Chapter 26

The next morning

“Do-hee~ Get up quickly, we have to go to school.”

I barely woke up to my mother’s voice.

When I wasn’t a trainee, I would wake up refreshed just by hearing the alarm, but now I’m so tired that I can’t even open my eyes to it.

Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I went to the bathroom to wash my face, and when I came out, Do-ah was already sitting at the table eating.

“Sis, hurry up and eat.”

“Okay. I’ll just get dressed and be right out.”

Ever since Do-ah started elementary school, I’ve been going to school with her.

I grabbed a white t-shirt and jeans from my closet.

Since it’s still chilly in the morning, I should wear a cardigan too.

As I sat at the table, my mom placed rice and soup in front of me.

“Hurry up and eat.”

“You can eat slowly, no rush.”

“That’s why you always say that and we end up being five minutes late.”

“It’s not about leaving late.”

“Then what is it?”

“It’s because I want to go late.”

My mom looked at me like I was talking nonsense again.

Ah~ I don’t want to go to school.

I rushed my food by mixing it with the soup and headed out the door with Do-ah.

“I’m off~”

“I’m going~”

“Okay, both of you take care and be careful with the cars!”

“Mom, do you have to come pick us up at night today?”

“Depends on how you behave~”

“Daughters get scared of walking at night~ Make sure to come~”

She’ll probably come to pick us up today.

The only good thing about going to school is the walk to school.

I can hold hands with cute Do-ah like this every day.

The flowers on the way to school are beautiful.

“Do-ah, stand by that flower over there. I’ll take a picture.”

“Sis, we’ll be late again.”

“I’ll keep track of the time, it’s fine. Now hurry up and pose.”

In the end, Do-ah stood by the flower.

Even though she pretended to dislike it, she struck a pose.

I took lots of pictures.

“Oh, our pretty girl got her looks from whom?”

“Sis.”

“Correct!”

“Sis, we have to go now. We’re late.”

“Alright~”

Since it’s close to home, it’ll only take five minutes to get to school.

“Sis!”

“Yeah?”

“That’s you!”

When I looked where Do-hee was pointing, there was a banner at the school gate that wasn’t there yesterday.

‘Congratulations to Do-hee Lee from Class 4 of Grade 5 for winning First Place in the Elementary Piano Division of the Student Music Festival!’

What is this?

How did my school find out I won the competition?

I was keeping it a secret.

First, I took Do-ah to her class and went to my own.

As soon as I walked in, the kids stared at me.

Did you guys see the banner too?
Did you see the banner too?

This is why I didn’t want to be caught at school.

Even though I enjoy the attention, I didn’t want the interest of elementary kids.

Among the kids staring, Su-jin approached me.

“Do-hee, how could you hide it from me?”

So she saw the banner too.

“What’s going on…”

“You’re always at school after it ends.”

After school?

“Huh?”

“You were playing the piano.”

“Ah, yeah, that’s right.”

For a moment, I thought my secret as an idol trainee was out. Phew.

“You could have told me.”

“Sorry, I’ll tell you next time.”

I barely managed to soothe Su-jin, who was clinging and whining.

Phew… It’s tough to even sit down.

I’m doubly tired since this morning.

I should just lay my head down on the desk until the teacher arrives.

However, it seems they have no intention of letting me rest as the speaker from the ceiling announced.

– 5th grade, class 4, Do-hee Lee, please come to the broadcast room. –

Ah.

What now?

I had no choice but to head to the broadcast room, where there was a teacher in charge of the broadcast club I occasionally bumped into in the hallway.

“Do-hee, you’re here?”

“Yes, hello, teacher.”

“Hey, Do-hee, I heard you won the grand prize at the piano competition?”

“Ah… yes. I was lucky.”

“I thought you were amazing because you’re pretty and study well, but you’re also great at piano!”

“Haha… Thank you.”

“Your parents must be so proud.”

Mom didn’t even come to pick me up from work yesterday because she was sulking.

“Haha… Yeah, I guess so.”

“Anyway, the principal will be here soon to announce the award, so just get your award and go.”

“Okay.”

…

“Do-hee Lee has won the grand prize at the student music competition, bringing glory to the school, and we are awarding this certificate.”

“Thank you.”

Phew, finally done.

Now I need to go rest.

“Do-hee?”

“Yes?”

“Shall we head to the principal’s office for a moment?”

“Oh, okay…”

Once again, I was dragged to the principal’s office.

“Please sit here.”

“Yes.”

“So, you’ve won a piano competition award before, haven’t you?”

“Ah, yes…”

How does she know that?

“Why didn’t you tell the school about it since it’s an impressive achievement?”

If I had, I think it would have caused a lot of hassle…

“Ah… I was embarrassed to share it. Haha…”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. If not for the reporter, I wouldn’t have known.”

“Reporter?”

“Yeah. They’ll be coming soon for an interview.”
“They said they’ll be coming soon for the interview.”

“Really?”

