Chapter 75
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Mi-so's Second Request
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Oppa! Can't you play piano for me again this afternoon?"
Mi-so said this to me right before heading out in the morning, looking like it was hard for her to ask.
"Like last time? For SNS again?"
"Yeah... Is that no good?"
Mi-so looked up at me apologetically.
She didn't need to feel bad about it at all.
The video I posted on Mi-so's official SNS last time had gotten a pretty good reaction.
Even though it was shot on a phone camera without any decent audio setup.
Mi-so was in casual clothes, and maybe that natural look from a popular idol worked in her favor.
Sure, there were some weird comments, but they didn't bother me like they used to.
After that incident, I'd gotten a lot more laid-back, it seemed.
Was this what they called shock therapy?
"What's the problem with that? Just let me know the songs ahead of time so I can practice."
"Thanks, Oppa! I'll give you a special service after!"
Mi-so clasped her hands together and rubbed them up and down.
I knew exactly what she was implying without her saying it.
"You don't have to do that kind of service again."
It wasn't like I was doing this just to get that kind of service from Mi-so.
For real! Especially not that last one!
This was just something any big brother would do!
After Mi-so left, I listened to the songs she'd requested.
They were Neverlove and Breeze, two tracks.
Neverlove was Spring's biggest hit, Mi-so's group.
Of course I'd heard it plenty of times, so I knew it well.
Breeze was the follow-up to their latest single, one I hadn't really listened to properly.
I'm not smart enough to nail a song perfectly after one listen.
I needed at least three plays minimum.
First to memorize the melody, second to focus on the lyrics and grasp the song's meaning, third to figure out how to adapt it on piano.
Neverlove had powerful choreography and a fast beat—total modern idol fare.
The lyrics were just as the title suggested: "Never loving a guy again!"
Breeze, on the other hand, was a vocal-focused ballad.
It sang of a girl's tender love, like a spring breeze.
This one needed a gentle touch. Couldn't overshadow the vocals.
Now that I had it in my head, time to practice playing it.
Breeze was a slow ballad, so it was easy to play.
Just nail the mood, and honestly, no real practice needed.
The real worry was whether Mi-so could sing it properly on my piano. The vocal difficulty was no joke.
To me as family, Mi-so was perfect at singing and dancing, but objectively, she did lag behind the other members.
Vocals went to Jin, dance and rap to A, overall to leader Sea.
...Huh? When I put it like that, doesn't Mi-so have nothing she's best at?
No, but Mi-so's cute. For idols, looks are part of the skill.
Not that the others were any less pretty than her...
......
Do your best, Jin Mi-so!
You're the best in my eyes!
Neverlove should be played flashy, opposite of Breeze.
Hmm. Might as well go all out on the flair. Add some arrangement too.
But would fans hate it as ruining the original?
Maybe prepare both the original version and an arranged one?
Show them both and let them pick the better one to post.
Once I hand it over, Mi-so's agency would handle the rest.
With the afternoon shoot in mind, I prepared meticulously.
Last time was so sudden, I went in unprepared and improvised.
It had been ages since I'd touched the piano too.
Lots of regrets after.
Honestly, watching it back, the quality was embarrassing.
Some comments pointed that out too.
So this time, I put in extra effort.
Personally, I thought it reached a satisfying level.
Hmm.
While I'm at it, maybe dress properly too?
Last time I was just in my usual stuff.
I pulled out the suit Noona got me tailored earlier this year.
Fixed my hair in the mirror.
And sat at the piano.
Skill-wise, amateur through and through, but I didn't look out of place for a pro.
Heh. Looking like this, maybe I'm pretty handsome?
......
Alright. Prep is perfect.
Bring it on anytime!
...Or so I thought.
"Oppa! I'm here!"
"Hello, Mi-so Oppa-ni."
I froze at the front door.
Mi-so had brought reinforcements.
Mi-so plus one.
Jin. From the same group.
I couldn't just go "Whoa, celebrities in my house!"
"Ah. Yes. Hello. I'm Jin Sun-hu, Mi-so's Oppa."
I greeted her stiffly.
"Whoa! Oppa, you're in a suit?"
"Yeah. Figured if we're filming, might as well do it right. Weird? Should I change?"
"No! It's not weird at all! Do it just like this!"
Good, Mi-so seemed happy about it.
But...
I glanced at her groupmate, Jin.
Jin was staring at me with sparkling eyes.
"Oppa-ni! You look even cooler in person! Sign something for me!"
She reacted like a fan meeting an idol.
Wasn't this backwards? You're the idol.
And first time hearing someone call "Oppa-ni" in real life.
Is that her concept?
Dyed blonde hair, petite and cute little devil vibe.
Looks aside, Jin was one of the top vocalist idols out there.
"Shouldn't I be the one asking for your autograph?"
Sweating from the surprise guest, I tried to keep the conversation natural.
Couldn't embarrass myself in front of Mi-so's friend. For Mi-so's sake too.
But.
"Mi-so. Hold on."
I quietly pulled Mi-so to the corner of the living room.
"Sorry, Oppa. I should've said something before bringing her. Jin wants to film together too."
Mi-so apologized first, before I could even speak.
"I figured if I told you ahead, you'd be nervous all day. But Jin's really nice, so don't worry! Treat her like you do me!"
"Mi-so..."
When did I ever treat you roughly?
Still, I got her intentions.
