LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 7
Episode 7
As the final person in charge of the project, Cheon Jong-hoon felt a shiver run down his spine, almost as if his hair was standing on end.
It was because of the words from the other side of the call, claiming to be the late trot singer Seong-hoon’s manager.
“Well, it’s possible that a trainee might not have participated in the rehearsal due to sick leave or personal circumstances. But I can’t imagine that the perfectionist Team Leader Cheon would choose a trainee struggling with their condition in such a casual rehearsal.”
“…”
“The team color naturally inferred itself, as there’s a lot of interest in the album you’re involved with, Team Leader Cheon. I’m a fan of yours, you see.”
What he was aiming for in the girl group was, at the very least, a point he could concede to—after all, it’s possible that what he pursued unconsciously permeated the entire work.
However, the fact that this guy had definitively pinned down four members from among countless trainees to be exactly the same as him was something he could absolutely not accept.
After all, he had only finalized those four yesterday.
Naturally, doubts about deception crept into Cheon Jong-hoon’s mind.
He also thought that a malicious prank might be at play to make him look foolish.
But that didn’t mean he could deny reality.
“I only confirmed the four members in my head. I haven’t announced it anywhere else. There shouldn’t be any chance of leakage.”
“So that means, that punk who claimed to be Seong-hoon’s manager reached the same conclusion as I did—having just caught a glimpse while filming a YouTube video and dissecting the trainees like a lab rat.”
Cheon Jong-hoon shuddered at that nonsensical insight.
“Well, it wouldn’t be a waste of time then.”
That one remark was a pure compliment that broke through his arrogant pride.
Cheon Jong-hoon felt embarrassed that he found awe in the achievements of an unknown rookie in the industry.
Considering he had a clear pride in being one of the top talents in the business, this feeling intensified.
Thus, he spoke again, more aggressively and sharply.
“You might not have known, so let me give you a warning: this number is very personal. Naturally, it’s only been shared with people who won’t leak it.”
Like a beast baring its teeth, Cheon Jong-hoon opened his mouth.
“I’ve never lost that conviction up until now. But if something like this happens again, I’ll think you’re the one who leaked it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. In six days, I can spare about 10 minutes at 5 AM. Let’s meet then in SS’s C-3 practice room. If you mention my name, you’ll be let in.”
“Thank you very much for making time for me.”
“Thank you.”
“I hope it will be a worthwhile price for my time. If I’m disappointed, I’ll look for that price elsewhere.”
“Shall I send you the trainee’s information?”
That one line felt like a provocation to Cheon Jong-hoon.
It was as if they were saying, ‘You need these guidelines to recognize value, right?’
“I don’t need it. I judge only what I see with my own eyes.”
Cheon Jong-hoon hung up the phone before even hearing the other person’s response.
Talk about cheap pride!
His pride was clearly cracked if he had to resort to such pathetic behavior.
“Alright, let’s see what kind of well-regarded trainee you’ll introduce with your ‘great’ insight.”
*
…No, I should have at least heard what the price was before cutting the call.
When Cheon Jong-hoon abruptly hung up, I was flustered.
I hadn’t even mentioned what I wanted in return for introducing Gyeoul yet.
There’s no way this guy thinks merely letting a trainee in SS is a grand favor, right?
If he does, we’re in big trouble.
This all risks turning into unpaid labor!
It’s only meaningful to suffer through this if I get something in return, right?
Should I awkwardly call back to get a clear answer on the price? I was seriously contemplating it when Gyeoul asked.
“…What happened?”
“Team Leader Cheon Jong-hoon says to meet in SS’s C-3 practice room in six days. If you don’t act like a total fool then, you’ll probably get accepted. Congrats, buddy.”
SS pulls in trainees from around the world once every few years after a grueling three-part audition for their global auditions.
Every time they make a move, it leaves a mark on the entertainment industry like a gigantic dinosaur, so getting an opportunity like this is extremely rare.
And this rare opportunity has a higher chance of acceptance than the regular route that requires passing through paperwork, three genre-specific dances, three genre-specific songs, camera tests, personality tests, and a short training process.
Gyeoul has landed a fantastic opportunity.
And whether Gyeoul realized this value or not, upon hearing my words, she buried her head in my chest and started bouncing around like a goat unable to contain its joy.
Seeing her like this made me feel positively that everything would somehow be okay.
Isn’t it funny how even when life seems to roll off course, a way to survive somehow appears?
