Episode 199
I was currently trying to remain as rational as possible while witnessing Yoon Jeong, an idol who ranked among the top in this country and the very person I had blackmailed, declaring herself as my fan.
“Is this some sort of new bullying tactic? Who told you to do this?”
“It’s not like that!”
Then what is it?
“It’s hard to understand the meaning here. Why have you become my fan? We’re not exactly on good terms, are we? Rather, it’s a bit awkward and uncomfortable… Honestly, I think this whole situation feels like a bad joke.”
“No, that’s not it…”
With a glum expression contrasting her sharp gaze, Yoon Jeong hesitated before speaking cautiously.
“Producer Cheon Jong-hoon often showed us Team Leader Seon’s work. If we want to remain as artists, we should take note of it.”
…Did that gentleman actually do that?
He’s always busy putting me down in front of others, but behind my back, he’s been saying such things?
Cursing in front and praising behind… isn’t that usually the opposite?
“I had my doubts, but since it was what the producer said, I followed along. Honestly, although I didn’t have to, I listened in on things related to Girl Revolution. As I followed and analyzed Team Leader Seon’s works one by one, I started to think, ‘Ah, this person must want to make others shine. I thought everyone wanted to be the main character, but there is someone like this too.’”
“It started with the works, and now I even look up programs like reality shows and documentaries where you appear, without anyone telling me to. It started off from mere curiosity, and I even checked out the fan café… Eventually, I joined and participated a bit. So when I said I’m a fan, it’s not a joke. I mean it sincerely.”
That was quite an unexpected statement, but it didn’t change my thoughts.
I disliked that woman.
Because of that, I kept my distance. I didn’t want to deal with fans or any of that nonsense.
“Regardless of my position, you should definitely still have some resentment towards me, right? I can’t understand how all those feelings could vanish just because of the works. So…”
Before I could push her away, Yoon Jeong cut in.
“Actually, I didn’t think of you as that bad of a person.”
“Excuse me? Is your memory a bit off?”
“No, just listen! …So, when I filmed the scene where I bullied Gyeoul and got blackmailed because of it, I was flustered, angry, and wanted to cry back then. But as time goes on and I think about it, I can’t help but wonder, ‘Is there someone who would step up for me when I’m struggling?’”
“Is there anyone who can help me?”
“….”
“So, I just wanted to say a few things. It’d be nice to get an autograph too. Actually… I really want to get a lot. I couldn’t go to the fan meeting because I was worried there might be an article or something…”
Yoon Jeong was actually lucky to win a spot, but she was whining that the manager wouldn’t allow it.
Even amidst all this, I saw Yoon Jeong adjusting her tone while being cautious of my reaction, and I spoke up.
“You were able to understand, after all.”
“…Huh? Understand what?”
“Other people’s circumstances and feelings. If you hadn’t, you wouldn’t have reached this strange position of being my fan.”
“Ah, yes. I understood Team Leader Seon, so I… ”
“In that case…”
And my gaze was growing colder as I looked at her.
“Why couldn’t Gyeoul understand?”
“Ah…”
That kid tried.
Putting all the blame on herself, in an effort not to be a nuisance, she tried her best even if it was immature and unstable methods just to be recognized.
But what that kid had to face was the worst outcome.
“You can do it, just like you understood me, she could understand too!”
“….”
“Was it that hard? To show a little consideration and extend a hand to a kid trying her best?”
“I was young and immature, so I didn’t really know, and I was selfish, so I didn’t even try to understand… That’s how it was back then.”
And she lowered her head, speaking in a pathetic tone.
“I’m sorry.”
“….”
I just wanted to pretend I didn’t know.
I wanted to keep this strange aftertaste to myself and cover it up.
However, I shouldn’t.
“You said you needed an autograph.”
“Ah… yes!”
“I’ll give it to you. But…”
I expressed my thoughts.
“There’s a condition.”
*
Amidst the dazzling lights, the generous investments from TwoBear captured in the visuals, and the stage sets shining bright, the concert’s opening and subsequent group songs came to a close.
Next up, Oh Yoori was duetting with actress Han Ye-ji, who had previously had conflicts with her.
“Yuri is also doing really well.”
