182nd Episode
Gaeu, with a sociability reminiscent of a golden retriever, skillfully maintained a soft and gentle atmosphere, while Yeoreum, a model of discipline, was strict with herself but generous towards others. Surprisingly, they were a perfect match.
They were mature enough to consider each other, having gone through the process of sharing and understanding each other’s pain, making their friendship or partnership ideal, able to resolve minor conflicts quickly.
During the days of staff shortages when I handled all the schedules myself, I sometimes saw just the two of them together. I could observe the process of these wounded kids gradually opening their hearts to each other.
It felt like a small miracle.
In the last episode, their understanding of each other, having passed by unaware of each other’s existence, felt remarkable to me.
“…..”
But how did it come to this?
Seeing those two building such a gentle and beautiful relationship while I watched with satisfaction from behind.
In the office where the three of us gathered, an unusually cold silence filled the air.
No matter how I looked at it, it was distant from the word “gentle.”
Suddenly, I wondered if I was the only one caught up in paranoia, misinterpreting the atmosphere.
So, I mustered the courage to observe their expressions closely.
I confirmed that both of them had sharp and stern looks, frozen like ice.
…Yep, not a misunderstanding after all.
“….”
Seriously, how did it come to this? Who the hell created this situation?
I recalled the past with a sense of grievance, and then I realized.
The root of all of it was me.
…That idiot was me.
Honestly, I felt like banging my head on the desk and fainting to be taken to the hospital, but knowing that if I ran away like that, no one would take responsibility, I gathered my courage and spoke up.
“So, what did you want to say by coming here?”
The two of them, scrutinizing the atmosphere with cold eyes, began glancing at me with slightly flustered expressions.
I smile gently, hoping they would feel comfortable speaking.
Seeing me like this, the two of them seemed to come to a decision and simultaneously opened their mouths.
“I want to sing the version featuring Brother Taeyang.”
“Can I sing the version featuring Team Leader Seon?”
“….”
Unbelievable.
With the worry of how to handle this swirling in my head, I pretended to think hard, but Gaeul, perhaps spurred by the fact that she had competition, spoke up urgently.
“I truly think Gyeoul’s voice is remarkable. But if we’re looking solely at vocals, I’m confident I can deliver top-notch quality. So if the song is structured so that I fill it completely, I think… I might do even better. I hope you’ll give me the chance. I’d like to sing once and see if I match Brother Taeyang’s featuring.”
Then Yeoreum chimed in.
“Older Sister Gaeul already has a solid position with her track that’s gone up on Music Road, widely accepted by listeners as a solo track, so I think there’s no need for it to go on as another version on the album. Rather, it’d be more efficient to release another solo track. Older Sister Gaeul’s voice and brand value have already reached that level. So, in this album, I think it would be better to satisfy the fans’ wishes as Girl Revolution… like if I were to participate in Team Leader Seon’s featuring.”
In response to Yeoreum’s words, Gaeul quietly countered.
“If there’s a way to achieve even better quality, shouldn’t we obviously choose that best method?”
“An album isn’t just structured that way. Of course, we should aim for the highest quality. But just because there’s an outstanding main vocalist in the group doesn’t mean that member should handle all the tracks—that’s not what the fans want.”
“I think it’s fine to consider that when Girl Revolution has firmly established itself later. Right now, isn’t it more important to prioritize achieving better quality? One opportunity is incredibly precious. And if it’s for the sake of gaining various experiences, adding other tracks would be more than enough to solve that, right?”
“The group known as Girl Revolution is somewhat established. More precisely, it’s not the group itself, but each member has established themselves in their own domains, which is similar in terms of notoriety. Or rather, there are even more positive aspects about it. Various individual fans can converge with this album. And adding other tracks can be done for Older Sister Gaeul too.”
Yeoreum said while looking directly at Gaeul, as if it were obvious.
“Are you saying Gaeul can release a solo track anytime she wants?”
