episode_0024

#24

Click! Click! Clack-clack!

The sound of camera shutters is overwhelming.

Though not as much as , there are still quite a few people snapping photos of the moment they see the idols.

Reporters from daily newspapers are even filming our arrival process. This matters too—it’ll end up on YouTube.

The girls naturally smile and wave as they walk past the barricades.

Then—

“The most dazzling!” “In the world!” “ !!”

A booming chorus of male voices erupts from behind the barricades.

Turning around, I spot a group of cheering fans in their 30s and 40s. Not many—just five or six.

Familiar faces.

They’re the dedicated fans I manage.

“Eunchae!!” “Sarang, my love!!”

Among them is our corporate department head, *”Love♡Forever”*. Dressed in a suit, he looks out of place here.

When our eyes meet, he gives a slight nod.

I’m grateful he came all this way.

No banners, but hearing even a small cheer like this in a sea of people helps.

It gives the impression that they’re not complete nobodies.

“Thank you~♡” “We love you, ~!”

The girls turn toward the voices, stopping to wave enthusiastically and strike poses.

“ , please come this way.”

Next is the press photo session. The members move to the spots marked with blue tape on the ground.

Click! Click!

They line up, and the cameras start flashing.

These photos will end up in daily newspapers and entertainment articles.

“Woooooah!! !!”

This time, another roar comes from a different direction.

I glance over—someone I’ve never seen before.

Messy clothes, an enormous body, glasses. He’s screaming without a care for those around him.

People nearby flinch and step away.

My expression twists involuntarily.

Having passionate fans is good, but sometimes… you get these so-called *ssamdeok* fans.

This guy is the textbook definition of an otaku, and it’s not a good look.

“Thank you~♡”

Still, the girls turn toward him, striking poses and throwing heart signs.

That’s professionalism.

I need to control my expression too.

If word gets out that a manager scowled at a fan, it’ll hurt our image.

Here, I have to stay composed as a manager…

“WOOOOOAHHH!!”

*Clang!*

The scream grows louder. The metal barricade collapses.

The otaku fan is charging toward us, howling.

“What the—?” “What’s happening?”

As chaos erupts, cameras immediately swing in our direction. Even fans who weren’t interested in start filming.

I have to stop this.

With hundreds of cameras rolling, if that pig lays a hand on the girls…

“What the hell?” “Ah—shit! Hey, grab him!”

Security guards from the broadcasting station rush forward.

But—

“WOOOOOAHHH!!”

The charging otaku’s massive frame is unstoppable.

“Guh—!”

A guard trying to grab his waist gets dragged along.

“Ugh!”

Another guard attempting to block him is thrown aside.

*Fuck. What kind of build is that?*

It’s like a bull charging.

Up close, his size is even more staggering. His weight looks equal to his height.

“Ah, damn it!”

Another guard tries to block him but gets knocked over. No one can stop this otaku.

“Girls! Get inside!”

Abandoning the photoshoot, I point toward the building entrance. Harin nods and immediately turns with the others.

“WOOOOOAHHH!! !! Don’t go!!” “Fuck. Crazy bastard…!”

Now, it’s just me.

I quickly step in front of him.

My body moves reflexively, but honestly, I doubt I can stop him.

Still, I can’t let him reach the girls. So—

I block his path, then suddenly drop low.

“WOOOO—Huh!?”

*Thud!*

I tackle his legs.

Staggering, his massive body crashes to the ground.

*Boom!*

With a deafening thud, the otaku collapses.

Click! Click!

Of course, hundreds of cameras flash at once.

The otaku writhes, making strange noises.

And me, panting heavily beside him—also caught on camera.

*Damn it.*

The worst-case scenario—an otaku assaulting the girls—was avoided, but a manager tackling a fan isn’t a good look either.

People would understand if they knew the full story… but some will just post the photos without context for clicks.

I’ll have to call the company for damage control.

“Sorry! We’ll head in first!”

Apologizing to the reporters, I quickly usher the girls inside.

