Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Raise Three Idols Well And They’ll Launch a Confession Attack.

Episode 46: You Want Me To Bring Her Next Time?.

Gyeoul, sitting in the passenger seat, spoke.

“Gaeul Unnie seems like such a good person. She can talk smoothly with someone like me, who has terrible social skills.”

“No, it’s not that bad.”

“I thought even ‘terrible’ was a euphemism… Is Taeyang Ssam overestimating my social skills?”

Gyeoul shook her head and said.

“…I think I become embarrassed in front of Taeyang Ssam. I’m not such a great person…”

It seemed that Gyeoul’s unique negative mode had been triggered again.

I spoke firmly, hoping she would gain confidence.

“Don’t put yourself down too much. Your social skills aren’t trash. They’re just low!”

She had a puzzled expression at my enthusiastic defense.

“…Uh, thank you.”

It seemed she took the encouragement positively. That was a very good attitude.

“By the way, how are the classes with Trainer Lee Hyerin? The boss is thinking positively about officially hiring her.”

If Gyeoul and Gaeul also thought highly of her, the hiring would likely be confirmed.

“Trainer Hyerin?”

Gyeoul thought for a moment and then spoke.

“I’m sorry if it seems like I’m evaluating her, but I’ll just say what comes to mind. Trainer Hyerin seems thorough and professional in her training. Sometimes it feels really hard, but I feel myself improving, so I trust and follow her.”

Even considering that she might be speaking conservatively in front of me, it was a very good evaluation.

It seemed that, like Cheon Aram, Seo Soo-yeon, and I, Gyeoul also thought highly of her.

“But she doesn’t talk much about personal things, so it was a bit difficult to get close to her. Especially since my social skills are… low.”

Honestly, I also found it difficult to get close to Lee Hyerin. Even more so after Gaeul’s previous assessment.

It would be unreasonable to expect her to do what even I couldn’t.

Regrettably, it seemed that Gyeoul and Lee Hyerin would have to remain in a professional relationship.

…What could I do? Considering how rare Cheon Aram-approved talents were, I had to endure it.

“But it seems like things have changed a lot since Gaeul Unnie joined. She leads the atmosphere, so even during tough training, we laugh a lot more.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

“That’s really fortunate.”

Hearing that, I felt that recruiting Gaeul was indeed a good decision.

If she could lead the atmosphere, it seemed like internal conflicts within the team could be minimized.

“But lately, it seems like Trainer Hyerin is avoiding Gaeul Unnie. Why do you think that is?”

“Huh?”

Avoiding Gaeul, who was like a golden retriever? That can’t be.

“Gyeoul, you must be misunderstanding something. Who in the world would avoid Gaeul?”

“Right?”

Gyeoul continued to chatter while sitting in the passenger seat.

Listening to her voice and responding appropriately, I was reminded of the time I used to drive her to the dance studio.

Perhaps because of the nostalgia, this moment felt quite enjoyable.

But this feeling was probably something only I was experiencing.

From Gyeoul’s perspective, it would be more like working late unexpectedly with a boss.

Considering the cold look she had shown earlier, this judgment was certain.

But seeing her smile and chat like that, it seemed her mood had improved a bit.

Then I should address it.

Knowing that what I was about to say was like stepping on a landmine, I spoke up to avoid leaving any grudges.

“Are you feeling better?”

“…Feeling better?”

“You must have felt awkward because I made you work suddenly like this. I’m sorry. But this is something necessary for your success. I guarantee it.”

“No! No! I’ve never felt upset or awkward.”

“Come on, it’s okay to be a little honest. We’re close enough to talk about our feelings, right?”

We had built our friendship while eating together at my sister’s house, right?

Let’s express this level of dissatisfaction comfortably. We need to be open to maintain a healthy relationship.

“I don’t have any of that at all! I’m just so happy to spend time with you, Team Leader!”

After speaking, Gyeoul’s face turned bright red.

“Ah… I didn’t mean to create any misunderstanding with that statement. I meant it in a human way…”

“Oh, don’t worry. You said that because you feel a deep friendship with me, right? I’m not an overly self-conscious teenage boy to misunderstand that.”

I’d lived a life where I could confidently call myself a veteran manager.

There was no way I would see my idols in that way.

And there was no way Gyeoul would think of someone like me that way.

At my confident words, Gyeoul nodded with a reluctant face and said.

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, it is.”

Then, what was that look Gyeoul gave me earlier?

I didn’t let that question linger.

