Chapter 195

Chapter 195

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

Episode 195: The Girl Who Tracks Location And Eavesdrops

In a clean kitchen accented with warm-toned wood over a white base, Yoo Gaeul was carefully and sincerely cooking.

“I’ll bring a smile to your lips. I’ll make that moment even happier.”

As she softly hummed “The Duty of Singing,” practically a duet with Seon Taeyang, she focused on the interface mounted on the nearby shelf.

On the pink-toned interface, a simple map was displayed, with a red human-shaped icon at its center.

Below the icon, the words “My Sun” trailed it in red.

Thanks to the live GPS tracking and virtual fence features, she confirmed his exact location and address while skillfully chopping vegetables and listening closely to the voice in her earphones.

It was Seon Taeyang’s voice, confirming logistics at the concert venue with staff.

Gaeul felt her heart filling to the brim.

Cooking for him while hearing his voice—every second of it felt like a long-cherished dream gently floating into her arms.

Just as her heart overflowed with warmth and she hoped these days would continue, a new voice came through.

-…Um, Director Seon?

It was a woman’s voice.

“…”

-Oh, it’s Seri, the new trainee. Thanks for helping with the stage research. What can I do for you?

-Well, my family runs a fruit orchard. If it’s okay… could you accept this?

-…

-It’s really sweet and tasty.

-Okay, I’ll enjoy it. Thank you.

THUD!

“…”

Gaeul quickly calmed her flaring chest and cooled her expression.

Situations like this happened more often than one might think.

People trying to get close to Seon Taeyang were practically tripping over each other.

Common. Familiar.

Still, her face turned cold after hearing that exchange.

Just because it was common didn’t mean it could be handled carelessly.

Thinking just that, she walked out the door.

—————

“There’s no issue with the stability of the lift system, right?”

When I asked the construction staffer, Shim Woo-cheol, with some suspicion, he replied confidently.

“Yes, it’s perfectly safe. There are triple safety mechanisms in place, so there’s no risk of accidents.”

“Then let’s try riding it.”

“Sorry?”

“I heard installation is complete. Is it inconvenient right now?”

“N-No, it’s doable.”

I boarded the lift under the stage with the surrounding staff and rode it up to the stage myself.

“…Isn’t this speed a bit too fast?”

“Well… it’s better for making a strong impact when jumping on stage. That kind of speed really grabs the audience’s attention.”

That may be true, but there was something more important.

“But that increases the risk of accidents.”

“…”

“Adjust the speed so that there’s no risk of injury. Also, the side we board from doesn’t have a safety bar—it could be dangerous. Don’t assume it’s fine just because the audience can’t see it. Be more careful.”

“But then there’s the issue of added cost…”

“We’re more than willing to pay the extra cost. What you should be thinking about isn’t the money—it’s how to ensure the kids can perform safely and impressively. That’s it.”

“…Understood. I’ll revise the plans and get on it as soon as possible.”

Shim Woo-cheol bowed his head and quickly left with his coworkers.

His retreating figure looked deeply worn out.

I wondered for a second if I was being too uptight—but then steadied my thoughts.

This was about the kids’ safety. Even if I got criticized for being rigid or inflexible, I wanted to do everything I could.

Working with someone like me must be frustrating, but I couldn’t help it.

With that in mind, I turned to the junior staff waiting nearby and said,

“Alright, the lift is checked—now let’s move on to lighting…”

“Taeyang oppa!”

At the sudden familiar voice, I turned and saw Gaeul—wearing oversized glasses with no prescription, holding a basket, smiling at me.

“Whoa, it’s Yoo Gaeul.”

“I knew she was pretty, but in person? She’s insane.”

Seeing how dazed the staff were by her overwhelming beauty, I changed my words.

“…Before that, let’s take a break. It’s nearly lunchtime anyway—see you all in an hour.”

—————

I took Gaeul to the waiting room. As she took off her cardigan—warm yellow, like the color of her eyes—and began unpacking the items in her basket one by one, I asked,

“What brings you here? Isn’t today your day off?”

“I wanted to see you, Taeyang oppa.”

“I see…”

Logically, it wasn’t good to act overly affectionate in such a public space… but after five years of this, part of me just thought, “At this point, really?”

“And I wanted you—who’s always working so hard—to have a nice lunch. It’s not perfect, but I tried really hard.”

With those words, Gaeul began taking out the lunch boxes from her basket one by one.

The food was luxurious, the kind that could rival a top chef’s work. It was honestly way too much for a normal lunch, and that brought a question to mind.

“Come to think of it… how did you know I’d be here today?”

“…”

At that, Gaeul turned her head and gave a pure, warm smile.

“Through the power of love.”

“…”

Her lips smiled, her aura was warm and beautiful—but weirdly, her eyes looked dead.

Mmhmm… better not ask any further.

And so, we quietly talked while eating the food she made.

We talked about the upcoming concert, the singing competition show Gaeul had recently judged, and how she hoped I’d help with her solo album. Throughout, I kept praising her cooking skills.

“By the way, your cooking’s really improving. You’re amazing. Ever thought about going on a cooking show? I think you’d get great feedback.”

“No, not really.”

“Why not?”

“Because I only want to cook for you, Taeyang oppa. Even the bride lessons I’m taking—it’s not for TV or anything, it’s for that.”

“Cough.”

Her verbal sprint hit me square in the chest—startled, I choked on my drink. She panicked, too.

“Oh no! Taeyang oppa, are you okay? Here, have some water!”

“…Thanks.”

As I slowly drank the water she gave me, Gaeul watched me carefully and asked,

“Taeyang oppa… but where did the peach come from?”

“Peach?”

“Yes, the one on the shelf over there.”

Ah, that.

“I needed help confirming today’s site layout, so I asked the company to send a few trainees. One of them gave it to me.”

“…Why would she do that?”

“I’ve got some pull at TwoBear, so maybe it was a kind of bribe? I mean, if you can call it that. It was kind of cute.”

“…”

Something about what I said seemed to catch her attention. Gaeul even stopped eating, now seriously thinking it over.

“Could it be… a romantic approach?”

“…Are you using the word ‘romantic’ the same way I understand it?”

“Yes, between a man and a woman. Winning someone over romantically—starting with their taste buds—is one way to do it.”

“Haha, I doubt that.”

“Why do you think that?”

Honestly, I wanted to shut it down by saying there was no way because of the age gap—but Gaeul herself had never once cared about age, so that wouldn’t fly here.

Still, I did have another reason.

“I kinda know her. She’s not the type to see me that way.”

She told me dozens of times in my past life that I had zero romantic appeal.

I doubt her taste has changed now.

“…So you two knew each other.”

“Hm? What was that, Gaeul?”

“Oh, just saying I think you’re probably right.”

I felt like that wasn’t what she originally said, but I didn’t press it.

After that casual back-and-forth, we finished eating. Gaeul brewed some tea for me and began tidying up.

When I tried to help, Gaeul politely refused and said,

“I’ll take care of it. I’ve got free time since it’s my day off.”

“Let’s clean up together. I’ll drive you home.”

“That’s a very tempting offer, but I’m good. You’ve got that fan meeting after this, don’t you? No need to waste time on me… Besides, I’ve got something to take care of before I go back to the dorm.”

“Something to do? What is it?”

Hearing my question, Gaeul gave me a stunning smile and said,

“Education.”