Hard Mode Idol

Moreover, since it’s a semi-basement, it was nice that there was no one to complain, even if I jumped around noisily. The house across being empty was good for singing too. I didn’t want to leave here and go to an inconvenient place.

So I was contemplating, and the manager spoke as if reading my mind.

“The kids tailing you can put letters through the open window gap and watch you while you sleep. Is that all? What if they install small cameras when you’re out? Do you think they’ll only watch it among themselves? It means your every move could circulate on the internet without your knowledge.”

Ah, that’s a bit chilling. Do they do that to a trainee? And to me?

“Haon. Can’t you stay with the 1st-tier kids for a few days? I’ll convince the debut lineup kids within a few days. Then let’s move dorms. It will be easy to adapt since it’s the same apartment, and above all, you’ll be less tired too, since it’s close to the company.”

If I hadn’t heard the story, I wouldn’t know, but now that I’ve heard it, I feel like I would be uncomfortable living here the whole time. It won’t be a possibility, so she must be that serious. For this kind of problem, the manager’s opinion would be right rather than mine.

If the distance is close, naturally the training time will increase too. Then wouldn’t it be better than now for raising experience? Even if it’s tiring to live with unfamiliar kids, I can just go in to sleep…

The answer is out.

“I’ll move. When should I move?”

The manager’s expression brightened instantly. If I knew she would be this happy, I should have moved earlier. Seeing someone who likes me being happy because of me made me feel good.

“Can you move tomorrow? Just bring clothes and important things. Daily necessities are all in the dorm.”

“Yes. I’ll move tomorrow. I don’t have much luggage anyway.”

“Then I’ll come pick you up tomorrow. Can you wait with your luggage packed?”

“Uh… But.”

“I’ll take that chance to be late too.”

The manager sent a playful smile with a wink. Being late must mean coming in late. I felt mushy seeing her obvious attempt to make me feel comfortable. It’s the first time I’ve received this kind of consideration. It’s really so good. Truly a goddess! Manager Goddess Hyemi!

“Yes! Then I’ll be waiting.”

“Okay. I’ll come by 10, so prepare leisurely.”

“Yes!”

After seeing the manager off, I went inside and immediately opened my bag. Packing wasn’t difficult, but I agonized for a while about whether to pack the school uniform. The uniform I never wore, existing only in Yooyeon’s past, felt like it was that child itself. After worrying about what to do, I ended up packing it together. To not forget you.

The next morning, I woke up early and checked my status window as soon as I got up. My singing stat was B. I raised it one grade from B-, but of course it’s lacking to call myself the main vocalist. I felt like I needed to hit at least A- for the position to be confirmed with a “You be the main vocalist.”

But I can’t be satisfied with just confirming the position. The singing stat needs to be raised to S no matter what. Even better if I raise it to S+.

The problem is dance… I looked at my dance stat still lingering at C+. Should I invest in dance when I get points? No way. Since dance will also shoot up if I receive coaching, it’s right to focus on singing, right?

I firmly grasped my fickle heart and looked at the clock; it was nearing 10 o’clock. Since my luggage was modest enough to fit in one backpack, I left the house with my bag.

After waiting a bit, I saw the manager’s car. I quickly got in the passenger seat and hugged my bag.

“Is that all your luggage?”

“Yes.”

“You only packed winter clothes?”

“No. I have all four seasons, but two sets of sweats, three shirts, two pants. I’m wearing the outerwear.”

Is there a problem? When I tilted my head, the manager smiled, saying it was nothing. Of course, the uniform and laptop are also packed in here. Praise me for packing well and efficiently.

Hugging the plump bag that was fluffy, I became very drowsy. It felt like I had turned into sugar, slowly melting in a warm frying pan.

I left my bag in the manager’s car and went to work, devoting myself to vocal practice as always. I was taking a short break after practicing for a while. That was also about to end, and the vocal teacher poked his head in while I was filling water from the water dispenser.

“Haon, did you rest a bit?”

“Yes. I can start as soon as I drink water!”

I drank the lukewarm bottled water in gulps. When recovering stamina, the recovery rate goes up if I eat something. However, it was useless when I felt full or didn’t want to eat.

So it became a routine to wait until I naturally recovered to some extent, then eat and drink water right before practicing to recover stamina.

“Teacher, I decided to move into the dorm.”