Cheon Jong-hoon might be prideful to a fault, but he certainly won’t keep his mouth shut about the details.
It would be.
Given that we were close enough to know each other’s personal phone numbers, I could be sure.
Surely, a small request to introduce me to a job would be granted.
Therefore, it seemed okay to mention it after showing a good appearance on the day.
“Whaaaah! Thank you!”
“Yeah, yeah, I got it, so calm down now.”
After pulling away the clinging Gyeoul, I handed her a tissue I had brought just in case, and Gyeoul wiped her tears as if she had been waiting for it.
“Are you okay now?”
“…Yes.”
“Alright, you’ve been through a lot. Now go home and rest. When you come back to Seoul in 5 days, I’ll show you around.”
Gyeoul nodded vigorously as if the wind would make her head spin.
Then she hesitated, as if she still had something to say.
“…Um.”
“Yeah? What? Should I give you a ride to the station?”
“No, that’s not it… So, um.”
Her eyes spun around, and her cheeks turned bright red.
Her hands trembled nervously, and her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.
What on earth was she hesitating to say?
“What is it? Did something go wrong again? You’ve already shown me enough of your ugly side, so just say it. I might be able to help.”
Until she tried to make a deal using Gyeoul, her issues weren’t just her own.
What if she suddenly got sick and bailed on the talk with Cheon Jong-hoon?
Then I’d just be screwed.
So, if it was within reason, I was willing to take care of her for the next 6 days.
“Um… then can I stay for just 6 days?”
“Just go home already!”
I had expected her to just ask to borrow 50,000 won more, and it felt like I had been slapped out of nowhere.
I keep forgetting, but you and I only met yesterday.
“Why do you want to sleep at my place when there’s a warm meal at home?”
“…I don’t want to see Yeji before the audition.”
Gyeoul said in her area, there was only one training center, so if she wanted to practice, she would inevitably run into Yeji.
Even if she didn’t go to the training center, she had lived her daily life with Yeji in a small town, so she would surely bump into her somehow.
And Gyeoul said talking to Yeji might crush her feelings.
After all, she had set out on this journey to be with Yeji, so she said she might end up giving up on the audition.
She laments that she’s a weak person because of it.
What a loser of a thought.
But I couldn’t say I didn’t understand it at all.
“I know your sister feels repulsed. I know my actions are a great nuisance. But if you’d allow me, I would like a chance to grovel to her.”
“I know you’re feeling uncomfortable. I get that my actions are a huge nuisance. But if you could, I’d like a chance to beg that person on my knees.”
Gyeoul bowed her head.
“If I lose this opportunity, I feel like I’ll go back to who I was… weak, clueless, and useless.”
It seemed that Gyeoul needed a trigger to step forward in her life.
A catalyst to take that first step.
And it seems that catalyst is me right now.
As I pondered what to do while staring off into the distance, Gyeoul suddenly grabbed my pants leg and started clinging to me.
“But you said you’d help me! Just like you said, I have no one to help me! I’m all alone! I don’t have any connections! Loser, pathetic, a total nerd, lonely, vermin!”
“You already used that repertoire!”
“I’ve already helped enough!”
“But you said it was okay to ask for more help!”
“And you also said if someone becomes a burden, I can just refuse! I’m feeling really burdened right now. So I’m going to refuse. Let go of my hand, Ms. Gyeoul!”
“Since you’ve already helped, just a little more, please! I’ll never forget this kindness!”
“Letting go and going our separate ways is how you repay that kindness, Ms. Gyeoul!”
While I was trying to shake Gyeoul off, I realized that people around us were buzzing and watching this whole scene unfold.
A minor in a school uniform is kneeling and crying to some old man outside a motel.
A situation ripe for countless reports.
“Wait, I get it, just let go and get up and do this somewhere else!”
“If I let go, you’ll run away! You’ll change numbers and ghost me!”
“I won’t change my number! I won’t ghost you! Just let me go for now!”
A convenience store part-timer began making a call with a look of disgust.
Probably calling the police to report illegal activities or something.
Gyeoul, seemingly oblivious to how tangled the situation was, clung onto my pants like a koala.
With all the suspicious gazes pouring in, it was getting hard to think rationally, so I blurted out, “I’ll beg my older sister! Maybe that’ll work!”
As soon as the words left my mouth, Gyeoul let go of her koala grip and cautiously said, “…Thank you. I’ll never forget this kindness.”
At this point, I don’t even know anymore…