The rooftop view at the Lepro headquarters is anything but ordinary, setting it apart from other entertainment agencies.
“Seung-bin, let’s head down now.”
Joo Seung-bin, who had been intently watching the tall buildings of Seoul and the clear sky, picked up his steps after hearing the manager’s words.
His pace was calm as usual.
Upon reaching the practice room, Joo Seung-bin awkwardly smiled and bowed as he opened the door.
“I should have been here earlier; I’m sorry for being late.”
Inside, he saw a pair of individuals.
One was an ordinary guy in his 30s, someone you’d likely bump into on the streets of South Korea.
“It’s fine~ If you’re busy, it happens.”
The debonaire manager, Yu Young-ho, team leader.
And while he insisted it was okay, there was the girl, Do-hee Lee, standing in stark contrast to the ordinariness.
“It’s alright, senior, it happens.”
Do-hee’s use of formal language, which still felt somewhat awkward, was clearly influenced by the presence of her manager.
“Yeah, I’m just coming back from the gym today…”
Usually, instead of just waving his hand, he would have pretended to hit him.
─Are you busier than me? Aren’t you done yet? Seriously.
A subtle smile formed on Joo Seung-bin’s face as he envisioned the scene in his head, only to be overshadowed by Do-hee, who was already sitting on the practice room floor, stretching.
“Let’s hurry up and practice. We’ve got plans with the members starting tonight.”
Thinking back to the conversations with Do-hee and the debonaire members in the waiting room, it seemed like a small wrap party to celebrate the end of their activities.
Joo Seung-bin was already used to the atmosphere where Do-hee, willingly or not, always placed the members at the top of her priorities.
So without any chatter, they swiftly prepared for practice, diving into their routine.
The counting of beats, the music, and the squeaking sound of shoes against the practice room floor echoed around them.
“I’m going to take a quick call…”
“Oh, manager, where are you off to now? Are you going to sneak a snack alone? This is neglecting work!!”
“Do-hee, let’s touch base during lunch, okay?”
The practice continued until their managers briefly stepped out for their respective reasons.
“Do you want to take a short break?”
Joo Seung-bin sat neatly on the sofa.
“Sure, sounds good.”
Before he could finish, Do-hee rummaged through the fridge like the practice room had instantly been cleaned as she grabbed a bottle of water.
Seung-bin fixed his gaze on the floor, finally exhaling a relieved sigh as he spoke.
“Well, this nonsense between us is done now.”
Immediately, a comeback fired back.
“Hey, it might be just the start of our drinking parties later. You should be honored to say you were a colleague of Do-hee!”
Do-hee’s tone was filled with playful sarcasm, but it was also distinctly self-assured.
What’s funny is how that tone sometimes felt humbly, surprisingly sweet.
‘Well, true.’
Stealing a glance at Do-hee, Joo Seung-bin inwardly agreed.
“Yeah, could be.”
“…What’s with that reaction? It’s giving me chills. Are you a bit sad that you can’t hang out with me anymore?”
Seeing his younger sibling, who was acting extra playful, he stood up from his spot without any particular reason.
“A little. And from now on, call me Senior.”
“Senior, what are you talking about? Hey, I was on TV before you!”
“But I debuted first.”
And just as I was about to leave to go to the bathroom, an unwanted guest showed up.
“Oh, what’s up, Joo Seung-bin? You were here…”
Jo Seong-han, the member, pretended to be shocked even though he clearly knew I was here.
“Hey, you.”
“Ah…! It’s Do-hee, right? I really enjoy your debonaire song!”
Of course, it was the one time the Managers were absent. No way this guy didn’t see both of them leave earlier.
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
Jo Seong-han gave a friendly smile to Lee Do-hee and whispered to Joo Seung-bin.
—What’s up with you, I thought you two weren’t close. Ugh, can you introduce me? No way you’re trying to hit on her, right…
Such unpleasant comments, even if just casual.
Joo Seung-bin couldn’t comprehend how this guy, who boasted about his club adventures since he was a minor in the debut group, actually managed to debut.
