Chapter 197

Chapter 197

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

Episode 197: The Girl Who Does Everything

Brushing her distinct, elegant black hair aside, Jin Yeoreum sat in the backseat of a luxurious sedan.

Beside her, a woman in a black suit sat tensely, awaiting her questions.

After finishing some trivial calls on her smartphone, she turned to the waiting woman and asked,

“And the people we contacted today?”

“Any previous info is already available in the archive, but we’re currently compiling everything after 5 PM in a visual summary. We’ll make sure it’s ready for your review during transit.”

“Speed it up.”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

As Jin Yeoreum reviewed previously reported data on her tablet, a voice came urgently through the intercom.

“The target’s location is starting to change.”

“I assume you mean the location has deviated from Manager Seon’s original schedule?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Hmm… And where is he headed?”

“…He’s on the move. We’ll continue tracking and reporting changes in location, direction, and speed.”

Resting her chin in her hand, Jin Yeoreum ran her silky hair through her fingers before replying.

“Just follow him.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said, follow him.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just go to the scheduled location instea—”

“…”

Meeting Yeoreum’s gaze, the woman immediately bowed her head, cold sweat on her brow.

“Ah… Understood.”

As the nervous woman relayed instructions to the driver, Jin Yeoreum buried her face in the seat.

And quietly, she reflected on the real reason she hadn’t explained herself.

‘…Because I always have to be by Manager Seon’s side.’

—————

After narrowly surviving an emergency escape from Gyeoul’s house, I hurried off.

There wasn’t much time left before my evening appointment.

Just as I was rushing to flag down a cab, a luxury limousine stopped in front of me instead.

The back door opened, and out stepped my all-too-familiar idol.

“Nice to see you, Manager Seon.”

It was Yeoreum, dressed in what appeared to be a luxurious designer drop-shoulder dress.

Despite the leather patches and polo-neck giving it a surprisingly casual flair for its price range, Yeoreum—being a walking human luxury brand herself—made it look fit for a red carpet.

“Yeoreum? What are you doing here…?”

“I came to pick you up, Manager Seon.”

Of course, the fundamental question of how she even knew my location crossed my mind—but based on past experiences, I knew better than to expect a straight answer. I just let it slide.

“Right. You came to make sure I wouldn’t be late to the appointment.”

“It’s more like I couldn’t pass up the chance to monopolize your time, actually.”

“…”

Seeing me speechless, Yeoreum smiled faintly and gestured politely, like a butler or maid from some old film, inviting me into the car.

“I’ll guide you in—make sure you’re comfortable.”

“Isn’t that a bit too much? I’m a mess right now—my clothes are dirty. I’ll just clean up and meet you there.”

“Not at all—it’s a privilege for me. Besides, we’re going to meet my parents, remember?”

“…Alright, thanks. But could we stop somewhere so I can change? I’d feel ashamed showing up like this.”

“I’ll summon a tailor and a designer.”

Clearly not just making an offer, Yeoreum immediately started issuing rapid instructions to the suited man and woman who had followed her out.

“Get every top-tier designer and tailor currently in the country. I want only the best—someone who can capture all of Manager Seon’s charm. Understand how important this is. Got it?”

“Yes, miss. …I’ll stake my life on it.”

“…”

…Okay, isn’t that a bit much?

—————

Whether it was the joy of seeing me again after a while or the trust I’d built over time, Jin Baek-ho—Yeoreum’s father and the chairman of Jinkang—was uncharacteristically cheerful.

With the central figure in such a relaxed mood, dinner flowed with more warmth than ever.

At least, until he asked that question.

“So when are you two getting married?”

I couldn’t hide my panic and reflexively asked back,

“…Excuse me?”

“Marriage, of course. Yeoreum’s an adult now, and her contract’s almost up. It’s time to think about it.”

“Dear, aren’t you being a little hasty?”

“Hasty? They’ve been around each other this long—it’s more than enough.”

“It’s not that. Yeoreum is still young. Please stop being so reckless. It’s not like they’ve even said they want to get married.”

