episode_0035

“Hello, I am Kim Suhyuk, the staff member who will be guiding you students today.”

Nayeon, Kim Noeul, and I quietly listened to the staff’s instructions from the back. There were not only students from Hanguk High School but also many students from other schools.

“Oh, there’s Hanguk High School over there.”

Kim Noeul murmured with an uneasy expression. In the direction she pointed, students wearing the Hanguk High School uniform were gathered together.

The counseling department and leadership department of Haneul High School had a somewhat awkward relationship with Hanguk High School due to past clashes.

Sure enough, it felt like the Hanguk High School students were also glancing in our direction.

“First of all, since you are interested in models, you chose this place for your career experience. First, let me explain the modeling contract process of our company.”

The staff guided us to the vicinity of the meeting room. We saw a man and a woman chatting by the vending machine in front of the meeting room.

Just by their appearance, we could tell they were models affiliated with SC.

The man seemed to be at least 180 centimeters tall and had a broad shoulder width.

The female model boasted a golden ratio similar to Jegal Yeonhwa, whom I had seen before.

“Oh? I saw that person in a magazine.”

“That’s the person who was advertising on Instagram. They look amazing in person.”

Judging by the students’ reactions, they seemed to be famous models. The two of them smiled and nodded to the students.

The staff went inside the meeting room and began the explanation.

“Some models work independently, but there are quite a few who sign with a manager or agency to enjoy various promotional benefits. The two you just saw fall into the latter category.”

The staff picked up the profiles placed on the desk.

“This is the contract. Along with this, after completing additional procedures, you become a model for SC. After that, the meeting becomes crucial as it evaluates the talents and efforts of the model.”

While he was explaining enthusiastically, I was looking for a certain individual.

“I feel like I’ve met someone around this time.”

It must be someone claiming to be Jegal Yeonhwa’s rival, a student model affiliated with SC. Most likely, they transitioned to being a female here.

“Who are you looking for like that?”

Kim Noeul, who was staring at me strangely, asked, “Jegal Yeonhwa. Or maybe Jegal Hwarin. Since there are Korean high school students here too.”

“…I’m just asking in case, but you don’t plan to rush in as soon as we find her, do you?” A shape similar to a terrier flashed through Kim Noeul’s mind. It couldn’t be helped, as she tended to actively respond to incidents.

“How do you see me?”

“If you find her, tell me. I’ll rush in first.”

Suddenly, Kim Noeul spoke in a terrier-like manner. It was surprising.

“Why?”

“Jegal Hwarin touched you. Actually, I’ve been itching for this since before.”

A cold voice flowed from Kim Noeul’s lips like frost on the ground.

“In fact, I’m almost the one who touched Jegal Hwarin.”

She backed away after slapping me several times. But I didn’t bother clarifying Kim Noeul’s misunderstanding.

I turned my head and looked at Na Yuna standing behind us.

She was listening to the staff’s explanation with a vacant expression, not intervening in our conversation and creating a gloomy atmosphere since earlier.

“Was President Im Juhee’s words that shocking?”

Na Yuna’s melancholic expression didn’t fade even after the staff’s explanation ended.

Taking Na Yuna with us, we sat at the office lounge and had some drinks. Kim Noeul seemed to have noticed Na Yuna’s mood and cautiously asked, “Senior, are you feeling unwell?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“You look uncomfortable.”

To change the mood, I decided to highlight Na Yuna’s strengths.

“Actually, you were being scouted by the president before you came here.”

“What? Really?”

Kim Noeul widened her eyes and looked at Na Yuna. Na Yuna blushed and waved her hands.

“It’s, it’s a coincidence! I have no idea who I talked to! And in the end, you left after seeing my real self…”

“Your real self?”

At Kim Noeul’s question, Na Yuna remained silent. She fiddled with a canned drink and bowed her head deeply.

“Senior Yuna, take this.”

I handed her the business card I had received. Na Yuna slightly opened her mouth as she looked at Im Juhee’s business card.

“W-where did you get this?”

