Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Helping Out My Cousin
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With her head bowed low in embarrassment like a shy middle school girl, I first took her to a nearby convenience store.
I sat her down at an outdoor table and bought two chocolate milks—the kind that's popular with MZ kids these days—paid, and came back out.
"Here, drink this first."
"Yes..."
Kim Yuna (15) still couldn't lift her face, keeping it firmly down.
Embarrassed, sure, but that much?
Her dancing was a bit clumsy, but she's still young, right? Bound to happen.
And even that clumsy dance was better than what I could do.
"Lift your head. What's so embarrassing?"
"...After laughing that hard?"
Well, that was just... the situation was funny.
I'm innocent.
"That's one thing, but you got all shy, which made the whole thing hilarious."
If she'd owned it, would I have laughed?
Hmm... probably not.
Maybe.
"Really...?"
"Yeah, why would I mock you?"
Why would I mock this middle school girl?
Honestly, it was kinda cute.
More than that, I'd heard TikTok dances were trending among kids her age... seeing it in person felt kinda weird.
"But you're pretty, sis... Doesn't it look ridiculous when someone like me dances?"
Huh? Oh, she thinks that way.
But Kim Yuna (15) is plenty pretty for her age.
Sure, compared to me, anyone would feel that way, but she's young and doesn't know the world yet.
"Listen up, Yuna. Sis has some advice."
"Yes?"
"Sis here? Never seen anyone prettier than me in real life."
It might get iffy over screens, but up close? No one's prettier than female Kim Suhyun.
"What??"
"So it's totally normal for you to feel inferior around me."
Kim Yuna (15) stared at me like she had no idea what I meant.
Good, she's finally looking up.
"What does that even mean?"
"Look at yourself, not me."
"I know... but how can I ignore what's right in front of me? The world's full of pretty people."
Hmm... Do kids her age think like this?
Or is it a relief she's not rebelling, running away, or fighting?
But if she's got all this inferiority stuff, why TikTok? We just met today.
There must be another reason for the TikToks.
"Why TikTok?"
"Well, it's..."
Kim Yuna (15) hesitated to answer.
Yeah, too embarrassing to tell a cousin she barely talks to?
But that doesn't help at all.
Everyone's got their knots.
If you don't untie them, they fester, rot, and eventually show on your face.
"More embarrassing than getting caught dancing?"
"What? No, it's not that..."
"Then tell me. Sis'll listen."
Not as good as our broadcasting pro Manager at soothing people, but like the saying goes—as the old dog learns the ways of the world in three years—I've picked up some from him too.
"Come on, spill. I'm good at advice."
Never really done it, but hey, I deal with people for a living.
Should handle counseling fine.
Under my steady gaze and gentle prodding, Kim Yuna (15) finally cracked and opened her mouth.
"I want recognition..."
"Recognition?"
"Yeah..."
Hmm... recognition, huh.
Tough one.
Recognition has no end.
Get it from one person, you want it from two; from two, then three—and it snowballs.
Wishing for that already? And the direction's a bit vague from my view.
"But why TikTok?"
Uploading dance videos for recognition? I'd have just aced my exams.
The Kim siblings' parents aren't strict. Pretty well-off and laid-back, actually.
Or maybe that's why—they're too lenient, leading to little rebellions?
"Truth is... I wanna be a dancer."
"Oh..."
But her answer seemed far from teenage rebellion.
A dancer? After Chuseok, my body's twisting just thinking about dance lessons—makes her seem impressive.
"But my parents are against it... Say it's a starving job, try something else."
Hmm... Even laid-back folks oppose their middle school daughter becoming a dancer.
Makes sense—adults see dancers as just backup for idols singing and dancing.
Sure, they're on TV more now, kinda mainstream...
"So I thought if I get recognition on TikTok, maybe they'll accept it..."
"Wow."
Damn, the kid's admirable.
Such a noble reason?
I thought it was just dumb kid stuff dancing on TikTok, but no—pursuing her dream.
"Impressive. You're actually doing something about it."
What was I doing at her age? Holed up in a comic cafe with the guys all day.
Effort toward a dream already? Can't keep my wallet closed.
Reflexively reaching for it again—
Stop.
