Episode 204
The man known as Seon Taeyang is like the embodiment of responsibility.
He considers not just his own tasks but even the burdens unfairly placed upon him by others as his responsibility, trying to carry every load on his shoulders.
Given that, the choice he was about to make might have seemed utterly obvious to him.
Rumors of a romance between Seon Taeyang and Yoo Gaeul have surfaced.
This isn’t your typical dating rumor; it’s a declaration straight from the horse’s mouth.
It can almost be seen as an official statement.
What would happen if Seon Taeyang, one of the subjects of this rumor, denied it?
Fans who tried to understand with tolerance might feel deceived.
The agency would appear incapable of controlling its artists, while trying to hide under the illusion that the public still supports them, which would look downright sinister.
Or Yoo Gaeul could be treated like some weird girl with delusions or a compulsive liar.
In any form, this would become a topic of negative gossip, severely damaging the images of both the company and Yoo Gaeul.
In the end, in this situation, he had only one choice.
Gaeul was aware of this.
Thus, no matter how low or vile it seemed, she risked her entire career and image as an idol in this gamble that could lead to winning him over, even with the possibility of backlash lurking.
Fortunately for her, the backlash didn’t come, and the situation began to unfold as she intended.
She had successfully hit the jackpot with her all-in bet.
However, she wasn’t the only one who knew this.
“Gaeul unnie!”
Han Gyeoul entered Gaeul’s accommodation, pushing past the restrained staff, exuding an icy and passionate demeanor that was hard to reconcile with her usually timid and cautious nature.
“Gaeul unnie, do you even know what you’ve done?”
“…Gyeoul-ah.”
Overwhelmed by guilt, anxiety, and a strange ecstasy, Yoo Gaeul was left breathlessly weighing her choices in the room when she once again became aware of her actions through Gyeoul’s uncharacteristically intense attitude, and replied gloomily.
“It’s just… I mean, I…”
Her words disintegrated into mere shapes, unable to convey their meaning.
Gaeul lowered her head, unable to own up to her part in the unfolding chaos, sealing her lips.
Watching this, Gyeoul bit her lip, trying to hide her trembling hands.
“On the day we found out that Teacher Taeyang decided to choose one of us when our contract ends, we talked, remember? We said we would respect whatever choice Taeyang makes. That was the bare minimum of respect we, who had just been emotionally clinging to him, could offer! …So why did you do this, Gaeul unnie?”
“No matter what choice we make, we have to respect it. That’s the least courtesy we can show after just clinging to Teacher Taeyang and pushing our emotions onto him! …But why did Older Sister Gaeul do that?”
“….”
In truth, Gyeoul, who was asking the question, knew better than anyone else the reason.
Seon Taeyang had an overwhelming sense of responsibility. Therefore, in this moment where someone could be hurt because of his choice, he would bear that responsibility alone.
That was the way the man Gyeoul had known for seven years operated.
So foolish, frustrating, and pitifully innocent.
And yet, that was the belief of the man Seon Taeyang who couldn’t help but love.
Gaeul, standing right in front of Gyeoul, surely knew this about him too.
Thus, Yoo Gaeul’s actions were no different from five years ago.
Relying on his kindness, she was putting her life on the scales and begging for love.
“…ha ha.”
Selfish love that doesn’t care about the other person at all.
Vulgar and base possessiveness.
Destroying everything around and even hurting the object of affection with disgusting lust.
That was all there was.
“Yeah, Older Sister must know what that means. …I understand. I understand it so well that I detest myself for it.”
“Gyeoul, what do you mean by that…?”
“Because I’m that kind of person too.”
And it wasn’t only Gaeul who harbored such feelings.
Gyeoul had also held those feelings for a very long time.
“Did you dangle off the rooftop railing and pretend to fall? Threaten to crash the light aircraft?”
“….”
With a face colder than ever, Gyeoul shed tears not of emotional breakdown but of icy determination and screamed.
“I could do that too!”
That was the truth hidden behind the shy personality and fragile expression of the girl named Han Gyeoul.
“No, that’s not even close! I could really jump off the rooftop, and I wouldn’t mind if the plane crashed. If I could receive Teacher Taeyang’s love, I’d be okay with that! But I didn’t do it. I held back. Because I knew it would hurt Teacher Taeyang. I would hate it more than dying if Teacher Taeyang got hurt. …But is it okay for you, Older Sister? You took away all of Teacher Taeyang’s freedom and choices and it’s okay to hurt him?!”
