When a butterfly starts to flap its wings (5)

A new today quickly erased yesterday.

I had a busy day without a moment to spare until Christmas Eve.

Shooting commercials, broadcasting, practicing.

I endured my depleted energy with coffee and supplements. Now it feels like coffee and I have become one.

Am I coffee, or is coffee me?

…What am I saying?

And then Christmas Eve. Morning.

I was setting up a small tree I bought in the living room.

When I pressed the switch, the decorations on the tree wrapped with cherry lights shone brightly.

Unlike the ethereally glowing Christmas tree, Han Sumin’s face was full of scheming.

Han Sumin massaged my shoulders and started buttering me up.

“Hehehe, my beloved big sister!”

“Why are you making me cringe so early in the morning?”

“Kyaaa, sissy!”

“Shut up and just go to school.”

I grabbed the hem of Han Sumin’s skirt and sighed.

“Sheesh, look how short this skirt is. Your butt’s going to show. Go to the tailor and get it lengthened as soon as you’re done with school.”

“Ugh, nagging again!”

Han Sumin twisted her body and acted coy.

She opened her round eyes wide and started to pour out her grievances in earnest.

“Sis, you know. You know how I…”

“Yeah.”

“These days at school, you know. I’m the only one without AirPods Pro Max.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah yeah. Almost everyone in my class has them, but I don’t. I can’t focus on studying because of the relative deprivation.”

“Hmm, I see.”

I made some acknowledging noises while letting it go in one ear and out the other.

I had already figured out that she wanted me to buy her one for Christmas.

It felt quite cute how she was beating around the bush and mumbling about it.

It’s cute, should I just buy it for her?

…But I still have to do what needs to be done.

It’s true that I earn a lot of money. But I have no intention of lavishly giving to my siblings as if I’m just throwing money away.

You know, there are a lot of cases like that. Families of successful celebrities spending money recklessly without any concept of money and ending up ruined.

Even this push and pull, from my perspective, was a kind of education and discipline.

“Sis…”

Han Sumin carefully gauged my reaction and then subtly dropped the main point.

“I got into the arts high school, and tomorrow’s Christmas, so can’t you buy me one?”

“What are you going to do with those big headphones?”

“What else, I’m going to be a rock star! If I wear those, I can hear music better and it’ll boost my fashion efficiency too!”

What nonsense about fashion efficiency.

“Ah, just go to school already!”

I reacted as if I was annoyed.

Han Sumin stomped her feet and whined.

Earlier she had some logic, but now she was just throwing a tantrum with illogical stubbornness.

“Ah, buy it for me!”

“I don’t have money.”

“I read all the articles, what do you mean you don’t have money! It said your annual salary is tens of billions of won!”

“Oh my, you studied a lot. But that’s misinformation.”

“Ah, sis! If I get bullied at school for not having AirPods Pro Max, are you going to take responsibility?”

You look like you’d grab the bully’s hair first if you got bullied. Just like me.

I brought the phone I had been using until a few days ago from my room.

An old phone with a cracked screen and fingerprints all over it.

It was so old that even if I tried to sell it at a phone store, the owner would click their tongue and double the price out of pity.

“I used this, and I didn’t get bullied anywhere. So stop worrying unnecessarily and just go to school.”

“…”

When I dodge one “buy it for me” attack, another “buy it for me” attack comes in.

What is this, a fencing match?

“If I can’t become a rock star because I don’t have AirPods Pro Max, are you going to take responsibility?”

“Come on, did John Lennon become a rock star because he had AirPods Pro Max?”

“Ah, that’s John Lennon!”

“Yeah, and you’re Han Sumin.”

“Ah, you bought Sejin unnie an iPhone and Sieun unnie a computer, why do you always discriminate against me!”

“I bought you a guitar, didn’t I?”

The battle of wills between me and Han Sumin.

Han Suho, who had been watching from the side, licked his lips like a hyena and jumped into the battlefield.

Han Suho held out a steaming cup of coffee and said,

“This coffee is for you, noona.”

“Oh, thank you.”

When I drank it, it tasted burnt. There’s effort in making it, so I can’t throw it away.

Han Suho rubbed his hands like a minion and opened his mouth.

“Noona, they say autumn is the season for reading, but that’s complete nonsense. The season for reading is all year round. So, I was thinking, my eyes have been getting blurry lately, and I think I might need an e-book reader.”

Just as I thought.

These kids are always on the lookout for an opportunity to suck the life out of their heavenly oldest sister.

