Chapter 144

Chapter 144

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

Episode 144: To Be Rewarded.

I quickly changed the subject.

“Ah, what ability do I have to do something like that? It’s just a coincidence.”

“I heard it from my brother, Jonghoon.”

“…”

Jonghoon, damn you! Why is your mouth so loose?

“…I’m sorry. I promised to refrain from acting unilaterally, but I really apologize for showing this side of me. However, the issue with SS happened because I had a leverage from the past. It won’t happen again.”

Cheon Aram, hearing my polite apology, spoke with a meaningful expression.

“What about the drug incident exposure? That was something you did, Team Leader Seon, right?”

“…”

I asked, genuinely confused.

“How did you know?”

I hadn’t acted carelessly enough to leave evidence. If it were revealed that I had taken these actions under TwoBear’s affiliation, I wouldn’t even know how the backlash would unfold.

If it was the former, I could understand because Jonghoon was involved. But the latter, I couldn’t understand. That was why I was truly puzzled by how Cheon Aram had figured this out.

Seeing me express my confusion instead of making excuses, she gave a small smile and spoke.

“Team Leader Seon, I’ve explained before about my strange sense of smell, haven’t I?”

“Yes, it was such a shocking explanation that I still remember it all.”

“Really? I’m glad you listened seriously… but that wasn’t all. There’s something I didn’t mention.”

“Something you didn’t mention?”

Cheon Aram nodded, wiped the smile off her face, and spoke more seriously than ever.

“This ‘smell’ doesn’t stay constant. While the basic range stays the same, its intensity can vary depending on a person’s emotions. So, based on those fluctuations, I can roughly guess what someone wants or is aiming for.”

“You can guess what someone wants?”

“Wait, doesn’t that sound close to reading someone’s mind?”

She didn’t deny it.

“That’s right. But the word ‘limited’ should be attached. The emotions I can read are related to desires.”

“…‘Don’t care about sacrificing others’?”

“Yes, that’s the most accurate description.”

After some thought, I spoke.

“You must have read my movements concerning Jonghoon and Reporter Lim Song-a.”

“Yes. It wasn’t intended, but…”

“…”

This was a dangerous ability. The sense of smell that could detect bad people might give comfort by being close to them. Being nearby without hesitation. But the ability to read someone’s heart by judging their desires was something entirely different. Very few people would accept that with ease.

Moreover, the use of this ability would have entirely different consequences. Perhaps many people would die just for someone to use that power.

“President Cheon, are you sure this is okay? If this gets revealed, it could pose a threat to your safety. It’s different from detecting bad people.”

“It’s fine. It won’t be found out.”

“Why are you so sure about that?”

“Because this is a secret I’ve never spoken of in my life.”

I felt like I was stuck, unable to speak.

“…Does Seo Soo-yeon not know?”

“Well… I didn’t say anything, but I think she has probably guessed. Even though she might have guessed, she’s been pretending not to know. That’s why I don’t want to say it, but the truth is, I haven’t told anyone else. You’re the first, Team Leader Seon.”

Hearing this, it felt like an unbearably heavy secret.

“Why are you telling me this?”

It was a fundamental question. There was no gain in revealing it, only danger. So why tell someone like me this?

“Well, maybe it’s because I found it frustrating that you, Team Leader Seon, were pretending not to know after causing all this.”

“No, just for that?”

“And because I trust you.”

“…”

“Isn’t that enough?”

Cheon Aram looked at me directly. Her gaze was completely different from when I first saw her.

Perhaps in those eyes, there was also the sense of belief.

So, I had no choice but to answer helplessly in front of her.

“That’s how you get betrayed by trusting people.”

“Is that a personal story?”

“Yes, it’s a personal story.”

“Oh, who did something like that to you, Team Leader Seon? I want to hear that story.”

“I’ll tell you later.”

I really hope the day will come when I can tell all those stories. Right now, I’m afraid to bring them up.

“Now, let’s get back to the point and finish what we were talking about. We promised to discuss and handle things like that together, didn’t we? Soo-yeon and I said that, so what now? Do you want to drink together again until we pass out?”

“…I’m sorry.”

I felt ashamed for always rushing things on my own.

“Still, as your boss, I won’t forget this. You’ll definitely get a bonus, and I’ll prepare an appropriate reward.”

