Chapter 267

Personal star quality and popularity are closely related to the group’s performance, but they’re not absolute.

Lira from Coral Blue is a prime example of this.

An entertainer’s entertainer.

Even though they belong to the same generation as the outstanding number one group “NND,” which has countless hits in their discography and topped the Billboard charts.

With her unique cool demeanor and exceptional talent, she’s recognized as the number one idol of the third generation.

Above all, she’s the leader who has guided Coral Blue as a global trendsetter leading the culture of women in their teens and twenties, which adds to that assessment.

And now, although Debonaire is just starting to take shape, Do-hee is increasingly being mentioned as an idol representing a generation.

Although there are countless antis clinging to baseless rumors, cleverly photoshopped pictures, and her immature 18-year-old age, opinions vary.

But seeing them sitting side by side watching a fashion show was undeniably a hot topic.

[Wow, wow, wow! It’s a meeting of the top of the third and fourth generations!]
[It’s cheesy, but… it seriously feels like a princess meeting a queen ㅠㅠㅠ]
[To see this two-shot right here is insane, insane, insane!]

The real-time community boards are already saturated.

Especially since Lira, who’s been in the industry for over seven years, hasn’t had any noticeable friendships.

[It’s really interesting that Lira…]
Excluding the members of Cobble, she’s famous for not being interested in anyone and not forming friendships, but she seems to get along well with Do-hee, maybe there’s a common interest?

─I guess so. They probably clicked quickly since they’re both members who like music and producing at the top of the buzz.

─Yeah, they have a lot in common; their personalities seem similar too.

└Huh??? You think Lira and Do-hee are similar? Lira is cool as a cucumber, and Do-hee is cute and a bit silly.

└On the surface, but there’s something fundamentally similar. They seem to know it too, a truly unique vibe among idols…

└222 I think I get it; it’s like they have that “entertainer’s entertainer” vibe?

└3333

└44444

└In the meantime, they’re even adding the “entertainer’s entertainer” tag to Do-hee too, lol. That fanbase is just over the top!

Moreover, the two didn’t just exchange words; throughout the fashion show, they leaned in close, whispering sweetly to each other and bursting into laughter multiple times.

[It’s rare to see Lira smile like that.]
Looks like they’re closer than expected, whispering right next to each other, haha.

─I told you, lol. Did you see Lira patting Do-hee?

─Seriously, why am I feeling fluttery seeing them whispering and laughing like that?

─I’m curious what’s so funny between them ㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Even with Lira’s cold demeanor and lofty image, her default setting is a poker face.

Thanks to that, fans started to speculate about Do-hee’s personality without going too far into character endorsements.

[Looks like Do-hee really does have a good personality.]
Seeing how much Lira likes her.

─She debuted at a young age and gained so much attention, and she hasn’t had a single verbal slip or controversy, just judging by that…

└Even with the haters, she knows how to draw the line and keep it classy.

─Just looking at her variety shows and self-content, she’s hella funny, haha.

└Exactly, lol, critics overreact, she’s just likable.

└Those people are the ones who say Do-hee is just being manipulative when she’s laughing and playing around with Seo-yoon.

Do-hee’s stories with other groups even became the topic of discussion.

[What made me think Do-hee has a good personality…]
Just watching challenges or behind-the-scenes, you can clearly see other idols openly liking Do-hee.

─Right, in those pure girl segments, Lucy filmed a challenge with Do-hee, and behind the scenes, she kept fangirling over her, getting all shy ㅠㅠ.

─Ye-eun was just running away, with Do-hee chasing her.

└Ye-eun is a special case.

└It’s like the sisters have switched roles there.

└But when Hana is around, Do-hee also runs away.

└Hahahaha that’s hilarious!
Of course, there were countless people who found this situation unpleasant. Once you reach superstar status, controversies tend to cling to you like a shadow.

[Aah, Do-hee really has zero social awareness.]

Lira seems to be visibly uncomfortable, but Do-hee keeps forcing conversations… Ugh, I can’t stand it.

─Look who showed up again, haha.

─The cognitive dissonance of a fanboy thinking it looks good, hello hello.

