167 - Upki Girl

< The Obsessive Wish > "I am so thankful and sorry... ha... I honestly don't know how to express how I feel right now." Yujun’s mother, who had listened alongside him, appeared on the brink of fainting, barely holding on with a look of exhaustion. Who can fathom the heart of a parent who only discovers their child has been living in such agony, to the point of contemplating giving up on life? How their hearts must be torn and crushed. While I can't claim to feel like a parent, having experienced Eunbit’s bullying issues in my first life, I could somewhat empathize, and it made my heart ache sharply. Yujun's initial victim testimony had concluded. His secret SNS account, where he had meticulously recorded events daily in a diary format, was tremendously helpful. The disheartening part was that despite having clear evidence, even with photos, he had been rendered powerless, unable to seek help. The youth crime detective in charge of handling the report also acknowledged this as a significant issue of school violence, noting bitterly that for a fifteen-year-old like Yujun, the tangible threats of the bullies’ fists and violence outweighed the abstract power of the police or adults. The red tracksuit kid had even threatened to set Yujun’s house on fire if he told his mother or the school, and he knew their home’s security code, heightening Yujun’s sense of helplessness and fear. Perhaps if he had a father, it might have been different, but being in a single-mother household, Yujun felt a responsibility to protect his mother, even at the cost of sacrificing himself... "Thank you for helping us..." The boy, who had borne the brunt of the ordeal, timidly expressed his gratitude. Even Eunbit, usually the epitome of cheerfulness, found herself at a loss for comforting words. Instead, she simply patted Yujun’s knee, her nose wrinkling with sympathy. "Did we take too much of your time? I’d love to treat you to a meal if I could..." Yujun’s mother asked cautiously. However, we needed to head to the second Valentine’s Day event winner. Our schedule had overrun by more than two hours, so we had to hurry. "I think we have to go because of our next schedule." "Then we will definitely visit you again once things are settled." "Oh, by the way, ma’am. A reporter dropped by earlier and asked if it would be alright to cover this incident as an article, only if you and Yujun are okay with it.” “Yes, I met her briefly inside. The lady with glasses and her hair tied back, right?" "Yes, that’s right. She mentioned that media coverage would naturally heighten police attention. We are willing to cooperate with interviews and such, so please discuss with Yujun and let us know." "It won't cause any trouble for UpKeyGirl, will it?" "Oh, for us? No way, if it helps, that’s great, but it won’t harm us at all. One of our members was also a victim of bullying, you know." With the confidence of someone who knows all about UpKeyGirl, Yujun quickly muttered to his mom. "Sawon-nuna..." "Oh, really...?” "There was a story on ‘Sing-and-Duo’ about how she didn’t leave the house for two years..." “Oh my, I didn’t know that part. Sawon-nuna must’ve had a hard time too, right?” I replied. "That’s why we’ve been eager to participate in school violence prevention campaigns or related events. We spoke with the detective and reporter about doing something proper this time." "Then what should we do?" "The reporter should still be at the police station. Once you decide, they’ll coordinate with the police to publish the article, and if they work with the terrestrial news station, it could be out by tomorrow morning. I’d include the video I shot along with our interview." “Ah…” "Personally, I think if it gets media attention, it might help with raising awareness for school violence prevention or consideration.” Of course, the exposure and impact on the image of UpKeyGirl would also be beneficial. As reporter Kim Chorang mentioned, just the title of being 'The girl group member who stopped school violence' guaranteed media buzz. Why does this stuff always seem to happen around Eunbit? She should be named alongside Kindaichi and Conan as one of the top three troublemakers. “Then we’ll do it.” Yujun’s mom agreed, perhaps feeling indebted to UpKeyGirl, as the mere mention of helping them sufficed for her to consent. I called reporter Kim Chorang, somewhere in the police station, to inform her of the decision. She said she’d report to her superiors and write an exclusive article based on the video file I provided, Yujun’s SNS, and the police report. Integrating current girl group member Eunbit’s on-site interview would be the crowning touch. Still, to not appear too eager, one should play it coy, perhaps with a charming deflection first. “But we really need to...” ―Oh, with the police station as the backdrop, it’ll only take five minutes. The camera crew is here too, so we can come down right now. "Okay, please come down." Though our event schedule ran