It’s just a trip to the nearby mall, but I had to prepare really well.
“Sis, sunglasses!”
Do-ah really wants to monopolize her sister.
“You greedy little kid~”
“Sis, you look so much like an older sister even from your eyes.”
That’s just how stunning she is.
With a baseball cap and mask slapped on, I rummaged through my bag for my sunglasses.
“Huh?”
Did I leave them behind?
It didn’t really matter.
“Mom, where are my sunglasses that were in my room?”
There are extras at home.
“Oh, that? Your brother would know. Oppa~ where’s the pair you wore last time when we went hiking~ Do-hee’s sunglasses!”
The sound of skin care routine from the bedroom stopped.
“… Dad said he borrowed them?”
“Yeah, your dad has a taste for them, apparently. He often wears them when hiking.”
Soon after, Dad came out of the bedroom.
“What do you think? Daughter, do I look MZ too?”
Hmm.
“Yeah, well. It suits you.”
“Right?”
But… no way my taste overlaps with Dad’s… that’s just…
I can’t be leaning towards the old man style for real…
Hmm…
Ay~
*
Dad was worn out from the long shopping and headed for the electronics section, but Mom and I were still holding clothes up to Do-ah.
“Isn’t that skirt too short?”
“These days, even middle schoolers dress like this. You’re the one who says you’re an idol.”
“Mom, lower your voice, please…! It’s so obvious…!”
“Ah, am I an idol~?!”
“Sis…!”
‘It’s not like I’m going to run into someone I know here, why am I so nervous?’
As I threw aside the cumbersome sunglasses, Do-ah’s worries grew, but honestly, other customers were too busy picking out their clothes to pay any attention to me.
“But if the skirt is too short for our Do-ah… it’s a bit daring…”
Showing off Do-ah’s bare legs…
“It’s a little suggestive… Ack!”
Seriously, why does she keep smacking my back…
It hurts so much…
“There are things to say to a 14-year-old and things not to say. Daring and suggestive? What’s that?”
“What did I even do… so unfair.”
“Princess, shouldn’t you worry about your own chest?”
Mom, consumed by jealousy, poked at my chest.
“What is this? It’s just a little bigger… it’s just the right amount of pretty…”
Mom will never know this struggle.
Feeling shy yet wanting to keep this allure all to myself.
She has no idea how much I avoid clothes that reveal cleavage.
And how much I cover everything perfectly with sports bras.
On stage, it’s a must-wear sports bra so nothing bounces around, and even in practice, if there’s a camera around, I wear oversized shirts for extra coverage.
Of course, the biggest reason is that with intense choreography and performances, I want to prevent any Cooper’s ligament injuries that would sag the chest.
“If you don’t manage it well, it gets weird.”
Well, anyway, thanks to my constant care since childhood, my current appearance perfectly matches my aesthetic standards.
Every time I showered, a satisfied smile would form on my face.
─Hehe
“It’s occasionally a bit tight, but it’s bearable.”
Actually, taking off a sports bra is what causes more pain.
“Oh, but I heard the new support bras aren’t tight and are comfy.”
Mom pretended not to hear me as she ran her fingers over the displayed clothes.
“Mom, since we’re on the topic, how about we go to the lingerie store? It’s our traditional New Year’s event. And while we’re at it, let’s get Do-ah some bras too.”
Our Do-ah is at that age of growth, after all.
…And now to record our new Do-ah’s growth story…
“I’m not going. You go by yourself. Are you a baby?”
That’s cold.
“Hmph…”
‘Then who do I tease now…’
Seeing my rival’s spirit crushed is really a sad sight.
‘Guess I’ll tease Kim Seo-yoon…’
Now I can no longer go shopping with Mom for underwear.
“But anyway, I can just keep wearing my current size, so I wasn’t planning to go. It’s hand-made.”
I’ll just order online for comfy stuff. Yay!
“Hyun-yeon doesn’t compare at all.”
I dug through the clothes some more and looked for something that would suit Do-ah.
“Do-ah, come here and try this on.”
Without a word, Do-ah took the clothes, looking satisfied.
“I really think that cool and graceful look suits Do-ah. A bit like a student council president. She takes after Mom more than Dad; her face looks more gentle.”
Her eyes are sharp, and her nose is a bit more elevated.
“I’m not saying Mom looks mean… I mean, she’s a cold beauty, Mom. Why do you want to hit me again…?”
“Really?”
“Yeah… seriously…”
Why can’t you understand my feelings?
“Well… she would look pretty. Do-hee didn’t suit that style, right?”
“I…? I was the top of my entire school from 8 to 17! Totally the model student, student council president type…?”
Mom raised her hands and made a questioning gesture.
“See? I’m messed up because of you.”
“What did I do?”
“You made me wear pink clothes all the time and ignored my opinions.”
Meanwhile, Do-ah had already come out changed.
“Look, my fashion sense. This is totally Do-ah’s outfit.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re right.”
Nonetheless, our shopping resumed cheerfully…
*
I came all decked out with a mask and a hat just to shop with Do-ah, but…
“Dayeon’s mom, hello~ Do-ah, you should greet her too.”
“Hello, Auntie!”
“Hello. Oh, you must be Do-ah! Dayeon talks about you so much; I was wondering how pretty you are, and you’re really so beautiful~!”
“I told you! Do-ah is our school Do-hee. It’s been spreading around.”
“Hey, it’s Do-hee Lee, you know? It’s all over the place.”
“Huh? You’re right? The vibe really does remind me of Do-hee.”
Sniff sniff… I have to hide in the changing room all alone in front of Do-ah’s friends.
