131 - Upki Girl

< I'll Come Over There > Having just arrived at Jeju Airport, Eunbit sat in the waiting area, trying to figure out which bus would take her home. Despite belonging to the smartphone generation, Eunbit always found searching for information online a challenging task. She considered calling Yoonho or Jangwoo for help but decided against it, letting her pride get in the way. A Jeju resident asking a Seoulite about Jeju's transportation seemed ludicrous. The Upkeygirl members would undoubtedly find out and mock her endlessly for it. Every time public transportation came up, it'd be, “Oh right, remember when Eunbit needed help with Jeju bus routes?” It would be a story she'd never live down. For this reason, she struggled alone for a few minutes, trying to resolve the issue when someone approached her. “Excuse me...” “Huh?” Startled, Eunbit turned with round rabbit-like eyes. It was two young men around her age who had disembarked from the same flight. One of them hesitantly asked, "Sorry, are you perhaps Eunbit from Upkeygirl?" “Yes, I am Eunbit from Upkeygirl.” “See, I told you!” “Wow, amazing. I'm a big fan. Can I take a picture with you?” “Ah, uh, yes, of course, you can.” “Thank you!” “Oh no, thank you for recognizing me.” Eunbit was more surprised than they were. She might expect to be recognized at fan signings or concerts, but in such a public place? Never crossed her mind. After taking a selfie with their selfie stick, the fans shyly peppered her with questions one after another. “You're even prettier in person.” “Oh no, no. I didn't even put on makeup, I'm all disheveled... Sorry for needing a picture in this off-season face.” “No way, you're really pretty.” “Are you traveling alone?” “No, actually, Jeju is my hometown.” “Oh, I see. We’re here for a trip.” “Are you college students?” “Yes, we’re classmates from the same university.” “Wow, sounds fun.” After making polite small talk, Eunbit brought up her request. “Oh, right. Sorry, but could you look up the bus for me? This might sound a bit boastful, but it’s my first time needing a bus from the airport to my house, and I’m really not sure how.” “Eh...?” Despite being from Jeju, here she was asking tourists for help with the bus. It wasn’t just a simple request. It was a unique combination of Eunbit's affability, naïveté, and even a viral celebrity impersonation that was trending on social media—three skills perfectly blended into her request. She playfully tapped her head with her hand, chiding herself humorously. “Oh, you silly fool. Sorry for being born. It's embarrassing, but I really can't do anything on my own...” So cute. The charm they had only seen in memes was not a mere persona but her true self. The university students personally experienced why being a girl group fan isn’t good for the heart. They had officially, and delightfully, fallen for her charm. In the end, they not only provided meticulous information on the bus number, location, and schedule but also escorted her to ensure she boarded safely. Eunbit waved vigorously from the bus window with a bright, turtle-like smile. The students waved back joyfully as if they had gained the whole world, watching the bus disappear into the distance. They muttered among themselves. “She’s unbelievably cute, isn’t she?” “Adorable and gorgeous. No wonder people are crazy about girl groups.” “Should have asked for her contact. She seems innocent enough to give it if we asked, don’t you think?” “Who knows.” The guess was correct. If they had asked, the innocent Eunbit, grateful for their help, might have given it to them, not yet realizing her status as a celebrity. Sitting on the bus, having ended a call with her grandmother, Eunbit gazed out the window. She softly hummed along with a song playing through her earphones, and suddenly recognized an unfamiliar and overwhelming feeling creeping up. What is this, this sudden wave of crippling loneliness soaring inside me? She should be glad to be back in her hometown after months, but instead, she felt an inexplicable sense of being utterly alone in the world. Eunbit pondered. Have I become a cold city woman in just six months since moving away? Is this what they call the absolute solitude of a successful career woman’s growing pains? The sudden onslaught of a city woman's loneliness hit her like acute indigestion. With a prickly sensation at the tip of her nose, a face came to mind. She video-called him immediately. ‘GodYoonhoja’ A shorthand for ‘Guardian God Yoonho.’ Yoonho’s face appeared on the screen. It had only been a little over two hours since they parted and he was the first she texted upon landing, yet seeing his face felt like reuniting after a long time. Her eyes welled with tears as soon as she saw him. “Oppa...” ―Oh, are you on the bus? “Yeah. Some kind people helped me get on just now. Where are you?” ―I just left the lodging and am waiting for the subway. “Hiiing...” ―Why the nasal whine again? “I want to go back to Seoul.” ―What? Why? Did something happen? “I miss you. I miss the other members and Leah too.” ―So suddenly? “Yes. I suddenly feel so lonely. I guess I’ve become a city girl who's cold on the outside but lonely inside. I want to go back to Seoul.” Though Yoonho’s expression on the video call screamed ‘what in the world is this city woman nonsense,’ he consoled her as he saw her teary eyes. ―Maybe it’s because it’s our first time apart after being together for so long. “Yes, it feels like that.” ―But going back the same day is a bit much. Your grandmother would be hurt. “I saw her not long ago. We did meet on Christmas.” ―Did you call her to let her know you’ve arrived safely? "Oh. I just did. But oppa, I really don’t think I can sleep here. It feels like there's a gaping hole in my chest, and I'm so down that I can't do anything about it. I'm going to check the flight times and catch the last one back." ―Sigh... *** After ending the video call with Eunbit, Yoonho let out a brief sigh through his nose. At first, he thought she was joking, but seeing her face streaked with tears and sniffles made him feel a pang of sympathy. He’d told her to talk to her grandmother and maybe come back if she still felt down after arriving home. Yet, something still gnawed at him. Has it come to the point where she can’t even go to her family home by herself? If she feels so out of place at the home she’s lived in all her life, isn’t that a bit concerning? Alya had become less dependent on Yoonho once Jangwoo started keeping a close watch on her. Eunbit, too, sought out Yoonho less once Hongyi and Yona began to take care of her, but during her most trying times, she always turned to Yoonho. To be honest, Yoonho found this a bit burdensome. Up until last year, she was a minor, so he took on a guardian role, but now she's a full-fledged adult at twenty. How long could he realistically continue cleaning up after her messes? Of course, he wanted to do everything as a manager, but the lines between professional duties and personal life were blurring, leaving Yoonho feeling conflicted. Oh, Deployment Destiny. How long must I look after these violet-hued girls? Must I remain an Upkeygirl manager until I’m old and gray? If that’s my fate, then couldn’t I have met them as a man, not as a manager? 'Yoonho, then answer this: If I were to allow you to see them as such, could you truly have a romantic relationship with them? Could you have that kind of relationship with Eunbit or maybe Seowon?’ Having a thing with Eunbit or Seowon...? Huh? What?! Oh, Deployment Destiny, I might need to think about that a bit. I’d be lying if I said I never saw them as women, but if you ask if there's a necessity, it’s close to a No. All romantic relationships inevitably come to an end at some point. I just want to maintain a proper relationship with the kids where no one gets hurt, and everyone is simply happy. Just as a respectful manager and entertainer, or big brother to younger siblings. Though outwardly Eunbit treats me like a brother, it’s a fact that she has a crush on me. I don’t wish for a relationship where I’m her ‘oppa’ and she becomes my ‘honey.’ ‘What about Yona?’ Hm? Yona...? I don’t know, Deployment Destiny! Not even I fully understand my heart. Sure, I admit that Yona sometimes feels more like a woman, but I’m managing that well enough, so no need to worry. ‘See? The answer lies within you already, so why ask me for one?’ I guess I just felt a bit overwhelmed. Even machines can malfunction without a cause, and sometimes I need someone to vent to. In the subway on his way to his family home, Yoonho dealt with his feelings by holding an inner dialogue with the self he metaphorically named Deployment Destiny. His perspective was clear. Regardless of how the kids thought of him, he had no intention of becoming romantically involved with them. The future is filled with uncertainties, and things rarely go as planned. But at least until Upkeygirl achieves its goals, as an adult, I must fulfill the role of the control tower. After all, the members, though young adults in their early twenties, can still be emotional. *** The meeting with his friends was set for 6 PM, but as of 6:20, none had shown up. How could these jerks remain unchanged at 36? Granted, I only just arrived as well. According to the group chat, it would be close to 7 before they all gathered. With the weather cold, he slipped into a nearby café. The background music playing as he opened the door was ‘Anding,’ Hongyi’s song from her girl crush contest finals. Oh, feeling a sense of familiarity, he shot a video and uploaded it to the company group chat. Gwak Manager [They’re playing Hongyi’s song at a local cafe] Manager Kim Sang-in [Aww, aren’t you past the point of being moved by that now, haha] Director Yeom [Seems like you hear it once a day whenever you’re out and about] As they said, it was still ranking high on the charts, so it wasn’t difficult to hear it in cafés, yet there was always a peculiar feeling each time. The only regret was never hearing ‘Hug Me’ played anywhere. But not for long. Even though they missed the royal road, the single album was just a teaser, and the mini-album was the true start. The updated girl group brand rankings affirmed Upkeygirl’s rising recognition. The group climbed six spots to 12th place from last month, and individually, Hongyi surged to third due to the girl crush hype. Yona ranked 11th, and Eunbit reached 15th, leading to a daily influx of inquiries for appearances and schedules. With an appropriate groundwork laid, the company predicted that with the right tipping point—a real stir—they’d soon catapult into the major girl group leagues. The ‘Replay Girl’ and the mini-album were expected to light that fuse. While waiting for his friends, he spent time monitoring posts on idol communities and their official fan café. The shares in male-focused communities overwhelmingly favored Hongyi and Yona. <The Adorable Goddess of Upkeygirl, Yeonhong> <Yona’s Black Stockings from Upkeygirl> <Yeonhong's Charismatic Upkeygirl Rapper Physique> <Yeonhong’s Confident Stages> <Rising Slender Hope, Beautiful Yona> <The Mischief (Kind) Hands of Maknae and Leader Liya Compilation ver.4> <BitHong Combo’s Comedy Antics LOL> Hmm. Avoiding revealing outfits and never steering towards a sexy image, Yona and Hongyi are nevertheless being marketed heavily for their physique. Yona's father is probably worried because of posts like these. The photos and videos are so high quality that you can even see the texture of the stockings. These days, safety shorts are a must due to the personal focus of fancams, which often capture lower body lines or breasts. Many photographers, including journalists, indulge in this. While it might serve as publicity, seeing the kids' exposed photos feels a bit uncomfortable from my standpoint. Materials that treat the underage Liya as a sexual object are especially disturbing, causing a cold sweat to break. I should cleanse my mind and eyes with other posts. <Promise 12 Haneul in High Definition> <The Smiling Eyes Fairy Haneul> <Promise 12 Haneul with Twin Ponytails> Hnnngh! Haneul, Uncle cherishes you fiercely! I found myself blushing at the images of Promise Haneul, who is even younger than Liya. My hypocrisy is astounding. It was then that a text notification pinged. JH [Oppa, I’m on my way to meet Seowon, haha] It was Jehee. Me [Are you going drinking?] JH [Yeah, she asked to buy her some drinks] Me [Teacher Jehee, our Seowon still has a lot to learn. Please educate her well, but don’t go overboard with the discipline] JH [What are you even saying, lol] Me [(Meme of a character eating popcorn with 3D glasses on)] JH [Hahaha] Me [Give her lots of life advice] JH [What are you up to?] Me [Stopping by home and then out to meet some friends. One of them is getting married] Me [I’m the only single left among my high school friends, lol] JH [Aww, our Oppa, that’s sad] Me [Just got scolded by my unbreakable wall, too] JH [Why?] Me [Met after six months, and she immediately wants to disown me from the family register] JH [Haha, your mom is just too good, lol] JH [Wanna meet up later?] Me [Later when?] JH [In the late, mysterious night?] Me [Not sure when I'll be done with my friends. We tend to hang out till dawn] JH [Staying up with me would be more constructive, but fine if you don’t want to, haha] Me [I'll come to where you are. When are you parting with Seowon?] JH [Hahaha] < I'll Come Over There > End