Chapter 82

Punishment Execution (1)

I posted a reality variety show-style content and quietly observed how the cottage members would react. Since I had grown closer to Olan, I couldn't make an objective judgment.

So I asked the staff members if the fans would realize that Olan's personality in the content was real.

"There might be a few who notice, but not many. However, if the content continues, the number will gradually increase."

"Was it too intense from the beginning?"

"We'll see later, but there are also people who like it, so don't worry too much."

"Yes, thank you for your advice."

"By the way, it seems like you really like Olan too, Lee Won."

"…?!"

I was startled and looked at him, and the PR team member chuckled and looked at me with a satisfied smile.

Is there some trend at Hanul Entertainment? Why are all the people in the company looking at me with a satisfied smile?

"Ugh."

I shuddered at the inexplicable phenomenon and left my seat. I had just casually asked a question while visiting the company. Sigh.

The reason I visited the company today was because of the recording schedule with actor Naohyuk. The additional OST I had been asked to compose and arrange was completed, and only the recording stage remained.

I plan to record the OST themed around Naohyuk's character first, and if there's time left, I'll record other songs.

I heard that Naohyuk is receiving consistent vocal training from a vocal teacher while practicing acting. So, I think he can finish the recording in one go.

With vague expectations, I waited for Naohyuk in the company lobby. The other members had a radio schedule, so the manager went there.

"Hello! Are you Lee Won?"

The person who appeared with a cheerful greeting was today's main character, actor Naohyuk.

"Hello. I'm Theora Ham Won."

"I've heard a lot about you, Lee Won. They say you're a genius composer."

"…Thank you for the compliment. You're also great, Naohyuk."

I wanted to reflexively refute the word 'genius' but held back. I know it's tiring to react sensitively to every compliment.

"Shall we go to the recording studio?"

I headed to the recording studio inside the company with an uncle-like figure who seemed to be the manager. As we started the recording preparations, the producer who had come for our album recording followed.

Perhaps because I'm young, the producer might have thought I couldn't properly control Naohyuk as a producer. Although my pride was slightly hurt, I understood the company's concern. The producer also insisted he was just an observer.

"Bro, can you go get us some drinks?"

Naohyuk, who asked the manager for drinks, was about to enter the recording studio. At that moment, the producer, who was standing nearby, whispered something in Naohyuk's ear.

I heard my name mentioned briefly, but from his expression, it didn't seem to be a negative comment, so I pretended not to notice.

"Lee Won, please be gentle."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm a professional. Please lower your gaze."

I was curious about what the producer said that made him so nervous. Since he even made a special request, I decided to be lenient during the recording.

I'm not sure if it will work out, but I'll try my best.

"Yes, I'll do my best."

That day's recording was completed satisfactorily. However, after Naohyuk's recording was finished, we couldn't record the additional OST I had been commissioned to do.

* * *

The process of Olan and me performing the cross-dressing punishment for finishing last in the treasure hunt game of our self-produced content will appear in the next episode. Just the preview alone made the cottages very excited. The NewTube comment section was filled with talk about the cross-dressing.

I was worried that Olan might get criticized, but it turned out to be a baseless worry.

When Olan and I received the cross-dressing punishment near the end of the content, we frowned, but in fact, we were quite calm about it. The other members were surprised by our calmness.

Olan, being shameless and willing to do anything, was one thing, but I...

"Lee Won, you really don't seem out of place."

The makeup artist and the stylist both said that with my bone structure, I looked like a woman.

I hesitated a bit because of my height, but nowadays, there are many tall women. I was confident that I could pass as a woman even if examined closely.

The two of them were praising their own skills...

"Why are you so familiar with cross-dressing? Aren't you uncomfortable in a skirt? It's really strange."

Olan, who was getting makeup and wearing a wig and a dress with me, asked in a way that showed he couldn't understand at all. He was sitting on the sofa with his legs spread wide and his arms resting on the back.

Don't forget that we're filming the content right now?

Olan, wearing a light pink dress with frills, seemed unaware of his appearance. His face looked perfectly like a woman's.

"Really? When I was young, there was no distinction between women's and men's clothes for me. My parents dressed me in a mix of both. No one thought it was strange... So I'm not uncomfortable."

Moreover, my hair was relatively long for a boy, so the neighbors thought I was a twin.

I was often asked why the twins didn't go out together. Even when I wore girls' clothes or boys' clothes, I introduced myself as 'Ham Won.'

Even after the neighbors found out the truth, they said, "I understand why Won's mom did that. I would want to dress her in pretty clothes too," so there was no reason to stop.

"Did they dress you in skirts when you were very young? Do you remember that?"

Olan, who didn't know my past, could say that. I might not remember when I was two or three, but I often wore skirts even in elementary school.