Of course, that was just blatant baiting that would never turn out the way they assumed.

[Lira really did hook her up with Chanel.]

I was wondering how Do-hee became a Chanel ambassador, haha.

Ugh… Lira seems like she has a bit of a bisexual vibe.

It’s become more certain now, what a mess, lol.

─Does that even make sense?

─What a wild guess!

─How about trying your hand at writing dramas?

True antis were endlessly watching Do-hee’s sky-high popularity grow daily, holding their breath.

Hoping for even the slightest controversy.

[LOL, did Do-hee follow along to the Chanel after-party without an invite?]

[In real-time at the after-party, Do-hee the side character.jpg]

[Even here, she’s trailing behind Lira.]

But the more it happened, the more the die-hard antis couldn’t help but feel stressed.

[Wow, no way! The chief designer from Chanel mentioned Lira and Do-hee together!]

Not long after the fashion show wrapped up, a video of Do-hee from the after-party quickly sparked heated discussion.

*

At the after-party.

“Older sister, should I tell you a funny story?”

“I’m fine. You look tired; you should head to your accommodation and rest.”

As soon as Lira entered the party venue, she spotted Do-hee running over excitedly, and she was debating what to do.

“No, I want to, but I have to stay a little longer due to the contract.”

“Now that you mention it, I guess it’s your first time here.”

Should I shake her off or not?

“Yeah, that’s right. The manager didn’t even let you bring anyone along.”

It was a bit cocky, but seeing her anxiously fumbling around in a foreign place was kind of cute.

‘Maybe I understand why people say she’s adorable.’

“So it’s better to be good together, huh? It’s nice to have familiar faces around…”

Just then, a famous model approached Lira to chat.

“Hey Lira! Long time no see!”

She was the top model who wrapped up today’s fashion show. She was unnecessarily vain and showy, which was annoying, but the timing was perfect.

To shake off Do-hee.

“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

Do-hee looked awkward watching me chat with the model.

“Oh!”

Do-hee grabbed some finger food from a passing waiter and started munching.

“…yum yum.”

Like a bunny nibbling with her front teeth.

“Pfft.”

The sight of Do-hee was both funny and cute, so Lira loosely kept the conversation going, using Do-hee as an excuse to send the model away.

“Oh? Oh! Older sister?”

Of course, that didn’t mean she was offering to help.

“I’m busy now, so you should go chat with people too. Foreigners are similar anyway.”

“Ah.”

Even now, if I weren’t right beside her, there’d be a line of people wanting to talk to Do-hee.

No one would dislike a radiant girl like her.

It goes without saying that being attached to me at the fashion show was a major factor too.

‘Who on earth is the girl attached to me? They must be full of curiosity.’
Who was the girl who was stuck to me? I bet she’s filled with curiosity.

Still, Do-hee urgently added,

“Ah, older sister, I don’t want much! Just 30 minutes? Okay?”

“Well, I’ll think about it.”

Lira casually accepted a cocktail from a passing waiter.

But knowing it was a rejection, Do-hee clung to her arm and started to flaunt her charm.

“No, I can’t even drink! What after-party are you talking about? Okay?”

Especially as Do-hee’s curved chest, hidden by her clothes, pressed against her arm. It was quite bouncy.

“Well, she really can’t drink.”

“Right?”

“Big one.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Thinking it over, she decided to be a bit conceited.

“No, I helped out a lot!”

“What did you help with? You occasionally ignore my texts.”

“Haha! Sorry!”

As Lira turned away, she paused for a moment.

It felt like it would be annoying to stick around.

“…Well, you’ve at least spiced up my boring life? Ah, older sister!”

And that comment about spicing things up was true.

Besides, today was less bothersome since she called her ‘older sister’ and followed her around.

‘She’s cute enough to let it slide today.’

So, Lira grabbed Do-hee’s wrist and slowly began to walk.

“Then, I’ll introduce you to a few people. We have to say hi anyway.”

“Oh.”

From then on, they approached different people, repeating the introductions a couple of times.

“Now… see the left table? The girl.”

“Oh, I know her! Wasn’t she the lead in that killing game? The movie?”

