Chapter 9: I Became the Older Brother of a Top Star

“......”

A golden aura.

This was a type I had never seen before.

I had seen auras of various colors, but this beautiful shade was the first since Yuna's pink aura.

Moreover, their performance on stage was so perfect that it couldn't be said they had just started to sync.

Is this the perfect synergy that different auras can create?

Is that why they are emitting such a golden light?

A shiver ran down my spine, sending goosebumps up my back.

“Wow......”

After the practice performance, which lasted about five minutes, Yuna was the first to open her mouth wide in amazement.

Father also looked quite surprised.

“Isn't this the best performance we've seen today? PD Kim, am I the only one who thinks so?”

“No...... I think the same, sir.”

PD Kim was equally amazed.

“Yunseong, this combination is really good. How did you find it? I didn't know about this until now.”

It would have taken PD Kim some time, but he would have eventually discovered this combination.

Perhaps the talent like Baek Su-jin had been holding PD Kim and Father back all this time. But no matter what combination they used, there was no team that suited Baek Su-jin here.

That's why I always felt something was off and hesitated.

However, if I boldly excluded Baek Su-jin from the team and restructured it,

“PD Kim, don't you think we can start preparing for their debut with this combination?”

“Yes, this combination has a lot of potential.”

A proper girl group will be formed.

“This makes me feel like all the pent-up frustration is finally being released, thanks to Yunseong.”

“Haha. Indeed. How did you figure this out, Yunseong?”

“I didn't do much. I just added a spoonful to what Hyung Jun-yong and Father did.”

Here, it's important to give appropriate lip service rather than boasting about my own success.

“Wow, sir, you must be pleased. Yunseong not only looks like you but also has your personality.”

......Is this lip service also influenced by that hyung's aura?

Even if I absorb a lot of aura, I can't match that hyung's level of flattery.

“Good. Let's decide to go with this combination. It seems like they've practiced enough, and we can start preparing for their debut.”

“Yes, I'll start the work right away.”

“Alright. I'll leave it to PD Kim. Keep me updated.”

“Understood, sir.”

After finishing his conversation with PD Kim, Father also greeted the trainees.

“Everyone, you've worked hard today. Let's keep it up. Got it?”

“Yes, sir!”

However, I couldn't move my feet.

I kept seeing Baek Su-jin sitting alone, looking dejected.

“Brother, aren't you going?”

“Hmm. Just a moment.”

“Huh?”

I cautiously approached Baek Su-jin.

“Hello.”

“Huh? Oh, hello.”

“You can speak more casually. Can I call you Su-jin noona?”

“Ah...... Yes, feel free to call me that.”

She didn't seem very interested in talking.

She must have realized by now, from that practice performance, who would be the members of this girl group.

And her name, Baek Su-jin, wouldn't be among them.

“Noona......”

I sat down next to her and continued.

“Do you want to be a part of a girl group?”

“Yes...... But after today, I don't think I can make it.”

Her voice lacked strength.

“Maybe I had too big of a dream. Being an entertainer? It's impossible.”

She was feeling extremely depressed and kept putting herself down.

But Baek Su-jin has more talent than she thinks.

Through the musical insight I gained from PD Kim and my ability to see auras, I could recognize her talent.

“No, no. Noona, you have a lot of potential.”

“Even if it's just a kind word, thank you.”

“I'm not just saying that. Noona, you just didn't fit well in a team setting.”

“......Me?”

Her eyes gradually changed.

“I saw you practicing alone. You were very confident and had a lot of charm. But for some reason, that confidence seemed to break when you were on stage with the team.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes. It's like you were being suppressed. Didn't you feel that way too?”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“Noona, you might not have noticed, but it's visible on stage. Who is being suppressed and who is shining the brightest.”

Baek Su-jin wasn't just mindlessly dancing.

She must have felt something was blocking her, different from what she had practiced.

“Then what should I do?”

She turned to face me.

Her eyes, which had come back to life, sparkled.

“First, give up the idea of debuting in a group.”

“Then, should I try to debut as a solo artist?”

“Yes. And how about changing your style?”

“Style?”

“You seem to be going for a pure and innocent image...... but a sexy concept would suit you better.”

“Me?”

“Just a moment.”

I pulled her hair, which was parted in the middle, to the left.

“Eh-.”

Baek Su-jin, who was flustered, blushed and looked away as I stared at her.

“Noona, do you want to look in the mirror?”

“Huh?”

She touched her exposed right neck as she looked in the mirror.

“Isn't it much better with just a small change?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Don't wear such light makeup. Try a bit heavier, especially a darker eyeliner.”

That's as far as I can go with appearance.

With the aura I received from PD Kim, his talent was nearly doubled.

For such things, a professional stylist's advice would be more effective.

“And practice with the mindset of debuting as a solo artist. Like a sexy dance singer.”

“But...... isn't it very difficult to succeed as a solo artist with a sexy concept?”

It's very challenging to debut and succeed as a solo artist with a sexy concept in this industry.

There are only a few success stories.

But I saw the size of her aura directly.

Therefore, what she needs now is a positive attitude and courage.

“Nothing is easy. But isn't it too precious to give up on your dream like this? I believe in your talent. You can definitely do it.”

Suddenly, Baek Su-jin's eyes welled up.

