Chapter 197
With her uniquely elegant black hair casually brushed back, Jin Yeoreum sat in the rear seat of a luxurious sedan.
Next to her was a woman in a black suit, anxiously awaiting Yeoreum’s question.
After finishing some contacts on her smartphone, she turned to the waiting woman.
“Who did you contact today?”
“Well, if it’s previous information, you can check that in the archives, but the personal information and details after 5 PM are currently being organized visually. I’ll do my best to ensure you can review it during your travel time.”
“Make it faster.”
“…Yes ma’am.”
As Jin Yeoreum checked the previously reported information on her tablet, a woman confirmed the updated information urgently over the intercom.
“The target’s location has started to change.”
“Of course, that’s because it’s different from Team Leader Seon’s existing schedule, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Hmm… Where is that location?”
“…They are on the move. I will continuously report the changed location, direction, and speed after calculations.”
With that, Jin Yeoreum pondered while resting her chin on her hand, brushing her silky hair back once again before speaking.
“Just chase them.”
“Excuse me?”
“I said chase them.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to head to the meeting place in advance…?”
“…”
The woman, meeting Yeoreum’s gaze, broke into a cold sweat and immediately bowed her head.
“Ah… Understood.”
Hearing the anxious woman speak to the driver, Jin Yeoreum buried her face in the seat.
And she thought about the unspoken reason.
‘…I need to always be by Team Leader Seon’s side.’
*
Having successfully escaped the main house of Gyeoul, I hurriedly moved.
There wasn’t much time left until the dinner appointment.
In my rush to catch a taxi, instead of one, a luxurious limousine stopped right in front of me.
The back door opened, and my familiar idol walked out.
“Nice to see you, Team Leader Seon.”
It was Yeoreum, donning a designer drop-shoulder dress that seemed expensive.
With leather patches and a polo neck style, she looked casual for its expected price range, but since she embodied high fashion herself, it felt gloriously upscale enough for any awards ceremony.
“Yeoreum? How did you…?”
“I came out to greet you, Team Leader Seon.”
So, I had this fundamental question about how they knew my current location, but reflecting on my past experiences, I realized it would be hard to find a clear answer, so I just brushed it off.
“Right, you came out to welcome me because you were worried I’d be late for the meeting.”
“More like I’m not missing my chance to monopolize Team Leader Seon’s time.”
“….”
Seeing me at a loss for words, Yeoreum let out a small laugh and politely guided me inside the car, almost like a butler or maid from an old movie.
“I’ll guide you. To make you comfortable.”
“That seems a bit rude. I’m a bit rolled around, and my clothes are dirty. I’ll just tidy up and find my way to the meeting in time.”
“Not at all rude. It’s quite lucky for me. Plus, you’re going to see my father and mother, right?”
“…Thanks. But could you drop me off to change my clothes for a moment? I feel too embarrassed to see them looking like this.”
“I’ll have a tailor and designer on call.”
Yeoreum didn’t just mean for that to be a suggestion; she started rapidly instructing the man and woman in suits who followed her.
“Contact every designer and tailor currently in the country. Find the best talent that can capture Team Leader Seon’s charm completely. Remember, this is a very important task. Understood?”
“Understood, Miss… I will complete this with my life on the line.”
“…”
Wait, do we really need to go that far?
*
Maybe it was the joy of an old reunion or perhaps the trust I had built up over time, but Jin Baek-ho, Yeoreum’s father and chairman of Jinkang, maintained an unexpectedly pleasant atmosphere.
As he kept this warm vibe, mealtime flowed in a better mood than ever—until he threw out a question.
“So, when are you two getting married?”
I couldn’t hide my surprise and asked back, “…What?”
“Marriage; our Yeoreum’s grown up, and the contract period isn’t that long anymore, so it’s about time to start thinking!”
“Dear, isn’t that a bit too rushed?”
“Rushed? After seeing you two for this long, it’s more than enough to consider!”
“That’s not it; Yeoreum is still young, right? Please stop acting so silly. We haven’t even said we’d do it.”
“Marriage is something that’s better done quickly. Especially with those two, what’s the hold-up?”
