Dream (1)
As if trapped in a dream, I couldn't move my body at will.
"Demon King! I've come to take your head!"
A woman with black hair, strikingly tall at a glance, clad in dark, imposing armor, shouted.
"Taking my head would hurt..."
The woman called the Demon King calmly brushed a hand along her neck, speaking in a detached tone.
I watched the scene from a distance—not too far, not too close.
They hurled harsh insults at each other as they clashed in a brutal, life-or-death battle.
As I stared, a whisper echoed in my mind.
[Which side are you on?]
...I...
*
Ring ring~ Ring ring~
My phone alarm blared. As I woke, the chilly air brushed against my face. I reached for the phone beside my bed, silenced the alarm, and burrowed back under the covers. Another alarm was set to go off soon, so I figured closing my eyes for a bit would be fine—but for some reason, I was wide awake.
I slowly opened my eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling.
The dream I’d just had lingered vividly in my mind.
...A Demon King and a Hero? Just how gripping was that novel I read yesterday for it to show up in my dreams?
As I replayed it, for some reason, the white-haired Demon King seemed prettier than the black-haired Hero.
...Isn’t the Demon King usually the one with black hair?
Lost in those thoughts, the second alarm rang, and I slowly got up to get ready for work.
*
Before heading out, I double-checked that I hadn’t forgotten anything. Once ready, I carefully pulled out of the parking lot. It was still early spring, so the morning air was crisp—I turned on the heater just in case the guys might feel cold.
After driving for a while, the radio cut off as a call came in. I glanced over—it was Chief Manager Choi Yun-ji.
"Yes, Chief."
"Hey, Cho-in~ Where are you?"
"I'm on my way to the dorm."
"How long until you get there?"
"...About 10 minutes."
"Then take your time waking the boys, and pick up Ji-yeon on the way?"
...Lee Ji-yeon? Of all people...
"...Does Ji-yeon have a schedule too? The car’s pretty full..."
"Yeah, that stubborn girl pushed it to today—you know how she is when she wakes up."
I tried to hint that it would be a hassle, but whether she didn’t notice or simply ignored it, Chief Choi unilaterally assigned me the task.
"...Yes. Until when should I drop her off?"
"Just drop her off with the boys on your way."
"...Yes."
"You're the best, Cho-in! Thanks!"
Beep. Chief Choi hung up without even a proper goodbye.
"Ah..."
A deep sigh escaped me, along with a few muttered complaints. Today was supposed to be easy: drop the Shining Boys off at the salon, head to the office, and coast through a meeting. But Chief Choi’s sudden request had thrown everything off from the start.
First things first—wake the boys. I checked the time.
> 05:24 AM
Getting the boys ready and picking up Lee Ji-yeon might be cutting it close. Letting out a short sigh, I gradually picked up speed.
*
I parked, grabbed their belongings, and got out. As the elevator ascended, I mapped out the most efficient plan: Wake Jin-woo first, then the others, head out..., wake Ji-yeon..., grab sandwiches on the way...
Lost in thought, the elevator dinged open. I burst into the Shining Boys Dorm, turned on all the lights, and charged into the nearest room, shouting.
"Guys! Emergency! Wake up, now!"
From the first room, the youngest member, Jin-woo, stumbled out in purple pajamas, startled.
"Emergency!? Fire!?"
"Oppa... you're here..."
From the next room, the third member, Jang-woo, appeared in yellow pajamas.
"What's with the emergency this early..."
Without me even stepping inside, the eldest, In-seok, came out from the farthest room.
The second eldest, Sang-min, was still asleep, so I had to leave him to the others.
"Sorry, can you wake Sang-min for me?"
In-seok yawned widely and asked,
"...Why the rush?"
"I have to go wake Lee Ji-yeon, so please get him ready..."
"Hyung, you have to wake that sunbae again? That's rough."
The youngest let out a teasing laugh.
"Ugh... poor oppa. Go ahead, we’ll handle things here."
"Jang-woo, you're a lifesaver! I’ll call when it’s time—I'm heading out!"
I dropped the bags on the couch and hurried toward Lee Ji-yeon’s apartment.
*
Checking my phone on the way, I figured I still had time to wake her. I sped up a bit to grab sandwiches from the bakery in her apartment complex.
...Lee Ji-yeon.
She was CG Entertainment’s star actress—and my childhood friend. She played a big role in helping me learn the ropes as a manager. Even when she received casting offers as a child, she insisted on choosing her own manager.
Once, I asked why she hadn’t accepted those offers. She said she just wasn’t interested.
Back then, I thought someone like her would easily become a big star. With her looks, it seemed obvious. But she simply brushed it off.
...Now she’s a top actress making a name for herself.
Recalling that conversation from before her debut, I arrived at the bakery before I knew it.
"Welcome."
The scent of freshly baked goods filled the air. I greeted the familiar male clerk, picked up a sweet potato sandwich, and grabbed some bread for the Shining Boys. Just then, my pocket buzzed.
Click.
I pulled out my phone—there was a message from her.
I know you saw this. Reply.
She was already awake and knew I was coming—she must’ve checked my messages. Letting out a short sigh, I sent a quick reply.
...That blunt reply must’ve annoyed her.
Satisfied with the revised reply, I put my phone away, grabbed the items, paid, and headed toward her apartment with heavy steps—like walking into a tiger’s den.
*
Click.
I carefully opened the door, set down the breakfast casually, and looked around the spacious living room of Lee Ji-yeon’s Apartment. Clothes and belongings were scattered everywhere.
Lee Ji-yeon, who was usually neat, wouldn’t leave things like this.
...She must’ve done it on purpose.
Gathering the scattered clothes into a pile, I called out loudly enough for her to hear in the master bedroom.
"...I brought breakfast."
No response from someone who was clearly awake. Assuming she was inside, I knocked—but still nothing.
With a strange feeling, I slowly opened the door. She was lying in bed.
"...Ji-yeon?"
I approached and called again—no response. For an actress known for her skills, her sleeping expression looked unnatural. She was pretending.
"...Ji-yeon..."
Calling her casually without thinking, she didn’t answer—but extended her arm toward me with her eyes still closed.
I turned to leave.
"...If you don’t, I won’t go out today."
Her childish threat made me sigh. I was just a lowly manager, and she was the company’s top star. I thought it was best to keep some distance, but every time she closed the gap, I found myself giving in.
She was the type to follow through, so I rationalized it as unavoidable and approached her.
Suddenly, her eyes snapped open. She grabbed me, pulled me into a tight embrace, and dragged me down onto the bed.
Caught off guard, I couldn’t react.
She clung to me restlessly, holding me tightly as she took a deep breath.
"Haa... you smell nice..."
Lee Ji-yeon buried her face against me, letting out a satisfied sigh.
As her manager, I should have pushed her away—but I couldn’t do anything.