Chapter 166

Chapter 166

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

Episode 166: Please Don’t Say We Should End Things

Gaeul, who achieved the unbelievable Love rating of 97% on Music Road, was defeated by the legendary R&B singer Lena Shin, her opponent in the second round, as if it were a lie.

Although Lena Shin received a lower score of 95% than Gaeul, the score gap differed in the expert evaluation.

This was in contrast to what the producer had initially said: “Expert evaluations are only supplementary and will focus on the audience’s rating.”

Lena Shin’s performance was also extraordinary, and I agreed with the judgment, but it seemed that the netizens did not accept it as simply that.

The community flared up like wildfire, with supporters of Lena Shin and those venting their dissatisfaction with the judgment clashing aggressively.

We assessed this very positively. The controversy about fairness, which had been circulating in the community, now had a different meaning, and the current situation, Gaeul was experiencing fairness issues, was actually beneficial for the image of Girl Revolution.

If we recall the past, words like doping allegations and stage fainting appeared as related search terms for Girl Revolution, but now, terms like Yoo Gaeul Music Road and Han Gyeoul Star Challenge were the first to come out, indicating a clear shift in image.

This change spread to the broadcasting industry as well, and the inquiries about Girl Revolution started to pour in.

However, there was the condition that they would exclude Jin Yeoreum from the invitation.

“Taeyang Oppa, could you accompany me in the song ‘Clear Sunshine Day’ next time?”

“I’ve been on stage too much already. Recently, I’ve been so confused about whether I’m a session musician or a manager. I need to focus on managing now.”

“Still, you have to accompany and do the chorus for ‘The Duty of Singing,’ Team Leader Seon! If you’re not there now, everyone will be disappointed! Especially since people love the parts where we sing together.”

“…I don’t even know why they view it so positively.”

In fact, the true achievement of Gaeul’s second-round performance on Music Road wasn’t the improvement of her image.

The real success was that the song ‘The Duty of Singing,’ which I composed and Gaeul wrote, sparked a heated reaction along with the controversy it spread through the community, and successfully ranked at number 2 on the charts, something even Girl Revolution hadn’t done.

Unfortunately, the number 1 spot was unreachable because the K-pop prince and the most powerful group in terms of music power, ‘Shield Charge Squad,’ made their comeback, but the song ‘The Duty of Singing’ managed to maintain a stable number 2 position, either because the buzz wasn’t just a flash in the pan or because the song itself had strength.

Naturally, Gaeul, as the singer of such a hit song, was being booked for various shows, festivals, stages, and events, contributing greatly to stabilizing TwoBear’s finances.

“Still, no. I really have a lot of work piling up. I need to take care of the two new road managers who are coming in.”

“Is it not possible…?”

Gaeul looked at me with sad eyes like a sad cat and asked, feeling down.

“…This will be the last time.”

“Wow! Taeyang Oppa, you’re the best!”

Gaeul smiled brightly and hugged me.

This wasn’t a joke; I truly had a lot of work piled up.

Honestly, I was worried about handling everything later, but I thought it might be okay.

Gaeul’s smile was such a great reward that it made everything else feel insignificant.

While staying behind at TwoBear to handle some tasks, I went up to the rooftop to take a breather.

And there, I ran into someone.

“Team Leader Seon?”

It was Seo Eun-byeol, who had been making a great impact in the PR team.

Her face glowed in the backlight as the sunset began to paint the sky.

She was captivating. It was almost regretful that she had quit being an idol.

I looked at her, hiding my emotions, and asked as I usually would.

“Is everything okay with work?”

“Oh, work? It’s fine. At first, I was overwhelmed, but now I’m okay! I’ve been learning a lot from Miso unnie and Nara unnie.”

Seo Eun-byeol said this with a tense posture, as though it was a formal work report.

“Nara unnie is someone who speaks plainly, but recently, she said, ‘You’ve done your part now.’ At the time, I couldn’t show it much, but I was really happy.”

“Hm… I’m glad it seems like you’ve adapted well, but I’m also a bit worried inside.”

“Did I do something wrong…?”

“No, no. It’s not that you’ve done anything wrong. It just seems like the burden on you is bigger than I expected. My original intention was to help with just simple tasks so that you’d have time to pursue your next dream.”

“Ah, haha, I’m relieved. I was worried I was doing something wrong.”

“You’re doing well, Eun-byeol. And it’s okay if you don’t do everything perfectly.”

“…”

Seo Eun-byeol put her best effort into the tasks she was given, and she handled them skillfully.

She always lamented that she lacked talent, but the results contrasted sharply with that.

However, I believed that even if she didn’t handle everything perfectly, it was still okay.

