The Dormitory Encounter
"—That concludes my report."
Thud.
Su-yeon stood at attention before me, her salute crisp as she sealed her lips. I lounged in what had once been her chair, legs crossed with deliberate arrogance. Her lengthy briefing on ASTRA and everything she knew about them had finally ended, leaving her frozen in place, awaiting my next command.
"Heh…"
A chuckle escaped me at the sight of this puppet—her once-piercing eyes now empty, fixed solely on me. The company's iron-fisted disciplinarian had wiped every trace of venom from her face, yet a thick strand of milky white fluid still dribbled helplessly from her lower lip.
The liquid traced a glistening path down her chin before splattering onto the swell of her chest. Each droplet struck with a soft plop, staining the pristine white fabric of her blouse.
To an outsider it might have looked like nothing more than spilled cream, but I knew exactly what it was—the warm residue of what I had just pumped into her. The knowledge pulled another mocking smile from me.
"Hmm. Some of this I already suspected, but there were far more entertaining stories than I expected."
I let the office breeze wash over me, airing out the heavy, musky scent that still lingered, and turned the new information over in my mind.
Rina. Arin. Sena. Nare.
As expected, the ASTRA members harbored bitter feelings toward Yu-na’s solo spotlight. Yet the tangled histories behind those emotions, the complicated web of past entanglements with Yu-na, proved far more intriguing than simple jealousy.
"Compile everything you reported today along with the documents and send it to my personal email."
"Understood."
Thud.
Su-yeon snapped another textbook salute, spine ramrod straight like a fresh recruit. The dangling strand of fluid finally broke free and splattered lower across her blouse. I rose from the chair, offering her a thin, knowing smile despite the fresh stain.
"Let’s work well together."
Squeeze—
My fingers sank into the massive breasts now hidden beneath her uniform. The memory of sliding between those soft mounds only moments ago sent fresh heat rushing south.
I wanted nothing more than to bury myself inside her again and finish what we had started, but lingering any longer would raise suspicions outside. With effort, I reined in the urge.
"Wipe your mouth and take me to the dorm where the ASTRA members are staying."
"Understood."
Following Su-yeon out of the office, I felt the curious stares of the staff. On the surface I was merely a subordinate trailing his superior, yet those who knew her personality clearly found the sight unsettlingly tame.
I wondered what expressions they would wear if they learned I had just used their fearsome superior as a personal plaything.
Shock?
Envy?
Imagining their faces, I reached out and gave Su-yeon’s swaying rear a firm, hidden squeeze beneath her skirt. She showed no reaction to the blatant harassment, continuing her silent march ahead.
Her utter lack of response only stoked the desire to push further. Part of me wanted to order her to strip and dance right here in the hallway, just to watch the staff’s horrified reactions and witness the proud career woman’s complete fall.
[Snicker, snicker… Isn’t it fun to toy with humans however you please?]
The Guide’s voice whispered in agreement inside my head. Had she encouraged me even slightly, I might have done it. Instead I forced the fantasy down and reminded myself this was still work.
Beep-beep—
What the—? It’s really close.
We had barely walked a few minutes from the company before arriving at an officetel. Su-yeon punched in the door code with practiced ease.
Ding-dong—
…Whoosh!
"Oh, Su-yeon. Ah… hello?"
A young woman in her early twenties opened the door and greeted us. Her expression brightened at the sight of Su-yeon, then shifted to mild confusion when she noticed me standing behind her. She offered a polite little bow.
"Hello?"
I returned the greeting with a smile, studying her features. Long black hair fell to her waist, one side braided and draped over her shoulder. Emerald eyes curved into a warm, naturally pleasant arc that made her instantly likable. Whether that gentle, mature air was cultivated or innate, it gave her an oddly adult presence despite her youth.
She radiated a pure, demure image—the very picture of ASTRA’s “group mom.” Fans saw her the same way. Had I not already known her true nature from Su-yeon’s report, I might have felt genuine goodwill toward her.
"He’s the new manager."
When Nare’s gaze flicked toward me in silent question, Su-yeon answered.
"Eh? A new manager…?"
Nare’s eyes widened. The previous manager had been competent and unproblematic. The sudden change clearly puzzled her, though to my eyes the reaction looked more like an attempt to mask something else.
"That’s how it is."
With Su-yeon offering no further explanation, Nare muttered under her breath, voice tinged with bitterness.
"I’ll probably run into the old manager at the company, but… it still feels strange not even saying goodbye. Ah—sorry. That wasn’t appropriate in front of the new manager. I’m Nare. You probably already know my real name, but please just call me Nare. It’s easier for me too. I look forward to working with you, Manager."
