Chapter 59

# Chapter 059

It was a situation where neither knew how to treat the other.

Seong Pil suddenly left Success Entertainment.

The information known to the people at Success Entertainment was biased.

It was all from what Representative Kim Tae-hoon and Producer Yoon Sang-yeol had said.

They certainly wouldn't speak well of Seong Pil.

"Have you been well?"

"Ah, yes. What could have happened to me? I'm sure you've been well too, hyung?"

The awkward atmosphere softened a bit when Seong Pil offered a handshake.

"This kid is now a trainee at our company."

"Ishikawa Rika! My dream is to be an idol!"

"Ah, hello. I'm Min Kyung-sub. I don't know about my dream."

"Rika, this is Shin Ah-reum. She's a trainee like you."

"Hello! I'm Ishikawa Rika!"

"Hello. I'm Shin Ah-reum."

Shin Ah-reum glanced at the hot dog Rika was holding and then looked straight at Min Kyung-sub.

Min Kyung-sub shook his head.

Shin Ah-reum raised a finger and mouthed, "Just today, just one day, please, just today."

"Rika, give Ah-reum a night bread."

"Ah, uh, here. Please take it."

Shin Ah-reum looked at Min Kyung-sub with a plea to let her eat.

He closed his eyes tightly and nodded.

"Since hyung gave it to you..."

In an instant, a bag of night bread disappeared.

Happiness also vanished from Rika's face.

"Hyung, is it the Project Poyu thing?"

"Ah, is Ah-reum going there too?"

"Yes. As you know, Ah-reum is the best. They're trying to gather a lot of spotlight."

"Is there one from your side too?"

"Due to circumstances."

In the previous life, Success Entertainment did not send trainees to Project Poyu.

But in this life, the future changed because of Seong Pil's absence.

"That's good. As a trainee, you'll also appear on TV. It's an opportunity to boost your recognition. But why were you complaining?"

"Smoke comes out of the car. If you keep driving, an accident might happen. It's uncertain how long it will take to fix. Anyway, it's a hassle."

"Brat. I told you to change the car, but you didn't."

"It's still in good condition. It just smokes a bit."

"Ride with me."

"Is that okay?"

"Of course. We're going the same way. Get someone to fix your car."

Min Kyung-sub didn't do it for nothing.

He even had a plan to ask a stranger for a ride.

Shin Ah-reum, who had been looking like she had seen it all, let out a sigh of relief.

The four decided to go to the filming location together.

When Min Kyung-sub tried to sit in the passenger seat, Rika quickly blocked him. A question mark appeared above Min Kyung-sub's head.

"Are you going to sit in the passenger seat?"

"Yes, yes."

"Ah...?"

"Kyung-sub, you sit in the back. You haven't seen Ah-reum in 100 days. Sit together and say goodbye."

"Goodbye? It's not like you're going to the army..."

Thus, the journey to the filming location began.

Rika spoke much less when she was alone with Seong Pil.

It wasn't that she was completely silent.

She wanted to talk as much as possible before parting with Seong Pil.

"Korea has a lot of mountains."

"Doesn't Japan have them?"

"Japan has a lot too."

"Ah, you've never left Seoul. How about we go somewhere together later?"

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Where are we going? Busan? Jeju Island?"

"Yongin."

"It's the same as Seoul?!"

Min Kyung-sub burst into laughter at their conversation.

It felt like watching a comedy act.

On the other hand, Shin Ah-reum raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Was the team leader like this? When you were at our company, you weren't like this. You even stopped us from going out alone."

"Hey. Success Entertainment has too many kids. I have my limits. Or did you want to go out with me?"

"Ah, the team leader is a mid-level manager now?"

"Ah-reum. Our company is also a mid-level company, strictly speaking."

"Anyway. Why did the team leader leave? Producer Yoon Sang-yeol is really a scoundrel."

Min Kyung-sub flinched.

"Damn. Don't say that to outsiders..."

"Why is the team leader an outsider? You were the first to leave after seeing what Yoon Sang-yeol is like. The team leader is right, isn't he?"

"Shin Ah-reum."

"Yes?"

"Don't say that."

"What, no, you're so serious even when you're on our side. It's the same as before. 'You're just a fool.'"

Min Kyung-sub carefully observed Seong Pil's reaction.

"Ah-reum. If Kyung-sub hadn't heard that, you would have been reported to Yoon Sang-yeol and Kim Tae-hoon."

"Look! Now you're just calling Representative Kim by his name. Did those people make your life difficult?"

"Don't bring that up. What if it becomes a habit and you say it anywhere? Don't you want to debut?"

"I do. I really, really want to debut. But groveling isn't just once or twice. Yoon Sang-yeol is a real scumbag."

Now she doesn't even call him 'producer.'

"Things were better when the team leader was here. The team leader just scolds and it's over. When you're being scolded, you get angry and want to curse, but when it's over, it's really over. That guy, once you make a mistake, there's no end to it."

