Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: You'll Use Him, Right?
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“Right? Your sister-in-law’s spot on. The kid joined our company two weeks ago, and he’s already landing a spot in Yumi’s music video.”
Executive Director Joo swept back her fallen hair and smiled. The boy on the screen was now looking at her with a confident grin.
“Sister-in-law, you’re gonna use him, right?”
“They told me to call you Executive Director Joo at the company. Of course we’re using him.”
“Sorry, sorry. You’re the talent we barely managed to bring on board thanks to my wife. My bad.”
Executive Director Joo crossed her legs and downed her iced Americano.
“You get a ninety as president.”
“And as a brother-in-law?”
“Ten points.”
The president threw his shoulders back and laughed.
“Ten points! How generous.”
“Wrong! Minus ten.”
The president clutched his chest like he’d been shot and flopped over.
“Sister-in-law~”
“Ara’s gonna forget what her brother-in-law looks like.”
“I want to go home too, you know that. Our company’s at a crossroads right now.”
Executive Director Joo let out a deep sigh.
“That’s why I’ve got nothing to say even when my sister vents.”
“Wah, wah. I miss my bunny-like wife and fox-like daughter.”
Executive Director Joo shook her head. She really needed to stabilize things soon so she could send her brother-in-law back to her sister. But in this world, take your eyes off for a second and you tumbled down.
“Yumi’s gonna make it big.”
“We’ll see. Even if we push her, the public might not bite.”
“True. But my gut says this is a small jackpot.”
The president shook his head. At least with Executive Director Joo here, their success rate had skyrocketed.
“If Executive Director Joo says so, then it’s a go.”
“You trust me?”
“With my life!”
Executive Director Joo drained the last drops from her iced Americano and smirked.
“President, the trainees are gonna be noisy, huh?”
The president glanced at the screen as he replied.
“A kid who’s been here two weeks getting into an MV? Yeah, that’ll stir things up.”
“Guess I should tell them to behave.”
“Lucky kid.”
Executive Director Joo tapped the monitor once.
“Really just luck, though? With this one?”
The president blinked his button-like eyes.
“Sister-in-law, what’s that mean?”
“Oh, call me Executive Director Joo at the company. Hmm, just doesn’t feel like plain luck.”
“So, skill then?”
Executive Director Joo tilted her head.
“No. He’s brand new, so no real skills yet. Not that he has none at all. We picked him for his talent this time. But it’s weird. Doesn’t feel like sheer luck either.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Who knows. Woman’s intuition?”
The president stroked his chin.
“Something I sadly lack.”
“Tell me about it.”
The two shared a laugh.
“Then we’re going with him. President.”
“Yeah. Good work.”
“Good work? Not yet. We’re far from done! There’s Yumi, then Vita after that.”
“How’s Vita?”
Executive Director Joo furrowed her brow and shook her head.
“No vibe there.”
The president sighed deeply.
“Yeah. The kids are diligent, at least…”
“I’ll pour everything I’ve got into them.”
“Good luck.”
Executive Director Joo nodded, waved him off as he left. Once the door clicked shut, she turned back to the screen.
The boy on the monitor looked pretty decent.
Her gut told her so.
“You’re gonna rake it in, kid.”
He’d stood out at the audition too.
“Let’s see what you’ve got.”
No harm in trying. If he flops, swap him out.
She grinned and looked at Cha Dowon’s photo again. Even purely aesthetically, he was solid.
‘Just thirty more seconds. No, a minute. Wait, three minutes?’
She rested her chin and quietly scrolled down with the mouse wheel. She felt good for some reason.
***
“Kyaa! Suyong!”
Ah, startled me.
I quietly eyed the commotion. A cluster of girls was gathered out front of the company.
‘This is normal…’
Maybe because it’s an idol agency. Never seen it empty. But today felt off.
Why so rowdy?
“What’s up?”
I asked Bear, who was chomping on bread. Lee Seungjun stuck a straw in his milk carton and said,
“Dunno. Vita’s gearing up maybe? But this feels different.”
Lee Seungjun glanced at Vita’s fans and shook his head.
“Hmm. How to put it. Stick around as a trainee long enough, and you get chummy with fans.”
Makes sense. There’s one of those too.
I looked at my roommate surrounded by high school girls. Suyong, was it? He looked thrilled, cheeks twitching.
‘Fans are precious, whatever.’
Not my business.
“But that’s kinda bad.”
“Why?”
“We’re trainees. Not debuted yet. Why get cozy with fans?”
Ah, that’s what he meant.
“To get intel on their fave groups?”
Bear folded his empty bread wrapper neatly as he replied.
“That’s part of it, but not all.”
“What else?”
“It’s complicated. Anyway, it’s frowned upon. Company hates it.”
Why?
“‘Cause they might date.”
That surprised me. I stared at Bear, who sighed.
“Yeah, stress is high, lonely too. Could fall for a sweet girl nearby. Whether it’s love or not, company’ll boot ‘em.”
Fair enough.
“Think I get it.”
“Let’s head in. You’re at three, right?”
I nodded. Just as I looked away, I caught it despite myself.
“Suyong! Who’s that in the black jacket over there?”