“I got it when I met her by chance. If you’re interested, contact her.”

“Casting, huh…”

Kim Noeul crossed her arms, wearing an uncomfortable expression.

“If you’re uncomfortable, adjust your posture.”

I nudged her, and Kim Noeul let out a forced cough.

“I’m not uncomfortable. Just mumbling to myself.”

“Anyway, since the CEO showed interest in Yuna senior, try contacting her later.”

“But, but…”

Nayuna, flustered, held her business card preciously in both hands. Watching her, I was certain she would contact us in the near future.

“It’s a good opportunity; it’d be a shame to miss it,” Kim Noeul also prodded Nayuna. This made me curious about Kim Noeul as well.

“No thoughts of modeling, Kim Noeul?”

“Not at all. It’s not a career path I’ve considered.”

Kim Noeul covered her mouth and yawned. In fact, she had come to SC with us, so today’s field trip would likely bore her.

“What a waste… Noeul, you seem like you’ve had plenty of casting offers…”

At Nayuna’s words, Kim Noeul shook her head.

“Just not interested.”

Kim Noeul didn’t mention that she hadn’t received any casting offers. In reality, she had received several love calls from the entertainment industry.

“Wow, seems like everyone’s overflowing with talent. Even talking about casting.”

We heard a strange voice behind us. When I turned around, I saw a woman’s face I hadn’t seen before, looking down at us.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Jung Soyeon. Have you heard of me?”

Kim Noeul asked cautiously, and the woman responded as if waiting for the question. She revealed her name and waited for our reaction.

“……”

“……”

However, when Kim Noeul and I remained silent and just stared at her, she seemed flustered, and her eyes trembled.

“I-I’m Jung Soyeon! The rival of that Jega Yeonhwa!”

Upon hearing the name Jega Yeonhwa, Kim Noeul pretended to recognize it.

“Are you an SC model?”

“Yeah… To think you recognized me by mentioning her name…”

Jung Soyeon looked crestfallen. Finally, I recognized her too.

In the webtoon, there was a male model who called himself the rival of Jega Yeonhwa. Now, that man stood before me, having undergone a gender reversal.

Jung Soyeon, a third-year female student at Yushin High School. By the way, Sang-Nari, the leader of Veritas, is also attending Yushin High School.

“Are you guys in 2nd grade? That’s why I let it slip.”

Jeong So-yeon was a free spirit. Her personality was already evident through her dialogue.

“If we’re talking about the top two minors in SC, it’s Je-gal Yeon-hwa and this girl right here!”

Suddenly, Na Yuna spoke up.

“She’s the top output at Hakdo East High School and even the model for nearby restaurants’ commercials!”

As Na Yuna recited Jeong So-yeon’s career achievements, Jeong So-yeon, moved, gently patted Na Yuna’s head with a touched expression.

“You’re my fan! You’ve got an eye for talent!”

“You know your seniors well.”

Kim Noeul chuckled coolly. Na Yuna realized she was too excited and took a deep breath.

“W-well, I was just looking up SC-related content… since it’s our field trip today…”

Na Yuna made an excuse, but she couldn’t hide her interest in this area.

“But hey… Yuna? Your name tag says Yuna, right?”

Jeong So-yeon asked, examining Na Yuna’s uniform.

“Yes. I’m Na Yuna.”

“Yuna, you got cast as a model too? Does that mean we’re in this together now?”

“Oh, well….”

Na Yuna stumbled over her words. Jeong So-yeon blinked at her lukewarm response.

“Why? Are you going to refuse? Want to focus on your studies?”

“N-no, it’s not that. It’s just that the president seemed disappointed in me at the end…”

“……”

Things were going smoothly.

In the original work, Na Yuna could pursue modeling not only thanks to President Im Ju-hee’s help but also because she had a supportive fellow model by her side.

That fellow model was none other than the person in front of her, Jeong So-yeon.

“Hey, can I borrow this friend for a moment?”

“You want to borrow her?”

