133 - Upki Girl

< As Expected > "So, Seo-won, do you have a crush on Yoon-ho oppa?" Ja-hee deflected Seo-won's words, launching a counterattack instead. Seo-won, unfazed, maintained her silver smile. To others, it might look like the smile of a sly fox with gastric ulcers. "Unnie, I don't like the manager." "Hmm, but from what I saw..." "I love him." "*Cough* Oh, I see... love..." Ja-hee barely managed to hold back a cough that threatened to escape. It was then she became certain that Seo-won didn’t possess a run-of-the-mill way of thinking. You're here to prove you're the crazy one in this area, like a badge of honor. But I'm not so easily defeated, you see. To succeed in the entertainment industry, you have to weather all sorts of storms; that’s something you probably don’t know yet. You’re in your happy phase, your happy phase. Without revealing her inner thoughts, Ja-hee comforted Seo-won. "Right. Watching you at the company dinner, I got that impression." "Was it that obvious?" "Hugely apparent." "I made it obvious on purpose." "Oh dear, child. What are you going to do if a weird scandal breaks out?" "What does it matter? It's the truth anyway. Besides, the manager isn’t interested in me. I'm just following him around." Seo-won was more straightforward than Ja-hee had anticipated. That kind of directness indicates a lack of pretense or hypocrisy; in a way, it’s evidence of her purity. She's so genuine that she can’t hide her true feelings. Inside, Ja-hee smiled. This type is actually easier to handle. Seo-won didn’t realize that after her rapid offensive, the initiative had quietly shifted to Ja-hee. In the end, she didn’t get an answer to her own question—"Unnie, do you like our manager?"—and had all but forgotten she’d even asked under Ja-hee's subtle manipulations. "But first, let's order some drinks. You said you'd buy." "Sure." "Do you handle alcohol well?" "I’m not the best, but I’m not terrible." Not terrible, my foot. The other night, you only drank a little and already started slurring. If I heard right from Yoon-ho, all the members blacked out. Maybe I’ll tease her a little. "I can drink pretty well. If you try to keep up with my pace, you'll get drunk right away, so take it slow." "No, I can drink with you." "Call for some soju and beer?" "Yeah, I like soju and beer." Seo-won, who hated losing even at rock-paper-scissors, foolishly fell for Ja-hee's provocation. From Ja-hee's perspective, Seo-won’s readiness to take the bait was endearing. Shortly after, the drinks and dishes arrived, and the race began. Mixing the soju and beer like a professional, Ja-hee bragged, "I have a soju-beer certification, you know?" "I saw it in the article. Is that an actual certification?" "No way, it's an award from a liquor company event." "Oh, I thought so." "They don’t give it to just anyone. Among female celebrities, it's probably only Plan L who has it." "That's what I heard." "Here you go." "Thank you." "One shot." "Yes." They skipped the formal toast. Ja-hee drank first with Seo-won following, and Ja-hee was the one who prepared Seo-won’s appetizers for her. "No, I'm usually fine without snacks." "Eat. You'll harm your stomach." "Thanks." "Seo-won, you've never dated a guy, have you?" "No, I have." "Nah, you look like you've never dated." The term "mossol" (never having dated) shouldn't have been so offensive, but it oddly pricked Seo-won’s pride. The calmness she maintained through sheer willpower shattered, activating her defense mechanisms. "Why? Can't I like the manager if I'm a mossol?" "I'm trying to help you, so listen to me." "How are you going to help?" "Yoon-ho oppa strikes me as someone who distances himself when a girl makes the first move, right?" "I'm not sure... it could be." Despite her initial prickly response, Seo-won quickly yielded. Ja-hee had precisely identified Seo-won's weak point. Though generally strong-willed, Seo-won became passive when it came to Yoon-ho. And she was spot-on about Yoon-ho's tendency to shy away if a girl approached him first. Experience indeed counts for something. "From what I see, that's true. And oppa hates it when girls are clingy or controlling." Seo-won acknowledged Ja-hee's assessment with a toast and agreed naturally. "Yeah, that's true." "One shot." "Sure." —Gulps— "Whew. Just one question. Why do you like Yoon-ho oppa?" "Why do you need a reason to like someone?" "Of course, there are reasons. Because he’s handsome, has a good personality, is caring, affectionate, or maybe all of the above." "Um..." Seo-won took a moment to gather her thoughts. The rapidly consumed soju and beer scrambled her mind. The slight intoxication felt pleasant. Coupled with memories of the first—technically