Episode 65
In the training room of TwoBear Entertainment, the class continued with Song Johan and Yeoreum, who had just started her lessons.
“No, No, No. Ms. Yeoreum is currently vocalizing in a dandified manner. That is not a satisfactory idol vocal!”
As the vocal trainer, Song Johan, pointed out Yeoreum’s singing, she, not understanding his words, turned to Yeoreum.
“What did Teacher Johan say?”
“He said you’re putting style into your vocals. Sing plainly?”
“Aha!”
While translating that, Yeoreum felt uncertain if it was appropriate to act this way.
“Gaeul’s vocals are already semi-finished. However, as a trainer, I would recommend that you keep in mind Gaeul is part of a group, not a solo artist. A too distinctive color could erode the proportion.”
“What did Teacher Johan say?”
“He said you did well. But remember, you’re part of a group, not a solo artist?”
“Okay, got it! I’ll keep that in mind, Teacher Johan!”
Johan nodded as if satisfied with Gaeul’s answer.
Yeoreum, sensing Johan’s mood, cautiously asked Gaeul.
“Um, but is it okay to chat like this during class? What if Teacher Johan gets upset?”
Gaeul smiled reassuringly, as if to say not to worry.
“It’s fine! This is all communication to understand Johan’s words better. If we don’t get it and get confused, he’ll feel down.”
“…”
Well then, wouldn’t simply speaking normally solve everything? But Yeoreum kept her thoughts to herself.
Following that, they continued with Johan’s active vocal lessons, with Yeoreum as the interpreter.
Finally, after two hours, Johan wrapped up the class by pointing out each of their shortcomings and assigning tasks to improve.
Yoo Gaeul, sipping an ion drink to manage her dried vocal cords, asked Yeoreum.
“Was the class okay, Yeoreum?”
Putting down her drink carefully, Yeoreum replied.
“Yes, it wasn’t easy to keep up since I have many shortcomings compared to you two, but it was a great learning opportunity.”
“No way! Yeoreum, maybe with Gaeul, but there’s no way you’re lacking compared to me…. Your voice is really pretty!”
“Your words are beautiful!”
“…Thank you, Gyeoul.”
Gyeoul smiled bashfully at Yeoreum’s pure gratitude. She thought to herself how innocent and adorable Yeoreum was.
“That’s right, Yeoreum! Your voice has a refreshing yet elegant tremor; it’s truly charming.”
TwoBear really was a great pair of people. Yeoreum worried that she might ruin the paths of such wonderful individuals.
“Is it okay for you two to be in a group with me?”
“Huh? What do you mean by that? I’m really happy!”
“I like it too, Yeoreum!”
Feeling her heart flutter from their seemingly obvious responses, Yeoreum spoke again.
“As you know, I’ve been labeled as unfavorable by others. If you’re with someone like me, the chances of success might actually be lower. Just by being next to me, you might be treated like a criminal as well. I was asking if that would be okay.”
The more she talked, the more regret she felt. What use was it for her to say such things now? It was almost like she was offloading her guilt onto them.
Yeoreum made a resolution. If they expressed even the slightest discomfort, she would step out of the group for their sake.
“Yeoreum, please don’t say such self-harming things.”
Stepping forward was Han Gyeoul. Unlike her usual timid and hesitant self, she spoke firmly.
“Honestly, I feel burdened being in this group. Compared to you and Older Sister Gaeul, I feel ugly and cheap.”
“…Gyeoul.”
Han Gyeoul offered a forced smile to Yoo Gaeul, who was worried about her, and continued.
“But I won’t let such negative thoughts trap me anymore. That would betray the expectation Teacher Taeyang has for me.”
“….”
“When we feel too weak and lacking, let’s trust Teacher Taeyang. I believe he gathered us here because he saw the light in us.”
Jin Yeoreum thought of Seon Taeyang. A man who had given her an undeserved amount of faith.
“…Yeah, I’ll trust him.”
But that wasn’t enough.
“And I’ll prove that trust is not misplaced.”
Yoo Gaeul, watching Jin Yeoreum’s determined declaration, smiled warmly.
“But it feels a bit distant when you’re so formal. I’m fine with you using casual speech. We’re only a year apart, right? If you count our birthdays, it’s not even a year difference. …Unlike Gyeoul, I feel sad being the only one keeping a distance.”
“Can you talk to me? We’re only a year apart, right? If you count the birthday, there’s not even a year difference… I feel a bit sad because it seems like I’m the only one keeping a distance, unlike Gyeoul.”