“Already? That’s fast. I thought you would move in when you received the debut song. Didn’t you say you’re shy?”

“Yes. But the manager convinced me again, saying she was worried about me living in a semi-basement. She said I’ll probably have a lot of sasaengs.”

“Oh my, Manager Hyemi did well. I also thought you’d have a lot of sasaengs.”

“Really? How do you know?”

Sip sip. I emptied the second paper cup.

“Not knowing your own charm is also worrisome.”

I know very well that my charm stat is high though?

There’s probably no one who knows it as well as me?

“I know I’m charming too~”

When I spoke with a joking tone, a clear laughter came back. If it makes the teacher happy, I can do this much anytime.

“If you know it so well, why do you ask how I know?”

I shrugged my shoulders, but I was still puzzled. How do I know sasaeng psychology? I don’t know why they follow me.

“You have a tendency to enchant people.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. If you weren’t an idol, your true calling would have been a detective or profiler?”

“Huh? A detective all of a sudden?”

“If Haon makes eye contact and says, ‘Tell me the truth,’ I feel like anyone would blabber and spill. That’s what being enchanted means.”

Seeing the playful tone and eye smile, there wasn’t even 1% sincerity. When I snickered, the teacher followed and chuckled. I put the empty paper cup in the bin and opened the recording booth door.

“Resume practice?”

“Yes!”

When I answered vigorously, the teacher gave a thumbs up. Just wait for it. Experience!

While concentrating on practice like that, a visitor came. It was the manager.

“Your father will be here soon…”

Just those words made my body freeze stiff. I can’t believe this is happening without mental preparation…

“…Suddenly?”

“Yeah. Actually, I wanted to tell you this yesterday when I came to see Haon…”

The manager looked awkward. She forgot to mention it, but it was understandable to forget. After listening, he’s coming today because of a suddenly scheduled business trip. He had today free because of that trip. I didn’t know she would take care of it this diligently.

It’s a bit perplexing but a good thing. More than that…

I’m nervous. My mouth instantly dried up, feeling like it was full of grainy desert sand. After wetting my lips with the tip of my tongue, I followed the manager out. The manager gently patted my back. She seemed to have noticed my tension.

“I’ll say everything, so you just stay next to me.”

“Yes.”

Ah, my energy is already draining. Is my remaining stamina okay? It’s only 55. It’s dropping so fast. Since I can’t have an attack here, I’ll have to use the skill “Die Hard” if I have to after observing my condition for a bit.

If it takes an hour to recover, I just need to hole up somewhere for a moment. I’ll find an empty vocal room, lock the door, and take a nap.

I diligently diverted my attention elsewhere, and the speed of my stamina decrease slowed down. It was an unintended stroke of luck. Nice, good.

“Haon.”

But that was short-lived, and my attention was drawn back there by my father’s voice calling me. I’m doomed.

“Yes.”

I can’t not answer when called. I have to prostrate myself flat until he signs the contract.

“Is this really what you want to do?”

“Yes. I want to do it.”

But seeing his face, he was an unfamiliar man, so he wasn’t as scary as on the phone. However, his voice alone was enough to give me goosebumps. I should never call him in the future.

“…Okay.”

What? Something’s different. It’s the first time he’s been curious about me. Ah, of course, I don’t know if it’s truly the first time since he’s not my father, but I feel Yooyeon wouldn’t have been different either.

If he was curious about his child, there’s no way he wouldn’t have called even once after putting them in that house. So it must be right that it’s an unfamiliar thing.

“Call sometimes, at least.”

“…Pardon?”

I was so surprised that I reflexively asked back. Why are you scared of calling? My stamina is dropping fast. This is absurd. What? Why is he like this?

“Then I’ll get going.”

You’re leaving without taking back what you said? If you don’t feel like it, don’t do it. Shouldn’t you say something like that, at least? Of course, I won’t call even if he leaves like this. I absolutely won’t. My stamina is precious. Stamina is experience.

“Yes, goodbye.”

I bowed my head to my father leaving the manager’s office. The manager stood up in bewilderment. She’s giving me eye signals, but I was blank, not knowing the reason. Why?

“I’ll see you out.”

“No, it’s alright.”

Now, I was the only one sitting in the manager’s office. Whether my father left or not, my attention was solely on the system message.

Because I hit the jackpot.