Dream (2)
I managed to coax Lee Ji-yeon, who showed no signs of getting up as she rolled around hugging me, into finally preparing for work.
...This is getting messy.
My original plan had been to wake her up, hustle out quickly to pick up the Shining Boys, then swing back for her... but.
"...Come with me. I'll wait for them."
The great Lee Ji-yeon offering to wait for her juniors? My plans crumbled on the spot.
On the way down to the parking lot, I could tell just how good her mood was from the way she hummed a tune while waiting for the elevator. She had a reputation on set as a polite, sweet celebrity, but her real personality was a bit different. Meticulous and calculating, she loved having things go her way. She wielded her position at the company just right, creating a natural atmosphere where even if she acted out a little inside CG Entertainment, everyone understood.
I pulled up near the Shining Boys dorm with Lee Ji-yeon in tow. When I called leader In-seok, he came right down, already ready to go. A moment later, as he approached the car, he froze at the sight of Lee Ji-yeon in the passenger seat.
Lee Ji-yeon greeted him via the rearview mirror.
"Hello, juniors."
"...Hello!"
In-seok froze for a second in surprise, then snapped to attention and bellowed his greeting as he climbed in. The guy who always took shotgun quietly settled into the very back seat instead. The other members, hearing In-seok's greeting first, piled in one by one, offering their own polite hellos to Lee Ji-yeon before squeezing to the inner seats.
As I quietly pulled out of the parking lot, the usually chatty bunch stayed unusually silent today—probably intimidated by Lee Ji-yeon. The only noise was the radio I'd habitually left on, blaring away.
Working with Lee Ji-yeon sometimes brought back memories of when I first started as a manager. Back when I was younger, there was this one time at school when she laid out a bunch of stuff on my desk.
"...What's this?"
"Business cards I got recently."
She said they were from all the people who'd come and gone lately. The desk was covered in a colorful array of cards—way more than I'd realized she'd received. Eyeballing it, there had to be at least ten or more.
I skimmed the names and asked her,
"...So, where are you gonna go?"
She answered as if it were obvious.
"Obviously, we're picking together?"
I figured it wasn't a big deal—just help her think it over. But suddenly, she pulled out a few cards and shoved the rest aside like they were trash. Staring at the three in her hand, I asked,
"...Why'd you pull those out?"
She handed them to me.
"Out of these three... which one do you like best?"
Caught off guard by the sudden choice test, I still took it seriously since it was for her. Truth be told, I didn't know much about the industry. I only recognized the mega-agencies everyone knew by name—that was my level. And these? All unfamiliar names.
"Hmm... I don't know any of these companies."
"It's fine. Take your time and pick one that feels right."
She dragged a chair over and sat beside me, casual as if it weren't even her career on the line.
"They're all good companies. Go with your gut."
"...This is where you might end up. How can I just pick randomly..."
She let out a small laugh, leaned back in her chair, and said,
"It's okay. Pick whatever feels right."
Following her advice, I studied them closely until one caught my eye. The stylishly printed name and the bold CEO title looked pretty cool.
"...This one, CG Entertainment? The CEO's name sounds cool, and it seems solid."
"CG Enter... Got it."
She set aside the CG card and tossed the rest straight into the trash. Was it really okay to narrow it down like that? Not long after, she negotiated with the CEO, got hired herself—and dragged me along as her manager, launching us both into showbiz.
Lee Ji-yeon had always been the pretty girl everyone talked about since childhood, so no one was surprised she'd debut. But I was different. No matter how much connections mattered in society—school ties, regional bonds, blood relations—hiring a spec-less high school kid was a huge deal back then. Sure, being a student limited what I could do, so no full duties, but with Choi Dae-pyo's backing, I started learning the ropes as a manager.
It took years before I figured out how she'd pulled off getting into CG Entertainment—and bringing me with her.
Lost in those old memories while driving, I arrived at the salon before I knew it. I sent Lee Ji-yeon and the boys in first, parked, and followed after.
The Shining Boys had individual schedules today, so I couldn't handle them alone. As I entered the familiar shop and exchanged greetings with the stylists I saw often, I'd already called the company ahead to summon extra road managers. Soon, the others arrived, and as I gave instructions to the managers, Jang-woo piped up, watching me.
"Whoa... Look at our In-seok-hyung being all reliable. Time for manager status, right?"
I chuckled at his goofy grin and played along.
"...Manager? I just wanna make team leader already..."
Maknae Jin-woo, who'd been listening beside him, chimed in with some weird phrasing and laughed.
"Cho-in-hyung as manager? Sang-min-hyung walking by would crack up."
In-seok yelled at Jin-woo from across the room.
"Hey! What's with that speech? Teach me too!"
Sang-min looked at him pitifully.
"In-seok-hyung, that's internet addict lingo only. Ignore him—he's weird."
In-seok turned, staring at Sang-min in wonder.
"...Sang-min-ah, how do you know all this stuff? Wait, are you...?"
"What if I am?"
"Ah! What the hell! I'm the only one out of the loop...!"
The guys who'd been dead silent in the car were now chattering nonstop at the salon. Their lively energy made me smile despite myself.
