Chapter 169
Chapter 169
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: Ahyeon's Choice
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Ahyeon-ah, choose.
I showed Ahyeon the rankings, shoving the chart right in her face and telling her that her position was wrong, that she hadn't actually made debut cutoff. She burst into the most heartbreaking sobs.
"Hic... Hnng..."
If she'd just failed from the start or ended at 8th place, it might've stopped at mere regret. But I'd poured the oil of dreams on the fire, so her heart must be burning fiercely right now.
"Ahyeon-ah. I'm sorry for calling you out like this. But I felt like I had to apologize face-to-face... As the Mafdu director and station chief, I sincerely apolo—"
"Hic... Hwaaaang—!"
"..."
I'd thought breaking a dream after achieving it would hurt more than never reaching it, but seeing Ahyeon go from sobs to full-on wailing made my own chest tighten.
To comfort her, I pressed my leg against her soft thigh and scooted right up next to her.
Then, with gentle words and a warm touch, I stroked her smooth shoulder.
"Ahyeon-ah, you okay?"
A loose top with her bra strap blatantly visible.
The soft curve of her shoulder dropping gracefully.
I toyed with that sleek shoulder line, savoring its smoothness. Up close, her delicate collarbone gleamed even more finely, her elegant neckline was a feast for the eyes, and I even sniffed her scent.
'Eyes are going dizzy... And the smell... Whew... She's got such a great natural fragrance too...'
The women who pinged my dick radar all had top-tier specs as females.
Firm C-cups that laughably overflowed, nipped waists, wide hips, and more.
Not to mention how many other tantalizing points she had packed inside her...
While I was harboring these lecherous thoughts, Ahyeon, slowly coming to her senses, subtly shifted away as if uncomfortable.
"U... Ung..."
"Ah, sorry. Too close? You were sobbing so hard... Seemed like you were really hurting..."
"Thank you for worrying... Sniff..."
Her voice trembled with tears.
Ahyeon still couldn't stop crying easily, but maybe because it was me, she swallowed her sniffles and forced a smile.
"Haa... Sorry for crying... The tears just won't stop..."
"No, I'm the one who's sorry. Feeling better now?"
"Yes... So, the correction article will go out, and the rankings will be fixed properly, right?"
"..."
"Haha... Guess it can't be helped... I was doomed to drop out anyway, so at least I got to taste it..."
Ahyeon trailed off, her eyes welling up again.
To stop her endless tears, maybe it was time for me to get to the point.
I grabbed Ahyeon's hand.
Cold, unlike her flushed face.
I laced my fingers with hers, sharing my body heat, and stroked the back of her hand with my thumb.
Her smooth skin glided perfectly under my touch.
Less a comforting clasp for encouragement, more blatant self-indulgence.
"Hic... Hnng... Um... Sniff... I'm okay... You don't have to do this much..."
Was she smiling awkwardly or crying? Anyway, with that devastated look, she tried to pull her forcibly interlocked hand away, but I gripped it tight, refusing to let go.
"?! Director...?"
"...Ahyeon-ah. Your agency is Kesera Entertainment, right?"
"Yes..."
"A small fry among small fries... Probably barely any funds, so they push out one group by force and then just collect dues without proper promotion."
"...?"
"That'd be lucky. They'll probably try every trick to make you fly somehow. When they can't with their own skills, they'll use their pretty idol's face and body to..."
"Director!! What the hell are you saying?!"
Ahyeon glared fiercely, as if I'd insulted her agency and her future.
She looked endlessly fragile in sorrow, but anger brought out her fiery spirit.
Staring straight into those dual-appeal eyes, I continued.
"What I'm saying is, trash agencies like Kesera might, as a last resort, tell you to sell your body to big shots in broadcasting or PDs..."
"I don't want to hear it! I'm leaving!"
"Listen. This is the station director talking. Think it's unrealistic?"
"U... Ung... What... What's this really about... Dropping this out of nowhere, what am I supposed to do... Hic..."
Ahyeon wiped her tears with her sleeve and opened her mouth again.
