Episode 51

“…You’re not doing this because someone told you to, right?”

“I assure you, it is purely for Jin Yeoreum.”

“…Huh, well.”

I expressed my genuine feelings.

“You are assisting an extraordinary person.”

Seok Hyun-woo said proudly.

“Yes, she is an amazing person. Even if she had chosen a path other than rhythmic gymnastics, Jin Yeoreum would have surely excelled.”

“…But she’s still a child.”

“…That’s right. That’s why I’m concerned.”

No matter how strong-willed she was, Jin Yeoreum was still just a child.

Immature, fragile, and in need of protection.

She was living through an unstable period, trying to harden her resolve.

“I understand why you said encouragement is needed. You want to give Jin Yeoreum proof that public opinion will change.”

If we showed that one person’s opinion had changed, it would be a great support for Jin Yeoreum.

Especially if that person was an agency employee.

Because she would then believe her efforts had meaning.

“Yes, even if she doesn’t show it, Jin Yeoreum’s heart must be wavering. The path she wants to walk is like navigating a vast ocean without a map.”

“Do you think my scouting offer can be that map for her?”

Seok Hyun-woo nodded and said,

“Yes, if someone like you, who has to consider public opinion and image more than anyone else, scouts her, it will give Jin Yeoreum great reassurance.”

In the end, the reason Seok Hyun-woo was spending a fortune and using his connections to make me act was for the peace of mind of one person.

In the car on the way back, Han Gyeoul, who had been silent, spoke.

“Taeyang Ssam.”

“…Yes?”

“Does scouting Yeoreum have to be just an act?”

Checking the mirror, I saw Han Gyeoul looking at me.

I asked while paying attention to safe driving.

“…Why, do you want to have her join us?”

“Yes, I think it would be good to be together. It might seem like a hasty judgment because I haven’t seen her much, but I want to say it. The Yeoreum I saw was a really good person.”

Han Gyeoul added in a small voice,

“…Like you, Taeyang Ssam.”

Han Gyeoul, who said that, was smiling brightly at me.

Without realizing it, I had grown fond of her and wanted to grant her request.

But this was an impossible story.

“Yeoreum will definitely refuse. Whether it’s an act or a genuine offer, the result will be the same.”

“Then what if Yeoreum accepts?”

Han Gyeoul continued as if she didn’t want to give up hope.

“If Manager Seok’s words are true and Yeoreum didn’t actually do anything wrong, wouldn’t it be okay for her to be an idol with us?”

“Even if we believe that, the world won’t see it that way.”

Jinkang, with its powerful capital and manpower, had already tried and failed to inform the public that Jin Yeoreum was a victim.

Reversing firmly established negative public opinion was that difficult.

I had no confidence that I could do it.

Moreover, people were not favorable towards the title of third-generation chaebol.

If the word doping was involved, no one would believe it was just a suspicion.

“If we really recruit her and include her in the idol group, it will cause a huge controversy. I don’t have the confidence to endure and succeed through that.”

The precious gems named Gyeoul and Gaeul might get swept away and buried by that huge wave.

That was truly terrifying.

There was no reason to take such a risk.

“I want to make you and Gaeul the best idols. And recruiting Yeoreum would be an obstacle to that goal. Does that answer your question?”

“…Yes.”

Han Gyeoul looked extremely discouraged.

Seeing her slumped in the passenger seat evoked sympathy in me.

Seeing her like that, I wondered if I should have lied and said I’d think about it positively.

Anyway, it was certain that Jin Yeoreum would refuse.

After making my decision, I spoke.

“Gyeoul?”

“…Yes?”

“If, by any chance, really just if, Jin Yeoreum accepts my scouting offer, I will consider your opinion the most important.”

“…Taeyang Ssam!”

Han Gyeoul, moved, smiled brightly, and tried to hug me.

“Gyeoul! I’m driving! I’m driving!”

“Eek! Sorry!”

Anyway, it was nice to see her smiling.

Two days later, after finishing work at the company, I returned to the previous orphanage.

This time, I brought Gaeul instead of Gyeoul.

Gaeul, sitting in the passenger seat, seemed extremely excited about this night shift and said,

“Volunteering for the kids sounds really fulfilling!”

“Um… Gaeul, it might be a little different from what you’re thinking.”

I recalled how, last time, I barely saw the kids and ended up cleaning the bathroom endlessly.

Surely, they wouldn’t make me clean the bathroom twice, right?

I cleaned it thoroughly last time.

I shared that experience with Gaeul.

“I’m confident! Actually, cleaning bathrooms is my specialty!”

It seemed like both Gyeoul and I, and now Gaeul, all had a knack for cleaning bathrooms.

Even if our idol careers fail, we wouldn’t starve if we started a cleaning business.

“I’ve even done part-time work cleaning bathrooms! Even when I worked in the kitchen, I always cleaned the bathroom.”