“But Gyeoul, I didn’t think you were upset for no reason. Earlier, you looked at me as if I were trash.”

“I looked at you like that? When?”

“When I lifted Gaeul to support her because she was collapsing. At that moment, you looked at me like a bully looking at a nerd.”

…Honestly, it was scary, Gyeoul. Even though I know what kind of kid you are, that look made me flinch.

Gyeoul spoke softly, as if she had realized something.

“…Ah, that time.”

Then she banged her head against the passenger seat dashboard and spoke.

Thud!

“I’m really sorry. For looking at you like that.”

She banged her head hard enough to make the car shake slightly.

“No, Gyeoul, I’m okay, so don’t do that! Your face is too precious!”

Why doesn’t she have a middle ground?

I parked the car and closely examined Gyeoul’s forehead to see if she was hurt. Fortunately, there were no injuries except for a slight redness.

I sighed softly and spoke.

“Gyeoul, I’m sorry to put it this way, but please remember that you’re a very important asset. Your body isn’t just yours.”

“…Then who do I belong to?”

Gyeoul looked at me with eyes full of expectation.

I couldn’t tell what she was hoping for, so I just said what I needed to say.

“Who else? You belong to the company.”

“…The company’s.”

Gyeoul, who answered, was inexplicably deflated.

…Did I say something wrong again?

Feeling embarrassed, I started driving again.

As we passed the main road and were almost at our destination, Gyeoul quietly repeated my name.

“Taeyang Ssam.”

“Yes, why, Gyeoul?”

“What do you think of Gaeul Unnie, Taeyang Ssam?”

“Gaeul?”

It felt like a somewhat random question, but I thought she might be curious, so I answered honestly.

“She’s caring, responsible, hardworking, approachable, a good singer, and pretty.”

“…Perfect.”

“Well, she’s perfect for becoming a singer.”

There was so much more I could say about what kind of person Gaeul was.

But it wouldn’t be polite to talk about everything without her permission.

So, I kept it simple like this.

Gyeoul seemed satisfied with these fragmentary stories and was nodding.

“Taeyang Ssam.”

It was the same repetition as before.

But somehow, the same words felt fragile and precarious.

Concerned about that, I answered with as much kindness as I could.

“Yes, Gyeoul. Do you have something else you want to ask?”

“It’s not a question. But there’s something I want to say.”

“What is it?”

“…Next time you work late, you have to take Gaeul Unnie.”

The expression on Gyeoul’s face as she said this was filled with pain, as if she didn’t want to say it.

…I made that naturally awkward girl say something like that.

“Okay, I’ll bring Gaeul next time.”

I’m really sorry for dragging you out when you should be resting.

Next to me, feeling guilty, Gyeoul spoke softly, as if making a resolution.

“…I’ll make sure everyone is happy.”

I didn’t understand the meaning of those resolute words.

The reason I decided to volunteer at this orphanage was to seek the reversal that Bubble Shower experienced. But if you ask if that was the only goal, I would shake my head.

I was aiming to recruit the third member from here.

The main character of Bubble Shower’s reversal, no matter what anyone says, was Yoon Haneul, who set the internet on fire with her tireless volunteer work, dozens of good deeds, and stunning looks even without makeup.

Having read related articles with great interest and researched her deeply, even looking into her trainee days beyond her debut, I was confident.

If I could recruit Yoon Haneul, I wouldn’t regret it.

I hadn’t seen her in person, so I couldn’t confirm her detailed stats, but from what I saw in the materials, her dance and singing were of a quality that made it strange she hadn’t risen to fame.

I had a feeling that her main stats’ potential was similar to Gyeoul’s.

Moreover, her habit of doing good deeds and her attitude of caring for and considering all the staff were famous within the industry.

With such qualities, it seemed she wouldn’t raise any suspicion from Cheon Aram’s keen senses.

Furthermore, rather than aiming for a post-Yoon Haneul by volunteering from now on, I thought it would be more guaranteed to recruit Yoon Haneul herself, who was already expected to rise.

All these reasons led my heart to Yoon Haneul.

That’s why I hoped to meet her at the orphanage and attempt to recruit her.

“You said you have something to say?”

So, I hadn’t anticipated this situation at all.

“Yes… I have something to say.”

“Hmm… Feel free to speak.”

“…Would you consider joining Two Bear Entertainment?”

I hadn’t expected to attempt to recruit Jin Yeoreum, the third-generation chaebol involved in the doping scandal that sparked the reversal, instead of Yoon Haneul.