Ahyun's Soft Touch (Part 3)
The soft touch of her skin against mine felt incredible. Human body heat offers comfort just by its mere presence, no reason needed.
But I couldn't indulge in it forever. It was already pointing to 4 a.m. To handle tomorrow's schedule, I needed to head back to the dorm and catch even a short nap.
After washing up thoroughly, I grabbed my clothes and prepared to leave. Ahyun mumbled sleepily from the bed.
"Mm... where are you going?"
"Can't do an official sleepover, so back to the dorm."
"Aww... I wanted to sleep together..."
"Gotta slip in before Manager hyung shows up. Almost getting caught is one thing—blatant overnight is another."
"You aren't tired?"
"Not even a little? You recharged my energy perfectly. No need to see me out. Sleep tight. You've got work soon too."
I gently pushed Ahyun back down as she tried to get up and closed her eyes for her. She was tired after all—once her eyes shut, she was out, breathing softly in seconds with those cute little snores.
I slipped out quietly and checked my coin balance.
The Doppelganger Doll was a real lifesaver. Without it, I'd still be sitting at 18 coins from today.
Next up, gotta use it on Jua noona.
Spending the night with Ahyun and already planning the next woman felt pretty scummy, but with the loan from Poni, I couldn't afford to be picky about good or bad.
This is why you shouldn't live in debt.
The thought of repaying the principal plus interest lit a fire under me.
After leaving Ahyun's place, I activated the Doppelganger Doll right away. Suddenly, I was yanked through space, vision blurring—next thing I knew, I was staring at the dorm ceiling, lying in bed.
Whoa.
The clothes I'd been wearing outside were now on the doll, shrunken to fit its size at the front door. Once I stripped them off the doll hook, they returned to normal size.
This is insane.
Uyeon was dead asleep, and checking the time, it hadn't advanced at all from when I'd left Ahyun's.
This is basically spatial movement, right?
Amazed by the Doppelganger Doll's capabilities, I set my phone alarm and crashed. With all that pent-up lust finally vented, sleep hit me instantly.
♪~♬♩~♪♪~
A refreshing melody poured out, my footwork quickening to match. The practice room lights beamed down on us.
The upbeat tune accelerated, the rhythm pounding our hearts. Breathing grew ragged in sync with the track, movements intensifying.
Our long hours of practice had synced our breaths perfectly—reflected in the mirror, we looked pretty polished.
The choreography teacher's routine meshed seamlessly with the song. But that meant the difficulty was no joke.
"Argh! I'm dying~!"
"You call one stage and you're dying? At least you're getting decent now."
"Whoa~ What wind blew in for teacher to praise us?"
"Your jumps are finally syncing up height-wise. Good work, everyone. Build that stamina more, and we'll nail live vocals too."
"Aaaah!"
We weren't botching the dance anymore, but prep wasn't over. Most male idol groups lip-synced, but for real talent groups, live was a matter of pride.
Honey Enter was a major agency. A new boy group from there lip-syncing? Unthinkable.
During a short break, our new manager director visited the practice room.
"Haesol, come out."
"Me?"
Feeling a bit guilty, I stepped out at his call. He hesitated a moment, then gestured for me to follow.
"Elevator too?"
"Yeah. Director called for you."
"Which director?"
"Director Jo."
"......"
Director Jo? As in...
"You got personal ties with Director Jo?"
I shook my head at his cautious probe.
"No. Just saw her once at month-end evals, I think."
"Huh. No personal connection then?"
"Yeah."
His face relaxed. Guess managing an idol cozy with higher-ups would be awkward.
She calling about that night?
Whatever he was thinking didn't matter. I was about to face Director Jo—good or bad, I needed to gauge it.
Should've looked her up more.
I'd figured one-and-done. That night was such a blur, without the month-end eval glimpse, I might not even recognize her face. No mention back then, so why summon me now?
"Director, brought him."
"Come in. Manager Yoo, you're free to go."
"Yes, ma'am."
Manager Yoo patted my back—don't screw up—and left.
Jo Yeonju removed her glasses and stood from her chair, gesturing to the sofa.
"Sit."
"Yes."
