Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: A Tempting Offer
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The members of Answer followed Team Leader Park into a cafe that was about half full.
The three girls, with their model-like figures, naturally drew the attention of every customer in the cafe.
“Are they a girl group?”
“Nah, no way. They’re not even that pretty.”
“If that’s them without makeup, they’re gorgeous. What are the odds of three girls with figures like that walking around together?”
“…Hey, don’t talk like my boyfriend! It’s annoying. And what’s so pretty about being stick-thin?”
“They might be thin, but they have nice curves.”
Murmurs of people sizing up the Answer members could be heard from all around.
“Order whatever you want. It’s a special day, so get some cake, okay?”
Team Leader Park said magnanimously.
“I’ll have… an iced Americano.”
“I’ll have an iced Americano too.”
“…Can we really have cake?”
“Of course. Go grab a table. I’ll bring it over.”
Unlike his usual self, Team Leader Park was being incredibly kind.
Team Leader Park brought over the drinks and cake they had ordered.
“I admit I’ve been harsh with you all. I’m sorry. At first, I was just pushing you to succeed, but as my own frustrations with the company grew, I started taking it out on you.”
“……”
Team Leader Park started making excuses before he even sat down.
“You all know it, but look at the state of this company. They’re a mess, pinning all their hopes on that one boy group that debuted ages ago, aren't they?”
Displeased by his tone, Seol-ah’s eyes twitched.
“Every new venture they try is a total screw-up, they’ve lost all credibility in the industry, they can’t even find investors… oh, right! Do you know who JD’s biggest shareholder is right now?”
“……”
The members just glanced at each other, blinking.
“The butchers from Doksan-dong. The meat shop owners.”
Seeing the members’ eyes widen, Team Leader Park looked triumphant.
“Acting like they’re big shots just because they’re the majority shareholders, they’re even meddling in auditions. Isn’t that a sign of total ruin? How could I watch that and not get pissed off?”
The members were all shocked to hear that nouveau riche butchers were now the owners of their company.
“…Whatever the reason, I heard that you… Team Leader Park, have quit.”
“Huh? Well… I haven’t submitted my resignation yet, but I’ll have to clear out my desk soon.”
Team Leader Park was a little flustered by Seol-ah’s words.
“Honestly, I came here today to apologize, but since we’re on the topic, I’ll be blunt. I’m moving to SJ.”
The members’ faces showed their surprise.
“You know, right? SJ Enter is doing great these days. Mi-ji already sent her contract termination notice! She’ll be heading to SJ soon.”
“Mi-ji too? Don’t tell me that’s why she bailed on her schedule?”
For a moment, Team Leader Park gave a bitter smile at Seol-ah’s reaction before recovering his grin and speaking.
“Let’s all go to SJ.”
“!”
“Your talent is too good to waste, so I went out on a limb and spoke to Daepyo-nim Gyeon. Seol-ah is a great singer, Seul-bi is a great rapper and dancer, and Yi-na is the ultimate visual center. If you guys just go to SJ, you’ll blow up instantly. It’s a whole different league from incompetent JD.”
At Team Leader Park’s words, the members’ eyes wavered.
Bzzz.
Bzzz bzzz.
Bzz bzz bzzz bzz.
Seol-ah, Seul-bi, and Yi-na’s phones vibrated one after another, but no one answered.
“…We still have two to five years left on our contracts.”
“Don’t worry! SJ will take care of everything. You guys haven’t been paid once yet, right? We can use that against them; it won’t be difficult. JD doesn’t even have the resources to sue right now.”
Thinking Seol-ah was already convinced by her reaction, Team Leader Park added another word.
“Let’s put Seul-bi and Yi-na aside for a moment. To be blunt, Seol-ah, if you don’t make it big this time, it’s over for you, right? Are you just going to rot away like this? End up living your life doing personal broadcasts?”
“!”
Seol-ah was momentarily infuriated by his humiliating words, but then a cold feeling washed over her, and she began to worry instead.
‘This might be my last chance.’
Confused, Seol-ah considered it seriously. But she had a cautious side.
