173 - Upki Girl

< The Return of a World-Class Player > Huh? I thought it was one of the kids, but I was wrong. Before I even saw the face, the scent and the warmth on my back reminded me of someone. The person I was about to text, it was Jaehee. I subtly turned off my phone screen and turned around to ask. "Huh? What are you doing here?" Reflexively, I leaned my upper body slightly back, but Jaehee's arms around my waist didn't loosen. It made the contact between her hip bone and my lower abdomen feel like a lever, giving me a shiver. Calm down, man! Luckily, there were no people around, but it was a residential alley where a passerby could appear at any moment. What if someone saw us... But, as always, Jaehee seemed completely indifferent to the gaze of others. No, I've felt it before, but maybe she actually enjoys this thrill. She looked up at me with eyes that seemed to understand everything and clicked her tongue sympathetically. "Geez, your face and voice are full of annoyance. Did the kids bother you again?" It really melts me. Yeah, this is why I fell for this woman. Beyond Jaehee's title and looks, it's this bold charm that leads and embraces me like an older sister. What man could resist such an enticing charm? I was thinking just that, and then— Twitch! It was Yona. It seemed she had come out to find me, and over Jaehee's head, I saw Yona humming as she emerged from the building. The distance between us was about 10 meters. The spirited figure noticed me hugging some woman and, shocked, quickly ducked back into the building. "Maybe I should have contacted you before coming..." Jaehee, unable to see Yona from her angle, spoke with a hint of disappointment, sensing my reaction wasn't what she expected. She released her grip on my waist. "You're not in a good mood today, are you?" "No, not at all. I was just about to contact you too." "Me? Why?" "Just, you know... if you don't have any plans, we could grab a drink or something..." "Hehehe, you really did have a fight with the kids, huh?" "It wasn't exactly a fight, but something just came over me suddenly..." "Yeah, I get it. I feel like that sometimes too." The cold winter air, the faint glow of street lamps, the tranquil residential alley—along with Jaehee—they were more than enough to tenderly unravel my tightly intertwined emotions. Facing Jaehee made me feel cozy and sweet, rendering my previous attempts to keep a distance rather futile. Why had I tried distancing myself from something so good? Why indeed; it was tough to coexist with Jaehee and those unruly five... But it's really nice. Jaehee is truly wonderful. Resisting the urge to pull her warm, slender waist into a hug, I conveyed my long-missed fondness as nonchalantly as possible. "Oh... you cut your hair quite a bit?” “Yeah. I’m starting a new drama, and the role calls for a bob cut. Do you like it?” “Well, um..." When I hesitated to answer, Jaehee's eyes narrowed. "Did I do something wrong?" "No, nothing like that. Why do you ask?" "Then why do you keep trying to put up a wall between us? It feels distant." Of course, she'd noticed. But I deflected with a hollow laugh, unwilling to admit it. "No, no walls, really, hehe..." "I'm not stupid. Did the Upkick girls tell you not to meet me?" The mischievous smile returned to Jaehee’s face, sprinkled with confidence that said, ‘Do you really think not seeing me will work? It’s me, Jaehee,’ along with a little pout and disappointment directed at me. Since it has come to this, I decided to be honest. "Well... last time, we couldn’t meet because of the kids, remember?" "I told you not to worry about that. If you had come to me then, I would have been more disappointed." "But that’s not how I felt. After thinking about it, I realized... right now, the focus should be on the kids." Jaehee’s expression crumpled slightly. “Oh, come on. You make it sound like I’m begging you to stay or something.” “Exactly.” “So, did meeting me cause trouble with the kids? They didn’t like you seeing me?” "It wasn't really trouble, just something I decided for myself. It’s a crucial time for them, and I don't want them to be distracted even a bit..." “Oh, please. Then why did you want to have a drink with me today?” “Well... I just wanted to see you today, Jaehee. Whatever the kids say..." “Ah, I can’t live with this...” For me, it was almost resignation, babbling like this, but it seemed Jaehee didn’t find those words entirely displeasing. Shaking her head with a satisfied little laugh, she spoke confidently, as if heading to admonish the bullies bothering her little brother. “The Upkick girls are at the office right now, right?” “Yes.” “Let’s go.” “Pardon?” “I’ll