178 - Upki Girl

< The Theory of Everything > Swish. Flinch! "Hey..." Assuming it was Lia reaching for me in her sleep, I grumbled a bit and pulled my arm away. “Mr. Kim Yoonho, we need to check your blood pressure.” It was a nurse. Her startled expression mirrored my own defensive reaction. Trying to mask my embarrassment, I relaxed my arm. “How was the pain while you were sleeping?” “It was a bit achy, but manageable.” The clock indicated it was 6 a.m., before the hospital's daily schedule began. A bit away on the left bed, Lia slept with her mouth ajar, one foot in a cast. Despite claiming she couldn't sleep in unfamiliar places, she’d fallen asleep earlier than me for two nights in a row. When I suggested she could just go home, she insisted on staying beside me for a period of reflection or something. Indeed, her attitude towards me had notably improved – she listened well and didn’t act up. I didn't know how long it would last, but she was genuinely repentant as could be seen. If I'd known this, I might have considered breaking my arm sooner… “Nurse, what time is my surgery today?” “You should go in before 10 a.m.” “Do you think it might be possible to briefly leave in the evening once the surgery is done?” “I don’t think external outings are allowed. Is it urgent?” “I wanted to quickly check on the kids’ recording.” “Oh... During the doctor’s rounds, perhaps you could ask. Your blood pressure is normal.” “Thank you.” Lia, waking up at the sound of our conversation, mumbled. “If I show up at the broadcast station with these bandages, the sisters will be thrilled. Don’t worry about Emperor Muno, I’ll check on them later…” Look at that, calling me Emperor. Lia drifted back to sleep after saying her piece. After the nurse left, I checked my phone. The kids, having awoken at dawn, were likely getting their makeup done by now. Sure enough, starting just past 4 a.m., there were lengthy droplets of text resembling a declaration of independence from everyone but Lia. Among them, Sibakobugi’s message was the longest. Chohogee [Oppa, worried about your surgery, I couldn’t sleep a winkㅠ Luckily, today's a no-singing day, but I feel off. Realizing I’ve always been with you even during solo activities... (emotional overload omitted) ...Ah, I have to go now. I’ll text from the salon. Have a successful surgery, know how much I lo.. lo... Love deer! You know, right?] Anyone would think I was off to my death. She’d crafted an essay reminiscing from our audition meeting, debut on “Sing with Us,” first recordings, first events, all the way to first outdoor and studio shoots, like writing to someone she’d never meet again. Her tears must have flowed as she indulged in her emotions. Reflecting on memories with her, I felt a lump in my throat. Next was Seowon. Mijeoleefox [Mornings aren’t powerful and strong without our manager’s wake-up calls. I feel off without you. The dorm without you is like sugarless bread and flat cola, and Seowon's life is incomplete without Kim Yoonho. It’s when you’re gone that I realize...(cringeworthy momemnts omitted)... if I could bring back your spilled blood, flesh, and bone shards from the surgery...(gory details omitted)...Practiced so much yesterday my throat’s sore. Feels like my vocal cords are swollen, today’s stage might be a disaster. But if you contact me first after your surgery, I can mentally achieve the top spot.] A sore throat? Let’s have a look… ―――――――― ―Title/Name: Idol Han Seowon . . ―Vocal Cord Status: Excellent ―――――――― What’s this nonsense? Next was Leader Yon. Boottumak Yonnyang [We’re up now. You didn’t wake up from the notifications, did you? We’ll get all dolled up, hit the studio, and sweep first place, so don’t worry. Have a successful surgery. I’ve prepared a video present for you, haha.] Boottumak Yonnyang [(Video)] Huh? The thumbnail shows Pramise Twelve’s Haneul. With curiosity piqued, I tapped the play icon, revealing Haneul with her trademark pigtails, looking genuinely serious and concerned as she spoke to me. “Manager Yoonho, hello. I’m Haneul from the Pramise Twelve, the one you cheer for. I heard you’re having wrist surgery today. When I read the news yesterday, I was so shocked.” Tsk. This cunning Yon, probably using every trick in the book, seemed to have requested a cheer-up video from my favorite, Haneul. With no chance for a personal meeting, it must have been coordinated through the Pramise manager. “Please have a successful surgery and recover