Chapter 174

Chapter 174

[It wasn’t just one person. Charges filed through the re-investigation of drug misuse controversy involving Mr. Kim.]

[Reapplication for arrest warrant of the doctor involved in Jin Yeoreum’s doping controversy.]

[Was there a commission? The Incheon Police Drug Crimes Investigation Team clarifies the drug use and threats surrounding the sports world.]

[Twobear, Jin Yeoreum’s agency, reiterates that Jin Yeoreum was ultimately a victim.]

Ding-dong-ding – What’s going on? Why is suddenly news about Jin Yeoreum popping up everywhere?

MingmingSsu – It turns out the doctor who claimed that Jin Yeoreum intentionally took drugs had also done the same to other prospects.

LemonShower – I heard there were rumors that it wasn’t just on his own accord but that he was commissioned to do it?

Three Meals a Day Mardang – So, Jin Yeoreum was a real victim after all?

SESE10 – Well, if that’s the case, then it must have been a bit unfair for her.

Three Meals a Day Mardang – That’s so sad, though….

Catherine – Sad? The most pointless worry in the world is worrying about celebrities and chaebols, and Jin Yeoreum fits both categories, right? She probably lived her life just fine, enjoying all her privileges.

Roliga – I’m so jealous. I want to live as Jin Yeoreum for just one day.

Motocross – But isn’t it just gossip that Jin Yeoreum is a victim? While it may have been a threat to the aspiring stars, Jin Yeoreum might have just asked for it herself?

ColdAnalysis – Why are these kids so naive? Jin Yeoreum is a chaebol, you know? She probably manipulated something to cover this up. Do you really believe these articles? Do you know who pays for all this media coverage?

RootF – Even if everyone else is considered a victim, Jin Yeoreum certainly isn’t… Honestly, it’s disgusting that she’s trying to become a victim now.

MyLoveVictor – 2222222222222222222222222 The fact that she’s shamelessly showing her face on TV after all that drama is just intolerable.

HumanityStockMovement – 33333333333333333333 Seriously, how messed up do you have to be for something like that to be possible?

CosmicBeautyHanGyeoul – I really hope those idiots up there get sued.

*

While the kids were eating, Jin Yeoreum and Yoon Haneul watched the sunset from the empty lot behind the orphanage.

“It reminds me of the past. The day we first met at the orphanage, we fed the kids and just sat here blankly.”

“Yeah, that feels like ages ago.”

“It’s like, we’ve just been living day by day, but so many things seem to have changed.”

“…”

As Yeoreum got lost in thought staring at the sky, Yoon Haneul spoke up.

“I saw the news.”

“…Yeah.”

“They said the things that doctor did have come to light, right? I’m glad it seems like misunderstandings are clearing up.”

“Team Leader Seon really supported us a lot.”

“Haha, he really is an amazing person. So, now the baseless slander against you should go away, right?”

Yeoreum knew the answer to that.

“…”

The slander wouldn’t disappear.
Doesn’t.

The infamous spreads quickly, deeply, and far too easily, but the clarification that it’s a misunderstanding travels as slowly as molasses.

To the majority, Jin Yeoreum is still caught up in the ‘doping controversy.’ People are far more interested in the news that this Olympic hopeful and the third-generation chaebol used drugs in the qualifiers than in the news that it’s all a misunderstanding.

However, just because some have grasped the clarification doesn’t mean they all become her understanding allies. Instead, the lingering feelings of ‘hatred’ became intangible blades that continued to torment her.

“Yeah, it will disappear.”

Still, she said that. She didn’t want to burden anyone else with the weight she had to endure, nor did she want to share it.

Even if she wrestled through the stinging pain, Yeoreum didn’t want to owe anyone anymore.

And right now, there was also one person who shared that pain with her.

Yeoreum believed that would allow even her weak self to endure.

Yoon Haneul looked at her with sad eyes as if to read something from her expression.

“Yeoreum.”

“Yeah?”

“Isn’t being an idol hard?”

Yeoreum shifted her gaze from the sky to Yoon Haneul standing beside her.

She wasn’t looking away but instead was staring at her.

Yoon Haneul was also on the verge of debuting.

She surely knew well what burdens the job of an idol carried.

Understanding why she asked that question, Yeoreum answered honestly.

“It’s tough. Really tough.”

“Then…”

“But still.”

“….”

“But still, I.”

The question had already been asked multiple times.

She had felt the agonizing pain dozens of times.

She had experienced frustration hundreds of times.

Yet.

Even so.

“I want to dream next to that person.”

At the end of all the cuts and reductions, that remained as Yeoreum’s true heart.

Yoon Haneul looked at her and smiled softly.

“You’re in love.”

“Yeah.”

