Chapter 197
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 197
Chapter Title: Part 2 - Women Who Came to the Director's Office on Their Own
Two weeks had passed since I'd started keeping my distance from Min-seo.
At first, she'd linger in my office, dragging her feet across the floor while whining through teary eyes or swishing her tail like a fox to seduce me.
But the more she did that, the colder I became, and fearing I'd drift even further away, Min-seo finally started playing it cautious, waiting for the day I'd open my heart again.
"Director... I watched that octopus game last night after getting home from work... I've gotten rid of all the cameras, and I'm holding back from secretly following you around... So please, just..."
Min-seo, who'd come into the office on business, tried to delicately settle onto my lap.
It was a courtship gesture, signaling she wanted to make up and go back to sharing a chair, exchanging kisses like before.
Of course, I was a bit anxious that if I whipped her too hard, she might give up and end up under some other guy. But if I loosened the reins too much, she might start stalking me behind my back again.
She probably thought she was preserving every moment of me out of love by secretly snapping photos, but those were evidence of scandals with idols.
She even had a history of something like blackmail when I didn't show her affection...
I wanted to pull Min-seo into my arms right then, but she needed a bit more correction.
"No. That's just the bare minimum. It's not like you're doing well or anything. So don't get spoiled. I still don't trust you."
"Hiiing..."
"More importantly, it's almost time. Secretary Shin, bring in two cups of tea."
"Why? We have a guest?"
"Yeah."
Knock knock.
"She's here. Come in!"
As soon as I spoke, the office door opened cautiously, revealing Seyon fidgeting with her red hair.
"Hello... Oh? Ah... You still have a guest here..."
"No, it's fine. Come in and sit."
I motioned for her to sit on the guest sofa.
While I did that, Min-seo and Seyon sized each other up like rivals, but neither could claim victory and averted their eyes.
"Huuung..."
Envious of Seyon being summoned by me, Min-seo quietly left the office with a sense of loneliness, and Seyon sat on the sofa across from me, primly crossing her legs.
"How was it? Your first recording?"
"There were more staff on set than I expected, countless lights set up, and huge cameras pointed right at me, so even though it was just a talk show, I was way more nervous than I thought..."
For reference, Seyon had just finished recording Radio Moon on her way over.
It was a rookie special, so all the guests were newcomers, naturally.
They'd started recording at dawn expecting it to take a while, and it seemed to wrap up only after lunchtime.
"You didn't just sit there like an idiot, too nervous to speak, right?"
"Luckily, they followed the script with questions, and even when I said something weird, the hosts played it off hilariously, so for a first recording, I think it turned out pretty well. I checked the monitoring, and it looked kinda pretty... I mean, decent..."
"Just 'decent'? Lift your head, let me see."
"Yes...? Eek?!"
I grabbed Seyon's chin and turned her face this way and that, admiring her stunning beauty.
It was a perfectly sculpted, selfish face with sharp definition—flawless from the side or front.
And it wasn't just the contours. With full makeup on, Seyon was an absolute knockout beauty by anyone's standards.
Small face, big eyes with elegant lines, a perfectly proportioned nose—everything in perfect harmony.
In this era where everyone and their dog gets work done, Seyon and the other Seras members sitting before me were all natural beauties who'd never touched a scalpel.
As their collector, I was extremely satisfied.
"You're pretty, why'd you change your words?"
"...It's kinda cringy to say I'm pretty myself. Anyway, could you let go of my face...?"
"Oh, right. Sorry."
When I released her, Seyon's eyes fluttered in annoyance.
Even after the kiss and me sucking on her nipples that night at the bar, she still had a lot she wanted to protect.
"Hmm... Anyway, if you're that lacking in confidence, you'll vanish from this industry quick. What do they call it? Celebrity syndrome? Anyway, they say the celebs who act like hotshots do it because only the ones overflowing with narcissism survive. You've gotta play up your looks and visuals too. Everyone's out here hustling."
"Yes... I'm trying my best, but I lack the guts, so it doesn't go well. Um, but..."
"Hm?"
"Who was that woman earlier? She was incredible..."
Seyon glanced at the office door, recalling Min-seo.