Gaeul’s eyes trembled like crazy. It seemed hard for her to voice anything as only her pitiful gasps escaped. Her pale face looked even more fragile than the usually delicate Yeoreum.
Seeing such Gaeul, Yeoreum wiped away her flowing tears and spoke coldly.
“If you respect Teacher Taeyang, hold another press conference right now. This is just you making excuses. You’re not in that kind of relationship with Teacher Taeyang!”
“…”
“So let Teacher Taeyang choose.”
Gaeul, unable to meet Yeoreum’s gaze, merely mouthed words while sinking into deep, dark guilt.
She was a sinner.
She was a traitor.
She was selfish.
The disgust for herself made her feel nauseous.
Still, Gaeul couldn’t give up on that man.
She trembled, struggling to maintain her balance as she collapsed, forcing her arms and legs to move.
Even as she frequently crumbled, she knelt down and bowed toward Yeoreum.
“Sister, what are you doing right now…”
“…I’m sorry.”
“…”
“I’m sorry. I know I’m repulsive like this, but I… I…”
Gaeul’s voice, so weak it seemed about to break, conveyed an unwavering intent.
“I can’t give up.”
From the highest point, the top idol main vocalist, loved by everyone, knelt down, throwing away her pride, honor, and everything just to beg for one man’s affection.
“…”
As she watched that shallow confession while shedding endless tears, Yeoreum gave up on any further conversation and stumbled out of Gaeul’s accommodation.
The staff at TwoBear, who were guarding Gaeul’s accommodation, were taken aback and asked upon seeing her.
“…Ms. Yeoreum, are you okay?”
“…”
“Your tears…”
“Don’t touch me.”
“…”
Overwhelmed by the cold and clear emotions, the TwoBear staff couldn’t muster the courage to stop her, even as they knew this was no ordinary situation, just making excuses that their duty was to prevent Gaeul from doing anything.
Han Gyeoul walked on, giving up wiping her unstoppable tears.
And thought.
“Teacher Taeyang definitely won’t give up on Gaeul in this situation. He would naturally accept her, regardless of whom he was planning to choose. And for Teacher Taeyang to act like that is the way to minimize the pain for those affected. Neither TwoBear nor Gaeul will be hurt in this turmoil. Once again, as always, if Teacher Taeyang sacrifices himself, it’ll all end.”
“That’s it.”
And Seon Taeyang would remain Gaeul’s lover until the end, no matter what hardships or pain awaited them in the future.
Because that was his way of taking responsibility.
My footsteps came to a halt.
“But what about me? Is that going to be okay for me?”
“….”
The contemplation was brief.
Gyeoul turned her steps back to the accommodation.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Teacher Taeyang. I hated the feelings and actions that would hurt a Taeyang who is lowly and vulgar, who destroys everything consumed by possessiveness…”
Then she boarded a taxi.
“I guess I’m the same kind of person.”
“Where to?”
“Please take me to Cheonseong Ilbo.”
The taxi driver picked up his glasses and spoke leisurely, as if he had no real interest.
“Oh, are you a reporter? Or maybe an announcer?”
“No.”
With a frozen face, Gyeoul spoke through endless tears.
“I’m a whistleblower.”
*
After hours of heated discussion, a policy was established.
“Then, let’s announce that Team Leader Seon and Gaeul are in a relationship from TwoBear’s perspective. Is there anyone against it?”
The colleagues hesitated but directed their gaze at me.
I ignored their gaze and said,
“It seems no one is against it.”
Cheon Aram looked at me with pity and said,
“Okay. Let’s move in the direction everyone discussed from now on. First, Park Miso…”
“Wait, wait a minute!”
At that moment, Seo Eunbyeol rushed in through the meeting room door, shouting urgently.
“There’s a scandal about Team Leader Seon!”
Hearing that, Cheon Aram tilted his head and sighed softly.
“If that’s the case, the policy has already been established. Miso will explain the details, so please follow along.”
Then Seo Eunbyeol said, flustered,
“It was an article that came out five minutes ago, and you already have a policy set?”
“…Five minutes ago? What was it about?”
“It’s about the scandal between Gyeoul and Team Leader Seon.”
“‘….’”
Seo Eunbyeol handed me her tablet, showing the article.
[Cheonseong Ilbo “Exclusive” – Girl Revolution ‘Han Gyeoul’ admits dating ‘Seon Taeyang’ the star manager… hints of marriage.]
“….”
…Excuse me?
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