Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Bonus Stage
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It had all started from a somewhat impulsive thought.
Both she and Jung Woo-jin had met at the broadcasting station's radio booth without their managers tagging along. Maybe that's why Im Eun-ha was a bit bolder in seducing him.
She'd used their ongoing work on the OST for Boy-Girl Friends as an excuse to lure Jung Woo-jin into her private studio.
Who could have known?
During her idol days, she'd only chased success, treating romance as a luxury she couldn't afford. After achieving it, she barely felt those emotions at all.
Instead of wasting time on that, she'd chosen to compose one more song or practice her acting.
Im Eun-ha, who had never truly burned with love for anyone in her life, finally understood what the fever of love felt like the moment she first laid eyes on Jung Woo-jin.
Ever since that post-movie company meeting when he'd approached her first to exchange numbers, his face kept popping into her mind no matter what she was doing or where she went.
Even amid her packed schedule, Im Eun-ha would steal glances at his name in her contacts, staring endlessly in vain hope that he might message her.
And then, the day of their first Boy-Girl Friends shoot arrived before she knew it.
Jung Woo-jin shone even brighter on set.
Unlike shoots with that damn Hwang Jin-soo, things progressed smoothly. The occasional NG cuts came from Im Eun-ha's side, while Jung Woo-jin perfectly embodied his role despite being new to the cast.
Watching his professional moment, Im Eun-ha couldn't hold back her growing feelings any longer.
She, who always kept a firm line with male celebrities to avoid rumors, approached Jung Woo-jin first whenever there was a break, striking up conversations and scrambling for any excuse to connect with him.
The idea she came up with was her Wednesday show as host: the visual radio.
With her heart pounding, she'd asked him to appear as a guest, and he'd accepted readily.
After the visual radio schedule wrapped, Im Eun-ha finally invited Jung Woo-jin to her private studio.
To hide her wildly thumping heart, Im Eun-ha acted extra cheerful.
"Oppa, come on in! This is my studio!"
Even in this situation where a man and woman were alone together, Jung Woo-jin wore a relaxed smile.
"Oppa! Over here! Sit down and listen comfortably! I've already set the volume and effects, so no need to touch anything. Oh, this! Try these headphones on."
Unaware or not of her desperate inner turmoil, Jung Woo-jin calmly followed her lead.
"Woo-jin oppa! Can you hear it okay?"
The moment she finally entered the recording booth to play her song for Woo-jin.
Im Eun-ha trembled with an intense tension stronger than ever before. Not even standing before thousands at a concert or being invited to a live-mandatory festival had made her this nervous.
Thump-thump-.
[By now, it's time I should've forgotten, so why does your shadow still haunt me? ♬]
A song capturing the regret of those who let their first love slip away.
[If back then, I'd been a little more selfish. And confessed, what might have been? ♬]
Lyrics stressing that holding onto love requires courage.
Im Eun-ha sang fully immersed, as if she truly were the female lead 'Seo-ha' from Boy-Girl Friends.
Outside the booth, Jung Woo-jin stared intently at her. As she sang on, Im Eun-ha vowed over and over: she wouldn't let him go.
But once she stepped out and sat beside Jung Woo-jin, an awkward air settled in, her heart racing madly. She had so much she wanted to say, but the words wouldn't come.
Then.
"That song you just did—mind if I try singing it in a male key? It'd be great if you could add the harmony."
Jung Woo-jin stepped up to sing it himself.
'Woo-jin oppa...?'
Of course, she knew actors these days could sing well too. But more than expecting his skill, she was thrilled just to share this moment with him.
Im Eun-ha entered the booth with Jung Woo-jin. Being in the cramped space together felt wonderful. And with only one sheet of sheet music, even better—it brought them closer.
The MR started playing, and astonishingly, Jung Woo-jin's lips parted right on the beat.
[By now, it's time I should've forgotten ♬]
Such a soft voice.
[So why does your shadow still haunt me? ♬]
Im Eun-ha couldn't help but be startled by his plain, technique-free delivery.
