Chapter 1

**Chapter 1: I Became the Older Brother of a Top Star**

"Wow. How can someone's face be so beautiful?"

"He's tall, has a great figure, sings well, and acts well. What's lacking? Can someone really be like this?"

People marveled at the photos plastered all over the building's walls. The area in front of the building was already crowded with people.

"Still, I can't be the 38th generation descendant of the Kim family, Kim Jungsik."

"Madman. Here he goes again."

I couldn't help but burst into laughter at the conversation of the passersby outside. Fortunately, I was inside the black van, so the other party didn't notice my laughter.

"Phew—"

It was a cold winter day. The weather was so cold that my hands and feet felt like they were about to freeze. People were trying to warm themselves with cigarettes while waiting for someone.

"Ah! He's coming out!"

Finally, today's main character appeared. People who had been scattered around rushed over and quickly formed a large crowd.

"Everyone, please don't block the way and step aside!"

The security guards started to control the surging crowd. With so many people, they were breaking a sweat.

However, their commotion was short-lived.

Clack, clack—

As today's main character stepped out in red high heels, the noisy crowd fell silent.

"Wow..."

When people see an ideal being that surpasses common sense, they naturally feel a sense of awe. This was exactly the case now.

The cold ground, still partly covered in snow, seemed to turn into a red carpet wherever she stepped.

"Beautiful!!"

"I love you!! IV!!"

There are many entertainers with the title "Top Star," such as actors, singers, variety show personalities, and sports figures. At some point, the term "Top Star" became overused. However, at least in this country, the title "Top Star" is given to only one person.

IV.

Acting, singing, appearance—she is perfect in every way. Since debuting as IV, she has become the top entertainer in Korea and is loved by many fans.

However,

"Please, just look this way once!"

"Sis! Can you wave your hand at least once?"

She only gave a brief smile to the fans who were shouting. There was no further response.

"Ah, what's wrong?"

"She just got into the car again."

"That's her concept, isn't it?"

People looked at the black van she had entered with a sense of disappointment.

"Since she has everything, her personality must be terrible, right?"

"It's not easy to maintain that concept consistently."

"Still, people really love her. If she can pull off the mysterious concept, it's a success."

"Hey, that's not a concept. She just has a bad personality."

People might think this way. They might think she is very cold and arrogant, and with the title "Top Star," she must be extremely conceited.

But I know the truth.

I know that their words are not entirely true.

"Ma, Manager."

She got into the car, breathing heavily and trembling. I quickly handed her the medicine and water I had prepared.

"Here it is."

"Th, thank you..."

She dropped a few pills as she took them with her trembling hands.

"Ah! I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Please take it slowly."

People might imagine IV sitting in the black van, crossing her legs and giving orders to her manager with a haughty voice. But in the place where fans can't see her,

"Phew—"

She was a patient who, in front of people, tried hard not to show her trembling heart and endured it.

I thought she had improved a lot recently, but it seemed that wasn't the case. I quickly started the van to avoid her having a seizure and drove away from where the fans were gathered.

"..."

A long silence filled the van. It was something I was used to. Still, to prepare for any possible emergency, I always kept an eye on her through the rearview mirror. Her sad gaze out the window was so beautiful that it felt like a painting.

Her appearance in the media was a perfect embodiment of someone who had nothing to envy, but outside the media, she seemed filled with loneliness.

"I'll take you home directly."

"..."

She didn't respond. I didn't expect an answer, as during the two years I've been her manager, we've hardly had any personal conversations. IV probably doesn't even know my name or age.

But I know that it's not because of her bad personality. That's why it doesn't bother me.

That's why, I've heard, I'm the only manager who has lasted more than a year.

"Um..."

"Yes?"

"..."

In the media, she held her head high with confidence, but now she was hesitating and bowing her head deeply.

"You can speak freely."

"..."

"I don't want to go home right away."

I was momentarily stunned.

Did I hear that wrong?

The girl who is known for being a homebody, who doesn't step outside her home except for scheduled events, and who has almost no personal relationships with other entertainers, said she didn't want to go home.

If she said this, it must have taken a lot of courage.

"Then, where would you like to go?"

"Just... anywhere."

I thought for a moment and turned the steering wheel.

"I know a place. Is it okay? It's close to here."

"..."

Reading the worry in her eyes, I quickly continued.

"It's a quiet place. You probably won't run into anyone else."

She nodded.

"Okay."

I took her to Yeosu, known for its beautiful night sea. Since today's schedule ended near Yeosu, it didn't take long to get there. It was a place I often went to when I wanted to see the sea alone or have a drink by myself, so it was very quiet.

"Nice. Here..."

A small smile appeared on her face, which had been dark.

They say that a beautiful face can get old after three months. I've been a manager for several entertainers. At first, I would be amazed by their beauty, but after a few weeks, I would become indifferent. After being pushed around and always in a subordinate position, there were times when I just didn't want to see their faces.

