Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: A Matter of Confidence
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"Yeah, why? If we're here, she won't c—"
"Hey, come on! Let them handle it."
Seul-bi said, covering Yi-na's mouth.
"Pfft! Gross, you pig!"
Shaking off Seul-bi's hand, Yi-na ran into the dorm.
"Ugh, gross! Did you not wash your hands after eating ice cream? They're so sticky!"
"Sorry, I massaged my feet with that hand too."
"You're insane! So annoying!"
We all laughed cheerfully at Yi-na's annoyed outburst.
"Will it take long?"
"...We're just going to grab a cup of coffee."
"A private conversation, perhaps?"
Seol-ah asked as if interrogating me.
"..."
"Just kidding. Go on, Rosi. I'll go wash up first."
Rosi followed me with a heavy expression, like someone who had committed a crime.
"I'm sorry. I should have told you to wait in the car instead of coming up."
"Oh! No, it's fine. I'm wearing sneakers, so it's okay."
We walked out of the villa together, and soon, the cafe where I had scuffled with the old Team Leader Park came into view.
"*Sigh...*"
Rosi took a deep breath in and out. I needed to find out why she'd been so lacking in confidence lately.
No matter how I looked at it, she wasn't lacking anything.
A black leather skirt that highlighted her long, pale legs, a gray fleece jacket, and shimmering, bluish-silver hair framing her well-defined features.
She was Rosi, someone who would inevitably draw anyone's gaze, celebrity or not. Despite exuding an overwhelming aura, a literal goddess, she was anxious.
In dramas, you sometimes see an unrealistic protagonist who is unaware of their own beauty. It seemed Rosi was exactly that type.
I knew she had struggled, caught between successful parents and a high-achieving older brother, but it seemed she had faced pressure beyond what I could imagine. At this point, it was like her parents had ruined their own child.
"Rosi, why don't you go in and find a seat? I forgot to report something to the Isa-nim."
"...Okay... Should I... get a window seat? Or a corner?"
"Anywhere is fine."
Taking another deep breath, Rosi hesitantly entered the cafe. I pretended to be on the phone and watched her.
As expected, people's eyes were drawn to her. I wished she could learn to enjoy that attention.
A few people seemed to recognize her, whispering to their companions. While not on the same level as Seol-ah or Seul-bi, Rosi's recognition was definitely on the rise.
The reason I insisted on her keeping that unique hair color was to boost her recognition.
Just then.
*Vrrr.*
"Hello?"
-Yeah. I heard from Siljang Ji. You want to have Rosi try acting?
*Does the Isa-nim have telepathy with me?* I laughed in disbelief as Rosi looked back at me and sat down.
"Yes. I was thinking we could get Rosi some acting training during the downtime from Seol-ah and Seul-bi's individual schedules."
-Does she have any talent for it?
"Yes. Even though she's a Korean-American, her pronunciation is clear, her vocalization is good, and her visuals are perfect for an actress. I thought we should prepare in advance if we want to expand our business."
-That's true. Rosi definitely isn't the type to mumble her lines.
The Isa-nim's voice brightened considerably, as if he'd just realized it.
-I'll look into an acting coach, then.
"Yes, Isa-nim."
-You're heading home right after this?
"Yes. I actually just came to this cafe to talk with Rosi."
-Ah... just the two of you?
"Yes, near the dorm."
-Okay... got it. Rosi's seemed a bit down lately, so try to see if she's having any difficulties.
"Yes, I will. Have a good evening, Isa-nim."
It seemed even the Isa-nim, who only saw the Answer members briefly, had noticed Rosi's heavy expression.
As I hung up, I saw a girl who looked like a cafe employee approach Rosi. A smile spread across Rosi's face. *Did she recognize Rosi and ask for an autograph?*
Feeling pleased, I opened the cafe door and went inside.
The fragrant aroma of coffee, which I hadn't noticed at all during my scuffle with Team Leader Park, filled the air. I saw fifteen magazines decorating one wall. A cafe with magazines—what a unique concept.
But then,
"Hm?"
The smiling Rosi nodded with a bewildered look on her face, and the employee returned to the counter.
[Rosi's self-esteem is rapidly declining.]
[Rosi's Self-Esteem 29/100]
*What just happened to make her self-esteem drop?*
I walked quickly over to Rosi.
"What's wrong? What did she say?"
"...She said it's a one-order-per-person policy."
For a moment, Rosi's quiet words upset me, but the employee was just doing her job.
I felt a pang of sympathy for Rosi, who must have brightened up thinking the employee recognized her, only to be hit with disappointment and bewilderment at being told to 'order before being seated.'
"...A model employee. Rosi, let's get you something sweet. Do you want a caramel macchiato?"
"No... I'm afraid I'll gain weight. I'm already... Anyway, I'll just have a hot coffee."
I went to the counter to order.
"Two hot Americanos and a chocolate cookie."
"Okay. Two hot Americanos and a chocolate cookie, coming up."