I have no idea how he got those expectations in the first place. But what was really bothering me more than the word “marriage” he used was…
Something weighed heavier on my mind than words.
“Um… what do you mean by contract termination?”
Jin Baek-ho spoke as if he couldn’t understand why I was asking something so obvious.
“What do you mean?! The contract period is over, so there’s no reason for Yeoreum to continue as an idol.”
I hid my flustered feelings and cautiously expressed my opinion.
“Ms. Yeoreum’s current brand value is extremely high. Just the other day, even with the condition that it was a gender-neutral ranking, she was recorded as third in the list of female celebrities’ brand value. With someone like Ms. Yeoreum, wouldn’t it be better for her to continue being an idol?”
“Why is it good?”
“Huh?”
“What does she gain from that to suggest it’s good?”
Jin Baek-ho spoke as if he were simply stating facts rather than trying to educate me.
“You could earn money. Her image could improve more… But isn’t that where it ends? And both of those things are already plenty. The initial goal of changing Yeoreum’s image has long been achieved. Money? Well, that’s a tired topic.”
“….”
“Well, I won’t stop you from wanting to keep working. I understand you don’t see management just as a way to make money… Still, if I may speak honestly, I’d rather give you a few buildings so you could take Yeoreum on a leisurely trip instead. What do you think? Have you changed your mind?”
“…No, I’ll politely decline.”
“I knew you would. That’s why I didn’t say anything separately. I understand. But I think Yeoreum should stop being an idol.”
“What’s the reason?”
Jin Baek-ho replied firmly.
“I don’t want to see that girl hurt by public opinion anymore.”
“….”
“She’s been hurt enough, endured all she could, and has overcome it. So now, it’s okay for her to seek happiness.”
In the gathering gaze of others, he asked me.
“Don’t you think so too?”
*
And so, the meal ended.
Without giving a clear answer, I simply paid attention to the good atmosphere.
Leaving behind unresolved echoes, I walked with Yeoreum in the night breeze.
And I casually said,
“Thanks for today. For coming to meet me, for inviting me to this gathering, and even for this outfit.”
“Not at all. Honestly, you just went along with my demands. I was merely repaying what I received, even if it’s still quite insufficient.”
“…If that’s the thought behind the gifts you keep sending to my house, you can stop. You haven’t received anything from me. Even if you did, I’ve already repaid it all.”
A small gift was fine, but the amount of presents Yeoreum was sending was way beyond ordinary.
Designer clothes, men’s perfumes, belts, watches, limited edition gadgets—the list was endless.
All of it was excessive for me.
However, feeling bad about refusing the gifts, I casually said,
“I’m sorry to say this, but there are so many that we don’t even have room in our house. Haha.”
Yeoreum chuckled softly and handed me a key.
When I tilted my head in confusion, she held my hand tightly around the key and said,
“Hehe, so I bought the house next door to you. Now it can be used as a storage room for all the gifts you’ve received.”
“….”
“I wanted to tell you once the remodeling was completed, but it’s a bit unfortunate. I’m taking care to ensure there’s no wasted space for a dressing room, gaming room, collection room, and personal studio. I had so much fun thinking about what you might like.”
That was dedication, a nobility of spirit that I couldn’t handle.
However, my impression was different. The déjà vu I felt from Yeoreum’s words became overwhelming.
I decided to ask her a question I had long avoided.
“Yeoreum, do you want to be an idol?”
“…Yes, that’s right. That’s the reason I’m with you, Team Leader Seon.”
That wasn’t the answer I wanted.
I slightly revised my words.
“Let me rephrase that. Do you want to be an idol in the future?”
“…. ”
A brief silence.
In that moment, the silence erased even the sounds of the world.
In the distance, as if it were just the two of us, Yeoreum gazed at me with the most beautiful eyes.
And then she said,
“If you want me to be an idol, I will become one. Or if you want me to be an investor to start a new company, I will become that. A fun friend, a lover, a pet—whatever it is, I will be anything you desire.”
“…. ”
“I will be what you want me to be.”
As if she were stating an unchanging truth. Naturally.
“Because I belong to you, Team Leader Seon.”
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