over by three hours, I believed the impact would be substantial. This wasn’t just any incident, it involved Eunbit, akin to how just having a fantasy star in play excites the crowd. I got into the car and dialed the second event winner, turning the wheel towards him as he reportedly had gone out to drink with friends after work. Sitting in the passenger seat, Eunbit began calling each member to catch up on the other team’s situation. “Hello~ Where’s our sassy unnie? Oh, that’s nice. We just left the police station and are on our way to the second winner. Did you have fun?” ―It was rewarding in its own way. "If there's anything fun that happened, tell me." * * * < Valentine Event Team 2: Sawon, Yeom > Winner (Nickname): Yang Kwon-mo (Obsession with Sawon) Story: At my age (32), colleagues tease me, asking if following a girl group brings me food or rice cakes. Even though it might not bring food or rice cakes, I want to show them it at least gets me chocolate... ―Hello? “Is this Uncle Kwon-mo?” ―Who is this? “It’s Sawon.” ―Huh? Who? “I’m Sawon from UpKeyGirl.” ―Oh? Wow... Is this... is this really you? “Yes, you won the Valentine's Day event. Where are you right now?” ―Wow, amazing... I’m at the office right now... Is this really Sawon? “You claim to be a fan but don’t recognize my voice? Should I just cancel it?” ―No, no! I’m just caught off guard... Wow! “I’ll head over now. Should I come to the office?” ―Yes! “Should I enter the office directly, or should we meet outside? Just so you know, we’ll be filming this.” ―You can come straight into the office. I’d love it if you could present it in front of my colleagues… “Understood. This is our company’s representative's number, so text the address there.” As Sawon hung up the phone, Representative Yeom frowned at her. “Your tone, seriously...” “Why are you picking a fight from the start?” “Picking a fight? Wow, now you’re even challenging the rep. What, gonna hit me if you don’t like it?” “Who asked you to team up with me?” “Do you think I wanted this? It was pure bad luck drawing lots. A total dud. I’d have preferred Riya.” “Then you should have asked Manager Kwak to switch partners. Isn’t that within your power as the rep?” “Enough already. Just input the address in the nav.” “You do it, Rep! You’re my manager for the day!” “My fingers are too thick and the touch screen doesn’t work well.” “Lies. How do you manage a phone keyboard then?” “Caught... Just call out the address. I’ll input it.” “Seodaemun-gu, Seoul…” Representative Yeom, typing into the navigation with his thick fingers, thought to himself. Yunho, Sawon doesn’t even fear me that much anymore. I miss you. --- 30 minutes later. Sawon appeared at a web design office located in Sinchon. "Kwon-mo Oppa! Where's Kwon-mo Oppa?" With a light touch of makeup, her hair naturally flowing down. A beige turtleneck knit, gray checkered double coat, perfectly-fitted jeans, and ankle boots. Sawon’s appearance, as if she had just come from a photo shoot for a university magazine, made the eyes of a dozen staff members widen. People pushed their chairs out of the partitions or stood up, watching the unexpected midday presence of a beauty. Behind her, the rugged look of Representative Yeom, filming with an action cam, only accentuated Sawon's figure and appearance. Who is this? What’s happening? The fact that the name uttered by her was a person often teased in the office—Assistant Manager Yang—was indeed a surprise. "Kwon-mo Oppa!" “Yes, yes, over here!” “What are you doing, hurry up and come out.” Yang Kwon-mo, age 32. Though he had shaved, his beard was thick and shadowed his face, and despite having washed his hair in the morning, it was starting to get greasy, looking a bit overdue for a trim. His daily look, bought entirely from an online shopping platform (shirt, pants, and loafers), seemed like a thought-through purchase but didn't get good responses from his coworkers. Due to his plump belly and unkempt hairstyle, he received comments that the outfit didn’t suit him at all. So, Assistant Manager Yang’s shoulders, quite drooping throughout the morning, were now lifting like the sprout of spring. The clothes, bought just in case, finally served their purpose. My favorite idol, Sawon! My queen is here! The effort to wear new clothes paid off! Originally an enthusiast of Eye Contact’s Sumi, his next favorite was Yona. While investigating which team Yona joined after leaving Eye Contact, shockingly, he fell for Sawon after seeing her on a gaming broadcast. His ideal type was someone who could play games together, but Sawon’s unique anti-social speech and audacious expression—beyond confident—dug deep into his masochistic tendencies of enjoying being bossed around by strong females. Before Sawon, he had liked sweet and innocent girl groups. He had heard that Sawon was quite particular about her fans, and he wished to be scolded by her just once! To get slapped by Sawon wearing her slippers! This month’s Maxime was truly the