episode_0043

#43

This feels disgusting.

“……That’s what they said.”

I thought it’d be something interesting since Hogu oppa* (*Translator’s note: “oppa” is how a younger female refers to an older male, often affectionate) rarely calls just me out alone, but…

He rambled on about stocks, company stuff, and the CEO, only to end up telling me to go on a date with some random uncle.

What the hell is this?

“Are you listening?” “Yeah, I’m listening.”

Ah. My bad. I accidentally took out my irritation on him.

Gotta fix my tone. First, deflect.

“……I thought it was something serious since you called just me out all of a sudden.” “Something serious?” “Like… Harin unnie* (*unnie = older sister, used by a younger female)…”

The moment Harin unnie’s name came up, Hogu oppa’s expression changed.

I knew it. Yeah. Hmm.

“Are you two dating?” “Yeah.”

Hogu oppa answered without hesitation.

I’d sensed something was off since yesterday, but it was still just speculation. Now that he’s outright confirmed it…

It’s a bit… unsettling.

But I shouldn’t let it show.

“Wow~. You answered right away? I thought you’d dodge it.” “Couldn’t hide it anyway. You probably already figured.” “Even if Enchae unnie and Sea didn’t say anything, everyone knows~. It’s impossible not to notice—Harin unnie might as well have hearts in her eyes.”

Hearts in her eyes.

Like she’s glued to him, aggressively declaring, “He’s mine now, don’t touch.”

Of course, since Harin unnie is kind, she’d never say it out loud, and professionally, she hasn’t changed much.

Right now… since this is about “work,” I can still be alone with Hogu oppa at the café.

Otherwise, Harin unnie would’ve given me one hell of a death glare.

But now that I have the chance, I might as well ask more.

“Who confessed first?” “…Harin did.”

“That’s genuinely surprising.”

Harin unnie made the first move… Hmm.

Did something change in her?

Normally, I wouldn’t have guessed she’d ever confess first.

If anything, I thought she’d do it after retiring from being an idol.

Because she’s that serious about activities.

Not that anyone in slacks off, but Harin unnie was especially intense.

And yet… she confesses in the middle of promotions?

Something major must’ve happened. No clue what, though.

Next question, then…

“How far have you gone?” “…What?”

Hogu oppa’s pupils shake.

“With Harin unnie. Huh? How far?” “……Not that far yet… Wait, why should I answer that?”

He’s flustered. So flustered.

Going by his reaction, they haven’t gone all the way. Hmm.

Should I push further?

“Have you kissed?”

His face turns bright red.

Cute.

“……Not yet.”

It’s not like they’re kids.

…Though hearing that does make me feel a little relieved—guess I’m childish too.

Still… Won’t be long now.

They’ve known each other for ages.

If that pretty Harin unnie pushes even slightly, this pushover* (*Hogu = idiot/pushover, a teasing nickname) will cave instantly.

Kinda pissed.

“Uh-huh~. Sure~. Whatever you say. Anyway, Harin unnie and you will be alone now, right? Total coincidence, right? Just luck, right? You hit the jackpot, right?” “…….”

…Silence means they were planning it for tomorrow.

Now I’m actually mad.

Enchae unnie went home. Sea’s hanging with friends.

Harin unnie and Hogu oppa are alone together…

And I have to go deal with some random uncle for whatever reason?

Just thinking about it boils my blood.

*Grrrr.*

“Oh? My yogurt’s here. Hold on~.”

Luckily, my alarm went off, so I quickly stood up.

If I’d stayed any longer, I’d have snapped at him.

Calm down.

Smile. Just smile.

I picked up the yogurt cup.

Bought by Hogu oppa.

When will I get to taste something like this again?

“This yogurt’s really good. You should get one too.”

I composed myself and sat back down naturally.

After that, we only talked about work.

Hogu oppa explained everything diligently, but I had zero recollection of who the guy was.

It’s not every day a 50-something shows up to fan meetings in a suit… but it’s not like our fans are few, and he wasn’t memorable enough for me to recall his face.

A 50-something uncle. Ugh, typical.

Why did my first date have to be… Wait, no. Not a date. It’s work. Work.

“…You get why this is happening, right? It’s not like a variety shoot or anything…” “Yeah, I know. Secret business arrangements, basically. Secret business that happens to look like a date. It’s *too* wholesome; kinda suspicious. I thought it’d be some shady hotel with some creepy old—” “Hey. People can hear.”

Hogu oppa frantically checked our surroundings.

I calmly took another spoonful of yogurt.

Being in this industry, you hear things.

