episode_0145

# 145

My entire body is trembling uncontrollably. I can’t breathe properly. My vision shakes, making it hard to see ahead.

Harin should have nothing to do with me anymore. We should just be an idol and a manager—nothing more.

So why is my heart pounding like this?

“Manager Jeon. Life is~ precious, you know? Huh? Maybe it’s because I’m divorced with multiple kids from different marriages? I can’t even remember what number this one is. Doesn’t matter.”

Park Dong-chul blathered nonsense while rubbing Harin’s stomach. I couldn’t even process his words properly. All I could do was grip my trembling hands tightly, as if they might give out at any moment.

“When I first brought up Queen of Idols, I made Harin a lot of offers. Were you not around back then? Must’ve been. Because this was Harin’s own choice.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Harin. Harin ended up…

I had already sensed it that day—no, maybe even before then. From the moment Harin allowed that bastard to finish inside her, I felt this unease.

An idol and pregnancy. Two words that should never be forced together. I begged fate not to let them intertwine.

“Harin agreed to everything—literally anything—so I tested the limits. Pushed it as far as I could. And guess what? She accepted it all. Honestly, even I was surprised.”

“…….”

“Getting sidetracked. Shall we talk business?”

“…?”

He says Harin got pregnant, and calls that the *preface*? Does that mean there’s more?

“Actually, I’ve been keeping this a secret from you, Manager Jeon—Harin and I have a contract regarding .”

“…What?”

“If wins Queen of Idols—no matter what happens—they’ll get a redebut as first place.”

“Ah…”

“Remember those practice footage shoots and interviews we did for each agency? Yeah, those were exclusively for . We skipped the others.”

“Why?”

“Because no other group agreed to my terms except . So we decided to push them. The editing’s already favoring them.”

“Are you saying…”

“Everything—is scripted. Dumbass viewers might think it’s real, though.”

“…….”

“Anyway, congrats, Manager Jeon. You got exactly what you wanted. is becoming the ‘Queen of Idols.’ The show hasn’t even started airing yet, but the decision’s been made. No point delaying.”

Park Dong-chul pulled out a file from his briefcase. Inside was a neatly organized contract.

“If they’re gonna start promotions right after the show, we gotta prep contracts now. It’s a tight schedule. We haven’t even aired yet, but brands are already lining up for ad deals. Doesn’t matter who ‘wins’—they just want our show’s clout.”

Of course.

Even long after Season 1 ended, the winning group, , still had immense popularity.

Compared to , the hottest teen group right now, the show’s influence was undeniable.

Which was why so many groups were desperate. And why so many were willing to do anything.

But none of them—none—went as far as Harin.

“Right now, is basically confirmed winners pretending to compete. How amazing is that? And who do you think made it possible?”

“…Producer-nim?”

“Nah, nah. It’s all thanks to Harin. Heh heh…”

He patted Harin’s shoulder again, stroking her stomach.

“She agreed to carry my child in exchange for this decision.”

Ah.

Something in my head snapped.

What? I couldn’t understand.

That day—had Harin not just succumbed to lust and taken Dong-chul’s seed?

I never imagined… there was a deal behind it.

“Oops. Hold on.”

Dong-chul fumbled for his phone.

“My VIPs are calling. Must be some issue. You two chat. I’ll wrap this up quick.”

“Ah—!”

I reached out to stop him, but Dong-chul swiftly left the lounge. Only Harin and I remained, the contract still on the table.

“…….” “…….”

Harin stared at me silently. I didn’t know what to say either.

I turned my head to read the contract.

A few phrases stood out immediately:

– (hereinafter referred to as “Party B”) hereby transfers all management rights to YBC Entertainment, a subsidiary of YBC (hereinafter referred to as “Party A”), effective immediately upon signing.

– Party B’s existing contract with its former agency shall be nullified.

– All managerial duties of Party B shall be assumed by employees of YBC Entertainment, and Party B’s current staff shall facilitate the handover.

– Party B’s stage name and existing music catalog shall remain unchanged. However, future concepts and external activities may be adjusted via mutual agreement.

“…….”

After reading, I was speechless.

In short—it was a contract demanding we hand over because they could “do better.”

“Manager.”

Harin’s voice made me set the contract down. It had been so long since we spoke like this—just the two of us.

“…It’s been a while since we talked like this.”

“Yeah.”

“…You must be shocked.”

I nodded silently.

“Is it true?”

“Huh?”

“What Park Dong-chul said. Is it true?”

Harin hesitated, swallowing hard before answering.

“…Yes.”

“Why?”

“What?”

“Why… did you accept that?”

“…….”

Harin bit her lip.

“Did he coax you? ‘I’ll pick if you get pregnant’?”

“…Yes.”

“He promised… to treat well if you bore his child?”

“…That’s right.”

“Why the hell would you—”

“…….”

“You *know*. Harin. You’re an idol. An idol, damn it!”

“This was the only way.”

“…What?”

“The only way… for to survive.”

“What nonsense is that?! No matter how desperate—!”

“They were originally planning to pick another group. For this show.”

“Ah…”

I hadn’t even heard about this.

“The producer told me.”

She didn’t want to talk to Dong-chul about it.

“There were so many desperate groups… Some even brought their moms and sisters to meet the sponsors.”

I couldn’t speak.

How many kids had offered themselves up, clinging to this thread of hope? I couldn’t even fathom.

“We tried hard with the sponsors too… but so did everyone else.”

“I… guess.”

“Even if they praised us outwardly… unless we did something insane like selling out our families, we never stood a chance.”

“…….”

Would Harin sacrifice family for success?

No. She wasn’t that kind of person.

So instead—she sacrificed *herself*.

“I didn’t want to just be background props. Manager. This might… be our last chance.”

“Harin.”

“This was the only way to push ahead of the others.”

“…….”

“I’m sorry, Manager.”

“…”

I had nothing to say.

So she did it… for the group?

“Then…”

“Yes?”

“It wasn’t because you loved him? Because you wanted his child?”

“…”

“Answer me, Harin. That’s it, right?”

“Manager. Do you still have feelings for me?”

“…”

“You do, a little.”

No.

I have Sarang.

Sarang is my only—

“You know it’s too late now, right?”

“Ugh…”

“No matter how much you cling to me in your heart, you can never have me.”

I know.

With my charm, my skills— With my *worthless dick*—I could never have Harin.

“Because you’re just a pervert who gets off on pushing the girl you like into another man’s room and eavesdropping, right?”

“…….”

Harin’s mocking laugh.

My fists clenched, but I couldn’t defend myself.

Because… it was true.

“Compared to a creep like you… Of course I’d prefer someone who cherishes me and can make shine brighter. Right?”

“But still… why pregnancy…?”

“I told you. To make sure gets picked.”

Harin tapped the contract lightly.

“That way… I can stay by the producer’s side.”