Her warm hands reached out and clasped mine without hesitation. She smiled up at me, head slightly bowed. I returned the smile while inwardly smirking. I knew exactly why an idol—who should be extremely cautious around strange men—was so quick to initiate skinship.
If Su-yeon hadn’t briefed me beforehand, I might have felt a flutter at the gesture. After all, female idols were practically goddesses to most men, especially the hottest group of the moment.
Honestly, the novelty of standing this close to someone I had only ever seen on television still hadn’t fully worn off. Yet knowing the ugliness beneath their polished exteriors kept any real excitement at bay.
"Likewise. I look forward to working with you."
I answered calmly, my expression unchanged. For the briefest instant, something unreadable flickered across Nare’s face—gone before most would have noticed.
"What~? A new manager? So the old one really quit? Kick! I knew it."
A voice drifted over from somewhere in the living room. Lounging on the sofa with a languid, almost mocking posture was a woman with voluminous, light-blonde curls that brushed her shoulders. Rose-colored eyes regarded me with open disdain, lips curled in a superior smirk. She wore a white camisole and dolphin shorts that left little to the imagination—Rina, the mood-maker of ASTRA.
Rina openly sneered at me. Outwardly cheerful and straightforward, she played the role of the group’s energetic center, but I knew that “honesty” was highly selective.
"Nice to meet you."
"Kikik! Nice to meet you, my ass…"
When I bowed first, she responded with blatant disrespect. For someone who looked barely twenty, speaking so rudely to a new superior on their first meeting was impressively arrogant.
"Rina!"
"Oh, really?"
Nare scolded her, only for Rina to retort with exaggerated disbelief. To anyone unaware of their hidden history, the exchange would have seemed baffling. I simply watched with interest.
"Apologize to the manager right now! Hurry!"
"Screw that."
"Rina!!"
While the two bickered, my attention shifted to the third woman seated silently on the sofa, observing me with cool detachment. Silver hair and sky-blue eyes. She wore pajamas and lounged in the sunlight streaming through the veranda, her small frame and youthful face giving her an almost ethereal, otherworldly air. Even when our eyes met, she showed no reaction before calmly turning her gaze back outside.
She looked barely old enough to be in high school, her skin so pale it seemed almost translucent. This was Arin, ASTRA’s so-called Ice Princess. True to her public image, she remained silent and distant. Fans occasionally received a faint smile, but even I could tell it was nothing more than obligatory fan service.
I glanced around the dorm. Including Yu-na, ASTRA had five members. Three were present. Yu-na was currently out working herself to the bone—nearly a month without rest, and all alone. Meanwhile the rest of the group, whose popularity was soaring, lounged here doing nothing. The reason was simple: ASTRA revolved entirely around Yu-na. Without her, the group had no value. That was why only she received offers for variety shows, commercials, and everything else.
And the members gathered here knew it better than anyone.
"Where’s the last member?"
"Sena? She’s probably watching TV in her room. Sena—!!"
Nare, still scolding Rina, raised her voice toward a closed door.
"Sena!!"
No answer came, only the faint sound of music leaking from inside.
"Honestly… She’s blasting it again."
Nare sighed and knocked, but when there was still no response she simply opened the door without waiting.
"Kyaaah!! Shin Nare oppa is so cool—!!"
A high-pitched squeal erupted the moment the door opened. A girl was bouncing in front of the television, mimicking the dance moves of a male idol on screen with startling accuracy. She didn’t even notice us enter, completely absorbed in copying every move.
"Sena!!"
"…Huh? Ah—unnie. Eh? Who’s that?"
Only after Nare’s sharp call did the girl finally tear her eyes away from the screen and look at me.
"This is our new manager. His name is…"
"Seo Do-yoon. Nice to meet you."
I supplied the alias smoothly when Nare glanced at me.
"Yeah—! Nice to meet you, Manager! I’m Sena!!"
She flashed a bright V-sign beside her eyes, one pink iris winking playfully. Her black hair was tied in twin braids, and her energetic voice matched her public image perfectly. Sena was ASTRA’s main dancer—the quirky, airheaded one.
She loved dancing and secretly obsessed over male idols, though she kept that fact hidden from the public. Female idols fangirling over male idols wasn’t exactly fan-friendly. So she only let loose like this in private. I already knew the darker, more disturbing side of that obsession.
I knew the hidden ugliness beneath every member’s idol facade.
And now my task was to use that knowledge to turn them into obedient slaves who would help me destroy Yu-na.
Well then—
Who should I brainwash first?
