Chapter 180
Without even feeling embarrassment, I declared myself a genius and crashed my head onto the keyboard.
“…I should’ve just said, ‘I understand’ and called it a day.”
It took only three days to shatter that damn pride.
“What were you thinking, trying to act all fancy about making a new song? If you were going to come up with it, it should’ve been like ‘Ta-da!’ from the start! Why bullst about it? Seon Taeyang, you idiot.”
My past self was my enemy.
All for a moment of pride, my future self was suffering like this.
As I was frantically squeezing my brain for three hours, a knock interrupted me.
“Come in.”
“…Teacher Taeyang.”
“…Gyeoul?”
It was Gyeoul, who had been avoiding me lately after rejecting my confession.
I was genuinely delighted that Gyeoul approached me first, so I welcomed her warmly.
“Gyeoul! What brings you here?”
“…Uh, well…”
“I’ve been finding it hard to keep up with my schedule, and opportunities for conversation have been scarce. I was really hoping to see you more often, so I’m grateful and excited that you came to me. Are you okay? Last time, Manager Seok expressed concern about your busy schedule. I wanted to talk about that, too. All the programs are good, but the most important thing is your condition. If you’re uncomfortable or struggling, it’s okay to cut back. I have enough authority to…”
“Teacher Taeyang! I’m fine! Really!”
Seeing Gyeoul panicking and waving her hands made me realize I had gone a bit overboard.
“Sorry. I got a little carried away there. Haha, just so happy to see you.”
Gyeoul, with a dazed expression, suddenly burst into tears.
I jumped up in shock and patted Gyeoul’s back like she was a baby.
“Gyeoul, are you okay? What’s wrong? If you have something on your mind, I’d appreciate it if you tell me. I’ll do my best to help! …Or did I say something wrong?”
“Waaah…!”
Looks like I must have really messed up; Gyeoul was beyond just crying—she was wailing.
…Oh dear, my little weirdo.
I’m sorry. Did I screw up again?
“Gyeoul, I messed up. I’m sorry, don’t cry. I just want you to be happy and smiling always.”
As I was seriously contemplating whether I should kneel, Gyeoul said,
“It’s not that Teacher Taeyang did anything wrong. It’s just that I’ve realized something.”
“No, it’s just that I’ve realized something.”
“You’ve realized?”
“Yeah, I should have just talked to Teacher Taeyang instead of overthinking and running away.”
Gyeoul dried her tears with her sleeve and spoke.
“This all happened because of my own greed. I added an uncomfortable burden to Teacher Taeyang without any sense of responsibility as an idol… I was scared. It hurt too. So I just kept avoiding it instead of facing it properly, but hearing Teacher Taeyang’s words to me…”
With her forehead pressed against mine, Gyeoul said this.
“I just felt so ashamed of myself.”
“….”
As a manager, as a team leader, as an adult, and as someone who is loved.
Knowing that one couldn’t be perfect in every way, I came to a compromise.
That was the reason I interrupted Gyeoul’s confession. Even if we can’t go back to how things were before, I believed it was the right thing to do.
But maybe I was wrong.
“…Hiiik! Teacher Taeyang?”
I softly hugged Gyeoul, still in my comforting pose.
“Uh, I’m good. Really good. Are you okay, Teacher Taeyang?”
“Gyeoul.”
“Yes…, yes!”
The relationship with that little one was incredibly precious to me. So much so that the word ‘give up’ was hard to even say.
“Thank you.”
I was glad to have regressed.
Because I could meet Gyeoul, a bond more precious than anything.
Gyeoul, who was twisting her body in embarrassment, seemed to remember something and rummaged through her pockets as she spoke.
“Um, Teacher Taeyang?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you want to share this?”
With that, Gyeoul pulled out two cans of beer from her training bag.
…Is this what’s trending among high school girls lately?
“…Why do you have this?”
“I wanted to talk to Teacher Taeyang, and Yuri said it would help if I brought this along.”
This kid taught something bad. What if other kids start showing up with a can of beer too?
…If the company finds out, it won’t just end in a joke.
But to be objective, I had to admit that my influence was partially responsible for Oh Yoori thinking like this, so it was hard to scold too harshly.
It was unavoidable. I needed to stop this firmly now.
“Gyeoul, put that away. No, leave it here.”
“…What?”
