175 - Upki Girl

< Our Manager Really Likes Stockings > Was the woman hugging the manager... my sister, Jahee? The fact that Yunho was engaged in such an act in front of the company was shocking enough, but learning that the other person was none other than Jahee sent Yona's mind into a vacuum. Although Jahee seemed to have been the one to initiate the hug, Yunho's acceptance of it without any awkwardness was what shocked her the most. Of course, everyone among the group knew there was something going on between Jahee and Yunho. However, no one thought they were this close. The hug wasn't the problem. It was the familiar expressions and demeanor of both of them that were striking. It was a sultry and natural atmosphere that usually only couples who had experienced far more intimate levels of physical affection possessed. It was a strikingly different gendered interaction, oozing with pheromones, incomparable to how he would piggyback Eunbity or hold Liya. It was an unfamiliar sight that Yona had never imagined to see or feel from Yunho. When Yona saw Jahee entering the choreography room with Yunho, she couldn't help but recall what Manager Kim Sangin had once mentioned about Jahee’s personal life. She just had to. Jahee from Plan L, who had made a significant mark in the girl group scene, not at the national superstar level but at the top of the charts and events. Married to an actor famous enough that few didn’t know him, and Jahee herself was a superstar, Jin Gyuseong. And then there's the affair. Regardless of their backgrounds, it was an undeniable affair with a married man. Not only that, Jahee was known, even to her manager, for freely meeting male celebrities. So why did she choose Yunho, of all people? Yona couldn't understand. Yes, initially, it was, “Why of all people my sister Jahee?” But on further thought, the question transformed into “Why Yunho of all?” Someone of Jahee’s stature could easily find and meet a more striking man with wealth and fame than Yunho. Yunho probably didn’t know about Jahee’s history with men. How naïve of the manager. But then again, it’s not his fault for being deceived—it's the fault of those who deceive. Sorry for calling you naïve, manager. But I can't help feeling disappointed, wronged, and stifled. Does he really have no eye for women? Though, I must admit, if Jahee was involved, even I would have fallen, if I were a man. Honestly, I’m jealous. No, I’m annoyed. Or rather, frustrated. Or maybe, I just don’t know. No, no, no... In the brief moment she faced Jahee, Yona’s mind clashed with a multitude of complex thoughts. Conclusion: Ultimately, it was clear that Yunho would be the one to get hurt. If Yunho were to engage in a relationship, it should be sincere, a deep connection leading to marriage, not some casual fling. Yunho himself had said so. He felt he was too old and had too little time and opportunities left to indulge in fleeting, passionate infatuations based solely on external appeal or some particular aspect. Were he to date, it should be with marriage in mind, carefully considering everything—from outward appearance and personality to family background, intellectual level, education, and preferences. But why Jahee? I understand, but I won't accept it! I am against this relationship! These conflicted emotions eventually turned into tears that Yona couldn’t hold back as they fell unknowingly. “Ah, why am I like this...” Yona expected that if she left, Yunho would follow and ask her the reason. So she had planned to say something along these lines: “Can't you not date Jahee, sis? Don’t ask me why, just consider it as my last wish and grant it for once.” However, it was not Yunho but Jahee who followed Yona into the recording studio. Sitting on the two-seater sofa, gently wiping away tears with the edge of her eye, Yona raised her head to look at Jahee. “Oh? Sis...” “Shall we talk for a bit?” Her tears seemed to have washed away her tangled emotions. After shedding them, though small, her mind began to regain some clarity. Yona thought this wasn't bad. Now that it has come to this, she would confront it head-on. “Is this because of me?” Jahee, who had seated herself on a computer chair, opened the conversation. Yona sniffled, brushing away remnants of tears, and responded directly. “Sis, do you like Manager Yunho?” “Hmm?” “Are you seriously seeing him?” “Hey, why are you being so intense?” Jahee chuckled, attempting to lighten the atmosphere. However, Yona’s determined expression remained unchanged. “Sis, it doesn’t have to be our manager, right?” “Ah, both Seowon and you, well, all your team members actually. Listen, Yunho is your manager, not your slave. Why meddle in who he dates, whether lightly or seriously? It's not your