Chapter 109
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: I'm Not That Nice of a Guy
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Jin Se-ah. I'm not such a nice guy.
For now, I met with the Security Team Leader.
"Contact me immediately the moment you find her."
"Got it. But I'll be patrolling alone."
"Pardon?"
"It's easier to move solo. Bringing someone along would just draw more eyes."
There were still plenty of Jin Se-ah's fans around the resort.
But if security guards started rushing around in pairs, it would raise suspicions.
"I see. Understood."
I headed straight to the location Jin Se-ah had told me about.
She'd said she wanted to go off-script, and she'd explain why when I got there, before hanging up.
I was dying to hear the details—curiosity was buzzing in my head.
Why had she gone into hiding? What kind of escapade did she have in mind?
It was thrilling.
I was supposed to be on break, but my heart was pounding with excitement.
Was it because it was Jin Se-ah?
Maybe it was that unexpected spark, like a sudden burst of acceleration.
The spot she'd directed me to was the emergency stairwell of some building.
"How cute."
She must've hunkered down there, too scared to bolt in case someone spotted her.
Thud. Thud.
My footsteps made a cat-like rustle of surprise ahead.
"It's me. Se-ah."
"Oh, Tae-hu?"
"Yeah."
"What a relief..."
Jin Se-ah, who'd been huddled up, looked up at me and broke into a beaming smile.
A baseball cap, white cardigan, brown T-shirt, and pants—she'd covered herself head to toe.
With the mask on too, she looked nothing like the image from the stage.
"You look surprisingly ordinary up close."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Like a college kid just out for fun."
"Then my disguise is working, right?"
"Perfect for going incognito."
She giggled at my compliment and plopped down on the stairs.
"Wanna sit for a bit?"
"Sure."
"You're wondering why I called you, huh?"
"Yeah. Care to explain?"
As I sat beside Jin Se-ah, her story began to unfold.
She smelled nice.
"You saw it today, right? No matter what I was doing or where, someone was always watching."
"It's all for your protection, Se-ah."
"I know. I get that... but I'm not some bird trapped in a cage. Don't you think it's a bit much?"
"..."
"It's gotten worse since I started getting famous. Now, I can't even dream of wandering around alone."
"You've got too many fans for that. And not all of them are the good kind."
"Even bigger celebrities don't get this level of scrutiny. This is overkill."
"So that's why you want to sneak out?"
Jin Se-ah bit her lip gently.
"Yeah. There's a fireworks festival tonight. I want to watch it, feel the sea breeze, stroll the resort. Just... freely. Without a care."
I got the gist.
I didn't know much about celebrities' lives, but I knew they couldn't escape the public eye.
At her level, it had to be even tougher.
"But I don't get why you're asking me to help with this escapade."
"I never planned on it before. Like you saw, I'd just fail anyway."
"But then?"
"When I heard you were joining my security detail, the idea hit me like lightning. A way out."
"..."
"Lucky break. My team requested extra hands, and you were on the list."
"Still not seeing how that ties into sneaking out."
"Three reasons."
"Which are?"
"First, you're a resort employee, so you probably know the layout better than anyone."
"Yeah, I've covered a lot of support shifts here."
"Knew it."
"But if that's the reason, there must be security guards on my team who know it even better."
"There's a second reason too."
"What's that?"
"You're the self-sacrificing type—someone kind and decent."
"That one's harder to follow."
"A guy who risks his life to save someone has to be good at heart. So even if we're out together, just the two of us..."
"Ah, you think I won't try anything shady?"
"...Right? ...Or am I wrong?"
"You shouldn't trust guys so easily."
"Did I misjudge you?"
Her eyes wavered with unease at my words.
Still, she kept opening up about her situation.
"I was supposed to head back to Seoul right after the show, but I barely got permission to stay last night. You're the only one I can ask right now."
"Your manager could take you out."
"No way. They'd report it immediately."
"Not on your side, huh?"
"...Yeah."
Jin Se-ah fiddled with her fingers as she continued.
"This rest time was hard-won. Tomorrow it's the nationwide tour again, and next week Asia. I have zero downtime. I just want one day to relax."
"What about other staff? Can't they help?"
"Yeah..."
They were on the agency's payroll, so maybe it was inevitable.
She really was like a bird in a cage.
Who knew the glamorous life hid such frustrations.
"Your agency must manage you pretty tightly."
"I went independent and signed fresh. They're small-scale, so maybe that's it. And... lately."
"Yeah. The dating rumor."
"That was fake."
"Really? Not just a denial?"
"I've never even met the guy outside work. Just a quick chat on that drama. His agency must've stirred it up for buzz."
"They play dirty like that, huh."
"We got photographed nearby by coincidence, and it snowballed. Now my agency's cracking down to prevent any more rumors."
For image-obsessed idols, scandals like that were poison.
It felt off from what I knew, though.
These days, they even got vacations and some freedom.
Maybe because she was top-tier.
Or just hitting that peak, so they were extra cautious.
Protecting her hard-earned spot, no blemishes allowed.
