Checking my self-content for a moment, I quickly lay down in bed, preparing for tomorrow’s music show where Ye-eun Unni will be the MC on Melody Bank.
And as soon as I lay down, I checked my messages.
[Ye-eun Unni: (Debonaire girl group debut record second highest first-week sales article link)]
[Ye-eun Unni: Congrats!]
[Ye-eun Unni: Celebrating [Second highest first-week sales]~]
[Ye-eun Unni: What???]
[Ye-eun Unni: Park Ye-eun >>> Do-hee Lee? Kya ha ha ha!]
“Sigh…”
That was all I could do.
Is it possible that Ye-eun Unni really has no learning ability?
[Me: Unni, what are you going to do tomorrow?]
[Ye-eun Unni: What do you mean, kya kya kya!]
Is she actually enjoying getting scolded?
“No way, is she really a masochist…?”
[Me: I’m just worried about you…]
A reply came back immediately.
[Ye-eun Unni: Kya ha ha ha!]
[Me: Has she really lost it?]
Such frivolous words learned from who knows where.
“Where did she learn to talk like that?”
It scratches at me a bit.
I wonder if Ailee’s youngest, Bomi, might have taught her.
Of course, I thought it was unlikely.
She was quite a cute girl from the start.
Though not nearly as cute as Do-ah.
‘But Bomi should be at that age where she uses slang…’
Could it be that our Do-ah…?
Suddenly worried.
She’s about to be a middle schooler, and if she gets into bad company…
[Do-ah: Unni, what do you want me to do? Kya ha ha ha!]
No, no, she can’t be like that.
Our Do-ah is just like me, so refined. Absolutely refined…
Anyway, if Ye-eun Unni is easily swayed by her surroundings, then it’s very possible she picked up some slang from Bomi.
But that only makes me sad and dismayed as the brilliant days of Seven start to fade one by one.
“I raised our Ye-eun Unni so well and so politely…”
Yet, for some reason, my heart was racing.
I tried to sleep again.
I was excited and looking forward to tomorrow.
*
“Hmph~”
With a lively stride, I arrived at the MC waiting room for Melody Bank with Ye-eun Unni.
—Knock knock
—Yes~ Come in~
“…Huh?”
To my surprise, inside was not Ye-eun Unni but someone else.
“Oh, oh!”
I leaped up from my seat, but I missed my balance and staggered awkwardly, looking very excited with flushed cheeks – a beauty indeed.
She looked like she was in her early twenties, with a face and styling that seemed more like an actress than an idol.
‘Ah, I feel like I’ve seen her in a historical drama before.’
I too was flustered by the unexpected encounter, but another woman standing next to her spoke to ease the situation.
She was the manager of actress Baek Ha-yeon, who was there as the special one-day MC today.
Suddenly everything made sense about how Ye-eun Unni had been acting so cocky.
‘Well, no matter how naive Ye-eun Unni is, she must have thought about running into her again at the music show.’
“It’s bound to happen, so I thought you’d have that in mind.”
Meanwhile, the manager was introducing Baek Ha-yeon as my biggest fan.
“Our Ha-yeon really loves Do-hee! She listens to Do-hee’s songs non-stop during schedule changes. She was so excited when she found out she’d get to meet Do-hee as the special MC this time…”
Having been in the entertainment industry for three years, it was just another routine line that didn’t really register.
“Oh, really? Thank you~”
It seemed everyone was too proud to say it themselves, probably because of their pride, so the managers would introduce them instead.
“I’m sorry, she’s so nervous right now, she can’t speak properly.”
In the chaos, the manager gestured to the fidgeting Baek Ha-yeon.
“What are you doing, Ha-yeon? Come here and greet properly. You said you really wanted to meet her!”
Before I could say anything, Ha-yeon quickly approached.
“Hello! I, I really love your songs! I bought your album…”
Contrary to my thoughts, it seemed the manager’s words weren’t just empty flattery.
