Chapter 154

Chapter 154

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

Episode 154: What Do You Mean By That, Gaeul?

While waiting in the meeting room, along with Gyeoul, three people entered slightly after the scheduled time.

“I’m sorry. I’m a bit late. I’m the assistant writer, Ina Bi.”

“It’s okay. You’re not that late. The traffic around here is really bad, so I think you actually got here early.”

“Haha, thank you for understanding…”

After awkwardly greeting, Ina Bi extended her hand for a handshake, but then she stopped halfway and stared at my face intently.

“Are you by any chance a celebrity under this agency?”

I naturally responded to her bizarre question.

“No, I’m a manager.”

Ina Bi stared at my face and was impressed.

“Wow, you’re amazing. Why would someone who should be an actor be a manager? If you’re interested, I can introduce you to an agency I know…”

“No way!”

It was Gyeoul, the baby sea otter and protector of the cherished shell, blocking her.

“Taeyang ssam will definitely stay as the manager here at TwoBear!”

Ina Bi, looking at her as if she were cute, smiled and said.

“Oh my, sorry. I misspoke. Now, let’s focus on the shoot. Let me start with a quick introduction. This is the main cameraman, Park Yeji.”

…Yeji?

As the nightmarish name that had lodged itself in my mind resurfaced, I flinched.

Gyeoul also showed the same reaction.

I asked again, filled with doubt.

“Yeji?”

Then, a well-built man holding a heavy-looking camera spoke.

“Yes, Park Yeji.”

“Is your name really Yeji?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s strange, isn’t it? It sounds like a woman’s name.”

“…”

Right, Yeji wasn’t exactly a rare name; I might run into someone else with that name in life.

I should let go of any bad prejudices about that name.

“This is the camera woman, Shin Eun-gyeong. She will be in charge of the auxiliary camera for this shoot.”

“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m the manager, Seon Taeyang. I’m looking forward to working with you on this shoot.”

I gave a polite greeting as I looked at the camera woman, Shin Eun-gyeong, and she blushed, slightly turning her head before speaking.

“Don’t look at me with those eyes… I feel like I’m going to get pregnant.”

“…”

What the hell is she saying, crazy woman…

At that moment, when everyone was stunned by Shin Eun-gyeong’s crazy comment, the meeting room door violently opened, and someone appeared with a chilly air.

“Please be mindful of your words. Otherwise, Team Leader Seon might feel uncomfortable.”

It was Gaeul, who had been training intensely.

“Wow, it’s Gaeul. You’re even prettier in person.”

“Oh, Gaeul? What are you doing here…?”

“Gaeul? Are you a celebrity?”

Unlike the reactions of other filming teams, Shin Eun-gyeong didn’t seem to recognize her, so Gaeul introduced herself.

“I’m Team Leader Seon’s manager, Yoo Gaeul.”

Ina Bi, surprised, asked.

“Team Leader Seon is a manager, and you’re saying you’re his manager?”

“Even though he’s a manager, Team Leader Seon still needs care… Recently, it seems like pests have been swarming around him, so I’m taking on that role.”

“No, but Yoo Gaeul, you’re a member of Girl Revolution and an idol, right? Why did you become a manager?”

“I can’t be an idol forever, so I need to prepare for my second life.”

“How can a 17-year-old like Gaeul already be preparing for that…?”

I interrupted their conversation and spoke to Gaeul.

“Gaeul, calm down, and let’s go back to the training room. I understand how you feel, but I’m fine now.”

“Well, Team Leader Seon is always fine, but this time, the surrounding circumstances are the issue…”

“Hmm?”

When I expressed doubt at her words, Gaeul fidgeted with her hands and hesitated before whispering in a voice only I could hear.

“Honestly… I think the bitches acting like foxes are at fault…”

“What do you mean by that, Gaeul?”

At that moment, the meeting room door opened again, and Oh Yoori and Seo Eun-byeol appeared, both looking flustered.

“Unnie, stop saying weird things and come out! You guys are acting like this together today, really…”

“No! Team Leader Seon is someone I need to manage! How can I leave Team Leader Seon alone? I have to… I have to protect him!”

“She is really hopeless. Eun-byeol, grab her legs. Let’s drag her away.”

“Yeah, I got it, Yoori. Gaeul, excuse us for a moment.”

Even as she was being dragged, Gaeul stared at Shin Eun-gyeong, as if determined not to let her go.

Shin Eun-gyeong, who flinched at that gaze, couldn’t hide her nervousness and spoke.

“U-uh, Gaeul just looked at me with eyes that seemed like she could really drown someone… Is everything okay?”

“It’s okay. It’s just a joke. It’s all acting. How could someone as kind as Gaeul have such scary thoughts?”