Her latest album was killing it too—world star potential, so tighter leash.
Honestly, no reason to turn her down.
Except this was my workplace.
If we got caught aiding her little rebellion, I could get fired.
"I get the first two reasons. Now, the third?"
"...I figured since you're so considerate, you'd understand where I'm coming from."
"So you trust I'd help with the escapade?"
"...Yes."
"That's a bit of a gamble on the last one."
She gazed at me with pleading eyes.
She knew rejection meant heading back right away.
This was fun.
She'd calculated this far—pulling me onto security, slipping me her number.
"Help me out? Just two hours."
"There are tons of guards out looking for you right now."
"I know. That's why I'm begging you. You know the resort inside out—hide me well and show me around."
"We've just met. You really trust me? What if I'm a bad guy?"
"Like I said, you're the type who'd risk his life for a stranger. I'm sure of it."
No wonder she was top-tier.
Endless effort since childhood, self-motivation, discipline.
Not just surviving the cutthroat industry—she'd climbed to the top.
Her decisions had gotten her there.
She was dead certain I'd let her taste freedom, even briefly.
How stifled must she feel to go this far?
That tugged at me.
"If we get caught, I'm fired."
"I'll tell my agency to hire you as my guard."
"I don't want to leave here."
"What do you want then?"
"Can you do me one favor later?"
"What is it?"
"I'll tell you later."
"If it's too much, no deal."
"Didn't you say you trusted me? Do I seem like the rude type?"
"No, but... I'm a bit cautious."
"Don't worry. It's nothing crazy."
Jin Se-ah's face lit up.
"Great! So you'll help with my escapade?"
"Yeah."
"Eeee! Awesome! Where to first?"
Her innocent, childlike grin as she jumped up in delight—it warmed me unexpectedly.
"Let's hit the beach first."
"Isn't it risky this late?"
"I go there alone a lot. No worries. But we have to walk arm-in-arm like a couple."
"Sounds like you have ulterior motives."
"It's to avoid suspicion. If you don't like it, forget it."
"I'll do it!"
As I stood, she linked arms with me right away.
Her soft breast pressed against my arm.
"Like this?"
It brushed lightly.
Even through her clothes, I could feel the firm bounce.
Good call helping her out.
"Hold tight. Make it look real."
Squeeze—
Perfect. Nice.
****
I spotted a few people who looked like security guards.
They'd changed into casual clothes, but moving fast alone gave them away.
Still, no one seemed to suspect they were hunting for Jin Se-ah.
I strolled slowly, arm-in-arm with her like lovers.
The cap, mask, and college-girl outfit helped dodge suspicion, thankfully.
Plus, I stuck to low-traffic paths.
"Here we are."
"Wow, it's beautiful."
Near the boulder where I'd first hooked up with Team Leader.
This spot saw hardly any visitors—first place I thought of when agreeing to help.
Being here with Jin Se-ah, where Team Leader and I had our steamy moment, stirred memories.
Excitement wouldn't settle.
Jin Se-ah slipped into the boulder gap and lit up at the sea view.
"Finally, I can breathe."
She kicked off her shoes, stepped onto the sandy beach, spread her arms wide, and faced the wind.
Like shedding all her pent-up stress, she even lay flat on the sand in a star shape.
"Ahh. This is bliss."
I just watched quietly.
For now, I was her accomplice in this breakout.
"Tae-hu, this place is amazing."
"I come here when I'm worn out."
"Not many know about it?"
"Nope. It's tucked in rocks—kinda messy and risky-looking."
Some beach trash had washed up, but Jin Se-ah didn't mind.
"Even that's a blessing. I love it."
That's when it happened.
Boom boom boom!
Bang!
Pop pop pop!
Far off, from the stage where Jin Se-ah had performed, massive fireworks shot into the sky.
"Oh! It's starting!"
Giant bursts lit up the dark night sky.
Brighter than the stars filling the heavens.
Jin Se-ah snapped her head up, staring wide-eyed.
Grinning so prettily.
"Se-ah, take off your mask and stand there."
"Huh? Why?"
"I'll snap a photo. It's a rare breakout—gotta have a pic."
"Sure! Use my phone."
"Can't I take it and send it to you?"
"No way. Nice try."
"You don't trust me much."
"Hehe. Hurry, on my phone."
Click—
"Whoa."
"What? Why the surprise?"
"You're stunning. Total idol vibes."
"Really? Let me see. Wow, you nailed it."
She beamed, then turned back to the fireworks.
The photo was gorgeous.
But the real thing was even better.
Mask off, no average outfit could hide her beauty.
Not your typical college girl—too pretty.
That's probably why.
Greed kicked in.
'Should I try?'
Corruption Space had evolved to Level 3.
No harm in testing it, right?
Worst case, it flops and I'm bummed.
Best case...
'Jackpot.'
I activated the skill right away.
Jin Se-ah. Sorry.
I'm not the nice guy you think I am.
Beachside, Jin Se-ah watching the fireworks festival.