second—time she met Yoon-ho, Seo-won's tension melted away. "The first person who came to me in a flash when I said I was struggling was the manager." "Oh..." Ja-hee didn’t know the detailed stories between the UpKick Girl members and Yoon-ho. Yoon-ho hadn't shared them in detail. She only had a vague idea from conversations and Seo-won's story featured on "Sing For You." Despite not knowing the intricacies, Seo-won’s response touched her, sending a small chill down her spine. Ja-hee admitted it sincerely. "Wow, that really moved me." "Isn't that enough?" "Yeah. If someone shows up immediately when you’re in distress, you’re bound to fall for them." "Yep. I totally fell hard." "Let's drink. Just one more shot." In less than ten minutes, each had downed three glasses of the potent cocktail mix. Even for a seasoned drinker like Ja-hee, it was a bit much, so one could only imagine Seo-won’s condition as a mild nausea rose within her. Yet, she relished the sudden buzz. She was totally charmed. The person she had considered an adversary, Ja-hee, was now helping her get closer to Yoon-ho, dissolving her worries. With both her body and mind relaxed, Seo-won poured out her heart as if seeking dating advice from an older sister, while Ja-hee offered genuine solutions. Of course, she gave honest advice, knowing full well that Yoon-ho would never open his heart to any of the UpKick Girls. Yoon-ho might be inexperienced, but the UpKick Girls were even more so. Well, all except one. "No, you fool. Don't ever let on that you like him. The more you show it, the more Yoon-ho oppa will run away." "Unnie, I don’t get it. How can I not show my feelings if I like him?" "What a strange newbie, being so proactive for someone who's never dated." "Hehehe, unnie, aren't I a bit cool? But my mom always said that the courageous ones win in love. Wait... but why did she end up with such a guy...? I don’t know." "From now on, just do as I say." "Ja-hee! If you're watching, give me the right answer! Hahaha." "Isn't there someone else in your team who likes Yoon-ho oppa too?" "Huh? How did you know? But all of us like the manager. There's not a single person who doesn't." Ja-hee was genuinely curious about how the saga between UpKick Girls and Yoon-ho would unfold. "I noticed during the company dinner, want me to tell you who's doing the best job among your members?" "Oh! Who is it? It's Yona, right? Unnie, do you know how much of a sly cat she is? Last time at a shoot, when the manager was sleeping, I just couldn't believe it." "There's someone even more dangerous than Yona." *** "Princess, are you really not going to go?" "Yeah. I suddenly felt too lazy. It won’t be fun anyway. I'd rather stay in the dorm. Help me with my coat." "Yes, ma'am." Cassie chuckled lightly as she hung up Alia's coat. Of course, she knew this would happen. "Should I inform the host that you won't be attending?" "No need to be so formal. They’ll figure it out when I don’t show up. It’s not like the party won’t go on without me." "Understood, I won’t make any calls then." "Cassie, how about we have some wine tonight?" "Sounds good." Alia's demure demeanor, markedly different from the playful antics she displayed before her group members, was rare. But this was her true self, only altered by meeting her group members. "Princess, come on out." "Okay." A wine table was set in front of the room Yoon-ho used on the second floor. Cassie, stepping away from her role as Alia's personal secretary, was working in the hotel administration. The two of them used to drink wine occasionally, but this was their first session since Alia became a celebrity. "I heard you’re not experiencing anemia symptoms much these days?" "Yeah. Since the activities started, I haven’t fainted once. I’ve even drastically reduced my medication." "That's odd... it shouldn't be psychosomatic, though..." Alia, who had congenital anemia, needed constant injections and medication. Despite all the care, if she was mentally unstable, she'd faint once or twice a month habitually. But the last time she fainted was the day she met Kim Yoon-ho and the UpKick Girls for the first time. Since then, she hadn’t felt dizzy even once. Just as Cassie said, it shouldn’t be psychosomatic, but it indeed was a strange reality. "Are you enjoying being an idol?" "Yeah." "It shows. Since I met you, you seem happiest these days." Perhaps embarrassed, Alia shrugged her shoulders slightly before opening up more. "But today isn’t great…" "Must be because it was always bustling, and now it's quiet all of a sudden." "Yonna unnie and Seo-won unnie are in Seoul... it might be weird if I tell them I’m bored and call them over, right?" Cassie smiled faintly without