"I'm already struggling... I don't want to believe it... That kind of reality... Selling your body for gigs... No way..."
"No suspicious seniors in your agency? Ones who suddenly change to polished profiles from some fancy shoot despite no settlement money, or post luxury bags, or Instagram pics of obviously expensive food?"
"No...! Our seniors wouldn't..."
Ahyeon's eyes widened, as if something clicked.
She seemed to recall not one or two odd things, then looked at me.
"Knew it. Seniors who suddenly started earning big came to mind, huh."
"..."
"Those girls probably barely get on minor shows, most income from sponsors. Just raising their price under the idol facade."
"..."
A heavy silence fell.
Ahyeon looked shocked and terrified of her future.
Seeing her darkened expression, I let out a deep sigh and spoke again.
"Ahyeon-ah. Seo Jin-ah's trainee agency's president loves her."
"...Why?"
"They planned to launch a new girl group with her as center, so he was worried she'd debut with Seras instead. Seras is getting unprecedented push from our station and soaring high, but in his calculations, the revenue split and timing didn't match. Best scenario: survive to the finale, boost recognition, then return to debut there."
"I see..."
"Seo Jin-ah's so bright and loyal, she even said she'd love to debut with her original prep friends."
"Ah, yes. But with the rankings corrected, she'll be in Seras... Huh...?"
Ahyeon tilted her head mid-sentence.
As if wondering why I was talking about undebuted idols or rival trainees' futures when she'd just had a false dream from the station's mistake. Her pupils slowly dilated.
A flicker of inexplicable hope bloomed on Ahyeon's face, then she tamped it down, straightening her expression.
Gripping her skirt hem tight, she looked like she was fighting her own rising expectations.
Her tear-flushed cheeks looked cheekily cute.
I savored the sight before slowly speaking.
"Ahyeon-ah."
"...Yes."
"That ranking sheet I gave you. The one with Lee Ahyeon at 8th. No one knows yet. If you and I keep quiet, you'll forever be Mafdu's 7th place trainee and a Seras member."
"B-But... That's... Not right... We can't do that..."
"It is. No victims. Seo Jin-ah debuts at her agency and loves it. They get their full girl group. You achieve your Seras dream. And me... I like it too..."
With that, I eyed her glossy thigh and swallowed hard.
Though Ahyeon didn't notice.
"D-Director likes it too...?"
"Yeah. Of course. I think you're a flower that fits Seras perfectly. You've got all the charms an idol needs. Plus, the harmony with the current members is great, each with unique appeal to draw fans of every taste. So..."
I set a tender mood, locking eyes with her, then wrapped my arm around her waist, fondling her hip.
"?! Kyaa!! Wh-What are you doing?!"
Ahyeon startled and tried to pull away, but my arm around her torso held firm.
"Give me your answer, Ahyeon-ah. Seras—want in or not? Decide, and I'll rip up that ranking sheet, pave your bright future."
"No! Let go! Let me go!!"
"Really? That's your answer? Give up Seras, wander as a nobody idol, end up in sponsor beds or radio sex-for-gigs? That's your choice?"
"I won't do that crap! Grabbing dirty success by selling my body... No...!"
I hadn't expected instant compliance, but her resistance was fiercer than thought.
Her slender arms pushed with all her might; if I didn't push back, I'd lose her.
No choice—I brought up family faster than planned.
"Fine, then tell your friends and family. Seras debut canceled. It was a mistake. Everyone around you will be so disappointed."
"...!!"
Ahyeon's struggles stopped instantly.
If she had to say that, even starting the explanation would be a headache.
She'd hate even imagining it.
Disappointed parents' faces, friends' awkward consolations.
And if bad thoughts spread, online mockery and ridicule.
"A... Ahh..."
A groan like a sigh escaped.
Right then, Ahyeon's phone rang.
Placed on the table, I could see the screen too.
Caller ID: [Mom].
I smirked viciously.
"Perfect timing—Mom's calling. Pick up and tell her straight. Seras debut's off, back to your shit agency. No clue when you'll debut now. Go on."
"H-Hnng..."
Ahyeon bit her lip hard and answered the phone.