Chapter 42

Chapter 42

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

Episode 42: Slept In The Same Bed.

When I opened my eyes, I was lying in bed with Gaeul.

…What was this situation?

Looking around, it seemed like a private room in a hospital, not my familiar sister’s house.

It seemed they had admitted me after I collapsed.

Though it wasn’t an injury severe enough for hospitalization.

I roughly understood the situation.

However, I couldn’t completely grasp the situation.

How could I understand why Gaeul was hugging me and lying next to me in the narrow hospital bed?

Why on earth are you sleeping here, Gaeul?

At that moment, Gaeul began to move as if she had woken up.

I was startled, and I quickly closed my eyes again.

I didn’t want her to know I was aware of this awkward situation.

Well… she might get sleepy while taking care of me, and the bed might look cozy.

While tossing and turning, she could end up hugging the person next to her like a body pillow.

If Gaeul just gets up and sits in the caregiver chair, it would be like nothing happened.

However, even though Gaeul was clearly awake, she didn’t get up from the bed.

She just stared intently at my face.

…Gaeul?

She didn’t stop there.

As if feeling playful, she started gently touching my face.

“…Hehehe.”

What’s wrong with her?

Even as Gaeul’s touch became bolder, I couldn’t open my eyes.

I had missed the timing.

If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have just let her know I was awake earlier.

Now it felt like it was too late.

How embarrassing would it be for both of us if I opened my eyes now?

I just lay there like a log, hoping Gaeul would lose interest.

Before I knew it, Gaeul placed one leg over my body and moved one arm towards my chest.

And her face got closer and closer.

I could feel Gaeul’s faint breath on my cheek.

…I couldn’t hold on any longer.

I decided to give up and let her know I was awake.

At that moment, the hospital room door opened.

“Team Leader Seon! We’re here!”

Crash!

“…Why is Gaeul like that?”

Peeking through my slightly open eyes, I saw Gaeul had fallen off the bed, knocking over the caregiver chair, and was rolling on the floor.

“Ah… She… was sleeping and got startled, so she rolled off.”

Cheon Aram spoke with a worried voice.

“Oh dear… I startled her. She must be very tired, too. How about taking a short break while we watch over Team Leader Seon?”

“No! No! It’s fine! I’ve actually rested and recharged enough!”

“Recharged?”

“…I mean, ah…! My smartphone recharged!”

Seo Soo-yeon, following behind Cheon Aram, spoke quietly, almost inaudibly.

“President, it seems like Gaeul is…”

“Soo-yeon, stay still for now! There are truths in the world that shouldn’t be revealed.”

Cheon Aram and Seo Soo-yeon whispered something in serious tones, but I couldn’t hear well due to the distance.

“…Alright. Anyway, Gaeul seems to be doing a lot. Did Team Leader Seon wake up at any point while you were watching over him?”

“…No. He hasn’t woken up yet.”

Cheon Aram rested her chin slightly and murmured.

“Hmm… Then should I talk about it now?”

She spoke in a low, serious voice, as if she had made a decision.

“The lawyer we hired at TwoBear gave us an update. It seems that Gaeul’s father will be imprisoned for illegal gambling, child abuse, attempted murder, and fraud.”

“….”

“This is a problem, but it leads to a bigger issue…”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Regarding the future plans for Gaeul and her younger brother, Gahyeon.”

“…Ah.”

“Gaeul will be fine for now. We have accommodation at TwoBear Entertainment, but the problem is Gahyeon.”

With Gaeul’s father gone and Gaeul living in the dorms, Gahyeon, a third-year middle school student, would be left alone.

Cheon Aram pointed this out.

“Typically, in cases of child abuse where the child needs to be immediately separated from the parents, the child is sent to temporary protection facilities like shelters or youth centers.”

Cheon Aram’s words sounded extremely businesslike.

As if she was just saying what needed to be said.

That might be Cheon Aram’s way of showing respect.

Sometimes, sympathy could feel more painful than indifference.

“…But the case is a bit different now. Since it’s almost certain that Gaeul’s father will serve a sentence, it’s also certain that the child needs to be separated from the parent for a certain period.”

She said this as calmly as possible.

“In this situation, we need to find long-term childcare solutions like foster care or orphanages. I believe foster care is the best option among them.”

Gaeul wouldn’t want to send Gahyeon to an orphanage either.

Cheon Aram seemed to understand this and wanted to lean towards foster care.

“So I want to ask, do you have any relatives who can foster Gahyeon? Like your mother, for example.”

“There are no relatives who would allow that… My mother is also out of touch, so it would be difficult.”

Cheon Aram sighed deeply.

“Haa… Things have gotten difficult.”

Considering Gaeul’s family situation, it might have been a foreseeable result.

But that didn’t mean it provided a concrete solution.

“Then, Gaeul, you have two choices left.”

“….”

Facing the silent Gaeul, Cheon Aram spoke.

“First, send Gahyeon to an orphanage.”

Cheon Aram spoke in a gentle voice, as if trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

“Gaeul, you might have a bad impression of orphanages, but there’s no need to worry too much about them.”