"Stop it."

"Whatever."

Seong Pil stopped lecturing.

Since he had already left Success Entertainment, he didn't want to care anymore.

And Shin Ah-reum had wanted to support Seong Pil, but since he didn't give the reaction she wanted, she was a bit upset.

'If I were still at Success Entertainment, I would have taken you to the back of the building and scolded you until you cried.'

Min Kyung-sub was already lecturing Shin Ah-reum.

He couldn't be too harsh in front of Seong Pil, but he was trying to instill some sense in this situation.

It didn't have much effect.

Shin Ah-reum gave a perfunctory response and then spoke to Seong Pil again.

"Can't the team leader just come back to our company?"

"Eh."

Rika, looking anxious, tightly gripped her seatbelt. Her eyes darted around, trying to gauge Seong Pil's mood.

Seeing this, Shin Ah-reum had a look like a child who had found a toy.

Shin Ah-reum leaned into the passenger seat.

"Hey, it's dangerous..."

"How old are you?"

"Eighteen...?"

"We're the same age. Let's be informal."

"Uh, okay."

"You're really pretty. Are you mixed?"

"I'm Japanese, no. I'm Japanese."

"Ah, I see. Can our company take you away?"

"Eh."

Rika's face turned confused, and Shin Ah-reum burst out laughing.

"It's hilarious. Team leader, how well are you treating her? She looks like she's lost her country. Ah, do you know what it means to lose your country? I do, but you might not know since you're Japanese."

"Shin Ah-reum, sit down and be quiet!"

Despite Seong Pil's shout, Shin Ah-reum only smirked and showed no sign of remorse.

Indeed, now that Seong Pil had left Success Entertainment, his scolding had no effect.

On the contrary, it had an effect on Rika.

Rika, hearing Seong Pil's shout for the first time, flinched. Her eyes slowly reddened.

"Eh, eh?"

"Ah, sorry. Did you get a shock?"

"Phew, I'm shaking."

Min Kyung-sub finally raised his voice. He grabbed Shin Ah-reum's wrist and forced her to sit down, then started a long lecture.

His anger was so intense that even Seong Pil was intimidated.

Min Kyung-sub wasn't usually like this, but it seemed a lot had happened after Seong Pil left.

'Kyung-sub, you must have had a hard time after I left.'

Seong Pil, who had been a dealer managing the trainees and a tank taking the brunt of the criticism for the employees, must have been replaced by someone else.

Shin Ah-reum, who had been lectured by Min Kyung-sub, became a bit quieter.

'She's just excited to see me after a long time...'

Seong Pil felt uncomfortable seeing the dejected Shin Ah-reum.

The one-hour journey, which felt like ten hours, finally ended.

"Thanks, hyung. I'll go now."

Shin Ah-reum, looking sullen, didn't even look at Seong Pil. Min Kyung-sub forced her to bow.

"Thank you."

"...Thank you for the ride."

"Alright, take care."

The two headed into the building.

Rika, who had been in a much better mood at the start, now looked downcast.

Seong Pil handed her the handle of her suitcase.

"Rika, have a good trip."

"Yes..."

Rika felt even more downcast as the moment of parting approached.

Seong Pil handed her his handkerchief.

"Use it to wipe your tears."

"I won't suck it. Don't suck my tear-stained shirt either, sir."

"Alright. Anyway, I have one last thing to say."

Hearing it was the last thing, Rika tried to smile.

"Don't get close to Shin Ah-reum. She's a nutcase."

"A nutcase? Calling someone a nutcase is..."

"I'm not saying to have a prejudice, but..."

"Is that so?"

"Having a prejudice is what I'm saying."

"Eh?!"

Shin Ah-reum has talent.

Not in dancing or singing, but she has a natural instinct to judge people's strengths and weaknesses.

And she uses that instinct to wag her tail to those stronger than her.

But if she judges someone as weaker, she uses them to the limit without causing a backlash.

It's her way of dealing with people.

"Rika, you're too kind, but don't care what others say. Don't get hurt. Don't bark when a dog barks."

"Is Ah-reum a dog...?"

"No, not that Ah-reum is a dog."

Seong Pil straightened his bent knees to meet Rika's eyes and, for the first time since meeting her, patted her head.

"Everyone who criticizes and insults you is a dog."

This is the mindset that people exposed to the media must have, Seong Pil thought.

You can't accept and accommodate everyone's opinions.

If you do, you'll destroy yourself.

Unless you have a healthy and strong mental state, Rika is still too young and delicate.

So,

"You don't need to bow and scrape to people who dislike you. Answer me. Everyone who criticizes and insults you is...?"

"Dogs, dogs."

"Good job."

Rika had a strange look on her face, but she smiled happily at Seong Pil's praise.

"Now go. Work hard. Stay healthy."

"Yes! Don't cry when I'm gone, sir!"