—Wow, but isn’t Lee Do-hee 18? Seriously, wow… she’s incredibly pretty. I get why you might not want to share, man.
It wasn’t like I’d thought poorly of him for just a day or two.
“Hey, come out.”
Oblivious to the mood, Jo Seong-han casually put his arm around me and started chatting with Do-hee.
“Ah! I’m Jo Seong-han, the same member as Seung-bin! Thank you for getting along well with Seung-bin.”
Do-hee nodded, looking slightly reluctant.
“Ah, yes, well… we’re both MCs, after all.”
“The MC really leads well! Honestly, Seung-bin here is pretty quiet and totally not funny.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, he’s really nice, but just no fun. How should I put it? He’s the not-so-cool studious type.”
“Hmm… I haven’t heard that about him before…”
Joo Seung-bin couldn’t stand the sight of Do-hee responding positively, so he stepped up.
“Hey—.”
“Ah, is it because I’m too awesome to be outshined in front of you? … Well.”
For a moment, I was dumbfounded by Do-hee’s muttering.
I grabbed Jo Seong-han’s arm.
“Ah, why are you being so annoying~”
But he brushed me off casually, like it was nothing.
Seong-han, seemingly unbothered, took out his phone.
“Do-hee, I’m sorry, but could you give me your number?”
“…Yes?”
“Ah, it’s not sudden—I’ve been composing music lately, and I’ve really enjoyed the songs you made so I was hoping to get some advice—.”
*
“Ha-ah, here we go again.”
I knew he was just trying to pull something. It was obvious the vibe between them was off.
There must be a line of guys trying to get close with all sorts of excuses.
And that wasn’t just a guy thing; girls did it too.
Your personality isn’t bound by gender.
People trying to get close to drop my name somehow.
‘Is it because I’m underage? Do they think I’m easy prey?’
It wasn’t like I solely hung out with familiar acquaintances.
Of course, knowing someone doesn’t mean you’re close with them.
Anyway, I was pretty used to dealing with situations like this.
She was already familiar with it.
She tried to pass over it casually, just like usual.
However.
“Oh wow.”
There was something on the floor… what was it called again?
Anyway, I didn’t expect Joo Seung-bin to throw a punch.
“Wow… I guess this place is strict about relationships?”
*
Inside the meeting room of Lepro’s office. Joo Seung-bin had minor bruises but bowed his head to the two across from him, separate from Jo Seong-han who was getting treated.
“If possible, I would appreciate it if the Topist side could hold their tongues… I’m asking sincerely.”
“Of course. I understand.”
“Thank you. I apologize once again for causing trouble for Ms. Do-hee and the Topist team. We will manage the kids more carefully.”
“Yes, understood. It’s okay.”
After concluding discussions with the managers, the atmosphere wasn’t right for more practice, so Do-hee was planning to head back as well.
Since things were more or less settled, she smiled and said goodbye, thinking it could be done apart.
Still, discomfort ruled over her heart.
Do-hee couldn’t help but notice it.
“Um… I’m sorry. I dragged you into this for no reason. I have no words.”
“Is that so?”
As silence fell, Do-hee turned her head while stepping out of the practice room.
Her face was filled with her usual laughter.
“Whoa, isn’t that intense? I just thought that team was strict about relationships.”
It would be understandable to feel offended, but that wasn’t Do-hee’s way; she chose to lighten the mood out of consideration for others.
Playful maturity.
That was simply Do-hee’s nature.
Rather than the seriousness of a dark color, she was more of a playful light tone.
Instead of being an unwavering straight line, she was more like a flexible curve.
Soft and smooth instead of sharp and sensitive edges.
“We also have Chiyo Unni at home, a UFC champion cosplay; man, she’s really good at it compared to my sister!”
Yet, sometimes she wore a mask that hid her inner feelings, complicating what emotions she was holding inside.
“Hey, but if my sisters start dating, should I just throw a punch too? That would be fun, right? Just lay them down and go all out.”