A classmate once shouted, "Let's date!" to me, who was dressed like a girl, which led to a misunderstanding. My parents firmly decided to stop the confusing outfits to prevent more victims.

In any case, about half of the photos in my childhood album were of me wearing girls' clothes.

"You'll understand when you see this."

Dad had digitized the family album and stored it in the cloud while organizing it. I don't know how he managed to digitize so many photos.

He said he did it for his art work, but I think he just wanted to be able to see them anytime, anywhere.

I opened the family cloud, found the childhood album, and passed my phone to Olan.

"…What am I supposed to see… What! Is this really you? Not a twin?"

The same reaction I heard from the neighbors came out.

The makeup artist, hair stylist, and coordinator, who were nearby, seemed curious and quietly approached Olan. Then they covered their mouths. Why did they cover their mouths...?

"It's me. I haven't worn a skirt since second grade, but it's not that uncomfortable."

The outfit I wore was a leather skirt and an off-shoulder silk shirt. The set included a black wig with a side ponytail and a see-through fringe.

I don't know why they made me wear high-heeled boots, but I obediently put them on.

"High heels are a bit uncomfortable since it's my first time."

"What kind of life have you lived? A high school boy familiar with women's clothes?"

"It could happen."

"Wow? I can't keep this to myself. Oh, I remember, I showed my childhood photos to the cottages before, right? I can show them with the other members. Then, Ham Won, showing your childhood photos won't seem out of place."

The people sitting next to Olan nodded vigorously in agreement.

"Sure, why not."

It wasn't difficult to share my childhood photos, so I readily provided them. I didn't think it was something that would excite Olan, who is usually indifferent to everything. I didn't feel much about it.

"Do you know how the fans feel?"

"Why would the fans' feelings be related to me here?"

"Tsk tsk."

Olan clicked his tongue, sent the photos to his phone, and handed my phone back to me.

"Shall we go out and take a walk around the company? I'm looking forward to seeing how surprised everyone will be."

Instead of feeling punished, he seemed to enjoy the reactions of the onlookers. Even though it was supposed to be a punishment, why doesn't Olan look like he's being punished? He's still himself.

Without realizing that others might see him differently, he opened the door and started walking confidently.

* * *

Seohun, replacing the busy leader Chorok, was initially checking the posts on SNS and organizing the posts on Theora's fan cafe.

The fan community name "Cottage" was created unexpectedly, so a task to give it meaning was needed.

No one, including the members, expected that "Cottage" would be chosen as the fan community name, despite the fun of teasing Lee Won. The naming process was a bit chaotic, but it wasn't bothersome.

"Is this a writer? The writing skills are..."

As I read each post, some showed a unique sense and impressive wit, even in short texts.

It felt like getting closer to the cottages, and I felt proud.

It seems like I made the right decision to take over the task from Chorok.

"...There's a reason why it got so many likes."

The popular post resonated with many fans. In summary, it expressed the fans' desire to be a cozy home where Theora can rest whenever they feel tired or stressed.

The meaning was intuitive and warm. This might be the one.

There was also a short story posted, which showed great effort. I wanted to show it to the members.

"Have the kids joined the fan cafe?"

Chorok has joined, and Park Ha probably has too, but the other three might not have joined yet.

They were so busy after debut that they probably didn't pay attention to the fan cafe. They might have just signed up.

"If they haven't joined, I should tell them to."

The fan cafe is a place where fans gather, and since there are no special issues with Theora, the atmosphere is warm.

If there are any rare posts with thorns or barbs, they are immediately deleted, so it would be good for the members to visit often. They can gain strength from reading the fans' posts.

"Ah, this..."

It was a three-line poem about the cottages. Though short, it had a significant impact. Other fans found it amusing, and dozens of comments were left below.

T: Stronger than a T-Rex

J: Fan of the Earth's number one idol!]

The fans received it joyfully and continued the joke. Especially, the effort to find something even stronger than 'T' was evident in the comments.

Stronger than a T-rex, more expensive than a T-pa*, tastier than a T-bone steak...

Each idol fan community has a different atmosphere and personality, but our cottages seem to be full of playful people.

"I should have noticed this when teasing Lee Won."

The ability to get close to the members like friends is a plus. If I can adapt to their playfulness, it will be good.

While reading other posts and taking notes, I checked the time and realized it was already 2 PM.

"Oh, the kids must have finished their makeup by now?"

While the members were getting makeup and changing clothes, I was so focused on checking the fan cafe posts in the company lounge that I might have been a bit late.

I quickly organized my notebook and stood up.

Bam?

As I opened the meeting room door, two beautiful women nearby turned their heads simultaneously.