replying. Although she might miss her members, Alia clearly longed to see someone else more, yet she refrained from mentioning that name. But her gaze was honest. Staring at the firmly closed door, Alia muttered to herself, as if hoping Cassie would hear and respond on her behalf. "First time getting a break…I should visit family and all..." "Shall I give the manager a call?" "Which manager?" "Manager Kim Yoon-ho." "What would I even say?" "Just, ask what he's up to. Invite him over for a glass of wine if he's free." "No, no. Mune-mune said he'd meet Seenscengirl and some friends in his hometown today. Let him enjoy." "What do you like about the manager, Princess?" "Pfft, it's not like that." "Come on, you don’t need to hide it from me. You’ve even illegally collected call logs and KakaoTalk messages… I’m a bit hurt." "Eek! How did Cassie know!" "Oh dear, the driver told me it was a secret, and I spilled the beans." "No, I just felt sorry for Mune-mune and wanted to do nice things and take care of him. What if he strays down the wrong path? He's so naive; what if he gets tricked by some vamp? And I only peeked once. Really!" "But it doesn’t look like you’re really concerned for him…" "Why! I care so much about Mune-mune! Today, I even left him to have fun with his friends! I'm a cool girl!" "Ha..." Finally, Cassie couldn’t help but chuckle. In the end, it would come to this. "If it’s weird to invite him over, why don’t we go to where he is?" "Mune-mune's town?” “Yes. Didn’t he say they live in Mokdong? Want me to call and ask where he is?” "I don't really feel like it... but if you're really bored, Cassie, go ahead." After Cassie found out where Yoon-ho was, Alia posted an announcement in the group chat with the UpKick Girls members. Obuba President [Let's have a gathering tonight, whoever's available] Obuba President [(Map)] Yonleader [Why a gathering? Didn't you say you were going to a party? lol] Obuba President [The host canceled due to an emergency ㅠㅠ] Obuba President [Yonleader, what are you up to?] Yonleader [I'm at unnie's house] Obuba President [Why not at the main base?] Yonleader [Had dinner with Dad, we argued, so I left lol] Yonleader [We shouldn't see each other for more than two hours] Obuba President [Then join the gathering] Obuba President [What about the others?] Hong Rapper [Have fun. I'm playing with my siblings. Lost weight, so I'm low on energy ㅠㅠ] Bagelbbit [I'm flying to Seoul soon. Already booked my ticket] Hong Rapper [What the heck, everybody lol. Then why take a vacation? lol] Han Seo-won [Hav fun wht yu guys^^ I’m dunkkkkk lololol] *** At a pub in Mokdong. Yoon-ho and his friends were wrapping up their first round of drinks. "Where should we go next?" "Wanna go to karaoke?" "With hostesses?" "No, just us." "Ugh, what's the fun in that?" "Then call for some hostesses." "No need. Karaoke hostesses aren’t much fun, right?" "Whatever, you jerk." "How about a nightclub?" "In these clothes?" "Why not." With no consensus reached, Yoon-ho chimed in. "Hey, let's just have another round of soju. We haven’t met in a while; why go somewhere dodgy?" "We're throwing Jong-hwan a bachelor party before he gets hitched. Come on, it's boring with just guys." "What bachelor party? I'm good, so if you want to go to a club, go without me. I'll cover the drinks, but you decide whether to hire hostesses or not." "Nah, it’s fine. The main guy doesn’t want to go. Let's just have another drink together. Jong-hwan is footing the bill here, and we’ll split the cost from round two." "Alright, back to a regular pub, let’s go!" "Who just said, 'let’s go'?" "Your mind's been clouded by cryptocurrency." "Crazy fools." Yoon-ho got up first, only to spot a girl entering and questioned his eyesight. Blink, blink. "Huh...?" What the heck… She's not supposed to be here, but here she is. Wearing a mask and hat, but the outfit, body shape, and hair color unmistakably belonged to Yona. It was exactly what she wore when she left that morning, easily recognized. And trailing behind her without a mask, confidently raising her chin, was Alia. Upon locking eyes with Yoon-ho, she pointed a finger at him and called out cheekily. "Why is Manager Moon there?" Gasp! A stunned Yoon-ho thought. That's what I want to ask you. What are you doing here? Ahh... so that's why Cassie called to ask where I was... "Who are they? Someone you know?" "They're the girls from UpKick Girls, right, Kim Yoon-ho?" "No way. Really?" The previously military-green faces of his friends lit up into bright, milk-colored ones. Meanwhile, Yoon-ho's face sunk into a grimy sludge color. Crap, this isn’t good. I have to drop Eun-bit off at home and then meet Jae-hee later... < As Expected > Ends