The surprise was even greater because of its clean simplicity.
His fundamentals shone through.
Perfectly synced rhythm, delicate control creating strong and weak beats, impeccable pitch with no deviations, seamless vocal transitions between low and high notes without dissonance.
And remarkably free of unnecessary flourishes or habits.
Jung Woo-jin showed what the peak of basics-focused singing could achieve.
Snapping out of it, she realized she was fully immersed, singing harmony with him.
Their duet blended so fantastically that she hated for it to end, filling her chest with exhilaration.
Locking eyes, they nailed the final phrase together perfectly.
The instant the song ended and she exhaled the breath left in her lungs.
Jung Woo-jin stepped right up to her.
With no hint of hesitation, he naturally pressed his lips to hers.
Im Eun-ha shuddered at the feel of his hot tongue—soft yet boldly invasive, devouring her.
"Mmph, mmph...!"
She exhaled hot breath, which Jung Woo-jin breathed back into her mouth. His tongue coiled around hers stickily, leaving her gasping for air.
'Th-this is a kiss...?!'
Her first kiss. Far stickier and more breathless than she'd imagined. Romantic... yet intensely erotic.
The long kiss finally broke, their lips parting.
Im Eun-ha stared at the thin thread of saliva stretching then snapping, before jolting back to reality.
"Uh, um...! O-oppa, I-I should get going...!!"
"Damn it..."
The emptiness of letting a prey slip through your fingers when it was practically in your grasp.
Subordination Level at 37.5%, just one step from 50%, yet I had no choice but to pull back.
The situation was perfect—I could've laid Im Eun-ha right there without anyone batting an eye.
Even as my rock-hard erection pressed insistently against her lower belly during that sticky kiss, she hadn't resisted or pulled away.
I had no idea why she'd suddenly panicked and fled, but I too had a reason I couldn't just take her then and there.
⤷ Primary Condition: Frustrate 'Im Eun-ha' into sexual dissatisfaction without taking her virginity.
⤷ Secondary Condition: Fulfill the primary condition first.
[Im Eun-ha's Sexual Frustration: 10%]
The mood was perfect, my dick standing at full attention, but having to back off without plunging in was frustrating, no doubt.
Still, I decided against any reckless moves.
With Subordination Level under 50%, caution was key.
Swallowing my regret, I stepped out of Im Eun-ha's studio.
That's when I locked eyes with a woman lurking at the entrance.
Neat bob haircut, fairly pretty face.
After a brief dumbstruck look, she raised something.
Click-.
That was the moment.
Capture and "Educate" Paparazzi Reporter 'Han Song-i'
🎁 Reward: Cleanup of the education site & deletion of 'Han Song-i's' memories
"Ah-ha?"
I instantly grasped what was happening.
The distance between me and this 'Han Song-i' reporter was about 100 meters.
I raised both hands to her, signaling I wanted to talk.
"Mind if we chat somewhere quiet?"
"......"
Han Song-i, visibly wary, backed away instead as she replied.
"Im Eun-ha and Jung Woo-jin entered an empty studio alone. Isn't that enough for a scoop?"
The area around the studio was dark and deserted.
"No denials here. Since it's out, how about I officially confirm the relationship and keep things going with Im Eun-ha? What do you think? Don't you want a clear statement on this for your article?"
"......"
As I took a step toward her, Han Song-i retreated another step.
"I'm a public figure too. What harm could I possibly do to you? If you're that worried, stash your memory card in a subway locker or something."
"...You really mean a solid statement...?"
"Of course. Subway station's nearby—go drop it off quick. I'll wait in the studio."
"...Hold on. Let me send the photos first."
Bluetooth-connected camera, apparently. Han Song-i fiddled with her smartphone for a bit before approaching me.
"Let's go in. Better not try anything stupid."
This idiot prey named Han Song-i chose to walk right into Im Eun-ha's abandoned studio herself.
A bonus stage to unwind a bit, perhaps?