Chapter 190

Chapter 190

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

Episode 190: Not All Plans Go As Intended

Coming out into the hallway of TwoBear, I ran into Gaeul. She lit up at the sight of my face, greeted me cheerfully, then cautiously made a request.

“Taeyang oppa, Gahyeon says he wants to attend an info session related to art high school admissions. Would it be okay if I went with him to help out?”

I responded to Gaeul’s request calmly.

“Of course. Just tell me the time. I’ll talk to the President and try to adjust your schedule.”

As I gave permission without resistance, Gaeul smiled slightly, then glanced at me as if gauging my reaction, and said,

“Th-then… could you come along with us that day, Oppa?”

“I don’t think I can.”

“…What?”

Gaeul’s face turned pale and stiff.

It seemed she hadn’t expected that response at all.

Well, in the past, if I had received such a request, I would have made time even if I had to stay up all night, so this result probably felt very out of character to her.

But things had to change now.

With that in mind, I spoke calmly and realistically.

“I know this is a really important time for Gahyeon, and I understand that he might need someone by his side, so I’ll do what I can to help clear your schedule. Not just try—I’ll make time no matter what. I promised, and that’s my job. But I don’t think there’s a need for two people to be there. It’s not the kind of event that requires authority, is it?”

“…”

“It makes more sense for me to go as your substitute if there’s ever a time you can’t. That’s more reasonable. You and I both have important roles here, right? If we both step out at the same time, that’s a big risk.”

At my practical words, Gaeul’s mouth opened as if at a loss for words.

Then, with trembling eyes, she looked at me and pleaded.

“B-but… couldn’t you come anyway? I’d feel so much more reassured if you were there, Oppa. Without you, I just–”

I cut her off firmly.

“No, Gaeul.”

“…”

“You’ve done well without me, and you’re doing well now. And you’ll continue to do well.”

There wasn’t much time left before she became an adult.

It wasn’t good for her if I kept treating her like a child.

“Then I’ll trust that you understand this is how it’s going to be. I’ll explain it properly to the President, so don’t worry. Good luck with your schedule today.”

Saying that, I turned my back and walked off to my next task.

Gaeul’s face, the last thing I saw before I turned, looked dangerously unstable, but that level of disorientation was unavoidable. You can’t expect zero emotional friction when establishing a healthier dynamic.

Still, this felt like the right approach.

Drawing appropriate boundaries like this—separating personal from professional.

If I keep this up, I think the girls will gradually come to accept the reality—that our relationship is more twisted than it should be—without suffering too much.

So I maintained the same stance with Yeoreum.

“Um, Team Leader Seon. My father said he’d like to meet you again to talk about the sponsor investment. Would you happen to have time? A new chef just arrived at the VIP room in our hotel restaurant, and I thought it’d be nice to enjoy a light meal while talking.”

“Hmm… That might be difficult.”

Yeoreum, clearly flustered by my rejection—which was rare from me—quickly added,

“I-it’s really not a stressful or formal meeting! I’ll be there too. Just think of it as a casual meal–”

“Yeoreum, talking about a main sponsor and investment is never something that can be treated lightly.”

I always approached such matters with seriousness and gravity.

Even if it’s the idol’s own father—in fact, especially because of that—I needed to act professionally.

“I simply can’t take part in something that important on a whim. Just the scale of the investment alone makes it way beyond the responsibilities of a team leader like me.”

“But… still, my father really likes seeing you, Team Leader Seon…”

“I appreciate that. In that case, I’ll make time in advance and properly prepare materials, then report to him formally. I’ll schedule it myself. During the regular meetings, the President will handle the official presentations and negotiations. So you don’t need to run around for this, Yeoreum. It’s my job to let you focus fully on being an idol—and enjoy it.”

“…”

“I think that covers the sponsor investment issue, right? Then I’ll get back to my other work. Good luck with your schedule today.”

And my response was no different when it came to Gyeoul.

“U-um, Taeyang-ssam! My favorite mobile game opened a collab café… Would you go with me?”

