Chapter 54

Chapter 54

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

Episode 54: Let Go.

Yoon Haneul, whom I met just three minutes ago this lifetime, confessed to me.

No, did I hear that wrong? Logically, that can’t be right?

…Yeah, I must have misunderstood again.

I politely apologized to Yoon Haneul.

“Sorry, I’ve been having trouble hearing correctly and often misunderstand things lately. Could you say that again?”

“Let’s go out.”

Damn it.

“Such jokes are problematic. I’m not as fun or flexible as you might think. It’s hard for me to give you the reaction you want.”

Even with years of social experience, I can’t keep up with this tune. Young lady.

“It’s not a joke.”

…Just say it’s a joke, please.

“We just met for the first time.”

“That’s right.”

I sighed softly and spoke. As someone I had to recruit, I wanted to make a good impression on Yoon Haneul, but I had to accept that this would lower my likability.

“I don’t believe in love at first sight. I think emotions bloom like dandelions and fly away over long periods of time.”

“Oh, that’s a nice expression.”

“…Therefore, the proposal you are showing me now is very unwelcome. Do you want me to misunderstand you as someone who confesses to anyone they just met?”

Yoon Haneul lightly touched her sky-blue hair, looking troubled, and said,

“Well, as you say, you misunderstand me. I’m not that kind of light person.”

Then she smiled her characteristic refreshing smile and said,

“To brag a little, I’ve received many confessions. But this is the first time I’ve ever confessed.”

“Why are you confessing to me then? I don’t even know your name.”

“Oh my, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Yoon Haneul, a first-year high school student and Yeoreum’s friend. Nice to meet you.”

I shook her hand and greeted her lightly.

“Nice to meet you, Yoon Haneul.”

…But do people confess first and then introduce themselves?

“So, Team Leader Seon. What’s your answer? Will you go out with me?”

“…Who’s going out with whom?”

It was a timely intervention from Gaeul.

Gaeul seemed to be trying to help after seeing that I was in trouble.

But Gaeul, why are you holding your guitar like a club?

“…You’re not talking about Taeyang Oppa, right?”

…Oh, are you trying to scare Haneul away?

That’s my Gaeul! I knew I could trust you.

Yoon Haneul, trembling, asked me if Gaeul’s intentions were working.

“What’s with that unnie? Is she always this scary?”

“Oh, Gaeul isn’t scary. You don’t know her well, but Gaeul is like a human golden retriever. She’s just joking… But if you make Gaeul angry, you might get a little hurt.”

Crunch.

…Maybe more than a little?

“Eek!”

Yoon Haneul clung to my arm in fright.

Gaeul’s eyebrows twitched as she saw this. Then, holding her guitar in one hand, she started walking towards us step by step, looking like something out of a thriller movie.

Wow, our Gaeul is good at acting, too.

Looking around for the kids who had gone with Gaeul, I saw them trembling in a corner, having fallen for her act.

“You shouldn’t make Taeyang Oppa uncomfortable. So…”

Gaeul’s bangs swayed, revealing her eyes, which seemed to glow yellowish, almost shimmering.

“LET. GO.”

Leaving that warning, Gaeul began to walk slowly towards us, step by step.

The distance between her and us grew shorter.

“Team Leader Seon, please stop her! I’m so scared.”

“Like Gaeul said, if you let go of my arm, it’ll be fine.”

“Then I’d lose my hostage! They say not to negotiate with terrorists!”

…Decide whether you’re the terrorist or the police.

Yoon Haneul clung to my arm as if it were a lifeline.

Seeing this, Gaeul’s expression hardened as she spoke.

“…Let go.”

“Ahh! Don’t come closer!”

Just then, Jin Yeoreum appeared and held Gaeul back.

“Wait, Gaeul Unnie.”

Yeoreum whispered something into Gaeul’s ear.

“Such behavior. Team Leader Seon surely won’t like it.”

“….”

“It seems he’s taking it as a joke for now, but if you go one step further, Team Leader Seon will notice. Are you okay with that?”

“….”

Whatever they talked about, Gaeul’s expression changed oddly. The eerie atmosphere she had just shown seemed like an illusion, as her face reverted to its usual soft and warm demeanor.

She probably intended to end the act here.

“…Hahaha, it was a joke, Taeyang Oppa.”

“Don’t worry. I already knew. It looks like Yoon Haneul was really surprised. By the way, that was some impressive acting. Would you like to take acting classes seriously later?”

That was truly impressive control. Gaeul’s acting potential was only D+, after all.

It was a happy misjudgment. I realized that the status window wasn’t everything.

“Oh, if I get the chance, I’ll study hard!”

But I couldn’t help but worry about her. If such a kind Gaeul were misunderstood, I would be upset beyond a business relationship.

“I don’t want to sound harsh, but I’m worried about you, Gaeul. So let me say this: be a bit more careful in places with many people. I know you, but others might misunderstand.”

