Chapter 27

# Episode 027

"Do we all need to be called here?"

Joa-ra asked, a bit nervously.

Hong Gyu-heon had summoned Rika, Baek Seol-ha, and Joa-ra to one place.

Normally, the three of them rarely met with Hong Gyu-heon. She was usually only in her office.

"Oh, don't worry so much, Ara-chan. Since I joined this company, there hasn't been a single scary thing."

"Has the CEO ever called us separately like this before?"

"Huh?"

No.

Rika had never been summoned to Hong Gyu-heon before.

Thinking about it, Rika started to feel afraid.

"Maybe……"

When Baek Seol-ha started to speak, Rika and Joa-ra looked at her. Their eyes sought the wisdom of the senior.

"Maybe it's about disbanding……"

"Wh-What?! We haven't even started yet, how can we be disbanding?!"

"Yeah, right? It can't be something worse than disbanding, so relax."

Both of them realized they had been fooled by Baek Seol-ha and laughed in exasperation.

The unease was definitely gone thanks to Baek Seol-ha's joke.

The three of them entered the practice room. Han Goo-in and Seong Pil were fiddling with the cameras.

"You're here? Want to stand in front of the camera? Yeah, right there."

While awkwardly standing in front of the camera, Hong Gyu-heon entered.

"Rika, stand in the center."

Following Seong Pil's words, the three of them changed positions.

"Hmm. As expected, Seol-ha is the tallest."

"Huh?"

In response to Baek Seol-ha's question, Seong Pil waved his hand, saying it was nothing.

Seong Pil and Hong Gyu-heon spoke to each other in a way that the girls couldn't hear.

Rika, who was quick-witted, felt her unease rise again.

'This is about choosing the center!'

Each idol group has its own positions.

They aren't chosen casually but arranged to look the most perfect.

And, of course, the leader is always in the center.

Center! Center! The most visible position!

"Rika, what's with you all of a sudden?"

Rika had her hands on her hips and was looking at the diagonal line with a cool gaze.

She practiced poses in front of the mirror every day.

Of course, it didn't look cool or anything when she did it in her training clothes.

Still, Rika was desperate.

"Rika, don't stand so uncomfortably. Just be natural."

"This is the most comfortable for me."

"……Ah, is that so? Now, Joa-ra, why don't you come to the center?"

"Why?!"

Rika protested loudly.

"You haven't even looked at us for a minute!"

By then, even Baek Seol-ha and Joa-ra knew what was going on.

There were now three trainees.

They were the right number to decide the 'center.'

It wasn't clear if this would be the final lineup, but first impressions were important.

Someone recognized as the center from the beginning had a high chance of staying in the center later on.

"Rika, move. I'm telling you to stand in the center."

"A-Ara-chan……"

Rika spoke as if she had been betrayed by her own flesh and blood.

Joa-ra confidently walked to the center and struck a pose.

"Okay, next is Seol-ha."

"Isn't this too fast?!"

"What do you think we're doing, being too fast?"

Joa-ra decided to use her secret weapon. She looked at Han Goo-in with her big eyes.

Han Goo-in flinched and looked away.

"Ugh."

"Stop grinding your teeth and come out."

It was Baek Seol-ha's turn last. She hesitantly stood in the center.

Hong Gyu-heon and Seong Pil nodded.

'Of course, she's the tallest, so the balance is right.'

Joa-ra and Rika were about the same height.

If they were to decide the positions with these three, Baek Seol-ha should be in the center.

Seong Pil calmly observed, asking them to change poses and directions a few times.

"Good job, everyone. You can go now."

Joa-ra and Rika left the practice room, each harboring their own grievances. Baek Seol-ha remained calm, just as she had when she came in.

Seong Pil had something to say but couldn't bring himself to speak.

Hong Gyu-heon spoke for him.

"Seol-ha seems the best, doesn't she?"

If Seong Pil had to choose who he was closest to among Rika, Baek Seol-ha, and Joa-ra, he would definitely say Baek Seol-ha.

There were several reasons for this.

The age gap between Seong Pil and Baek Seol-ha was the smallest, so he could communicate better with her compared to the childlike Rika and Joa-ra.

Additionally, as the senior, Baek Seol-ha could make the other two follow Seong Pil without much effort.

In short, he had made a conscious effort to get closer to her.

"Yes, that's right. Seol-ha is the best."

This could be seen as favoritism by others.

That's why Seong Pil couldn't easily say that Seol-ha was the best fit for the center.

"Of course, among these members, Seol-ha is the best. But……"

The last time Rika's height was measured, it was 163 cm.

Joa-ra was 164 cm.

In contrast, Baek Seol-ha was over 170 cm.