Her charming voice felt like it was meant to comfort the listener.

“We at TwoBear will do our best to ensure Gahyeon goes to the best facility with the best system. He might even receive better treatment than when you, your father, and the three of you lived together before.”

“…What’s the second option?”

“Second, Gaeul, you give up becoming a trainee at TwoBear and take care of Gahyeon yourself.”

Cheon Aram seemed reluctant to continue.

But she spoke to Gaeul without any hesitation, as if she wouldn’t turn away.

“…And if you choose this, Gaeul, you will have to pay back the 46 million won your father used for gambling.”

For Gaeul, it would be incredibly unfair, but from TwoBear’s perspective, since they had already paid the contract money, they naturally needed to be reimbursed.

Cheon Aram’s actions weren’t cruel. It was just what had to be done.

But it didn’t seem like pushing Gaeul further was something she could do with a clear conscience.

“As a person and as the president of the agency wanting to recruit you, I don’t want to recommend this option.”

When Cheon Aram found it difficult to continue, Seo Soo-yeon took on the role of the villain and began to say what needed to be said.

“You might feel reluctant because you think sending Gahyeon to an orphanage will reduce your time together. But that’s a slightly mistaken perspective.”

Seo Soo-yeon spoke very matter-of-factly.

“Right now, since your debut isn’t confirmed, we allow you to commute. But once your debut team is decided, dorm life is mandatory. This is something you agreed to.”

“Yes, I know.”

“That’s right. So even without this situation, it was expected that your meeting frequency with Gahyeon would decrease.”

It was true, but it probably didn’t sound good to Gaeul.

“We’re not taking away your right to meet Gahyeon because of the changed situation. Rather, considering the circumstances, we plan to allow more flexible meeting times.”

After explaining the situation, Seo Soo-yeon conveyed the company’s policy and offered a carrot.

“This is close to a privilege we don’t intend to grant to other trainees. Even if it feels insufficient, please understand that TwoBear is sincere about maintaining our relationship with you.”

“I understand what you’re saying. Maybe going to the orphanage might be good for Gahyeon as well.”

Gaeul spoke clearly, indicating she didn’t take Seo Soo-yeon and Cheon Aram’s words lightly.

“The experts at the orphanage will take better care of Gahyeon than I can while working and coming home late at night.”

“Of course, it won’t be qualitatively superior to what you do directly, but in terms of time spent, that could be the case.”

“That’s right. And from what you’ve said, it seems like the facilities, food, and welfare at the orphanage would be better than what I can provide.”

Seo Soo-yeon, slightly pleased by Gaeul’s positive response, said.

“Then…”

Gaeul firmly interrupted Seo Soo-yeon’s words.

“…But I still don’t want to send Gahyeon to an orphanage.”

“….”

It was unfortunate.

If that was Gaeul’s sentiment, there was nothing TwoBear could do.

Cheon Aram sighed quietly and spoke.

“If that’s your intention, Gaeul, there’s no choice. We’ll freeze the interest on the money you need to repay for two years.”

She smiled bitterly, as if she had no choice, and said.

“We’ll support your choice, Gaeul.”

Gaeul hurriedly spoke to Cheon Aram.

“…I!”

Cheon Aram, about to leave, turned her head and asked.

“Do you have something more to say?”

Gaeul spoke with a trembling voice.

“…This is really shameless, and even I think it’s unreasonable, but still, but still, I…”

Her voice was filled with tears.

“I also want to be an idol!”

Hearing Gaeul’s words, Cheon Aram brushed her hair in a perplexed manner and said.

“Can I interpret that as you don’t want to send Gahyeon to an orphanage, but you still want to stay with TwoBear?”

“…That’s correct.”

Gaeul seemed unwilling to give up either option.

Her tearful face, unable to choose one, looked like that of a child.

But I was pleased with that sight.

A child who had to live as an adult was able to express her desires foolishly, which I thought showed her trust in me.

If that was Gaeul’s true feeling, then I had room to put in more effort.

Seo Soo-yeon, looking at the file she was noting, said.

“I’d like to ask one thing. You just said you don’t have any relatives for foster care. Do you know an alternative to not sending Gahyeon to an orphanage?”

“…I don’t know what to do either. But I don’t want to send Gahyeon to an orphanage, and I don’t want to give up on being an idol.”

Seo Soo-yeon spoke to Gaeul as if drawing a cold line.

“Gaeul. It’s harsh to say, but we treat you as an adult in a bilateral contract relationship, not a minor who has difficulty expressing her intentions. So, Gaeul, you must choose something.”

“…”

Gaeul couldn’t respond to that.

I naturally answered in place of the silent Gaeul.

“Do we really have to choose something?”

Then the surroundings turned upside down.

Cheon Aram gaped.

Seo Soo-yeon threw her file in shock.

And Gaeul rolled over to the floor again with a thud.

…I thought I had naturally joined the conversation, but it seemed I was mistaken.

Maintaining her composure, Cheon Aram took a deep breath and spoke.

“Team Leader Seon. If you were awake, couldn’t you have given us a sign?”

…I’m sorry.