Chapter 88

Chapter 88

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

Episode 88: Aren’t They Both Bitches?.

Cheon Aram, with an unusually serious expression, asked Yoo Gaeul again.

“Gaeul, what did you just say?”

“I said Team Leader Seon was scouted by composer James Oh. He even offered to double his salary!”

The already cold atmosphere began to chill even further.

Just moments ago, everyone was rejoicing over Gyeoul’s great success, making the current mood all the more awkward.

I decided I needed to nip this in the bud before it escalated further.

“I’ve already declined that offer. It’s no longer relevant to me.”

“…But you accepted the business card from composer Oh James, didn’t you?”

Cheon Aram looked at the business card I had handed her and then passed it to Seo Soo-yeon.

Seo Soo-yeon opened her wallet, tucked the card inside, and then tossed it into her bag.

The sound of the zipper closing seemed unusually loud today.

…Is she not planning to give that card back? I only have one.

“No, I accepted it because I’ll need to contact him if we want to receive a song later. There’s no other meaning.”

And you can’t exactly refuse when someone hands you a business card, right?

If someone offers their card and you say, ‘I’m not interested,’ that would make you look crazy.

Jin Yeoreum cautiously tugged at the hem of my shirt and said.

“…Are you leaving?”

“Why would I? I’m staying at TwoBear.”

“If you do leave, I’ll…”

No, I’m not leaving.

“Team Leader Seon, you’re a professional. It’s only natural to move to a better-paying job, right?”

“I’m different. Why would I leave here?”

It seemed like everyone was collectively misunderstanding something. No place could treat me better than here.

I don’t talk about it, but my salary was already at the level of a mid-sized company. If you add bonuses, it’s even higher.

“…Team Leader Seon, should we raise your salary?”

“No, no, it’s fine. I haven’t done anything to deserve it. I’m already being paid more than enough.”

The company was already paying more than it should for a team leader in a newly established company.

Considering that we hadn’t even made a profit yet and only had expenses, asking for more would be greedy. Maybe after the company grows.

If I happily accepted more now, it could cause jealousy or discord among my colleagues.

When everyone is poorly paid, it’s fine. But when someone gets special treatment, it could create strange feelings.

The people at TwoBear were unusually good, so it was unlikely, but it was still best not to create risks.

I really wanted to get along well with the people at TwoBear.

“If there’s any leeway, I’d prefer you spend more on the quality of the kids’ output, like music videos or stage costumes, rather than improving my conditions. We have three of the best talents in the country, don’t we? I think the most important thing right now is making them shine.”

“Team Leader Seon, as the CEO, I shouldn’t be saying this, but you don’t need to think about the company’s position when negotiating your salary. Just think about it from a personal standpoint.”

Right now, I’m facing this situation with a more personal viewpoint than ever.

“Even from a personal standpoint, my conclusion is the same. I want to see them shine the brightest, not in another agency but here at TwoBear.”

This was my genuine, sincere feeling.

Even if the top three agencies, like SS or TY, offered better treatment, I wanted to stay here and succeed with my colleagues.

I will put all my strength into making that happen.

And if I get betrayed again in the process?

…Then I’ll just retire. If these people betray me, it must mean I’m the one who’s flawed.

I’ll just start a cleaning company with the money I have and live quietly.

“Not another agency, but TwoBear? Why does it have to be TwoBear?”

“Because I like it. The company, the CEO, and my colleagues.”

“”…““

Cheon Aram, who had been staring at me blankly, nodded slightly and asked Seo Soo-yeon.

“Soo-yeon, what’s the current salary package that Team Leader Seon is receiving?”

Seo Soo-yeon, as if prepared, took out her smartphone and showed some data, saying.

“It’s like this, but given how much time has passed since it was set, I think it needs to be updated.”

“That’s a good idea. Since he’s proven countless abilities, it doesn’t make sense to keep the same treatment. When can we start processing it?”

“We can start right now.”

“Father? Yes, it’s Jin Yeoreum. I heard you’ve made some investments in TwoBear Entertainment. I’d like you to use your voice as an investor for a moment. It’s nothing major. Just please improve Team Leader Seon’s treatment so no one else can even think about scouting him.”

Oh man, calm down. Why bring in Jin Baek-ho for something like this?

He’s such a busy man.

“Everyone, please calm down. I’m telling you I’m fine! I’m very satisfied with my current treatment!”

“I’m not satisfied.”

“I’m not satisfied either.”

“…”

And so, my salary was raised.

A lot.

On the day of the outdoor recording for Girl 100, I participated as Gyeoul’s manager for the first time in a while.

Today’s broadcast theme was ‘Girl Sports Day.’

