When a Butterfly Begins to Flutter Its Wings (2)

“First place, it’s first place!”

“…”

I was at a loss for words.

It’s too big for an end-of-year gift. So big it was shocking, more than I could hold in both arms.

“Why are you silent? The call connection seems fine. Are you listening to me?”

“Yes, I can hear you well.”

“I thought I’d hear cheers, if not screams.”

“I’m speechless. From joy.”

Brand reputation ranking, 1st place.

Pondering what this means, my closed mouth fell open.

Singers who sell out stadium concerts, actors who draw 10 million viewers, sports stars who dominate world championships.

It meant my value and reputation were higher than those people.

I slowly folded two spotless fingers.

November, December.

An achievement made in just two months.

…Is this even possible?

Jang Bongkyu confessed in an excited voice, as if giving testimony:

“Wise Jang declares. Your growth rate is higher and faster than any client I’ve handled. You are the best choice of my life!”

“That’s quite an exaggeration.”

“It’s true! I have my hand on my heart right now.”

“You’re lying.”

As I kept doubting, Jang Bongkyu laughed jokingly:

“You don’t believe me? Then let’s go to Spain right now. You know, in that classic movie Roman Holiday. The Mouth of Truth.”

“The one where your hand gets cut off if you lie?”

“Since you don’t trust me so much, I want to prove my innocence even that way.”

“Never mind. I’m not Audrey Hepburn.”

“Haha, it’s just a figure of speech.”

Jang Bongkyu’s mouth showed no signs of stopping. Praise and good news continued like fireworks exploding. Praise begat praise, and good news begat good news, like giving birth to offspring.

I took a deep breath and drank water like a toast.

“Tell me the other news too.”

“Let’s see. First…”

Various places were eyeing me and reaching out their hands to have me.

Fortunately, they weren’t black hands.

First, McDonald’s where I used to work part-time.

They contacted CSA saying they want me to be the model for a hamburger set named after me and their advertising model.

…Right, I deserve it.

How many hamburgers and french fries did I sell there!

“I watched the whole broadcast too, and Han Yujin-ssi was really amazing. How can a person be so strong?”

“Weeds are naturally tough and sturdy.”

“You’re not a weed since you came to me. But do you take anything special? If you know any good supplements, recommend me a few too.”

There is something more effective than supplements.

“Agent-nim, try raising nine kids yourself. Then you’ll naturally gain strength even eating just rice grains.”

Hearing my words, Jang Bongkyu cleared his throat.

“…Let’s continue.”

And various product CF inquiries lined up like dried yellow corvina.

Sikhye, milk, sesame oil, massage chairs, red ginseng, care food…

I laughed involuntarily while listening.

They were all products targeting the silver generation.

“I guess I’m the nation’s granddaughter now.”

“The elderly have excellent purchasing power and high loyalty. There’s nothing wrong with having senior fans.”

Then he asks me:

“Do you know any trot songs?”

“…I’ll pass on that.”

Fashion, jewelry, and beauty brands also reached out.

The lineup is splendid.

All luxury or contemporary brands.

Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Vivienne Westwood, Miu Miu, Cartier, MAC, Lancôme…

Some brands even want to use me as their official muse.

They sent love calls saying they want to put my name on next season’s new products, beyond just an advertising model.

“You’re going to a dermatologist, right? Han Yujin-ssi has such fair skin and a pretty jawline that you probably don’t need Ulthera, but make sure to get vitamin injections.”

I asked suspiciously:

“Why are these people making such a fuss?”

“That’s how people in that industry are. Plus, Yujin-ssi has a different narrative than other models, a narrative.”

What’s wrong with my narrative?

“Fashion industry people are crazy about destruction, resistance, revolution, things like that. You fit that image perfectly.”

“Ah.”

Public institutions like the Ministry of National Defense, National Police Agency, and Korea Advertising Council also took the bait.

They all wanted to appoint me as their promotional ambassador.

“Of course, the unit price is low for these. But it’s great in terms of image. You can also make an impression on people who eat from the national rice bowl.”

