Idol Project
"What're you staring at like that?"
Just as I was checking Kim Minseo's personal stats, Lee Eunha's voice suddenly came from right in front of me. I flinched, shoulders jerking, then forced my startled heart to calm down as I quickly closed the Manager App. Of course, while avoiding her gaze.
"Just playing a game for a sec. But why'd you show up so late? Don't tell me..."
"No, it's not!"
The moment I trailed off with that "don't tell me," Eunha's face flushed beet red, and she shouted at the top of her lungs. That over-the-top reaction... Could it really be?
"For real?"
"For real what? I wasn't even late or anything!"
She yelled that out, then plopped down on the bed, planting her butt right there. She set the bag she'd had on her lap down by her feet.
"...So, oppa, when do you get discharged?"
"Gotta wait for the rabies test results. If they're clear, I'll be out right away."
"That's bad."
"Bad? Nah, it'll be fine. Nothing to worry about."
Even if something did come up, I could just use the healer's staff to fix it. Sure, it was Normal grade, so how effective it'd be was anyone's guess... But if that didn't work, I'd use the Vital Energy I'd just earned to pull more gear. No matter how rotten my luck, a Rare healing item had to drop eventually. I'd keep going till it did. Plus, Minseo was head over heels for me anyway.
If worst comes to worst, I can just reinforce gear with Vital Energy.
I crossed my arms, thinking that, when a brilliant idea suddenly hit me.
...Wait. With this power, couldn't I cure even incurable diseases?
It sounded plausible.
I could make a killing if I play it right.
The thought of easy money made my mouth water. But I shook my head just as quick. To heal someone, I'd have to pull out the healer's staff. And even if I did cure them, nothing said they'd pay up. Worst case, they could blab to a news station or something.
...Disaster.
Sure, I could drag them to the Training Room, pretend to be a demon, and force a contract to shut them up—but I didn't want to risk exposing the Training Room any more than I already had.
Life's full of crap like that.
I clicked my tongue and glanced at Eunha.
"Anyway, what about dinner? Wanna eat together?"
She fidgeted with her fingers, eyes darting everywhere.
"I'm good, but... didn't you say you'd eat with noona?"
"Yeah."
I nodded, and she let out a deep sigh before speaking.
"Then eat with her. But tomorrow night, dinner's on me."
"Oh, coming back tomorrow too?"
"Why? You hate it?"
She looked up at me, and I flashed a big grin.
"Hate it? Hell no! I love it! Come anytime."
That finally got her laughing as she stood up.
"Got it. See you tomorrow night then. Keep it free."
"Sure thing."
"I'm off. Take care of yourself, oppa."
Her worried tone made me thump my chest with my fist like a tough guy.
"Don't worry. Strip away the health, and I'm a corpse anyway."
"Already a corpse, huh?"
She giggled at my joke, grabbed her bag from the floor, and slipped out of the room.
Eunha stepped out of the room and started walking slowly.
"Wasted trip."
Pouting, she shot a resentful glare back at Yuhyun oppa's room. But he didn't come chasing after her. If only he'd come out now and say, 'You're right, Eunha—let's eat together. I'll tell Seoyeon noona next time.'
"..."
She clung to that faint hope, but by the time she reached the elevator, he still hadn't appeared. In the end, all she got was disappointment as she stepped inside.
I'm the idiot here.
So oblivious—could he even manage a proper relationship? Hell, maybe she'd have to confess first.
"Haa."
She sighed deeply, got off on the first floor, and strolled out. Then—ding! A KakaoTalk notification.
Heart skipping, she checked it quick, hoping it was Yuhyun oppa. No such luck—it was her friend Jihyun.
Eunha pouted and typed back: No, heading home.
"..."
That snapped her awake. Jihyun was right—hospital visits came with dinner as standard.
Fuming, Eunha spilled every detail of the visit to Jihyun, who chimed in with agreement and roasted Yuhyun mercilessly.
"C-confess?!"
Eunha yelped without thinking. Realizing people were around, she clamped her mouth shut and bolted to the subway station at full speed.
Once inside the train, she panted and fired off a message.
Her shoulders slumped. Jihyun had a point—this way, she'd never even date, let alone get with Yuhyun oppa.
She asked with a sliver of hope, wishing for Jihyun's usual "Yeah, wait a bit more." But no dice—Jihyun was firm this time.
"Jerk."
Eunha grumbled, but deep down, she knew Jihyun was right. Waiting forever wouldn't make Yuhyun oppa confess.
"What?"
Eunha blurted it out loud enough that a few subway riders glanced her way. Her ears burned red as she ducked her head.
"..."
She remembered Jihyun bragging about winning a cosplay contest at Seoul Comic World or whatever. Yeah, Jihyun was obsessed with that stuff.
Eunha made a dumbfounded face and closed the app. She stared at her reflection in the subway window across from her.
Me, an idol?
She'd never been popular. Plain, boyish—that was her. She knew she lacked feminine charm. So college? No big expectations. No dating dreams. Freshman year, all study, no play.
Then sophomore year, MT trip—she saw Yuhyun oppa fresh from discharge. Tall, kind to everyone. He approached her alone with her drink, first to chat. Cared for her all night.
Such kindness was new. Heart-fluttering first. And same villa? Fate, she thought.
...Would Yuhyun oppa like it?
If no interest, he wouldn't mention it. Must care a bit.
But...
"Urgh..."
Dancing and singing in front of crowds? Face burned. Oppa watching? She'd die of shame, crawl into a hole.
No way. I can't be an idol!
Shaking, head down, she realized her stop and jumped up, fleeing the station. On the stairs, a mirror caught her eye.
"..."
For a split second, she imagined herself all dolled up, pretty clothes.
S-stupid!
She whipped her head away and raced up. Panting at the villa entrance, she caught her breath, then cupped her face like washing it.
...Yuhyun oppa, you idiot!!
My ear's itchy.
After the head nurse okayed my outing, I headed out with Seoyeon noona, and my ear started itching like crazy.
"What's up?"
"Ear's itchy."
"Want me to dig it out?"
She giggled, wiggling her pink-manicured nails in front of my face.
"Not that—use an ear pick?"
I felt cold sweat trickle down my back but asked as politely as I could.
========== Author's Note ==========
A bit late!