Chapter 71: The Girl Group Leader and the Massage
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 71: The Girl Group Leader and the Massage
A building in Cheongdam-dong.
Inside the recording studio, Rize—her long, model-like legs swaying—slowly pulled off her headset.
As her sophisticated, wine-colored hair cascaded down, she leisurely tucked it behind her ear and turned to me.
"How was it?"
"It’s good."
I nodded.
Today was the day I met up with Rize to visit her private studio.
The beautiful voices of the members drifted through the headset.
—Like the stars in the night sky~♪
It was a song she had composed a while ago, newly rearranged with the members' voices layered in using AI.
While following current trends, it maintained an atmosphere perfectly suited for Estella, reborn through Rize’s artistic sensibilities.
I had wondered why she suddenly called me to her studio to listen to a song, but seeing that confident expression on her face, I realized she had every reason to be proud.
"I think it’s going to be stuck in my head. It’s really good."
Rize looked satisfied with my praise.
"I had a good feeling about it, too. I think this will really land well with the public."
"I agree. I’m already humming along without realizing it. It’s addictive. You could honestly make a living as a composer even after you retire as an idol."
I looked around the room as I spoke.
The recording studio Rize had invited me to was located in a small building near the company.
The space was incredibly pleasant and spacious.
The interior was sleek, and the soft, beige-toned lighting created a calm, focused atmosphere.
Moreover, it was fully equipped with everything from high-end audio gear to solid wood furniture and even a refrigerator.
"By the way, did you rent this place?"
"No. I didn't rent it; I own it."
"Oh. This studio?"
Rize shook her head at my question.
"No. This entire building."
She said it with the same nonchalance someone might use to describe their breakfast menu.
Damn, she’s a mogul...
To be a building owner in her early twenties.
It hit me all over again just how massive Rize’s global popularity was and how much money she was actually making.
As I stood there, jaw-dropped at the scale of her wealth, Rize tilted her head.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"Yes, ma'am..."
"Pfft. Why the sudden formal speech?"
Bursting into laughter, Rize dragged her cream-colored slippers across the floor toward the fridge.
Even through her jeans, I could see her beautiful leg lines and slender silhouette. Her straight, well-maintained hair swayed as it reached down to the small of her back.
The line from her shoulders to the nape of her neck was particularly sexy and elegant.
"I could have grabbed it myself."
"It’s fine. You’re my guest today, Oppa, so let me do it. Here."
"Thanks."
I quenched my thirst with the orange juice Rize handed me and asked, "Did you do the interior design yourself?"
"Yes. I picked out the lights and furniture personally. I tried to give it a cafe vibe."
"It definitely feels like a cafe in here."
We sat down on the sofa together.
The plush cushions supported my hips and back; it was incredibly comfortable.
It looked much more expensive than the sofa in our CEO’s office.
I couldn't help but marvel at the unbelievable comfort.
"Wow. This sofa is amazing. Where did you get it?"
"It’s from an Italian brand."
"Oh? How much was it?"
"Probably around 20 million won..."
Ack. Why the hell is a sofa that expensive?
The sofa that felt like the most comfortable thing in the world a second ago suddenly felt incredibly awkward to sit on.
Worried I might spill even a drop of orange juice, I shifted into a stiff, cautious posture.
Seeing me like that, Rize suddenly looked concerned.
"Oppa, did you force yourself to come here despite being busy because of me?"
"Not at all... Honestly, I like it here better than the office. I want to stay here forever."
It was a hundred times better to be here alone with Rize than to be at the company smoking and talking shop with the other managers.
At my answer, Rize’s eyes curved into a soft smile.
"I suppose you have been busy lately, haven't you?"
"Yeah. Whenever I'm at the office, I'm constantly being called away or sent on coffee runs. Coming here to see you is like getting a chance to breathe."
"Then you’re welcome to stay as long as you like."
"Wait, really?"
"Yes. You’re our manager anyway, so it’s not strange for you to be with me."
"That’s true."
This was why I liked Rize.
Maybe it was because she was the leader and the eldest of the group, but listening to her characteristically easygoing and calm voice made me feel completely at ease. We communicated so well.
"Then I’ll impose on you for a bit."
I had already cleared things with the Team Leader.
Since things had turned out this way, I decided to slack off properly.
"I’ll rest here for a while before heading back to the office."
"There’s a bed over there if you want to take a nap."
"Eh? There’s a bed here?"
Rize nodded.
"Yes. Sometimes when I’m working late, I just sleep here. That’s why I have a fridge and a bathroom, too."
"It’s basically a house..."
I peeked through another door and saw that there really was a bed.
Like the sofa, it looked like a luxury brand that would easily cost over ten million won.
Rize asked from behind me, "Should I get you a blanket?"
"No. Napping is a bit much. Hmm..."
As I pondered, a good idea suddenly struck me.
