Temptation? The Shattered Guardian Figurine
ProMinence was the flagship girl group of Mir Entertainment. Featuring Jang Ara, the all-rounder called a once-in-a-millennium idol; Vizu, the strongest vocalist in girl groups with her heavenly voice; K, the rapper from a hip-hop survival show boasting exceptional rhythm; and Park Eunji, the dancer with perfect lines—they were one of the representative groups of the 5th generation.
Among them, Ara was hugely popular as a haughty cool beauty with a mysterious smile, but it was all a manufactured image. Born with hexagonal talent in looks, vocals, dance—nothing lacking—still, Ara was an extremely shy, introverted girl who shunned the spotlight. Unable to stand it, CEO Min had imposed the haughty cool beauty persona.
"Look indifferent, smile only occasionally. Ara, your vibe is killer, so that works. From now on, it's mystery concept only, got it?"
No variety shows, live stages where the others chattered until her final killer line, performances only on stage—from trainee days, they'd rigorously built and pushed this image, and surprisingly, the market ate it up. She rose to the pinnacle of girl group dignity. But reality? A pushover with a glass mentality, severe community addiction, ultimate INFP.
There was only one reason such an Ara was desperately seeking me out now.
She was in an extreme state of anxiety.
The next morning, at Mir Entertainment—
"Sorry for calling you out of the blue. I didn't think Ara would throw such a fit."
CEO Min greeted me, her blouse hugging her body to emphasize her chest. If Nayoung was national treasure class, this was cultural heritage level.
"It's her anxiety flaring up. She seems fine, then suddenly feels off and can't control it."
"I assigned multiple guards, but no use. Does it have to be you, Jihun?"
"I did help her out a lot."
The downside of the mystery concept was limited exposure, breeding starved fans for Ara. Her superior looks drew obsessed males, some monitoring her every move relentlessly. For some reason, they always crossed my path, and I'd smash them so they'd never approach her again.
"With Manager only, I feel safe. Like you'll chase them all away."
She was nearing male phobia, yet saw me as reliable, clinging like a chick to its first-seen parent.
That trust exploded at the fan meeting acid terror incident.
"Kyaaah! Manager—!!"
"Guh, grab that bastard!!"
A deranged stalker, denied her, charged with an acid canister to ruin her. Luckily, my hand was faster; I rolled with him, but the impact spilled acid, burning my arm.
"Wh-what... sob, waaah. Manager, this... what do we do..."
"It hurts, so stop clinging..."
Probably from then. The belief I'd protect her no matter what.
"Hurry. The plane's waiting."
The plane's waiting?
Soon, a private jet from Geumyoung Group carried me and CEO Min into the sky.
"You pulled out a private jet for this?"
I stared incredulously at the grinning CEO across from me.
"Killing two birds. Not a vacation, so gotta make it fun somehow."
Her sheer stockings wrapping long legs under her skirt were alluring. I envied her husband touching them daily, then shook my head.
Nayoung's legs are just as good. Soon I'll get to suck them too—don't get distracted.
I steeled myself, hoping for a quest to slurp from calf to toes.
"That look earlier was nice. Why stop staring?"
"What look?"
"The one lingering on my legs."
Busted, damn.
"Oh, uh... sitting right there, angle just happened. Sorry, wrong time."
"I meant keep looking. Pretty confident in these legs."
Your chest seems more impressive, but nearly said it. What was she thinking!
"I enjoy that gaze, it's fine. Hubby's not looking, so you can fill in."
"Hubby not looking?"
What kind of man ignores a woman like CEO Min? Impotent?
Her eyes drooped slightly with a small sigh.
"We're just a show window couple. Separate rooms for ages."
Ah.
"You can tell me?"
"Everyone who matters knows. Separate rooms aren't rare."
She crossed her legs the other way. The tempting vibe left me unsettled.
"Married for Grandpa, but no passion, so honeymoon was meh. Bed stuff was lackluster."
Conversation veered to intimate marital woes.
"Tried for a kid thinking it'd help, but hubby had issues. Weak seed, even IVF no guarantee."
Her gloomy confession flowed like absolution. Her emotionless tone, like talking of others, felt alien. She'd always brimmed with confidence.
"Didn't want it that bad. Gave up, he didn't complain. Turns out he didn't crave kids either."
She wet her throat with wine she'd been sipping.
"We live together but might as well not. Wonder if we're even married anymore."
She seemed closer now—was it my imagination?
"Know why I'm telling you this, Jihun?"
"No clue."
Really. I'm no marriage counselor.
"He gets his fun around town these days. Seed's shit but dick works, huh? Fucking asshole."
She could curse like that too.
"I'm always pent-up, but him cheating? What do you think, Jihun?"
"Well, I..."
"Never mind. What good's your answer? I'm the crazy bitch asking. Pretend you didn't hear, got it?"
CEO Min cut me off. Relieved—tough topic without being involved.
Meanwhile, the jet landed at Narita Airport.
ProMinence was staying at Aman Tokyo, the 5-star hotel in Otemachi, Tokyo. The go-to for celebs visiting Japan. The lobby's soaring ceiling and traditional paper decorations overwhelmed.
Whoa, a hotel like this in the city center.
"ProMinence deserves this. Ara's popular here too, insanely."
With rabid fans like in Korea, Ara must be more anxious. Nutjobs ignore borders.
Following CEO Min to the top-floor suite. Pre-notified, a knock brought Ara peeking out anxiously.
"CEO... Manager..."
Eyes welled up seeing me. Crying so pretty is unfair.
"Waaah... it's broken."
"Broken?"
I startled, but CEO Min's eyes blazed.
To her, Ara wasn't just an artist—the top output, bestseller product of Mir Enter. Damage to that? I'd rage too.
Inside, she groped Ara immediately.
"Ha-ah. C-CEO..."
Ara let out an insanely arousing moan.
"Where? Where's it broken!"
"N-not the body..."
Ara pointed to the table. Shattered remnants scattered.
What the?
"This what broke?"
"Yes..."
CEO Min, brows furrowed, lifted it. A doll with broken neck and arm.
"This doll... it's you, Jihun, right?"
"Not a doll. It's a Manager Totem. My guardian... someone stepped on it during recording... sob."
Crying again. Pretty and arousing—unfair. Shouldn't think this seeing a crying girl.
I sat on the sofa, soothing Ara.
"Explain what happened? What's with that fig... totem?"
She said it calmed her anxiety when touched. Superstitions common in the industry, fine—but shaped like me?
"How'd you get it? Not for sale."
Some psycho made and sold my figurines.
"Custom order. Showed your photo, asked for max cute."
It was cute... no! Why make that?
"Like a talisman? Can't relax without it?"
CEO Min asked for me. Confirmed no damage to the product, relaxed.
"Helps a lot, but still anxious sometimes. Without Manager, it protected me..."
Pouty face again. Stop, it's turning me on.
"So precious, why not make extras?"
"This is #3. Have up to #11, but only brought one to Japan. Put another in luggage for sure."
"With 11, have Assistant Manager Jo fetch it. Why refuse schedule over this mess!"
CEO Min finally snapped.
"Guardian totem stays in my secret spot! Others can't touch!"
Wow, severe.
"No life-size figures here either..."
"Life-size?"
She showed phone gallery. Me standing in a clothing corner. Ara gazed fondly; CEO Min and I were dumbfounded by the horror.