At Kim Noeul’s question, Jeong So-yeon took Na Yuna’s hand and helped her up. Na Yuna stood up unsteadily.

“She doesn’t seem herself. There’s still quite some time until break, so I’ll bring her back before then.”

“Go ahead.”

With my permission, Jeong So-yeon put her hand on Na Yuna’s shoulder and left her seat. Kim Noeul watched the two girls walking away and muttered to herself.

“Is everything okay?”

“It seems like she’s trying to encourage her. Don’t you wish Yuna-senior would be more proactive too?”

“…Yeah, I do.”

“And if Yuna succeeds as a model, it’s beneficial for us too. We can restrain Jegalyeonhwa.”

In the end, Yuna stepping into the modeling industry is a strategic move in many ways.

After pondering, I stood up. Kim Noeul looked at me as I rose.

“Where are you going?”

“Just have something to check on for a moment.”

I asked an SC staff member nearby about the restroom location and headed there. Several students were already buzzing around the restroom area.

After taking care of business inside the restroom, I washed my hands at the sink. The murmurs outside the restroom grew louder while I vigorously washed, making a splashing sound.

“Why do students from other schools…!”

“…Stop causing a commotion.”

“Always poking around…!”

The voices overlapped, making it hard to discern exactly what was being said. I glanced at the situation outside through the mirror above the sink and noticed more people gathering.

“What on earth is happening now.”

I dried my hands and stepped out of the restroom.

As soon as I emerged, the truth of the matter came into view.

A girl in a sky-blue uniform with a ponytail was holding the wrist of a girl in casual clothes.

The girl in uniform was Handoa.

“It seems like she followed along as an assistant council member.”

Handoa and the girl were in the midst of a scuffle.

“Why are students from other schools causing trouble here!”

“Smoking in this building’s restroom is prohibited regardless of the school.”

“Who are you to control that!”

The surrounding students just took pictures of the scene with their phones but did nothing to intervene.

As I approached Handoa, an SC staff member and another woman intervened in the situation.

“Everyone, please stop. Keep quiet in the company premises.”

The staff dryly separated the two women. The shouting girl still had a grip on the wrist, and Handoa obediently backed off as the staff instructed.

“What on earth is going on here?”

The woman who had been clutching her wrist spoke first in response to the staff’s question.

“That girl grabbed my wrist and twisted it out of the blue.”

“I warned her not to smoke first. Despite that, she ignored my warning.”

“What? Smoking? In the restroom?”

The staff glared at the woman, her expression contorted. The woman, looking flustered, attempted to retort, but the woman who had come with the staff blocked her path.

“I’ll handle this. I’m a student from this school.”

“Well… if Yeonhwa says so.”

With Jegalyeonhwa’s intervention, the staff scratched their head and left. Given Jegalyeonhwa’s significance as a model cherished by SC, her position within the company was substantial.

“What if someone smokes in the company? Be more careful from now on.”

“Yes, I will. I’m sorry, Unni.”

“No need to apologize. Everyone makes mistakes in life.”

Jegalyeonhwa dismissed the woman who had been smoking. Handoa wore a disgruntled expression but turned away without a word.

However, Jegalyeonhwa addressed Handoa.

“You think you can just assault our school students and leave?”

“…She ignored the warning. I imposed sanctions.”

“This is a company. If we sanction, we do it. File a report or something.”

Handoa sighed, then turned back to glare at Jegalyeonhwa.

“I just took away her cigarette and put out the fire. But suddenly, she came at me. So, I grabbed her wrist to restrain her. What’s the problem here?”

“Is that so? To me, it looked like you were harassing a Korean high school student. Do you have anyone who can testify to your version of events?”

Jegalyeonhwa continued to press.

“And you’re Handoa. It’s hard to believe that a student from another school would have attacked you knowing your reputation.”

“….”

“I saw it.”

I stood by Handoa’s side, who looked surprised when she noticed me.

“Maru, my junior?”

“I saw it. That woman tried to attack first. Doa senior was acting in self-defense.”