Baek Ha-yeon truly seemed like my fan, her cheeks flushed, not making eye contact as she stammered.
“Oh, the album… um, where is it? I brought it… for a signature…”
She rummaged through her bag in a hurry.
Setting aside the fact that Ye-eun was missing, I honestly felt good.
To be frank, if a rookie idol or a junior was fanboying over me, there would be a high chance they looked up to me since I was a senior in the industry. But she was a full-blown actress.
‘Well, I guess I am a teen icon these days, and I’m not just limited to one field of attractiveness.’
I knew that better than anyone.
‘Pretty… cool… good-looking… great personality…’
Anyway, this situation particularly felt like witnessing my evolution into the “entertainer’s entertainer” that I had casually aimed for.
“Oh, is that so~?”
I momentarily forgot about Ye-eun’s absence and found my composure, smiling brightly as if I were truly meeting a fan.
“Yes, yes… I really…”
Am I about to cry?
“Since the recording’s done and we have some time left, I’ll bring the CD for you right away. I left it behind not knowing you’d be the special MC today.”
“Really? Oh no, thank you! Ah! And, um, could I ask for one favor…?”
“What kind of favor?”
“Could we take a picture together…?”
“Ha-yeon, that’s rude when she’s busy right now.”
“No, it’s fine. If she’s my fan, I’d feel good about it too.”
Ha-yeon’s eyes sparkled as she handed her phone to the manager while I leaned in closer.
“Oh, um…”
“Ha-yeon, close your lips a little. You look silly.”
“Well, um… it touches…”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s just that… ah, never mind!”
“Oh…”
*
The reason why Baek Ha-yeon was invited as today’s one-day MC instead of Ye-eun was simple.
[Ye-eun: Do-hee was flustered, right?]
[Ye-eun: Hahaha!]
[Me: But could you please fix your tone?]
[Me: How you speak says a lot about your dignity, you know?]
Since Ailee debuted on November 11, she was set to attend the awards show “Golden Disk” that wraps up the counts by November 30.
Attending the disk.
[Kim Ye-eun Unni: No need for nagging, haha! Anyway, congratulations on winning 1st place on MelBang today~]
[I: Ugh…]
[I: So, are we congratulating our Unni on the Rookie Award?]
[I: Tell Miho Unni and Bomi too^^]
[Kim Ye-eun Unni: Thanks, my little sister~ Hehe]
“Oh dear…”
They won the Rookie Award at one of the top three award ceremonies.
I couldn’t just scold her on such a happy day.
“First, I need to give a direct congratulatory call to Sara Unni and Hana Unni…”
If possible, I’d like to send a flower arrangement or at least a gift.
First, something I know Sara Unni would like…
Perfume! She really liked the scent I used to wear.
She would always come close and say how good I smelled.
I bet she’d love it if I bought that brand.
And for Hana Unni… probably wine.
Hana Unni seems to still enjoy a drink on happy occasions.
Of course, I’m still underage, but I could ask Seo-yoon Unni to buy it for me.
Right, I can figure out the types later with Seo-yoon Unni.
Now, I decided to finish up the discipline for Park Ye-eun.
[I: But I’m still in week 2 of activities.]
[I: What were you thinking for next week?]
[I: We’ll meet again at MelBang anyway.]
A quick response came back as if expected.
[Kim Ye-eun Unni: Haha, silly~ Next week is Lunar New Year, right?]
[Kim Ye-eun Unni: MelBang won’t be airing, right?]
“…That’s true. But why do you keep poking me? We’re going to meet at the next activity anyway…”
[Kim Ye-eun Unni: So, Do-hee is brainstorming right now?]
[Kim Ye-eun Unni: Trying to ask if you think we won’t meet at the next activity?]
[Kim Ye-eun Unni: But I’m done being an MC after this activity, right?]
[Kim Ye-eun Unni: Kya hahahahaha!]
‘This b*tch’s way of talking…’
It was more surprising.