“Ah, just get out!”

I frowned and waved my hand.

The clinging twins whined like sticky traps, refusing to let go.

That’s when…

“Hey, are you guys going to keep bothering noona?!”

Han Sejun, who had been eating, suddenly yelled.

“Is big noona someone who buys you gifts? Is she a neighborhood punching bag? You little shits have gone too far. Get out and go to school!”

Han Suho and Han Sumin twisted their lips and trudged away.

Han Sejun spoke, still fuming.

“Noona, don’t indulge those twin brats when they nag like that.”

“It’s fine. They’re just middle schoolers, they can throw tantrums sometimes.”

“So are you going to buy it for them?”

“Yeah. I should. I have to go to the department store anyway.”

I suddenly remembered and spoke to Han Sejun.

“You know about today, right? The party.”

“Joseon Palace, 7 PM, right? But I heard it’s a private party, is it okay if I come and film?”

“Yeah. My agent is attending too, and when I asked, he said it’s fine as long as we blur faces.”

Suddenly, Han Sejun’s hands stopped washing dishes. Then he asked out of the blue.

“Noona. It won’t happen, right?”

“…What won’t happen?”

The sound of water from the sink quieted down.

“There won’t be any weird incidents or accidents at the party, right? It’s not like butterflies are spraying pheromones, but noona, you’re always followed by incidents and accidents.”

“…”

I thought as I drank the burnt-tasting coffee.

Nah, no way…

It won’t happen again, right?

Han Sejun asked anxiously.

“Who’s attending the party? You must have heard something.”

“Well, you know, PD Kim Hwachang and some people from the entertainment industry…”

“Really? Is that really all?”

“And Jung Suhyuk…”

Han Sejun’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out.

“What? Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not on good terms with Daesuhyuk, right?”

“We growl at each other, but we’re not at the point of grabbing each other’s hair and fighting.”

“Tell me more. Who else is coming?”

I put my hand on my chin and recalled the attendees I heard from Jang Bongyu.

“Yeon Sangho.”

“What?!”

Han Sejun pursed his lips and made a disgusted expression.

“That idol, right? Everyone in the country knows he’s obsessed with women. What if he hits on you and does something terrible?”

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Yeon Sangho is going to fall into his own grave because of a huge scandal and self-destruct anyway.

But…

Is it really okay?

A luxury sedan stopped in front of the house. I nodded to the driver and got into the back seat.

“…Hello.”

“It’s been a while, Yujin-ssi.”

Crossed legs fidgeted in the back seat. My eyes were naturally drawn to them before I quickly averted my gaze.

Min Doyeon.

The woman I exchanged numbers with after a chance encounter at the high-end fine dining restaurant I went to with Kang Yohan before.

This woman, when I looked her up, was incredible.

What was it again, the second daughter of the Hyeseong Group?

I thought the number exchange was just a social courtesy, but I never dreamed she would actually contact me.

And I certainly didn’t expect her to suddenly ask to meet on Christmas Eve and go to a department store.

The car started smoothly.

I pursed my lips and asked.

“But why suddenly…”

“Did I ask to meet?”

I nodded.

“To repay you. I received a lot from you, Yujin-ssi.”

…Received a lot?

Seeing my puzzled expression, Min Doyeon raised the corners of her mouth.

“Mr. Jang didn’t tell you?”

“My agent?”

When I heard the full story, it turned out Min Doyeon was a major shareholder of CSA. She even said she was the one who recommended me to Jang Bongyu.

To add to that, Min Doyeon had also invested in ELF, and when I joined ELF, the stock price soared, resulting in significant profits for her.

“I should show some appropriate gratitude, even if it’s not as much as I received.”

Appropriate gratitude…

I wonder what it could be.

I don’t need anything else, an eco bag would be nice.

It would be useful for grocery shopping.

…is what I thought, but the gifts,

There are too many gifts.

After valet parking, we toured the luxury brand stores on the first floor like a concert tour.

The VVIP experience was clearly different. We didn’t need to take a waiting number ticket, it was a free pass from entry.

I had heard that department stores focus on VIP treatment because a small number of big spenders account for a large portion of their profits, and I could really feel it firsthand.

We received meticulous and thorough care down to the smallest detail, as if we were emperors.

Min Doyeon walked through the stores as if they were her own room, choosing clothes for me.

The Fendi lynx fur jacket that a famous celebrity wore at an opening party. The Dior Lady bag in alligator leather that’s said to be coming out next season.

