Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Work Hard Enough to Leave Lingering Regrets
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On the way back after Yukika's hospital check-up.
Silence settled inside the car.
I was cringing hard, mentally replaying the words I'd just blurted out, while Yukika was busy trying to decipher their meaning.
"Eh? Delicious...? Looking delicious...? Ung? Me...? Yukika not food tho...?"
"....."
Yukika tilted her head this way and that, puffing out her cheeks—an action that somehow made my words seem even more credible.
She looked dizzy, like she couldn't quite grasp it herself, but damn, she still looked absolutely delectable...
I tried to brush it off casually, but I worried she might ask someone else what I meant, so I resorted to more wordplay.
"I-I mean, you look cool."
"Ahh... I got it wrong! Really, I look delicious...?"
"Yeah. You're so young, working hard in a foreign country. And on top of that, studying Korean must be tough..."
"Heehee... Noo. Little bit tough, but kinda fun too..."
"Yukika, you're twenty, right? You're an adult, but still right in your prime."
"D-Director-nim too! Looks young..."
"I'm late twenties, so there's still a decent age gap between us."
"No way! Looks super young! Earlier at hospital waiting! When Director-nim went bathroom, lady next to me said handsome couple...!"
Yukika said that while shaking her legs.
To be precise, she was bouncing her legs to show her embarrassment about what she was saying, but to me, it just drew my eyes straight between them.
Her cheeks were flushed too, so I instantly realized she'd been blushing because people mistook us for a couple.
"So what'd you say? Bragged that I'm your boyfriend? Haha."
"Eek!! Nooo! Just... hard to explain so... said 'oppa I know'..."
"Hmm... I see. So Yukika likes 'oppa I know' better than Director-nim?"
"H-Huh...!! Hard to explain... so just like that...!"
"Your face is super red? Cute."
"Hyut!!"
When I teased her just a little, Yukika shyly covered her mouth with her fist, looking all bashful.
She stared at the floor for a few seconds, then cautiously peeked up at me.
Then she squeezed her eyes shut again in embarrassment all on her own, took a deep breath, and steadied herself.
"Why're you so embarrassed?"
"D-Director-nim... teasing meee..."
"I said it's cute 'cause you're cute? That's why I want you to survive all the way to the final debut lineup. Not just empty words—I really want Yukika to debut."
"N-Not empty words...? For real...?"
"Yeah."
Up until now, Yukika had been reacting all bubbly and animated, but she suddenly held her breath and stared straight through me.
I glanced over while driving and saw her looking deeply touched, her lips trembling.
Yukika was around 30-something in rankings, so not at the give-up stage yet, and getting direct encouragement from the Director himself seemed to motivate her big time.
In a quivering voice, she basically asked me to pet her more with praise.
"Me... Do I please Director-nim... as member of girl group project...? For real...? No joke...?"
"How many times do I have to say it? I thought it'd be great to have a Japanese member in the Seras lineup, and the moment I saw you, I knew it had to be you. So work hard."
"....!! Y-Yes!! Won't disappoint Director-nim! Will work reeeally hard!"
Yeah, work hard. Hard enough to leave lingering regrets.
I muttered that to myself inwardly.
Being around her had my desire to strip her clothes off growing wildly—I wanted to speed up the timeline.
Before I knew it, parting time with Yukika had arrived.
We'd reached the Mafdu dorm annex.
But Yukika lingered, reluctant to get out—maybe sad to part from me, or maybe sad to end her rare break. She just fidgeted.
"Yukika. What's up? Something to say? Or wanna rest more before going?"
"Th-That is... Director-nim! T-Thank you so much... for today! Hospital, food you bought... and nice words too!"
Yukika said it with teary eyes, sending me an intense gaze that felt almost burdensome.
"It's nothing."
"Really, I doubted my skills a lot... But Director-nim praises me so much... Confidence boost... Feels like I can do anything!"
"I just stated facts. Someone like Yukika is prime idol material in this market."
"Don't saaaay... My agency already picked younger trainees to debut instead of me... Truth is, injury too... Felt like if I don't shine here, it's over, so got desperate..."
