Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: You've Become a Full-Fledged Celebrity?
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“…Um, I didn’t order this, though?”
“Ah, it’s on the house. You’re Yumin, right? Chaewon’s childhood friend.”
“…Yeah, that’s me.”
“I’m a big Ever fan. Just wanted to give this as a thank you for the fun video.”
The part-timer smiles shyly.
Humans are adaptable creatures, they say—and sure enough, after dealing with stuff like this more often now, even I’ve started naturally accepting pure goodwill.
“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”
“Would it be okay to take a photo if it’s not too much trouble…?”
“Sure…. If you promise to keep supporting Ever and not post it anywhere…?”
“Of course! You and Unnie Chaewon look so good together! I’ll definitely watch if more come up! And you’re really, really handsome!!”
The part-timer claps timidly, then hurriedly pulls out her phone.
We snap about three quick shots, she smiles and thanks me once more, bows with a delighted expression, and trots off.
“You’ve become a full-fledged celebrity now?”
Sunwoo, who’d been watching the whole scene from across the table, smirks and stares right at my face.
“Shut up.”
Feeling awkward, I snap back gruffly and wolf down the complimentary slice of cake in one go.
Shock and dismay wash over his face at once.
Serves you right for teasing me.
“…Dude, even so, you eat it all by yourself?”
“It was given to me, not you.”
“Look at you getting revenge right after one comment. So petty.”
Sunwoo frowns and chugs his coffee.
But only for a moment—he shakes his head and grins.
“Amazing. My friend is Chaewon-noona’s childhood friend.”
“…Can’t you drop the ‘noona’ honorific or something?”
“Pfft, she’s just your childhood friend. For people like me, it’s always with ‘noona’.”
“Such a fuss.”
“So, how’s it feel to be the star of a 10 million views video in just a week?”
He crosses his legs, drapes an arm over the chair, and strikes a cocky pose.
Dude, anyone would think you’re the one with 10 million views.
“Yeah, I was wondering when you’d bring it up.”
I mutter with a smirk.
It was inevitable from the moment we made plans to meet, but that number still feels unreal.
10 million views. The first idol vlog to hit it in a week.
No one saw it coming, and now with all the buzz, the views just keep climbing endlessly.
“YouTube, articles, fandom communities…. Your name’s everywhere you look these days.”
Sunwoo shows me an article on his phone.
「Ever’s Han Chaewon, Perfect Chemistry with Childhood Friend. Who is the Childhood Friend?」
A headline I’ve seen a million times already.
The content’s predictable too, so I smile faintly and take a sip of bubble tea.
“You seem more into my articles than I am.”
“It’s fascinating, man. I’m wondering why you’re so nonchalant. Are you really that emotionless?”
“I’m faking it. Bragging about one video around the neighborhood would just look pathetic.”
“Why’s that a fuss? Most people would be itching to go, ‘Yeah! I’m Chaewon’s childhood friend~!’ and tell everyone.”
“That’s asking for trouble. This’ll blow over in months at most anyway.”
“Then tell that to the ladies over there—they’re staring at you pretty intensely.”
Sunwoo leans forward and whispers, glancing that way.
I turn to look, and the trio who’d locked eyes with me flinch in surprise, hurriedly averting their gazes.
Probably just turned adults.
Prime age for Ever fans, for sure.
“I’ve said it a million times: good timing.”
“Ever had a near-6-month hiatus with no real content, and then this trendy daily vlog drops like rain in a drought.”
“You remember well.”
“You talked about it enough.”
“You know you’re the starting point of all this, right? The origin.”
“…Okay. That’s enough for today.”
Embarrassed, he quickly chugs his coffee.
Yeah, texting me real-time updates on every article crossed the line.
“What a weird guy.”
I mutter that and take a long sip of bubble tea.
“But seriously, you’re not dating her?”
“Pffft—?!”
He drops the one topic I never expected so casually.
I figured he’d surprise me at least once, but nope—this guy never deviates from expectations.
That’s friendship for you.
“Dude! I told you not to bring that up…?”
“Honestly, holding back for a whole week is pretty patient. As your enlistment buddy and ball-brother, I can at least ask this much, right?”
“…Sigh. Why are you even curious about that?”
“Communities are split debating if you and Chaewon-noona are dating. No cap, it’s the biggest topic of the year.”
He’s right.
Nothing special about the daily life. Nothing special about the relationship.