I glanced down quietly. Damn, the black jacket was me.
“He’s new. Telling you girls only—he’s no good.”
“Really? He’s hot though…”
Better badmouth me where I’m not around.
‘People always hear their own trash-talk clearest.’
I sighed involuntarily.
“Where’s he hot?”
“Big features, pretty face. Only new trainee this time? Skills decent? Kinda has that star glow. Good vibe.”
“O Jihi? Praising someone else with me right here?”
“Hey, don’t get jealous.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. Didn’t know why, but getting called hot by girls who see celebs all the time? Not bad.
Then the wind blew.
‘Might as well relieve some stress while I’m at it.’
Jihi just gave me the perfect idea.
I pulled out my smartphone from my pocket.
[Cheat Mode 1/3]
[O Jihi Captivated by Cha Dowon for 30 Seconds]
[Changed. Penalty: Back Itches for 2 Seconds.]
Light penalty for this. Soon, I felt eyes on me. I turned slightly, pretending to talk to Bear.
“Huh? Huh?”
“Jihi, what’s wrong?”
“Oh, n-nothing. That guy…”
Our Jihi. Shaking pupils are cute.
Her stare bored into me.
‘Wonder how I look to her.’
Curious, but couldn’t ask.
Thirty seconds flew by. I casually chatted with Bear.
Time up, I turned back fully.
Hope our Jihi got a good impression.
“Him, him… pretty?”
“Jihi, what’re you saying!”
“Is this star aura? So pretty. Can’t look away! Suyong, what’s his name?”
“O Jihi! You keep this up?”
Provocation wasn’t romantic, but it worked like a charm. I smirked at Bear.
“Love’s in motion.”
Even fan love. Tiny spark, and it flips.
“What’s that mean?”
“Nothing.”
I dusted off my jacket and walked on. Small fun, but satisfying.
***
I always arrived first to practice. Stretched right away, checked today’s dance on my charged tablet.
‘Eyesight boost is nuts.’
Impulsively used it for provocation, but the value was insane. Holding the tablet, matching the beat—door opened.
“Dora—no, Yamang—wait, Dowon!”
Pick one, damn it. I frowned and turned. The round-bellied manager stumbled, leg caught.
“What?”
“You, you caused a scene.”
Did I? I tilted my head. Reviewed my life—no incidents. More like a monk.
“You, you, you got cast!”
Ah, that.
I smirked.
“That’s causing a scene?”
Acted nonchalant, but thrill shot up from my toes. Knew it’d happen, but real deal.
‘Yumi’s music video.’
The one that went global.
‘Perfect for visibility.’
Imagining my face replacing his in my memory—fingertips tingled.
Then the rest of the trainees poured in. I wiped my expression quick. Manager approached.
“You know what you got cast in? Crazy?”
Cha Dowon, remember.
“No clue.”
“Huge deal! Two weeks in, and this? World’s never seen luck like yours!”
I said calmly,
“Honored.”
“Why so chill! Be excited like your age? Huh?”
What age jumps around? Even at fifteen, not a preschooler.
‘Plus, this works better.’
Especially watching them freak.
My dear roommates’ eyes were fierce. They stomped over like third-rate villains.
“Hyung Yongdam, what’s that mean?”
“Ah, this crazy kid.”
Name, please. Cha Dowon.
Then—practice room door flew open, choreographer burst in.
“Yamang! You’re in Yumi’s MV?”
Perfect timing. All eyes on me, I smirked.
“Oh, really.”
“What? You didn’t know?”
“Yeah. Just found out.”
Roommates’ faces twisted in shock. Watching them deflate—pure bliss. Endorphins pinged in my brain as I scratched my cheek, feigning shy.
“Kinda worried. Can I pull it off?”
Respected choreographer slapped my back.
“Why so wimpy, boy! How’d you snag it? Huh?”
I dodged his arms while answering.
“Dunno. Only shot lately was profile pics?”
“Crazy you got Yumi’s MV a day after profile?”
Something like that?
“No idea.”
Know nothing, dear friends.
“Yamang’s so ambitious, things go ambitiously well!”
When will he get my name?
“On that note, Yamang!”
“Yes.”
“Gonna drill you extra today. Gotta remake your bones to satisfy me.”
Why’s it flowing like this? I sighed deeply.
“Go easy.”
“Nope. Boy with ambition, bear the crown’s weight?”
MV role = wearing a crown?
‘Least he’s teaching earnestly.’
Listen to respected teacher. Turns to blood and flesh.
“Alright, practice time. Manager? What’re you doing?”
“Huh? Why?”
“Out. Gonna run the kids.”
Manager sighed.
“Go easy. Shoot’s day after tomorrow.”
Fast.
“Anyway, break anything, no good?”
“Got it.”
Manager left quick. I clenched fists, trapped in choreographer’s arm.
‘Not bad.’
Brain still buzzed.
Laughter bubbled, but hid it. Smile here, roommates’d stone me.
‘Not scared, but…’
Playing cool works great.
‘Could mess with their heads more, huh?’
Glanced back—faces terrifying.
‘Bingo!’
Fun, but their feelings? Not my problem. Casually took position, started dance. Steps felt extra light.