business.” “I’m sorry, sis. Even if it’s not for the others, it is something I need to care about.” “Huh? Why? Are you dating him?” “No. Because I’m the leader.” Yona paused, then emphasized her plea. “Sis, you can meet anyone else, but for me and the members, there’s only the manager. He’s like a god to Eunbity, a police officer to Seowon, a teacher to Hongi, and family to Liya. Without him, the team UpKeyGirl would collapse.” “What if there’s only him for me too?” “Stop it. I know you’re being defiant.” “Pfft, hey! Why are you being so scary?” Jahee never got serious. She had no inclination to waste emotional energy on something she didn’t deem significant, and she had never considered Yona her adversary. Even though they say the tiger puts its all even into catching a rabbit, that’s because life hangs on it. As for a farce of a mind battle over a man with a much younger subordinate, that’s not something she’s willing to engage in. If she chose to press down, she would press down hard... Jahee was not one to have things taken from her or to concede easily. Yunho was the same. Whether it was a serious relationship or just for fun, he was a man she chose and had in her grasp. She had debuted at a young age and had been approached by many men, often making the first move herself. Actors, musicians, athletes, chaebol heirs, young CEOs, and more. They were invariably capable or exceptionally handsome men from mainstream circles. And provocative—yet as exciting as they were, the mental and physical fatigue from those encounters was considerable. It was around the time she felt weary of such relationships that she met Yunho. The company man Kim Yunho, a name synonymous with normalcy, seemed a refreshing allure to Jahee. (Though honestly, Yunho being a mid-level manager at a large company suggested he was a bit above average.) What would a regular office worker feel like? The life scent of a salaryman who wakes up in the morning, ties his tie, heads to work, and returns home in the evening intrigued her. It was a curiosity for paths not yet traveled and things not yet possessed, and Jahee soon became interested in Yunho. Naturally, it was possible because Yunho, though ordinary, wasn't vulgar or lowly. He took care of his appearance, had a decent sense of humor and conversational skills, and showed affinity with others. Above all, his youthful innocence—uncommon for his age—was something she liked. He claimed to be rational and realistic, yet when she saw him help a girl, whom he first met at an audition, without ulterior motives or hesitation, she glimpsed a kind and humane nature. The day they first met, Jahee felt a pang of jealousy towards Eunbit. What is this? He just leaves me while we're drinking? I'm THE Jahee from Plan L! Soo-hyun is here too! But when Yunho announced his daring decision to quit his stable lifelong career and venture into management, her curiosity grew. Her liking for him increased as she heard he was doing surprisingly well. She felt a curious rivalry when learning that Eunbit, whom he discovered, was a rough diamond, and hiring Seowon impressed her. When those two gems claimed they couldn’t do without Yunho, she felt both her pride hurt and a satisfaction in her taste being proven correct. Jahee's perspective on romance was that artists should experience diverse kinds of love and remain untethered in any relationship. In adult relationships, nobody has to feel obligated; if you like it, you meet, and once that desire fades, you part ways. That's why the boundary between serious relationships and casual ones was ambiguous for her. "I know you're a good person too, sis. Everyone knows you're beautiful, and your personality is nice and kind. You must obviously treat men well.” “Wait a minute. Are you saying you’re interfering with Yunho's relationships to protect the team as its leader? That seems a bit much.” “I like the manager. As you probably know, all of us do. As a man. I just don’t think you’re the right woman for him.” “Who would be right for him?” “At the very least, someone who doesn’t have affairs.” “Hey! I’m not having an affair. You need to be in a relationship for it to count as cheating. I'm clear on that front.” “Could you declare proudly in front of fans?” “What?” “That you were involved with Senior Jin Gyuseong.” “Oh dear…” And where did she hear that from? I'm actually being blackmailed by a junior... More than that, it was ridiculous. She wondered why Yona was being so assertive, and then realized she had an ace up her sleeve. Yona wasn’t someone controllable like Seowon. To best Yona, Jahee herself would need to be fully earnest, but to do so just over a man pricked her pride. Yet she wasn’t willing to let go so easily either. Unless she herself