best! I want to get scolded and shouted at by Sawon! Three or more late nights at work weekly and four days off a month prevented him from attending concerts or fan meetings. Seeing Sawon in real life became a bucket list item—a dream that seemed unattainable, apart from being content with Polaroid photos won via online fan events. He had the Polaroid attached at his desk, not at home, which often led co-workers to tease him about being into idols at his age. Well, what’s it to them if I’m into idols in a free society? As long as I complete my tasks at work. Neither I nor my queen is bothering anyone. But even those who teased him were now utterly entranced by the real-life Sawon, so Yang Kwon-mo’s spirits couldn’t help but bloom. Sawon handed him handmade chocolate and a new Nintendo gaming console with limited edition game packs, chosen purely based on her own preferences, before speaking in her trademark anti-social tone. “It’s a Nintendo Switch, just play it even if you don’t like it.” "Oh, no, it's perfect! I've really wanted this! I was planning to buy it with my next paycheck." "Liar." "Really! Honestly!" "Oh, so you like games." "Absolutely! Totally!" Caught in a dream-like state, Yang Kwon-mo almost brought his thumbs to his forehead in disbelief but managed to hold it together as he accepted the large gift box with trembling hands. "The game pack is the limited edition Zelda. It used to be mine." "Jesus Christ! This is insane! Really?" "Go ahead, open it." As he began unwrapping the gift, nearly overwhelmed with gratitude, his queen added her trademark teasing comment. "Is there anything you want to do if you meet me today? As long as it doesn't involve touching me without permission. Since it's Valentine's Day, I mean." Her mix of formal and informal speech somehow made her seem more approachable to her uncle-fan. Gazing at the unwrapped limited edition pack case, he murmured. "No, no. This is more than enough… More than I ever hoped for." "You’d better say it while I’m offering. If you turn me down, I won't ask again due to hurt pride." I mean, there is something. Of course, there's something I want. I want to be scolded while she's spitting in my face, telling me, 'You useless piece of work, when will you grow up!' But making such a request in front of my coworkers would be social suicide. Yet opportunities like this won't come again in my lifetime. At least I want to be slapped with the shoe... maybe step outside where no one can see… It might be a bit strange, but she'll get it, right? Sawon's cynical persona might just understand or maybe not… Caught in internal conflict, Yang Kwon-mo’s gaze fell to Sawon’s boots. Black suede ankle boots. Hmm, hmmm... The heel looks painful, but the sole could make a decent slap noise... Oh, what on earth am I thinking… "Urgh, your eyes just now were too sleazy. Rejected. I'll just do what I want." "Uh, oh... yes, anything..." "Hmm... should I hug you?" "Well, oh gosh, I don't deserve... no, it's nothing." His overly humble response elicited soft laughs from colleagues. But they all acknowledged the unique aura and atmosphere exuding from the current hottest girl group member. Even the female employees muttered among themselves about how pretty she was, leaving no room for these men to deny their sudden intrigue. "What’s wrong with you, Oppa? Our Yon Leader used to say fans are always right. Ah, I’ve been brainwashed too. C'mon, let’s just hug and finish up." With the assertiveness of a neighborhood tough girl, Sawon stretched her arms wide and stepped forward, causing the bashful uncle-fan to take a step back instinctively. Sawon's face then turned cold. "Are you rejecting me now?" "No, no. It's just, really, it's fine. This is enough." "Come here while I'm still asking nicely. Before I take back all the gifts." Eek, so this is the obsessed fox! Rumor has it that when Sawon holds a grudge, frost falls even in midsummer. It's so cold, the office air feels chilly all of a sudden! "Get over here quickly. Are you going to embarrass me in front of everyone? If it’s awkward, just think of it as a business transaction. Let’s do it so we just have the video." "If you insist." "No!" Flinch! "Don't move, just stay where you are. I'll make it look like I'm the one doing the hugging." The onlookers pondered internally. How do you even describe this? Too cold for fan service, yet too warmly genuine for capitalistic pretense. Still, the common consensus was a subtly appealing charm. In some way, they could understand why the buzz in entertainment sections was all about UpKeyGirl, and why someone like Assistant Manager Yang, at his age, was an idol fan. Despite the emotional lump in his throat… Ultimately, being forcefully embraced by the much smaller Sawon, Yang Kwon-mo reflected. Living earnestly brings days like this. The cafe jargons come out instinctively. Kiaaaa! Munno, one cup of Idol-exhilaration here! No, bring out everything under the shutter! < The Obsessive Wish End >