Gaeul smiled bashfully and apologized.

“I’m really sorry. I meant to give a slight scare, but it ended up causing trouble for you, Taeyang Oppa.”

“Okay. As long as you understand that, it’s fine.”

Gaeul looked at Yoon Haneul and said,

“You shouldn’t trouble Taeyang Oppa. It’s a big sin… So, Haneul, you shouldn’t play ‘pranks’ that trouble Taeyang Oppa either.”

“…Yes, yes, I’ll never do that!”

Leaving the trembling Yoon Haneul, Gaeul returned to the children.

“Kids, sorry for suddenly getting up. I’ll play ‘Blue Whale’ for you instead.”

“Finally, my time has come!”

“Unnie, I asked for ‘Missing You.’”

Watching Gaeul’s back, I spoke to Yoon Haneul.

“She’s charming, right?”

“…If you consider that charming, someone might die the next time.”

“Hey, it was all a joke.”

I said that while looking at Yoon Haneul. She looked at me, too.

As our eyes met, the status window appeared.

[Name – Yoon Haneul (Female)]

[Appearance – A- Potential A]

[Vocals – B- Potential B]

[Dance – B Potential B+]

[Rap – D- Potential C]

[Acting – C- Potential C]

[Variety – D Potential B+]

[A talented individual with balanced abilities.]

“….”

Yoon Haneul’s abilities were below my expectations.

None of her main abilities, except appearance, reached an A.

Of course, this was still enough to be called talented, but having seen Han Gyeoul, Yoo Gaeul, and Jin Yeoreum, my standards had become too high, making her abilities seem lacking.

Before my regression, I had watched many videos of Yoon Haneul while researching.

Watching her dance and sing at concerts, local events, and variety shows, I had expected her to be in the A tier. She showed such quality on every stage.

So her low potential caught me off guard.

But I liked it.

“…Team Leader Seon? Why are you suddenly looking at me without saying anything? It’s a bit embarrassing.”

“Haneul, would you like to try being an idol with us?”

To the point where I sincerely wanted to recruit her.

“Me? Really?”

Yoon Haneul blinked in surprise and asked.

“Haneul, I have a good eye. Thanks to this discernment, I was scouted to be a team leader at my company.”

“Oh, I see.”

“As someone with that eye, I can say you’re not exceptionally talented.”

“…What?”

Yoon Haneul tilted her head and asked.

“Is that supposed to be a compliment? You haven’t seen anything of me, and suddenly, you’re evaluating me like this. Honestly, it’s a bit unpleasant. I have talent, too.”

“Of course, Haneul, you’re not untalented. You have enough to challenge being an idol. In terms of words, you could be called talented. You rarely fail to understand when taught, and you don’t forget what you learn. It’s a fairly decent talent.”

It could be called excellent, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.

“But you’re definitely not a genius. Geniuses not only don’t forget what they learn but also master things on their own and grasp the whole picture just by seeing it once.”

Yoon Haneul spoke in a disgruntled voice.

“Then why are you scouting me? Even if you’re right, you said I’m not exceptionally talented.”

“Because even with that talent, you’ll become a top idol.”

“…How do you know that, Team Leader Seon?”

I didn’t speak long.

“May I borrow your hand for a moment?”

“My hand?”

Yoon Haneul, though looking reluctant, obediently extended her hand. I took it and slightly lifted her loose T-shirt sleeve.

Yoon Haneul tried to stop me in embarrassment, but her arm was already exposed.

Her arm was a mess. Purple bruises covered every corner, several pain relief patches were stuck on her muscles, and a large bandage prescribed by a hospital was attached to her elbow.

And that was the reason Yoon Haneul could stand at the top.

“Every day, even during others’ break times, you cut down on sleep and keep practicing, right?”

“…”

Could B’s talent never match A’s movements?

It wasn’t that such movements didn’t exist. But most could be done.

“Sometimes, those geniuses who naturally do it once… you repeat it hundreds and thousands of times to make it yours, right?”

“…”

Yes, it could be done. If you add bone-crushing and life-shattering effort.

And Yoon Haneul was the person who made that effort. She was no different from a genius.

“That’s why you, Haneul, will definitely reach the top. And I want to create the best girl group with you.”

“…Haa.”

Yoon Haneul sighed softly and murmured quietly.

“…You’re much more dangerous than what I heard from Yeoreum.”

“What?”

Why don’t kids these days speak up? Let me hear and react too.

“I can’t be an idol at TwoBear, Team Leader Seon’s company. There’s a company I have to go to. But…”

…But?

Yoon Haneul smiled her characteristic refreshing smile and said,

“But how about being your girlfriend?”

“I refuse.”

Yoon Haneul seemed greatly shocked.

“…What?”

Why are you so surprised?

Do you think I’d be crazy enough to date an idol?