The model employee's smile left a bitter taste in my mouth. She wasn't at fault. She was just doing her job. She just hadn't recognized Rosi.
I sighed and looked at the wall where the magazines were displayed.
"!"
It was *Ellegang*. The luxury magazine that Answer had graced the cover of.
This might be just the thing to restore a little of Rosi's self-esteem.
* * *
Seol-ah came out after a warm shower, taking a deep, refreshing breath.
"I had a tough time pretending I wasn't cold."
"Hehe, your legs were turning blue when you were eating ice cream, Unni."
"Was it that obvious?"
"What's there to worry about? They'll edit the hell out of it anyway."
Seul-bi and Seol-ah, who had been chatting, turned their gazes to Yi-na, who was resting her head on the table in front of the sofa with a pout.
"What are you pouting about now?"
"...I wonder why he went to the cafe alone with Rosi Unni."
Seul-bi said in a subtly provocative tone, but Yi-na's expression didn't change as she replied.
"Isn't it because Rosi has been quieter and more worried lately? That's why he had that one-on-one meeting, too."
"Oh! Is that it? I see."
Yi-na remembered Min-jun asking her about Rosi during her private meeting.
"Rosi Unni's mental state is a mess."
"...Did the Timjang-nim ask you?"
Seol-ah asked, her eyes showing she knew something.
"Yeah. Rosi Unni is worried she's not pulling her weight. You guys have been getting individual schedules lately, right?"
"...It's not like we've gotten that many individual schedules."
"Exactly. She thinks she doesn't have any special talents. No variety show sense, either. She feels bad about splitting the profits evenly when we get paid."
"Oh, dear. That's just like Rosi."
Seul-bi, who had been quiet during Yi-na and Seol-ah's conversation, spoke up with a wry smile.
"I think... Rosi had a tough time because of her family situation."
"...Is it okay to talk about her personal life when she's not here?"
"Should I not?"
"...No. I think it might be helpful."
At Seol-ah's words, Seul-bi let out a small laugh and began to speak.
"Her parents are a successful lawyer and an accountant."
"I purposely never asked. So that's how it was."
"And on top of that, her older brother is also super successful, so it seems she was compared to them a lot since she was young. She must have been under a lot of pressure."
"...Oh, man..."
"Her brother's a successful dentist now."
"...So her joining our company was basically like running away from home?"
"It's true she loved K-pop and dramas, but it seems that was part of the reason, too."
"It's amazing that someone with such low self-esteem could decide to live on her own."
"Her relatives in Korea helped her out a bit."
Yi-na interjected with a look of confusion at Seul-bi and Seol-ah's words.
"Isn't having a successful family a great thing? I don't see how that would make you lose confidence. Shouldn't it make you more arrogant?"
"...Well... if it were you, Yi-na, that might be the case."
Seul-bi retorted, looking at Yi-na as if she were pathetic.
"...Hey. Are you dissing me right now?"
"How is that a diss? You said it yourself."
"Hmph."
At a loss for words, Yi-na's lips jutted out in a pout.
* * *
I strode over quickly and grabbed the *Ellegang* magazine before anyone else could.
My actions drew some glances, but I paid them no mind and returned to the counter, flipping to the photo where Rosi and Seul-bi were caught eating snacks.
"Your two coffees and chocolate cookie are ready."
"Excuse me, do you have the magazine 'Ellegang'?"
The employee pointed with a surprised expression.
"Yes, it's over there."
"Is it the latest issue?"
"Yes."
"Sorry, I can't quite see it. Where did you say it was?"
"Over there, on that shelf."
The employee answered nonchalantly, as if she wasn't particularly interested, but her lips curled in a peculiar way. It was a look that said, *'Is this guy hitting on me right now?'*
It made sense. She had probably never seen a man ask for *Ellegang* magazine in a cafe before.
Reading her mind, I brought the magazine to the counter and smiled, feigning bashfulness.
"I found it, thanks to you. Thank you."
"Oh, yes. Is there anything else you need?"
Her face showed she was expecting something more from me. I flipped through the pages of *Ellegang* and said.
"Actually, I'm Answer's producer, and this was their first pictorial. I really wanted to see what Answer looked like displayed in a place like this."
"Ah, yes? Huh?"
"Especially this picture."
I pointed to the photo of her and Seul-bi eating snacks again. The employee, finally realizing, looked startled and pointed a finger at Rosi.
"Is that... her?"
I smiled, nodded, and returned to my seat.
"...Chocolate."
"..."
I nodded leisurely, as if I had known all along.
"I'll enjoy it."
Rosi took a sip of her coffee.
"Don't worry about gaining weight and eat the cookie. You're already on the thin side."
"...I'll work hard."
*What a random thing to say.*
Soon, as if giving a confession, Rosi began to ramble on self-deprecatingly.
"I know I'm mediocre. I've known it since I first joined... and I've been feeling it more and more lately. I'm not a great singer like Seol-ah Unni, or a dancer like Seul-bi, and I have no variety show sense, so I can't even speak well."
