Chapter 180

Chapter 180

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

Episode 180: Celebrities Who Defer To Their Managers

Unable to even feel embarrassment, I declared myself a genius and slammed my head onto the keyboard.

“…I should’ve just said ‘okay’ and stopped.”

It only took three days for that precious pride of mine to shatter.

“What were you trying to pull, acting like you’d create a new song? If it was a song that would pop out just by going ‘Yap!’, it would’ve been out already. Why the hell did you act all high and mighty? You’re a dumbass, Seon Taeyang.”

My past self was my own worst enemy.

All because I wanted to save a shred of pride in the moment, now my future self was suffering like hell.

After about three hours of desperately squeezing my useless brain, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

“…Taeyang-ssam.”

“…Gyeoul?”

It was Gyeoul, who had been avoiding me lately after her confession was rejected.

I was so happy that she had come to me first that I welcomed her with open arms.

“Gyeoul! What brings you here?”

“Ah, well…”

“It’s been hard to keep up with your schedule lately, and we haven’t had many chances to talk, so I missed seeing you. I’m really grateful and happy you came first. Are you feeling okay? Deputy Manager Seok was worried your schedule might be too packed the other day, and I wanted to talk about that too. They’re all good programs, but the most important thing is your condition. If you’re uncomfortable or struggling, it’s totally fine to cut back. I have the authority to–”

“T-Taeyang-ssam! I’m okay! Really!”

Seeing Gyeoul flail her hands in panic, I realized I might’ve overreacted.

“Sorry. I guess I spoke a little too suddenly? Haha, I was just really happy to see you.”

Gyeoul stared at me blankly at first, then suddenly burst into tears.

I panicked, jumped up, and patted her back like I was handling a baby.

“Gyeoul, are you okay? Is something wrong? I’d appreciate it if you told me what’s on your mind. If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do everything I can! Or did I say something wrong?”

Hicc… Sob… Sobbing louder… Wail…

It really seemed like I had messed up, because Gyeoul was now full-on sobbing.

…Oh no, my poor little dork.

I’m sorry. Looks like I messed up again.

“Gyeoul, it’s my fault. I’m sorry, please don’t cry. I always want you to be happy and smiling.”

Just as I was seriously considering dropping to my knees to apologize, Gyeoul spoke.

“It’s not your fault, Taeyang-ssam. It’s just… I realized something.”

“You realized something?”

“Yeah. That I shouldn’t overthink everything and run away, but just… talk to you.”

Gyeoul wiped her tears repeatedly with her sleeves and continued.

“It was all because of my own selfishness. I didn’t think about my responsibilities as an idol, I just burdened you with my problems… I was scared. I was also hurting. So I avoided facing you properly. But when I heard how kindly you spoke to me…”

With her forehead pressed against mine, Gyeoul confessed.

“I just felt so ashamed of myself.”

“…”

As a manager, as a team leader, as an adult, and as someone loved by others.

I had already accepted that I couldn’t be perfect in all aspects.

That’s why I rejected Gyeoul’s confession. Even if it meant we could never return to how we were, it felt like the right thing to do.

But maybe… I was wrong.

“…Hiiik! Taeyang-ssam?”

Still in my patting position, I gently pulled Gyeoul into a hug.

“I… I’m fine with this. I like it a lot. But are you okay with it, Taeyang-ssam?”

“Gyeoul.”

“Y-Yes!”

My relationship with this small girl was so precious to me that the word “give up” felt unbearable.

“Thank you.”

I was glad I had come back.

Because it allowed me to meet Gyeoul again—such a precious bond.

Squirming shyly, Gyeoul seemed to remember something and rummaged through her pocket.

“Uh, Taeyang-ssam?”

“Yeah?”

“Would you… like to have this with me?”

Saying that, Gyeoul pulled two beer cans from her training pouch.

…Is this the trend among high school girls now?

“…Why do you have that?”

“Because I wanted to talk to you, and Yoori said if I brought these, it would help.”

This kid’s been learning all the wrong things. Are the others going to start bringing me beers too?

…If the company finds out, this won’t end as just a joke.

But if I’m being honest, I probably had a hand in Yoori thinking this way, so I couldn’t scold her too harshly.

Still, I had to put a stop to it firmly right now.

