악연 (1)
With that, Park Siwoo got into his car.
Where the idol trainees lived, it was better to go by car.
There was a separate building for the purpose.
“Maybe I should move the recording studio there too.”
Well, there were probably reasons related to the agency.
Park Siwoo decided to focus purely on driving and not let his mind wander anywhere else.
How long had he been driving?
Park Siwoo arrived at the building in Seoul, parked the car, and stepped inside.
He had already informed them he was coming, so there shouldn’t be any issues.
“It’s about time I get home.”
The time was nine o’clock.
They must have been practicing quite late.
That was how he had selected such passionate people.
“I suppose even they have their own eyes.”
The final idol of Starlight had been visually beautiful too.
The song had been terrible though, and the group had failed.
“……”
Standing in the building lobby, Park Siwoo turned on his phone.
He then called the assigned manager.
“Hello.”
“Producer-nim, this is the producer. I’m here to meet the trainees.”
“Ah, I’m heading down right now. Please wait in front of the 1st floor entrance.”
“Understood.”
Park Siwoo nodded, turned, and headed toward the elevator.
He had barely taken a few steps when the elevator dinged and stopped.
The doors opened, and a torrent of girls poured out, all visibly pretty.
“Huh.”
They spotted Park Siwoo standing there and their eyes widened.
A tall, undeniably handsome man stood in front of them—it was enough to shock anyone.
Could they be idols too?
The girls asked cautiously.
“O-oppa…?”
“Hello!”
They bowed their heads.
Calling him “oppa” suggested they had made a big misunderstanding.
Before that mistake could deepen, Park Siwoo hurried to correct it.
“Hello, I’m Producer Park Siwoo.”
“P-producer-nim…?”
“It’s my first time meeting you.”
He bowed to the surprised girls.
At that exact moment, the manager, who had finally caught on, stepped forward.
“Hello, Producer-nim. I’m the road manager Kwak Junsung.”
“Hello, Manager-nim.”
Park Siwoo greeted him in return and asked, “Could I hear a brief explanation of the trainees?”
“Of course.”
The manager nodded.
He turned to the trainees, who were standing there looking bewildered, and said, “Everyone, you should greet the producer-nim.”
Only then did the frozen girls begin to move.
“Hello, I’m vocalist Kim Seoyeon.”
They greeted him one after another.
Among them, one girl’s gaze kept drawing Park Siwoo’s attention.
It was her turn next.
Park Siwoo waited with quiet expectation.
Soon, the girl announced loudly, “Hello! I’m sub-vocalist Lee Haneul!”
The trainee standing in front of him spoke in a strong, clear voice.
Lee Haneul.
Matching her name, she had striking blue hair.
Her appearance was also good.
But Park Siwoo wasn’t focused on that.
Red threads were bound to her wrists.
Depending on his choice, she could become a curse or bring fortune.
Park Siwoo’s eyes narrowed.
He would need to watch the dance video to understand it properly.
“Manager-nim.”
“Yes?”
“Could I see their practice video?”
“Of course.”
Park Siwoo stepped closer and handed over his phone.
A video of the Lunatics trainees dancing to the song played.
Park Siwoo watched intently.
Cha Yeseung’s eyes were truly discerning.
Every trainee’s skill was outstanding.
Their dance lines were beautiful, and more than anything, their faces were extremely lovely.
Still, it was hard to tell much about Lee Haneul from this video.
It would be best to watch it directly.
The problem was that the trainees had only just arrived from practice.
The timing wasn’t ideal.
Park Siwoo clicked his tongue inwardly.
“I’m only here for introductions today. I’ll watch the dance and singing tomorrow. Are you ready?”
Park Siwoo asked the manager.
Instead of the manager, Lee Haneul answered.
“Yes! We’re ready!”
Her loud, energetic voice made a smile spread across Park Siwoo’s face.
Lee Haneul grinned and winked.
“That’s the feeling, huh.”
She really was an interesting character.
Park Siwoo wondered if anyone on the idol scene had such a character.
Her cute face, combined with that playful vibe, made it impossible not to like her.
Park Siwoo figured that unlike some idols who knew exactly how to exploit their looks, Lee Haneul didn’t seem to fall into that category.
“Her height is probably around 170 cm.”
For some reason, her face was surprisingly small and delicate.
How could someone like this be a curse?
“I’ll have to check properly tomorrow.”
Everyone answered energetically, but their faces showed exhaustion.
Park Siwoo swallowed his regret and said, “I’ll be leaving for now. You all have schedules tomorrow, right?”
The manager answered this time.
“Yes, we don’t.”
“I’ll visit early tomorrow morning.”
“Yes.”
“Then have a good day.”
“You too, Producer-nim.”
“We’ll be going.”
They all bowed 90 degrees at the same time.
“You too, Producer-nim!”
“Yes, see you.”
Park Siwoo turned his back on them.
But for some reason, the aftertaste was bitter.
An uneasy feeling kept creeping in that he had missed something.
Park Siwoo stood there, then turned around.
“……”
His eyes met the manager’s.
