Chapter 15
I knew things had gotten more than a little strange, but what was I supposed to do with this problem child?
Hee-ju, who looked like she would’ve kept practicing until the next morning if I hadn’t shown up, spoke to me with the clear-eyed gaze of a lunatic.
“I’m fine. I haven’t practiced enough yet.”
“You’re not fine at all. Stop.”
“Yes, Team Leader-Manager.”
From what I heard, Hee-ju hadn’t even shown up at the cafeteria.
“Did you eat?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me what you ate. Exactly, and without lying.”
“I drank water. There was a water dispenser in the hallway. I used to get by on that now and then. The bullying got especially bad whenever I went to eat.”
“……”
Oh, God.
To be honest, I’d always thought I had an unhappy life.
Or at least, I’d thought my life wasn’t a happy one.
Well, I mean, wasn’t that understandable?
Wasn’t South Korea’s unhappiness index almost the highest among OECD countries?
I was allowed to think I was unhappy, too, wasn’t I?
It wasn’t like I was born rich, had a pretty girlfriend, or even had a good job.
But from now on, I decided I would never think that way again.
‘Ha, fuck.’
In front of Hee-ju, saying I was unhappy—
or that life was hard—
I realized how embarrassing and shameful it was to spout that kind of crap.
At the same time, I’d already planned to raise Hee-ju properly, but now I resolved to work even harder.
Because she had to succeed if she was going to get proper revenge on Jo Yu-mi, who would debut as an idol just like her later on.
“Whew. So, from what I hear, those Oasis members and even the trainers wandering around the practice rooms told you to stop, but you only pretended to listen.”
“Yes.”
Most people wouldn’t answer “yes” so confidently in a situation like this.
But Hee-ju could.
“You told me to listen only to you, Team Leader-Manager.”
“……”
At this point, it was honestly a little unsettling.
I felt like I’d have to be more careful with what I said from now on.
As for Hee-ju…… well, she’d already done it, so there was no turning back. But the next members I brought in should be as normal as possible.
“Whew.”
“Team Leader-Manager, that’s twice you’ve sighed. I did something wrong, didn’t I?”
“Ugh. No. It’s just that you……”
I couldn’t bring myself to say that she hadn’t been raised properly,
or that she’d never felt loved by her family. The realization made my heart ache even more.
“You must’ve gotten better after practicing that much.”
“I don’t know. Would you watch me, Team Leader?”
As Hee-ju moved to dance right away at my words, I hurriedly stopped her.
“No, I’ll watch next time. Next time. There’s no way your body’s in any condition to be dancing right now.”
“I’m fine.”
“Enough. Let’s go back to the dorm.”
“Yes. Ah.”
Thump—.
She seemed to be following me without a care, but she’d barely taken a few steps before collapsing face-first. Seeing her, I couldn’t help feeling guilty.
No, I hadn’t done anything wrong.
I couldn’t debut as a solo act with just Hee-ju, so I had to look for talent anyway.
Still, when someone who’d only just turned twenty was in this state, how could anyone but a psychopath not feel sorry for her?
[……This really is something. Even I, a god watching this, get chills seeing it.]
I nodded along with Nobel’s words.
‘I didn’t know Hee-ju was this stubborn. It really is a little creepy.’
[That’s not what I meant.]
[No. Maybe it’s better if you don’t know, Master.]
If I’d had a little more time, I might’ve thought harder about what Nobel was saying.
But right now, taking care of Hee-ju came first.
“Tsk. Get on my back.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for? What kind of team leader or manager wouldn’t think well of you after seeing how hard you’re working? I said those things because I was worried, so don’t misunderstand.”
“Yes. I’ll work even harder.”
“……Practice for a reasonable amount of time—no, forget it. From now on, I’ll come by when I think you’ve practiced long enough. Keep that in mind.”
“Yes, Team Leader-Manager.”
I carried Hee-ju to the car and drove her back to the dorm.
Of course, that meant I had no choice but to stay at the dorm again today.