“Gyeoul, put that away. No, leave it here.”

“…Huh?”

“You know how this would look to others, right? You’re underage, and this is the company. So obviously, we can’t allow drinking, whether it’s non-alcoholic or not.”

“…”

After I finished speaking as firmly as I could, Gyeoul fell silent.

Hesitating, Gyeoul quietly looked up at me and said,

“So… I can’t?”

And with that, tears started streaming down her cheeks again.

My heart wavered hard at the pitiful sight, but I steeled myself and said,

“Of course…”

Of course, you can.

I clinked my can against Gyeoul’s and took a big gulp.

Anyone would objectively say I was hopeless.

Screw it. How could I say no to Gyeoul when she wanted something so badly?

And so, Gyeoul and I chatted together for the first time in a while.

As I listened, slightly tipsy, Gyeoul, who had been chattering away, suddenly called me with a serious tone.

“…Taeyang-ssam.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you need help, Taeyang-ssam?”

“…Help?”

“Yes, help.”

Gyeoul fidgeted with her non-alcoholic beer can as she spoke.

“Taeyang-ssam, you always help the people around you. Even in situations anyone else would turn away from or find too annoying to bother with, you’re the first to step in.”

“I guess I’m a bit nosy.”

Gyeoul shook her head vigorously.

“You shouldn’t call it something negative like ‘nosy.’ It’s amazing. Truly. But sometimes, I wonder. If someone like you, who’s always helping others, might also need help sometimes.”

“…”

“And if… if there ever is a moment like that… if there’s ever something too heavy even for you…”

Despite her usual timid nature, Gyeoul looked at me with unwavering eyes as she spoke.

“I want to be the one to help you.”

Whenever Gyeoul faced a crisis, Taeyang was there.

Whenever Gyeoul felt sadness, Taeyang was there.

Then, when he faced crises and sadness… who would be by his side?

‘…Is this what Taeyang-ssam meant by calling it nosiness? Am I being presumptuous, feeling this way when I can’t even properly take care of myself?’

There were so many people who liked Taeyang. Maybe, during such times, there would be many around him.

But Gyeoul wanted to be that person.

Even if she couldn’t be by his side as a lover, she wanted to at least be the one there for him.

That was the selfish wish that timid Gyeoul couldn’t let go of.

“…Even though I’m lacking, I want to be your strength, Taeyang-ssam.”

So she said it.

Hoping that someday, in such a moment, Taeyang would think of her.

Taeyang stared blankly at Gyeoul for a moment, then suddenly said,

“…Ah, I just remembered.”

“Huh? What?”

“A melody.”

Saying that, Taeyang pulled out his tablet, scribbled something furiously, and then sat in front of the piano.

After scratching his head once, he asked Gyeoul,

“Would you listen and give me your feedback?”

“Me?”

“Yeah, because the artist who’s supposed to sing it is you. There’s no better critic than you.”

“I don’t think I’m qualified to judge… Should I bring Gaeu unnie?”

“No, right now, I want to hear your opinion.”

“…”

Facing the hesitating Gyeoul, Taeyang spoke with his usual smile.

“It’s just a rough playthrough, so if it doesn’t hit you, feel free to say so.”

To Gyeoul, there was no excuse, will, or heart to reject Taeyang when he smiled like that.

Probably, even if he suddenly asked her to leave TwoBear and go independent with that smile, Gyeoul would unconsciously nod.

This time was no different. Bewitched by Taeyang’s smile, Gyeoul nodded without thinking.

Seeing her expression, Taeyang chuckled softly and placed his hands on the keys.

“Alright, then. I’ll start.”

His fingers began to dance across the keys, and just as the sweet melody started to pull Gyeoul in, Taeyang opened his mouth and began to sing.

“…”

It was a simple, wordless hum.

But even that was enough to fill the song with warmth.

“…”

After finishing the song, Taeyang looked at Gyeoul, as if waiting for her feedback.

“Taeyang-ssam.”

“Yeah? How was it?”

Gyeoul spoke sincerely and seriously,

“Have you ever thought about debuting yourself?”

Han Gyeoul, a 10-year veteran otaku of manga, anime, games, and all kinds of fandoms.

This was the moment Seon Taeyang became a permanent fixture in her list of obsessions.