I peeked my head out of the changing room.
When our eyes met, Do-ah looked really strict.
…You wanna hog your unni all to yourself, huh?
…You don’t want to show it to anyone else?
*
Since Japan celebrates New Year’s Day on January 1st, Chiyo Unni, who unexpectedly met our mother for New Year’s surprise, didn’t feel the need to go back to her hometown.
She was enjoying a solo vacation, cranking up the heater nice and toasty in the accommodation.
And on the morning after the holiday, the perfect housewife Chiyo Unni greeted the members returning one by one in an apron.
“Have you arrived? Breakfast first? A bath first? Or—”
“Uh, no. Go to the back.”
I was wondering where the apron-less vibe was coming from.
I carelessly kicked off my shoes and flopped down on the living room sofa, only to be greeted by Na-eun Unni’s gentle voice.
“Do-hee, let’s tidy up and rest. We have a schedule for dinner, so we need to clean up beforehand.”
“Okay…”
“New suitcase, huh? Did you bring a lot?”
Her quiet voice echoed peacefully amidst the stillness of the accommodation.
“I brought some new clothes…”
Until Chiyo Unni poked her face into my view, filling it up.
“I prepared breakfast really well…”
“Ah, move aside a bit.”
“My miso soup is delicious… really…”
I took out my phone and snapped a selfie.
“My smile is more filling.”
“Ugh, that’s a joke so low it’s below sea level. Get outta here.”
“…?”
And then, from somewhere, the sound of a small trumpet blew in a lively manner.
—Puuuuu!
“Did Do-hee come?”
Seo-yoon Unni came bouncing into the living room, playing the elephant trumpet.
“Yeah.”
“She lives the closest but comes the latest, and she’s the youngest yet looks the worst.”
“I’m heartbroken… I’m heartbroken…”
“Ugh, why are you whining after having so much fun during the holiday? You were blasting nonsense at Chiyo nonstop in the chat.”
“You don’t understand my feelings, Seo-yoon.”
At that, Woo-ah Unni, who was eating miso soup and breakfast, quietly muttered as if she expected it.
“What is it, Do-ah this and that, and unni is so heartbroken over it.”
“Don’t guess… It makes my heart hurt more…”
“So stop bothering Do-ah. She’s a good listener.”
“I’m also a good talking unni… Oww, my arms and legs hurt…”
“Why? Did you sleep hugging Do-ah all night?”
“…But is that miso soup really good?”
“It’s okay. Chiyo cooks decently.”
“I know.”
Back in our trainee days, except for me, we used to take turns cooking, and everyone was into baking, so no one without cooking talent existed in this accommodation.
Including me.
That fact, however, no one really knows.
‘They probably think my only flaw is my cooking skills.’
“You’re probably mistaken.”
Seo-yoon Unni, who had been playing fanfare, stood up on the living room sofa.
“Alright! I have some exciting news. Everyone, please pay attention.”
Since Na-eun Unni ordered to tidy up the suitcase, we need to hurry.
“Ugh.”
“Do-hee, please sit quietly. This is truly exciting news.”
“Do I really have to hear it? Why does it seem like it’s good news for Seo-yoon?”
“We’re a team, right? Let’s share the joy and love.”
“Hmm…”
─Thud.
“Thank you for the opportunity. It’s a truly beautiful night. Yes, Miss Woo-ah?”
“But it’s daytime.”
“It’s a beautiful day. Yes, Chiyo?”
“The smiley soybean paste soup is delicious.”
“It seems there are too many distractions, so I’ll get to the point. I, Kim Seo-yoon!”
─Pwoo!
The sound of a flute rang out loudly.
“I became a luxury ambassador before Rahee!”
─Clap clap clap.
With Na-eun Unni’s seal applause.
“Wow, congratulations~”
“Thank you, thank you. Yes, Do-hee?”
“I’m first, you know.”
“Ah, if we’re being technical, Do-hee is in the jewelry field. And I have the most meaningful? fashion field.”
“Oh, really?”
Well, luxury ambassadors do fall into fashion, jewelry, and beauty categories.
Only this Unni doesn’t know.
That I had already rejected a luxury proposal in the fashion field to choose a better condition.
“Um, what’s that laugh? Have you gone mad, Dorahee?”
“I’m going to tidy up~”
*
In the Topist meeting room, CEO Kim Wi-dong led the company’s core personnel.
And Debonaire’s producer and director, Jung So-hyun, was the second in charge.
Today’s agenda was the album meeting for Debonaire, which was set to be the company’s biggest cash cow.
This matter was an extremely important event considering the characteristics of small and medium entertainment companies, especially Topist Entertainment.
If one checked the reviews that employees posted on the company review site,
─They claim to pursue a horizontally equitable culture and receive opinions, but ultimately the direction is decided solely by executives. Even if a department insists it’s not true, it’s useless. They still seem to be producing idols with a first and second generation mindset. The blunders all seem to stem from executive direction. There’s talk of going public, but judging by their actions, it seems highly likely they won’t even succeed in that, as they’ll turn the artists into cash cows. There’s a reason why Pastel Love and X10 received good songs but only saw a certain level of popularity.
Right, they ignore the feedback coming from below, making decisions based on the executives’ will.
In other words, Debonaire’s upcoming activities would likely be dictated by their choices.
─The live broadcast SBC trending music’s real-time voting for the first week of February has concluded.
─Who will be the winner this week? Show us the results~
─Congratulations to Debonaire!
And as it was the moment they finished their debut activities on a high note, with a 1st place finish.
The members were completely absent at that hour.
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