Talent for Enchanting People (5)
Human relationships are incredibly complex, sometimes requiring the consideration of tens of thousands of options. For someone in a weak position, like the ugly and uncharismatic underdog I used to be, it was even more so.
Now, in my second life blessed with a handsome face, I was feeling that tangled sensation again after a long time—not because I was weak, but because the situation itself had gotten complicated.
The chatty, loud-voiced real estate lady had just called Saero my girlfriend. The ripple effect of those words was massive.
I rolled my eyes toward Kang Saero first. She was frozen in stun mode, holding her breath. It felt like she'd need a mercury status ribbon to snap out of it, but reality wasn't a game.
That meant I had to do something to resolve this. But what?
Deny it? "No, she's absolutely not my girlfriend! Don't force it—say one more word and I'll sue you for defamation."
That would just embarrass Saero and sour the mood instantly. As Professor Munda taught, don't ruin the vibe by obsessing over facts.
But affirm it? "Yes, she's my girlfriend. As soon as we turn 20 the year after next, we're speeding things up to make a baby and get married right away."
It was just a few meetings with this lady—what if I just went for it? But it was a lie, and the fallout would be impossible to handle. Neither of us had confessed; the picture it painted was all wrong.
Panic attacks were an issue too. My inner self was still wrecked. I just didn't have the confidence to face even one person as a girlfriend, someone to share serious feelings with.
So, only one path left: "Neither affirm nor deny." Pure gray. Neutral like the [Plaza] nation.
I shrugged and gave Saero a casual smile. "Yeah. It's great having her around."
"......!"
Saero's shoulders twitched. The stun was broken.
I turned back to the lady and continued smoothly. "I'd probably have signed without even checking the wall thickness if I came alone. But with this thorough one by my side, I get a ton of help. Super grateful."
"Right? Artists are a bit scatterbrained in real life. That's when the girlfriend has to hold things down tight. And our girl's not just pretty—she's sharp as a tack."
The lady beamed and handed over her business card. I pocketed it while mentally wrapping things up.
"We're set on this place for now. I'll discuss with my parents and come back to sign."
"Sure. Can't contract with minors alone, so bring your folks. Call ahead."
"Yes. Thanks so much today!"
Saero, still a bit spaced out, bowed to the lady too. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome. Take care, miss. You two look great together."
We bowed and slipped out of the studio. All the while, I marveled to myself. I talk so well now. Nice one, me.
Worth studying all those bestsellers from Munda onward.
They could play a Kim Seryeon conversation montage at my funeral.
Simulating dialogues in my head since my past life. Practicing in the mirror. Bingeing YouTube for escaping loner status. Steadily training chats with strangers.
The fruits of hardcore training, like ordering a footlong sub at Subway every lunch without the kiosk.
Out on the street, breathing the muggy summer air, Saero stayed quiet as a clam until we hit a quieter alley. Then she finally exploded like pent-up breath.
"Hey!!! Are you insane?!"
She smacked my back. It didn't hurt—zero force behind it.
"Why."
"That lady misunderstood, and you just sat there!"
"Did I? I praised how thorough you are."
"Not that! She said girlfriend, and you didn't deny it!"
Her face was tomato-red, fully ripe.
I feigned ignorance and kept walking. "Denying it outright would've embarrassed her. And you did check everything thoroughly."
"True, but..."
"You upset?"
"No."
I glanced back, and she fidgeted with her lips, eyes glued to the ground, tapping the sidewalk with her sneaker toe.
"Definitely not. I'm not upset at all."
She repeated it in a shrinking voice, head bowed low. I tried analyzing her emotions, but my brain—fried from the natural convo montage with the stranger lady—couldn't even guess.
"Then what."
"It's just—"
Saero started to say more, then shook her head hard. "Ugh, forget it. It was just startling 'cause it was a stranger."
Ah, just flustered? Relief. Not mad or anything.
Munda's teachings surfaced naturally.
- Munda: First, empathize quick.
