Episode 195
In a neatly organized kitchen with a warm-toned white base and wooden accents, Yoo Gaeul was carefully pouring her heart into her cooking.
“I’m going to make you smile. I’ll make that moment even happier.”
Then, humming along to her duet with Seon Taeyang, “the duty of singing,” she paid attention to the interface resting on the side shelf.
The pink interface displayed a simple map, with a red human icon positioned at its center.
Below that icon were the words “My Sun,” glowing in red.
With the real-time location tracker and virtual fence feature displayed on the screen, she skillfully prepared the vegetables while listening intently to the voice coming through her earphones.
It was Seon Taeyang’s voice, coordinating with the team and checking the stage for the concert preparations.
Gaeul felt a sense of fullness in her heart.
Hearing his voice while cooking for him made every moment feel like a long-desired dream gently landing in her arms.
As she was filled with warmth and these thoughts, a new voice broke through.
– “…Um, Team Leader Seon?”
It was a woman’s voice.
“….”
– “Oh, it’s Seri who just joined as a trainee. Thank you for your hard work in the stage research. But, is there something you need from me?”
– “Well, my family has an orchard, so if it’s okay, could you take this?”
– “….”
– “…It’s sweet and delicious.”
– “Yes, I’ll enjoy it. Thank you.”
Thud!
“….”
Gaeul momentarily calmed her racing heart and gathered her cool composure.
Situations like these weren’t as rare as you might think.
There were so many people trying to get close to Seon Taeyang, she could trip over them.
Common, familiar.
However, Gaeul’s face was a chilly mask after hearing that conversation.
Just because it was common didn’t mean she could act carelessly.
With that thought, she stepped out of the room.
*
“Is the lift device stable? No issues, right?”
“Is that correct?”
When I asked Sim Woo-cheol, the employee of the time agency, with suspicion, he confidently replied.
“Yes, it’s safe. The safety measures are triple-layered, so there shouldn’t be any accidents.”
“Then, let’s give it a try.”
“Pardon?”
“I heard the installation is all complete, but is now a difficult time?”
“No, no, we can do it.”
I boarded the lift device below the stage with the surrounding staff and went up to the stage myself.
“…Isn’t the speed a bit too fast?”
“Well… Ah, to perform an impressive jump, it’s better this way. It needs to be eye-catching for the audience.”
That might be the case, but there was something more important.
“But the risk of an accident also increases.”
“…”
“Please adjust the speed so that no injuries can occur safely. Also, I think it’s a bit dangerous that there’s no safety bar on the boarding side, so don’t think it’s a part that the audience can’t see and pay more attention to it.”
“Well then, the cost issue…”
“I’m willing to pay any additional costs. What you should consider, Woo-cheol, isn’t the cost but ensuring the kids have a safe and spectacular stage. That’s all.”
“…Okay, I understand. Then, I’ll reflect on this matter and handle it as quickly as possible.”
Bowing his head, Sim Woo-cheol quickly left with his colleagues.
He looked quite exhausted from behind.
I wondered if I was being overly meticulous, but soon reigned in my thoughts.
This was about the safety of children. Even if I got criticized for being inflexible or not knowing how to compromise, I wanted to pay attention to every aspect as much as possible.
Those working with me would likely find it quite difficult, but there was no other way.
As I pondered this, I turned to the subordinates waiting behind me.
“Now that the lift has been confirmed, let’s move on to the lighting…”
“Brother Taeyang!”
Turning my head at the suddenly heard familiar voice, I saw Gaeul, wearing large glasses without prescription and holding a basket, smiling at me.
“Wow, it’s Yoo Gaeul.”
“I always thought you were pretty, but in person, you’re really stunning.”
I changed my words seeing the staff mesmerized by her overwhelming beauty.
“Alright, before we continue, let’s take a quick break. It’s almost lunchtime, so let’s all meet back here in an hour.”
*
I took Gaeul to the waiting room and watched her pull out items from a basket while she took off her warm yellow cardigan that resembled her eye color.
“Why are you here? Gaeul, isn’t today your day off?”
“I missed you, Brother Taeyang.”
“Oh, I see…”
An objective thought crossed my mind that being overly close in such a public space wasn’t the best idea, but then I also thought, ‘Really, now?’ considering the last five years.
“And I always hope that you, Brother Taeyang, enjoy a delicious lunch. It might be lacking, but I did my best to prepare.”
Saying that, Gaeul began unpacking lunch boxes from the basket. As I saw the food displayed in overly extravagant quality that could rival top chefs, I voiced my question.
“By the way, how did you know I’d be here today?”
“…”
At my question, Gaeul turned her head, beamed a bright and warm smile, and replied.
“Through the power of love.”
“…”
Her smile and unique vibe were warmer and more beautiful than ever, but oddly, her eyes seemed a bit lifeless.
Hmm… better not ask more.
So, we spent some time chatting while eating the food she made. We talked about the upcoming concert, Gaeul’s recent participation as a judge in a singing competition, and her desire for my support regarding her solo album, along with complimenting her cooking skills.
“By the way, it seems like your cooking skills are improving more and more. You’re really great! Do you plan on appearing on a cooking show? With this level of talent, you’d likely get a good response!”
“No, not really interested in that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I want to cook just for you, Brother Taeyang. The cooking class isn’t for a show; it’s for that purpose.”
“…cough.”
I was startled, coughing as if I’d been jabbed in the solar plexus. Gaeul too seemed flustered and said,
“Ah! Brother Taeyang, are you okay? Here’s some water!”
“…thanks.”
As I slowly sipped the water she gave me, Gaeul glanced over cautiously and asked,
“Brother Taeyang… but where did the peach come from?”
“The peach?”
“Yes, the one up there on the shelf.”
Ah, that thing she’s talking about.
“I needed some practice checking the flow today, so I asked a few trainees at the agency for help, and one of them gave it to me.”
“…Why do you think that is?”
“Maybe it’s like a bribe to ask me to take care of them since I have a bit of authority at TwoBear? Though, calling it that seems a bit cute.”
“…”
It seemed my words struck a chord, and Gaeul put down her food and pondered seriously.
“Could it be a logical approach?”
“Is the word rational really the meaning I think it is?”
“Yes, like between a man and a woman. Targeting the other side’s preferences is a way to break the ice.”
“Haha, that can’t be it.”
“Is there a reason you think that way?”
Honestly, I wanted to say that due to our age gap, it wouldn’t happen at all. But Gaeul was someone who didn’t care about age at all, so I didn’t think that would be a suitable answer.
However, it wasn’t that I had no other reasons.
“Well, he’s just someone I know. He wouldn’t look at me that way.”
He had told me dozens of times last time that he found me unattractive in that way.
He wouldn’t have suddenly changed his taste now.
“…So you knew him.”
“Hmm? What did you say, Gaeul?”
“Oh, I just think what Brother Taeyang said makes sense.”
I felt like she said something different, but I didn’t push it further.
After finishing our meal while chatting about such things, Gaeul poured me some tea and started to clean up.
When I offered to help, she politely declined and said,
“I’ll do it. I have time since it’s my day off.”
“Come on, let’s clean up together. I’ll give you a ride home.”
“It’s an attractive offer, but it’s fine. Brother Taeyang, you have a fan meeting to attend after this, right? You don’t need to waste your busy time on me. …More than anything, I have some things to do before going back to my accommodation.”
“Things to do? Like what?”
Hearing my question, Gaeul smiled with a charm that was too captivating.
“Education.”
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