“No, I didn’t do this for that kind of reward…”

“Even if you didn’t do it expecting a reward, it’s the boss’s job to give you a fair compensation.”

Seeing her determined expression, I could tell that changing her mind wouldn’t be easy, so I just lowered my head.

“But remember, next time we won’t just let things go like this. We’re colleagues. It’s okay to think and do things together, right?”

“…I apologize once again. I’m sorry.”

“Alright, that was the stance of the President of TwoBear. Now, let me speak as a human, Cheon Aram.”

She smiled lightly.

“Thank you.”

“…”

“I know that every time, no matter when, you push yourself for the sake of TwoBear’s colleagues and the kids. And I know how hard you work for them. You always give off that scent, right? Team Leader Seon, you need to realize how obvious it is when people see you acting like that. There’s something strange about you that when there’s a chance to take care of the kids, the scent becomes stronger than when rewards are given to yourself.”

“…”

“I’m glad I got to meet you, Team Leader Seon. And I’m lucky to work with you like this.”

Cheon Aram said warmly to me, unable to respond.

“Please continue to take care of things. I will also work hard to make this company a great space where your heart can be rewarded.”

Saying this, she extended her fist toward me.

I clenched my hand and carefully met her fist.

“I, too, look forward to working with you.”

I was truly a fortunate person.

I realized that again.

“Why would a druggie try to be an idol?”

“What else would it be? Trying to wash her image, thinking she can fool the public?”

Voices.

“How is someone like her even on TV?”

“Obviously, it’s Jinkang. She probably bribed everyone from the TV station to the agency.”

“Ugh… What about the members who debuted with her? What’s their fault?”

“You can’t look at them separately. They’re not crazy; they wouldn’t have debuted with Jin Yeoreum unless they were getting something in return.”

“This company is really disgusting.”

She could hear the voices.

Chichaejung – Demands the departure of Jin Yeoreum, a repeat offender of illegal drug doping.

↳SSEE – 2222222222222222222222

↳MonobivolFan – 333333333333333333333333333

Fried Chicken – Ugh, I really can’t stand Jin Yeoreum. Why do they keep pushing such a disgusting person?

bbbbbStar – It’s disgusting how they’re hyping her up just because of national pride. I don’t know if the agency is out of its mind. Maybe it’ll work on those old folks who like Jinkang, but does the public really care? The manager looks so stupid.

Was this real or not?

Soprano – Hey, easy with your comments. They’ll start talking about ‘legal action’ again.

OP2002 – Didn’t you say you didn’t dope? So why sue? LOL, are you guilty?

Supreme Court Judge – Isn’t she just going to start saying she’s mentally suffering or sick and then claim she wants to commit suicide?

Münbungpyu – Let her do it. But I wish she’d be quiet about it. Why does she need to broadcast it? She can just write it in her diary and die in peace, no need for attention.

Winner – Seriously, she says she’s going to die and throws all kinds of tantrums, but then pretends like nothing happened and survives, leeching off others’ money and emotions.

Jin Yeoreum vaguely realized that she had heard this before.

But even recognizing it as reality, she couldn’t stop the words people were saying and the words appearing before her eyes from feeling so real.

…In fact, it could just be Jin Yeoreum’s defense mechanism, and all those words could just be something she was hearing and seeing in her mind.

Her head was spinning.

She felt pain in her chest.

She felt a strong sense of unreality.

Her heart rate increased, and her body trembled.

“Yeoreum unnie, are you okay? You don’t look well.”

“I’m okay…”

“Yeoreum, it seems like you’re really struggling. Shouldn’t we talk to Taeyang ssam?”

“But unnie doesn’t want that.”

“Still…”

“Yeoreum, if you feel like you can’t do the next song, just say so. It’s okay; I’ll take responsibility. I’ll tell Taeyang oppa that I said it too.”

“I’m okay… Haaa… I can do it.”

“Unnie…”

She got back on stage.

The song started.

People were watching.

People were talking.

Jin Yeoreum was mercilessly broken down from their tongue and eyes.

The fragments broke apart like sharp crystals and scattered. And those fragments hit the people she loved.

It hurt. It stabbed.

That was the reality for Jin Yeoreum now.

Her head was spinning.

She felt pain in her chest.

She felt a strong sense of unreality.

Her heart rate increased, and her body trembled.

Thud!

“Yeoreum!”

“Yeoreum unnie!”

She couldn’t breathe.