“With her experience, the term veteran doesn’t even suffice.”
“But it’s really amazing. Even while becoming a rising star in acting, she can still do this. I’m envious.”
I said to Gaeul, who was watching Oh Yoori’s performance as we waited for the next act backstage.
“You’re amazing too. There’s no need to envy others.”
“…I’m also someone Brother Taeyang chose. I should at least be good enough, right?”
“Good enough? You’re the best!”
“Unlike the other kids, I only have vocals. That’s why you say that, right?”
I looked into Gaeul’s trembling eyes. And I made a decision. It was earlier than I thought, but I figured it would be better to show what I had prepared now.
“Gaeul, wait a second, follow me.”
“Huh? But it’s almost stage time….”
Knowing there wasn’t much time left, I grabbed Gaeul’s hand and led her quickly.
I thought explaining while moving would be fine.
“There’s still a bit of time before you go on stage, we can handle it in that time….”
“Running away from Sarang…? Hehe.”
“….”
I was glad persuasion didn’t seem necessary.
*
And then, in the rushing VIP Zone, I finally found the person I had been looking for.
That person looked at me with a shocked expression.
“Team Leader Seon?”
And right behind was the slightly delayed Gaeul, who chased after me.
“Brother Taeyang, I lost your hand! Grab it again… Mom?”
And so the two of them met.
Gaeul, looking bewildered at her mother, quickly turned her head and seemed to bolt away.
I chased after her and grabbed her.
“Gaeul, wait a second….”
“I’m sorry, Brother Taeyang. I don’t want to be in the same space as that person.”
“Just wait a minute, it’s enough.”
“…No. …I don’t want to,”
Gaeul looked at me with slightly teary eyes.
“I don’t want to be an annoying person to Brother Taeyang anymore.”
“….”
“So I won’t get involved with that person or Father anymore. Just people who create burdens and then erase them…”
“Gaeul.”
“….”
I took a handkerchief out of my pocket and carefully wiped her eyes so her makeup wouldn’t smudge.
Then I said,
“The person I wanted to show you wasn’t your mother.”
“….”
Leading her, who seemed confused, I brought her back to the seats in the VIP Zone.
Understanding the situation, Gaeul’s mother stepped back a little.
I was captivated.
Instead, standing in front was a girl about 11 years old.
She looked just like Gaeul.
Gaeul quickly grasped the meaning and froze for a moment.
And the kid who noticed Gaeul smiled brightly and said,
“Wow! It’s really Older Sister Gaeul!”
She came running, arms wide, and hugged Gaeul tightly.
Gaeul seemed unsure, standing awkwardly.
“Thank you, Older Sister Gaeul! I heard that because of you, I can get surgery! I just wanted to say thank you so much!”
“That’s not… me…”
“I’m going to be an idol just like Older Sister Gaeul when I grow up!”
“….”
“And you know, Older Sister, there was something else I wanted to say.”
Gently cuddling Gaeul like handling a fragile jewel, the little girl said,
“You’re the coolest in the world!”
*
A short while later, it was time for Gaeul to step onto the stage.
Which meant it was my time to shine too. This time, the song we were going to perform was the duet “I’ll be by your side.”
Standing in the center stage in a familiar pose, I placed my hands on the piano, trying to calm my nerves as I waited for the spotlight to hit.
Carrying an acoustic guitar, Gaeul glanced back at me and said,
“It feels like old times, Brother Taeyang.”
“Old times?”
“Yes, that moment when we first busked together.”
I chuckled softly, feeling the nostalgia in that familiar conversation.
“Isn’t so much changed since then? The stage, the audience, the time?”
“Nothing has changed. And it won’t change in the future.”
Gaeul stared at me.
“Whether there’s an audience or not, no matter where in the world, at any time or appearance.”
I gazed back at her.
“As long as Brother Taeyang is by my side.”
Her eyes glistened.
“Thank you for holding my hand back then. I… I…”
And a lone tear rolled down.
“I’m so happy to be an idol with Brother Taeyang.”
As soon as those words ended, the spotlight shone on her.
In the dazzling light, with a clear smile, the world’s greatest diva—not…
The world’s greatest idol sang.
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