Episode 7

Cheon Jonghoon, the final producer of the project and in charge of creating his first girl group, felt his hair stand on end.

It was because of the remarks from the person on the other end of the call, who claimed to be the manager of the late trot singer Seonghwan.

“Well, there might have been trainees who couldn’t participate in practice that day due to illness or personal reasons. But I didn’t think perfectionist Team Leader Cheon would choose a trainee who shows poor condition just for practice.”

“…”

“I inferred the team’s color because I’m very interested in the albums you’ve been involved in. I’m a fan of yours, Team Leader Cheon.”

He could begrudgingly accept that someone might guess the color of the girl group he envisioned.

He might have unconsciously let his preferences seep into the entire project.

But it was impossible to understand how someone could have perfectly selected the four members from numerous trainees just as he had.

After all, he had only finalized those four members yesterday.

Naturally, Cheon Jonghoon suspected foul play.

He even thought someone was playing a malicious prank on him.

But he couldn’t deny reality.

‘The final selection of the four members was only in my head. It hasn’t been announced anywhere. There’s no possibility of a leak.’

‘So that guy who claims to be Seonghwan’s manager must have come to the same conclusion as me just by briefly observing during the YouTube shoot.’

Cheon Jonghoon shuddered at such an incredible insight.

“…It won’t be a waste of time.”

That one sentence was pure praise that pierced through his arrogant pride.

Cheon Jonghoon felt ashamed that he felt awe for the achievements of an unknown rookie.

It was even more so because he had a clear pride in being one of the top talents in the industry.

Thus, he spoke in a more aggressive and sharp tone.

“You might not know this, so let me warn you. This number is very private. Only people who have no reason to spread it were given this number.”

Cheon Jonghoon spoke as if baring his teeth like a predator.

“Until now, I’ve never doubted that. But now, if something like this happens again, I’ll think you spread it.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Alright, six days from now. I can spare about ten minutes at 5 a.m. Then, at SS’s C-3 practice room, if you mention my name, you’ll be allowed in.”

“Thank you so much for making time.”

“…I hope it’s worth my time. If I’m disappointed, I’ll look for compensation elsewhere.”

“Should I send you the trainee’s profile?”

To Cheon Jonghoon, that one sentence felt like a provocation.

As if it meant, ‘You need this kind of guideline to see the value, don’t you?’

“No need. I only evaluate those I see with my own eyes.”

Cheon Jonghoon hung up before hearing the other person’s reply.

It was a cheap way to save his pride.

His pride was clearly cracked to the point that he had to resort to such lowly actions.

“Alright, let’s see that trainee you’re so confident about.”

…No, you should listen to the compensation first before hanging up.

I was flustered when Cheon Jonghoon abruptly hung up.

I hadn’t even told him what I wanted in return for introducing Gyeoul.

Surely he didn’t think that just accepting a trainee into SS was enough of a favor?

If he thought that way, it would be very troublesome.

All this would turn into unpaid labor in an instant.

There had to be something in it for me to make all this trouble worthwhile.

I was seriously considering calling back to get a clear answer on the compensation, even if it seemed a bit desperate, when Gyeoul asked.

“…How did it go?”

“Team Leader Cheon Jonghoon said to meet at SS’s C-3 practice room in six days. As long as you don’t mess up too badly, he’ll probably accept you. SS doesn’t recruit often, so congratulations.”

SS holds global auditions in three stages and recruits trainees from all over the world only once every few years.

As a giant corporation that leaves a mark on the entertainment industry every time it moves, providing such an opportunity was very unusual.

And this unusual opportunity had a higher chance of acceptance compared to the regular route, which required passing documents, three genre dances, three genre songs, camera tests, personality tests, and short-term training courses.

Gyeoul had gotten a very good opportunity.

Gyeoul, realizing the value of this opportunity, jumped up and down, hugging me with her head buried in my chest.

She was like a kid goat, unable to contain her joy, and it was strange.

Seeing her made me feel positive that everything would somehow work out.

Even if life seemed to be rolling downhill like this, wasn’t there always a way out?