got tired and decided to walk away, ending things because of someone else was not Jahee’s style, even if it involved someone currently in a committed relationship. “Isn’t it a bit silly to treat Yunho oppa like a possession between grown-ups, saying let go, hang on? If you really hate it, tell him directly not to see me.” “I don’t hate you, sis. I like you. You're so beautiful and cool from a woman's perspective. Of course, I respect you as a senior in the music industry. Plan L is even our role model.” “Why the sudden compliment? Are you bipolar?” “I’m not saying you should end it right away. Just make sure Manager Yunho doesn’t get hurt. I’m sure you can do that much.” “Be honest with yourself. You’re not even clear about what you want, are you?” “Yeah...” “What’s this? Hey, you’re a bit weird! You're even stranger than Seowon!” Everyone turns a bit strange in front of love. That was Yona’s unspoken thought. “I saw you hugging the manager earlier...” “You did? Ah... So that’s why. I like hugging people. I hug all the close ones around me. It wasn’t just because it was oppa; I just like physical affection in general.” “It was that comforted expression on the manager's face... a look I’ve never seen when he’s with us.” “So what’s our Yona's desired conclusion? Shall we ponder this together?” “Well... I just thought today that you’re someone he might need more than us. Could you have a drink with Manager Yunho tonight?” “Do I have to because you say so? I’m like an opposite; the more you tell me to do, the less I want to.” “I’ll erase any thoughts of your relationship with Senior Jin Gyuseong from my mind from this moment.” “Then let me make one request too.” “Yes, sis. Please, go ahead.” “There’s bound to be a collaboration mission in 'Ripple Girl'; let’s have our team, May Queens, partner with yours.” “Hm... I’ll discuss it with the members.” "You're really playing dirty, picking only the favorable bits for yourself?" "Sorry, but I am the leader." "One more stint as a leader and you'd be grabbing your senior by the collar. Hey, but our group is doing fine, aren’t we?" "The May Queens are great. Setting aside that Seowon's your friend, we really like them too." "That's settled then. If we're done here, I'll get going. All this talking has made me thirsty; I need some coffee." "Oh, sis, one more thing." "What now?" "Uh... about our Manager Yunho." "What about your amazing Manager Yunho?" "He likes stockings..." "Eh?" "Stockings and, um, nice legs... He seems to like those..." "...And what am I supposed to do with that?" "Just saying..." "You're a real piece of work... What color?" "He seems to like black ones. With a lower denier." Jahee threw her hands up in exasperation and got up from her seat. As she walked out, Yona called out to her back. "Just for today..." *** "Oppa, are you drunk?" "No, no, I'm not drunk. I can drink moooree." "Well, you might regret it if you pass out..." "I'm not drunk, really, I'm not." "Ah, wait a minute. I need to buy something from the convenience store." "What is it?" "Stockings. Black ones." "Why stockings...?" "Someone asked me to." "Huh? At this hour, who...?" "Yona." "Who? Yoonanna?" "Uh, no." That night, Yunho unexpectedly discovered the world of stocking play and awakened to a new preference. Stockings aren't just for keeping legs warm; apparently, they're quite beneficial for men too. For real. *** <Replay Girl Week 5 Announcement> ―Main Contest: The main vocalist, main dancer, and main rapper will compete. ―The mission song should be a maximum of 2 minutes long. ―The first team to be eliminated will be decided based on the cumulative scores from this mission. ―――――――― This mission seemed to hold a bit more tension. While Hongi was the standout in rap among idols, the main vocalists and dancers from other teams were no pushovers. For our team, Seowon, Liya, and Hongi were set to take the stage. "Manager." "Oh, Seowon." "I'm struggling to get the right emotions; could you stand in front of me for a moment?" "Sure." They stood facing each other. "You jerk..." "What?" "Shush, I'm trying to get into character." "Oh, sorry, you startled me..." "Again. You jerk, you're truly hopeless. You like women that much, huh?" "......" "Whenever you see a woman, your eyes go wild, and you lose all composure. Hey, Kim Yunho." "......" "Where do you think you're looking? Look me in the eye and answer! Do you really like women that much?" "......" "Are you ignoring me?" ―Smack! "Ouch! Why'd you hit me?" "Oops, sorry. I got too into it. I'm good now. You can go. Whew..." This, this punk...? “Randkang! Where’s Randkang!” “Huh? I’m in the recording studio!” “Come quickly to the dance studio! Alya, something big has happened!” < Our Manager Really Likes Stockings > End