“Hello, Do-hee’s mother.”
“Ah, Team Leader!”
Team Leader Jung So-hyun had been waiting on the floor.
“How have you been?”
“Of course. How great it is that Do-hee received an award!”
As always, the Team Leader exchanged light greetings with her mother and guided us to the meeting room.
“This way…”
And into the conference room. Once seated, we began discussing the agenda in earnest.
“First, your mother mentioned she hopes you go to high school… and Do-hee, you’re planning to take the GED, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The Team Leader nodded and looked at me.
“Yeah, I knew Do-hee wanted to take the GED. She’ll pass it in no time anyway.”
Team Leader So-hyun took out a template from the document file.
“Still, since you’re a minor, it’s important to consider your guardian’s opinion, which I’m sure you’re aware of.”
The template was turned toward us.
“As I mentioned to your mother previously, our company encourages trainees and all affiliated minor artists to pursue school life. This also applies to you, Do-hee.”
The template had Hanseong Art High School written on it, with a detailed curriculum outlined.
“Oh, this is probably where Chiyo Unni and Woo-ah Unni go.”
“Of course, Do-hee will be particularly busy, so you should enroll in an art high school. They’re more lenient with attendance. More importantly, there’s a higher risk for safety issues at regular high schools.”
Her mother nodded.
“Exactly, and since Do-hee is gaining so much popularity… I’m worried about potential stalker fans…”
“So, you don’t have to attend school then. They’d show up anyway even if you went to an art high school, right?”
“That’s true, but… Team Leader, is pursuing high school just my ambition?”
“Yes, considering safety, that’s just how it is. But since Hanseong Art High School has the nickname ‘idol training school’, you’ll have less to worry about since many students work in the entertainment industry.”
“Well, that’s a relief…”
“Of course, our company will do its best. Our managers will be waiting outside during school hours, just in case.”
“Must you go that far? The managers shouldn’t have to go through that trouble…”
“Do-hee, I keep saying it, that’s what the company is here for.”
“Hearing that puts my mind at ease…”
“Yes, and if anything goes wrong, we can take immediate action. Now, could you take a look at this? It’s Do-hee’s expected schedule for this year.”
The Team Leader handed over a new schedule from the document file.
A schedule with major points highlighted month by month.
“As you can see… the contract for the Seven project ends on March 31.”
The Team Leader pointed to December.
“And of course, there will be a re-debut afterward.”
“Ah, a re-debut, right?”
“Yes, as you can see, it’s tentatively scheduled for the end of the year. There’s also a chance it could slip into early next year. Still, that doesn’t mean Do-hee won’t have any schedules before her re-debut. There are still plenty of advertisers and broadcasting companies wanting her, plus she’ll need to practice.”
“Well, we have to practice here too.”
“So, I guess advancing to school is…”
“Even so, it’ll be much more relaxed than now, so attendance shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Is it going to be hard after the re-debut?”
“Yes, so if Do-hee goes to school, it’ll be a maximum of one year… or maybe just one semester.”
“Ah… one semester.”
“Either way, whether or not I go to school, I’ll still have to take the equivalency test. It’s just a matter of whether I experience high school or not.”
“Then let’s just take the equivalency test. It’s a waste of time anyway.”
But Mother still seemed torn.
“Don’t say that. When will our daughter get to experience high school? Let’s just have her go until the re-debut, okay, Do-hee? Huh?”
“No…”
Mother held my cheek and turned my head.
“I want Do-hee to build memories while she’s young. It’s my selfish wish, but please just grant it once, okay?”
She smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in her expression.
“Just go for one semester. If you find it hard to manage school or your body, then you can drop out then.”
I thought now was certainly fine, but Mother probably felt pity for me entering society at such a young age.
Of course, it wouldn’t be bad to attend school to ease Mother’s worries.
But what would I even do if I went to school?
Review past mock tests, study for college entrance exams, and work through problem sets.
I’d have to manage my image and not sleep even when tired, always smiling…
I’m already exhausted.
“But wait, don’t you have to send in applications a year in advance to enter a performing arts school?”
“Um, Team Leader, now that I think about it, isn’t it already too late to apply right now? They usually submit applications the year before.”
The Team Leader nodded.
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Ah… I see. Then it’s disappointing, but I won’t be able to advance anyway.”
The Team Leader chuckled softly.
“You don’t need to worry about that. I already submitted the application. You’re accepted.”
Huh…?
“But isn’t there a practical exam for the performing arts school?”
“Yeah, that was last year’s end.”
“Oh, right? Then I guess I can’t go after all.”
“I said you got accepted. The curriculum documents came from the school.”
“Huh?”
The Team Leader said calmly.
“Since Do-hee was really busy with her comeback last year, the company took care of this too. With your middle school grades so stellar and an impressive award history, they accepted you without needing practicals. It’s a private school, so they’re pretty flexible about things like this.”
Wait, that’s not how it’s supposed to work.
It should go through proper procedures.
“But it’s a piano major, but… well, that should be fine. Do-hee just needs to decide whether to attend or not.”
“Do-hee, let’s just go for one semester. That’s all memories, okay?”
*
In the end, I surrendered to Mother’s pitying gaze and confirmed my school admission.
While Mother expressed her worries to the Team Leader, I still had some time before lunch, so I headed to the practice room downstairs.
It had been a while since I’d been here, but the practice room was still filled with the sounds of singing.
“Everyone’s working hard, huh?”
I burst through the door with a warm heart.
“Behold, the stunning high school girl, Do-hee Lee appears~!”