“…What if we go to SJ and end up finished without ever releasing an album?”
‘So suspicious…’
Contrary to the curses he was muttering under his breath, Team Leader Park spoke magnanimously.
“Hey, hey! Don’t worry about that. We’ll specify the album release and promotional support in the contract. As soon as you guys say okay.”
The members all sighed and lowered their heads, almost in unison.
Seol-ah and Seul-bi were clearly contemplating it seriously, and Yi-na grew worried seeing them.
It was because she felt a strong sense of loyalty to their current manager, Min-jun.
“How long are you going to live in that crappy dorm? Aren’t you worried? The SJ dorm is a state-of-the-art apartment, less than five years old. It has security doors, so no creepy bastards can get in.”
“……?”
Seol-ah felt a strange chill from Team Leader Park’s words, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.
“All this talking is making me crave a cigarette. You guys talk it over amongst yourselves.”
Team Leader Park put a cigarette in his mouth and went outside.
“…I’m going to the restroom.”
Yi-na, who had been watching her unnis, stood up.
* * *
I got closer to the location Yi-na had sent.
I could see Team Leader Park, brazenly smoking in the middle of the street, oblivious to the disapproving glances of passersby.
Total scumbag.
“!”
The guy flinched so visibly upon spotting me that he dropped his cigarette ash.
“What are you doing?”
“Ah, shit.”
Perhaps recalling the painful memory of all his attacks failing, Team Leader Park didn’t even respond to my informal speech and went back into the cafe.
“This is your last chance, okay? They’ll even provide a monthly stipend for living expenses….”
I grabbed Team Leader Park’s shoulder and pulled him back.
“Ugh! What do you think you’re doing!”
“Get lost.”
The members, finally noticing me, flinched in surprise.
“Ha! You little brat. You’re an SJ trainee….”
“I said, get lost. If you don’t want to die.”
I glared at him as if to say I’d stomp him if he didn’t leave this time. Despite his tense expression, the guy scoffed and headed for the cafe door.
He had to save face, I guess.
“Girls, this is really your last chance. Think too long and you’ll miss it, okay?”
With those final words, Team Leader Park disappeared. I ignored the whispering glances from the people around us and sat down with the members.
A hint of guilt was written on the members’ faces. They had clearly received some kind of tempting offer.
What did he see in these members, whose talents hadn’t even blossomed yet, to make such an offer?
“Hold on a second.”
I sent a text to the Isa-nim.
-Found the members. It was nothing serious. I’ll report in detail shortly.
“Did Team Leader Park ask you to go to SJ?”
“!”
At my question, Seol-ah and Seul-bi’s pupils trembled.
“…SJ is a dirty place. People who choose to go there almost always have a bad ending. Look at me. You could end up going through things you can’t even speak of.”
Seol-ah, who had been silent, spoke with an impassive face.
“…Realistically, can we survive at JD?”
“Of course.”
Seol-ah let out a deep sigh.
“…How? You can say that even after seeing our current situation? What can the three of us possibly do right now? I bet what little schedules we had have all been canceled.”
As expected, the sharp Seol-ah saw right through to the reality of their situation. That must be why she was tossing and turning all night while the others were happy about the bonus.
“I don’t think the higher-ups have told you yet, but you know that thing I said was still a secret? I’ll tell you now. There’s a mash-up project in the works with Answer and a talented rookie.”
“Really?”
Yi-na reacted quickly. It was probably because of the earlier phone call and the fact that her trust level was over 80, reaching best friend status.
“The Daepyo-nim is working on a song right now.”
“……”
Despite the serious situation, I almost laughed at the members’ deflated expressions. They were definitely thinking, ‘If it’s another one of the Daepyo-nim’s songs, aren’t we screwed?’
“It’s different this time. We’re going to do a blind test, including songs from outside composers. Answer and the trainees will all vote.”
Their expressions finally brightened.
“You artists will finally get to wear clothes that fit you perfectly. I came here in a good mood to share the good news, but now it just sounds like an excuse.”
I gave a wry smile and held out three envelopes.
“?”