“Yes. She’s not a bad person, so it would be good to say hi. But the guy next to her is a druggie, so better to avoid him.”

“Yikes.”

Seeing Do-hee follow her so obediently was quite satisfying.

“But your English pronunciation is good. Did you study abroad?”

“No, I just studied hard. Of course, I also took local speaking classes at my company. I was the top student…”

She got cocky again quickly.

“Oh! The English rap lyrics that came out in New vibes? The slang? That was actually me—.”

“Well, I’ve seen everything I needed, so I should go.”

“Still, you do feel a bit behind compared to those who studied abroad, right?”

“Is there just going to be a top student idol who won’t ever appear again?”

“But of course, those who studied abroad! Ah, older sister, I envy your English pronunciation the most! It sounds so classy! It resembles the atmosphere!”

“Your pronunciation is cute, just like you.”

“I’m taller!”

“Guess I really need to go since I’ve seen everything…”

“Still, I’m a bit less mature, right?”

As Do-hee candidly acknowledged and clamped her mouth shut, Lira sipped her cocktail and scanned the party.

“Let’s get ready to greet.”

Several big names, who should be called the hosts of the party, were approaching with a few reporters.

Then, shortly after, a French-accented greeting called ‘Bise Kiss’ could be heard.

[Bonsoir, M. Lira. Comment allez-vous?]

[Good evening, Lira. How have you been?]

The eminent couture designer responsible for the brand, Abeline Cassel.

Lira responded casually in French formality.

[Je vais bien, Merci. Et vous?]

[I’ve been very well, how about you, Cassel?]

Just like how many Koreans can manage basic Japanese greetings, English speakers often had French as their second foreign language.
Just like there are many Koreans who can do things, in English-speaking countries, the second foreign language was French.

But that was just basic greetings.

Naturally, the conversation that followed was in English through the interpreter accompanying Cassel.

Cassel exchanged a somewhat lengthy welcome message with Lira.

And only later did she cast her gaze toward Lira.

[And… here is the new Amber from Chanel.]

[And this over here is our new ambassador.]

Of course, she knew who Do-hee was.

Being the head person.

However, what happened next was unexpected.

Before the interpreter returned, Do-hee met Cassel’s eyes and nodded in response.

[Yes, I am happy to meet you. My name is Do-hee Lee.]

[─Yes, I’m glad to meet you. I’m Do-hee Lee.]

It certainly was a timing and gesture that showed she understood Cassel’s words.

[Oh, do you speak French?]

[─Oh, do you speak French?]

Of course, her pronunciation wasn’t fluent.

[A little bit. I went to an art school.]

[─A little, yes. I went to an art high school.]

She was speaking very slowly and clearly, accompanied by cute hand gestures as if recalling each word.

[Oh, really? Art school?]

[─Oh, really? An art school?]

Yet, it felt sincere, giving off an honest vibe.

[Yes, and do you know I’m in a girl group?]

[─Yes, and do you know that I’m in a girl group?]]

[Of course, K-pop!]

[─Of course, it’s K-pop!]

You could tell from Cassel’s bright smile and typical French gestures.

[Yes, the name of our group is in French.]

[─Yes, our group’s name is in French.]

[Oh my god!]

[─Oh my god!]

Do-hee also laughed while mimicking that gesture after mentioning her group’s name.

[De, bon, air! Wow!]

[─De, bon, air! Wow!]

Of course, Cassel, who looked like she had places to be, finished her somewhat lengthy greetings and left with the reporters.

However, her final action and attitude had somewhat changed.

Unlike when she only joyfully faced Lira at first, she warmly shook hands with both of them.

With a hint of regret about parting.

Lira gulped down the last sip of her cocktail.

‘… It’s tempting. Always intriguing. I guess it’s star quality.’

The person she had been carefully watching wasn’t even in NND.

“A bit… a bit stimulating, huh?”

“Yeah?”

“I didn’t know you could speak French.”

“Oh~ well, it’s just basic conversation stuff I learned in school.”

But just a moment ago, Do-hee had been all “sister, sister,” and now she was slightly arrogantly cute again.

“But you’re still the top of the class? Hehe.”

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