Like how one member of *Girl Next Door* got kicked out after getting pregnant from a “patronage” arrangement.

Or the rumors about perverted parties where execs summon girl group members.

That music show PD from last time had a bad rep too… No wonder Harin unnie was worried.

Not that Hogu oppa being her boyfriend now makes much difference but…

Ah. Maybe that’s how they got together.

Hogu oppa protected her. And then…

And for me… It’s “go on a date with some uncle.”

Wow. This comparison makes it even more depressing.

Not that I haven’t gotten offers like this before… But I turned them all down because of someone.

“You might not know this, Hogu oppa, but I’ve gotten a few offers like this before.” “…What?”

…Oops. Said too much.

“Some guy promised ₩500K every time we met if I’d see him on weekends.”

Since we’re here, might as twist the knife.

Hogu oppa’s expression darkens instantly.

Hmm.

He *is* bothered?

“…Did you do it?”

The quiet question sends a tiny thrill through me.

“Nah~. Why would I? Me? With someone I don’t even like? I’m more of a romantic, you know.”

*A romantic.*

That’s what I really wanted to say.

Not that it matters now…

“I see…”

“Huh~? What? Oppa, are you jealous? Wow~. Even though you have Harin unnie.” “Why are you twisting it? I’m just worried as your manager.”

*As your manager.* Hmm.

That’s the line, huh?

I’m relieved I’m not completely discarded, but… At the same time, I feel an uncrossable wall.

Hogu oppa belongs to Harin unnie.

And I’m… just a coworker.

“If I disappear quickly, you and Harin unnie can have more alone time. Right?” “No, that’s not… Hey, it’s not like that.”

Annoyed, I start spouting nonsense.

“Oh, and. Don’t let accidents happen during promotions. Use condoms.”

*Pfft—!*

I finally made him spit out his coffee.

Cute.

Maybe I should just…

Maybe confess now?

Before tomorrow makes it official?

Today? Right now? Drag him somewhere and take him?

If I gave him my first… wouldn’t there be a chance?

Lost in thought, I absentmindedly called him.

“…Hogu oppa.” “Yeah?”

Looking at his face snaps me back to reality.

…This is ridiculous.

Hogu oppa isn’t some hopeless pushover.

And Harin unnie’s retaliation… Terrifying to imagine.

Guess I have to give up.

My first love.

But… what if?

If things change, maybe he’ll choose me then.

Until then.

“Treat Harin unnie well.”

Only until then.

***

The next day.

When I arrived at the promised location, I couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Nice to meet you, Sarang* (*Sarang = “love,” a stage name).” “…Yeah. Hello.”

I bowed slightly while scanning the man in front of me.

He’s supposed to be in his 50s. An uncle. Some obsessive uncle fan stalking me.

I expected a balding, sloppy-looking middle-aged man with a beer belly.

But—

Impeccable suit. Polished shoes. Clearly works out. His face isn’t youthful, but he probably made girls cry back in the day.

In short…

Not bad.

“Will you accept this first?” “Huh?”

A bouquet.

I take it. Smells nice.

“…Starting off like this?” “A welcoming gesture. You can leave it in my car.”

*Beep.*

The car behind him flashes as the locks disengage.

I don’t know much about cars, but… it’s a sleek yellow foreign coupe that *screams* expensive.

Since when do uncles drive coupes?

“You mentioned during a live broadcast once that you wanted to ride in a coupe like this?” …Did I?

“I rented the exact model from your photo.”

Guess he really is a diehard fan.

He remembers things even I don’t.

“Shall we?”

He opens the passenger door like a butler, bending slightly.

Passersby glance our way.

I’m wearing huge sunglasses and a hat, so they won’t recognize me… but attention feels nice.

“…Thank you.”

With his escort, I carefully step into the car.

*So this is luxury.*

Riding tinted vans all the time, I never knew.

*Thud.*

The door closes, and he returns to the driver’s seat.

The AC’s already on—perfect temperature, subtle diffuser scent.

…That scent. It’s the one I said I liked during debut.

“You haven’t eaten yet, right? I reserved a nice place.” “…Yeah. Thanks.”

Please don’t tell me it’s some meat-and-rice soup joint.

A glance at the nav shows a foreign-name restaurant I’ve never seen before. Near our salon… meaning Cheongdam*. (*Affluent district in Seoul)

Kinda irritating.

I wanted to do this with *him*.

Right now… he’s probably with Harin unnie…

The thought makes me sick.

Focus on work.

I’m stuck with this guy today anyway.

“Sarang. I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Hansu, one of your fans.”

Fan service. It’s just fan service.