Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: She's Hard to Handle
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"Your place is huge..."
Ayul said that as she set foot in my house.
The Ayul I'd seen from the station all the way here looked like a girl amazed by everything, finding it all so novel.
From her perspective, these were unfamiliar sights, after all.
"Ayul, shall we get started right away?"
I said that as I took off my coat.
I tossed the coat casually onto the sofa and sat down next to it.
Ayul blinked, seeming unsure how to begin.
"Just relax and sing a few of the songs you do when you busk."
"If even you say so, Director, now I'm really looking forward to this!"
Secretary sat down beside me too, joining as an audience member.
Ayul wouldn't be nervous just because it was the two of us.
But this meager stage must feel huge to her, given it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Honestly, even if she messed up from nerves, it wouldn't matter.
Her vocal talent was already something I'd scouted, and the real test was something else entirely.
"Ahem, alright then... here goes."
Ayul cleared her throat prettily and began to sing.
"I'll remember... like the starlight in that sky~"
"The promised moonlight shining on the past..."
"May the time of sorrow come to an end-!"
If songs were visible, Ayul's would look like fine silk.
Her tone was soft, beautiful, and mystical.
The gentle melody wrapped around my ears, then hit the high notes, scratching that itch pleasurably, as if demanding I notice her.
Wasn't the idol's most vital role to make the audience see her on stage?
If so, she was nailing it.
Of course, as an idol, she felt like a one-trick pony with just singing, but that could be trained out quickly.
Trainees debut after three or four months all the time, after all.
"Um... should I sing more...?"
What? Already over?
I'd lost track of time listening.
It felt like I'd been sucked into some hazy dream world.
"Uh, whoa? You sing great. Right, Director?"
Secretary had been lost in it too and was just snapping back to reality.
I leaned in and whispered to her quietly.
"Don't hype her up too much. She's not one of ours yet."
"Ah, got it."
Harsh, maybe, but there was no need to let Ayul know her own worth.
With this level of skill, any agency would shove a contract in her face, and yet she had no clue. Lucky for us.
So we had to stay in the position of power.
"Hmm, you sing well, but your body movements and expressions are lacking. That's probably from not having proper training, so we'll overlook it... All in all, it was a fantastic song."
"Thank you!"
"Ayul. Do you want to be an idol?"
"Yes!"
"Good. Sit here next to me. Secretary, give us the room for a bit."
"Yes, Director."
I waited for Secretary to leave and confirmed the door was firmly shut, then placed the My Producer application form on the table.
Ayul's lips curved into a smile she couldn't hide upon seeing it.
Like a puppy eyeing food, a kid staring at candy, an aspiring idol clutching her dream...
In her frustrating, impoverished reality, massive luck had arrived, and her eyes brimmed with eager anticipation just before seizing it.
"Ayul, appearing on My Producer is a huge step toward your dream. You want that, right?"
"Yes! But... can someone like me, with no agency, really go on...?"
"Of course. Fill this out, and you'll snag one of the 90 starting member spots on My Producer. I'm submitting it directly for you—total free pass."
"Wow... Thank you...!"
"But there's one more thing left."
"?"
A big brake slammed on Ayul's face, freezing her smile.
I began to appreciatively take in her pretty, aloof appearance.
Openly, like appraising merchandise—face, neck, chest, legs... I gazed at her like a lofty ascetic.
"...Why are you suddenly...?"
An ominous air filled the room, and sharp-witted Ayul sensed the chill, starting to scoot away from me. That's when I yanked her tight against my body.
I wrapped her waist in an instant, gripping its slenderness and closing the distance.
"Eek! W-what are you doing?!"
"I've laid out everything I can give you. What can you give me?"
"You psycho...! You don't mean this filthy...!"
"It's just give and take. Don't be so sensitive."
"Let go! Let me go!"
Ayul struggled to pry my arms off, but I wasn't ready to release her yet.
"Hah...! Stop...! Ngh...!"