Like a tiny shining star that forms a cluster and becomes a river of stars stitching the sky.

“I’m in love.”

*

Among the underdancers who bet everything on dance, and idols with exceptional skills at a professional level handling dance in their groups, Yeoreum consistently triumphed, showcasing overwhelming skill gaps.

She overpowered all genres of dance, as if the distinctions of being an idol and the divisions of under and main were merely small constraints meant to trap her.

However, such a victorious advance now faced obstacles.

From this round of ‘Ready to Dance,’ it would now be evaluated purely on the viewers’ votes.
From this round of ‘Ready to Dance,’ evaluations will be purely based on viewer voting.

Yeoreum calculated in her mind.

“If it flows purely with viewer voting, do I have a chance?”

Her opponent was Trixie of ‘Acid,’ known as the top girl group with a girl crush charm, who had been loved by many over a long period, boasting a solid and deep fandom.

Objectively, she may have been less skilled than Yeoreum, but she had the strongest fandom at ‘Ready to Dance.’

On top of that, anti-fans harboring animosity toward Yeoreum were even launching campaigns in small fan communities to vote for her opponent to disrupt Yeoreum.

Being aware of all these factors, Yeoreum made an objective conclusion.

“It’s going to be tough.”

It was considered separate from “what kind of quality performance Yeoreum would show.”

Yeoreum was going to fall off here.

Still, she would step onto the stage where defeat was presumed.

“Are you feeling nervous?”

Because a man was there to support her.

“Well, no, not really.”

Yeoreum fiddled with the intercom by her ear, focusing on Taeyang’s voice.

“After all, you’ve always done well. And honestly, I think your skills are way better than Trixie’s. You have no reason to be nervous.”

“That’s true, but I’ve kind of let go of some things.”

“Like what?”

“The lingering desire to be loved.”

“….”

Having suffered from stage fright and panic attacks to the point of fainting, she had felt the fear of people’s gazes acutely.

But now, being beside Taeyang and actively leaning on him, that fear gradually dulled.

And the reason wasn’t that she had become someone with an iron heart who no longer feared people’s gazes; it was simply that she had lowered her expectations of them.

Yeoreum was someone who could not be loved.

As she thought this, a staff member spoke to her.

“Yeoreum, it’s time to go up on stage.”

Yeoreum nodded and quietly stepped up onto the stage.

The stage was pitch black, illuminated only by a small spotlight on Yeoreum.

On that stage, she slowly looked at the audience.

The variety of glow sticks raised by fans shone brightly.

Yeoreum subconsciously searched for the crimson color of the Girl Revolution fan glow.

However, while the raised glow sticks emitted light in blue, yellow, green, pink, orange, and other colors, the crimson hue was nowhere to be found.
Nowhere to be found.

“Why am I disappointed all of a sudden? I expected this.”

With her eyes slightly closed, she composed herself.

She didn’t want to show Taeyang, who was watching the stage behind her, that she was shaken by such a trivial matter.

With reverence for the opportunity given to her, she made that promise to herself.

She would never waver.

“Now, the song that Ms. Jin Yeoreum has prepared is ‘Everyone and You.’ From now…”

The atmosphere hinted that the MC’s commentary was wrapping up.

As Yeoreum counted the end of the MC’s words and mentally repeated the choreography she had practiced, the intercom rang again, and Taeyang’s voice began to echo.

“Remember when I said I’d make half the world on your side?”

Yeoreum recalled the memories from the airport and unconsciously smiled as she replied.

“Yes, you did say something like that.”

“I’m sorry, but for now, half the world seems a bit much.”

“It’s okay. I no longer have such excessive expectations…”

As she focused on the stage, answering Taeyang’s words, she saw it.

The darkened audience seats, and among them, the scattered colorful glow sticks.

One by one, dozens, eventually hundreds of crimson lights began to rise in that sea, the only color missing from the wave.

The number was about half of the audience.

“But at least half of this stage is on your side.”

“….”

Only then did Yeoreum understand what Taeyang had been busy preparing since early morning.

And she also realized why he had left his spot midway to let Seok Hyun-woo take over.

He must have run and run for that scene, for the sight that just one person would look at.

“I wasn’t going to waver. I absolutely wasn’t going to waver…but I broke that promise so easily.”

As Yeoreum barely held back her tears, Taeyang continued.

“I will definitely give you half the world someday, not just this stage.”

It was such a precious statement.

A statement she would never forget.

Thus, she didn’t need anything excessive.

“I don’t need many people, half the world’s worth.”

To her warm, reliable, and sweet prince who always had her back, Yeoreum confessed.

“One person is enough for me.”

With those words, Yeoreum stood at the center of the stage.

To show her best self to that one person.

*

[Jin Yeoreum ‘Ready to Dance’ Final Victory]

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