But IV has been beautiful for almost two years, and she still looks as beautiful as the first day. It was as if God had deliberately created a masterpiece.

"It's cold. Put this on."

I took a padded jacket from the car and put it on her.

"I'll go get a warm cup of cocoa. Please wait here for a moment."

"No, no."

"Yes?"

"If you don't go... can't you?"

She seemed very afraid of being left alone.

"Ah, yes."

I stood beside her, looking at the rippling sea. Honestly, standing here side by side and her making such a request felt very strange.

"Manager, do you... not want to quit?"

"Do you want to fire me?"

She waved her hands in panic.

"No, no."

I shouldn't think this way, but her flustered look was quite cute.

"Other managers usually can't last a few months..."

It's understandable. When you become her manager, you have to sign a contract. You're not allowed to bring up personal matters with her first, and you can't have unnecessary conversations. You also can't talk about her outside, even in the slightest detail.

'Being treated poorly is one thing, but being ignored is also scary.'

Not being able to have a single conversation with her is the most frustrating and suffocating thing. Moreover, previous managers didn't know she had panic disorder. She wanted to keep it a secret, and the agency was afraid it would leak out, so they didn't tell the managers.

I only found out about her condition later.

"I'm fine. I need to eat, so I won't quit. Please don't fire me."

I said it jokingly, and she smiled slightly.

I should have stopped there. Even though I've been her manager for almost two years, the contract states that I can't have personal conversations with her.

Usually, I would have been indifferent, but today I felt a bit excited and decided to take a chance.

"Today's shooting was tough, wasn't it?"

"..."

She didn't respond.

Did I say something unnecessary?

But she soon spoke heavily.

"Yes, a bit."

Today was a drama shooting day. I don't know the content.

"It felt strange because it seemed like the main character was talking about me."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. The gap between the image I show to others and my true self was very noticeable."

In the media, she is the most perfect woman in the world, IV. But in reality, she is Jung Yuna, who is mentally broken.

I think the content of this drama is similar to her situation.

"Even though I thought I had been doing well, I feel very tired now. These negative thoughts keep coming to me."

I felt that I shouldn't just send her home like this. Saying everything will be fine wouldn't help. She needed something to change her mood.

But what, and how?

I couldn't just bring soju and start drinking.

Then, my feet hit some small pebbles.

It might seem childish, but...

"Do you know why I like this place?"

"Yes?"

"Besides being quiet and having no people, this place is said to grant wishes."

"..."

"Write your wish on a small stone and throw it into the sea, and it will come true."

She looked at me with a doubtful expression.

"Really?"

Of course, I just made it up.

"Sure. Do you want to try?"

It was a risky move, but fortunately, she readily agreed.

"Okay."

She squatted down and picked a stone that looked pretty to her. She seemed a bit excited.

"Manager, aren't you going to pick one?"

"Yes? Ah, yes. I'll pick one too."

I ended up squatting in front of her and started picking stones. At first, I thought it was a silly thing to do, but when she handed me a stone, saying this one looks the prettiest, my thoughts vanished.

Her face was much different from usual, making me wonder if she was originally a bright person.

"Okay. I'll throw mine first."

Plop~

I threw it with all my might, but it fell right in front of me.

"Hee."

Her cute reaction made me laugh without realizing it.

"It's okay. As long as it goes into the water, it's fine."

I also threw a stone, and it landed near hers.

Plop~

As I watched the water droplets, she asked me.

"What did you wish for, Manager?"

"I wished for something that any ordinary office worker would dream of. Winning the lottery, something like that."

I told her a second lie today.

In fact, my wish was different.

"What about you, Yuna?"

She smiled bitterly.

"I wished for an older brother."

An older brother?

I know she has an older brother in her family.

"A real family... someone I can truly rely on."

Ah, that's what she meant.

There are things about her family that people don't know. Her older brother is a complete scoundrel, and her relatives are monsters who only want to take her money. I don't know the details, but I know she doesn't have a good family life. Her parents, who were her only support, passed away early.

Jung Yuna, who works tirelessly every day, always clears her schedule for the anniversary of her parents' death. I remember this.

"Is that a ridiculous wish?"

Did I do something unnecessary?

I also know the loneliness of not having a family.

The loneliness of being alone with no one to rely on is something you can't understand unless you've experienced it. I felt even more heavy-hearted, thinking I might have made her more depressed.

"Let's go back now."

"Ah, yes."

The silence in the black van was even heavier than before.

When we arrived at her house, she said as she got out of the car,

"Thank you... I feel a bit better because of you."

I was relieved to hear that.

"Yes, be careful going in."

"Yes. Manager Kim Eun-sung."

I watched her disappear with a faint smile.

What? She knew my name.

I felt I could sleep well tonight without drinking.

"I'm also strange."

I laughed strangely.

Then, the wish I made when I threw the stone, which I was too embarrassed to tell her, came to mind.

'Please grant Yuna's wish.'

This was my wish.