Chapter 7: Counseling the Idol Leader
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 7: Counseling the Idol Leader
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Name: Rize (Real Name: Shin Ara)
Age: 23
Date of Birth: August 7, 2001
Physical: 169cm, 50kg, Type B
Sexual Experience: None
Erogenous Zones: Breasts, Clitoris, Armpits, Anal
Fetishes: Locked
Current Hypnosis List:
None
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I just typed in her stage name, and as expected, her profile popped up without a hitch.
On stage, Rize maintains a powerful image, fully embracing her position as the leader and the eldest member. In her daily life, however, she has a very easygoing personality.
What kind of hypnosis would suit someone like her?
‘It’s probably best to link it to her actual personality, right?’
That way, it’ll cost fewer points.
Considering her position as the leader of a girl group, no matter how laid-back she might be, she’s bound to suffer from a strange sense of responsibility.
I decided to target that specific point.
[Rize, the leader of the girl group, is deeply troubled by the pressure of her position.]
[Points required to apply this hypnosis: 0]
‘Huh? Zero?’
That meant there was no need to even cast a hypnosis in the first place.
Did she actually have these concerns already?
It was highly likely. After all, it’s rare to find someone who doesn’t have any worries.
‘Then let’s try changing it a bit.’
[Rize, the leader of the girl group, wants to confide her worries to her manager, Seo Ji-hoon.]
[Points required to apply this hypnosis: 1,000]
I boldly invested the points.
And while I was at it, I added more.
[Rize will honestly reveal all her worries to her manager, Seo Ji-hoon.]
[And every time she receives counseling, she feels a sense of profound relief.]
This was it.
After adding a total of three hypnosis commands to Rize, I closed the app with a satisfied expression.
“Oppa? What’s wrong?”
Rize was looking at me from the front with a peculiar expression.
It was understandable that she’d be taken aback by me suddenly smiling to myself while looking at my phone.
“I told you. My crypto went up.”
“Congratulations, Oppa. Luckily, it looks like you won’t be needing any drinks.”
“Why do you say that? Do you have something on your mind lately?”
Rize flinched slightly at my words.
“…What makes you think that?”
“I’ve been working as your manager for a year now; you think I wouldn’t notice? Besides, you’re the leader and the eldest. There’s no way you don’t have any worries. Am I wrong?”
Being an idol might look like a glamorous life on the surface, but in reality, it’s an incredibly fierce and grueling profession. Even the smallest mistake leads to being torn apart by countless malicious comments.
Between juggling a packed schedule and being exposed to the public eye every single moment, stress is inevitable.
Even Rize, the leader who always acts calm and composed in front of the other members, wouldn’t be an exception.
‘Well, I only just became certain of it myself, though.’
Regardless, at my words, Rize’s eyes—which usually seemed somewhat blunt—wavered for a moment.
“Oppa, you’re more observant than I thought.”
“What did you think of me before?”
“Just… a nice guy who’s good at driving?”
Mixing in a joke, Rize smiled, her thin eyes curving into crescents.
“Thanks for worrying about me, Oppa. But don’t worry too much; it’s not like I’m going to become an alcoholic or anything.”
“I know. You’re not the type to lack that much self-control.”
“Still, you never know. Maybe after I retire as an idol, I’ll be holed up in some corner somewhere just drinking my life away.”
Tossing out the joke in a calm voice, Rize lifted the convenience store bag in her hand. She stared at the alcohol inside and spoke casually.
“Oppa. Could I ask you for a favor?”
“Yeah. What is it?”
“Could you give me some counseling? About my worries?”
Rize looked at me as she spoke.
Her eyes, usually steady, were trembling slightly now. Is there any man who could refuse a request when a girl as physically stunning and sophisticatedly beautiful as her looks at him with those eyes?
Of course, I had no intention of refusing anyway.
“Oh? Yeah. Sure. But it’s a bit awkward to do counseling in a parking lot… want to get in the car?”
“Yes. Okay.”
I first got Rize into the van.
Naturally, I started the engine and drove out of the parking lot.
I hadn’t set a specific destination, but since I’d picked her up under the pretext of counseling, I drove toward a place with a decent atmosphere.
The place we eventually arrived at was…
“It’s a park.”
“Yeah. There are no people here, and the air is fresh, so it’s nice.”
It was a park I visited whenever I wanted to clear my head.
I parked the car in the outdoor lot and rolled down the windows.
“So, what’s bothering you?”
“Wait a second. Can I have a drink first?”
“……Go ahead. There are potato chips in the glove box if you want those too.”
Rize didn’t decline. She grabbed the chips and a can of beer and stepped out of the car.
Instead of walking through the park, we sat on the hood of the van. Rize’s wine-colored hair was quite eye-catching, but since it was night and the park was deserted, it was fine.
Rize seemed to like the atmosphere of the park, sipping her drink with a much more relaxed expression.
Or maybe she just liked the alcohol.
“So, what’s the problem?”
