Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: First Paycheck
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There was a bittersweet feeling that I couldn’t do anything for my parents with the first proper paycheck I’d ever received.
Should I offer to buy the Answer members chicken again, when I couldn't even treat them last time?
It felt a bit like I was the one pushing them to gain weight when I should be the one managing their fitness.
Still, I wanted to spend the larger-than-expected paycheck on something that felt good.
I arrived at the clothing shop.
“Manager-nim! Were you really in Fire Emblem?”
The first person to greet me was Chae-ron, the former trainee, her face a mask of surprise.
“Yes. It’s been a while, Chae-ron-ssi. You look like a real stylist now.”
Chae-ron clasped her hands to her chest and continued, looking amazed.
“Manager-nim, don’t embarrass me. If you have time, I’d like to treat you to a meal sometime.”
“I feel full just hearing you say that. I’d like to commission you for our next production, if that’s all right.”
“What? What do you mean? I’m still just the rookie on the bottom rung.”
Chae-ron waved her hands dismissively, but for me, who could see her stats, she was more than qualified for the job.
Chae-ron’s level, which had initially been 76, had already climbed to 85.
Aside from the head stylist, who was at level 92 and a close acquaintance of Director Lee Sun, and the department head at level 88, her number was the highest.
Chae-ron took a step closer and spoke in a small voice.
“I’m still lacking, but honestly, once I started getting the hang of it, I thought of you, Manager-nim. I think I can do a really good job.”
“See? I told you to trust my eye.”
“I will be sure to repay both Director Lee Sun and Manager Min-jun!”
Seeing the bright smile on Chae-ron’s face made me feel as happy as if I were the one who had succeeded.
“Are you two flirting? What are you whispering about?”
The owner of the shop approached us with a smile.
“Ack. I’ll get going then. Fire Emblem, fighting!”
Chae-ron shouted as she scurried away with a startled expression.
I’m not in Fire Emblem anymore…
The stylists at the shop began to whisper among themselves, eyeing me, and those who recognized me acted friendlier than before.
What was the big deal about almost being an active idol, not even being one?
The outfits we had commissioned from the shop were impeccably made.
A perfect blend of 80s disco attire and modern trends made the members of Answer stand out.
“We had a tough time finding this glitter pattern.”
She was referring to the light pink glitter used on the headbands, tops, bottoms, and boots that each member would wear. Between the small square patterns, irregularly sized diamond-shaped glitter pieces stood out like starlight whenever they caught the light.
The concept was as if one complete set had been divided among the four members.
“The result is very satisfying.”
“I heard this design was your idea too, Manager-nim.”
“My Oppa has always been an all-rounder. There’s nothing he can’t do, you know?”
Seul-bi, who had changed into her casual clothes, chimed in.
“Answer is so lucky. Both of their managers are so kind… Well, see you next time?”
The shop’s owner took her leave.
The nuance of the word ‘kind’ didn’t feel typical.
As I looked at Choi Yoo-jun, who was staring at me blankly, a thought crossed my mind. Did she mean ‘kind’ as in handsome?
The Answer members, all changed into their everyday clothes, gathered around.
“I got a big paycheck today.”
“Yay! I know a great place for spicy grilled gopchang!”
Seul-bi was, as always, quick on the uptake.
***
Spicy, gochujang-marinated gopchang and makchang, pre-grilled over charcoal, were placed on a cast-iron pan.
*Sizzle.*
A powerful, smoky aroma that promised a savory feast wafted across the table.
Many of the men and women in the restaurant glanced our way and whispered to each other.
“That’s him, right? The guy who was in Fire Emblem’s debut lineup and got cut.”
“Is the guy next to him one of them too?”
“Don’t the girls look familiar too?”
“Are they celebrities from an agency?”
“Didn’t he become a manager? Is that his team?”
“Ah! Look here. It’s Answer, for sure.”
“Their visuals are insane.”
“That’s sick.”
The powerful, appetite-stimulating smell was so overwhelming that the stares of the people around us didn’t bother the members at all.
Not even Ro-si.
“Just yesterday, Ro-si said she’s never tried gopchang before. This delicious stuff! Can you believe it?”
“It looks… gross.”