soon. I hope to see you healthy again.” The ‘Ha’ in Haneul represents endless lovability. The ‘Neul’ stands for forever lovely. My heart soared with warmth and my chest tingled with delight. Ah. Ahhh. My past love was no love at all. This, right here, is my first love. First loves are best left unfulfilled, after all! As Haneul showcased her signature radiant eye smile and turned the camera back, all the members of Pramise Twelve waved their hands in the practice room mirror backdrop, shouting in unison. “We, Pramise Twelve, wish for Manager Kim Yoonho’s speedy recovery!” “Absolutely!” Yes! Yes! With all the energy I have, I’ll recover! “Cute…” “You like it?” Whoa, gosh. Lia was propped on her elbow, watching me with a look reminiscent of Xing-xing girl catching me downloading movies in my room on a day off. “Well, um, sorry. Was the volume too loud…” "How did you get Haneul's contact?" "I didn't. Yonah sent it to me." “So, did watching the video boost your spirits?” “No, not really… I watched it out of appreciation for the gesture.” “Oh, but your smile almost reached your eyes, Emperor Muno. Should I bring Haneul over for a hospital visit later?” “No, no, no. That’s not the true way of a fan. True fans are happy just watching their idols from afar, right?” “That sounds more like a creepy stalker.” “Don’t twist my pure, platonic fandom like that.” “Speaking of twisting, I have to ask… Does Emperor Muno have any twisted orientations? For instance, being attracted to teens or something…” “What kind of nonsense is that? Apologize to every Haneul fan out there.” “I'm not accusing you of anything; just if you have something like that, let me know beforehand rather than causing problems unexpectedly.” “No, seriously. I am the average male with healthy, normal preferences in Korea.” “Alright then. Ugh, I'm wide awake now. I should video call Brightbright.” I checked the last message from Hong. OurHong [The dorm feels so empty without you and Lia. It’s dull without your morning greetings. Don’t worry, your surgery will go well. I’ll bring a main rapper #1 award as a gift for you. Miss you so much.] Yeah, I miss you too, Hong. Caught in the kitchen last night by Yonah, destroying Vienna sausages in a midnight snack attack? I wanted to ask why her appetite suddenly exploded. Meanwhile, Lia began a video conversation with Eunbit. —Hi, Lia! “Hey, Brightbright! Where are you?” —At the salon! How come you’re up so early, Lia? “It's mind-blowing, really. Brightbright, do you want to hear something crazy?” —Sure, sure. Tell me everything. “Emperor Muno over here has been healing his soul with a video of Haneul first thing in the morning! Played at max volume, no less, for sleepy Alisha to hear.” —Oppa is definitely in the wrong here. “But, get this. Yonah sent him that video. Did you know, Brightbright?” —For real? Even I didn’t know that. Yonah, did you send Oppa a video of Haneul? —Yeah, why? —Wow. Didn’t know we had a conspirator among us... She probably meant ‘accomplice.’ Yonah took over the call next. —Lia, is the manager already awake? “Yeah, thanks to the video Yonah sent. He’s so healed he might just walk on clouds. His condition is stellar, might even mend the bones on his own.” —Let him rest rather than bother him. “Unnie, Alisha’s coming with Kashie later to cheer on!” —Is it safe for you to move around? “Walking’s pretty okay, but just in case, I’ll use a wheelchair. They said I could’ve been discharged anyway.” —Don’t risk it, stay put, OK? “Unnies, I can’t stand one more day without seeing you. It’s a thorn in my eye if I don’t see you.” —Turn the phone to the manager. “Yes, ma’am.” The phone screen turned towards me. I waved to Yonah, who was getting her hair styled with a curling iron. —What time is your surgery? “Probably before 10.” As I responded, heads crowded into view like metal to a magnet beside Yonah’s face. —Oh, is that Yoonho Oppa? —Manager? —Me too, me too... —Whoa... It was a war for screen time. Yonah quickly retreated, leaving Eunbit, Seowon, and Hong to fill the screen like a three-headed Cerberus. “How’s your throat, Seowon?” I asked Seowon about her throat—which she claimed was sore—as a polite gesture. Her voice, lively just moments before, now sounded raspy, like an idle older man spending the night smoking at a PC bang. —Yeah, it’s really bad... *clears throat* So swollen, hurts a lot, couldn't sleep. —Huh? Seowon, your throat isn’t... Argh! Hey, why pinch me? —Ah, sorry. Something squishy