Chapter 94

Chapter 94

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

Episode 94: Getting Ready To Blow Up The Broadcast.

I hid my surprise and asked as casually as possible.

“…Composer Oh James, what brings you here?”

“It’s my hobby.”

But why, of all places, would that hobby lead him to volunteer at this orphanage?

Especially since he’s such a busy person.

It made sense when he came to see Gaeul’s busking performance, but this was so out of the blue.

Unable to hold back, I voiced my doubt.

“You’re not exactly free, are you?”

“I’m sorry, but even though it may not seem like it, I’m an incredibly busy person. I squeezed this visit into my schedule.”

“I know. If we were to rank the busiest people in Korea right now, you’d definitely be at the top. So, why volunteer at this orphanage? It’s far from where the busking event took place.”

If this were a place he frequented, I’d understand, but I never saw him here when I was visiting the orphanage daily for Yeoreum’s recruitment.

But now, suddenly, he had chosen this place to volunteer?

And on the exact day that Yeoreum and I were visiting?

Come to think of it, only a handful of people even knew that Yeoreum and I were coming here today.

…Am I being investigated?

Yoon Haneul, who had been listening to our conversation with a confused expression, finally spoke up, unable to bear it any longer.

“When I mentioned that Team Leader Seon and Yeoreum were coming today, he insisted on joining the volunteer work. I’m learning from Composer Oh James and feel very close to him, so I ended up sharing something personal. It’s entirely my fault. I’m sorry.”

“I’m a bit embarrassed, but I used the ‘student card.’ I wanted to get closer to you, Team Leader Seon.”

Luckily, it seemed I wasn’t being investigated.

“…So that was your intention. I apologize for overreacting. But next time, just contact me directly. Of course, I’d make time for Composer Oh James. You really startled me just now.”

Please, try not to surprise me like this again.

“I’ll do that next time.”

Oh James nodded nonchalantly and then said with a hint of admiration,

“By the way, although it wasn’t my intention, I found your conversation quite interesting. Taking risks to help Yeoreum chase her dream—Team Leader Seon, you’re a remarkable person.”

“You’re giving me too much credit. I just couldn’t stand the thought of letting talented kids go to waste.”

“Haha, that’s just like you, Team Leader Seon.”

Oh James laughed heartily and then pulled a folder out of his briefcase, handing it to me.

At a glance, it looked like a draft contract.

“What’s this?”

“Actually, I felt that our last discussion was a bit too informal, so I prepared some terms regarding compensation, even if it’s just a draft. Even if I say I’ll double your pay, it’s meaningless without clear working conditions.”

As he said this, Oh James began to explain the specific figures for salary and working hours.

It was an overwhelmingly generous offer that left me speechless.

I wondered how his company could function while being so generous.

“Let’s lead the market together at our studio. There are only three of us, including me, but they’re carefully selected talents. If you join us, we can rise beyond being number one in Korea to a global level. Let’s reach the top together.”

“I’m sorry, but I already declined your offer back then. I have no intention of changing my mind.”

“Of course, you did decline, but I thought you might have considered it a lighthearted proposal.”

…Who would ever take an offer to work with the industry’s number one lightly?

But Oh James didn’t seem to think so. He shrugged and said,

“Besides, if I were the type to give up after one rejection while trying to scout top talent, I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today. So I’m going to show you how serious I am and try to convince you.”

“…”

No, whether you’re serious or not, I can’t do it.

I don’t have the skills. Without a reward, I’m useless.

Maybe at TwoBear, but at your company, there’s no way I could earn that salary.

“If the compensation or salary in that draft seems insufficient, I can increase it as much as you need. After all, when choosing a job, there’s nothing more important than compensation and salary. And I’m confident about that point. I have a lot of money.”

“TwoBear already gave me a significant raise recently. I’m very satisfied with it.”

“Then I’ll just have to raise it more.”

At that moment, a cold voice came from behind Oh James

“If it’s a bidding war, I have no intention of sitting out.”

It was Yeoreum.

…And what about the kids she was surrounded by?

I looked past her to see what the kids were doing. The younger ones were standing at attention, tense, while the older ones were standing over them like strict drill sergeants.

Her overwhelming ability to control dozens of orphanage kids on her own was still as strong as ever.

“Hmm, it’s Yeoreum. I understand how you feel, but this is a matter between a company and its employees. It’s not something a trainee should get involved in.”

“I happen to be an investor, so I think I have the right to speak from the company’s perspective.”