She even bought AirPods Pro Max and an e-book reader when I mentioned my siblings.

As the shopping bags increased, the hands of the person who seemed to be either the driver or secretary became heavier.

Of course, my shoulders also grew heavier as I received the gifts.

“This seems beyond the level of appropriate gratitude.”

“It’s fine, just accept it.”

We went to the private lounge on the third floor for a meal.

When we arrived, a delectable brunch was already neatly catered.

“Does it suit your taste?”

“…Yes.”

If this doesn’t suit your taste, there’s a serious problem with your palate.

The problem is the amount of food…

It’s just a mouse’s tail worth for me.

I cast a longing gaze at the dessert being eaten at the next table.

The Afternoon Tea Set.

I want to eat it…

“Do you want to eat it?”

“…Huh?”

Min Doyeon, resting her chin on her hand, turned her head slightly and said,

“The Afternoon Tea Set. You’ve been staring at it so intensely, it might bore a hole. Shall we have it?”

I nodded eagerly.

I put the three-tiered fountain-like assortment of snacks in my mouth. The soft pastry melted gently on my tongue.

“…It’s so delicious.”

As expected, England is good at both music and food!

Min Doyeon brushed her sideburns and asked,

“I hear you’re going to a party?”

“Ah, yes.”

How did she know?

“Are you going dressed like that?”

“…My appearance is a bit shabby, isn’t it?”

I didn’t hear her answer, but it feels like she’s saying yes.

It makes sense. I came out in very comfortable clothes right now.

Min Doyeon took out her phone from her clutch bag and started calling somewhere.

“Ah, it’s me. I have an urgent request. Please bring a chiffon dress to the shop. Ah, and a necklace too. The violet one from Chopard.”

After ending the call, Min Doyeon glanced at her wristwatch and said,

“Let’s move after we finish eating. There’s a shop I go to. We’ll get you ready there and then you can attend the party.”

I waved my hands vigorously.

“No, I’m really fine…”

“It’s because I want to see it.”

…Huh?

“Yujin-ssi in a dress.”

---

At the same time. Gangnam.

Yeon Sangho, suffering from a hangover due to excessive drinking the night before, let out a groan.

“Ah, my fucking head hurts like hell.”

At that moment, Yeon Sangho’s phone rang.

Answering the phone, Yeon Sangho spoke with a half-groggy voice.

“Oh, Gwangmin. What is it?”

-Hyung, you’re still coming to the party today, right?

The voice of Jeon Gwangmin, a junior in the entertainment industry who treated Yeon Sangho with great respect, could be heard.

“I’m not going, fuck. My head feels like it’s going to split open.”

Then Jeon Gwangmin’s excited laughter came back with his words.

-There are girls, and you’re not coming? You?

“Fuck off, I really feel like I’m going to die.”

-You’ll regret it if you don’t come.

“There are girls everywhere in this world, you idiot.”

As Yeon Sangho showed a curt response, Jeon Gwangmin answered lazily.

-Wow, fuck. What a coincidence. Didn’t you say you’ve had your eye on that Han Yujin girl or whatever recently?

“Yeah. I’d like to sleep with her once.”

-I heard through the grapevine that Han Yujin is coming too?

Yeon Sangho sat up abruptly.

His expression showed that his hangover had completely vanished.

“The Han Yujin I know?”

-Yeah. I have a noona who used to be my stylist, and now she runs a private shop in Cheongdam. But now Han Yujin came there and said she’s going to the party?

At this unexpected news, Yeon Sangho licked his lips. With a lewd snicker, he raised his voice.

“Hey, Gwangmin. I’ll show you how I’ll lay Han Yujin.”

-Come on, I heard she’s really stuck up?

“What can a mere pro gamer do with her high nose? I saw her doing some drunk broadcast before, and she seemed like a total loose woman. If I just wiggle my finger, she’ll bite and fall for it right away.”

At Yeon Sangho’s words, Jeon Gwangmin giggled and said.

-Well, she’s young and from a poor family, so she might go crazy if you throw money at her.

“You yield to me this time. I’m definitely going to make Han Yujin today.”

-Anyway, if you eat her, take a video and upload it to our group chat. These days, with new stuff coming out sporadically, life’s been lacking flavor.

“Alright, you get fully dressed and come over to Joseon Palace too. We’ll drink with Han Yujin.”

-Okay. See you later.

After ending the call, Yeon Sangho’s hand trembled slightly with a suitable level of excitement.