell her.

She gestures with her finger to say okay. Not long after, the phone call connects.

"Hello, hello. Look who's calling me!

"Shut it. My friend wants to buy a house, so bring all the luxury you have and meet me at this location. Yes, that one—the car dealership. Okay, see you," she hung up her phone and looked at us. "Done, let's go to the car dealership."

"You good, Sana. You can be my assistant," I told her, hooking my arm around her shoulder.

"And how much would you pay me?" she asked, glancing up at me as we walked toward where Jihyo's car was parked.

"My secretary salary is $1.5 million a year, approximately 2 billion won. Want to apply?"

"Shhhh, that's too much for an assistant, don't you think?" Jihyo interjected.

"You know I have a policy: everyone connected to me will live comfortably. I have the means to help them, so why not?" I replied.

"Your kindness overshadows your reputation as a playboy, Neo. I read on the internet that your family is building a charity," Momo said.

"Ah yes, most of my money will go there anyway. All the money I earn from any company I'm involved with is directed to charity. I'm not keeping anything from it. My family will run the charity because too much money can't be left to just anyone. Gray will have a legacy that helps people."

"I love how you do things, Neo. When I was growing up, I always dreamed of helping people. But as time passed, I forgot about it and just wanted to secure my own future. You're in your early 20s, and you're already doing what most people can't," Jihyo said.

"I know the struggle. Right now, I have everything I want. I'm only greedy when it comes to women. I'm not a saint, but at least I'm helping without expecting anything in return. I can be cruel when it comes to my family."

"Being true and pursuing your desires is courageous. Most people hide their true selves because the society they live in isn't accustomed to that. The most important thing about your decision is that you're not hurting anyone. I approve of you, Neo," Sana said.

"There are many secrets you don't know about me yet. Only my family knows them. Are you interested in knowing, Jihyo?" By this point, we had already gotten into the car and Jihyo was driving it, but the conversation continued.

"Are you asking me to be part of your family? What's puzzling about you, Neo, is that you only meet the person once, but they are already into you. It's the same with us; even though we have only had this brief conversation, we're already drawn to you." Jihyo

"Maybe it's because of my bloodline? But don't worry, I'm not forcing any of you. In your group, you three are the only ones who caught my attention anyway. So I'm kind of lucky we're together, don't you think?"

"That's because we are interested in getting to know you more," Momo added.

"You can ask me anything. I'm an open book when it comes to people I like."

"Let me start with a common question. How rich are you, Neo?" Sana asked.

"Immeasurable. That's the only explanation I have."

"How old are you then? We know you're in your early 20s, but 20 what?" Momo inquired.

"20. I can call you 'Uni.' Uni, feed me," I joked.

"Stop it! You're giving us goosebumps," Jihyo said, feeling a chill run down her spine.

"Ah? Aren't you getting excited? Ask something else."

"We don't have a fetish like that. This is mostly a question for people at the top. Did you kill anybody?" Sana asked.

"Hmm?" I contemplated whether I should answer.

"Why aren't you answering? Did you kill someone, Neo?" this time Momo pressed.

"I did kill."

Jihyo, who was driving the car, couldn't help but pull over to the side. She and the others looked at me, stunned.

"Sometimes, to better the world, you need resolve. I killed when I was 18 and I still kill today. You can judge me as a killer; I don't mind. If you start viewing me negatively, feel free. Some people are against killing. I was too, once. But when you view the world as negatively as it is, you'll see how cruel it can be.

—

Shao🫡