The manager gave an awkward smile.
It was an unpleasant smile.
“He’s hiding something.”
It was debatable.
Park Siwoo couldn’t interrogate someone on suspicion alone.
“Is something wrong?”
The manager asked quietly.
Park Siwoo shook his head.
“No, I’ll be going.”
He turned and left.
At that same instant, something out of place caught Park Siwoo’s eye.
* * *
“Hah.”
Seeing Park Siwoo leave, Kwak Junsung let out a sigh of relief.
“He probably figured it out.”
He told the trainees standing there blankly, “You all wait here by the car.”
“Yes.”
Following the manager’s instructions, they began to head toward the cars.
“Lee Haneul, come here for a moment.”
“……”
Just as always.
Kwak Junsung called her out while the other trainees were nearby.
Lee Haneul bit her lip hard.
Her plump flesh was crushed, tearing.
A drop of blood stained her snow-white lip.
A younger trainee nearby looked at her worriedly.
“Haneul-unnie…”
“It’s fine, go ahead.”
Lee Haneul comforted the concerned colleague and turned to walk toward Kwak Junsung.
Kwak Junsung licked his lips at her approaching figure.
Her full breasts, long legs, and that sharp upward curve at the corners of her eyes.
Plus the attractive spot right beneath her eyes.
A woman of such breathtaking beauty walked toward him without refusing his command.
Excitement slowly spread through his brain.
“Have you thought about what I said yesterday?”
“I’m sorry… I think it’s too hard.”
“Hah! You didn’t see it earlier? How close the producer-nim and I are. If I say one word, you won’t debut? Your parents are sick, do you really want me to waste my blood? You have to debut.”
“But still… even if it’s just a relationship. That’s…”
“Everyone your age does it.”
“……”
“You don’t want to debut?”
“I understand…”
“It only hurts for a moment. I’ll make you feel good in no time.”
Kwak Junsung gave an twisted smile.
* * *
On the way to the car, Park Siwoo recalled the moment from earlier.
When their eyes had met with the manager, even in an instant, he had spotted black threads bound to his hand.
Although the meaning of black threads hadn’t been revealed yet, Park Siwoo could sense it through instinct.
It probably meant:
“A curse.”
Someone who would bring great harm to Park Siwoo’s life.
The manager was likely the kind of person who would cause a major accident someday.
Perhaps that was why red threads were bound to Lee Haneul’s wrists.
“I would cut them right now if I could.”
But there was no justification.
Only Park Siwoo could see the black threads.
Even as the legendary Guitar Hero, he couldn’t casually fire someone.
So he had to notice the threat before the manager caused the accident.
“If only I knew what the accident would be.”
There were many possible accidents the manager could commit: drunk driving, schedule mismanagement, and even something in the lobby.
“Hmph.”
Park Siwoo clicked his tongue.
That was why he couldn’t think of any clear way.
“I should investigate properly tomorrow.”
Park Siwoo decided that and turned the key to start the car.
As he passed the building, he spotted the Lunatics members.
They were probably heading to the cars.
But something felt off.
Lee Haneul and the manager were missing.
“What?”
Park Siwoo stopped the car and focused on the large SUV they rode in.
Soon after, Lee Haneul and the manager slowly stepped out of the building.
Lee Haneul followed behind the manager, her expression completely different.
Earlier she had been so lively and smiling; now she looked like she was about to die.
“Could it be…”
Park Siwoo had a rough idea.
Why black threads were bound to the manager’s hand and red threads to Lee Haneul’s.
Before he could finish his thoughts, the car carrying the Lunatics members started driving off.
Since they were the debut group, they had a separate dorm.
They were probably heading there.
Park Siwoo followed them.
A short while later, they arrived at the dorm.
The Lunatics members walked inside one after another.
Lee Haneul was among them.
“Hah.”
Park Siwoo sighed in relief.
It didn’t look like the lobby.
“I’ll have to ask Lee Haneul in detail tomorrow.”
Park Siwoo turned the key he had turned off earlier.
At that moment, from a distance, Lee Haneul glanced around nervously and slowly approached.
She climbed into the car with the manager, her face still twisted in pain.
Park Siwoo had no time to act; the car started driving.
He hurriedly followed.
Eventually, the car Lee Haneul was in stopped at a motel.
“Hah.”
Park Siwoo sighed again.
Lee Haneul was currently a trainee at Starlight, promoting intensely, even as a minor.
How could a manager commit such a crime?
How long had the lobby scandal been out?
Veins bulged on Park Siwoo’s hand as anger surged.
He wanted to rush over and grab the man by the throat right now.
But he needed solid evidence.
Park Siwoo turned on his phone camera and followed the car.
The manager’s car entered the parking lot.
Waiting quietly, the manager and Lee Haneul finally appeared.
The manager had his arm around her slender shoulder.
Park Siwoo recorded every second of it.
Then he stepped out of the car.
“I’ll have to give him a proper beating.”
“Thud.”
Park Siwoo clenched his fist tightly and strode toward the manager.