Chapter 155

Episode 155

“Team Leader Seon! Please, I’m begging you! Just don’t stop the shoot….”

While I was trying to accommodate Gyeoul’s opinion and figure out a solution for the stalker, I faced fierce opposition from the production team.

“Yes, I understand Ms. Ina Bi’s feelings. I realize that our agency, TwoBear, changing schedules and shooting plans unilaterally could be quite the inconvenience. Still, I would like to request that the shoot be postponed until we can come up with sufficient measures.”

After hesitating to respond, writer Ina Bi sighed and said, “If we postpone the shooting now, I can’t even guarantee when we can reschedule, or if we’ll even be able to at all.”

“…Why is that?”

Ina Bi’s words felt far from a typical response.

Is it really logical to not allow a postponement even after a stalker situation that could be deemed an accident and threatening messages?

“…You see, the current broadcasting isn’t a regular slot but a pilot broadcast, and there was quite a bit of resistance to hiring Ms. Gyeoul from Girl Revolution and Team Leader Seon as one of the panelists. In particular, there was the most opposition to the three panelists appearing this time.”

“So you’re saying it’s easy to find a substitute, huh?”

“Yes, if you express the opinion to change the shooting date, the opposing voices that were already against us will gain strength and it’s likely to fall through. You’ve probably guessed it to some extent given the current personnel arrangement.”

“….”

After all, having Gyeoul, a panelist on a public broadcast, shoot with only three people is quite a low-tier arrangement. I brushed it off because it’s a pilot program, but it seems that wasn’t the only reason.

“But as a supporting writer, this is a very valuable opportunity for me. Being able to handle a panel like this is something I’ve never experienced in my life. If this ends up falling through because of Team Leader Seon’s wishes, it’ll be the end… So, I’m really sorry to ask, but I’d be incredibly grateful if we could shoot today. If the stalker shows up, I’ll throw myself in front!”

Ina Bi’s expression looked utterly desperate, making me wonder just how sincere that statement was.

“Sigh, fine. But we’ll condense the schedule as much as possible. The contents might be lacking compared to the script you previously handed out.”

Naturally, we packed today’s schedule with exciting content for the shoot and had prepared an appropriate script in advance. However, in this situation, we wouldn’t be able to follow through with everything as it was.

Above all, Gyeoul’s safety was the priority.

Even though it felt like a foul play warning that her work would be ruined, Ina Bi said with a bright smile.
Despite the unsettling feeling that her work as a writer might be ruined, Ina Bi smiled brightly and said,

“Ah, that’s fine! I think the drawings will be more entertaining than the existing script.”

“I haven’t really done much, though?”

“Oh come on, that’s just excessive humility. How can it not be fun when the manager is playing blindfolded, three-legged races with the number one idol on the street?”

“….”

As I hesitated to respond, unable to find the right words, Gyeoul, who was pacing on the bench with a blindfold on, called out to me with a cheerful smile.

“Teacher Taeyang, I just had another idea! How about we actually tie up our hands and feet this time?”

“….”

It was clear to anyone watching that she was enjoying herself.

…Are you really worried about stalkers, Gyeoul?

*

The English version of Girl Revolution’s “Albatross” has gained popularity overseas, successfully being used as background music for short videos and trending as a fashionable element.

As a result, many collaboration requests from foreign companies, producers, and artists started flooding in.

It seems that the term “Jin Yeoreum risk” didn’t carry much weight abroad.

While it varies by country, there seems to be a limited sensitivity to the moral risks associated with celebrities in foreign contexts.

Most collaboration proposals came for Gaeul, the main vocalist of Girl Revolution, and for some reason, they arrived to me as well. However, unusually, this time the request was directed at Gyeoul.

And it came from none other than the super rookie, Martin W. Miller, who would soon be gracing the Billboard charts regularly.

Though he was still relatively known only among niche fans, he was undeniably a rising talent.

Even without considering the future, I would have agreed to the collaboration, but to my surprise, Martin said he would come to Korea himself.

Today was the day we were scheduled to meet for the first time.

“Wow, it’s great to finally meet you, Ms. Gyeoul. I’m Martin, a fan of Girl Revolution, especially of you!”

Gyeoul, frozen by Martin’s English, looked distressed and said,

“…What do we do without Older Sister Yeoreum? Should I turn on a translator?”