Interesting stories came out endlessly like unlimited refill service.

The chairman of a company cried after seeing my broadcast appearance and stepped up wanting to anonymously sponsor even my siblings’ tuition…

On Instagram, there’s a trend called the “Han Yujin Challenge” where people try to live a fulfilling day like me under the name of “living a god-like life”.

…You’ve gone crazy, you lunatics!

I thought I was really going to die back then!

While on the call, I checked KakaoTalk:

[Sung Dojun: Hey]

[Sung Dojun: Are you crazy?]

[Sung Dojun: Do you want to die?]

[Sung Dojun: Dad’s store has been insanely busy with customers for a week]

[Sung Dojun: Save me..]

[Jung Sehee: Yujin-ah what on earth did you do]

[Jung Sehee: The customers are endless..]

[Jung Sehee: It’s not Three-way Intersection Pub or Juda Bang]

[Jung Sehee: Like a hunting pub]

[Jung Sehee: It’s become a hot place ㅡㅡ]

[Jung Sehee: My back’s going to break from part-time work,,ㅜㅜ]

[Jung Sehee: Oh and I]

[Jung Sehee: Agreed to eat with Dojun soon v^,^v]

I hear death throes.

<Geunbon>, the pub where I worked part-time, has become a hot place in Jamsil.

When I told this story to Jang Bongkyu, he laughed heartily.

“I hear jokes about making a Han-ri-dan-gil named after Han Yujin in Jamsil. I should arrange a meeting with the Songpa District mayor soon.”

Han-ri-dan-gil!

Finally…

Finally!

People are recognizing Jamsil!

I recalled the years of hardship enduring countless humiliations, being called pseudo-Gangnam, Banpo colony, crappy Jamsil.

People who own apartments in Jamsil must be dancing with joy. Because housing prices might skyrocket.

…This is crazy.

At this rate, I might believe even if they say a deer is a horse, or that they’re making soybean paste with red beans.

I said to Jang Bongkyu:

“Please arrange the advertisements according to my schedule. As I said before, for short-term periods of 6 months.”

Jang Bongkyu asked in a somewhat questioning voice:

“I’ve been curious for a while, why do you insist on only short-term contracts? Even your contract with us was short-term, right?”

That’s right. Why do I do that?

“…Because I’m anxious.”

“Anyway, I’ll grab as much as possible. I’ll let you know the fixed ad scripts separately later.”

As I was about to hang up, Jang Bongkyu stopped me saying “Wait.”

“By any chance, do you know how to play guitar?”

“Yes. But why?”

“A production company contacted us. They want to make a band and use Han Yujin-ssi as the guitarist. What was the team name again?”

I heard a clapping sound through the receiver.

“Right, ASDF!”

It’s a name I know.

A 4-member band composed of influencers. A group that becomes a huge hit in the near future.

“But what’s with that team name?”

“I know, right? There’s a limit even to naming carelessly.”

“What should we do? Cancel it?”

I know it’s sweet honey, but I can’t eat it.

My schedule is already tight, and if I add being in a band on top of that, I’ll surely die from overwork with my lips turning magenta.

I declined and ended the call.

Now, what else do I need to check?

What else… Sieun…

Sieun?

Han Sieun…

Ah, right!

I hurriedly opened the door and ran up to the second floor.

Going to Han Sieun’s room, she’s watching the opened Pro League match.

“Sieun-ah!”

Han Sieun is startled, dropping the yogurt spoon she was eating with.

“Unni!”

Seeing me, she hugs me with a glad face.

“Unni, when did you come?”

“Just now. Anyway, how did it go?”

Han Sieun took out a badge from her chest and waved it gently. The pro gamer badge shone brilliantly.

I touched Han Sieun’s cheeks like rice cakes and congratulated her.

“I didn’t know you’d pass on the first try!”

“I’m your sister after all.”

That’s right, whose sister are you!

“Did you get team offers?”