“Really......? Do I really have talent?”

“Yes, you have a special talent that others don't have.”

“Sniff-.”

And she burst into tears.

“Ahhh-.”

What should I do?

I've never made a woman cry like this before, so I was momentarily flustered.

I don't even have a handkerchief......

“Thank you, Yunseong.”

Before I could do anything, Baek Su-jin leaned on my shoulder and cried.

“I was thinking I should just give up, but thanks to you, I have hope again. Really...... thank you.”

I just gave her some simple advice, but I didn't expect such a reaction.

She must have been desperate.

I was reminded of when I was struggling to find a job, and I patted her back a few times.

However,

‘Huh?’

While patting her back to comfort her, suddenly an aura flowed out of both of us.

And our auras connected, as if tied together with a string.

‘What's happening here?’

I've seen auras combine to create a synergy effect, but I've never seen them connect like this.

‘Is there something I don't know about?’

Every time I use it, something new appears.

What exactly is the ability of this aura?

“Ah-. Sorry. Was I too much of a mess?”

“No, it's okay.”

“Haha. I must have been crazy. Crying in front of someone I just met. I'm already 20, an adult.”

Baek Su-jin stood up confidently.

“I'll really work hard, Yunseong.”

There was no sadness left on her face.

“I'll work hard for you too.”

“Huh?”

“You were the only one who cheered for me. If I ever debut as a solo singer...... will you be my first fan?”

Seeing her bright smile, I felt good too.

“Of course. I should get an autograph in advance.”

“I'll give you a special one when my first album comes out.”

“Yes. I have a great memory. I won't forget.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

She regained her strength and stood in front of the mirror to practice.

As she danced to the music, the aura that had dimmed earlier began to rise again.

It seemed more intense than when I first met her.

And it was still connected to me.

‘Is this having some kind of effect?’

I need to observe this a bit more.

The important thing is that she has regained her strength.

“......?”

But for some reason, the back of my neck has been tingling since a while ago.

It feels cold.

As if a dagger is about to pierce it.

I slowly turned my head to look,

“Huh.”

Jung Yuna was glaring at me with fiery eyes, her arms crossed.

* * *

Clank~ Clank~

“......”

9:00 PM.

There weren't many people on the subway.

That's why,

The atmosphere feels even colder.

Yuna and I were heading home without saying a word.

It feels like sitting on a bed of thorns.

But what did I do wrong?

I don't think I did anything wrong, but it feels like I committed a sin.

Then I caught Yuna's gaze, which was sneaking a look at me.

I can't take this suffocating feeling anymore.

“Phew. Yuna.”

“What?”

“If you have something to say to hyung, just say it.”

“I don't.”

“I know you do. Why are you upset?”

“Upset? Why would I be?”

“Then why are you acting like this?”

“No, I'm not.”

Yuna turned her head away.

Hmm. If she's not upset with me, what is it?

Am I just not perceptive enough?

“Hmm. When we get there, it'll be around 9:30. The bakery at the mart will be on sale.”

“Huh?”

“Do you want to buy some on the way?”

Yuna's head turned back.

“Bread?”

It felt like hearts were already flying from her eyes.

Sometimes, she seems so simple.

“Yes. If we buy at this time, we can get four for 10,000 won.”

“Right. The bread there is really delicious. But will there be any left?”

“Let's check. There usually is.”

“Wow. Okay.”

The cold atmosphere was instantly warmed by a single piece of bread.

“By the way, hyung, you seemed close to Su-jin noona?”

“Huh? Close? We just met today.”

“Really? You seemed to be talking so intimately.”

“Well, I just gave her some advice.”

“I see......”

I felt playful.

“Why? Are you jealous?”

Yuna burst out laughing and hit my back.

“Ha! Ha! Me? Why? That's so funny.”

Maybe she got that from her mother; her backhand is quite fierce.

“You should just say no if you're not, why hit me?”

“That's because hyung said something weird.”

I got hit again for no reason.

It hurts.

“I was just worried because that noona suddenly started crying, and I thought maybe hyung said something strange, you know?”

“Ah, I see. Stop hitting me. I'll get a bruise.”

As I rubbed my sore back, Yuna smiled.

Then she stretched.

“Ugh. I always get sleepy on the subway. This clunking sound. Isn't it so good? This is real ASMR.”

“We still have some time before we arrive. Get some sleep.”

“Mmm...... Maybe I will.”

Yuna leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

After about a minute,

Swoosh.

Yuna's head tilted to the side and soon touched my shoulder.

What? She's already asleep?

‘She must have been very tired.’

I looked at Yuna's sleeping face.

I never saw her sleep when she was a manager.

I heard she suffered from insomnia due to mental anxiety and hardly slept.

But originally, she was a child who could fall asleep quickly even in a noisy environment.

I felt a pang of sympathy.

How much must she have suffered to change so much?

Sigh.

‘She really sleeps well.’

I can't sleep in such a place.

Moreover, Yuna was even drooling.

I quickly wiped it away before anyone saw.

‘She really is a deep sleeper.’

Or maybe she feels so comfortable next to me that she can relax.

I didn't mind that.

I hope she continues to be this open and bright.

I will make it happen.

Just like her wish.

“......”

I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.

It was a peaceful moment.

Chapter 10