"Yeah. Strangers forcing connections like that is startling."
But this time, it backfired—Saero shot me a sulky glare.
"Why do you do that, Kim Seryeon."
"Huh? Do what?"
"Nothing."
Silence fell. I broke it first.
"Not mad, right?"
"No."
"Prove it."
"Hold hands?"
"What?"
Hands? Suddenly?
"No, like that time in Gangnam—"
Saero shook her head and sighed deeply. "Don't mind it. I'm just flustered and rambling."
Outside the studio one last time. Walking the alley to the bus stop, Saero tried calming her excitement, replaying the situation.
First, the best part: no major disaster.
Right at this point.
"Not mad, right?"
"No."
"Prove it."
— "Wanna date for real?"
She barely stopped it from slipping out. Emergency U-turn with the hand-holding offer at the end.
Lots of things she couldn't say in the fluster. What was the right response now? Conversation over, answers popping up late.
She never straight-up called me her girlfriend to the end.
In Saero's head, her supreme self rose. Imaginary Saero smoothly confessed her true feelings to Seryeon.
"But that's good. People might misunderstand. That's what worries me."
"You're actually super famous now, and online they're shipping us as a couple in the MV. Rumors would just pile up."
"I don't care. I actually love it."
"From your side, you're grinding hard on composing, building ties with Soeun, prepping everything. I see that up close."
"If I push in recklessly, won't it mess it all up? Things are going too well, money rolling in... it's a bit scary."
"Above all, I don't know how you feel."
That evening, samgyeopsal sizzled on the dinner table. Rare family gathering.
"So, found a good studio?"
Dad asked, wrapping ssam with lettuce.
"Yeah. Nice spot in Nonhyeondong. Perfect soundproofing, previous tenant's setup intact—move-in ready."
"Location?"
"Near Hakdong Station. Close to school, easy for meetings with distributors or agency singers."
I showed Mom and Dad the photos on my phone.
"Whoa, so clean. Great lighting. Our boy's handling this solo. All grown up."
Dad tilted his head right there. "What? Just you two? Mom didn't go?"
"I was gonna, but Seryeon wanted to do it alone. Said she'd only need help for the contract."
"Still, sending kids alone? Weird."
"He's done stuff solo before. TV appearances, meetings, interviews. Composed tracks, made bank. And—"
No end in sight, so I wrapped it up. "So tomorrow, Mom and I will go sign."
Contracts needed parents anyway, but I'd handled everything else solo—that was fact.
Dad nodded, no more questions. "Contract checked? Deposit, rent?"
"Deposit from my savings, rent covered by this settlement. No dipping into house funds—I'll handle it myself."
Dad's chopsticks paused. He looked at me silently, then spoke earnestly.
"Impressive."
"Huh?"
"How many kids your age snag a studio and cover rent on their own? Proud of you."
Always busy with work, perpetually tired—that's the dad I'd known. But lately, his eyes sparkled like this.
"Do well. You're killing it already; hard for Dad to advise. Just no regrets."
"Yes. I'll keep pushing."
After dinner, on my bed digesting, I leaned against the headboard and texted Baek Yul.
Reply in one second flat.
One letter. Firm as hell.
"What the."
Actually blocked. Is this the integrity of a pure artist? Not mad, just annoyed probably. Obvious where he'd be, so I'll ask to unblock in person later.
Then another notification.
Ji Soeun.
Crying emojis everywhere—mental breakdown halfway.
Nominally friends, so I asked once.
That rough? Auditions, huh. Peak hardship time.
Ah, already TOP16. Star's Birth's infamous deathmatch phase. Survive, advance to live shows, TOP7 locked. Crucial hurdle for Soeun.
Business friend, so some comfort at least.
Tap. Tap.
Hm? Insta? Only checked briefly for Bless promo.
Caved to the nagging, opened Insta. Her profile's latest post hit immediately.
Cute. Followers exploded too. TV power is scary.
Hm. Real friend, huh. Liked it, dropped a quick comment.