“Yeah, but the team…”

Han Sieun’s eyes rolled like bowling balls as if she had committed a grave sin.

“I decided to go to SUC.”

“You kept singing about wanting to go there, and now you’re finally going.”

The smile disappeared without a trace and Han Sieun hung her head low.

I smiled and patted her shoulder.

“Sieun-ah. Are you some great criminal? We can be on different teams. Raise your head, straighten your shoulders.”

At my words, Han Sieun raised the corners of her mouth slightly.

“You haven’t signed the contract yet, right? I’ll ask my agent, so sign carefully with their people present.”

“Yeah. Thanks for helping.”

Han Sieun said “Ah” and continued:

“I think I’ll stay in the individual dorm in the company building once I sign the contract.”

“…I see.”

They’re leaving one by one. The house.

Third child Sejin to the idol dorm, fourth child Sieun to the SUC dorm.

I’ll probably move into the ELF individual dorm too.

…It feels lonely for no reason.

I wonder if this is how parents feel when sending their children to Seoul.

“Oh, right. After Human Life aired, people recognize us too. Asking if we’re Han Yujin’s siblings.”

“Really? Just say yes then.”

The broadcast’s ripple effect wasn’t limited to just me.

Well…

A documentary airing in the morning hitting 20% ratings is a syndrome and a miracle.

On community sites, they’re even making memes of my siblings and ranking their looks. Those crazy bastards.

“Anyway, hang in there. Quickly secure a starting position and do better than that snake Jung Suhyuk to get a higher salary. Break his pride completely!”

At my words, Han Sieun covered her mouth and giggled.

Just then,

The sound of the Pro League broadcast was heard.

“We will now reveal the 1st week Pro League rankings!”

I turned my head and looked at the monitor screen.

[1st place SUC 5 wins 0 losses]

[…]

[…]

[10th place ELF 0 wins 5 losses]

It was a result that felt like being doused with cold water, sobering me up.

“What the hell!”

“Unni… why suddenly?”

I’m flabbergasted and dumbfounded.

While I was grinding my bones in the military, this useless team was running last in the first week of the league.

My grand ambition to make the eternal runner-up team champions is sinking with a crashing sound.

Thoughts continued in succession.

Kang Yohan. Hyun Junho.

The two men I help win championships.

What happened to these gentlemen?

“Si-Sieun-ah…”

“Yeah?”

“How did the GSL Round of 16 go?”

Han Sieun, who swallowed the strawberry from her yogurt, answered while chewing:

I grabbed my coat and rushed to Kang Yohan’s studio apartment.

Opening the door, Kang Yohan waved his hand and smiled brightly.

“Wow, how long has it been since I’ve seen Yujin-nim? Salute!”

“…Hello.”

Kang Yohan made a V sign with his fingers and raised it.

“Made it to the quarterfinals! This is all thanks to Yujin-nim.”

“Congratulations.”

“They’re doing the bracket draw right now. Sit here and watch together.”

I brought a chair and sat next to Kang Yohan. A familiar face appeared on the monitor.

It was Yeon Sangho, the maknae of ‘Supernova’, a popular but controversial male idol group.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen this guy.

He gets kicked out of the entertainment industry due to sex-related controversies a few years later.

Anyway.

It was customary to invite famous celebrities for the quarterfinal bracket draw to promote the tournament.

With a very joyful expression, Yeon Sangho stirred the draw balls with his hand and picked one up.

He opened the planet-shaped draw ball and unfolded the name tag to the camera.

“Kang Yohan.”

“What? It’s me from the first draw?”

Gulp. Sticky saliva went down my throat.

I moistened my dry lips with my tongue.

Who could it be, who will come out?

Jung Suhyuk? Eo Jaehyun?

They should meet in the semifinals at least…

My heart feels like it’s about to burst.

Yeon Sangho drew the fateful draw ball once again.

The name he unfolded was,

The worst in a different sense.

Neither Jung Suhyuk nor Eo Jaehyun…

“Hyun Junho.”

It was a historic matchup in many ways.