Chapter 90

# Chapter 090

Joa participated in the creation of a choreography proposal.

During this period, she skipped her academy schedule.

"If Joa likes it, that's fine. I don't intend to stop her. What if she can't go to the academy for a while? Participating in the creation of a proposal is also an experience, right?"

Thanks to Hong Gyu-heon's consideration, Joa was given complete freedom.

Joa seemed like a machine.

She ate, choreographed, ate snacks, and choreographed, constantly obsessing over the dance like a mad person.

No matter how tired she was, Joa never lost her smile.

Seeing this, Seong Pil felt a sense of guilt.

'Maybe Ahra would have been happier if she didn't become an idol.'

Ahra had only ever lived for dance.

In the future, she would become a professional dancer, then a trainer, and eventually a choreographer.

Did she have any regrets about that life?

Or did Seong Pil regret pulling her into the idol world?

But Seong Pil didn't have the courage to ask her.

If Joa had answered, 'Being a dancer is more fun,' he would have felt guilty towards her forever.

"Let's call it a day. Good job, Ahra."

"Thank you, teacher!"

Joa went to wash up with a relieved look on her face. Then, she got into Seong Pil's car, looking satisfied.

"Hehe."

She even started whistling, something she never did.

"But why are you always there when I'm creating the choreography?"

"That's a very rude thing to say. Are you saying my presence was a bother?"

"Why are you taking it so seriously? I just found it a bit burdensome."

"Burdensome?"

"Because a man is always watching from behind. And I'm wearing tight clothes."

"Oh, I see."

He had never thought about it that way.

Seong Pil admitted it readily.

"From now on, I'll stay outside."

"Uh. I mean, why are you taking it so seriously? It's not like you're going to be on a variety show. Anyway, once you become an idol, you'll have to wear such clothes and dance in front of people, right?"

"What do you think an idol is!"

If he dressed her in a crop top and leggings and put her on stage, hundreds or thousands of negative comments would flood in.

"How did I look today? Did I lose a lot of weight?"

"Only infinite respect arises for the PT instructor. But as I said before, losing weight is just to meet the narrow standards of being an idol..."

"Don't take it to heart, and don't think of it as the absolute standard of beauty. Got it?"

"You memorized that."

"Because you drilled it into my head. So why did you keep watching me create the choreography?"

"Because I'm a manager. Recording, mixing, mastering, lyric meetings, choreography creation... There's nothing to lose by observing these processes. The vocabulary used by someone who has been on the scene is different. It's a form of study."

"Wow, you really seem like an expert."

I don't know what I thought of you before.

"The traffic is really bad."

Seong Pil unconsciously rested his chin on the steering wheel and pouted, a habit of his.

Joa giggled and recorded the scene with her phone. Seong Pil quickly stopped his action.

"Delete it."

"Why? It's cute."

"Ahra, you shouldn't call an adult cute."

"Old fogey."

"Calling someone an old fogey is also not allowed."

"Do you know? The word 'old fogey' comes from the French 'conte' and 'count.' Iwan Yong said, 'I am an old fogey.'"

"That's surprising. Did you hear it from Mr. Lee, the manager?"

"Yes."

"Delete the video."

"No way?"

"Delete the video of me confessing to Seol Ha."

"That's already in my cloud, so I can't delete it forever."

Maybe I'll need an internet undertaker someday.

While they were talking, the car had only moved about 10 meters.

Seong Pil crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat. Joa was busy with her phone.

"Are you getting along with your boyfriend?"

"Hey, no leading questions."

"Damn."

"Actually, there isn't one. ...I'm getting angry. Do you still not trust me?"

"I trust you. Our Ahra is the best."

"Bad luck."

"You too."

"Uncle."

"What?"

"Why don't you scold me when I say harsh things? You told Rika not to call you 'uncle' and not to tease you or anything."

"Do I?"

"Yes. Even when I said 'bad luck' just now."

"Oh... I see. I'll try not to do that from now on."

Joa suddenly reached out to touch Seong Pil's forehead. Seong Pil flinched and pulled back his head.

She tilted her head in confusion.

"When I try to touch your head, you react so seriously."

In the past, when Joa tried to touch Seong Pil's hair, he roughly pushed her hand away.

He had to give her a gift to make up for it.

"It's really strange. I need to study this."

"You can't just touch someone's head! The head is a vital point!"

"Compared to that, you're much more lenient with Rika."

"From now on, don't do that at all!"

"Ah, I get it. You're angry about something trivial."