"...Whew."
As I smirked at them bantering away, my nape prickled. Glancing back, Lee Ji-yeon was staring at me intently while getting her hair done.
I startled at eye contact and blurted something pointless.
"...Ji-yeon-ssi, Chief Manager Choi said she'd pick you up today."
She just kept staring, no reply.
...What's this about?
Lee Ji-yeon had this habit of silently staring when something bugged her. Probably deep in thought. I averted my gaze, figuring I'd better not poke the bear and started to slip away—when she spoke.
"...Chief Manager Choi isn't coming today?"
Her icy tone made me flinch, but I stayed calm.
"...She said earlier she would..."
"...She's not, though?"
Her flat voice cut me off, clearly displeased. Experience told me engaging her like this was a bad idea. Best to dodge.
"...I'll check with her then."
She was still staring holes through me. Dodging her eyes, I stood and stepped aside to call Chief Manager Choi. A few rings, then:
"Hey, Cho-in! Was just about to call you... Sorry! I can't make it today."
"...Pardon?"
...Again? She'd dumped Lee Ji-yeon on me this morning, and now this.
"Sorry, something came up elsewhere. I can't go... Stick whoever's free on Ji-yeon!"
"...Yes, got it."
"Thanks, hang in there!"
She hung up abruptly—clearly swamped. Cursing her inwardly, I turned and locked eyes with Lee Ji-yeon, still watching me. Her cold stare melted into a bright smile.
I'd planned to dump Lee Ji-yeon and the Shining Boys on the other managers and bolt to the office... but no such luck. All the other managers were tied up with schedules, leaving me as the only free hand.
"Hm hm~."
She was in such a great mood she was humming while reading her script. I sighed, watching her.
The staff moved efficiently, and one approached.
"Ji-yeon-ssi, ready to start shooting?"
"Yeah, coming."
She flashed a soft smile, stood gracefully—nailing her polite image perfectly.
"Cho-in-ah, I'll be quick, so watch for me?"
"...Sure."
She beamed at my reply and followed the staff to the set. Today's shoot was for a hot cosmetics brand ad. I could monitor from my station, and damn, she looked stunning on screen sometimes—hard to get used to. Shoulder-length brown bob, cute puppy face, big eyes that curved sweetly when she smiled, beauty mark under her slightly drooping eye—pure charm. The word "adorable" was made for her.
But when that innocent face went deadpan and stared? Scary as hell.
Watching the smooth shoot, I glanced at my phone for piled-up messages. The screen lit up... and everything went dark.
*
I came to standing somewhere strange. The sky brimmed with warm light, but it didn't blind. A man shouted at it.
"Hey! Even for you, that's crossing the line!"
...You must succeed.
The man swore and raged.
"You fucking bitch, what the hell am I supposed to do with kids like that?"
...Make them the world's top celebrities...
Looking closer, he was talking to a woman shrouded in bright light. Her glow was so intense, their faces were hard to make out.
"What the fuck are you even saying? You messing with me?"
That is...
"That is what?! Spit it out! I'm dying here! Aaaargh!"
She turned her head slightly my way. Her face was hidden by light, but it felt like our eyes met.
"If you're gonna be like that, do it yourself—without those bitches!"
The man kept ranting at her furiously. She looked away from me.
...You must do it.
"Ah! Why me!! Please!!!"
Frustrated by her repetition, he kicked the ground in a tantrum. She struggled to speak.
...If you fail, ...you die.
He jumped at her words.
"What? Why would I die? That doesn't make sense!"
Urging her on, she continued slowly.
If you cannot make the Hero and Demon King... and... beloved celebrities, ...you will meet a grim end.
Static garbled parts, but "you die" came through clear. He collapsed, voice choking.
"...I saved the world... spared those monster bitches, ended the war—they said the job was done!! ...I'm tired..."
Where he pointed lay a white-haired woman and a black-haired one, collapsed.
...They die, but do not die. But you die.
You die and are lost, but they remember.
You weaken, but they grow stronger.
Her cryptic words made no sense—too vague.
If they grow stronger... who knows what they'll do.
Gather them once more, make them celebrities... yours...
He sighed, voicing my thoughts.
"...What bullshit... fuck..."
Static again—missed words. Even if clear, it wouldn't make sense. Her light faded. I approached to see better. The man knelt before her. Wanted to get closer, but my feet stuck fast.
He sobbed long, then stood roaring,
"...Fine, fuck it, I'll do it all! But help a little—at least that much!"
Looking up, I saw his face clearly. Young like his voice, but scarred faintly, weathered. Familiar. Staring, doubt turned to certainty.
...He looks just like me.
*
"Hngh!"
I woke with a dumb yelp. Must've passed out fiddling with my phone—awkward position. "Slept well?"
Shoot over already? Lee Ji-yeon sat beside me. Busted dozing, I glanced around embarrassed.
"...Must be sleep-deprived. Sorry..."
"Nah, it's fine. Happens."
Her voice was neutral, cutting me off. I flinched hard, turning to her. Eyes met—cold sweat beaded on my forehead. She was pissed.