Chapter 155

Chapter 155

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

Episode 155: The Girl Wishes He Will Be By Her Side Even In The Future

“Team Leader Seon! Please, I beg you. Please don’t stop the shoot…”

While agreeing with Gyeoul’s opinion, I was also planning countermeasures against the stalker, and I had to face the crew’s strong opposition.

“Yes, I understand Ina Bi’s feelings. I know that our sudden change of plans and the disruption to the schedule and shooting could be considered a nuisance. Nevertheless, I’d like to request that we delay the shoot until after we’ve made sufficient preparations.”

Ina Bi, who had hesitated in responding, sighed and spoke.

“If we delay the shoot now, I can’t even guarantee when we’ll be able to reschedule it, or if it will even happen.”

“Why is that?”

Ina Bi’s words were far from a typical response.

Given that the stalker incident and threatening messages could be classified as unforeseen accidents, how does it make sense to not even allow rescheduling the shoot?

“Well, this is a pilot broadcast, not a regular one, and the decision to have Gyeoul from Girl Revolution and Team Leader Seon as panelists was met with a lot of opposition, especially out of the three panelists appearing this time, we faced the strongest opposition.”

“So you’re saying it would be easy to find a substitute?”

“Yes, if you insist on changing the shoot date, the opposing opinions will gain strength, and there’s a high chance it will be canceled. You can already guess from the current team composition.”

“…”

After all, shooting with only three people for Gyeoul, who was a panelist for a major broadcast, was an extremely low-level treatment. It could be excused because it was a pilot program, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“Still, this is a very valuable opportunity for me as an assistant writer. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve been able to take responsibility for a panel. If that’s what Team Leader Seon wants, then it’ll be canceled, but… I’d be really, really grateful if we could shoot today. If the stalker shows up, I’ll throw myself in front of them.”

Ina Bi’s expression looked desperate, and I could tell she was at least somewhat sincere in her words.

“Haah, okay. But we’ll condense the schedule as much as possible. The content may be lacking compared to the previous script.”

Naturally, we had condensed the schedule for today’s shoot to create a spectacle, and a corresponding script had been prepared. However, in this situation, we wouldn’t be able to follow through with everything.

Above all, Gyeoul’s safety was the most important thing.

Even though, as a writer, it felt like her results would be ruined, Ina Bi smiled brightly and said.

“Oh, that’s fine. I think this new setup will be more interesting than the original script.”

“I haven’t done much yet, though?”

“Hey, you’re being too modest. How could it not be interesting when a manager is playing a game of three-legged race blindfolded with the top idol in the agency?”

“…”

As I hesitated, not knowing how to respond, Gyeoul, who was sitting on the bench and shaking her feet while blindfolded, called out to me with a bright smile.

“Taeyang ssam, I just thought of another idea! What if we really tie up our hands and feet this time?”

“…”

She was clearly enjoying herself.

Is she really doing this because she’s worried about the stalker?

Girl Revolution’s “Albatross” (English version) succeeded in gaining widespread popularity, even being used as background music in short videos abroad, and became a trend.

As a result, many collaboration offers came from foreign companies, producers, and artists.

It was probably because the term “Jin Yeoreum risk” didn’t have the same weight abroad.

It varied by country, but in general, people abroad seemed to have limited sensitivity to the moral risks associated with celebrities.

Most of these collaboration offers were directed to Gyeoul, the main vocalist of Girl Revolution, and, for some reason, to me as well.

However, this time, it was unusually directed at Gyeoul.

It was an offer from Martin W. Miller, a super rookie who would later rise to the top of the Billboard charts.

He was still only well-known among a niche audience, but he was undoubtedly a rising star with great talent.

Even if it ended here, I would have agreed to collaborate, thinking about the future, but surprisingly, Martin said he would come to Korea himself.

The day I was scheduled to meet him for the first time was today.

“Oh, it’s so nice to meet you, Gyeoul. I’m Martin. I’m a big fan of Girl Revolution, especially of you.”

Gyeoul froze at Martin’s English and spoke with a teary expression.

“Yeoreum unnie isn’t here… what should I do? Should we turn on Woogle Translate (Google Translate)?”

It would be difficult with a translator.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Martin. Both Gyeoul and I are fans of your music. Especially this album, ‘Ready to Die,’ we found all the tracks to be bold yet skillful.”