"I'll cry as soon as you leave."

"Me too!"

Rika, who had smiled brightly, turned around. But she quickly turned back to Seong Pil, looking like she had just stopped smiling.

"Can I have one last hug?"

"No. Go. And don't look back."

What if someone sees?

Cars were already parking in the lot.

"Send me letters."

"Okay. You send one every day too. If you don't, I won't either."

Rika took a deep breath and really left.

Seong Pil covered his mouth.

He had jokingly said he would cry when she left, but seeing her go, he really felt like crying.

It felt like something was pressing on his throat.

Did his parents feel this way when he went to the military?

'Get a grip, Park Seong Pil. You didn't cry in boot camp. You can't cry here. What will you do when the kids go on an overseas tour?'

Strengthening his resolve, Seong Pil turned around.

At that moment, his vision darkened.

The future appeared.

* * *

"We'll handle it."

The main PD of Project Poyu was so frustrated that his tone became cold.

"Fine, I don't care what you do. Just give me Rika."

"Ha, really, what are you talking about? We're in the middle of filming. How can I just give her to you? We've been handling it..."

"Have you been handling it? You've made it this bad. Have you even tried to fix it?"

Rika had been bullied during her stay at the dorm.

The bullying wasn't overt or direct, but that made it even more difficult for Rika.

The production team was already aware of it.

Usually, in such a situation, the bullies would be punished, but they didn't.

They only gave a few words to the bullies after Rika explained the situation.

"Look, now that it's out in the open, we'll handle it, right? We don't want this to happen to the trainees either. They'll change their ways and be more sincere. And there's always some competition among the trainees."

"What?"

"You're overreacting to what Rika said."

Seong Pil could clearly see what the PD was thinking.

The main bullies were two people.

Both were popular from the beginning of the show and consistently ranked in the top ten.

They were a key part of the show's popularity.

No matter how wrong they were, a PD who prioritizes ratings and buzz wouldn't kick them out.

Especially without concrete evidence.

"Would someone who wants to fix this act like this? You're not letting Rika use her phone or send letters to prevent her from telling anyone outside?"

"That's for security reasons."

"Sure. I understand. So, you're just going to leave the bullies alone and give me Rika. I don't care what you do with them. Just give me Rika."

"Hey, you brat! How old are you? I've been holding back, but are you going to talk properly?"

Seong Pil was quiet.

It wasn't because he was scared of the PD's curses.

He was so angry that he couldn't even speak.

He had been holding back too.

'What the hell...'

Rika had told the production team that she was being bullied.

The overt bullying decreased, but the psychological and daily pressure continued behind the scenes.

Rika tried to seek help from outside when the production team couldn't solve the problem.

But the production team didn't give her a way to communicate with the outside.

They didn't give her a phone, didn't let her send letters, and only told her to endure until the show was over.

'After all, debut is everything to you.'

'You want to debut, right?'

'Just endure it.'

Is that what you say to a victim?

Hearing Rika's story, Seong Pil felt his blood boil.

'These bastards really...'

Seong Pil only found out about Rika's situation because she suddenly complained of pain and didn't appear on the show.

When the agency, Garo Entertainment, didn't receive any contact about Rika's condition, Seong Pil came to see her himself.

What made him even angrier was that the production team had instructed Rika not to mention the bullying to her agency.

What kind of person would say that?

"Are you trying to make me look like an idiot by holding back? Can you handle it if I leave in the middle of filming? Do you want to never work with our company again?"

The PD was about to say something worse, but the writers intervened to calm him down.

"It's not that serious. We'll handle it, so go back. Rika is doing well, right? If this continues, she's guaranteed a debut spot. I understand you're upset, but think rationally. We'll take care of it, so don't worry."

Will the production team really fix it?

Is it even fixable?

Even if the bullying stops, can Rika continue the show normally?

What does it mean for Rika to spend dozens of days with the bullies?

"I'm taking Rika."

"No, you can't. What are we supposed to do if Rika leaves now? I've told you this so many times. It's even in the contract. You can't take her."

Seong Pil's fists were clenched, and his eyes were bloodshot.

Just as he was about to shout, he saw the future again.

* * *

Seong Pil went outside with writer Lee Hyun-sung and lit a cigarette.

"To be honest, it's your own fault, Mr. Park. You caused a commotion during Project Poyu."

"But isn't this a different matter?"

"You know it's not."

"I know, but I just asked out of frustration. Do they talk a lot about me in the broadcasting station?"

"After Project Poyu, the PDs and writers spread the word. They can't look at you favorably. How can you do such a thing to a broadcasting station... That's the kind of talk. Anyway, it's better to give up on appearing on music shows."

This was writer Lee Hyun-sung's straightforward way of showing consideration.

Don't suffer through false hope and give up quickly.

They smoked in silence for a while.

At least, Lee Hyun-sung, who had been close to Seong