Manager App - Chapter 70: Idol Project
"Then tonight, I'll clean your ears for you at my place."
Saying this, Seoyeon slyly ran her hand over my chest.
"You know I'm heading out tonight. If I sneak in another overnight stay without permission, I might get kicked out of the hospital."
"Who's staying over? I just meant you could rest a bit before you go."
"……."
Her words felt like they were really saying, 'I'm not letting you sleep tonight.'
"……You know, I've been thinking, and it doesn't itch anymore anyway."
I gave an awkward smile and politely declined. But Seoyeon acted like she hadn't heard a word, giggling as she hopped into the driver's seat first. From the looks of it, she was dead set on dragging me back to her place no matter what tonight.
I'll try talking her out of it after dinner.
Shaking my head, I slid into the passenger seat and buckled up. As if she'd been waiting, Seoyeon started the engine and pulled out of the hospital parking lot.
"What're we eating tonight?"
"I booked a restaurant."
"Not somewhere too pricey, right?"
"Super pricey."
I'd asked just in case, but of course it was. As she drove, Seoyeon chattered on about how classy the place was and how delicious the food would be—detailing the chef's experience, the elegant interior, and the perfectly balanced courses. It came off a little boastful, but watching her light up with excitement made my own mood lift right along with hers.
"You'll definitely love it."
Suddenly, Seoyeon glanced at me and spoke.
"Huh?"
"I know it'll be to your taste... It's my favorite restaurant, after all."
She said this with a shy smile. Seeing that, I started to understand why she'd gone on so excitedly about the place.
She wants me to love it too, since it's her favorite.
I let out a soft chuckle. When the light turned red and we stopped, I reached over to caress her cheek.
"Yeah. I think I will."
"Not 'think'—you have to love it."
"Got it. I will, sis."
"……."
Only then did Seoyeon burst into laughter, leaning her cheek into my hand. The softness of her skin against my fingertips melted away all my tension. But the light changed, and I quickly pulled my hand back. She shot me a wistful look but soon focused on driving toward the restaurant.
About thirty minutes later, we arrived.
This place...
One glance at the building screamed high-end luxury restaurant. I was genuinely impressed—no wonder it was so expensive. The parking lot was lined with sleek imported luxury cars.
...Feels kinda intimidating.
I swallowed hard, nerves kicking in, but Seoyeon parked effortlessly in an empty spot like it was no big deal and turned off the engine.
"Let's go."
I nodded, unbuckled, and got out with her. Arm in arm like a proper couple, we took the elevator to the second floor.
"We've been expecting you, Ms. Yu Seoyeon."
As we entered, a waitress in a crisp suit approached with a greeting. Seoyeon lit up and replied.
"Where's unnie?"
"The owner is out at the moment."
"Oh well, can't be helped. Show us to our table."
Listening to them, it finally clicked why Seoyeon loved this place so much.
It's her family's restaurant.
Nodding to myself, I followed the waitress with Seoyeon up to the third floor.
"……."
The moment we stepped onto the third floor, my jaw dropped. I'd expected luxury from the outside, but this was straight out of a movie—sky-high ceilings that made you dizzy, chandeliers glittering like they might blind you. Just looking around had my heart pounding.
Me, in a place like this?
The carpet was so plush it swallowed every footstep. Soft music echoed faintly, making me unconsciously straighten up like I belonged to high society.
Should've at least worn a suit...
No one was that dressed up, but I was the only one in jeans and a casual tee.
Come to think of it, this is Seoyeon's family restaurant. So... I'm meeting the family?
What was she thinking, bringing me here like this? Sure, maybe she just wanted a casual intro, but shouldn't she have given me time to dress up for a first meeting?
"Sis."
We sat down, and I called her quietly.
"Yeah?"
"You're not planning to introduce me to your family, are you?"
"Nah, don't worry. My sister's not the type to care about that."
She waved it off casually, but I couldn't help being on edge. It was our first meeting, after all. Better to make a good impression, right? Too late to run now, though. At least her family was out for now.
Eat fast and bail.
I rubbed my chin, thinking that, when I felt something nudge my leg under the table. I glanced down, but suddenly Seoyeon grabbed my hand.
"No need to be so tense."
"I'm serious."
"So cute."
She grinned mischievously and rubbed her foot along my leg, teasing me so blatantly that my cheeks burned.
"Well, well, who's this?"
Just as I was helplessly at her mercy, a woman approached our table.
...No way.
Her voice made me wonder if she was family, but her next words dashed that.
"...Isn't that the intern?"
The woman's mocking tone made Seoyeon's eyes flash.
"Where'd this slut come from?"
"Better than someone covered in cobwebs."
They traded barbs, clearly not on good terms. I turned to look at the woman.
Huh?
Her face rang a bell.
Where do I know her from?
I racked my brain, but nothing came up.
"Ancient history."
"What? Oh... Is that your boyfriend?"
She looked surprised at first, then smirked openly, scanning me up and down.
"...Figures you'd end up with someone like you."
"And you just go around sampling tiny dicks like yours?"
"Hey!"
"What? If the dick doesn't measure up, you gonna run home?"
Seoyeon snickered, and the woman flushed red, biting her lower lip. That's when it hit me.
Vice President Lee Hyunju!
The culprit behind that scandal that rocked the country three months ago.
Yeah, the underage onboard orgy incident.
Lee Hyunju, second daughter of Daehan Shipping's chairman, had thrown an orgy party on a passenger ship to China with underage male idol hopefuls. When the crew and captain leaked it to the press, the company defended her and fired them, fueling public outrage. She eventually stepped down with a national apology—but her attitude was arrogantly unrepentant.
Never thought I'd run into the star of that show in person.
I stuck out my tongue, watching her bicker with Seoyeon.
*This has no relation to any real persons.
*"Banana Recall Incident" → Corrected to "Underage Onboard Orgy Incident."