Over the meal, the three of them held an in-depth conversation about how to stimulate investment and what policies would open corporate wallets.

"That's a fine idea."

Min-gu Noh wore an admiring expression and said:

"With that method, I think it would be of great help to the country."

"It isn't that business people dislike investing. If anything, there are more cases where they can't invest because conditions won't allow it. With just a little help from the government, active investment will follow — so I hope you'll give us a great deal of help, Candidate."

"Don't worry. If I become President, I'll do everything I can to build the kind of country where that's possible."

Having made his promise, Candidate Noh raised the glass in front of him.

"In that spirit, shall we have a toast?"

"Let's."

At Min-gu Noh's call for a toast, Seong-ho Kim and Chung-seop Jo, seated side by side, raised their glasses.

Min-gu Noh knocked his glass against theirs and led the toast.

"For the Republic of Korea!"

"For it!"

"For it!"

The two of them echoed him and threw the drink back.

Having confirmed that Seong-ho Kim and Chung-seop Jo had drunk, Min-gu Noh rose from his seat.

"Let's leave today's gathering here. I've campaigning scheduled through the Gyeongbuk region starting tomorrow, beginning in Daegu."

Min-gu Noh explained with an apologetic expression why he was leaving early.

"I'm afraid we've kept you from resting for no good reason."

"Should a presidential candidate be having days off? It's quite all right. It's a shame to be wrapping up early today, so next time let's talk at leisure somewhere a little better."

"I'll be waiting for that day to come soon."

Min-gu Noh had said, in a roundabout way, that they should talk at leisure at the Blue House once he was President, and Seong-ho Kim, catching it, answered that he was waiting for precisely that day.

Min-gu Noh laughed heartily with Seong-ho Kim's hand clasped in his, said he would see him next time, and left.

Chung-seop Jo saw Min-gu Noh all the way out…