Ayul grunted, desperate to end the harassment, but I still hadn't heard her answer.
As we tussled, heat rose from her body, her breaths growing hot, ragged, and louder.
"Hng...! If you don't let go right now, I'll report you! For sexual harassment...!"
"Report me? You think you'd win, with no agency or social standing?"
"What does that have to...?"
"It matters a lot. There was this idol who reported a PD for sexual assault once. Claimed he groped her under the pretense of casting for a show. Guess what happened?"
"...?"
I continued with a wicked grin.
"False accusation. The court ruled it was consensual, but she sued out of spite when he didn't put her on air. People in broadcasting are tight with the press. And the police and prosecutors are the most sensitive to media scrutiny."
An PD's personal story.
I was shocked when I first heard it too.
Seemed unbelievable at first, but digging deeper revealed all sorts of dirt.
Women servicing An PD for favors were dutifully attending to higher-ups in the police, prosecutors, and media. Those VIPs helped An PD in return, and he slotted those who'd spread their legs for him onto shows.
A dazzling three-way deal.
Good thing I'd filed away An PD's tale. Otherwise, I'd have panicked big time.
But hey, no plans to force anything.
"How could that... No way..."
"Even someone with an agency couldn't handle it and ended up on her knees begging. You, though... hmm..."
"Even so, this is too much... Ahh..."
Ayul sniffled, on the verge of tears.
I kneaded her waist and thighs thoroughly while she dazed out in fear, then figured I'd scared her enough and let go.
"Just saying, stuff like that happens. I don't plan to force you. Like I said, it only works if we're both on board for give and take, heh."
"...That's just semantics. You're saying if I want on My Producer, I sell my body...!"
"Sell your body? That's too crude and vulgar. Think of it as sexual favors."
"A station director stooping to this... Do all broadcast stars get picked through sexual favors?!"
Ayul shot to her feet, yelling.
She clenched her fists tight—clearly furious.
Grinding her teeth too. She seemed tough to handle...
Total opposite of Sua.
"As if. The only ones who can offer me sexual favors are idols with blooming talent."
"Keep deluding yourself..."
"I'm the director here. You think anyone can just show up on my shows by spreading their legs? I only give this opportunity to those with visible talent. And for you, with no agency, landing straight on My Producer is a priceless chance. Whether you seize it and bloom your talent is up to you."
If I felt like sleeping with her, I firmly believed she had what it took to succeed as an idol.
I had that eye for it.
Sexual favors were just a means to give potential stars their shot.
Anyway, that was my conviction...
"Talking like you're doing me a favor? Unbelievable..."
"It is a favor. Not just anyone can spread for me, got it? You don't know this industry yet. And you have no idea how massive this opportunity is."
"Forget it. I'm leaving. I don't want to chase dreams by selling my body."
"Hmm... An easy path to your dreams opens up, and you just walk away? Sure, I get it—spreading your legs out of nowhere is shocking. I'll give you three days to think it over. If you still want on My Producer, contact me again."
"Never gonna happen! You won't see me again, so give up!"
Her boldness made me shrug once before opening my mouth.
"Secretary, see her home!"
"No thanks. I'll go alone..."
"How'll you get home alone? I didn't do anything weird, so ride with Secretary. I let go the second you said no, didn't I?"
"...Hmph!"
Ayul stormed out, slamming the door. As expected, she had some fire.
Truth be told, I wasn't that disappointed, and I hadn't expected it to work on the first try anyway.
I just hoped the seed of her dream I'd planted would shake her up good.
I texted Secretary.
-Make sure Ayul gets home safe, then come back to my place.
-Got it. But why me?
-We're dating now, aren't we? Let's have a house date.
-...Okay >_<
With that explosive figure and looks that could set a man's heart ablaze, she was cute in her own way...
I grinned once and headed to the bathroom.
Imagining Secretary's body, I even hummed a tune.
Truth was, she'd always been the one I planned to enjoy tonight. No exceptions.