Yukika spilled her unexpected inner thoughts.
To me, it was huge good news.
"Huh? What're you talking about? They gonna shelf you if Mafdu doesn't pan out?"
"Director-nim knows too well... Twenty is old for trainee..."
Yukika stroked her casted wrist and let out a gloomy sigh.
Looks like her agency had decided to recruit other trainees for their launching girl group besides her.
Tsk, they really have no eye for talent.
By launch time, she'd be a year or two older, so they figured she'd lack competitiveness—but where else are you gonna find a girl this sleek and stunning?
Anyway, bottom line: Yukika's agency had already lost the will to debut her. If Mafdu didn't bring big buzz, they'd just warehouse her until contract end and cut her loose.
On the surface, the agency looks bad, but it's standard in the entertainment biz.
Trainees wasting years without debuting, then getting dropped and giving up dreams—that script.
Any girl challenging for idol probably steeled herself for that from the start.
And that cornered situation looked like utopia to me.
"Yukika."
"...Yes?"
I slipped her my business card with my number and continued.
"If things get really tough and you wanna keep chasing the idol dream... call me."
"....!! Wh-What... do you mean...?"
"As a broadcasting director, I think Yukika should spread happiness to people as an idol. Might show a little favoritism?"
"Huuung...!! Can't do that...!! Fair and square...!"
"Shh!"
I pressed my index finger to Yukika's lips and whispered in her ear.
"Don't tell anyone we got close today, okay?"
"......"
Yukika hesitated a moment, then spoke in a voice dripping honey.
"...Yes♡"
After that, her adorably styled hair bounced as she got out of the car and tottered away.
Even while walking, Yukika kept turning back, craving my gaze.
I smiled at her each time, and right before she entered the building, I waved.
She waved back with the brightest smile, lips stretched ear to ear... It felt just like seeing that girl in school who had a crush on the teacher.
Leaving that heartwarming scene behind, I thought to myself.
Sorry, Yukika. Unlike the other girls who've offered their bodies to me, I'll cut your screen time a bit...
Payment's upfront, after all.
I smacked my lips.
But exploring Yukika like this reminded me of something random—
Her profile said eldest daughter of a shrine maiden family or something...
Come to think of it, her profile pic had her in something like shrine maiden robes.
Do families like that still exist in Japan? Nah, whatever—superstition bullshit.
Still felt a tiny bit creepy.
*
Sunset had fallen, and it was getting a bit dark.
Tonight, I had to soothe one grumpy vixen.
Minseo had gotten all sulky lately because I'd been neglecting her.
I called Minseo.
"Where are you? You didn't forget we're eating dinner together, right?"
"Oh dear, I did. Thought I'd rest at home after work~ Totally forgot."
"Sorry I've been neglecting you lately. I'll swing by your place—come out."
"Hmph, why? Too bothersome?"
"....."
Was this a pissing contest?
Looked like I'd have to discipline her properly with my dick...
But I'd hurt her feelings a lot lately over A-yeon's stuff, so right now, I was in the weak position.
"Love you. Get ready and come out. I miss you."
"Said no?"
"...For real? I'm heading in then? Oh yeah, that girl idol looking for me..."
"!! If you miss me that much...! Fine, I'll come out!"
Was jealousy her fuel or something?
Minseo made me smile with the clattering sounds over the phone.
"Be there soon. Dress pretty."
"....Yes♡"
A voice full of love and longing.
That alone had my dick heating up, all other women fading from my mind as only Minseo lingered.
I'd called her out like this, but she'd probably still be mad, so I'd have to melt her over dinner.
Maybe buy her a necklace. Her earrings and necklaces looked cheaper than expected—street market bargains, obvious to anyone.
Seemed like she wasn't getting much support from home...
Suddenly hated myself for prying open girl idols' thighs while ignoring my own girl.
She only had eyes for me... Should've taken better care.
A woman like that, eyes only for me...
I got out of the car, and there was Minseo—grumbling tone earlier, but beaming the moment she saw me.
"Heh...♡!"