Being born outside of Korea, it was understandable that Ro-si might think that. But contrary to her words, I could read a strange sense of anticipation on her face.
As the gochujang marinade grilled, an even more savory aroma filled the air.
“Dig in.”
“Thank you for the food!”
I preferred makchang over gopchang, so I dipped a piece of makchang in the gochujang sauce and put it in my mouth.
My molars broke through the incredible resilience of the beef abomasum.
The savory juices burst out, mingling with the spicy gochujang marinade. A huge wave of satisfaction washed over me as new juices filled my mouth with every chew.
“Ro-si, you said you wanted to be my bestie! Won’t you grant this bestie’s request?”
Ro-si, who had been refusing the gopchang, calling it gross, finally gave in to Seul-bi’s pestering and put a piece in her mouth.
Her slightly scrunched-up expression gradually turned to one of amazement as she chewed.
“…Wow… *hiss*.”
“It’s good, right?”
“*Hiss, haa*… It’s spicy… but delicious?”
“Hehe. Look at Ro-si Unni’s face. That’s a genuine reaction.”
Yi-na giggled as she watched Ro-si.
“‘Best Idol’ is finally next week.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Team Leader Min.”
Seol-ah said with a light smile.
It was hard to believe she was the same person who used to be so anxious and on edge.
“Hey. Seol-ah Unni, you were the one who said we shouldn’t trust Oppa—mmph!”
Seol-ah covered Seul-bi’s mouth with her hand and rubbed it, as if to say she was being annoying.
“Epepet! Ah, it’s spicy! You got gochujang on me! You did that on purpose!”
As I watched Seul-bi wipe the gochujang from above her lip, I raised my glass.
“To ‘Best Idol’.”
“Let’s get it!”
We raised our glasses in a quiet toast.
“Woohoo! Let’s go, let’s go!”
The other customers in the restaurant, who had been watching us discreetly without approaching, joined in the cheerful mood.
A pleasant smile spread across my face as I observed the young crowd, who showed interest while still respecting the privacy of celebrities.
As I stood up, Seol-ah, catching my cue, had the members get up as well.
“Thank you for your support! Please remember us, Answer!”
When I bowed deeply to the customers, Seol-ah gave a signal to the members.
“Two, three! Ask us questions! We’re Answer, please look after us!”
“Woooah!”
“You’re so pretty!”
“You’re so handsome!”
“Hope you make it big!”
The people in the restaurant clapped and cheered for us.
The members of Answer looked thrilled, as if they were already popular stars.
I felt a sense of gratitude.
This is what money is for.
“Sir! Please give every table of two a plate of Korean beef tartare.”
“Woooow!”
The restaurant erupted in cheers.
Fifteen plates of beef tartare for ten tables came out to 300,000 won.
I had scrimped and saved every last penny, burning with a desire for revenge against Gyeon Sang-jin, but today, that 300,000 won didn’t feel like a waste at all.
“Damn! Hyung, your flex is insane!”
Choi Yoo-jun said, giving me two thumbs up.
“Yoo-jun Oppa, you’re only just now realizing how cool Min-jun Oppa is?”
With even Yi-na chiming in to praise me, the atmosphere among us became even more cheerful.
Soon, the beef tartare and raspberry wine arrived.
“We didn’t order any alcohol.”
“On a fine day like this, the owner is treating every table to the most expensive raspberry wine in the house!”
“Woooah!”
Unlike the bleak and dreary world outside in the cold weather, the space we occupied was as lively as a party among friends.
⋮
“Hyung, you’ve got something that just draws people in.”
Choi Yoo-jun commented, sipping on a soda instead of alcohol since he was driving.
I felt that my ‘Star Maker’ and ‘Charisma’ traits were a big help, but now, I was beginning to feel that they were a part of me.
So what if it’s a system? If I’m the only one who has it, then it’s purely my ability.
After a couple of glasses of raspberry wine each, the Answer members and I were in high spirits.
But the better our mood got, the more dissatisfied Yi-na’s expression became.
“You won’t give me the expensive stuff. Everyone here is a guardian.”
“On the day you become an adult, Yi-na-ssi, I’ll treat you to much more expensive alcohol and food than this.”
