“…It wouldn’t be a job you’re being forced to do, right?”
“I can assure you, it’s entirely Jin Yeoreum’s own decision.”
“…Hah, truly.”
I expressed my genuine feelings.
“You’re supporting an amazing person.”
Seok Hyun-woo said proudly.
“Yes, she’s truly remarkable. Even if she had chosen a different path instead of rhythmic gymnastics, Jin Yeoreum would have surely succeeded.”
“…But she’s still just a kid.”
“…That’s right. That’s why I’m worried.”
No matter how strong-willed someone may be, Jin Yeoreum was still just a child.
Immature, tender, and in need of protection.
To solidify her iron will, she was living through an unstable period.
“I understand why you said encouragement is necessary. You want to provide evidence that public opinion will change for Jin Yeoreum.”
If you can show that one person’s opinion has changed right before your eyes, it would empower Jin Yeoreum greatly.
Especially if it’s someone from an agency that is more sensitive to public opinion than anyone else.
That recognition would make her feel that her struggles have meaning.
“Yes, though she doesn’t show it, Jin Yeoreum’s heart must be shaken. The path she wishes to walk is akin to sailing through a vast, uncharted sea.”
“Do you think my scouting can serve as a compass for that journey?”
Seok Hyun-woo nodded and said,
“Yes, if Team Leader Seon, who must consider public opinion and image more than anyone, scouts her, it will surely be a great relief for Jin Yeoreum.”
Ultimately, the reason Seok Hyun-woo was going through great lengths and connections to have me act was for the peace of mind of one person.
*
In the car, keeping silent, Gyeoul spoke up.
“Teacher Taeyang.”
“…Yes?”
“Does scouting Yeoreum really have to be an act?”
As I checked in the mirror, Gyeoul was looking at me.
I asked while paying attention to safe driving.
“…Why do you want to do it together?”
“Yes, I think it would be nice to do it together. It might seem like a hasty judgment since I haven’t seen much, but I still want to say it. The Yeoreum I saw was a really good person.”
Gyeoul added in a small voice.
“…Just like you, Teacher Taeyang.”
Gyeoul was looking at me and smiling brightly.
Without realizing it, I had grown fond of her, and if it was her request, I wanted to oblige as much as possible.
But this was an impossible story.
“Yeoreum will obviously refuse. Whether it’s an act or a sincere proposal, the outcome will be the same.”
“What if Yeoreum accepts?”
Gyeoul seemed unwilling to let go of hope and continued speaking.
“If what Manager Seok said is true, and Yeoreum didn’t actually do anything wrong, then wouldn’t it be okay to do idol activities together?”
“Even if we believe that, the people of the world won’t see it that way.”
It had already been attempted and failed by Jin Seong, who had strong capital and manpower, to announce that Jin Yeoreum was a victim.
Changing a once-established negative public opinion is incredibly difficult.
I wasn’t sure I could pull it off either.
Moreover, people weren’t particularly fond of the title ‘third-generation chaebol’.
If the word “doping” came into play, no one would view it as just a simple suspicion.
“If we actually recruit that girl and include her in the idol group, it will cause a huge controversy. Hugely, massively. I don’t have the confidence to withstand it and succeed.”
In that gigantic wave, the gems named Gyeoul and Gaeul might be swept away and buried.
That was truly a terrifying thought.
There was no reason to take on such risks.
“I want to make you and Gaeul the best idols. Recruiting Yeoreum would be an obstacle to that goal… Is that answer sufficient?”
“…Yes.”
Gyeoul looked deflated.
Seeing her curled up in the passenger seat, it even sparked sympathy that hadn’t existed before.
Looking at her, I wondered if I should say I’d think positively about it even if it was a lie.
After all, it was certain that Jin Yeoreum would refuse.
After making my judgment, I finally spoke.
“Gyeoul?”
“…Yes?”
“What if… I mean, what if Jin Yeoreum accepts my scout proposal? I will prioritize your feelings above all else.”
“…Teacher Taeyang!”
Gyeoul seemed so moved that she tried to hug me with a big smile.
“Gyeoul! I’m driving! I’m driving here!”
“Eek! I’m sorry!”
Anyway, it was nice to see her smile.
*
Two days later, after finishing my work at the company, I returned to the orphanage I had visited before.
This time, Gyeoul had Gaeul beside her.
Gaeul sat in the passenger seat, wiggling her feet as if this late-night volunteering was the most fun thing ever.
“Volunteering for the kids sounds really rewarding!”
“Um… Gaeul, it might be a bit different from what you think.”
I recalled how last time, I had cleaned the bathroom until I was sick of it instead of seeing the kids.
Surely, they wouldn’t make me clean the bathroom twice, right?
I already cleaned it last time!
I shared that experience with Gaeul.
“I’m confident! Actually, cleaning bathrooms is my area of expertise!”
It felt like both Gyeoul and I somehow had a talent for bathroom cleaning.
Even if the idol career faltered, we wouldn’t starve if we started a cleaning company.