“That’s the stance of someone in a legitimate position to negotiate. So a minor shouldn’t be…”

“A legitimate position to negotiate?”

Jin Yeoreum cut Oh James off and smiled provocatively.

“Do you have more money than I do?”

She was the epitome of an arrogant chaebol third-generation heir.

Yoon Haneul was startled by the sight and asked me,

“Oh my God, Yeoreum, who lives by the motto of modesty and frugality, is making such a provocation… No, Team Leader Seon, what did you do to her? It’s too scary!”

“…”

I don’t know. I’m scared, too.

The situation was resolved when I firmly declared that I would stay with TwoBear regardless of the offer.

But Oh James, unable to let go, persisted, only for Yeoreum to stick to me like a bodyguard and fend him off.

…It feels like our roles have reversed.

Having failed to achieve his goal, Oh James decided to finish his scheduled volunteer time since he was already here and started teaching the kids vocal techniques to keep their voices healthy.

He had a knack for simplifying and making what could have been a highly technical discussion easy to understand for their age group.

He was truly a man of talent.

And as for Yeoreum and me…

“…This again, huh.”

The two of us were scrubbing a bleach-soaked urinal together.

“I don’t mind doing this, but didn’t Haneul just say we wouldn’t need to clean the bathroom? So what exactly are we doing right now?”

To be honest, it wasn’t that dirty, probably because it had recently been remodeled.

It’s not a bad thing to do, but I’m wondering if it’s really necessary?

Anyway, it wasn’t that dirty, so I figured we’d be done soon.

Yeoreum, suddenly looking self-conscious, quietly said,

“I…”

There was more, but her voice was too quiet for me to hear.

“Pardon? Could you speak up a little?”

“I said I wanted to do it.”

“…”

You wanted to clean the bathroom? The stinky men’s room?

Hmm… That could happen, I guess.

Don’t worry, Yeoreum. I’m an adult who respects diverse preferences.

“So you have that kind of preference. I understand. From now on, I’ll arrange for you to clean TwoBear’s bathrooms every Wednesday…”

“No! That’s not it!”

Then what is it?

“It’s just… I remembered the first time we met. We were holding on to a urinal like this, talking about all sorts of things… I really liked that.”

“…Yeah, that happened.”

Back then, I never imagined we’d end up like this.

“I liked that time too. I was considering recruiting you because you were so charming, and I remember carefully choosing my words to make a good impression.”

“Yeah. You were really obvious about it back then.”

I played along with her joke.

“Was it that obvious?”

“Yes, it was very obvious.”

“Oh dear. If Jin Baek-ho finds out, I’m dead.”

We laughed as we looked at each other.

Even with pink rubber gloves and a dirty apron, her smile looked elegant.

“Don’t do that to just anyone. It could be a bit dangerous.”

“I don’t do that to just anyone. I did it because it was you.”

“…”

She stopped scrubbing and looked at me with a blank stare before speaking in a casual tone, as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“Actually, we haven’t had much time alone together lately, so I asked Haneul for a favor. Unlike Gyeoul, who’s busy with Girl 100, or Gaeul, who’s filming AllTube videos while busking, I haven’t had that kind of time.”

She might have felt neglected.

Especially since I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had much time to talk to Yeoreum.

I’ll have to make some time.

“How about we go on a field trip together?”

“A field trip?”

“We could go see a concert, a performance, a show, or a movie. I’ll treat you to some delicious food afterward.”

“That sounds like totally hanging out…”

“Nope. It’s a field trip as an aspiring idol. Input is important, you know?”

Hey, Yeoreum. This is work, not play.

“Of course, it’s a secret from the other kids.”

“…Yes, I’ll definitely keep it a secret.”

As we continued scrubbing in calm, comfortable silence, Yeoreum suddenly exclaimed as if she had just realized something.

“Oh… I didn’t mention this before because I wasn’t sure about the memory… but I experienced that thing called ‘regression.’”

“…?”

Because of that regression, we spent a long time exchanging information that we knew.

But for her to bring it up now must mean she remembered something she hadn’t mentioned before.

“That’s right, you did. Did you remember something that was bothering you?”

“…Yes, back then, I was too busy adjusting to a new culture, but I did hear that Girl 100 was later exposed for vote manipulation, and the country was in an uproar.”

She asked, unable to hide her concern.

“Is Gyeoul going to be okay? I’m sure you considered everything before making the decision, but I’m still a little worried.”

“Don’t worry.”

She could be reassured on this point.

“I’m already preparing to blow up the broadcast.”

And Gyeoul will be the one to survive that storm.