Park Yoo-jung, who was snugly nestled in my arms, had soaked my shirt with her tears, but soon wiped her eyes and spoke to the members behind her and Director Jeong.
“Um… I’ll tell you exactly what happened.”
Park Yoo-jung recounted her past and why she had been punished for school violence truthfully.
And the members’ reactions to this…
“Ah….”
“Of course, Yoo-jung wouldn’t act out for no reason….”
A sense of relief, and….
Squeeze.
“Yoo-jung, you’ve had a tough time.”
“Sis….”
It was… sadness.
As the members approached Park Yoo-jung and hugged her as I did…
“…Thank you.”
Once again, Park Yoo-jung shed a single tear.
“So, that really happened.”
In the meantime, Director Jeong, who had heard the whole story, rested his chin on his hand and nodded.
His gaze was intense and sharp, seemingly calculating future plans.
And soon, as if he had concluded his thoughts, he spoke to Park Yoo-jung with a serious expression.
“First, Yoo-jung, I think it’s premature for you to withdraw from Rookies.”
“…Director Jeong.”
“Your intention to leave Rookies was to avoid bringing shame upon the group. However, running away like this isn’t the solution.”
The way Director Jeong spoke was colder and sharper than usual.
“People will think you admitted your guilt and ran away. If that happens, both you and Rookies will suffer greatly.”
“Then… what should we do?”
“Based on what you just told us, let’s issue a statement and lead a public relations campaign.”
“A public relations campaign?”
I tilted my head, and Director Jeong nodded in response.
“It would have been better to prevent this before it broke out, but… the exposure is already spreading rapidly. Criticism against you is also rising.”
Indeed, many people were already throwing stones at Park Yoo-jung because of the detailed evidence in the exposure post.
If Park Yoo-jung left Rookies now or delayed even a bit, the damage would worsen.
“Since the issue has already erupted… we need to flip the situation. Yoo-jung will present herself as a righteous hero saving her friend, while the one exposing the bullying is the real perpetrator.”
“Ah….”
“Then sympathy for you will arise, and although Rookies may have some noise, we can still continue group activities.”
“……”
Director Jeong’s words suggested we should confront the situation head-on.
Indeed, it seemed a bit reckless, but it appeared to be our only option.
However, a problem arose immediately.
“First, please contact that Kim Young-hee. Ask her to write a rebuttal, then we can release our statement based on that…”
“…Director, I’m sorry, but I don’t have Young-hee’s number.”
“…What?”
“Actually, since that incident, I haven’t been able to go to school because I’ve been a trainee, and Young-hee moved to another orphanage…”
“Ah… then could we possibly find her through social media?”
“As far as I know, she doesn’t use social media, so… I’ll try to look for her…”
Thirty minutes later, Park Yoo-jung sighed and turned off her phone, shaking her head.
“…I’m sorry. I still couldn’t find her.”
“…This is a bit tricky. Quick responses are essential in situations like this, and if we delay…”
Director Jeong wanted to release Kim Young-hee’s rebuttal online simultaneously with Rookies’ statement.
Her testimony would need to support our statement to lend it strength….
Not being able to contact Kim Young-hee in this situation was a painful setback.
But then.
Ah…
A solution popped into my head.
“Director Jeong…!”
“Yes, Ye-rin?”
“I think I might know where that Kim Young-hee is.”
“…What? How can you…?”
All I needed was just one phone call to find Kim Young-hee.
Whoosh…
I had blustered so much, but now that I was actually making the call, I felt nervous.
To be precise, I felt guilty.
Usually, I hardly ever checked in, so how could I unashamedly ask for help?
It feels like I’ve become a bad daughter during the holidays, unable to go home…
I bitterly smiled and made the call.
Ring, ring, click.
[Hello.]
“…President.”
It was as if Kang Hyung-man had been waiting for my call; he answered before the ringing even finished.
[Ye-rin.]
To others, it might sound blunt, but I could tell Kang Hyung-man was very pleased at that moment.
This only made me feel even guiltier.
I should have reached out more often…
NAS Entertainment discouraged members from regularly contacting their original company.
As a result, I couldn’t frequently talk to Kang Hyung-man or the Brotherhood Planning team, often using busy schedules as an excuse.
I had my reasons, but now asking for help feels so wrong…
Whether he sensed my conflicting feelings or not, Kang Hyung-man cheerfully asked me,
[What’s going on?]
Hearing his voice filled me with guilt, but this matter was urgent, so I quickly got to the point.
“…I was hoping you could help me find someone.”
[Someone? Suddenly, what’s this about?]
“Well, the thing is….”
I briefly explained the crisis Rookies was facing and Park Yoo-jung’s circumstances.