That Kim Ye-eun Unni had such a systematic plan in place.
I was witnessing once again that people can grow.
[I: I’ll make time later to visit JS.]
Of course, she’s still silly.
[Kim Ye-eun Unni: Oh my!]
I should bring the Rookie Award gift myself this time.
[Kim Ye-eun Unni: I’m just joking… We’re close, remember?]
Oh dear, I need to see Do-ah during this Lunar New Year…
When will I visit JS again?
*
Is there anyone trying to hide me besides our Do-ah?
While sitting in the trending song waiting room, flipping through my phone, I casually thought about a post that had gone up a few hours earlier.
[@Joinblo: I’ve received thousands of DMs asking what Do-hee was like as a trainee… To put it simply, she was a playful and kind friend. Every time she came in, she would strike a pose and say, “Jot Teacher, I’m back,” it brings back memories. Plus, she’s a well-mannered friend who still messages me to check-in during holidays.]
[There’s no ulterior motive with this untainted friend who’s also an idol. I’ve been avoiding mentioning her because I was worried that my image as a rapper could harm her. I actually wanted to brag and show off that Do-hee was my student, but I had no intention of hiding it.]
I had been avoiding talking about it, thinking I might just end up giving it away. I definitely wanted to brag about showing off Do-hee as my student, but I had no intention of hiding it.
So, I felt really good and touched when they mentioned on the broadcast today that I was a polite and nice teacher. I had scolded Do-hee for not being able to rap, so I was worried they might think I was a bad teacher… Phew. I want to save my words but I must say that I’ve been Do-hee’s forever fan since she was 13, and I’ll continue to support her. Go, Do-hee!
─ Joo Teacher, I’m back! lol, so cute, you even look like Do-hee back then.
─ You scolded her? You’re in trouble now.
─ Just looking at your face screams mischief…
─ I don’t know, if you have a picture, post it already.
─ lol At least Bong-shik has a good image as a rapper.
Today, one more inspiring story was added, and feeling warm and fuzzy, I leaned back on the sofa.
I should probably just go to sleep.
But that thought was drowned out by nonsense.
“Perhaps… I want to become a mysterious figure.”
“Oh right, rehearsal.”
I shot up from my seat.
Chiyo Unni’s sudden random comment was proof that she was bored, and even I, with my E-type tendencies, knew I’d soon be drained.
“I want to be a mysterious figure…”
“Isn’t that a bit hard for your personality?”
“Eh…? Really? Why?”
So I reluctantly shuffled through the trendy MC script, leaving Woo-ah Unni, who was saying what I wanted to say, behind.
“Where’s my script~?”
Declaring my reason to leave the waiting room out loud.
“It’s time for rehearsal~”
I stepped outside.
And at that moment, I felt a tight pull from my shirt.
The innocent gaze I met with felt just like a puppy’s.
“Don’t go…”
That sparkling, tearful look from Chiyo Unni made my heart ache.
“Oh, do I look a bit mysterious with this expression?”
“It’s a bit awkward if you keep your mouth shut? Wow, that’s interesting… I had no idea.”
“Woo-ah, that’s just too much…”
Yeah, Chiyo Unni’s cruel side was particularly annoying for us extroverted types.
I gently stroked Seo-yoon Unni’s cheeks.
“If our Seo-yoon just waits quietly for two hours, I’ll be back in a jiffy… Got it?”
“No way…”
“Then I’m off to rehearse…”
“Please…”
I shook off her delicate, weak arms and quickly exited the waiting room.
And the MC waiting room I entered was very quiet, without Joo Seung-bin.
Even after ditching the puppy, a satisfied smile kept creeping onto my face.
Somehow, I had a feeling this upcoming Lunar New Year would be even more enjoyable.
‘We’ll eat together with Mom and Dad and Do-ah…’
‘Ah, Do-ah. Gotta keep an eye on her.’
Even though it was just a daydream, it was truly, truly horrifying.
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