“You know how this might look to others, right? You’re a minor and this is a workplace. So, obviously, I can’t allow drinking or anything like that. Alcohol-free or not.”
“Don’t you know how this can be seen? You’re a minor, and this is a company. So, of course, we can’t allow you to drink anything, whether it’s non-alcoholic or not.”
“…..”
As I finished my firm statement, Gyeoul fell silent for a moment.
Gyeoul, who had been hesitating, quietly looked up at me and said,
“Am I not allowed?”
And tears, which had paused on Gyeoul’s cheeks, began to flow again.
My heart wavered at her pitiful sight, but I steeled my resolve and replied,
“Of course….”
*
Why wouldn’t you be allowed?
I clinked my non-alcoholic can with Gyeoul’s and took a refreshing swig of beer.
It was objectively a complete mess, no two ways about it.
Oh whatever, if Gyeoul wants to do it, how can I say no?
So, Gyeoul and I had a long chat after a while.
In the process, a slightly tipsy Gyeoul, who had been chattering away in front of me, suddenly called me with a serious tone.
“…Teacher Taeyang.”
“Huh?”
“Do you need help, Teacher Taeyang?”
“…Help?”
“Yes, help.”
Gyeoul said while fiddling with her non-alcoholic beer glass, held tightly in both hands.
“You always lend a hand to those around you. Even in situations that anyone would turn away from or find a hassle and give up on, you’re the first to rush in and help.”
“I do tend to meddle a lot.”
Gyeoul shook her head vigorously.
“That’s not a bad thing to call it. It’s remarkable, really. …But sometimes, I wonder if you also need help, Teacher Taeyang, who is always caring for others.”
“….”
“There are times like that for me. If there were ever times when Teacher Taeyang felt overwhelmed.”
Gyeoul said this with unwavering eyes, contrary to her timid character.
“I want to give you that help.”
*
Whenever Gyeoul faced a crisis, Taeyang was always there.
Whenever Gyeoul felt sadness, Taeyang was always there.
Then, who would be by his side when he faces a crisis and feels sadness?
‘…Isn’t this the heart that should be called the meddling Taeyang spoke of? Am I overstepping, unable to even handle my own matters?’
There are many people who like Taeyang. So there might be many by his side in those moments.
But Gyeoul hoped that person would be herself.
I wish I had been a god.
If I can’t be by his side as a lover, then I at least want to take that place.
That was the timid Gyeoul’s unshakeable greed.
“…I may not be much, but I want to be Teacher Taeyang’s strength.”
So she said, hoping that one day Taeyang would think of her in such a moment.
Taeyang, who was dazedly looking at Gyeoul, suddenly spoke.
“…Ah, I just remembered.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“An idea.”
With that, Taeyang took out a tablet and started scribbling something before sitting down at the piano.
He scratched his head and then asked Gyeoul.
“Can you listen and give your opinion?”
“Me?”
“Yeah, the artist who needs to sing is you, Gyeoul, so no one can evaluate better than you.”
“…I don’t think I’m qualified to evaluate. Should I call Gaeul unni?”
“No, I want to hear your opinion right now.”
“….”
In front of hesitant Gyeoul, Taeyang spoke with his usual smile.
“It’s just a simple play, so if it doesn’t resonate with you, feel free to say so.”
Gyeoul had no justification, will, or heart to refuse Taeyang’s words, spoken with that smile.
In fact, if Taeyang suddenly suggested that he wanted to be the boss and break off to TwoBear, Gyeoul would instinctively nod.
This time was no different. Gyeoul, enchanted by that smile, nodded unconsciously.
Seeing Gyeoul’s face, Taeyang smiled softly and placed his hands on the keys.
“Well, I’ll start now.”
As his fingers began to dance elegantly over the keys, Gyeoul found herself being pulled in by the sweet melody, and at that moment, Taeyang opened his mouth and began to sing.
“….”
It was simple humming without any lyrics.
But it was enough to fill the song with warmth.
“….”
As the song concluded, Taeyang looked at Gyeoul, expecting feedback.
“Teacher Taeyang.”
“Yeah? How was it?”
Gyeoul spoke seriously, with genuine intent.
“Have you thought about debuting?”
Han Gyeoul, a 10-year veteran of all things anime, manga, and gaming, felt like this was the moment Seon Taeyang became firmly fixed in her heart.
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