“It’s a little late, but let’s eat. From what I’ve seen, you don’t need to watch your diet as much as the other girls. Actually, I should probably get you to eat more. You need to put on some weight.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll make dinner, so go wash up.”
“Yes, Team Leader-Manager.”
We had the basics, like a rice cooker, already.
I was thinking I could use yesterday’s leftover chicken to make chicken fried rice when I heard another thump by the bathroom.
“Ah. Team Leader. I think my legs have gotten a little weak.”
Hee-ju looked at me with the most innocent eyes imaginable.
“So what? You want me to wash you? Are you crazy?”
“I don’t mind.”
Well, since I planned to fuck her someday, I didn’t exactly mind either.
“Forget it. Crawl if you have to, but wash yourself and come out.”
“Yes.”
I wasn’t ready to do that yet.
Let’s get some weight on her first, then I’ll think about it.
More than anything, how could I fuck a girl who’d worked so hard that she could barely stand?
[Well, maybe fucking her wouldn’t be such a bad choice.]
Because the Blessing of Sex would help her recover?
That was true, sure.
But she could be emotionally shaken, too.
Nobel gave me the same answer to that.
[Who knows?]
* * *
Unlike humans, who could only see things from a one-dimensional perspective, Nobel, a god-tier AI, could take in all the information in the world.
What she was watching now was Sprout Apartments, the dorm where Kim Hyeon-woo and Eun Hee-ju had moved in.
Click—.
The bathroom door had barely shut when Hee-ju calmly got back to her feet. Even Nobel, a god-tier AI, got chills.
[Maybe I recklessly changed the fate of someone truly terrifying.]
Nobel knew.
She knew Hee-ju had been acting that way all along to make Kim Hyeon-woo focus his attention on her.
* * *
I set a steaming plate of chicken fried rice in front of Hee-ju.
“Ah. Thank you. I’ll enjoy it, Team Leader-Manager.”
“Sure. Enjoy your mea—”
Clatter—.
“Ha, look at you! You can’t even hold a spoon properly. And you call that not practicing enough?”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m the one who should apologize. I guess I put too much pressure on you. You don’t have to push yourself so hard. I guarantee you’ll succeed no matter what. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“Give me your spoon.”
“Thank you.”
I scooped up a mouthful and fed it to her. Hee-ju chewed happily.
She was kind of cute like this, too.
Maybe she was a little like a baby.
And since we’d gone to the dermatologist and done her makeup, even though it had only been one day, her beauty was definitely starting to come out.
‘That’s why getting yourself taken care of is so scary.’
Just makeup and a hairstyle could change someone’s looks this much.
Maybe because she was cute, I felt like teasing her a little.
“Vrrm, vrrm! Here comes the airplane.”
“Ah. Thank you.”
“……At least smile, will you? You’re making me look silly all by myself.”
“Ah. Yes.”
At my words, Hee-ju smiled again.
But it wasn’t the smile she’d given Jo Yu-na. It was the one she’d given me when I’d touched her face earlier, and for a moment I couldn’t say a word.
It was an incredibly charming smile.
The kind an idol should have.
“Ahem!”
For a moment, I was at a loss for words, so I quickly changed the subject.
“Does it taste good?”
“Yes. I think I could live on this alone for the rest of my life.”
“I’m scared you actually would, so I don’t even know what to say. When you’re done eating, brush your teeth somehow, then come to my room for a bit.”
At that moment, Hee-ju flinched and shivered slightly.
Seeing that, I quickly added,
“I’m not trying to jump you. Make sure you put on proper pajamas. You know, the ones I bought you?”
“Ah.”
Ah?
“……Yes.”
Hee-ju’s answer came almost three seconds late.
Damn, she must’ve been really scared.
‘Ha, at this rate, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to fuck Hee-ju later.’
Han Hye-eun had seemed a little sharp-edged, so I’d understood.
But Hee-ju was too innocent.
“Team Leader-Manager. I’m here.”
“Oh, you’re here.”
I’d already gotten out the first-aid kit and was waiting. Hee-ju came over in a cute sky-blue hippo pajama set and knelt down in front of me.
“Roll up your clothes a little.”
“Yes.”