Changing the topic like that meant Min-seo's feminine allure had left quite an impression.
Did she feel competitive?
"That one? What was so incredible?"
"Her looks, her figure... even the mysterious aura she gave off made me look away without thinking."
"Hmm... Yeah, I guess..."
"Yes. I shrank back a bit for no reason."
"Maybe I'm just used to it. But damn, she still turns me on every single day."
"...Haa."
Seyon let out a small sigh and opened her mouth again.
"So, who is she? Someone that stunning must be super popular; I feel like I've seen her somewhere... Oh, wait, since she's a senior, should I have greeted her first? No wonder she looked at me like I was some rude kid. Did I mess up...?"
"She's my secretary."
"...."
Seyon stared at her thighs, her cheeks flushing.
She seemed aloof, but maybe she was unexpectedly shy.
Min-seo brought in the tea and set it before me and Seyon.
Jealous that I was alone with another woman, Min-seo tried to stick around desperately, but
"Secretary Shin, I thought you'd been behaving lately, but you're disappointing me again? I was just starting to cool off..."
"S-Sorry! Enjoy your time together!"
When I tugged the leash, she backed off immediately.
It wouldn't have been a big deal if she stayed, but Seyon had come on her own accord wanting to meet, so I had high expectations.
"Anyway, our Seyon coming to see me first... Something you wanna say? Go ahead. Like the lead role in Rising Star... or an ad gig... Our network's Newflix launches soon, so there's plenty of work."
Of course, Rising Star was the flagship drama for the upcoming OTT platform Newflix, and hyenas were circling for spots like this.
Through my secretary Min-seo, truckloads of idols and actors had requested meetings.
"It's not that..."
"Don't be shy. Come on?"
I moved seats, sliding right up next to Seyon.
A familiar setup.
We'd sat like this at the bar too, getting close.
Seyon seemed to remember, covering her chest with her arms and trying to scoot away.
"What? Where you going? Come here!"
"Kyaa?! W-What are you doing?! This is the broadcasting station... the director's office, no less..."
"Which means no one's barging in."
"P-Please don't... The deal's done..."
Seyon had poured drinks for me at the bar and gotten Radio Moon appearance in return.
The recording was over, so the deal was done, but her coming alone meant...
"You're here 'cause you want something else, right? Not gonna say it 'cause you're embarrassed? I can help a little..."
"No! Let go!"
"...."
As I wrapped my arm around her waist and buried my nose in her nape, Seyon yelled "Gah!" and shoved me away.
She pushed harder than expected, leaving me stunned for a moment, and from her spot far across, she cautiously spoke.
"Haa... How far gone are you? Don't treat me like this just 'cause I'm a rookie or my agency's small... I came just to say thanks properly for getting me on Radio Moon..."
Seyon said that and clenched her molars.
She clearly never wanted to do that kind of entertaining again; her self-righteous anger made me want to break her down.
"Hm... I'm not manhandling you 'cause your league's small or anything..."
"Liar! No way sexual favors like that exist in this day and age...! You're doing this 'cause you look down on me!"
"What if even the top idols do it?"
"...That dirty lie about touching my body...!"
"Hm..."
Thanks to me, Seyon had debuted on a major variety show, and it seemed her inner greedy demon was squirming.
She recoiled at the idea of sexual favors but had tasted the sweet fruit of capitalism, giving off vibes like "convince me."
It might be my imagination, but if I just nudged the flow a bit...
Then the intercom on my desk rang.
"Secretary Shin, what's up?"
-Uh, well... Someone showed up out of nowhere wanting to see you...
"What? No appointments except Seyon."
-But it's someone who's already done everything with you anyway...
"...Tell her to come in."
-You don't wanna know who?
"I'll see for myself."
I hung up and unlocked the office door.
I'd locked it in case Seyon and I got up to something fun, but a third party's arrival was a boon for me.
If she'd "done everything" with me, she had to be an active idol.
Perfect chance to show Seyon how this industry worked.
And as expected, there stood an idol riding high after successfully rehabbing her image from past scandals.
"Directooor~! Long time no see! Hehe..."
Premist's Jimin.
Seemed she couldn't wait any longer and came on her own.