Chapter 147

Chapter 147

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

Episode 147: Chapter 13 – Who You Can Lean On (END)

I quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe Yeoreum’s tears.

Then Yeoreum, with a familiar sense, tilted her head to make it easier for me to wipe her tears.

…What is this, when have I ever done this before?

Yeoreum, who had been using my touch like a cat, suddenly spoke as if she had just remembered.

“…How did the broadcast go?”

“It ended well. Don’t worry too much, it’s fine.”

In fact, it wasn’t something that could be summarized with such simple words. It was a huge commotion.

If it had been a pre-recorded show, it would have been different, but at that time, the song ‘Witch’s Hour,’ which Girl Revolution was performing, was being broadcast live.

And the fact that Jin Yeoreum collapsed during the live broadcast was enough to be called one of the biggest broadcast accidents of all time.

Due to the targeting towards global audiences and the perception of their own exclusive league, music show ratings had dropped to below 1% recently.

However, the topic still remained hot.

Naturally, the incident during the live broadcast involving Jin Yeoreum spread widely and took over all the portals.

There were sensational articles that threatened a person’s life with excessive hate comments, aggressive opinions calling it a patient cosplay for show, arguments defending her with ‘She was acquitted, so is it right to continue with this witch hunt?’, malicious requests to not even mention her because people couldn’t stand looking at her, and the blame on the agency for allowing things to get this bad.

Aside from this, there were absurd comments, harsh words, sharp criticisms, legal responses, and disappointment in Jin Yeoreum. It was complete chaos.

It was probably a natural consequence that every employee at TwoBear, led by the PR team, had to work around the clock to handle the situation without sleeping.

Still, it was handled. If you ask whether it was perfect, I would shake my head.

“So, what happens with our album activities?”

“The activities for Girl Revolution’s current album are over. That’s the conclusion.”

The activities had been suspended.

They were already experiencing excessive image consumption due to the continuous issues.

Just as there are people who dislike you simply because you’re always on TV, taking more active steps here would likely leave a negative impact.

There was no way they could continue with activities, especially given the ongoing labor exploitation controversy at the agency.

Most of all, I had no intention of letting Yeoreum continue with activities.

Even if all conditions demanded more activities, I would have stopped it.

“If it’s because of me, I’m fine. I could start the regular schedule again, even from tomorrow. No, right now.”

“As the team leader, I can’t allow that. Even if the President says to go ahead, I will do my best to stop it. From an objective standpoint, Yeoreum needs rest right now.”

“Once again, all the plans have been ruined because of me.”

“No, that’s not true.”

“It’s all because of me.”

“…”

The person in front of me was still just a 16-year-old girl.

She was at an age where relying on others, making mistakes, and being protected were taken for granted.

But I couldn’t find those traits in her.

“Yeoreum, you don’t have to bear all the responsibility.”

That could be praised as maturity.

Or it could be admired as maturity.

However, I couldn’t see it that way.

I was the manager.

And my job was to take care of that child.

“I know how strong your sense of responsibility is, and how you always give your best and beyond to protect the people you care about.”

“I’m not such a good person.”

“It’s too late to say that. I’ve seen who you really are.”

I smiled slightly and refuted those words.

“I’ve seen you in Jinkang, at the orphanage, at TwoBear, and even in the future. These are words from someone who knows you well. Will you trust me a little?”

“…”

“Don’t try to carry it alone. I’ll carry that burden with you. How about we start by talking about what’s been hard for you?”

I didn’t know she had been enduring such pain until it reached this point.

It was sabotage.

That’s why we need to change things now.

The first step should be to lower Yeoreum’s sense of responsibility.

She avoided my gaze with trembling eyes and spoke.

“At first, it may have been like what Team Leader Seon said. I might have shown a desire to burden others in Jinkang and TwoBear. But this time, it’s different. The reason I didn’t tell you this time is for another reason.”

…Another reason?

“You mentioned you’ve experienced regression, right?”

“That’s right.”

“I did, too. But what I saw must have been a different future from the one you saw.”

Yeah, it must be a different future. Since the points at which she and I regressed were different, it made sense.

But after reading the letter, I had a rough idea of what kind of time she had spent.

“You’re talking about the future written in that letter, right?”

“…Actually, it’s different from what was written in the letter. I only wrote lies in that letter.”