“I’d be fine not releasing a solo track if I could feature with Brother Taeyang.”
“That’s just Gaeul being greedy, not thinking about the company.”
“…Greedy?”
Gaeul’s words, though somewhat stiff, now carried an emotional weight.
“It feels like I’m not the only one being greedy right now, Yeoreum?”
Facing that sentiment, Yeoreum slightly smirked and replied.
“Yeah, I have a lot of greed too… just to not be outdone by Gaeul.”
“…”
The air froze.
At that moment, the office door burst open, and someone entered.
“Teacher Taeyang! The girl Yoon Jeong, who got close during the variety show, wanted your autograph. So, here and here…”
“…..”
As she spoke, Gyeoul seemed to sense the heavy atmosphere that enveloped the room, sweating coldly and politely apologizing before saying,
“…I’ll just step out.”
I hurriedly stopped Gyeoul.
“Gyeoul! I’ll give you an autograph! Where should I sign? I’ll do it all, just stay here!”
Where do you think you’re going, leaving me behind? You can’t go.
“…..”
Even with one more person added, the atmosphere didn’t change at all.
Well, the source of the conflict remained the same, so why would it?
I let out a small sigh and started to organize things.
“The whole featuring thing was just something the President casually mentioned. It’s not going to happen, so there’s no need for you two to worry. This conversation ends here.”
“Huh?”
The one reacting to that was Gyeoul, who was nervously looking around in a cold sweat.
“…Is Teacher Taeyang’s featuring version disappearing?”
“It’s not disappearing, because it was basically a guide recording. It just shows a rough structure of the music, enough to help you during the actual recording.”
“I don’t want it to disappear.”
…Huh?
“Gyeoul, what did you just say…?”
“I don’t want it to disappear.”
Gyeoul said this while slightly trembling, yet she didn’t avoid my gaze.
“…Could you, maybe, just do it for me? It’s too precious to me.”
“….”
“….”
And everyone’s gaze turned towards me.
Anticipation, anxiety, longing, hope, affection, sorrow.
It was difficult. So very difficult.
But I couldn’t just ignore those kids’ feelings.
Taking a deep breath, I spoke as if giving up.
“Well then, I’ll…”
“I need to go back to the girls’ accommodation, what is everyone doing? Didn’t we agree that if we don’t get permission, we have to go together to avoid stalkers? I waited for a long time in the practice room by myself.”
Suddenly, Oh Yoori appeared, scratching her pink hair in annoyance.
Gaeul, feeling unapologetic, lowered her head but spoke cautiously.
“…Well, I have something I want to say.”
“Do we really have to do that now? Can’t we do it tomorrow?”
“…”
“Let’s not bother Team Leader Seon, who is already busy. Let’s just go. We have tomorrow too.”
Hearing that, the kids, glancing at my face, interpreted some emotion from my expression and apologetically addressed me in their own ways. Then they left my office, promising to see me tomorrow.
Even after everyone had left the office, Yoori remained.
I pretended to be nonchalant and teasing as usual.
“Aren’t you going?”
Yoori wiped away all her usual playful demeanor and spoke seriously.
“It’s okay for you to be a bit of a bad person, Team Leader Seon.”
“…”
“But don’t become too bad of a person like me. …See you tomorrow.”
With those words, Yoori also left the office.
“…”
Left alone in the office, I mumbled the words I couldn’t bring myself to say, without even grasping what emotions I was feeling.
“…I’m already a bad person, Yuri.”
*
Late at night, thinking about tomorrow’s schedule, everyone should have already fallen asleep, but no one in the Girl Revolution’s accommodation was sleeping.
Everyone was simply with their eyes closed, lost in thought.
And everyone knew that each of them was likely doing the same. Yet, the silence persisted as if it knew nothing.
In that artificially induced quiet space, Yoori opened her mouth.
“Shall we have a little talk?”
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