“Marriage is best done early. Especially with those two—why wait?”

I had no idea how he came to harbor such hopes.

But more than the word “marriage,” something else he said got stuck in my mind.

“Um… what do you mean by contract ending?”

Jin Baek-ho answered calmly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“What else could I mean? The contract’s ending—no more reason for Yeoreum to keep being an idol.”

Trying to hide my unease, I carefully gave my thoughts.

“Yeoreum’s current brand value is extremely high. She ranked third in a recent analysis of female celebrity brand power, regardless of age or genre. Wouldn’t it be better for her to continue as an idol?”

“And why would that be a good thing?”

“Sorry?”

“What exactly does she gain from continuing that makes it so good?”

Jin Baek-ho spoke not as someone lecturing, but as someone laying out facts.

“She might make money. Her image might improve. But that’s about it, isn’t it? And she already has both. The original goal of transforming Yeoreum’s public image has long been achieved. And as for money, it’s not even worth talking about.”

“…”

“Well, I won’t stop you from continuing your work. I understand you don’t see management as just a way to make money. Still, if I’m honest, I’d rather hand you a few buildings and have you two spend your days traveling together in peace. What do you think? Changed your mind yet?”

“…No, I respectfully decline.”

“Figured as much. That’s why I didn’t bring it up before. I understand. But I still think Yeoreum should quit being an idol.”

“What’s your reason?”

Jin Baek-ho responded firmly.

“Because I don’t want to see her get hurt by public opinion anymore.”

“…”

“She’s been hurt enough, endured enough, overcome enough. Now it’s okay for her to just look for happiness.”

With everyone’s eyes on me, he asked,

“Don’t you think so too?”

—————

And just like that, dinner came to an end.

I never gave a clear answer—just focused on keeping the mood light.

Still carrying the weight of that unresolved tension, I walked in the night breeze with Yeoreum.

And I spoke softly.

“Thanks for today—for picking me up, for inviting me here… and for the outfit too.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. You were just humoring my selfishness. I’m just repaying what I’ve received—though it’s still not enough.”

“If that’s the logic behind you sending all those gifts to my house, you can stop. You haven’t received anything from me. And even if you had, you’ve more than paid it back.”

Small gifts would’ve been fine, but what Yeoreum sent to my house went far beyond normal.

Designer clothes, men’s colognes, belts, watches, limited edition gadgets—the list was endless.

All of them were too much for someone like me.

But rejecting her gifts outright felt too heavy, so I kept it lighthearted.

“I hate to say this, but there’s just too much. I don’t even have space at home for all of it. Haha.”

Yeoreum gave a soft laugh—then handed me a key.

I tilted my head, confused, and she clasped my hand holding the key.

“Hehe, so… I bought the house next to yours. I figured it could work as a storage space for the gifts.”

“…”

“I was going to tell you after the remodeling finished, but oh well. There’s a dressing room, a gaming room, a collection display, and even a private studio. I made sure no space would be wasted. Thinking about what you’d like—it made me really happy.”

It was devotion—so pure and overwhelming that I couldn’t possibly carry its weight.

But the impression I got wasn’t the same.

Because the déjà vu her words triggered… was far too strong to ignore.

So I asked a question I had always dismissed as obvious.

“Yeoreum, do you want to be an idol?”

“Yes, of course. That’s why I wanted to work with you, Manager Seon.”

That wasn’t the answer I wanted.

So I rephrased it slightly.

“Let me ask again. Do you want to keep being an idol—from here on out?”

“…”

A short silence.

That pause seemed to mute the entire world.

In that lonely street where it felt like it was just the two of us, Yeoreum looked me straight in the eyes—with the most beautiful gaze imaginable.

And said,

“If you want me to be an idol, I will be. If you want me to be an investor starting a new agency, I will be. A joyful friend, a lover, even a pet—whatever you wish.”

“…”

“I’ll become whatever you want me to be.”

As if stating an eternal truth—like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Because I belong to you, Manager Seon.”