“Team Leader Seon, I didn’t know you spoke English.”

“Yeah.”

“…Wow.”

Someone at my level is hardly impressive, but his reaction made me feel a bit burdened.

“I’m at level 6 in English!”

“Uh… okay. You worked hard.”

“Hehe.”

Considering I didn’t even attend school properly, it’s impressive that I even got to that level.

“Wow, I’m honored that you knew my music ahead of time. It feels great to hear such praise from the composer of ‘Albatross.’”

I translated his words, taking on the role of Gyeoul’s interpreter, and led the meeting.

“It’s nice. I can clearly feel Gyeoul’s musical style and goals, which is great.”

“Uh… I don’t really have anything that impressive.”

“Let’s think positively, Gyeoul. He’s viewing you positively for now.”

Of course, I didn’t translate everything word-for-word and added a little extra on my own, which was a secret only I knew in this meeting. I made it seem like Gyeoul had a deep understanding of music. After all, it’s good for both of us if she’s seen positively.

“It’s been a long time since I felt a conversation was this enjoyable. Instead of just talking, how about visiting my studio today? I’ve been getting a lot of inspiration.”

And then, Ina Bi, who had been filming from behind, spoke.

“Oh, this looks great. Please keep doing it that way, Team Leader Seon.”

Oh right, we were being filmed.

After finishing the meeting with Martin, we found another note on our way out.

-Don’t even look at her, don’t touch her! You think I’m joking? I’ll really kill you!

Gyeoul grabbed my arm tightly, looking confused, and spoke.

“Why does it seem like he’s even angrier after we followed his instructions?”

“…Well, of course, being angry is the normal reaction.”

From the stalker’s perspective, perhaps it seemed like teasing in the face of threats.

How the hell did he attach the note again?

Honestly, I had considered gathering evidence with my body in order to properly investigate, but now, Gyeoul’s provocations seemed to be making the situation lose its meaning.

Other than the crew and Martin, I hadn’t come into contact with anyone, so I couldn’t understand how this was all happening.

Unaware of my confusion, Gyeoul smiled at me and said.

“Then how about we do this instead?”

“Huh?”

…What kind of provocation is she planning now?

“Mom, what are those people doing this time?”

“Well, it’s a type of physical affection between people who love each other.”

“Ah.”

“…”

Whether or not she was aware of the gazes around, Gyeoul, wearing a blindfold, spoke in an excited tone.

“This is it! With this position, I won’t even look at you, or touch you!”

“…Oh, that’s true. I’m not the one holding you; it’s you holding me.”

The position Gyeoul chose this time was a piggyback ride.

Hanging onto me like a panda, she held me tightly as if excited.

No matter how I thought about it, this position seemed like it was filled with the intent to mock the stalker.

“Is this really okay? Writer?”

“You look like a kind uncle playing with a child, so it feels just fine to me. I’ll make sure to put nice captions, so keep going.”

…Am I the only one who finds this strange?

As originally planned, the schedule, which involved meeting with several people of uncertain identity, faced difficulties due to the stalker issue.

Because of this, after doing volunteer work at the orphanage we usually visit and having a catch-up conversation with Yoon Haneul, we began heading back to the company.

Of course, I was giving her a piggyback ride as she wanted.

While Gyeoul was still on my back, she spoke.

“Taeyang ssam.”

“Hmm? Gyeoul, do you have something to say?”

“Thank you for indulging me with my childish behavior today.”

What’s the big deal about that?

Though I was quite taken aback by the unexpected three-legged race and piggyback ride, I did find it somewhat fun.

“If you want, I’ll keep indulging you. After all, you’re my idol.”

“…”

At those words, Gyeoul hugged me tighter and spoke.

“…What if I’m not an idol anymore?”

“…”

“…Then, will I, a person named Han Gyeoul, still be able to stay in your life, Taeyang ssam?”

Just as I was about to answer, I felt a strange sensation running down my neck, and I instinctively turned to protect Gyeoul.

Crunch!

The wooden club the assailant was holding snapped, and my arm, which blocked it, was incredibly sore, almost unbearably so.

I had a vague thought that my arm might have cracked.

Even so, I turned my back to protect the falling Gyeoul and stared at the assailant in front of me.

“Damn it, I told you not to do this!”

It seems that bastard is the stalker.