I finally understood the tense look on Rosi's face when I asked to speak with her privately.
"What are you talking about?"
"You were going to scold me... talk to me away from the other members, right?"
"Rosi-ssi."
"Yes?"
"You don't get it at all."
"Get what?"
"Didn't you feel everyone's eyes on you when you walked into the cafe? People were admiring you."
"But... they might recognize Unni and Seul-bi, but they don't recognize me."
"That's because the shows you've been on so far have focused on vocals and dancing. Rosi's specialty hasn't been revealed yet."
Rosi blinked her large eyes in surprise.
"You weren't going to scold me?"
"Why would I scold you when you're doing well?"
For a moment, Rosi's eyes grew moist.
*How on earth did she survive her trainee days with a mentality like this?*
I took out the business card holder that Rosi had bought me from my pocket.
"Oh? You've been carrying it?"
A bright smile flashed across Rosi's face.
"Of course, it was a gift. Ever since I received this from you, Rosi, things have been going so well. I'm always grateful. And you think I'd scold you? Me?"
"I'm so glad!"
Rosi looked up at the ceiling and blinked, as if trying to hold back tears.
[Rosi's self-esteem is rising.]
Getting happy over small things, getting hurt all by herself. There are people like this in the world. More than you'd think.
"The reason I wanted to see you alone was about acting."
"Dramas, movies. That kind of acting? I... don't think I'd be any good at it..."
"Didn't you say you performed in a school play once?"
Was it because I remembered something she'd mentioned in passing? The corners of Rosi's mouth twitched strangely.
"That was when I was young... I don't have the confidence now."
"You can just get training."
If that's not enough, I can use points to give her special training. I still had 31 distributable stat points left.
*What was Rosi's acting level again?*
[Name: Oh Ro-si (Age 20)]
Vocal: 64/75
Dance: 60/68
Rap: 70/91
Charm: 55/92
⋮
Acting Ability: 33/70/??
*What? Why is her acting ability like this? And what's with those question marks?*
I'd never paid much attention to the acting stat before, but I was shocked to see it at such a terrible level.
But Rosi was supposed to be Rose White Rosi, the master actress of extreme contrasts who had stunned the world in my memories.
I reopened the quest related to Rosi.
[Active Quest: 'Rosi's Presence']
Answer member Rosi's self-esteem is falling due to concerns about her presence. This drop in self-esteem can lead to a vicious cycle that further diminishes her presence. Raise Rosi's self-esteem to 80% or higher.
Rosi's Self-Esteem 31/100
Time Limit: None
Reward: ?
Failure Condition: Answer's rise will end.
I was certain that the unknown reward would be the key to breaking down the wall currently holding Rosi back and unlocking her true acting talent.
"...Oppa?"
"Hm?"
"What were you thinking about?"
"I was thinking about my conversation with the Isa-nim earlier. He said he'd look for an acting coach."
I brushed it off with a plausible excuse, but Rosi's expression became extremely tense.
"Ooh... I'm nervous."
"For now, the plan is to have lessons when Seol-ah and Seul-bi are busy with individual schedules and we can't do group activities."
"I'll work hard, but I don't know if this is the right thing to do. What if my terrible acting ruins Answer's image?"
They say some people are just born worriers, and Rosi was excessively worried about the future.
"After you've had some lessons, I'll evaluate you myself. We'll decide whether to start with auditions for minor roles or go for supporting or main roles."
"If you're the one judging, Oppa, I'll actually feel more at ease."
"Don't worry. You're going to become a major source of income for our company, Rosi-ssi. Of course, you're already doing great with Answer. Have I ever been wrong before?"
"No!"
"Right? So you'll succeed as an actress too, won't you, Rosi?"
"I'll believe you!"
Rosi said with a hopeful expression.
[Rosi's self-esteem rises significantly.]
[Current Self-Esteem: 40/100]
[Target Self-Esteem: 80/100]
By improving her acting skills through lessons and boosting her confidence, and then achieving meaningful results with minor roles, I was sure I could raise her self-esteem dramatically.
"It's almost time for *Best Idol*. Shall we get going?"
"Yes."
As Rosi and I stood up, the model employee from before approached, unwrapping a new copy of *Ellegang*.
"Um... excuse me, but could I possibly get your autograph?"
"An a-autograph?"
"Yes, you're Rosi from Answer, right? I'm a huge fan."
The employee's face was flushed as she spoke. Her claim of being a fan might have been an empty pleasantry, but her desire for an autograph was surely genuine.
"Oh! Thank you!"
With a moved expression, Rosi accepted the marker.
[Rosi's self-esteem rises significantly.]
[Current Self-Esteem: 40+10/100]
*Saying 'thank you' while giving an autograph.*
I understood she was grateful for being recognized, but that kind of behavior from Rosi had a strange way of making you smile. This must be part of her charm.