“Ah.”
Rize, who had been drinking, spoke up as if she had just remembered.
“It’s just that the group has been doing so well lately, so I’ve had a lot on my mind. It’s great that we’re popular, but that also means people expect more from us.”
“You’re getting a bit scared about the next album, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
It was a common occurrence.
It’s frequent for an idol group to hit it big with one album and see their stock rise, only for the next album to flop and for them to disappear without a trace.
As expectations rise, so does the fans' potential disappointment.
Rize was the eldest and the leader.
Naturally, she couldn’t help but feel that pressure.
“I don’t want to disappoint the fans. So I try to work even harder… but I’m having trouble coming up with ideas for the next track.”
“Hmm. I see.”
Rize had a deep knowledge of composing and songwriting, to the point where she participated directly in production.
In fact, she had a huge influence on this current album, and I was certain she had enough talent to transition into a solo artist right now if she wanted to.
But it seemed she hadn't made much progress with her composing lately.
Was it perhaps because of the burden of needing the next album to be a hit as well?
“Take your time. There’s no need to rush the next album anyway, right? You’re doing well enough as it is, so don’t worry too much.”
“I suppose so.”
Rize spoke leisurely as she set down her beer can.
But I heard the sound of an empty tin.
What? She finished a whole can already?
While I stared at her in disbelief, Rize nonchalantly began to crack open a second can.
“Still, I want the next song to be a hit too. Even bigger than now. That’s why I keep working on the album, but it’s not working out as well as I’d hoped.”
Rize’s long, slender legs dangled from the hood.
Her voice didn’t sound that serious.
It felt more like she was lightly venting about worries she had been keeping bottled up inside.
“Well, it’ll work out. You’ve been successful so far thanks to your efforts, haven’t you?”
“…Really?”
“Yeah. There aren’t many artists as talented as you.”
At my words, Rize gave a small smile and ate some potato chips.
She wasn't a picky eater and ate just about anything well.
Watching her, I spoke up.
“Just hang in there a little longer. The CEO said he’d give you guys a proper vacation so you can play your hearts out once next month’s events are over.”
“Oh. Really?”
Even the great Rize’s eyes sparkled at the mention of playing.
“Yeah. This time, I’ll make sure you guys get to eat everything you want. So please, just manage your condition well until this month’s schedule is over…”
“Don’t worry, Oppa. We’ll work really hard.”
Unlike the other members, when Rize said something like that, it felt reassuring.
I had cast the hypnosis just to create some time for the two of us to be alone, but somehow, it had turned into actual counseling.
“Right. But don’t overdo it. You know health is the most important thing, right? And if you’re hurting anywhere or have a problem, tell me immediately…”
As I went on and on like that, Rize suddenly began to look at me with a warm gaze.
Oops, was I talking too fast?
“Don’t worry, Oppa. We’re all managing our conditions well. We’ve been taking those supplements you gave us last time religiously, too.”
“Well, that’s a relief then…”
“It’s all thanks to you, Oppa.”
At Rize’s sudden expression of gratitude, I looked at her. Her eyes, which could seem blunt at a glance, were curved into a beautiful arc as she watched me. For a moment, that breathtaking smile literally took my breath away.
I’m not joking; I mean it sincerely.
“No, what are you talking about all of a sudden…”
“I mean, the fact that we’ve made it this far is all thanks to you. Don’t you feel like we’ve been doing incredibly well ever since you joined as our manager last year?”
“……Am I some kind of Lucky Totem or something?”
Suddenly, I felt like having a drink too.
As I licked my dry lips, Rize rummaged through the plastic bag and held out a beer.
“Do you want a drink too, Oppa?”
“No, I have to drive, remember?”
“……Oh, right.”
A beat late, Rize nodded.
Looking closely, something was off. Her expression was as calm as usual, but her cheeks were strangely flushed.
“……Are you drunk?”
“……No.”
She was drunk.
I should have stopped her when she was downing those beers like a woman possessed, but because she maintained such a perfect poker face, I hadn't noticed at all.
Watching Rize pour soju into her half-finished beer can to make a mix, I clutched my forehead.
.
.
.
And so, I returned the drunken Rize to the dormitory.
Perhaps because she had vented her worries while intoxicated, her expression looked strangely relieved.
“Go on in. And today is a secret from the Director.”
“Yes, Oppa. Get home safely.”
“Yeah. Have a good night.”
I nodded and started the engine.
Just as I was about to leave the parking lot, Rize suddenly tapped on the window. When I rolled it down, she poked her head in slightly.
“Oh, Oppa.”
“Yeah? What is it?”
“If you have time next time, could you give me some more counseling? I feel a lot better after telling you my worries.”
It was a rare request from her.
Suppressing a smile, I replied.
“Of course.”
I could provide counseling whenever she wanted.
After all, I was satisfied today just by creating a separate time to be alone with Rize later on.
…Of course, the next time we have a counseling session, she’ll have to pay a separate ‘consultation fee.’