If she'd warned me, I'd have been fidgety all day. Might not have practiced right.
Even so, a heads-up would've been nice.
Pretty embarrassing thinking I'd been primping alone at home.
"...Got it. Just caught me off guard. But tell me next time, okay?"
"Yeah! In return, I'll give you that ser─"
I quickly covered Mi-so's mouth.
"Shh. Don't even say it. What if she hears?"
"Ah... Yeah. Sorry."
Mi-so smiled awkwardly.
What was that reaction?
"...You didn't already tell her, did you?"
"No, I didn't?"
Mi-so's response felt suspicious.
No way she actually spilled it?
Did Jin come to deal with a trashy Oppa who touches his little sister?
A bloodbath might be coming.
I steeled myself quietly.
"Anyway, be careful. No weird vibes around Jin. Got it?"
"Yeah... Oppa."
We headed back to Jin.
Dragging it out too long might look suspicious.
"Sorry for dropping by out of nowhere, Oppa-ni."
"No, it's fine. Nothing to offer you."
"Drop the formal speech, Oppa-ni. Me and Mi-so are soulmates, so treat me just like her!"
Jin beamed and offered her hand. She really seemed like a good kid.
I relaxed a bit and shook it.
"Alright. Casual it is. But Oppa-ni feels awkward, so call me Oppa?"
"Sure, Oppa!"
Ugh.
Jin suddenly hugged my neck.
Idol fan service was no joke.
If I were a fanboy, I'd be head over heels from that alone.
"Whoa, Oppa. You've got an amazing body. Do you work out?"
"Ah, yeah, a little."
...But isn't this too touchy?
Jin patted my shoulders and chest like it was the most natural thing.
If I were a fanboy, I'd think she liked me.
If the roles were reversed, I'd be arrested for sexual harassment on the spot.
"See? I told you my Oppa was cool."
Mi-so just laughed from the side, not stopping her.
Mi-so. Your Oppa is getting groped, and you're fine with that?
"A-anyway, should we start filming? Anything you need me to prep?"
"Yeah, Oppa. We'll go change outfits."
"Sure. Come to my room after."
Mi-so and Jin whispered as they headed to Mi-so's room.
Once they were in, I went back to my room.
Whew.
That startled me.
Never thought Mi-so would bring another member.
Her group debuted over five years ago, but this was my first time meeting one in person.
Probably avoided bringing them home because of me before.
I get tense around strangers.
But bringing her now—did Mi-so think my condition had improved a lot?
I was nervous seeing Jin, but no panic attacks like before.
No trouble breathing or heart pounding out of control.
I put my hand on my chest.
A little fast, sure, but any guy would with a pretty girl like Jin hugging them.
...Could I really be getting better?
No, can't recover that suddenly.
Just gradual progress.
Ask Dr. Yoon Seo-ah at the next checkup.
Ugh. Thinking of Dr. Yoon Seo-ah... and I'm getting hard again...
Whew. Calm down.
Can't show anything unsightly with a guest here.
Jin's pretty tiny for Mi-so's age.
Quick search: profile height 155cm, weight 37kg.
Real name Park Soo-jin, by the way.
Probably even shorter in person.
How's a person's weight in the 30s kg with all organs intact?
I thought actress Hwang Soo-ah was slender, but Jin took it further.
Holding Soo-ah's hand, I thought it'd break if I gripped too hard.
With Jin hugging me, it felt like she'd shatter at a touch.
Maybe that's why I was more tense? Fear of breaking her?
Knock knock.
Ah. They're here.
"Oppa. Coming in."
Mi-so and Jin entered side by side.
Not casuals anymore—full stage outfits.
Black sparkly leather material, oozing charisma.
And pretty revealing. Honestly, quite a bit.
First time seeing this up close. Are they always this sexy?
Mi-so's legs fully bare, Jin in fishnet stockings.
Honestly, nowhere safe to look.
"Sun-hu Oppa, bed!"
Jin jumped straight onto my bed.
Charisma outfit, but kid-like antics.
Or... maybe not kid stuff.
All calculated?
To loosen me up since I was tense, acting friendly.
Impressive. That's an idol for you.
Her overflowing affability was enviable.
Wish I had some of that.
Ah. Panties showing.
No, not panties. Shorts.
Shorts are fine, right?
"Me too!"
Mi-so followed, jumping on.
Mi-so probably no deep thought.
Just mimicking Jin.
The two giggled and played on my bed.
...Feels weird.
Idols lounging on my bedroom bed.
Hmm. No dirty thoughts.
Would be trouble if I got a reaction in front of Jin.
"No playing on the bed."
"Okay~."
They hopped off side by side at my words.
Then set up the camera.
"Like this?"
"Tilt the camera this way a bit more."
The two who'd been goofing off moments ago now discussed seriously like pros.
Camera in my room.
Oddly, no tension.
I hated being filmed as a kid.
Especially after that middle school incident—basically camera phobia.
Now? I'm just background; they're the stars.
That helped, but it straight-up didn't scare me.
Cameras don't hurt you. The people behind them do.
No need to fear the camera itself.
It's the malice of the filmer.
Maybe I'd grown enough to accept that.
"Yeah. That's good!"
Camera setup done.
"Sun-hu Oppa, let's start with Breeze."
"First one's rehearsal. Matching practice."
Mi-so started the camera and took her spot.
I press the keys.