But an idol and her childhood friend.
A dime-a-dozen fan-service trope, yet the vibe from 15 years together makes it feel uniquely special to viewers.
Especially since this vlog stood out for a clear reason—.
“Gotta head out.”
I stand, grabbing my empty cup and cake plate.
Sunwoo reflexively checks his watch, then hurriedly chugs his half-full iced coffee.
His face twists from the cold rush.
“…What? Already? We’ve only been here 20 minutes.”
“That’s why I said let’s skip meeting today.”
“Hey, I’ve got a schedule too!”
“Yeah, yeah. So prep well for camping tomorrow and have fun with Sumin.”
I finish cleaning up, grab my eco-bag from the seat.
He hurriedly packs his stuff and stands…
“But who’re you meeting that you dressed up so nice today?”
My ball-brother finally clocks my unusual outfit.
“The childhood friend you’ve been dying to meet.”
I shrug lightly and head down the stairs first.
Saying a building has great “sheen” might sound weird, but there’s no better way to capture how I feel right now.
“I’m weird too. Didn’t think much when she hit Billboard, but seeing the building makes it feel impressive all over again.”
25 floors total, above and below ground, I think.
Gangnam, where luxury foreign cars cruise casually—this towering building right in the heart.
Seeing your face plastered largest on it stirs something odd inside.
Hoo. I exhale lightly and step inside.
Entering the 1st-floor lobby, I briefly explain my business to the desk staff.
She recognizes my face midway: “Are you… that…?” I reply brightly with a “Yep!”
We’re chatting casually like that when—
“Yumin, hi?”
The familiar face from the building exterior appears from inside.
First time seeing you in a week since our lake chat, but you greet me as naturally as ever.
Of course—putting on a show in your own company would be weird.
I smile lightly and wave back.
“Thanks for making the trip today.”
A middle-aged man welcoming me alongside Chaewon.
I lower my waving hand and shake with him.
“Nice to meet you, Yumin. I’m Shin Daehyun, Head of the Planning Division.”
“…Kang Yumin. Thanks so much for your help.”
“You look pretty surprised.”
“Yeah. Didn’t expect the division head himself…. No clue, honestly.”
Division head means the absolute top of the division.
Even with the vlog blowing up abnormally, it’s still just one vlog—and now the head’s personally showing up.
I’m torn wondering if this warrants it or if it’s actually that big a deal.
“I handle a lot of things like this personally. Plus, Chaewon kept laying down the law.”
The division head smiles brightly and shrugs.
I glance sideways at Chaewon.
“Aw, come on~. What did I even say to you?”
Chaewon beams innocently, like she has no idea.
They’re uncle-niece age, but their easy closeness puts even me at ease.
“Anyway. We’ve got the meeting room ready—this way.”
Is this what an exec escort feels like?
A once-in-a-lifetime experience—dazed, I trail closely behind him.
“Whoa. Dressed up nice today?”
As expected, you sidle up and toss out a comment.
“Just normal clothes?”
“You show up sloppy to see me.”
“Whatever.”
“Hey. Even if you’re comfy around me, I’m still an idol, y’know?”
“Wanna see me post all your old pics?”
“Do that, and the legal team turns on you in a heartbeat. Can your company handle it?”
“Wouldn’t that count as defamation or something?”
“Wow, never miss a beat, huh?”
Chaewon pouts, arching a brow irritably.
I fire back with an exaggerated sulk just to rile her.
“Ahem…!”
Suddenly, the division head clears his throat, snapping me back.
“Ah.”
“……”
Oh yeah. Place is packed with people.
“Just like in the vlog—you two really get along great.”
“Haha, we’re pretty close, yeah. Right?”
The division head smiles kindly; Chaewon laughs brightly and cheerfully.
If that was her defusing the awkward vibe, fine—but no, she genuinely thinks it’s praise.
Read the room, brat.
“…Sorry for the commotion.”
I bow my head in apology instead.
After that, we had a quick meeting with the legal team, guided by the division head.
Meeting’s a nice word for it—it was basically a briefing on handling malicious comments…
Aside from nodding occasionally to show I got it or asking the odd question, I barely spoke.
About 20 minutes like that.
The legal team finishes their thorough explanation and leaves; the division head returns to the conference room.
“Now, shall we get into the content you two will be shooting?”
Straight to the main reason I came to Chaewon’s agency today.