Chapter 147
I pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the tears from Yeoreum’s eyes.
Yeoreum leaned her head against me in a strangely familiar way, making it easier for me to wipe her tears.
…What’s going on? When have I done this before?
Finally recalling something, Yeoreum said urgently, “…What happened with the broadcast?”
“It wrapped up fine. You don’t need to worry too much.”
But honestly, it was way too chaotic to summarize it with such simple words.
If it had been a pre-recording, maybe it could be overlooked, but the song “Witch’s Hour” that Girl Revolution was performing was broadcast live, and Yeoreum collapsing during that live show was nothing short of an epic broadcast disaster.
Even though recent music shows’ ratings had plummeted below 1% due to targeting global audiences and their own league perceptions, that kind of buzz didn’t just disappear.
Naturally, Yeoreum’s incident during the live broadcast spread like wildfire across all platforms.
There were excessive hate comments threatening someone’s life, aggressive opinions claiming it was a patient cosplay for show, defenses like “Is it right to witch hunt someone just because they got acquitted?” and malicious attacks saying to not even mention it because they couldn’t stand it, alongside blame on the agency for letting it come to this.
There was an overflowing mess of nonsense and harsh words, legal actions, and disappointment in Yeoreum. It was complete chaos.
It was only natural that every staff member at TwoBear, led by the PR team, had to roll up their sleeves and forgo sleep to manage the situation.
Yet somehow, they managed to handle it. Would I say it was perfect? Not a chance.
“…What about our album activities?”
“The album activities for Girl Revolution end here. That’s the conclusion.”
The activities were put on hold.
Having faced a barrage of issues recently, an excessive image drain had already occurred.
Some people even disliked them just for being on TV all the time, and pursuing any more active moves would likely lead to negative consequences.
With the agency already embroiled in exploitation controversies, it was impossible to proceed with more activities.
But more than anything, I had no intention of letting Yeoreum do more.
Even if every condition screamed for more activities, I would have stopped it.
“If it’s because of me, I’m fine. …Starting from tomorrow. No, I can get back to normal schedules right now.”
“I can’t allow that as the team leader. Even if the President tells me to let you, I will do my best to prevent it. Objectively speaking, Yeoreum needs a break right now.”
“…So it’s all because of me that the entire plan fell apart.”
“No, that’s not true.”
“It’s entirely my fault.”
“…. ”
In front of me stood a girl who was only 16 years old.
At that age, relying on others and feeling entitled to protection is completely normal.
Yet, there was none of that attitude in her.
“Yeoreum, you don’t have to bear all the responsibility.”
That could be praised as maturity, or perhaps seen as commendable growth.
But I must not see it that way.
I am the manager.
And my job is to care for her.
“I know how strong your sense of responsibility is, and that you always do your best and then some to protect those you hold dear.”
“…I’m not that good of a person.”
“It’s a bit too late to say that, since I’ve seen you.”
She smiled softly and refuted that claim.
“I’ve seen you in Jinkang, at the orphanage, at TwoBear, and in the future. That’s why I’m saying this. Can you trust me a little?”
“….”
“Don’t try to shoulder it all alone. I’ll help carry that burden with you. …How about starting with just saying what’s tough for you?”
I hadn’t realized she was enduring such pain until it reached this point.
This was a crisis.
So even now, change was necessary.
The first step should be to ease Yeoreum’s sense of responsibility.
Yeoreum averted her trembling eyes from me and spoke.
“Maybe at first, I felt like what Team Leader Seon said. I might have thought I didn’t want to bother anyone else, which showed up in Jinkang and at TwoBear. But this time, it’s different. The reason I didn’t tell Team Leader Seon is not the same.”
…A different reason?
“You said you clearly had a regression, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“I did too. But the future I saw was different from the one you saw.”
Right, it would be a different future. Since we regressed at different times, that’s natural.
Still, after reading the letter, I could have a rough idea of the time she spent.
“Are you talking about the future mentioned in the letter?”
“…Actually, what was written in that letter is different. I only wrote lies in that letter.”
…I didn’t see that coming.
“What lies?”
“The lie that even if a controversy erupted, I didn’t care. The statement that the Korean community maintained a good relationship with me and understood each other, and the claim that I wasn’t recognized, and that I adapted well. All of it.”