The humidity inside was something else.
“Hey, Do-hee! You came to see the unnis?!”
My personal trainer, Teacher Min-young, greeted me warmly after a long time.
“Oh.”
And there were three of them doing planks on the yoga mats.
The choreography practice room was filled with warmth despite it being winter.
“Alright! Let’s catch up later; we’ve got 40 seconds left!”
Na-eun, Chiyo, and Woo-ah Unni were doing strength training with Min-young.
“Um…”
The unnis lifted their heads from the floor as they were planking.
When three pairs of eyes met mine.
“Uh-oh…”
I had a feeling I’d get dragged into this.
“Ah, I think I came in the wrong place. I’ll get going now, teacher. Goodbye!”
And I quickly dashed out.
Then came the unnis’ roaring behind me.
“Hey, Do-hee!”
“Do-hee! I have something to say!”
“27 seconds left!”
“Why am I the only one unhappy!!! Oh, I mean, I’m not unhappy! I’m not unhappy!”
“Fine, 20-second penalty. Remaining time: 40 seconds!”
“Oh, no!”
“Teacher, just please catch Do-hee for me!”
I should just stick to texting.
*
On the way back to the dorm.
When I said I wouldn’t go home but to the dorm, Mom looked a bit sad.
“I’m sorry; I’ll visit more often once the activities are over.”
“Do-ah and Dad will be disappointed… Dad said he made a cake to treat you.”
“Really?”
“He even decorated it. ‘Congratulations to our princess~,’ or something.”
“Oh my god… Dad’s efforts are epic.”
“Right? Your dad was so excited. Even Do-ah pretended not to care but was fidgeting all day.”
“Hearing that makes me feel guilty…”
“But I’ll talk to your dad nicely. So, please don’t just call Do-ah; make sure to call your dad often too.”
“I call Dad every other day!”
“He always calls you first. You should call him too.”
“Okay, okay~”
Mom sighed, gave me a glare for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed.
“By the way, you don’t know, do you? Do-ah got casted.”
“What? Really?”
“Yeah, you got discovered at the concert by JS.”
“JS? Sara Unni’s place?”
“Yeah, that one. The Topist manager wanted to give you an offer, but when they heard you were Do-hee’s sister, they left.”
“Seriously? So, does that mean Do-ah is becoming a trainee? She’s only 13!”
Do-ah is mine…
“She turned it down for now. Do-ah seems interested, but I hope she doesn’t have to be a trainee like you did since such a young age. So you should come visit often and play with Do-ah.”
“I want to do that. But what can I do? There are just too many places in this world that want me, sigh.”
“There’s just too much.”
“Today, we decided to hang out together, so there’s no choice.”
“Once we disband, the schedules will be split, and there won’t be many chances to all gather and have fun.”
“Sigh… Mom just prefers being known as my mom rather than me getting famous.”
“That’s impossible.”
“Why?”
“Mom just doesn’t have the capacity to embrace me. If her heart was as big as mine…”
“Just get down.”
“Why again?”
“Hurry up and get down.”
“Huh? We’re back at the dorm already? I’ll buy gifts next time! Bye~”
“Don’t come back.”
“I love you~ I’ll call you every day!”
*
Back at the dorm.
“Ah…! Do-hee’s here!”
The members were busy packing their bags.
“Do-hee! Hurry up and pack your stuff~”
Hana Unni was hustling in the kitchen, gathering snacks.
“What? Weren’t we going to the amusement park?”
Harang Unni, who was packing her bag, replied.
“Because of Gong Chae-rin.”
“Why is Chae-rin Unni the problem?”
“She’s just overly self-aware. If we go to an amusement park, she’ll definitely get found out… Ha-ah, my T Express… my Fu Bao…”
“Hey, when am I overly self-aware?!”
“It’s true!”
“Maybe if we’re talking about Lee Do-hee, but not me!”
“…Why am I suddenly involved?”
“Honestly, it’s true about you!”
“I’m just being humble compared to my abilities!”
Seo-yoon Unni, who tied her hair and came out from the room, lightly tapped my shoulder.
“Do-hee, stop with the nonsense, do you have a swimsuit?”
“Why do I need a swimsuit?”
“Do you have one or not?”
“Well, I don’t have one.”
“Then you should go shopping. I need to buy one too anyway.”
“Seriously, why do I need a swimsuit?”
At that moment, Sara Unni stopped packing and turned her head sharply.
“Do-hee! What are you going to buy…? A bikini…!?”
Ignoring her for now, I asked again.
“Wait, are we going to a pool?”
“A one-piece…!?”
“No, no, not a pool, a villa.”
“A villa?”
“Rash guard…?!”
“Uh, so hurry up and pack.”
“Monokini…!?”
“Seriously, do you think I’d wear that?”
Leaving behind the sulking Sara Unni, I headed back to my room to gather my clothes.
I just realized I haven’t been to a swimming pool in ages.
“It was when I went with Mom and Dad… Was that elementary school?”
Back then, I was forced to wear it.
That means this might actually be the first time I’m wearing a swimsuit.
No wonder I’m suddenly feeling worried and embarrassed.
“Do-hee, your face is super red again.”
“Huh, oh.”
I realized it after hearing Chae-rin Unni’s voice, but my face was indeed a bit hot.
My skin is so clear that it blushes easily, making it quite embarrassing sometimes.
“It’s just because my skin is clear and transparent. Sigh.”
Then Sara Unni quietly said beside me.
“…So, definitely a bikini?”
“Ugh, I’m not wearing that!”
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