She was quick-witted, and when she sensed I was in an awkward situation, she would ease the tension with such antics. And she did so with acting that made the status window’s “acting potential” seem meaningless.

Shin Eun-gyeong muttered suspiciously.

“No, no matter how I look at it, it seemed like she was serious…”

Today, Gyeoul became more vigilant against the gazes around her.

It seemed like every woman around her was staring at Seon Taeyang with a mesmerized look.

No, this wasn’t just simple suspicion.

What woman in the world could see someone like him and not be interested?

It was impossible for him to be Gyeoul’s sole sun.

However, Gyeoul still didn’t want him to get involved with strange women, so she protected Seon Taeyang so actively that it seemed like she was managing him rather than being managed by him.

“Gyeoul, don’t you think it’s okay if we walk a little apart outside? There are people filming over there, too. I’m worried it’ll look odd.”

“No!”

“We’re fine too. This image is kind of fun. An artist and manager who are both desperate to manage each other, isn’t it interesting?”

“…Alright, if that’s the case, then it can’t be helped.”

While proceeding with the schedule, closely attached to Seon Taeyang, Gyeoul noticed a piece of paper stuck slightly to his belt.

“Huh? Who stuck this on?”

Gyeoul, feeling suspicious, removed the paper.

The paper, folded appropriately, seemed to contain a message.

So, she unfolded the paper to check its contents.

-Don’t let Gyeoul see if you don’t want to die.

“…”

Cold sweat ran down Gyeoul’s forehead.

Seon Taeyang’s death.

That was a nightmare that didn’t feel too distant to her.

“Haah, haah.”

It became hard to breathe.

Her head began to spin, and it started to be hard for her to even stand.

Thinking of his death, it felt like the surroundings were spinning.

As she read the contents, the eyes that seemed to have been following her recently came to mind.

And it seemed like Seon Taeyang was in danger because she hadn’t been able to stop that person.

Gyeoul felt that fact was terrifying and heavy.

Her head continued to spin more.

Just as she was about to stumble and fall, Seon Taeyang caught her and supported her, asking.

“Are you okay, Gyeoul? What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Do you want to go to the hospital?”

Gyeoul thought while looking at Seon Taeyang.

Even if he hated her or found her a nuisance, she decided not to hide anything from him.

‘I want to try to be a little more honest now.’

She remembered the confession and feelings that Jin Yeoreum had shared with her in the hospital when visiting.

It had left a deep impression on Gyeoul’s timid heart.

She had faith that if she was a little more honest, Taeyang would accept her.

So, she spoke everything.

“Um… Taeyang ssam.”

“Yeah, Gyeoul, what is it?”

“Actually…”

“So, you felt like strange eyes were following you lately, and this message confirmed it for you?”

“Yes…”

Gyeoul said, looking down and with a tearful expression.

“…I’m sorry.”

I gently stroked her head and smiled at her.

“There’s nothing for you to apologize for. It’s not your fault. It’s that weird stalker’s fault.”

“…”

Gyeoul silently accepted my gesture.

…Now, how should I handle this situation?

There were many ways.

Honestly, I had experienced this to the point of exhaustion in my past life, so I had accumulated various methods of handling it.

The standard for choosing a course of action here was how much weight I placed on safety.

I continued to think, and then said,

“Let’s end today’s schedule here.”

“Pardon?”

I didn’t want to handle it halfway with Gyeoul. Even if it seemed excessive or costly, I wanted to choose the safest method.

“We should hand the case over to the police and strengthen security. We also need to gather evidence and publicly reaffirm our stance. Let’s put a stop to all external schedules for the time being. Even commuting between the dorm and the company—I’ll personally take you there every time.”

And what else do we need to do?

“Taeyang ssam.”

“Yeah? What is it, Gyeoul?”

“Um… Isn’t the broadcast important right now? Is it really okay to stop it just like that?”

“Don’t worry about that stuff. I’ll make sure nothing happens to TwoBear.”

“…”

Gyeoul, who had been silent at my response, spoke as if she had made up her mind.

“Taeyang ssam. The stalker’s message said, ‘Don’t let Gyeoul see.’ So, if we just follow that, won’t it be okay?”

“Huh?”

“Mom, what are those people doing?”

“Well, it’s like a game that people who love each other play.”

“Ah.”

“…”

Feeling embarrassed by the gazes around, I quickened my pace.

“Team Leader Seon, I think your pace is a little fast. Could you walk with me?”

“…Oh, sure.”

Gyeoul, wearing a blindfold, tightly clung to my arm and cautiously followed me, relying solely on me.

As requested by the stalker, she indeed couldn’t see.

“Gyeoul, no matter how I think about it, this isn’t right…”

“W-well, it will be okay. We’re just following the conditions, right?”

“…”

…No, this can’t possibly be okay.

“Hehe.”

Still, Gyeoul seemed happy.