I didn’t expect this.

“What lies?”

“The lie that I didn’t care even though the controversy happened. Saying I had maintained a good relationship with the Korean community, that no one recognized me, and that I had adapted well.”

With a sorrowful face, she continued her confession.

“I was lonely. But there was always someone who extended a hand to me.”

“…Was that me?”

“Yes, it was you, Team Leader Seon.”

Yeoreum tightly grasped my hands, which had been wiping her tears, and spoke.

“The reason I didn’t tell you this time wasn’t because of responsibility. It was because I was afraid you would be disappointed in me. I was so scared that I would be seen as a burden.”

“…”

“No matter how lacking I am, no matter how much of a burden I am, I can’t give you up anymore. That’s why I’m scared. Scared of showing my flaws.”

This child was just like me.

I always pretended to be strong, even when I wasn’t

I get portrayed as incredibly competent, as if I were a genius who succeeded just by touching something.

Honestly, it felt good at first, but as time passed, the pressure just grew.

After all, I couldn’t keep up the facade forever.

Once all the rewards for the quests disappeared or my poor abilities were exposed, I would always reveal my flaws and disappoint others. This assumption had always eaten at my heart.

That was why I clearly knew what words Yeoreum needed to hear.

“It’s okay to expect.”

“…What?”

“It’s okay to cause trouble, to show your flaws. It’s okay to whine like a child or even throw a tantrum.”

“I’m not okay with that. If you see me like that, Team Leader Seon…”

“I like you. That will never change.”

What she needed was an unchanging certainty.

And that was something I had to give her.

“…”

“So, rely on me. I’m your manager, after all.”

She clung to my hands, crying with her head bowed, and spoke in a hoarse voice.

“Maybe I’ll become a nuisance.”

“Not at all. Every moment with you is interesting and exciting.”

“You’ll probably get annoyed by how troublesome I am.”

“I like troublesome things. So if you become troublesome, I’ll actually be happy. It will give me more opportunities to try harder.”

“At some point, you’ll get tired of me.”

“Before I get tired, I’ll fall for your new charms again. And I’ll fall even deeper for the charms you’ve already shown.”

The day when I danced with Gyeoul at the orphanage, sharing a refreshing laugh.

I had already fallen for that Yeoreum.

“You’re my idol.”

Yeoreum gently pulled my hands. I naturally leaned toward her.

“How many times a day is it okay to lean on you?”

“Anytime. As much as you want.”

“Where would be a good place?”

“Anywhere, no reason needed.”

She leaned on me.

“Please don’t forget those words.”

And Yeoreum, with her head nestled in my chest, said.

“I’ll never forget this for the rest of my life.”

An international journalist requested an interview, so I took Yeoreum, who was most proficient in English, to conduct the interview.

Thanks to her previous experience as a sports star, she skillfully finished the interview with the journalist in English.

“Jin Yeoreum is very professional, even at a young age. This was a very impressive experience as a journalist.”

“Such kind words. I was able to approach it comfortably thanks to your consideration, so thank you.”

“Haha, I wish my mischievous daughter could be at least half as professional as you… It was a pleasure doing the interview. Until next time.”

“Yes, I look forward to the next time.”

After returning to the waiting room, Yeoreum looked around to check if anyone was nearby and then whined like a child.

“Wah… Team Leader Seon, I’m so tired today.”

The professional and mature image she had shown just moments ago had completely disappeared.

I smiled softly at the sight and encouraged her in a playful manner.

“Yeah, you worked really hard today. You did great.”

“Since I did well, can I lean on you a bit?”

“As much as you want.”

After asking for my permission, Yeoreum gently closed the waiting room door with her heel and then jumped into my arms.

Flustered, I spoke in an awkward stance.

“Yeoreum, doing this outside is….”

“You said it’s okay to lean on you anytime, anywhere?”

…No, this isn’t just leaning, this is hugging.

But since I had already said it, I felt awkward rejecting it, so I mixed in some humor and said, thinking about customer satisfaction.

“Alright, customer. Do you have any additional orders?”

“…Please pat me.”

I carefully followed her request.

Gently patting her small back like handling a baby, I asked.

“Are you satisfied?”

Then, Yeoreum, who was nestled in my arms, lifted her head and smiled brightly as she spoke.

“I’ll give you 100 out of 10.”