Considering the balance when the three stood together, Baek Seol-ha was undoubtedly the best.

But it was a delicate matter.

"Just her height alone can overshadow Rika and Joa-ra's presence. In the worst case, it might make them look like backup dancers…… or rather, supporting dancers."

A 7-8 cm difference is significant.

When Baek Seol-ha stood in the center, her tall stature seemed to dampen the presence of Rika and Joa-ra.

"We might need another member with a similar feel or build to Seol-ha."

"I agree with Mr. Park."

"By the way, how about Joa-ra?"

"……Mr. Han. Just one question. Do you think Joa-ra is suitable as a leader or center?"

"Um."

Han Goo-in hesitated to answer. That was answer enough.

"The center and leader are different concepts, but they are often the same. From what I see, Joa-ra isn't quite right as a leader."

Joa-ra might act spoiled with someone, but she didn't seem like the type to take care of others.

She was too young to take care of people and lacked the experience.

"Seol-ha has trainer experience and would do well as a leader."

"I agree. I'm not just blindly pushing for Joa-ra."

"But……"

"Just…… I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. Joa-ra might ask me later what happened today. I need a plausible explanation to give her."

"Well, Joa-ra might be disappointed. But that's always the case when deciding group positions. She'll have to deal with it. Of course, she might throw a tantrum and make a scene."

"Not that much……"

"But that's what you have to handle, right?"

Han Goo-in answered with a bright voice.

"It's my job."

"I trust you, Goo-in-chan."

"……"

"……"

"Just following Rika's lead. Stop staring."

Hong Gyu-heon stood up as if to signal the end of the meeting.

"I'm starting to see the picture, even with just three of them. I have high hopes for the two of you. Get more trainees together quickly."

She quickly left the practice room.

"She's embarrassed."

"He has a sense of humor. Most of his jokes fail, so he's embarrassed. It's best to laugh at him next time."

Humoring the boss is part of being a salaryman.

* * *

[What, introducing a trainee?]

"That's how it is, hyung."

[How could you join a company like Hakko? There were companies that would have taken someone of your caliber, right?]

The word 'Hakko' made Seong Pil bristle.

But he quickly calmed himself with a deep breath.

"The finances are solid."

[Since you joined, there must be some good points.]

Seong Yun-soo's words were unfiltered, which was a problem.

As the CEO of a modeling agency, it was hard to understand how he ran the company with such a personality.

"I've been around from the academy to the ground level, and I've met most of the trainees who have come out of agencies."

[There's no one? The idol industry is facing a serious talent shortage, huh?]

"No, it's not that……"

There was no one Seong Pil liked.

He was treating this idol project as a one-time, last-chance effort.

He wanted to gather only the best gems from the start. He couldn't overlook anything mediocre.

[So, the last resort is getting recommendations?]

"Yes."

Seong Pil was one person.

No matter how hard he tried, there were limits. So, asking people with good judgment was a method.

'The problem is when someone is recommended but rejected.'

Both the recommender and the recommended would be upset.

It would be like saying their judgment was 'wrong.'

He tried not to use this method, but Seong Pil was getting desperate.

'It seems there's no one in Seoul.'

The sound of paper rustling came from the other end of the phone.

[There's one person who comes to mind.]

"Really? Is there someone who would be good for idols?"

[I don't know anyone who would be good for idols, but there is someone who would be good as an entertainer.]

"Oh. If you're recommending someone, I can trust it."

[But the last time I met her was three years ago.]

"……"

[Let me see. I wrote down her contact information here. Ah, here it is. Write it down.]

Seong Pil saved the number he was given.

[She was probably in middle or high school then. I met her by chance at an audition. She had a striking face. I kept her contact information, thinking I might meet her again someday.]

"Do you have a picture?"

[Would I have one?]

"Meeting someone without knowing what they look like is a bit……"

[I won't care how things go between you two. Don't feel bad. Is there any reason for us to have hurt feelings over this?]

Seong Pil's feelings were already hurt.

It felt like being told to eat and leave, which made him angry.

But someone like Seong Yun-soo wouldn't say something like that lightly, so Seong Pil decided to trust him.

"Got it. Thanks for taking the time despite being busy. Let's have a drink next time."

[Kid. Your habit of lowering your voice when you're upset hasn't changed. I'm sorry. But she really left an impression on me. Do your best.]

Seong Pil ended the call and stared at the number he had received.

As if the number would reveal a face.

Of course, that was impossible.

He sighed and turned around to find Rika standing there.

"Ah! You scared me! What are you doing? If you came in, you should have said something."

"I came in."

"Are you ready? Shall we go?"

"What was that phone call about? Another trainee?"

"Yeah, something related to trainees."

"Another one is coming……"

"……? Why?"