Cheon Jonghoon was someone with strong pride, but he wouldn’t just brush this off.

I was confident because we were close enough in the previous round to know his private phone number.

A small favor like introducing me to a job should be granted easily.

So it should be fine to mention it after showing a good performance that day.

“Haaang! Thank you!”

“Alright, alright, I get it. Now calm down.”

After prying Gyeoul off me, I handed her the tissue I had brought just in case, and she wiped her tears as if she had been waiting for it.

“Calmed down?”

“…Yes.”

“Alright, you’ve been through a lot. Now go home and rest well. Come back to Seoul in five days, and I’ll guide you.”

Gyeoul nodded her head vigorously, as if it would make a whistling sound.

Then she hesitated, as if she had something more to say.

“…Um.”

“Yeah? Why? Do you need a ride to the station?”

“No, not that; it’s just…”

Gyeoul’s eyes were swirling, and her cheeks turned bright red.

Her hands were trembling, and her mouth opened and closed as if she was about to speak.

What on earth was she trying to say, taking so long?

“What’s wrong? Something else went wrong? You’ve already shown a lot of embarrassing sides; just say it. I might be able to help.”

Until I could use Gyeoul to strike a deal with Cheon Jonghoon, her problems weren’t just her own.

If she suddenly claimed to be sick and missed the meeting with Cheon Jonghoon, what then?

I’d be screwed.

So, I was willing to take care of her for the next six days, as long as it wasn’t too much.

“Th-then, let me stay for six days!”

“Just go home!”

I expected her to ask for just another fifty thousand won, but it felt like I’d been slapped unexpectedly.

She kept forgetting, but she and I just met yesterday.

“Why ask me to let you stay when you have a home with hot meals?”

“I don’t want to see Yeji until after the audition.”

In the region where Gyeoul lived, there was only one training center, so she would inevitably run into Yeji if she went to practice.

Even if she didn’t practice at the training center, she would somehow run into Yeji in their small town.

And Gyeoul said that if she saw and talked to Yeji, her resolve would weaken.

Since she started this journey to be with Yeji, she might even give up on the audition.

She said this self-deprecatingly, calling herself weak.

It was truly a pathetic thought.

But I could understand it.

“I know your sister will feel uncomfortable. I know my actions are a huge imposition. But if you could let me stay, I would be grateful.”

Gyeoul bowed her head.

“If I lose you now, I think I’ll go back to my old self… Useless, always looking over my shoulder, worthless.”

Gyeoul, who had lived a passive life, seemed to need a turning point.

A reason to take a step forward.

And it seemed that reason was me, for now.

As I pondered what to do, looking off into the distance, Gyeoul suddenly grabbed my pants and clung to me.

“You said you’d be the one to help! You said I had no one to help me! I’m alone! No friends! I’m a loser, a wimp, a pathetic, lonely loser!”

You already used that line.

“I’ve already helped you enough!”

“You said it was okay to ask for help!”

“And I also said I’d refuse if it was too much! I’m really burdened right now. So, I’m going to refuse. Let go of my hand, Han Gyeoul!”

“Since you’ve already helped, just a little more! I won’t forget this favor!”

“Letting go now and going our separate ways is how you repay the favor, Han Gyeoul!”

While I was trying to shake off Gyeoul, I realized that people around us were murmuring and watching our scene.

A minor in a school uniform kneeling and clinging to an older man in front of a motel, crying.

It was a situation ripe for a flood of reports.

“Wait, okay, let’s stop this and move somewhere else first!”

“If I let go, you’ll run away! You’ll change your number and ghost me.”

“I won’t change my number! I won’t ghost you! Just let go for now!”

A convenience store clerk started making a call with a disgusted look on her face.

She was probably calling the police to report something like illegal prostitution.

Gyeoul clung to my pants like a koala, seemingly unaware of how much worse the situation was getting.

Overwhelmed by the hostile stares around me, making it hard to think rationally, I said impulsively.

“I’ll beg my sister! If we beg together, it might work!”

As soon as I said that, Gyeoul let go and looked at me nervously.

“…Thank you. I will never forget this favor.”

I don’t know anymore…