Kim Yuna's (15) small hand grabbed my arm as I opened my wallet.
"Um... you don't need to give me allowance anymore. I got plenty."
"Oh, really?"
I gave a lot, but enough to refuse?
She probably got from other relatives too, but at that age, money's never enough.
"It's sis cheering you on. Can't you take it?"
"Ah, no... it's fine..."
"You've got places to spend it, right?"
Hey, when an adult insists this much, it's polite to accept.
Right as I was forcing cash into the puberty-struck girl's pocket—
A thought hit me.
Is money all I can offer?
I'm no retired grandpa—can't I help another way?
Something small, like a nudge on the back... Yeah, one thing comes to mind.
"How about I help with something else?"
"Yes?"
"That TikTok—just need your parents' recognition, right?"
"Yeah? Kinda."
What do her parents know about TikTok?
If lots of views, they'll think it's legit.
And I've got a hook way better than a middle schooler's clumsy dance for attention.
"How about sis joins you? I'll pull some aggro."
Perfect setup too.
Moonlit alley, middle school girl on the cusp of puberty and her stunning cousin side by side on camera?
Romantic as hell.
Not like broadcast TV—just a one-off TikTok, no biggie.
Minimal makeup, just-rolled-out-of-bed look.
Base is solid, so prettier than most, but no one'll recognize me out here.
"R-Really?"
Kim Yuna (15) went wide-eyed, flustered at me appearing in her video.
That exciting? Basically a cheat code.
Might flop anyway, but if it catches fire, it'll pull views.
Of course, keeping the aggro's on her.
Might end up with endless "Where's the cousin sis?" comments and flop.
But better than no shot.
"Yeah, I'll help out."
"For real? Do you know any dances?"
Uh, well...
"I can't... dance?"
"Yes?"
"Total stiff."
Not sure if full stiff, but close enough—can't control this body.
Gotta have muscles first.
"Th-Then what do we do?"
Hmm... Can't dance, now what...
No way I learn quick enough now.
So...
"How about this?"
Gotta dance?
That deep night.
Under moonlight and streetlights, I filmed an unplanned shoot with my cousin.
**
Next morning.
Woke up to a message from an unexpected person.
(Lee Hyun-jun): Happy holidays
(Lee Hyun-jun): (gift)
(Lee Hyun-jun): Sending so you don't starve 'cause of me losing you money. No weird misunderstandings lol
Holiday gift from no one else but Lee Hyun-jun.
Looks like a premium hanwoo set just from the pic.
Wow, me getting stuff like this.
Feels good getting holiday gifts like this.
Idol for ya—knows fan service.
Gotta learn that; I'm a (virtual) idol too.
Sent him thanks, then bought the exact same hanwoo set.
What's money for if not this?
Sent to everyone who's helped me.
Hyejeong as a bonus, Heavenly Realm members, Hyun-su, Ayoung, Kang Hyeok, bandmates, composers.
Even the manager I owe big to—money flew out fast, but that irreplaceable satisfaction hit.
Yeah, this is giving back.
Earn it, spend it right.
Speaking of, Lee Hyun-jun... from that famous group, The Beasts or whatever?
Connections, huh? Might help my cousin someday... Nah.
Not that close; too hasty.
Kim Yuna (15) needs to do it mostly solo after a little nudge.
Grows from it? Great. Doesn't? Wrong path.
Yesterday's tough shoot should suffice.
Handled thanks from members and others who'd already seen my gifts, then headed to the living room.
"That daughter of mine who never showed a hint brought this back, saying she got it somewhere."
Dad Kim Buchang had relatives gathered, bragging about Moon Chang-sik's autograph.
Usually gruff, but lively with his siblings around.
"Damn, jealous. Suhyun gets autographs like that?"
"What'd she say? Met him briefly on some work thing?"
"Work?? What work does Suhyun do?"
"Dunno myself, but she and her mom brought back my autograph like this..."
Uh, uh?
Dad Kim, how far you going?
It's true, but they'll think weird stuff.
Just stepped out, and all eyes on me.
Relatives leaving today... why this trial.
Chuseok never lets you relax.
Dizzy beyond fixing, I squeezed my eyes shut.