Indeed, she had the experience of doing four part-time jobs a day.

“Wow, that’s reassuring.”

“Hehe, cleaning, laundry, cooking, I’m confident in all household chores!”

Gaeul, blushing, looked down at the floor and fiddled with her fingers as she spoke.

“…If you need me, you can call me to your house anytime, Taeyang Oppa.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m confident in household chores, too.”

Gaeul seemed quite confident, but I also had pride in household chores.

“Just as my sister has been the breadwinner of the house and earned money early on, I’ve been in charge of all the household chores since long ago. I’m not clumsy enough to leave it to someone else.”

“…I see.”

Gaeul’s response seemed somewhat disappointed.

Huh? Did I say something strange?

…Oh, maybe she said that because she wanted to see Gahyeon?

Wow… I really have no sense. How did I not catch that and instead boast about my household skills?

How pathetic is an adult who feels competitive with a 17-year-old over household chores?

Reflecting on my lack of awareness and immature attitude, I spoke to her.

“Gaeul, you can come to my house comfortably even without such a reason…”

Gaeul, without any intention of listening to my words, was muttering something with her head down.

“If I earn money, I can be a full-time housewife.., no, rather, since I can keep Taeyang Oppa at home…”

“…Gaeul?”

Gaeul kept muttering as if lost in deep thought.

Sometimes she made a ‘hehehe’ sound and laughed a little sneakily, as if she had come up with a good idea.

Thinking she might have something deep to ponder, I just left her alone.

It wasn’t scary.

…No, really.

This volunteer activity proceeded more easily than expected.

The pure labor time, so-called effort volunteer work, was extremely short compared to the bathroom cleaning last time.

The rest of the time was filled with educational volunteering, that is, playing with the kids.

It seemed Jin Yeoreum had considered us.

I gathered the middle school kids and taught them math and English in a group tutoring style.

I was comfortable teaching English because I was proficient enough to have free conversations with native speakers when I was pursuing international activities.

Middle school math wasn’t particularly difficult for me, and I had reviewed it for this situation, so teaching it wasn’t a problem.

“Oh, you’re quite good, Ajusshi.”

“Thanks for the compliment. But Hayul, don’t look at the answer sheet while I’m not looking.”

“…Too bad.”

Gaeul was teaching guitar to five kids.

At first, she seemed to be teaching them the chords step by step. But now, it had turned into a concert appreciating Gaeul’s guitar playing.

“Unnie! Unnie! Play ‘Eye Contact’ next!”

“Hey, no! I asked for ‘Blue Whale’ first!”

“Who listens to a song over 20 years old?!”

“…I can tolerate insults against me, but I can’t let go of insults against ‘Blue Whale.’”

Gaeul, sweating profusely, tried to stop the quarreling kids.

“…Guys, I’ll play all the songs, so listen nicely!”

It seemed granting the request to play a demonstration once was the root of the trouble. Gaeul was sweating from the kids’ overwhelming response.

Hang in there, Gaeul.

Time passed while we were dealing with the kids.

Anyway, the educational volunteering was successfully completed.

“Team Leader Seon, please do what we discussed before.”

“The scouting, right? Yes, I’ll do it right now.”

“What? Taeyang Oppa, are you scouting Yeoreum?”

“Yes, I’m about to do it now.”

“Now?”

I faced Jin Yeoreum in a corner hallway, with Seok Hyun-woo blending into the shadows, showing perfect stealth, and Gaeul awkwardly hiding two-thirds of her body as if she thought she was concealed.

“You said you had something to say?”

Finally, this moment had come.

Although I agreed to do it, I was reluctant about the situation of scouting someone so publicly disliked.

“…Yes, I have something to say.”

“Then, please speak freely.”

Seeing Jin Yeoreum treating this situation nonchalantly, I steeled myself.

Right, it was certain that she’d refuse anyway.

I should take this opportunity to expose Gaeul and Gyeoul, who hadn’t even debuted yet, as models with just one word.

Matching Jin Yeoreum’s calm demeanor, I also spoke lightly, as if it were no big deal.

“Would you consider joining TwoBear Entertainment?”

At my words, Jin Yeoreum slightly furrowed her brow and asked,

“…What do you mean by that?”

“I would like you to participate as a member of the girl group planned by TwoBear Entertainment.”

Jin Yeoreum answered immediately, without even taking a moment to consider.

“Alright. Let’s give it a try.”

“Haha, that’s unfortunate. It’s really a pity, but I… excuse me?”

…Were my ears broken? It felt like I heard an answer that I could never expect.

Jin Yeoreum’s single sentence pulled my confused mind back to reality.

“I’ll become an idol.”

“….”

Looking at Jin Yeoreum, who was seriously extending her hand for a handshake, I thought,

I’m screwed.