sort things out so you won’t be troubled. Just go in and tell them it’s a business relationship, simple. There’s no need to stress over it.” No, they do investigate. They conduct background checks and even upfront ones. It’s already happened to me. I decided to inform Jaehee of one crucial fact, who was ready to lead the way. "Uh... Yona saw us just now and went back inside." "Huh? When?" "Just now, she saw us hugging." "Really...? Anyway, what exactly do the kids think of us?” “They just think... we might be a thing...?” "They don't know about us sleeping together, right?" Gulp... Whoa, she has a way of speaking so bluntly. It sends a chill down my spine... Alia seems to have some inkling through checking my phone, but there’s no way I could admit that outright. "They don’t know. Oh right, you’re still in contact with Seowon, aren’t you? Has she mentioned anything to you?" "She did. She said she likes you. No, actually, she said she loves you, hahaha!" "Ah... she tends to be like that... She's a bit scary." "Aw, Seowon is plainly obvious and thus actually kind of cute. From the start, she approached with the intent to monitor me. How pure is that? Just give her a little alcohol, and she spills it all." Sheesh, of course that's the case. Did the goblin at the bottom of the pecking order in Upkick Girls think she stood a chance against the dungeon master? Thinking she might actually believe she's got the upper hand over Jaehee makes me feel so sorry for her that I want to give her a warm hug. I'll have to treat Seowon better in the future... As Seowon’s name came up, a knowing smile spread across Jaehee's face, reminiscent of an experienced mentor. "Doesn't Seowon act all cold to you sometimes?" "Ah... It seemed like she did for a few days, but she's back to the way she was." "Hehe, that was my doing." "Hmm?" "I told her you don’t like it when women cling to you, so I advised her to give you some space—then you’d be inclined to approach her instead." "Ah... so that’s why. I thought it was odd she was so obvious about it." The important part is that even that didn’t last long before she reverted back to her usual self. She’s just too endearing, our Seowon. I’ll really have to treat her well. From being known as a small giant to now having shrunk down, like an old grandpa Kim Gyu-don... "You said Yona saw us hugging and then left?" "Yes." "But about Yona, she’s not really a big deal either..." Jaehee shrugged dismissively, not considering Yona much of a concern. Hmm... That hurts a bit, pride-wise. Even if she’s just an empty drum making a lot of noise, Yona is still a competent strategist. I found myself defending Yona before I knew it. "Why not? Yona’s sharp and insightful. She's not easy." "Out of the five, she's slightly better, but to become a real vixen, she still has a long way to go. She’s like a fox that’s just taken its first steps." Jaehee continued, as she began walking towards the office. "I mentioned this to Seowon too, but do you know who the real daunting one among Upkick Girls is?" "It’s Hong. I bet there’s no other female celebrity who could take her on one-on-one." "Hong is obviously more like a bear." "I mean, bears are terrifying. Have you seen pictures of people attacked by bears?" "No, not that kind of bear. She’s a naïve bear, you fool." "Oh, right—a simpleton bear..." If Seowon is a punching bag, and Yona is a beginner fox, while Hong is a naïve bear, then the only ones left are the sea bream duo. Eunbi isn’t likely to be a threat, so... “The youngest is the one to watch out for.” As expected, it’s the princess. She’s scary, truly frightening. It's impressive Jaehee noticed it too. Jaehee's praises for Riya continued. "If Yona is a fox, the youngest is a raccoon. One who’s lived through it all, died, and been reborn to live a second life." "Hehe, is she that intense?" "Just look at her eyes; they’re no ordinary sight." "What kind of eyes?" "Her gaze changes completely when she’s assessing someone or deep in thought." "Oh, really? I never noticed." Does Riya really have such a gaze? Jaehee’s analysis continued, and it was even more shocking. "The youngest one, she likely calculates her poor Korean and her playful speech style for effect." "What...? No way..." "You really don’t know anything, do you? Everything about her—the way she behaves, speaks, dresses, even walks—is all meticulously calculated. People with elite upbringing generally do that. Maybe her parents are in politics or business?" I hadn’t told Jaehee about Riya’s lineage or that she’s the heiress of the Oskal Hotel. Yet, if Jaehee can deduce Riya's elite upbringing or high society status, it suggests Riya is truly acting as