How does the reporter know my school?

I’ve always protected my identity during interviews, never revealing my school and requesting reporters not to post my photos for privacy reasons.

The same goes for social media.

The last time my mom posted something about me on social media, I was 8 years old.

Besides, once I became a trainee, all my posts were switched to private, and even before that, there was nothing in my posts that could hint at my identity.

Soon, a woman in her mid-thirties walked in.

The principal stood up to greet the woman warmly.

“Welcome, Reporter.”

“Hello, Principal.”

“Do-hee, greet the reporter.”

This is ridiculous, seriously.

“Yes, hello.”

“Alright, Do-hee, let’s start the interview, shall we?”

The reporter is asking the principal if they can proceed with the interview.

What about getting my permission?

“Ah, alright.”

Aren’t you supposed to ask me?

The main person involved isn’t even considering it.

Hah… fine.

Let’s think positively.

Once I become a celebrity, there will be even worse ones.

I’ll just treat this as a rehearsal.

Yeah… good things lead to good outcomes.

“First, I’ll ask the principal. What kind of student is Do-hee?”

“Oh, Do-hee has been known as a top student in school since she enrolled. She’s famous for never dropping below first place.”

That’s true.

I didn’t need to go through the trouble of studying elementary school for this compliment.

“Is that so? Then is there any issue with her personality?”

The question sounds like they want me to have some character flaws.

“Of course not. Everyone loves her, and the teachers only praise her.”

“Really? Now, let’s ask Do-hee directly. Feel free to answer.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve won the grand prize 14 times in a row, but why aren’t you participating in international competitions?”

“I think I’m not skilled enough to participate in international competitions yet.”

“Then why are you rejecting lessons from famous piano professors? If you lack skills, you should learn.”

“I have personal reasons.”

“Can you share what those reasons are?”

“I’m sorry, it’s a personal issue.”

“Then can you at least tell me what that personal issue is?”

Wow, how rude.

I figured from the start that someone hunting down a secret school wouldn’t be normal, but I didn’t expect them to be so blunt just because I’m younger.

Experiencing it firsthand now…

This is probably why they get called ‘fake reporters.’

I stood up and said,

“Reporter, it’s such an embarrassing matter that I’d rather discuss it privately outside. Can we step out for a moment?”

“Sure, that’s fine.”

Every word out of their mouth drips with arrogance.

The reporter and I walked into the hallway.

“Alright, now tell me, what is it?”
“What’s the matter?”

“I won’t do the interview.”

“What?”

“I can’t do it because Auntie is being really rude.”

“I’m not an Auntie, and if you keep that up, it’ll be you who gets hurt.”

They’re just throwing around empty threats.

I kept my mouth shut and took my phone out of my pocket to call Team Leader.

“Hey, Do-hee, what’s up?”

I explained my predicament to the Team Leader.

“Good call, Do-hee. Can you hand the phone to that reporter?”

“Yes, Team Leader.”

I handed the phone to the reporter.

“Here, take this.”

After chatting with the Team Leader, the reporter’s face turned red.

In the end, the reporter threw the phone back at me, gave me a glare, and left.

Sigh.

“Team Leader, the reporter left.”

“Yeah. Turns out they’re with a third-rate yellow journalism outlet.”

“Oh, I see.”

I really didn’t want to deal with them.

“Thank you, Team Leader.”

“You don’t need to thank me. The company is here to protect you. Next time, let me know in advance before an interview, got it?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“I thought you wouldn’t face this as a trainee, so I didn’t train you on it—that’s my fault. Come to the office today.”

“Yes, Team Leader, thank you.”

“Alright, just keep up with your classes.”

“Yep.”

I went back to the principal’s office to inform the principal.

“Principal, the reporter just left unexpectedly?”

“What? Why?”

“I’m not sure. Something might have come up.”

“Ugh… what an inconsiderate person. Do-hee, go back to class now.”

“Yes.”

Of course, it wasn’t a break in class either; I had to endure the homeroom teacher and elementary kids.

.

.

.

Three days later, Sunday.

I’m getting ready to go out to meet Woo-ah Unni as promised.

Since we’re going out, I have to dress nicely.

“Mom, what’s the temperature today?”

“It’s 22 degrees outside, pretty warm.”

Today’s weather is really nice.

I put on denim shorts and tucked in a yellow shirt.

How about some white sneakers with this?

Looking in the full-length mirror, I thought, “Wow, this is spring coordination!”

“Mom, how do I look?”

“You look pretty, pretty!”

“That’s a bit lacking in sincerity, Mom.”

“You look super pretty, Do-hee~. Now hurry up and go, Woo-ah is waiting!”

“Yay~ I’ll be back soon~”

We planned to meet near the company in Daehakro.

Just grab a meal, hit up a café, stroll around, and then finish it up at karaoke.

Stepping outside, I loved the warm weather.

With the cozy weather and my earbuds in, I started jamming to an upbeat song, my body swaying along.

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