“Team Leader Seon, why are you so generous with me?”

“Am I being generous?”

“Yes, anyone would think that.”

At her words, I tried to speak objectively.

“Eun-byeol, you don’t have talent.”

“You’ve suddenly hit a sore spot. It’s sad, but I know that too.”

“However, you produce outstanding results that no one else can match. And those results didn’t come from luck or talent. They came from dedication and hard work.”

“…”

“Yes, if I showed any weakness, it’s just that I know the kind of effort Eun-byeol is putting in to achieve those results. I think that’s why it’s happening… Unknowingly, I feel like I want to be a source of strength for you.”

Even though I knew better than anyone that it wasn’t just for that reason.

“…”

She looked at me, her cheeks flushed.

The Seo Eun-byeol in my memories looked at me.

The words of the Seo Eun-byeol in my memories overlapped with the Seo Eun-byeol standing right in front of me.

“Team Leader Seon, you’re like my guardian angel.”

‘You’re like my guardian angel, Manager.’

She smiled the same tender and innocent smile.

“…”

And at that moment, the memories I had tried so hard to forget flooded back uncontrollably.

‘Could you please avoid sitting right next to me? I’m a bit scared of men.’

‘Manager, you must be really unlucky. Of all people, you’re stuck with a kid like me doing this supporting role. But please don’t think I’m too much of an eyesore. I’ll disappear soon anyway.’

‘Actually, that’s true. I’m the least talented among the kids here. There are others who might seem better than me right now, but I’ll soon surpass them.’

‘Please don’t push yourself too hard. I’m not even worth that much. I’m fine with this. The company will think you’ve done well enough, I’m sure. You’ve been too good to me.’

‘Is it okay for someone like me to dream?’

‘Did you see? The banners, the posters, and the balloons all had words supporting me. I never thought I’d see something like this. Honestly… how do I feel? I’m happy. Beyond words.’

‘…Is it okay if I sit next to you?’

‘Why?! Why are you being so nice to me? Is it just because you’re my manager?’

‘Can’t you smile like that for the other kids too? I know this is an unreasonable complaint, but… I know I’m just one of the artists you manage… but it hurts so much in my heart.’

‘Manager Seon Taeyang. I love you. Please be my lover.’

The memories of her, the first person I managed when I stepped into the world of management.

“Team Leader Seon, are you okay? Tears are falling.”

“…”

‘You’ll accept it when the contract ends? Since I have 5 years left on the contract, that means you’re asking me to wait for 5 years. How do you think I would respond to such a thing? Of course, I would refuse, right? Wrong. I’m perfectly satisfied.’

‘Hugs are just simple skinship, right? It’s a form of closeness that doesn’t necessarily need to be between lovers. So, even if we’re not dating yet, this much is fine.’

‘That girl seems to follow you a lot… Maybe a little too much, actually.’

‘I asked you, didn’t I? Don’t look at the other kids like that. I’m different, right? I’m special!’

‘I have nothing. No talent, I can’t make people laugh, and my mother doesn’t expect anything from me anymore. I only have you, Manager. The only thing I have is that.’

‘…There are still three years left, but if the contract is broken before then, can it still be considered as the contract being over?’

‘Please don’t make that face… I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Please forgive me. It’s just that… I like you, Taeyang Oppa. Please don’t say we should end things. I can’t do that. I won’t be able to take it anymore.’

‘Could you hug me just one more time? I see, haha, of course, that’s not possible. I’m sorry for saying such strange things, Taeyang Oppa.’

‘Be happy… Forget about someone like me.’

Memories of the woman I loved.

“…”

Seo Eun-byeol shone in my memories.

She had talent that was considered unfit for an idol, faced pain, worked hard against her limits, and shone because of it.

Yes, I thought she was brilliant when I saw her.

And I ruined that brilliance with my own hands.

Did I say I would help her this life so I wouldn’t regret it?

It was a disgusting thought.

What I did was merely deceit to relieve my guilt. Nothing more, nothing less.

My arrogance, my negligence, my indulgence—those were all my sins and evils.

I was poison to her.

At that moment, Seo Eun-byeol hugged me.

“It will be okay. Everything.”

I felt the warmth of her embrace.

Her warmth spread to me.

And while holding me, she gently patted my back and spoke.

“We can overcome the harsh times and the fearful darkness. So please don’t cry. If you look so sad, I’ll feel sad too, Team Leader Seon.”

“…”

I realized that I had shown a hideous side of myself in response to her comfort.

Though it was late, as I tried to pull away from the hug and pretend to be fine, I heard a trembling voice from behind.

“Taeyang Oppa?”

Gaeul was standing there.