Seong Pil calmed his racing heart and gripped the steering wheel.

Finally, the road cleared up.

'Huh.'

Why does he only act like this with Joa?

It's because Seong Pil knew the future Joa.

Since they were close in the previous life, even if the current Joa isn't the one he knew, he unconsciously treats her familiarly.

Even when Joa acts rudely, he thinks, 'Oh, she's always been like this,' and lets it slide.

Being overly sensitive to head touches...

'When was it?'

* * *

After the project ended, the staff decided to go on a trip.

They rented an entire large cabin.

Most of the participants were young people.

Seong Pil was on his way back from a business trip and decided to stop by to give out bonuses.

The moment Seong Pil entered, the staff chanted, "Park Seong Pil!" When he gave out the bonuses, they even let out fan-like screams.

To be honest, it was scary.

"Hey, have a drink with us!"

It was still daylight, but a clearly drunk Joa tried to pull Seong Pil, who was about to leave.

Seong Pil couldn't stay among the young people.

Unable to resist Joa's insistence, he drank a non-alcoholic beverage and awkwardly stayed for about ten minutes before leaving.

Seong Pil came with a manager, who blended in well with the staff.

He allowed the manager to play a bit, on the condition that he didn't drink.

'Should I let the manager play and drive back to Seoul myself?'

During this project, Manager Kang worked closely with the staff.

While Seong Pil only gave orders, Kang must have built good relationships with the staff.

'Yeah, that sounds good.'

Seong Pil would let Kang play and go back to Seoul alone.

Just as he was about to go inside to tell them, Joa staggered out.

"Brother!"

"Ah, Ahra."

"But if I invite you and you leave right away, what will people think?"

"......What?"

Joa seemed to have a screw loose.

Her eyes were already glazed over from the alcohol.

'Is she talking to me?'

Seong Pil is the vice president of Success Entertainment.

Who would speak so directly to him?

'No, she's always been like this.'

Joa, who is about a generation younger, teasingly called Seong Pil 'brother.'

It was more embarrassing than being called 'uncle.'

Knowing this, Joa kept using the term 'brother.'

"You're drunk. Go inside."

"No, I won't! I'll drink!"

"Hehe. You'll regret this tomorrow."

"I'm dying today. I'm not going home today!"

"It was supposed to be a one-night, two-day trip."

Joa plopped down at the terrace table.

Then, she pulled out a sealed packet of fish cake soup from her T-shirt.

She must have stolen it from the fridge.

"Are you worried about not fitting in with the young people?"

"Of course."

"Then let's just stay here and have a drink!"

"Just one?"

"Just one bottle, and then I'll go!"

"What does that mean?"

Joa then pulled out two bottles of soju from her back pocket.

How did they fit in there?

"I have to go back to Seoul."

"Call a driver."

"How will a driver get here? I'll just go, so have fun."

"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Okay, okay! Then at least have a cigarette!"

Seong Pil seriously considered calling the staff.

Joa was already out of her mind.

If she jumped into the nearby river, it would be a big problem.

"Here."

Joa put a cigarette in her mouth and another in Seong Pil's.

"You're crossing the line... Stop it. Putting a cigarette in an adult's mouth..."

"Here's the lighter."

Joa lit the lighter on the table and carefully brought it to her mouth.

She was delighted when she successfully lit her cigarette.

"See? See? Brother, you too!"

Then, she took out the two bottles of soju and placed one in front of Seong Pil as if to say, 'Drink this.'

"Ha..."

Seong Pil brought the cigarette in his mouth to the lighter.

"Don't be a wimp, just take a big drag!"

Joa put her hand on Seong Pil's neck.

She applied some force.

And.

"Ah!"

Seong Pil screamed as his bangs caught fire.

"Stay still!"

Panicked, Joa grabbed a soju bottle.

"Stop...!"

She blew on it.

The next day.

"Seong Pil?"

Kim Tae-hoon, the CEO, was shocked to see Seong Pil's shortened bangs.

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Yoon Sang-yeol, the vice president, clutched his stomach and laughed.

"Who...? Oh, it's you."

Min Kyung-sub didn't recognize Seong Pil.

"I'm sorry!"

Joa came to the company and knelt down.

"It's fine. Get up. And don't act like you know me in the future."

"I'm sorry!"

"Who are you?"

"I'm so sorry!"

* * *

"..."

"Are you mad, Uncle? Because I touched your head?"

Joa looked up at Seong Pil with a worried expression.

She knew he disliked it when she touched his head.