Yi-na pouted and popped the last piece of gopchang into her mouth.
“Manager-nim, I have a suggestion!”
Seul-bi shot her hand up.
“What is it?”
“I think Ro-si is still awkward around me.”
At Seul-bi’s words, Ro-si’s face stiffened, and she tugged at Seul-bi’s clothes.
“What’s wrong…”
“See? She’s very hesitant to make physical contact.”
Seul-bi pointed to her own clothes and shook her head.
“So, what’s your suggestion?”
“I think the two of us need to build our friendship.”
Seul-bi’s expression was so serious that it made me laugh.
“Don’t beat around the bush.”
“Please give us some free time, just the two of us!”
[Trait ‘Sixth Sense’ Activated]
An ominous light seemed to envelop Ro-si and Seul-bi.
“No.”
“Huh? Whyyy?”
Seul-bi questioned me, as if my refusal was completely unexpected.
“Where would you go at this time of night?”
“…To meet Yoo-kyung Unni.”
Seul-bi said, her voice slightly deflated.
After causing all that trouble last time!
If she was talking about Choi Yoo-kyung, who DJs at a club, it meant they wanted to go dancing.
“Aww! Just once! We won’t drink a single drop, we’ll just go to get some choreography inspiration. You made a deal with me!”
It wasn't much of a deal, but I had promised that Seul-bi could create a part of the choreography in exchange for handing over the rap position entirely to Ro-si.
“I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’ll escort them!”
Choi Yoo-jun said, puffing out his chest.
At that, the ominous light that had been enveloping Seul-bi and Ro-si slowly dissipated.
*Vzzzt.*
My phone suddenly rang. It was an unknown number, but it was glowing with a positive aura.
“Hello?”
“Min-jun-ssi?”
It was the voice of Kim Soo-yeon, the Chief Producer at KVM Broadcasting.
“Hello, Chief Producer-nim.”
At my greeting, Choi Yoo-jun and the members suddenly fell silent.
“Oh my? How did you know right away?”
CP Kim Soo-yeon sounded pleased.
“You’re my benefactor, of course I’d know.”
“Oh, stop. Anyway, I saw the script that came out. You’ve come up with an interesting plan.”
“Thank you for looking it over.”
“The division director enjoyed it too. If you have time today or whenever, let’s have a drink together.”
Today or whenever? Was this a less-pushy way of saying she wanted to meet now?
Building a good relationship with these influential people would be far more beneficial to me than to Answer or the company.
“It would be an honor if you’d have me. Should I head over now?”
“If you have the time, we’d welcome you.”
“Where should I go?”
The moment I hung up, Choi Yoo-jun asked.
“It’s them, right? The division director and the CP?”
“Yeah. I think I have to get going.”
At my words, curiosity flickered across the faces of Seol-ah and the members.
“Are you close enough to meet with them separately?”
“Wow! Seol-ah-nunim, you have no idea. We met them separately for the pre-meeting back then, and Hyung was just throwing out ideas, right? They were all amazing. They loved him.”
Looks of astonishment filled the members’ faces.
“Yoo-jun, you finish up and pay.”
I handed Choi Yoo-jun the corporate card and got up, but Seul-bi blocked my path.
“Awwwww. I got choreography inspiration last time, too.”
I’m pretty sure that was thanks to me.
“…Seul-bi-ssi, acting cute doesn’t really suit you…”
“Yoo-jun Oppa said he’d escort us! I really won’t drink even a single bottle of beer!”
“Yi-na-ssi can’t go.”
“Yi-na and I will head back to the dorm first.”
With even Seol-ah stepping in, it was hard to refuse.
“We’re going to be busy starting next week. I want to get closer to Ro-si.”
I looked at Choi Yoo-jun.
“You can trust me.”
A faint smile touched my lips at Choi Yoo-jun's dramatic expression.
“Make sure you keep your promise not to drink.”
“Yes, sir! I won’t drink even if they offer it for free! I swear!”
“Alright. Yoo-jun, I want a report every ten minutes, on the dot.”
“Yes, Team Leader-nim!”
I was happy that Answer, including Choi Yoo-jun, felt like a complete team.
This must be what it feels like to have a thousand troops and horses on your side.