“I’ve even done a part-time job cleaning bathrooms! No matter what kitchen work I did, I always ended up cleaning the bathrooms!”
Truly, an experienced worker who juggled four part-time jobs in a day.
“Wow, this is reassuring!”
“Hehe, I’m confident in all household chores like cleaning, laundry, and cooking!”
Gaeul blushed, looking down at the floor and fidgeting with her fingers.
“…If you ever need me, you can call me to Brother Taeyang’s house anytime.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m confident in household chores too.”
Gaeul seemed pretty confident, but I had my own pride when it came to chores.
“Just like my older sister earned money early on as the head of the household, I’ve been handling all household chores for a while now. I’m not someone who can just leave it to someone else.”
“…I see.”
Gaeul’s reaction seemed a bit disappointed.
Huh? Did I say something weird?
Oh, was what I just said because I wanted to see Gahyeon?
Wow… I really have no awareness. Here I am bragging about my household skills.
How ugly is it for an adult to feel competitive over chores with a 17-year-old?
I reflected on my lack of awareness and immature mindset and spoke to her.
“Gaeul, you can come over and feel at home even for no particular reason…”
Gaeul didn’t seem interested in my words and muttered something while looking down.
“I can earn the money, so being a full-time housewife isn’t bad… No, I can keep Brother Taeyang at home instead…”
“…Gaeul?”
Gaeul seemed to be lost in deep thought, muttering something continuously.
She seemed to have a good idea and occasionally let out a sneaky little “Hehehe” laugh.
I wondered if she was thinking of something deep, so I just left her be.
It wasn’t scary.
…Really.
*
This volunteer work went much smoother than expected.
The pure labor time, which they call effort volunteering, was drastically shorter than last time when we cleaned the bathrooms.
The remaining time was all filled with educational volunteering, just playing around with the kids.
It seemed like Jin Yeoreum had considered us.
I gathered some middle school students and taught them math and English in a group study format.
Since I had mastered English well enough during my overseas stint to have free conversations with a native speaker, teaching it felt easy.
Middle school math wasn’t particularly difficult for me, and since I’d reviewed for this situation, I didn’t have any trouble teaching.
“Oh, you’re pretty good, mister.”
“Thanks for the compliment. But Hayul, let’s not look at the answer sheet while I’m not looking.”
“…Too bad.”
Gaeul was teaching guitar to five kids.
At first, it seemed like they were going to gradually introduce the code. But now, it had turned into a concert hall enjoying Gaeul’s guitar performance.
“Unni! Unni! Please play ‘Eye Contact’ this time!”
“Hey, no way! I asked you to play ‘Bluebeard Whale’ first!”
“Who even listens to a song that’s over 20 years old!”
“…I can tolerate insults about myself, but I can’t let that slide when it comes to ‘Bluebeard Whale.’”
Gaeul, sweating bullets, tried to mediate the bickering children.
“…Okay, guys, your noona will play all of them, so let’s listen nicely together!”
It seemed that agreeing to demonstrate once had backfired. Perhaps flustered by the children’s reactions, a bead of sweat trickled down Gaeul’s forehead.
You got this, Gaeul.
While being tormented by the kids, all the allotted time had slipped away.
Anyway, the educational volunteer work ended successfully.
“Team Leader Seon, could you please help me with the matter I mentioned earlier?”
“You mean the scouting? Yes, I’ll do it right now.”
“Wait? You’re scouting Taeyang for Yeoreum?”
“Yup, planning to do it right now.”
“Right now?”
With Seok Hyun-woo blending into the shadows, showcasing perfect stealth, and Gaeul awkwardly covering about two-thirds of her body as if she were hiding, I found myself facing Jin Yeoreum in the corner of the hallway.
“You said you had something to discuss?”
Eventually, this moment had arrived.
Though it was a decision I had made, I felt uneasy about the prospect of scouting someone so notoriously unlikable.
“…Yes, I do have something to discuss.”
“Then please feel free to speak.”
Seeing Jin Yeoreum treat the situation casually gave me some resolve.
Yeah, it’s a done deal—being rejected is a foregone conclusion.
With just one word, I might gain a chance to expose Gaeul or Gyeoul—who haven’t even debuted yet—as models, so obviously, I should hit the gas.
Matching Jin Yeoreum’s laid-back vibe, I spoke lightly as if it were no big deal.
“Would you be interested in joining us at TwoBear Entertainment?”
To my words, Jin Yeoreum frowned slightly and asked,
“…What do you mean by that?”
“I would love for you to participate as a member of the girl group planned by TwoBear Entertainment.”
Jin Yeoreum replied immediately, as if there was no room for reconsideration, without even taking time to think.
“Sure, let’s give it a shot.”
“Ha ha, that’s unfortunate. Truly regrettable, but I… huh?”
…Is my hearing broken? Did I just hear something impossible?
Jin Yeoreum pulled me back to reality with one simple sentence.
“I’m saying I want to become an idol.”
“…”
Watching Jin Yeoreum, serious and offering her hand for a handshake, I thought to myself.
Crap.
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