Yet, she kept testing the limits, touching his head periodically.

Like a goat that keeps trying to jump over a fence it knows it can't cross.

She has the same personality as the future Joa.

"Ahra."

"Yes?"

"I hope you don't drink even when you're an adult."

"Why suddenly?"

"I might... not be able to forgive you..."

"Are you also a fan like Rika?"

"Shirani (I don't know)."

When Joa arrived at the company, she grabbed Rika by the collar and shook her.

"Uncle, go back to normal!"

"I'm innocent!"

* * *

Bae Min-jeong's choreography proposal was complete.

She first took Joa's suggestions and set the overall framework.

After that, Bae Min-jeong collaborated with professional dancers to create the details.

Seong Pil and Joa were given the privilege of being the first to see the proposal.

The five dancers projected on the wall, moving to the rhythm of 'Ani,' were enough to captivate Seong Pil's attention.

"What do you think?"

Bae Min-jeong asked with a proud smile.

Seong Pil looked at Joa, who was supposed to answer. She said with trembling lips,

"It's difficult. It's really difficult."

Joa then smiled widely.

"It's amazing..."

She seemed completely smitten.

"What about you, brother? Do you like it? I put my soul into it."

"I'll tell the CEO."

"Can't you tell me your opinion?"

"Do I need to say it? Of course, I like it."

As long as the members can handle it.

Choreography proposals are usually tailored to the dancers, so they are often difficult.

If the proposal is adopted, it will be modified to suit the idol's level.

Seong Pil took the proposal video back to the company.

On the way, Joa kept insisting,

"I want to do that. I want to debut with that. Okay? Okay? Okay? Can't I?"

"I'll show it to the CEO. It's not a decision I can make alone."

Naturally, she would have affection for the choreography she helped create.

She must have put a lot of her personal style into it.

Seong Pil wanted to fulfill her wish if possible. However, Bae Min-jeong's choreography had a clear flaw.

'It's difficult.'

Even Seong Pil, who is not a dance expert, could see that.

Of course, Hong Gyu-heon wants to create a group specialized in performance.

Captivating the audience with impressive dances is essential, but only if the members can handle it.

'The debut is not far away. The break-even point should be considered after at least three albums are released. Even if I invest, the funds will be depleted by the time the third album is out.'

Considering the scale Hong Gyu-heon envisions, they can't extend the training period and deplete more capital.

The most important thing is to have a dance that the members can fully master by the debut.

'Can the members handle it? Or can Hyang handle it?'

Back at the company, Seong Pil showed the proposal to Hong Gyu-heon and Son Hye-bin.

"Wow..."

Hong Gyu-heon let out a low exclamation.

He had seen many proposals, but this was the first time he had such a direct reaction.

"It's good. It's the best so far. It doesn't feel forced. The members' individuality is well expressed."

Bae Min-jeong had even conducted interviews with the members to create the choreography.

With Joa's participation, it was a choreography tailored to the members' images.

It was natural that Hong Gyu-heon liked it.

"What do you think, PD Son?"

"It's amazing."

"Can the members master it in time?"

"Yes. They'll be practicing this for a few months, so they can definitely do it."

Son Hye-bin had a positive view of the members' abilities.

The least skilled member, Jang Hyang, was receiving focused corrections from Son Hye-bin.

Although it wasn't a lot of time in a week, the training from Son Hye-bin significantly improved Jang Hyang's skills.

"It's really good."

Hong Gyu-heon, who seemed to really like Bae Min-jeong's proposal, watched it again.

Perhaps the choreography was already decided.

'Since PD Son said the members can handle it, they should be able to practice and do it.'

The difficulty was a concern for Seong Pil, but Son Hye-bin, who had a long career as a dance singer, would be more sensitive to it.

"Thank you, Manager Park. You can go now."

Seong Pil handed the proposal file to Hong Gyu-heon and left the office.

At the end of the hallway, he saw Joa peeking out of the practice room.

"Hehe, Uncle."

Joa approached Seong Pil with a playful smile.

"What did the CEO say?"

"Secret."

"Come on, just give me a hint. Okay? Okay? Can't you?"

Seong Pil found it hard to look at Joa.

Look at those sparkling eyes.

Look at those excitedly bouncing shoulders.

Look at those hands clasped together in anxiety.

How could he coldly tell her, 'I can't tell you'?

Seong Pil leaned in close to her ear. Joa perked up, full of anticipation.

"The CEO also liked it."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

Joa was so happy that she started jumping around.

When they first met, Joa was