Chapter 63: Dating? (1)

The ‘Starlight Dream Stage’ was, in every sense, a massive success.

For several days after the broadcast, the online communities were buzzing with nothing else.

Clips of the participants’ performances spread rapidly, and my grand, generous finale became a hot topic, just as expected.

Gazing at the Seoul nightscape spread beyond the penthouse window, I wore a satisfied smile.

Whether it was ridicule or praise, I enjoyed the fact that I was at the center of all reactions.

It was a high-dimensional pleasure, on a different level from my past ‘big-spending attention-seeker’ days.

Suddenly, I thought of the members.

Jungyeon, Ajung, and Yoon Sol.

They were the primary contributors who planned and successfully executed this ‘Dream Stage.’

While browsing community reactions, I randomly came across a clip of the Starlight members chatting.

It was a story about how, while pulling an all-nighter meeting to prepare for the main stage, they had a brief moment in the break room, eating cup ramen, laughing and talking despite their exhaustion.

Seeing that video made a corner of my heart ache for some reason.

‘Still, they all worked so hard, I should do something for them.’

I wasn’t particularly obligated to do anything, but since I was in a good mood, a little generosity wouldn’t hurt.

It must be suffocating for them to always be cooped up at home or the office.

Getting some fresh air occasionally… well, wouldn’t that improve efficiency?

Efficiency.

Yes, it was for efficiency.

I picked up my smartphone and opened the group chat with the Starlight members.

I hesitated for a moment, wondering what to send.

It shouldn’t seem too formal.

Was a notification-style message like last time a bit off?

[Me]: Everyone, you all worked hard on the Dream Stage. If you don’t have any special plans tomorrow, would you like to have lunch together? Or maybe we could all go get some fresh air.

After sending the message, I felt needlessly awkward.

Was it too sudden?

Or did it seem too meddlesome?

When a reply didn’t come immediately, all sorts of thoughts raced through my mind.

Ding-

[Ajung]: OMG!!! The President is treating us to a meal???? Yes yes yes yes yes!!! Of course, I have time!!! Where are we going? What are we eating?? Can we eat something expensive?? (๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧

[Jungyeon]: Huh? So suddenly? We don’t have any particular schedule tomorrow, but… you’re not buying us food just to make us do something weird again, are you?? ( •́ ̯•̀ )

[Yoon Sol]: I’d like that too, President~ Thank you for the invitation. ❀´▽`❀

As expected, Ajung’s response was the quickest.

It was followed by Jungyeon’s suspicion and Yoon Sol’s cautious thank you.

The suspicion was a bit irksome, but at least there were no refusals.

[Me]: We’re just having lunch and getting some fresh air. It’s nothing special, so don’t feel burdened. I’ll decide on the place, so come to the cafe near the company by 11 AM tomorrow.

Now that the appointment was set, I had to prepare.

‘An outing,’ huh.

First off, I detested noisy and crowded places.

It was a rare break; I couldn’t afford to be disturbed.

I called Yoon Taesoo.

“Representative Yoon. I’m having lunch with the members tomorrow, could you find a decent place?”

[Yes, President. What style of place are you looking for?]

“Somewhere quiet and private. But also a place that people these days would like, you know. Not too stiff an atmosphere. And the food, of course, must be top-notch.”

Yoon Taesoo fell silent for a moment at my vague request.

This man always managed to turn my requests into reality somehow, so he’d handle this well too, I trusted.

[Understood. I will consider the members’ age range and recent preferences, compile a list of a few places, and report back to you immediately. Shall I also recommend places for a light tea time after the meal or for a stroll nearby?]

“Ah, that would be great. Somewhere not too crowded.”

[How will you be traveling?]

“Ah, travel. I’ll drive myself. Prepare one or two cars that aren’t too flashy but are comfortable. Just in case. Something spacious with a good ride quality.”

It wouldn’t do for them to get carsick in an uncomfortable car.

He’d naturally take care of things like navigation.

[Yes, President. I will prepare the vehicles along with the optimal route and estimated travel time. Should I prepare outfits as well?]

“Ah, right. Outfits. Please prepare some clothes for the members. As inconspicuous as possible, considering their individual tastes, so they can choose from a few options. Ah, and nothing too outrageously expensive, since they’d feel burdened.”

It might seem like I was being overly considerate, but I couldn’t help it.

If I just casually asked.

‘Is there anything you need these days?’

The reply would come back with Jungyeon’s fed-up expression.

