Manager App - Chapter 82: Idol Project
“Why are you so late!”
As the elevator descended to the first floor, three women standing in the hospital lobby caught my eye. And among them, Jang Jihyun stood out the most. Her beauty was impossible to overlook, no matter where she went.
Ye-eun's quite the beauty too... but she gets overshadowed by Jihyun.
I stuck out my tongue in admiration and approached Eunha and the others, opening my mouth to speak.
“Sorry, I just missed the elevator right in front of me.”
“Then you should've taken the stairs!”
“Hey, I'm a patient here. Cut me some slack.”
As I played the weak card, Jihyun burst into open laughter, cackling loudly.
“Ahaha, you're such a good joker. Getting bitten by a dog makes you a patient?”
“Hey, that dog was the size of a mountain, I told you!”
“Might as well say a wolf bit you.”
After scolding me like that, Jihyun spun around and spoke up.
“...Anyway, let's hurry!”
“Hurry where?”
“Where else? Karaoke, obviously!”
Shouting loudly, Jihyun strode off toward the hospital exit on her own, her enthusiasm overflowing to the point where I wondered if she'd actually take first place. It'd be great if she did for real.
I let out a wry chuckle and chased after her, bringing Eunha and Ye-eun along.
“There was a karaoke place around here somewhere... Ah, there it is!”
Once outside, Jihyun looked around and spotted the karaoke spot on the second floor, pointing at it excitedly.
“...Come on, let's go!”
With that, she dragged us—whose enthusiasm was comparatively lacking—into the building where the karaoke was located.
“You know, this is the first time we've gone to karaoke together, oppa.”
As we climbed the stairs following Jihyun, Eunha suddenly tugged my hand and said that. It hit me then that I'd never actually been to karaoke with Eunha even once.
“Now that you mention it, yeah. We've been to the movies and restaurants plenty of times, but karaoke's a first, huh?”
“Right?”
Eunha flashed a bashful smile, dimples forming prettily. Ye-eun, who'd been listening to our exchange, glanced back and forth between us and spoke up.
“You two should date.”
“Eek! D-d-dating?!”
No sooner had Ye-eun's words landed than a sharp squeak escaped Eunha's lips.
“If you've gone to movies together and eaten out multiple times, that's dating.”
“I-is that so? You think...?”
Eunha sneaked a glance at me. I had no idea why she was looking my way, but it seemed like I needed to step in here.
I cleared my throat with a khem and spoke.
“What, everyone does stuff like this, right? And Eunha feels like a little sister, so we hang out. Isn't that it?”
“Ahaha. Y-yeah, right?”
My save must've hit the mark, because Eunha nodded with an adorably bright laugh.
“Hurry up and come in!”
As we wrapped up our brief chat, Jihyun flung open the karaoke room door from above and yelled down at us. From her attitude, she seemed seriously antsy.
I chuckled wryly and quickly ushered Eunha and Ye-eun into the second-floor karaoke lounge.
“Four adults. Time... one hour?”
“One hour should be plenty, right? And it's a weekday daytime, so they'll throw in extras?”
Leaning forward toward the staff, Jihyun prompted. The male employee blushed to his ears and nodded frantically.
“Y-yes, yes! We'll add a lot!”
“See?”
Having secured confirmation from the staff, Jihyun puffed up her shoulders proudly like a triumphant general. I chuckled softly, praised her, and pulled out four 10,000-won bills from my wallet.
“Oppa’s paying?”
As I handled the payment, Jihyun poked my side with a surprised look. At the same time, Eunha and Ye-eun held out their own 10,000-won bills to me.
I gently pushed back the money they offered and said,
“Didn't you tell me to be your manager?”
“Ooh, getting serious now?”
Jihyun even clapped in applause. I shrugged exaggeratedly and replied,
“I do what I do when it's time. Don't forget the 1,000 though.”
“Got it, won't forget.”
We bantered playfully as we headed to room 3, as the staff had directed.
“Pretty nice.”
The interior was surprisingly clean.
“Wow!”
Jihyun seemed pleased too, letting out a delighted whoop before plopping down on the plush sofa. Eunha sat demurely beside her and beckoned me over. I didn't hesitate and took the seat next to her.
“I'll use the bathroom quick.”
“Hurry back!”
“Okay.”
Jihyun doted on Ye-eun intensely. Her excitement reminded me of Liu Bei discovering Zhuge Liang—pure shouting-for-joy vibes. Yeah, this must be what they call that magnetic pull.
“Shall we each pick a solo song first?”
While I was admiring the scene, Jihyun snatched the remote and queued up a song. She wasn't starting it right away, so she must've set it to wait.
“...Eunha, you not picking?”
“I'll pick when Ye-eun gets back.”
“What? Skipping out? Embarrassed 'cause oppas here?”
“W-what are you talking about!”
Eunha yelped at Jihyun's teasing. Jihyun clicked her tongue and tossed the remote my way.
“Guess oppa needs to sing one too, huh?”
“Me?”
“Come on, we can't all sing without you.”
Forcing the remote on me, Jihyun grinned. I made a troubled face, about to mention my being tone-deaf, when I caught Eunha's pleading gaze. Next to her, Jihyun stared me down commandingly.