“And starting today, you have a week off while the new member is being trained. The person who gave me this said that even though it’s not much, you should have a meal with your parents. They said they were sorry they couldn’t give you more pocket money.”
“…Who gave it to us?”
“They said not to tell you because they were embarrassed they couldn’t give more. You know our company’s situation.”
No matter how desperate they were, the members would never accept money from a mere roadie like me.
It was much more advantageous for me to make them feel like the higher-ups were looking out for them.
“Was it the Daepyo-nim?”
Yi-na asked. I thought she would’ve asked if it was the Isa-nim…. I guess since the Isa-nim has to manage the artists, her scary exterior stands out more than her warm heart.
“I can’t say. They said they’d be embarrassed if you thanked them, so they asked you to just give a nod instead. They insisted I respect their wishes.”
The confidence that had vanished from the members’ faces seemed to reappear. Seol-ah fanned her flushing face and spoke up.
“…Don’t get the wrong idea. We just came because we figured Team Leader Park would be annoying if we didn’t, and we didn’t want to let him into the dorm.”
“Yeah. And he said he’d treat us to something nice and we could get some fresh air for a change.”
Unlike Yi-na, who had reported to me right away, Seol-ah and Seul-bi rattled off their cute excuses.
I know exactly how you feel.
Your whole lives are on the line, after all.
[Sudden Quest, ‘Group’s Existence Crisis’ Complete.]
Thanks to your efforts, the members have renewed their fighting spirit.
Reward: 3 distributable stat points
Remaining distributable points: 19pt
Right. Keep piling up, points.
I’ll turn this whole group into absolute beasts.
“If we have a week off starting now, can we go straight home without stopping by the company?”
Seol-ah asked. It seemed she wanted to go see her mom.
“Yes. Just report your general schedule for the week.”
“Then I’ll head home tomorrow or the day after.”
I noted Seol-ah’s movements in my phone.
“What about you, Seul-bi?”
“…Can Yi-na and I go with you, unni?”
“It’s fine if you come with me… my mom would like that. But it won’t be very fun.”
Seol-ah looked a little troubled.
By the way, do Seul-bi and Yi-na not have homes? Why are they going with her? It’s a sensitive topic, so I can’t ask directly.
I dropped the members off at the dorm and went back to the company. The Isa-nim wasn’t there, so I reported the members’ attempted defection via text.
‘Now, shall I teach Ro-si a bit?’
I went to find Ro-si to start her lesson.
Five or six girls were sitting on the floor, watching dance videos or listening to music and practicing their moves.
“Manager-nim!”
A bright-faced Ro-si welcomed me.
In a teaching situation like this, friendliness was poison. It was an undeniable fact that learning under psychological pressure increased retention. Of course, I’d have to make sure to leave her with a shred of dignity.
“Let’s start the lesson.”
“…You, Manager-nim?”
“It’s a company decision, so I’d appreciate it if you thought of me as your teacher until you become an official member.”
“Ah… yes! I’m sorry.”
I could see Ro-si’s face flush. I don’t enjoy situations like this, but the results of Ro-si’s lessons would directly reflect on my reputation.
“Here? Or there?”
I pointed to the female practice room, ASMR, and the male practice room, Permeate.
“…I’ll do it there.”
Ro-si must have expected to be scolded, as she chose the male practice room where she knew fewer faces.
We entered Room P, where six male trainees were practicing.
“You’ve practiced, right?”
“Yes, but not much. I got the materials yesterday and practiced for about four hours.”
I looked at the male trainees practicing. There was someone with a special talent here too. Not talent as an idol, but it might be useful to me someday.
“Hey, you prospective artists! Anyone with time, come watch.”
“…Yes.”
The boys answered reluctantly. Ro-si’s face turned beet red.
“…Do you have stage fright?”
“No… It’s just, you suddenly did that, so I’m a little embarrassed.”
Instead of answering, I abruptly started dancing Mi-ji’s sensual part.
“Pfft!”
One of the trainees snorted with laughter at the sight of me suddenly dancing, but I paid it no mind.
I have no intention of teaching Ro-si half-heartedly.