That wouldn’t help much.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Martin. Gyeoul and I are also fans of your music. I found every track in your latest album ‘Ready to Die’ to be both challenging and skilled.”

“Team Leader Seon, you speak English?”

“Yeah.”

“…Wow.”
I’m not that impressive, so it was a bit of a heavy reaction.

“I’m a level 6 in English!”

“Uh… right. You worked hard.”

“Hehe.”

Considering they didn’t even go to school properly, it’s impressive they managed to get that out.

“Wow, I’m honored that you already know my music. Hearing such praise from the composer of Albatross makes me really happy.”

I translated his words, taking on the role of Gyeoul’s interpreter and leading the meeting.

“That’s nice. I can definitely feel Gyeoul’s musical style and goals clearly.”

“Uh, I don’t really have anything that great.”

“Think positively, Gyeoul. They’re looking at you favorably.”

Of course, I didn’t translate everything directly; adding a bit more was my secret for this occasion. It sounded like Gyeoul had an impressive understanding of music. Well, if Gyeoul is viewed positively, everyone benefits.

“It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve had a pleasant conversation. Instead, how about stopping by my studio later? Inspiration keeps coming to me.”

Then Ina Bi, who was filming from behind, said, “Oh, that’s a great drawing. Please keep it up, Team Leader Seon.”

Ah, I didn’t realize we were being recorded.

*

As we finished the meeting with Martin and were leaving, we found another note.

“Don’t even look at it or grab it! Do you think I’m joking? I’ll seriously kill you!”

Gyeoul tightly grabbed my arm as if she couldn’t understand, “Why do I feel like you’re even angrier after doing what you said?”

“…Well, of course it’s normal to be angry.”

I think from the stalker’s perspective, it might be seen as teabagging in the face of a threat.

By the way, how on earth did this guy attach another note?

Honestly, I had something in mind that matched Gyeoul’s provocation to gather evidence for a proper investigation, but this situation just undermined that.

Excluding the production team and Martin, I hadn’t contacted anyone at all, and I couldn’t understand how this harmony came to be.

Seemingly unaware of my concerns, Gyeoul looked at me and smiled, saying, “Then how about we try this?”

“Huh?”
…What kind of provocation are you trying this time?

*

“Mom, what are those people doing this time?”

“Uh, it’s a kind of skinship between loved ones.”

“Ah ha.”

“…”

Wearing a blindfold, Gyeoul spoke with an excited voice, seemingly unaware of the surrounding gazes.

“This! In this position, I’m not looking at or grabbing Teacher Taeyang!”

“Um, that’s true. Grabbing isn’t me, it’s you.”

Gyeoul chose the position of a piggyback ride this time.

Hanging on like a panda, Gyeoul held me tight, as if excited.

No matter how I think about it, it felt like a position filled with determination to mess with a stalker.

“…Is this really okay? Author-nim.”

“You look like a kind uncle playing with a child, so it feels good! Let’s keep going, and I’ll add pretty subtitles.”

…Am I the only one who thinks this is weird?

*

As planned, meeting with a number of unidentified individuals was difficult due to stalker issues. So after volunteering at the usual orphanage and chatting with Yoon Haneul, we started heading back to the company.

Of course, Gyeoul was still on my back as she wished.

So, while Gyeoul was piggybacking, she said,

“Teacher Taeyang.”

“Hmm? Gyeoul, do you have something to say?”

“…Thank you for indulging my childishness today.”

What’s with this?

It was quite surprising to suddenly be in a triangular situation or a piggyback ride, but I was having fun too.

“If you want, I can indulge you as much as you want. You are my idol.”

“…”

With that, Gyeoul hugged me tighter and said,

“…What if I’m not an idol anymore?”

“…”

“…Then will Han Gyeoul still be part of Teacher Taeyang’s life?”

Just as I was about to answer, I felt a strange sensation running down my neck and reflexively turned to protect Gyeoul.

Kugish!

The wooden stick held by the assailant broke, and my arm, which blocked it, was quite, no, extremely sore.

I had a vague thought that it might be fractured.

Yet, I turned my back to protect the fallen Gyeoul and glared at the assailant in front of me.

“Damn, didn’t I tell you not to do that?!”

Looks like that little bastard is a stalker.

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