Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Something Only I Can Do
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“They called it a small studio...”
It was definitely described as a small studio when they gave me the address, but it was nothing of the sort.
A building about four stories tall.
The first floor was an ordinary convenience store, but it looked like floors two through four were the studio.
Yeon Agency...
The massive sign reading “Yeon Agency” plastered across floors two to four made it crystal clear.
Seeing a building like this made the box of cookies in my hand feel downright shabby.
I wonder if she'll like them.
A box of handmade cookies from the highest-rated place around.
I hoped she'd enjoy them.
Feeling a twinge of worry, I rode the elevator up to the second floor.
When I stepped out onto the second floor, there was a large glass door.
I cautiously pushed it open and went inside.
This place is amazing...
A huge lobby stretched out before me at first glance.
Everything was white, almost blindingly bright.
“Um... are you the new model?”
I'd been slowly taking in the lobby when a staff member appeared out of nowhere and asked.
I shook my head at the employee's question.
“No. I'm here to see Yeon-a unnie... I mean, Yoo Yeon-a.”
The president? Just a moment. She's in the middle of a shoot right now, so I'll check with her directly.”
With that, the employee scurried off somewhere.
They even have staff like this... it really is a big operation.
Well, that explained the platinum card at the department store.
I turned my gaze back to the interior while thinking that.
Furniture and wallpaper all coordinated in white.
It wasn't just slapped on plain white.
The wallpaper had various patterns, and the furniture used accent colors to add warmth without disrupting the overall vibe.
As I wandered a bit, I spotted a display case taking up an entire wall.
So many photos...
Pictures of people who seemed to be under this agency.
Every single one was tall and slender.
Modeling isn't for just anyone, huh.
I'd never thought it was a job anyone could do, but seeing this drove the point home even more.
Beneath each model's photo hung items boasting their careers.
Trophies and awards.
Even listings of TV appearances.
These folks are seriously successful...
I knew next to nothing about modeling, let alone the industry's ecosystem, but even I could tell this place was impressive.
It's so different from how I pictured her.
It was fascinating how this contrasted with the Yoo Yeon-a I'd seen so far.
As I was looking around the lobby, the staff member who'd dashed off earlier returned to guide me.
“This way, please.”
Heading deeper into the building from the lobby brought me to a staircase.
Climbing it led to another large door blocking the way.
This time, I pulled it open.
There was the massive studio, and right in a spot with a full view of it sat Yoo Yeon-a.
“Oh... hello.”
All eyes turned to me in an instant, so I gave an awkward bow.
“Yeon-bi! You're here!”
She jumped up from her seat with a delighted smile and rushed over.
I nearly dropped the cookies in surprise as she suddenly hugged me.
Was she always this expressive?
Maybe it's because she was happy to see a friend from work.
You do get excited seeing close friends at the office.
Of course, guys don't hug it out while mocking each other to keep grinding.
That'd be insane.
Anyway, it felt refreshingly novel as I handed her the cookie box.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “You planning to eat them all by yourself?”
“I can't stop snacking.”
Yoo Yeon-a was munching away like a squirrel.
I chuckled at the sight and sat in the chair beside her.
“Aren't they a bit shabby? Not just the building—there are all sorts of expenses piling up.”
I vigorously shook my head at her words.
“How can you call this shabby when you occupy floors two through four? And the lobby's beautifully done too.”
“Really? Hearing that from a chaebol heir gives me a boost.”
She said it with a grin, popping another cookie into her mouth.
She'd set some aside for the models, but the way her hands moved, she'd devour theirs too once hers were gone.
Glad she liked them, I turned my gaze forward.
A vast space with a massive white screen unfurled.
Not just one—there were a couple positioned around.
Off to the side was a partitioned area for walking poses.
This is fascinating...
I'd never even heard of a model agency before, and seeing how they worked made it even more intriguing.
Plus, all the models were so tall and slender—it was entertaining to watch.
Not in a weird way.
More like... admiring a statue. That's the normal vibe—no funny thoughts.
Still, better not stare too openly.
I nodded to myself and glanced sideways.
A few people who looked like models were heading our way.
“Boss! Is that a new model next to you?”
“Whoa... shouldn't she be an actress instead?”
Two young women who seemed to be models giggled excitedly as they chatted.
“I'd love to sign her as a model, but she says no. So, what do you think? Any chance you'd change your mind...”
She trailed off, looking at me with sparkling eyes.
This called for a firm answer, so I shut it down cleanly.
“No. Not interested.”
My decisive tone made Yoo Yeon-a's lips pout out.
It was so funny I let out a small laugh, drawing the models' focused stares.
“But seriously, aren't you a celebrity? You're way too pretty...”
“Totally. Even a girl like me is falling for you.”
“Our Yeon-bi is pretty, isn't she!”
Buoyed by the models' comments, Yoo Yeon-a proudly draped an arm over my shoulder and tugged me close.
Embarrassed, I averted my eyes to an empty spot.
“Resuming the shoot!”
A voice rang out from in front of the white screen.
Startled, I looked over to see a man who appeared to be the director raising his hand and calling the models.