"It's nothing."

Seong Pil drove Rika to her house.

"Once there are more trainees, the CEO won't be driving us around as much, right?"

"Yeah. Eventually, you might have to go home on your own. But I'll do my best as long as I can."

"I feel bad making you come home late every day because of us."

"……Why are you saying this all of a sudden?"

"I know it's strange. A company that drives you home. Where else can you find such kindness?"

"Do you have a fever?"

"Ha, I really am lucky."

Seong Pil felt a chill run down his spine.

Why was Rika acting like this all of a sudden?

"CEO, how about we go to a cafe? I want to drink coffee."

"No, I don't want to go."

"Ah! I'll have a 7-calorie Americano, so let's go! Let's gooo!"

"Really?"

"Yes. I have a learning ability. I know you won't give me sweets……"

She was an 18-year-old who had learned to give up too quickly.

"But, to be honest, do you not follow your diet at home?"

"I do!"

"Is that so."

Trainees can't always control their diet.

Being human, they sometimes crave snacks and greasy foods.

Especially female trainees are more obsessed with food. Seong Pil had seen a few cry in his past life, saying diet management was difficult.

"You promised the CEO. Of course, you should follow it."

Even if it was just words, he was grateful.

They entered a nearby franchise cafe.

"Ah, a Hallabong ade sounds good."

"Two iced Americanos, please."

"Just saying it sounds good……"

Seong Pil looked at the counter staff, his eyes still on the menu.

For a moment, his gaze was fixed.

'Wow. She really has a star quality.'

Even a layperson could see that she was different.

The men in the cafe often glanced at the counter, and this staff member must have significantly boosted the cafe's sales.

"CEO."

Rika called Seong Pil in a low voice.

He snapped out of it when she tugged on his sleeve.

The staff member smiled as if it was routine.

"Would you like a coupon?"

"Ah, yes."

She stamped two coupons and gave them to Seong Pil.

They received their coffee and headed to a table.

"Do you often space out like that?"

"Spacing out…… Not exactly wrong."

"Like Michelangelo seeing David in a block of marble?"

"Wow, Rika, you know that? You're smart."

"The CEO said it."

"Me? Did I?"

"……"

Seong Pil took a seat by the wall.

Joa-ra, expecting to sit opposite him, sat next to him instead.

The distance was close.

Suddenly, he remembered the first time they met.

She had clung to him then too.

"If you have something to say, say it. Don't do weird things."

"Remember the old days? We used to sit together like this. It was really fun."

"When you failed the debut group at KS Entertainment? I don't remember it being fun……"

Rika had clung to him so much that he had to run out of the cafe.

Rika, who chased him at full speed even on the street, had given him a trauma.

When she overtook him and knelt down, he was so shocked he almost fainted.

"Do you remember that? We used to laugh just by looking at each other."

"Your memory is a bit off. But why are you laying the groundwork? If you have something to say, just say it."

"A nostalgic, blurry, truly happy……"

"I'm leaving."

"Bad! Too much! Mr. Park, do you know you've been cold to me lately?!"

"Me?"

"Yes! You!"

"What?"

Did Rika just say 'you' to him, who was the same age?

"Hey, Rika. Just because I treat you casually, you can't……"

"You! You! You! You! You! You!"

Rika, rarely, no, not rarely, but genuinely got excited.

"In the old days, you used to say I was the prettiest in the world! You used to praise me a lot! You said I was a treasure of the world and wanted to show me to everyone!"

Her voice trembled as she spoke, overwhelmed with emotion.

"You said you were incredibly happy to work with me!"

"I……"

"Yes! The CEO! I'm just repeating exactly what the CEO said! I've been doing this since just now! Not a single word is wrong! Why? Because I wrote it in my diary when I got home and read it whenever I was struggling!"

Seong Pil was taken aback and leaned back.

Rika closed the distance he had created.

"But the CEO doesn't remember any of it! Back then, you seemed like you would give me your liver and gallbladder, you were so kind! But now, you just act silly in front of Seol-ha! You're cold to me and discriminate against me! You're even nicer to Ara-chan than me!"

"Ah, no. I never……"

Baek Seol-ha was one thing, but Joa-ra was definitely not.

"Ha! When? What? Do you want me to repeat what the CEO said in the old days?"

Seong Pil was afraid of Rika's memory.

He didn't realize she had so many pent-up feelings.

Seong Pil swallowed hard.

"When I called you 'uncle' in the past, you said, 'If you call me uncle one more time, I won't let it go.' You were so scary that I never called you that again! But you let Ara call you 'uncle' a hundred, a thousand times! How is that not discrimination! Why can Ara call you that and I can't! And why did you buy Ara a cafe latte?!

At least for the last point,