‘President… we’re already receiving more than enough… If you keep doing this, it’s becoming burdensome….’

It was a learned response by now.

“Oh, and it’ll be a hassle for them to come to the company to change, so it’s better to send them to their respective homes by this evening. Representative Yoon, please figure out their sizes.”

[Understood. I will prepare items from the latest collections, referencing each member’s existing style and preferred brands, within a range that won’t be too burdensome. Shall I prepare an outfit for you as well, President?]

“Me? Well… can’t I just wear what I usually do? No, wait, would that look too shabby? Representative Yoon, just pick out one or two ‘ordinary-looking yet decent’ outfits for me.”

Honestly, me.

Worrying about such trivial things.

[Understood. I will take action immediately.]

As expected, Yoon Taesoo was competent.

He understood my vague instructions perfectly and handled them.

After finishing the call, I found myself looking forward to tomorrow a little.

How would the members react?

A smirk escaped me as I imagined their awkward expressions.

---

That evening.

An unexpected gift arrived for the members, who were resting in their respective spaces.

“Huh? I didn’t order anything?”

Ajung tilted her head and opened her front door.

In front of it were several enormous luxury brand shopping bags, almost as tall as her.

“……What is all this?”

The shopping bags were filled with clothes so beautiful they made her eyes widen.

A card included with them had a short memo.

[These outfits were prepared by the President. Please feel free to wear whichever you like for tomorrow’s outing. – Secretary’s Office]

“…Awesome! The President is the best! Totally awesome!”

Ajung immediately moved the shopping bags to her living room, took out all the clothes, and started her own fashion show.

She tried on all sorts of outfits, posing in front of the mirror and taking selfies with her smartphone.

Meanwhile, shopping bags of a similar size arrived in front of Jungyeon’s house.

“…What kind of trouble have you caused this time, really.”

Jungyeon opened the shopping bags with utmost caution.

As expected, familiar luxury brand logos met her eyes.

“Haaah… This brand’s jacket, isn’t this the one I saw in a magazine the other day? The price is… … Oof.”

She quickly withdrew her hand that was about to check the price tag.

Knowing would only make her uncomfortable.

‘If I spill something on this while eating tomorrow, it’s really over…’

Practical worries came first, but the clothes themselves were pretty.

Sighing, Jungyeon still picked out the most modest and neat-looking slacks and blouse from the selection and hung them on a hanger.

Meanwhile, at Yoon Sol’s house; she had recently moved from living with Jungyeon to a place near Ajung’s.

She, too, was flustered when she cautiously opened her door and saw the large shopping bags placed in front of it.

“Why would he send something like this to me…”

Opening the boxes, Sol admired the beautiful clothes but also felt burdened.

She thought it was an undeserved gift that didn’t suit her.

[Yoon Sol]: Ajung, Jungyeon, are you busy right now? I received a gift of clothes, but I don’t know what to wear ㅠ..

[Jungyeon]: Ah lol, you got them too, Sol? Lolol Just wear whatever is most comfortable and that you like. Don’t feel too burdened. It looks like the President gifted them for us to wear comfortably regularly, so let’s just pick something simple.

[Ajung]: Sol! What did you pick? I’m also completely torn! Send a picture!

Yoon Sol hesitated for a long time before sending pictures to the members for advice.

Eventually, she chose an ivory-colored knit sweater and a long skirt, which were calm and feminine, not too different from her usual style.

Standing in front of the mirror, she found her reflection, looking a bit more feminine and softer than usual, to be unfamiliar yet pleasing.

A shy smile bloomed on her face.

In their own spaces, the three of them spent a somewhat special night preparing for their first official outing with the President.

Excitement and anticipation, a little worry and burden.

And all mixed with complex, subtle emotions towards the being at the center of it all, ‘the President.’

---

And it was the same for me.

I stared blankly at the clothes Yoon Taesoo had prepared.

It was truly a modest combination that precisely hit the mark of ‘ordinary-looking yet decent’ that I had requested.

But upon closer inspection, the fabric and finishing were undeniably different.

‘This should be fine, I guess.’

I could feel the sincerity in his careful selection.

I looked out at the night view.

The brilliant city lights twinkled as usual.

But today, for some reason, those lights felt a little warmer.

‘…I wonder if the weather will be good tomorrow.’

Checking the weather app, it showed a clear sky.

That was a relief.

It would have been annoying if it had rained.

Gazing at the night view outside the window, I went to bed feeling somewhat excited.