The polite Yeoreum was slightly taken aback by Yoo Gaeul’s straightforwardness and made an excuse.
“Isn’t it okay to use formal language like this? Even Gyeoul is using honorifics with you right now?”
“I asked Gyeoul to speak comfortably with me every time we meet, but she doesn’t listen,”
Meanwhile, Gyeoul, who was observing the two, fidgeted with her hands and cautiously spoke up.
“…I find this comfortable.”
“Nope.”
“…Ah.”
Seeing Yeoreum, who was hesitant to cross boundaries, and Gyeoul, who felt difficulties in social relationships, she said firmly.
“As a team, we need to live together in the accommodation and work together. That means we should share our lives closely, almost 24/7, until the contract ends. If we don’t make an effort to unite our hearts in that situation, we might unintentionally create controversies. Plus, during idol activities, there will definitely be external conflicts coming our way. At least, I want us to stick together through it all.”
Gaeul looked at the two with her warm, cozy smile.
“It could remain a simple business relationship, but I don’t want to stay that awkward with you for the long contract period.”
“…I think I’d dislike that a bit too,” Gyeoul agreed with a smile.
“Then from now on, let’s talk comfortably with each other! This is the start of breaking down the walls between us. Of course, you can challenge my opinion, but your rebuttal has to be in casual language!”
“…Isn’t that the same thing in the end?”
“Yeah, what did you say, Gyeoul?”
“Nothing! I wasn’t saying anything… Ah, it wasn’t anything major. Gaeul unnie,”
“Good job, Gyeoul.”
It was a comedy of errors.
“Let’s think about a time when we clash with our opinions and end up fighting in the future. If there’s a hierarchy, like using honorifics, will we be able to open our hearts and talk? …Well, we might, but I think building a comfortable relationship from now will help us more in that situation.”
Han Gyeoul tilted her head at Yoo Gaeul’s words and asked.
“By the way, Gaeul unnie, do you think we’ll fight?”
“What?”
“…Will we?”
Seeing Han Gyeoul like that, Jin Yeoreum decided right then to stop using honorifics.
“Hmm… I don’t really think that’ll happen. Both Gyeoul and Yeoreum are really rare, good kids, right? …It’s a bit embarrassing, but I’ve worked a lot and mingled with people, and I’ve never fought with anyone. So it should be fine, right?”
“I’ve never fought before. So, I think we’ll be fine, right?”
Summer thought the same. Not just Winter and Gaeul, but everyone in this TwoBear place was a strangely nice bunch.
With that thought, she had a vague feeling that everything would be okay.
Summer empathized with that thought.
“Yeah. If we’re in TwoBear, I don’t think that kind of thing will happen.”
“Huh?”
“…I think so.”
She became the protagonist in that little drama and couldn’t help but smile.
Winter and Gaeul laughed together as well.
After they finished laughing at each other’s faces, Gaeul spoke up.
“But if one specific person diet-controls, or makes a mistake on a broadcast, or if only one person is popular in the group and makes money while everyone else is paid the same, that could hurt feelings and lead to fights.”
“It’ll be okay, Gaeul unnie. I believe we wouldn’t do that.”
“Right,… oh wait, you’re right. We won’t fight at all. More than that, if that situation arises, won’t Teacher Taeyang do something about it? …Hehe.”
At that moment, the same person appeared in their minds.
“Right. With Team Leader Seon around, we’ll be fine.”
If that person stayed by their side, they felt assured everything would be okay.
“Oh, did you finish practice well?”
Just then, the training room door swung open, and Seon Taeyang walked in, holding drinks that looked like they were bought from a famous café.
“Brother Taeyang!”
“Teacher Taeyang!”
Seeing the suddenly appearing Taeyang, Winter and Gaeul lit up and babbled like kindergartners running to a teacher. Instead of answering, Taeyang just chuckled slightly and approached Jin Yeoreum.
“Yeoreum, was today’s class okay?”
“…Ah, yes! It was great.”
Nodding with satisfaction, Taeyang glanced at the other two and leaned in to whisper in Yeoreum’s ear.
“But you know that the fact you saw the future is a secret from everyone else, right?”
He was way too close.
Because of that, Yeoreum couldn’t respond and felt her cheeks turn red.
Then it felt like a chill was blowing in.
The source of that ominous atmosphere came from the glance directed at Taeyang, who was just a finger’s breadth away from Yeoreum.
Yeoreum was sure of it.
“I bet we’re gonna have a big fight someday.”
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