With a light sigh, I selected Seong Siyeon's It Would Have Been Good.
“Here, Eunha.”
Passing the remote to her, Eunha pondered for a bit before mustering courage and picking Cherry Filter's Romantic Cat.
“Ooh, Eunha's go-to song!”
Jihyun whooped dramatically, and Eunha's face flushed beet red in proportion.
Clunk.
As the commotion continued, the door opened, and Ye-eun stepped in.
“Have one each.”
Ye-eun set the tray in her hands on the table. She'd apparently grabbed drinks on her way back from the bathroom.
With drinks now on the table, Jihyun made a fuss.
“You didn't have to get all this!”
“Just grabbed 'em on the way.”
Ye-eun replied calmly as usual and sat beside me.
“Cheers.”
“Thanks, Ye-eun.”
Eunha and I each picked a drink. At the same time, Eunha passed the remote to Ye-eun via me.
Ye-eun glanced at the queued list on screen and asked Eunha,
“Just me left?”
“Yeah, your turn.”
After a moment's thought, Ye-eun reserved Ai Yoon's Shall We Meet on Friday?
“Great, let's sing!”
With everyone queued, Jihyun—the first up—sprang to her feet and stepped forward. Eunha clapped like a kid at an amusement park, welcoming her.
“I say!”
Jihyun's pick was the Japanese track Start: Dash.
This is...
As if she'd prepared for this day alone, Jihyun sang like a fish in water, complete with choreography.
You're not the kind to shut yourself in sorrow and just cry.
A burning heart will surely carve open the future.
Shutting yourself in sorrow and just crying is no fun.
It was downright chilling, in a good way.
“Surely!”
Who knew she was this immersed!
“Hey, Hey, Hey START DASH!”
Nearing the end of the first verse, I glanced at Ye-eun, wondering if she'd hate it for being an anime song. Fortunately, she didn't seem to know—or care—just watching Jihyun curiously as she sang in Japanese.
“Yesss!”
Finishing the second verse, Jihyun looked refreshed, clenching her fists triumphantly.
“Wooow!”
Eunha clapped enthusiastically in praise. From her vibe, she didn't know it was an anime track either.
But I knew instinctively. Definitely an anime song.
I patted my chest in relief alone and took the mic Jihyun handed me, singing Seong Siyeon's It Would Have Been Good—a song that became my favorite after hearing Yoon Seok belt it out. Since I wasn't joining the idol project anyway, I sang casually.
“Ooh...”
But to the listeners, it apparently hit different; they let out soft gasps of admiration, shaking tambourines. Especially Eunha, clapping nonstop with her cute reactions—I couldn't help but chuckle.
Finishing up, I passed to the third singer, Eunha.
“Ahem!”
Taking the mic, she cleared her throat and launched into Cherry Filter's Romantic Cat.
My two eyes glow at night~.
My home's the back alley, where moon and stars rise.
Never raiding the fish shop twice~.
Those tearful days, I was a stray.
Now! I'm heading to the sea!
Spinning webs like a spider to catch some fish!
I'm the Romantic Cat!! Lighting up the sad city!
Dancing little starlight! I'm the Romantic Cat!!
My deep, sad sea that I left alone~.
I was utterly overwhelmed by Eunha's powerful vocals. Never imagined she'd sing this well. No wonder Jihyun wanted her on board.
“Thank you.”
Finishing, Eunha bowed shyly. Hard to believe this was the same voice that just showcased insane skill.
It even made me self-conscious about my own It Would Have Been Good. And Ye-eun looked a bit deflated after hearing it.
As Ye-eun and I reeled from Eunha's talent, Jihyun called out.
“Eunha, what're you doing?”
“Huh? Uh... You see this? Wait, huh?”
Startled by the call, Eunha stammered before yelping and scratching her head.
“Hey, song's starting. Pass it to Ye-eun quick.”
Ye-eun grabbed the spare mic and said,
“No, I'll use this.”
Stepping forward confidently, she began Ai Yoon's Shall We Meet on Friday?
Monday's probably too busy, right?
Tuesday feels too rushed, don't you think?
Wednesday's kinda awkward...
Thursday? I just don't like it for some reason.
Ooh~, this week's Friday.
Ooh~, how's Friday for you? Can't wait through the weekend.
Time, run faster—wish I could hurry the clock!
Every minute, every second is sweet.
Who the hell is this guy?
Can't hold back from falling in love.
Ye-eun's nonchalant—yet not—voice blended seamlessly with the lyrics, creating a subtle charm.
Despite it being Ai Yoon's song, which could've been intimidating, Ye-eun handled it masterfully. At the end of the first verse, she stopped the track with the remote.
“That's all I'll sing.”
She looked seriously burdened. Following her gaze, I saw Jihyun staring at her with gleaming eyes.
“That was amazing, Ye-eun!”
Shouting, Jihyun lunged and hugged her tightly.
“W-wait...”
“What do I do? You're perfect!”
With Jihyun causing a huge fuss, I had to physically pry her off.
I prepared it with plenty of personality. I didn't know who you'd like, so I went with this!