Mask Singer 5 Crown Winner? (8)
"But they said they'd help you climb to that 5-crown win too."
Ah-ha~! I had a rough idea of the situation now.
But the members listening beside me didn't seem to get it.
"Help how?"
"They're gonna tweak the lineup a bit."
The members lost it at Manager Noona's words.
"Tell 'em to book whoever! If it's hyung, we can take first no matter who they bring!"
"Yeah!"
Manager Noona's face screamed big mistake as the kids went wild.
I'd already pieced it together, so no complaints from me, but these innocent colts had their pride bruised by her words.
I'm cool with it—why're they flipping out?
Somehow, my Mask Singer 5-crown shot had become the whole group's pride.
"Hyung! You think so too, right?"
How could I ignore those eyes full of faith that hyung would never stand for injustice?
Sending silent condolences to Manager Noona, I spoke up.
"Obviously. I don't wanna snag 5 crowns with any shady favors either."
"No, kids, that's not what I meant?"
I got it. It wasn't that kinda deal.
But expecting that level of nuance from a group averaging under 20? Fat chance.
In the end, Manager Noona had to break it down.
"Noona knows your skills best, Haesol! You'd hit 5 crowns easy without any help. This isn't them looking down on you and offering pity. They know you're a lock for it, so they don't wanna waste real talent on airtime. It's just them trying to look good by offering 'help.' They're tweaking the lineup anyway, but doing it quietly feels like a loss, so they whine to us about it."
Classic broadcaster move! Foxes, every one of 'em.
"For real?"
"They could've just offered without the excuses?"
To the members, it was pointless ceremony.
"You don't need to sweat these details yet. Just leave it to noona and focus on your 5 crowns. Keep it in mind that stuff like this happens. Got it?"
"Why's it so complicated?"
"Doesn't make sense."
"Grown-ups are far off."
The members pouted and shook their heads.
Seeing Manager Noona sigh, I changed the subject.
"Any other bookings rolling in?"
"Just testing waters now, but once the buzz solidifies, it'll flood."
"We're slammed already. We taking 'em?"
"It's a dilemma. Overseas prep's got us busy, but you're killing it on Mask Singer—too good to let the hype die."
"Just push overseas back a bit?"
Ki Uyeon chimed in with his clueless take.
"If only it were that simple. Heh."
Manager Noona gave a Buddha-like smile and snapped shut her diary crammed with booking lists.
"Anyway, brace yourself, Haesol—you're hitting variety shows hard for a while. Rest of you, heads up: overseas might delay."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Gotcha~!"
The storm from my Mask Singer 5 crowns blew harder than I'd figured.
No clue what lay ahead, but right now, my job was claiming those crowns.
Time ticked by as I prepped for a flawless, regret-free finale.
While I obsessed over 5 crowns, Silbia hustled on the favor I'd asked.
And she delivered gold.
A safe spot to raise Taeyang.
"All contracts done—just move in."
"Good work. But did we need a face-to-face for this?"
Phone would've sufficed.
"Master, you're so mean! I worked my butt off!"
"Please drop the aegyo with that face."
I wanted minimal Silbia time.
Seeing cold Bianca's features beg with cutesy whines drove me nuts.
Silbia, heavy S sadist, loved my torment.
"Hehe, my aegyo's killer, huh?"
"Yeah, lethal. Nosebleed incoming—cut it out."
"Yes, sir!"
At least she obeyed orders. Small mercies.
Her tightrope wordplay drained me dry.
"Got the bear doll?"
"Yup! You trusted me with it—I'm babying it!"
"You said it'd do something. How's that? Risky?"
"Hmm? Nah. Bianca's mind's way weaker than I thought. Just sex with me should fix it. No issues!"
"Weaker than expected, so sex fixes it??"
Logic's off.
Sounded like weak mind meant no extra steps needed—but why tack on sex with me?
This sex maniac could totally trick me slyly.
I straightened up sternly.
"No lies in answers from now on. Total honesty. That's an order."
"Tch."
Tongue-click? That unease hit.
Worried I'd been played somehow.
"Any past lies—spill 'em all."
"So mean!"
"Ahem."
"Ugh, no lies. Just wanted sex with you, so I pushed!"
Her pout screamed genuine—no fibs.
"I can't lie to you anyway, Master. Borrowing this pretty body with your okay—how dare I? Dump me anytime, and the doll's useless."
Dolls gonna doll.
No puppeteer, no action.
"Then what was that just now?"
"Front was your question. Back was my wish. Hehe!"
"...You did it on purpose!"
"Eek!"
Flicked her forehead hard.
"Want something? Spit it out straight. I'll see what I can do."
"Sex!"
"Said I'd listen—not do."
"Waaah~!"
"Anyway, great job. One less worry."
"Bodyguards'll take longer. Hard to find trustworthies."
Conditions were brutal.
1. Has family.
2. Has kids.
3. Tight-lipped.
4. Not broke.
5. No desperate relatives/friends needing cash.
6. Has deep desires.
More to come.
"Why kids mandatory?"
"Leverage."
"??"
"Best control tool. Sick kid? Perfect. Cover hospital bills, treatment—they turn rabid loyal."
"……."
Chilling, but as a new dad, I could shrug it off.
"As long as they keep us safe."
If they fit, it's a win for them too. Won't voice the leverage bit.
"Wanna see him anyway."
"What?"
"Taeyang!"
"...Why?"
"Wanna have one like him someday?"
"Who with?"
No way in hell.
Finally shook off her sudden pitches and called Jin Jua noona.
Taeyang's face haunted me—video call.
Connected: moon-faced Taeyang front and center.
"Aigoo~ Did our Taeyang wake up good?"
Woo?
Growing so fast day by day. Bigger than last sight—fresh feels.
Eyes huge seeing daddy. Aww, so cute.
"Taeyang, know daddy's voice?"
Of course! Right?
Ah-ah!
"Talking better now?"
Ah-ah-ah!
"Chiming in! Growing up, my boy!"
After baby talk bliss eased the ache, I chatted with noona.
"Move-in ready."
House sorted?
"Yeah. Sending address—scout it first."
Thanks, Haesol.
"Me? Nah, just asked a contact."
Silbia handled all via my order—no sweat on my end.
Thanks from noona felt awkward.
"Heard but haven't seen it. Rooms empty—move whenever."
Chaebol pad: spacious.
Street view checked: security perfection as wished.
Boxed in, single guarded exit with CCTV 24/7. No pre-approval, no entry.
Packages to guard post only—no direct drops.
Too strict? They even deliver parcels. Zero hassle.
"Walkway's killer too."
Walkway?
"Complex is U-shaped—middle's the path. Perfect stroll spot."
Meet neighbors, make friends! Taeyang-age kids?"
"Plenty."
100 days in, Taeyang's no ordinary cutie—kid magnet.
"Not all."
Many spots hit basics. This? Silbia exclusive.
"Has kindergarten, elementary, middle, high—all on-site."
Schooling him?
"Yeah. Rich folks prioritize kid safety—built with that. Zero incidents ever."
No accidents = ironclad precautions.
School runs peak kidnap risk. Chaotic world? Home-schooling viable.
But robbing my kid school life? Cruel.
Can't skip sauerkraut fearing maggots.
Coins/items guaranteed safety.
Silbia's pull covered non-coin angles too.
I'd skip school.
"Locking kid home 'cause danger? Nah.
Make friends here."
"Don't go extreme. Worst case, all-boys school."
Solutions abound.