‘…Though it might match the inside and the outside. Purely.’
In actuality, even Joo Seung-bin mulled it over, and it wasn’t like a punch would be coming out at all.
It was natural that a member’s romance would immensely impact group activities.
But now, there wasn’t a single member who didn’t know Jo Seong-han’s true nature since their debut. She was used to it.
On the contrary, thanks to Jo Seong-han, Joo Seung-bin, at 20, was perhaps more careful with his behavior.
It wasn’t overstepping, seeing that there were quite a few people like that in the entertainment industry.
“Ah, I should be going now. See you at the broadcasting station.”
Therefore, unnecessarily fighting with a member and ruining the group’s atmosphere wouldn’t be worth it at all.
When weighing the pros and cons, it was clearly a loss in many respects.
But Joo Seung-bin recognized it.
“…Do-hee.”
Even if he took a hit, acting impulsively was always in the realm of emotions that couldn’t be understood with logic and reason.
“You’re the only one who would suffer.”
Do-hee turned back when called as she was leaving, still with sparkling eyes full of curiosity and playfulness.
“You’re the only one at a loss.”
Ironically, she had a calm smile, as if she understood everything about the world.
Ironically, she wore a calm smile as if she knew everything about the world.
“…What?”
Do-hee cutely extended her fist like a boxing move.
“If you fight with the members, you’re the only one losing. Hey, let’s make up soon. Just pretend to get along until we rack up some vacation days. What can we do? Like it or not, we’re work colleagues. The contract is for seven years, after all.”
“…True enough.”
And then the self-praise began.
“Ha-ah, see, to keep our group’s vibe great, you need to meet someone as awesome as me, right?”
“……”
“Right? Answer me.”
I had no choice but to nod lightly.
“Yeah.”
“Exactly.”
Do-hee then picked up a drink from the fridge, which I don’t even know when she got, and waved goodbye.
“But it feels nice that my friend fights for me. I’m off now.”
Once again, Joo Seung-bin could only nod lightly.
*
With a head full of thoughts, I returned to the accommodation later in the evening.
As soon as I stepped into the entrance, I heard Woo-ah Unni’s cheer along with a sudden whistle.
“Oh! Looks like Do-hee’s here!”
─Wheeek!
And from afar, cute party hats started peeking out from the kitchen.
“Let’s change clothes and wash our hands before starting. No need to show any unnecessary awkwardness.”
“DJ Do has arrived!!”
“Do-hee~!”
Seo-yoon Unni, rushing to put a party hat on me, and Na-eun Unni, bringing the baggy pants, looked too cheerful.
“Ha-ah~ Can’t help it. You waited for me like that.”
“What do you mean can’t help it! Hey, we’ve got all the food ready!”
Without a word, I grabbed my sunglasses by the entrance and walked into the living room.
The theme for today’s party was a roller rink style from the 70s and 80s, which I had only seen in media.
“He has returned!”
In the living room, the disco ball I had ordered earlier was ready for the party.
The first track was London Night.
A song that’s exciting even if you don’t know it.
Calmly putting on my sunglasses, I stood in front of the speakers.
And when I pressed the disco ball button, it sparkled with a rainbow of lights to match the natural four beats.
The intro began smoothly.
─EVERYBODY!
“Are you ready, everyone!”
I dramatically swung my long hair and clapped my hands alternately.
─Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
“Welcome! You are at the Debonaire Night!”
If this were a show, subtitles would pop up.
─Give a little love!
<Do these folks always act like this?>
Sadly, Seo-yoon Unni was already shaking her head along with me.
“Shake it!”
Chiyo Unni and Woo-ah Unni were dancing together like a couple, of course.
─Swish, swish, swish!
“Leave the whistle and talk.”
“Ah… Where did this girl come from?”
“Me? Same room as you.”
Na-eun Unni was… flashing a fresh newlywed smile while clapping?
“Wow~ Haha.”
─Give a little love!
Anyway, the Unnis who always smiled.
As long as they were having fun, that was all that mattered.
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