"Drink?"
"I'm good."
"Straight from practice, huh. Am I interrupting?"
"Just break time."
"Oops, my bad then. I've managed idols before—I know how precious those breaks are."
"Really, it's fine. More importantly, why'd you call me?"
Playing formal after sleeping together would be ridiculous. Both of us knew what needed airing.
"I've been thinking a lot since that night. Hard to believe, but I've gotten those offers plenty—never accepted one. Still can't figure why I went for yours."
"...I see."
"Anyway, my mistake, so I'll own it. Sorry, Haesol. As the adult, I should've shut it down and talked you out of it—but I fell for the temptation."
She bowed her head in apology. From my angle, it was absurd.
"You got me into debut group—why apologize?"
"For taking your body on a whim. Tried to call you post-eval for this, but things dragged. Hope it clears the air—sorry."
"......"
I'd pegged her as the type who swings that way, but Director Jo was different. Poni messing with a straight-laced woman like this? My conscience twinged.
"It's fine. No regrets—that got me debut."
Her eyes flickered, mind visibly churning. After a deep breath, she ventured carefully.
"Anyone else you've pulled that with besides me?"
"...No."
"Good. Keep it that way. You're not just a trainee anymore—you're Honey Enter's next boy group member. Uphold our idols' dignity."
"Worried I'll lobby other women with my body?"
"First time's hard—second's easy."
Now I got why she called. To rein me in. Counting cups inside and out.
"Believe me if I say no?"
"Too much investment in you for words alone. Gotta safeguard from my side."
"Safeguard?"
No one knew I'd lobbied her—just her. Any repeat would stay between me and target.
"Not forced. Just some counseling sessions."
"Counseling as safeguard? Hard sell. What kind?"
Me jumping to dirty thoughts on "counseling"—am I the weirdo?
"Simply put, a rundown on how massive our company is. Could be threat or persuasion, depending on your attitude."
Threat or persuasion? I tilted my head; she smiled slyly.
"Threat first. Big agencies have reach. PDs, writers, staff—even ties to rivals."
"...Get blacklisted, entertainment life's over."
I got the subtext.
"Exactly. Marked by a powerhouse? Survival's tough. And I've got the power."
"You'd retaliate if I snuck around."
"Company protects you. But if you harm it, greater good means sacrificing the few."
As ex-corporate, this threat landed hard. I knew top-down pressure humiliation well.
"...Threat worked."
"Now the carrot. You and members will target Korea and East Asia—packed schedule. CF deals already lining up pre-debut. Not your talent—Honey Enter's rep carries it. You'll ride that to stardom."
CFs pre-debut?
"Just follow our lead, become stars. Clear?"
"Crystal."
"No need to sell your body for it."
Director Jo Yeonju, in her rose-and-black embroidered women's suit, crossed her legs smoothly. Black stockings caught my eye.
That's when it started. Couldn't peel my gaze from her legs.
Oblivious, she continued.
"Satisfied with debut chance. No more greed."
"Really? You know your skills lag behind members."
"Yes."
"Fine now. But as time passes, skill gaps breed resentment. Especially if others outshine you?"
Earth had idol group bullying scandals—lesser members jealous of stars, isolating them.
She figured I'd spark fights from envy.
That's pre-coin me.
I had a 'cheat key' to boost skills anytime. I'd focus on self-improvement, not jealousy.
But she didn't know—fair worry.
"Think I'll do dirt to outpace members."
"This world's brutal. Worst than soap operas. Better prepare early."
"Convinced. No plans."
"Not done today. Ongoing management during activities. Was headed overseas again, but CEO wants me assisting till debut and first album wrap. You'll see me plenty."
Dreadful from my view. No Doppelganger Doll, coin grinding would've sucked. Trainee me couldn't push back anyway.
Time to play low.
Botch debut, Poni snatches control back.
Poni eyed reclaiming status window. Idol failure irrelevant—but losing reins to her? No.
99% chance she'd use dropout as leverage: 'Hand over status or else.'
Lay low for now.
But how far her watch? Her gaze was off—hunter eyeing trap, waiting for prey. Predator eyes, arrow nocked.