“Aw, we haven't even gotten ten minutes of break.”
“School recess is longer than this. Boss~ Can she hang out next to you?”
“Get back to work. Yes~ Then the cookies are all mine.”
“Nooo! Save some!”
The two models laughed as they headed back to the screen.
Yoo Yeon-a talked tough but carefully packed away the remaining cookies.
She'd eaten surprisingly little, considering she'd been munching nonstop.
Like a bird pecking at seeds.
“So, what do you think now that you've seen it? Any clarity on your thoughts?”
After tidying the cookies, she asked with a gentle smile.
This was the real reason I'd come today.
How should I live from now on?
Or, how could I live happily?
Deep philosophical stuff.
“Honestly, I still don't know.”
“Yeah? If it were that easy to figure out here, you wouldn't have texted me like that.”
She chuckled softly at my words and leaned back comfortably in her chair.
“Got any side gigs? You in college?”
“No, college...”
I almost slipped and said I'd already graduated.
Even from a third-rate school, a degree's a degree.
Though the team leader treated grads from places like that as high school dropouts.
Anyway, college.
“I don't really plan to go. No reason to.”
“Fair enough. I figured hanging with kids your age might be nice, but think it over—it's a one-time experience.”
I nodded, but college wasn't in the cards.
For all I knew, Choi Yeon-bi's past records might not even exist.
I wonder if I even graduated high school.
Such thoughts made me feel like I'd been dropped into the world alone, leaving me a bit down.
“Well, you've got your complications. But you're younger than me, so go chase what you want. You've got the money for it, right?”
“True.”
“...The more I see you, the less you seem like a typical twenty-something.”
Her words made my heart skip.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Like an old soul.”
“Old soul...”
It wasn't wrong, but “old” stung a little.
“Just kidding. You just seem more mature than most girls your age. Must be that chaebol upbringing.”
I gave an awkward laugh.
Far from chaebol education—I'd lived poor my whole life.
“Something like that.”
“If you're bored, hit me up. Sis will hang out with you.”
“Aren't you busy?”
“I'm the boss here, but the director over there~ handles all the real work.”
She gestured toward the cluster of people by the screen.
Changing in and out of outfits, bustling about.
Clearing stacks of clothes, bringing in new ones.
The flashing lights were so intense they hurt my eyes.
I watched the hectic shoot for a moment, then Yoo Yeon-a chuckled softly beside me and continued.
“I just scout talent, negotiate contracts with other agencies... send the kids out... manage them. That's about it.”
Hardly light work.
Scouting was one thing, but managing people and handling contracts? That had to be a ton.
With the agency's size, offers must pour in.
And the models' careers all look stellar, so she's probably busier than I think.
“...And that's light for you?”
She nodded with a laugh at my question.
“Totally. Back in the early days, I did everything—photoshoots, dressing the kids, contracts, you name it. This is way better.”
The more she talked, the more impressive Yoo Yeon-a seemed.
“Anyway, call if you're bored. I'll drop everything unless I'm swamped. Got it?”
“Yeah. I'll text anytime.”
“Not at dawn, though. I need my sleep.”
I smiled faintly at her words and turned back to the shoot.
I'd made time to come here, but no clear goal had emerged, and nothing was really resolved.
Still.
I feel better.
My heart was definitely lighter.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ She's watching, right?
Kim Min-hyeok struck a pose in front of the screen he'd never tried before.
He adjusted his angles—the ones he thought made him look coolest—for Choi Yeon-bi to see from afar.
Whether his efforts worked, Yeon-bi had started watching his shoot from a distance.
He showed off puffed-up shoulders for an arrogant vibe, serious yet prickly experimental poses, and more.
“Putting extra effort in today?”
But these were poses Kim Min-hyeok, who usually stuck to safe, sellable shots, had never attempted.
Puzzled, the director eyed him curiously.
“I've always given it my all, Director.”
“...True, but there's something irritatingly off about it today.”
“Pardon??”
The director burst out laughing at Kim Min-hyeok's reaction and signaled the lighting director.
Then he promptly directed the next pose.
“I like how that irritating vibe is different from usual. Keep it up—it's got potential.”
“...Yes!”
While Kim Min-hyeok poured himself into the shoot.
“For hobbies... um, collecting? But collecting isn't just about money, especially limited editions—you've gotta move fast yourself sometimes, like last time...”
“Me? I think interior design or cafe decorating would be fun.”
“Camping for me! The romance is unbeatable!”
Yeon-bi, meanwhile, chatted with the models and Yoo Yeon-a about things she might enjoy.
Naturally, she paid Kim Min-hyeok no attention.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “I can do anything I want...”
A few days had passed since my talk with Yeon-a.
I'd lounged at home, pondering what I wanted to do, but came up empty.
One change, though: no more gloom or anxiety.
Thanks to that, my days felt more relaxed than before.
Staying up late gaming.
Waking up, washing up, heading out for a restaurant lunch.
On a weekday morning, sipping coffee leisurely in the park.
Living this easy pace, it hit me.
Like Yeon-a...
I wanted something only I could do, like Yoo Yeon-a.