Jaehee said. Does this mean in the eyes of someone experienced like Jaehee, Riya’s actions are visibly strategic? Are all the actions she has shown to people and to me truly calculated and strategic? Goosebumps. Riya’s image, as I had thought of her, shattered and left me with chills running down my spine. "Oh right, I came here today to lobby." Jaehee, singing her purpose, revealed it as we reached the office entrance. I didn’t think she’d come here for just me, but lobbying? "What kind of lobbying?" "There’s a mission in Replay Girl where two or three teams will have to collaborate." "Oh, really? We didn’t hear anything. Who told you that?" "The head writer in charge of the team left Eye Contact and has joined Happy Joy." "Oh... so Song Kyung-ah has gone to Happy Joy." "Yes. Apparently, after the first elimination next week, the next mission is likely to involve collaboration, according to what Happy Joy’s manager said." That information must have trickled down to Happy Joy’s sister team, May Queens. They're really pulling strings to help their team win. So Jaehee’s reason for coming today was... "We're hoping Upkick Girls can work with May Queens and Happy Joy. Or rather, please do it. Let our kids ride the Upkick Girls’ shuttle bus once." "May Queens is doing well, aren't they?" "It's precisely when they're doing well that they should push forward. We can even use the story of Seowon and Yujin being friends." Well, I guess collaborating with May Queens could make for a great stage, but Happy Joy is a different story... Weren't they the ones who messed up Eunbit's first life? The Upkick Girls, who don’t know the full history, might just smile and greet them at the broadcasting station, but from my perspective, I can't help but feel detached. "You should ask the kids directly, Jaehee. The first decision lies with them." "I heard that from Seowon. But I'm not sure how they’ll feel about me, given they aren’t too fond of me." Jaehee glanced at me, seeking reassurance. "Yona probably told them she saw us hugging, right?" "Who knows... I really don't." "Let’s go check it out." "But the kids are supposed to start their internet broadcast soon, so there might be a bit of a wait." "I heard they’re monitoring viewer reactions with Replay Girl. I’m a registered member of the Upkick Girl fan club too." "Oh, I actually joined the May Queens fan club as well." "Hehe, we all do that, don't we?" Jaehee first caught up with the vocal coach, Representative Yeom, and the staff in the office, explaining her visit. Yeom also said the decision rested with the kids before asking me about my sudden departure. "So, why did you suddenly leave?" "Ah... I just got upset while talking with the kids." "Whew... I understand. There were a few times I almost lost it with Seowon during Valentine's Day. Now she’s even giving me attitude. It's ridiculous..." Seowon, who seemed to be at the top of the hierarchy but turned out to be everyone’s punching bag. And Yeom, who was now facing pushback from her. The company dynamics are quite something. The kids waiting in the practice room were likely unsettled due to my sudden exit. Would Yona have told them about seeing me embrace some woman? No, it was only ten minutes before the live broadcast started. Given her usual nature, she probably didn’t say anything to keep the others in good condition. Based on the circumstances so far, it seems she hasn't mentioned it. If she did, all five would have charged out into the alley with fighting spirit, like the Ginyu Force arriving on Namek at Frieza's call... "Hello, kids!" The practice room door opened, and exchanges of greetings flowed between Jaehee and the kids. "Oh? Hi, unnie!" "Oh? What brings you here?" "Hello!" "Eek! Unnie, the bob cut looks amazing! It’s making Alia really want to cut hers short too!" As everyone warmly welcomed Jaehee, I couldn’t help but focus on Yona's expression. It was now revealed that the person I'd been hugging was Jaehee. Yona, who I always thought of as the cleverest Upkick Girl, yet was unfortunately dubbed a rookie fox still learning the ropes by Jaehee. So, Yona, how will you handle this situation? How will you deal with the world-class player Jaehee, who stands as the only viable alternative to tear apart your tightly-knit Five-Star Squad? I remember the day you wreaked havoc on the blind date with the sheer power of charismatically destructive Jong Ah-yun... "Uh? Yonna, what’s wrong?” "What’s this? Yona, are you crying?" "I'm sorry... I don't think I can do the broadcast today..." No, no, crying or holding us hostage with this is against the rules! Let’s stick to fair play! < The Return of a World-Class Player > End