“I didn’t mean that I couldn’t recognize it, I just wanted to say I’ve adjusted well.”
With a sorrowful face, she continued her confession.
“I was lonely. But there was someone who always reached out to me.”
“…Was it me?”
“Yes, Team Leader Seon.”
Yeoreum grasped my hands, which were busy wiping her tears, tightly.
“The reason I didn’t say anything this time is not because of responsibility… I’m just afraid you’ll be disappointed in me. The thought of being seen as a burden terrifies me.”
“….”
“No matter how lacking I am, no matter how much trouble I cause, I can’t let you go anymore. So, I’m scared. Scared of showing my shortcomings.”
That girl was just like me.
I always pretended to be strong, even when it made no sense.
I get misunderstood and end up being packaged as incredibly competent, or praised like a genius who succeeds at everything just by touching it.
Honestly, it felt good at first, but as time goes on, the burden only increases.
I can’t keep showing that kind of image.
If all the rewards of the quest disappear, or my pathetic skills are fully revealed, I’ll inevitably show my flaws and disappointment. This assumption gnaws at my heart.
That’s why I clearly realized what Yeoreum needed to hear right now.
“It’s okay to expect.”
“…What?”
“It’s okay if you cause trouble, it’s fine to show your weaknesses. It’s alright to whine like a child, and even to throw a tantrum.”
“I’m not okay with that. If I show you that side of me, Team Leader Seon…”
“I like you. That will never change.”
What she needed was reassurance that wouldn’t waver.
And that was what I had to provide.
“….”
“So lean on me. I’m your manager, right?”
Still holding onto my hand, she lowered her head and spoke with a choked voice.
“You might find me annoying.”
“Not at all, every moment with you is exciting and full of anticipation!”
“You’ll get irritated by the hassle.”
“I actually like hassle. So if you become a hassle, it’ll make me happy because there will be more chances for me to cheer you on.”
“You’ll get tired of it at some point.”
“Before I get tired, I’ll fall for your new charms again. And the charms you’ve already shown will pull me in even deeper.”
On that day when I danced with Gyeoul in the orphanage and let out refreshing laughter, I was already head over heels for Yeoreum.
“You’re my idol.”
Yeoreum tugged at my hands gently. I naturally leaned towards her.
Gae-ro approached.
“…How many times a day is it okay to lean?”
“At any time. As much as you want.”
“…Where is a good place to lean?”
“Anywhere, for no reason.”
She leaned towards me.
“Please don’t forget that.”
And Yeoreum buried her face in my arms and said,
“I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life.”
*
Since a foreign correspondent requested an interview, I brought along Yeoreum, who was most fluent in English, to conduct the interview. Perhaps due to her previous experience as a sports star, Yeoreum skillfully finished the interview in English.
“Jin Yeoreum is quite professional despite her young age. It was an impressive experience as a journalist.”
“That’s too kind. Thanks to your consideration, I was able to approach it with ease. Thank you.”
“Haha, I wish my mischievous daughter resembled you even half as much… I enjoyed the interview. Until next time.”
“Yes, I look forward to it next time.”
After returning to the waiting room, Yeoreum, checking if anyone was around, whined like a child.
“Whew…, Team Leader Seon, I had a tough day today.”
The professional and mature demeanor she had just shown had vanished without a trace.
I chuckled softly at the sight and encouraged her lightly.
“Yeah, you really worked hard today. You did great.”
“Well, since I did well, let me lean on you a bit.”
“Feel free to do as you wish.”
After asking for my permission, Yeoreum slightly closed the waiting room door with her heels and jumped into my arms.
I, taken aback, awkwardly said,
“Yeoreum, doing this outside is a bit….”
“You said it’s okay to lean anytime, anywhere, right?”
…No, this isn’t leaning; it’s hugging.
But since I had already said it, it felt awkward to just cut her off. So, mixing in some playfulness under the spirit of customer satisfaction, I replied,
“Sure, customer. Do you have any extra orders?”
“…Pat me, please.”
I carefully followed that request, gently patting her small back like you would with a baby, and asked,
“Are you satisfied?”
Then, nestled in my embrace, Jin Yeoreum looked up, beaming, and said,
“I’ll give you 100 points out of 10.”
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