“Nope.”

“…Hrk.”

That one felt slightly different—but honestly, not by much.

Seok Hyun-woo, who was catching up on paperwork with me outside the office, asked,

“Come to think of it, Team Leader Seon, haven’t you stopped accompanying the girls on external schedules lately?”

It was true. I’d been deliberately avoiding it.

But it wasn’t without reason.

“I have. But I believe it’s the right direction. We hired two additional road managers, so for me to keep doing on-site work would be a waste of manpower.”

“Still, don’t you think the girls might feel lonely? Honestly, I haven’t said it before, but when you’re at the site, their entire vibe is different. That just shows how much your presence empowers them.”

I let out a bitter laugh and replied,

“Thanks. Really.”

But we couldn’t keep doing that.

“We have to change. We’re using Girl Revolution as a flagship case to raise other idols, expand the business, and grow TwoBear overall. This is something we were going to face eventually—it’s just happening now.”

“As someone at the center of TwoBear, this change feels immediate to you, Team Leader… but to me, it still feels far away.”

“Why are you backing out? Once I move up, you’re the next team leader, Assistant Manager Seok.”

“…Wait, me?”

“Yes, you.”

Seok Hyun-woo muttered something like, “Is it really okay for a guy with one foot in Jinkang to be doing this?”

There was nothing to worry about. Everyone at TwoBear—Aram included—already knew about that.

“Still, it’s a shame… not seeing you in the field anymore.”

“I’ll still show up if there’s a variety show shoot.”

“Even so… I’ve always thought Manager Seon Taeyang was cool.”

I scratched my head at Seok Hyun-woo’s compliment and replied, mixed with a swirl of emotions.

“It can’t be helped. This is the right path.”

That phase kept going.

“Taeyang oppa, could you spare a moment with me–”

“Team Leader Seon, I have this thing I wanted to–”

“Taeyang-ssam, the collab café is even bigger this time, and–”

My response was the same every time.

“Sorry, Gaeul. I appreciate the invite, but I don’t think I can make time right now. I’ll try to later.”

“Attending a chaebol social gathering is a bit much for me. Why not talk to the President instead?”

“No.”

Gradually, the girls’ requests started to decrease.

It seemed like they were starting to accept how our relationship was now.

…At least, that’s what I thought—until yesterday.

As soon as I arrived at work, I was greeted with screams from every department.

“Team Leader Seon! Gyeoul has completely stopped smiling lately. It’s a variety show! Okay, fine, we can spin it as a mood thing, but she started crying on set—out of nowhere—like a bipolar patient! And now the PDs and two writers are subtly pressing me, asking if we’re overworking or abusing her. I have no idea how to handle this. Please, help me!”

“Road Manager Park Yeongchan, urgent report. I believe Yeoreum is suffering from anorexia. She’s always been extremely professional about weight and nutrition, so I hadn’t paid close attention. But recently, she’s started looking too thin on camera. I checked, and she hasn’t been eating at all—only drinking water! I tried to get her to eat, but she keeps throwing it up. I don’t think I can handle this on my own.”

“…”

It was a flood of dizzying information.

…Could this really all be happening because I started acting more formally?

No… That can’t be it.

My girls wouldn’t spiral just because I’ve been a little distant with them, right?

They’re girls who pushed through tragedy and hell that would’ve broken anyone else—and still reached the top.

They survived all of that, but they can’t handle me treating them professionally?

No way, right?

While I was spiraling in thought, trying to figure out how to fix this, someone cautiously approached from behind.

It was Shin Yurim, Gaeul’s assigned road manager.

“Um… Team Leader Seon. I have something to report.”

She was drenched in cold sweat and visibly shaking—like something bad had happened.

A sharp sense of dread hit me, and I asked her,

“Is something wrong with Gaeul too?”

Sweating profusely, Shin Yurim shut her eyes tight and spoke.

“…Gaeul says she can’t speak.”

“…”

“I think it’s psychological… What should we do?”

…Aren’t they supposed to be the strong ones?