The otaku will probably be escorted out. The two guards he knocked over are already dragging him away.

It’s settled for now… but I’m uneasy.

…Something feels off about today.

—

*

“What happened, Manager?”

Only after finishing the morning pre-recording could I finally meet the girls in the waiting room.

Explaining the situation to the station, contacting the company, persuading reporters not to run the story…

By the time I got back, the girls had already finished pre-recording and were resting.

“What do you mean?” “That person earlier.”

Harin approaches as soon as I enter. The others watch from the couch.

I sit across from them.

“The station kicked him out. I talked to the reporters, and the company said not to mention it.” “But so many people were filming… Will it be okay?” “Some leaks are inevitable… The company will release a statement soon. Don’t worry—it’s not our fault.” “I hope so… I don’t want more trouble.” “Why do we keep attracting creeps like this?” “Oppa, are you okay? You’re not hurt?” “I’m fine. I’m tougher than I look.” “You’re half that guy’s size. Even the guards got dragged around. If he’d actually gotten to us…” “Unnie, that’s terrifying.”

If he’d touched them… or if footage of it spread on social media…

Even if we’re the victims, it could be the end for .

We might get sympathy, but as a girl group, their career would be over.

The mood turns heavy.

I clap my hands to lighten it.

“Alright, enough of that. The pre-recording went well, right? The staff praised you.” “Really?” “Yeah. All that practice paid off. Now… We’ve got time before the afternoon rehearsal. Let’s eat and rest. What do you want?” “Sandwiches~!”

Sarang raises her hand immediately. The others don’t object, so sandwiches it is.

Luckily, a place delivers this early. I order—egg mayo, no pickles or olives (Sarang’s usual, no need to ask). No coffee (they need sleep), just bubble tea.

“Done. Order’s pl—”

“Zzz…”

Sarang and Se-ah are already dozing. Harin sits upright but nods off.

They must be exhausted.

Eunchae, though…

She’s glued to her phone again.

Watching shorts?

“You should rest too.” “…Huh? Manager?”

She quickly turns off the screen.

*What’s up with her?*

It’s rare to see Eunchae flustered.

*Knock knock knock.*

Someone’s at the door. I step out to check.

“Hello! We’re !”

A crowd of girls greets me.

, an 11-member rookie girl group that debuted recently. A monster rookie with 570,000 first-week sales—more than ’s entire discography combined.

…The comparison really drives home their popularity.

Their leader steps forward.

“Are you the manager? We heard sunbaenims are here and wanted to greet them. Would that be okay?” “Ah, a greeting?”

They’re here to pay respects.

Regardless of popularity, rookie groups visit seniors during breaks, exchange signed albums, and take photos.

used to do the same, running around until their feet ached. Now, they’re the ones being greeted.

Today, more groups are greeting than the other way around.

“Sure, come in.” “Thank you~!”

At my signal, the girls flood in.

Our members, as if they weren’t just sleeping, immediately stand to welcome them.

They must be tired, but it’s part of the job.

“Hello! Nice to meet you! We’re ! Please take care of us!”

Eleven girls bow deeply at 90 degrees. With so many of them and all so young, it’s quite a sight.

The leader presents their album.

Even their oldest member is the same age as our maknae, Se-ah.

Meaning the other ten are all minors.

I heard one’s even in middle school… What year is that? ’09? Insane.

Of course, we give them our signed albums too. We prepared hundreds in advance for this.

Though it’s the same exchange, treats us with more respect—but we’re the ones who seem less at ease.

They’re the famous rookies from a major company. We’re the fading group from a small one.

Facing reality, our girls still do their best—taking photos, filming short reels, and bonding.

If even one of their SNS posts tags #Sepia, it’s a win.

“Thank you, sunbaenims! We’re !”

After the chaos, the eleven girls file out.

Finally, a breather—

…Or so I thought. Someone else is at the door.

“Hello! We’re rookie group , here to greet sunbaenims!”

*Ah.*

The last people I wanted to see.

Se-ah’s eyes suddenly gleam.