But couldn’t they just call it a sports day? Why did they have to add ‘Girl’?

Kim Seon-ye’s knack for adding the word ‘Girl’ to everything—Girl Tea Time, Girl Nomination Battle, Girl Team Formation—seemed to have extended to the sports day as well.

Anyway, the trainees of Girl 100 had slightly escaped from their relentless hard training and endless competition, participating in the sports day dressed in animal pajamas with a relaxed mindset.

“Hey, look at Kim Yujin. She just tackled Kaori and knocked her down! Does she really have to go that far for a simple tail-tag game?”

“But before that, when Kaori was ‘it,’ she tripped Kim Yujin and knocked her down.”

“…Aren’t they both crazy?”

“Hey, there’s no time for this. It’s a bench-clearing brawl! We need to run out and join in!”

“Why is everyone so serious about a game of tag?”

“Well then, Song Chaeyoung, you stay here.”

“…I guess I have to go too.”

And so, girls dressed in cute animal pajamas like dogs, cats, pandas, killer whales, sloths, penguins, hamsters, chinchillas, and pigeons started grabbing each other by the collars and rolling around.

“This game is getting nasty. Hey, Kaori! Don’t you know what a foul is?”

“There’s no referee, so don’t talk to me about fouls. In this situation, the winner sets the rules!”

“…Wow, you’re a complete psycho. You’re done for. I’m going to show you the full course of our Counter leader Han Sora’s special joint-lock series.”

“Go ahead, Kim Yujin. Our country is the birthplace of judo. You think I can’t grapple?”

…It seems they’re not in a relaxed mindset after all.

“Hey, hey! What are you doing? Stop them! Are you going to let that go out on air?”

“…Isn’t it entertaining?”

“If they wanted that kind of entertainment, viewers would watch a mixed martial arts channel, not an idol survival show. Shut up and stop them! Are you going to take responsibility if the ratings tank? I’m someone who would sell my soul for those ratings!”

Kim Seon-ye screamed at the top of her lungs, hysterically trying to control the chaos happening everywhere.

Seeing her like that, it was clear that being a broadcast PD was definitely not an easy job.

Even in that chaos, there were model students who maintained the original intent of a relaxed competition.

“Please save me!”

“Please catch me!”

It was Oh Yoori from Flower Entertainment, in a flying squirrel outfit, running away, and Han Gyeoul, known as a natural genius.

The two were continuously chasing each other, looking tearful as they ran around the field.

Fight on, Gyeoul. Even if the kid with the tail next to you is caught up in the bench-clearing brawl and rolling on the ground, I’ll support your steadfastness in chasing only Oh Yoori.

At least the broadcast should turn out entertaining.

During the break, as I was giving a tired Gyeoul an electrolyte drink, she asked.

“…Taeyang ssam, am I doing well?”

“Yes. You’re doing incredibly well.”

“Really?”

“Yes, you’re the best. The future of TwoBear really depends on you, Gyeoul. If you were in another company, I’d be so jealous it’d kill me.”

“Really? Really!”

Gyeoul, with a puzzled look as if wondering, ‘Is this right?’ eventually burst into a smile at my relentless positivity and showed renewed enthusiasm.

“I’ll work even harder! I’ll show you my best in the next chicken fight!”

“…No, take it easy on that. I just saw that the kids are way too aggressive.”

Especially the ones who just cleared the bench seem like they need to be avoided.

During the break, I took a closer look at those kids. Their eyes showed a determination to tear their opponents apart, something idols shouldn’t show.

Their eyes resembled those of gladiators.

With a pseudo-combat game like chicken fight selected, half of them might not make it.

Gyeoul, let’s just give up what we can.

It’s okay if you lose the chicken fight and don’t get the beef gift set as a prize. I’ll just buy it for you.

Let’s avoid those crazy girls.

I calmed Gyeoul down, reminding her that safety was the most important thing.

Gyeoul gave me a spring-like smile and said she’d remember that before heading off to prepare for the chicken fight.

“Do you have a moment?”

At that moment, a woman spoke to me.

“…Oh Yoori?”

It was Oh Yoori, a trainee from Flower Entertainment and an active middle school student, aged 15.

“What business do you have with me, Oh Yoori?”

I don’t see why I’d need to be involved with you.

You’re from Flower Entertainment now, but I’ve never seen you in my past either.

Noticing the distance I was trying to maintain, Oh Yoori spoke.

“Would it be okay if I threatened you for a moment?”

“…”

…Is she crazy?

Just then, a quest window popped up as if on cue.

[Show Oh Yoori, who doesn’t recognize a regressor and attempts a casual threat, the harshness of society, and the fear of adults.]

[Reward – Genius Puppy Boksili]

What’s Boksili…?