#16. The King of Learning (7)

When I first became Jin Haesol, I think I just went along with it because the world around me pushed me into being an idol. A guy in his thirties who'd spent his life buried in work—what did I know about idols? I knew more about what I didn't know, so back then, I was just scrambling to adapt to this new environment, doing whatever I was told as hard as I could.

I sweated buckets.

Then, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as time passed and I got used to the unfamiliar surroundings, with some breathing room, greed started creeping in. It was the thought that with money in my hands, I could live well anywhere in this strange world.

Money's great, right?

Most of my old life had been about grinding for cash anyway, so that made it even more natural. I'd poured my youth into the company, and the reward was money. Naturally, it wasn't easy to think beyond money in this new life either.

The country hands out subsidies and all, but you can't live off that forever, can you?

I worked hard to adapt at first, then kept grinding for the money. Before I knew it, we'd debuted, and we even gained some solid popularity. Sure, my looks helped a ton, but the results matched the effort.

The love from people who liked me felt awkward and unfamiliar at first, but it also made my heart swell with joy—I couldn't stop grinning. That's when I started developing real affection for the idol life.

With everyone around you loving you, who wouldn't get excited?

Gradually, my mindset shifted. It wasn't just about earning money anymore; I wanted to be an idol who didn't disappoint the fans who adored me. Looking back, if I'd treated idol work purely as a money-making gig, I probably would've burned out fast.

Anyway, that's where I was—building genuine love for the job as my attitude changed.

I thought I'd mostly escaped money's grip, even if not completely... but nope.

I'd become rich. And it felt so damn good.

I was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠humming tunes. My hips were wiggling on their own. I knew I should hold back for the sake of my dignity, but!

It's like winning the lottery—how could I hold this back? No way.

They say you can't hold back a sneeze? Well, I couldn't contain my joy right now.

The old status window I'd traded with Shinyoung was identical in shape to my original one—that's why I'd dealt with him—but surprisingly, its performance was way better.

"Shop."

Voice-activated, so no need to poke the screen. Frequent pages could be bookmarked for instant access. Grinning, I pulled up the shop again and browsed the items.

How far had I gotten? Page 1,088?

Shraaalaak!

I flipped to page 1,088 and resumed digging through the shop. There was a search function, but I had no intention of using it. This place was packed with items boasting functions I could barely imagine.

Only way is the brute-force check-everything approach.

Window-shopping like this wouldn't be fun if it wasn't enjoyable, but I'd spent the whole day in and out of the shop, agonizing over purchases. And that process? Pure bliss for me.

I didn't hesitate on a few essentials that screamed "must-buy."

This piercing was on sale for 800 coins before the promo ended, so it was my first buy. If Mother-in-law didn't want it, I could gift it to someone else—it was too good to pass up.

A piercing alone feels kinda basic. What else should I get her?

I wanted to give at least one gift to each of my women. After some thought, I bought perfume for Mother-in-law. Finish one bottle, and your natural scent permanently changes to the perfume's fragrance—no need to wear it anymore. The function hooked me so hard I grabbed a men's version too.

Should I get one for every girl?

With all this money, I couldn't be stingy. They'd each have favorite scents, so I noted it down to research and buy later.

Then I pondered where to spend the rest. The 110,000-coin perception-lowering glasses and some sundries had dented my balance a bit, but I was still safely in spendthrift territory.

Nothing jumping out. Maybe test the glasses' performance?

First, lock in that date with Mother-in-law. Timing was perfect, right? Coins drop, I buy the glasses, and boom—date plans with her.

Activities were basically wrapped, everyone focused on solos, so schedules were loose. Rest days were usually for acting practice, but skipping one day wouldn't hurt.

Reply from Mother-in-law came quick.

The convo flowed, but something felt off. I reread her messages and caught it.

Mother-in-law's name is Nam Jeonghwa. I'd forgotten it under "mom," so dropping it should stir something. While at it, I changed her contact name.

Sorry to Jua sis, but Jeonghwa—not Mother-in-law anymore—is my woman too. Our start wasn't aboveboard, so she tugged at my heartstrings more.

She wants to be with me after all.

If she really hated it, she'd have shut it down flat. Her reluctance was purely guilt over Jua sis. Yeah, I felt bad for sis, but I couldn't neglect Jeonghwa because of it.

The longer message got a reply after a pause.

Short and simple, but loaded with meaning.

I slipped on the perception-lowering glasses from the shop and dressed casual. Summer heat was picking up, not ideal for face-covering, but I trusted the glasses and added just a simple hat.

"Whoa, neat."

Even minutes into walking the streets, I could tell the glasses worked. In this world, just being a guy draws stares from women. But not a single one glanced my way.

This indifference? Not in ages—or maybe ever?

Didn't expect it to be this effective. With these, the date with Jeonghwa would go smooth.

I grabbed our spot and waited. Early arrival meant phone time—checking fan reactions to our group. As expected, she'd show before time.

Ting-a-ling♪

Door opened almost right away, familiar figure stepping in with the breeze.

Shhh~ Long hair swaying, imprinting fully in my eyes.

Damn. Why's she this gorgeous?

Our meets were always at home, so I'd never seen her properly dolled up. Comfy home clothes, no makeup. Honestly, even if I were her, I wouldn't bother at home. Thieves fear their own feet, after all—she'd worry Jua sis might suspect if she prettied up for my visits.

Jeonghwa didn't expect me early—or maybe the glasses—sitting nearby casually.

Turn your back on a woman like that for another? Insane.

Even if you starve a caught fish, ditching a wife like her? Her ex (maybe?) husband made no sense.

Or should I thank him?

If he hadn't neglected her, she'd never be mine. To Jua sis, Jeonghwa was the ultimate role model. Chatting, sis always said she wanted to be like Mom, recounting stories of "Mom did this then."

Moms hugely influence kids, but for sis, it was something even more special.

And I wedged in between. Heavy shoulders.

I reaffirmed my resolve to keep their bond intact, stood, removed my glasses, and sat across from her.

"Oh! You were already here?"

"Yeah. You didn't spot me hiding my face."

"What'll you have?"

She naturally pulled out her wallet, gesturing she'd pay.

"I'll get it."

"Huh?"

I stopped her, ordered drinks and light desserts. Remembered the glasses when standing—the staff took my order blankly, ignoring me.

Whoa~ this is gold.

No better item for celebs.

"I asked you out today, so follow my lead."

She recognized me once aware, but glasses back on—no issue.

"But is it okay walking around like this? Your face isn't well-hidden... People might recognize you."

"I'm not that famous yet. Who am I, some big shot?"

Jeonghwa sighed like I was hopeless.

"Fame aside, your face alone draws eyes. Didn't people stare on your way here?"

Usually, stares felt face-piercing. But glasses meant zero today.

So I said confidently:

"Nope. Not at all."

"...Really?"

"For real. Check when we leave. No stares."

She stayed skeptical, but it'd prove itself outside. I shrugged with a grin.

This is item power, Jeonghwa!