"Should I give you a massage?"
"A massage?"
Rize’s eyes widened slightly.
Well, I suppose a sudden offer for a massage could be a bit startling.
Thinking I might have been too abrupt, I scratched my head and explained.
"I give Sera massages sometimes. Her schedule is so packed that her muscles get knotted up a lot."
"Ah... I see."
"Sera really likes them. And since you’ve been sitting down composing all day lately, I was worried your body might be getting stiff."
"Hmm. Is that so?"
Rize’s slender legs swayed beneath the sofa.
"Have you been feeling uncomfortable anywhere lately?"
"My shoulders have been a bit tight recently. Probably from sitting in this chair so much..."
"See? A massage is the best thing for that."
At my words, Rize let out a curious hum.
"I’m not exactly in the mood for a massage right now, though. And I don’t usually enjoy getting them that much."
"Oh... really?"
Hearing such a definitive rejection made me feel a bit embarrassed.
Seeing my expression, Rize suddenly burst into laughter.
"Pfft. Oppa, do you know how disappointed you look right now?"
"I do not. I’m not disappointed."
"You look totally disappointed. Do you really want to give me a massage that badly?"
"No, I just thought your muscles might be tight... and like I said, Sera said it helped her a lot."
I became cautious with my tone, worried I might have made it too obvious that I wanted physical contact with her.
Rize glanced at me, then gave a small smirk and nodded.
"Since you put it that way, I am a little curious. Should we give it a try?"
Her tone was like someone humoring a child begging for a toy.
Looking at her narrowed, smiling eyes, I felt a bit embarrassed, as if she had completely read my ulterior motive of using the massage as an excuse for skinship.
Still, I had to follow through.
"Okay. I’ll stop immediately if it hurts."
I moved behind the sofa and placed my hands on Rize’s shoulders.
Since it had come to this, I decided to be thick-skinned and enjoy touching her body.
Knead, knead.
"....!!"
The moment I began kneading her shoulders, Rize’s expression shifted.
At first, she looked like she didn't expect much, but as my fingers applied pressure to the knotted muscles, her body gave a slight shiver.
Press, press.
Her shoulder muscles were definitely quite tense.
I gripped her shoulders a bit more firmly and applied pressure with my thumbs.
"Ooh..."
"What’s with that old-man groan?"
I teased her while continuing to knead her shoulders with a stroking motion.
Rize closed her eyes and let out a languid sigh, as if she had just stepped into a hot bath.
Careful not to let her bra straps chafe against her skin, I asked, "It doesn't hurt, does it?"
"It’s fine. It hurts, but in a refreshing way?"
"Are the muscles loosening up?"
"Yes. You’re actually really good at this."
She seemed satisfied.
Well, my massage skills had reached a near-expert level by now.
I gave a small smirk and said, "Should I use a bit more strength?"
"Mmm... yes..."
"Just stay still. I’ll take care of everything."
I applied more pressure with my palms.
Rize surrendered her body to my touch.
I kneaded her soft, elegantly shaped shoulders.
While working on her shoulders, I occasionally massaged the nape of her neck as well.
And then, the skill's effect was added to the mix.
`<The 'Lewd Touch' trait has been activated.>`
"Whoa. It’s really knotted here."
"Hngh..."
As I pressed down on a knot with my thumb, a soft moan escaped Rize’s lips.
Her beautiful, thin eyes narrowed further, and her hips lifted slightly off the seat.
She hurriedly clamped her mouth shut, but she couldn't take back the moan she had already let out.
"Ah, sorry..."
"It’s okay. It can be a bit intense when the knots release. Why don't you lean back against me?"
"Okay."
Press, press.
My fingers moved along the line of her shoulders.
The stimulation was a smooth, downward stroke.
"...."
Rize closed her eyes and enjoyed the massage.
Occasionally, a sexy moan mixed with a nasal hum would leak out, but I pretended not to hear and continued to knead her shoulders with firm pressure.
In between, I would slide my fingers across her skin, making subtle, suggestive contact.
Every time I did, Rize’s body would flinch.
How many minutes had passed?
Finally, after one last gentle stroke along her shoulder line, I slowly pulled my hands away.
"Alright, all done."
"Already?"
Rize looked up at me with half-lidded eyes.
She looked like she wanted more.
Though she didn't say it out loud, she didn't get up from the sofa and kept her eyes fixed on me expectantly.
Of course, I had no intention of stopping here either.
"I meant I'm done with your shoulders."
"Ah..."
"How about it? Should I massage somewhere else?"
Rize pondered my suggestion.
The flow of the air between us shifted strangely.
I could feel the atmosphere in the room changing just from a simple shoulder massage.
Rize must have felt that thickening tension as well.
"......"
What would her answer be?
I waited with a racing heart.
Finally.
"......Yes. Please do the other parts, too."
Rize gave her permission.