And once Kang Hyung-man understood everything…
[Got it. I’ll find her.]
He replied immediately, without a moment’s hesitation.
“…We’re running out of time. Is it possible to do it quickly?”
[Of course. We’re experts at finding people.]
Indeed… that’s why I had asked Kang Hyung-man for help.
Before entering the entertainment business, Kang Hyung-man had been a debt collector… so I knew he could find someone quickly.
[I’ll find her and provide you with the information within a few hours.]
“…That fast?”
I really hadn’t expected it would be that quick.
“Thank you, President! I’m really grateful!”
I breathed a sigh of relief and continually thanked Kang Hyung-man.
But….
[…Ye-rin.]
“…Yes?”
[It’s nice to hear your voice after so long.]
“……”
[If you ever need my help, don’t hesitate to reach out first.]
Kang Hyung-man replied as if he was the one who felt grateful, calmly.
At this, my heart swelled, and I struggled to speak.
Kang Hyung-man, who always helped me without any strings attached, I was so… genuinely grateful for him.
[Ah, I’m sorry for taking up your time. I’ll send the information about that Kim Young-hee within a few hours. I’ll hang up now.]
“…President.”
[Hmm…?]
“…I’ll contact you more often. Really… thank you so much.”
[…Okay.]
With that, I ended the call, filled with both guilt and gratitude.
And a few hours later.
Bzzzt.
Kang Hyung-man found out where Kim Young-hee was living and what school she was attending.
He even found out her phone number and passed it on to me.
Thanks to this, we could reach out to Kim Young-hee.
The next day.
As soon as morning broke, Park Yoo-jung sat in the cafe, waiting for Kim Young-hee, the arranged meeting place.
Since she needed to make a rather difficult request, meeting Kim Young-hee in person was planned.
I’m feeling a bit nervous.
I mean, I wasn’t particularly close to Kim Young-hee, and it had been years since we met.
With shaking hands, Park Yoo-jung took a sip of her coffee.
At that moment…
Ding.
The cafe door opened….
“Ah, Yoo-jung.”
“…Huh?”
A girl in a school uniform approached, her eyes lighting up as she spotted her in the corner… Park Yoo-jung couldn’t help but be surprised.
[Kim Young-hee]
Her name tag clearly read Kim Young-hee.
Her face still bore traces of her former self.
But….
“Young-hee… is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me. Long time no see.”
The Kim Young-hee of the 2nd year of high school had changed her atmosphere so much that she seemed like a completely different person.
As Park Yoo-jung stood stunned, Kim Young-hee scratched her head and started to speak.
“Sorry. I had to move to another orphanage suddenly, so I couldn’t get in touch with you. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Oh, it’s okay.”
“I got a call from that Director Jeong yesterday. He said you needed help…”
“……”
Finally, here comes the crux of the matter.
It would certainly be a heavy burden for an ordinary person to suddenly get involved in such a massive incident.
Park Yoo-jung was determined to use every ounce of charm to persuade Kim Young-hee.
But….
“I’ll help you.”
“…Young-hee, please help… huh? What did you say?”
“I said I’ll help.”
“……”
Kim Young-hee hastily agreed before Park Yoo-jung could even finish her sentence.
With a slightly apologetic glance, she continued,
“Honestly, I don’t really use the internet, so I didn’t even know you were an idol or that you were going through such a tough time.”
“…Young-hee.”
“If I had known, I would have helped right away. I know you’re not at fault.”
Kim Young-hee’s tone was confident and unrestrained.
It was unimaginable compared to her previous gloomy and timid self.
Park Yoo-jung mumbled, wide-eyed,
“…Young-hee, you’ve changed.”
In response to Park Yoo-jung’s question, Kim Young-hee beamed and replied,
“Thanks to you, Yoo-jung.”
“…Me? What did I do?”
“You said back then to not endure it.”
Recalling Park Yoo-jung’s past self, Kim Young-hee blushed slightly and went on.
“Most importantly, the way you were then… it was so cool. I wanted to be like you.”
“……”
“Idols are supposed to inspire admiration in people, right? I really hope you continue as an idol. It suits you so well.”
“…Ah.”
Hearing that made Park Yoo-jung feel a weight lift from her chest, as if something was bursting forth.
Kim Young-hee firmly grasped Park Yoo-jung’s hand and looked her straight in the eyes.
“So tell me what I need to do.”
“……Young-hee.”
One hour later.
Various communities were buzzing with supportive posts for Park Yoo-jung under Kim Young-hee’s name.
Reporters sympathetic to NAS Entertainment quickly spread the news, conveying the truth to the people.
In response, NAS Entertainment also issued a statement regarding Park Yoo-jung’s situation.
Thus, public sentiment began to shift dramatically.
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