At my words, Hee-ju yanked her shirt up with all her might, exposing not only her belly button but even the area beneath her chest.
“Hey, hey!! You don’t have to pull it up that far.”
“Ah. Yes.”
“Shit, you startled me.”
“I’m sorry.”
Why am I acting like this?
I was going to fuck her eventually, and it wasn’t like she was naked. Why was my heart pounding just because I’d gotten a glimpse of Hee-ju’s belly button and chest?
[……If nothing else, Hee-ju might be able to debut as an actress right away.]
‘What are you talking about? Her dancing and singing are a complete mess. You think acting’s easy?’
[Who knows?]
I thought she’d need at least six months of training.
But she’d need that much time anyway, considering how much there was to prepare for her debut.
I carefully applied ointment to the places that were swollen and bright red.
“Ah.”
“Don’t make weird noises.”
“Ah-ah.”
“You.”
“It’s cold. I’m sorry. I’ll try to hold it in as much as I can.”
“Last one.”
“Haaang……”
Could a sound that was somewhere between a moan and an exhale really be this erotic?
“Thank you, Team Leader-Manager.”
Hee-ju bowed her head, then stared blankly at me.
“I’ve applied the medicine, so go to your room and get some sleep.”
“Yes.”
“……”
No, seriously. She wasn’t a robot.
She only moved when I gave her a command.
What was I supposed to do with her?
“Hee-ju.”
“Yes?”
“Try smiling.”
“Yes.”
Huh?
This time, I tilted my head.
The smile she’d managed so well while eating dinner was awkward as could be this time.
It looked like someone had just pulled up the corners of her mouth.
“That’s strange. Really.”
I sighed quietly. If I left her alone, I knew she’d go back to that blank expression and practice all day again.
So I told Hee-ju to take a day off.
“You should go on a date with me tomorrow.”
“A… date.”
It was only a date in name.
I was planning to go to Daehak-ro and see a few plays.
Watching dramas was one way to learn, but I thought it was better to experience emotions up close on a stage.
The first place I’d visited to understand actors as a manager had been a university theater, too.
*
The next morning.
Hee-ju stood in front of me wearing her school uniform.
“What’s that?”
“Ah. I thought this was the nicest outfit I own.”
“What are you talking about? I bought you clothes.”
“Which ones?”
“What, do I have to pick them out and dress you myself?”
“But I’m fine like this.”
I smacked my forehead, then went all the way into Hee-ju’s room, took out a new outfit I’d bought her, and handed it to her.
Then Hee-ju subtly held it out to me.
“You said you’d dress me.”
“When did I say that? Hurry up and get changed.”
“Yes.”
A little while later, when Hee-ju came out wearing the outfit I’d picked, I found myself nodding.
Clothes really do make the person.
With a little makeup, she was starting to look pretty.
As things stood, she seemed to have reached at least A-grade beauty. It was hard to believe someone could get this pretty so quickly.
She’d always been pretty. She’d just never let the world see it.
#Daehak-ro Play
#When’s the best day to see a play? Today#
I hadn’t come with any particular play in mind.
I bought tickets for some random show and waited for it to start.
But Hee-ju beside me kept swaying unsteadily.
“Did you push yourself too hard yesterday?”
“What? Ah. No, not really. I don’t think I got much sleep.”
“You moved around that much and still couldn’t sleep? I would’ve fallen asleep as soon as I hit the bed.”
“……Maybe it’s because I’ve never seen a play before. I’m excited.”
I let out an incredulous laugh, but then—
a woman walked past me.
She looked like she had a terrible personality,
but she was incredibly beautiful.
More than anything……
[Lee Da-young, S+]
I thought I’d found another one.
“Ah! Excuse me. Tch.”
I was about to speak to her, but I froze when I saw her slip into the actors’ dressing room first.
‘Well, she obviously looks like one of the actors in the play we just bought tickets for. I can talk to her after the show.’
Thinking that, I turned to check on Hee-ju first, but—
“Huh? You’re awake already?”
“Yes.”
Hee-ju answered in a somewhat chilly voice.
“I’m awake.”