poked my side, and it turns out it was your belly. —No, I don’t have a belly! —Then what did I just grab? —It, It’s blessed fat! Women’s belly is blessed... Notably, Hong’s face seemed more swollen than usual. Given she got caught eating sausages yesterday, it's time for some caution. "Hong, seems like you've gained weight over the past two days. What’s your weight now?" —No, it's just swelling. Seowon, naturally, couldn’t hold back. —What do you mean ‘no’? Manager, she was caught filching sausages yesterday by Yonah! Please scold her. “Why did you do it, Hong? It seems a bit excessive now. What's your weight?” —I, I was just trying to sleep last night, but I felt so empty, my head was spinning, and I felt like I was going to throw up, so I ate for survival... I’m sorry. — What survival! You ate a whole big pack plus the prize... —Han Seowon, straight to the Room of Truth, up you go! —Ouch! Ah... As Hong hoisted Seowon off screen, only her feisty voice faded away. —Eek, Manager! Eunbit! Yonah, save meeeeee... Only Eunbit remained on screen, looking exceptionally refreshed, like a dog savoring a bone as she retreated to her own space. Lia had practically crawled into my bed, leaning her chin on my shoulder as she passed me the phone. I turned my attention to Eunbit, who had stepped out onto the salon terrace. "Hey, are you done?" —Yep, finished with makeup. Just need to do my hair. Is your hand okay? Is she really worried I might not make it? Her voice and expression were suffused with concern, almost tearful. I raised my hand, wrapped in a mesh-like splint. “They said if the swelling doesn’t go down, I could be waiting over a week for surgery, but mine went down really fast.” —Must hurt a lot... “No, not as much as you’d think.” —How could it not hurt with a shattered bone? It makes me hurt just looking at it... “It’s Alisha's fault for such a grave mistake...” —Whimper... “No, no, no, Yoon Eunbit, don’t cry, don’t cry! Lia, you too, don’t get all emotional.” —I’m not crying... “It’s all my fault...” “Come on, you guys are making this a soap opera already. Eunbit, I'm hanging up.” —Okay... “Get prepared well and message me when you arrive at the station.” —Okay... Lia, keep us updated when Oppa goes in for surgery. “Yes.” *** I hadn’t told anyone at home, but after yesterday’s news report, my sister-in-law must have informed my parents. Xingxing-girl and old man Kim Gyudon arrived at the hospital by 8 a.m. “You really didn’t have to come…” “Really, what is with you! You damn kid!” “Come on, why use such language in a hospital?” “Do I look like I’m in any state not to?” “Are you okay?” “Yeah, I’m fine. Dad, did you have breakfast…” “Fine, my foot! You’re so old now; your bones don’t even heal quickly!” “Mom, please lower your voice... People outside might hear.” The issue wasn’t just the people outside; it was Lia right beside me. After Xingxing-girl’s dramatic entrance with expletives flying, Lia, who was responsible for my wrist fracture, turned pale and couldn’t even manage a greeting. Even though I tried to calm things down, Xingxing-girl was relentless. Kashie, who was also there, could only look for an opportunity to step in. Xingxing-girl even brought up the blind date my sister-in-law had arranged with Jung Ah-yoon. “What happened with that blind date, huh? Why hasn’t your sister-in-law said anything? Tell me, what happened?” Lia, guilty and terrified, began to tremble, knowing she was behind the failed date. To prevent any further disaster, I also had to put on a serious face. Kim Gyudon provided his support. “Stop it now.” “Yeah, talk to him after his surgery, after.” “Ugh, who would've thought you'd cause such trouble.” “I’m sorry... Please don’t blame the manager too much. It’s all because of me…” Eventually, Lia couldn’t bear the weight of her guilt any longer and confessed. But our Xingxing-girl isn’t one to scold the kids directly. I’m usually the main target. “It’s not your fault!” “I put socks in the manager's mouth, and he slipped in the water because of me...” “If you hadn’t been a manager in the first place, none of this would’ve happened! Why’d you quit your perfectly good job...” Here comes the ‘Theory of Yoonho the Cause of Everything.’ Old man Kim Gyudon asked about Alisha's condition. “Is your leg okay, kid?” “Yes… Alisha just has a small fracture.” “Kim Yoonho, you call yourself a man but can’t even carry a girl safely?” What’s with this “Theory of Yoonho the Cause of Everything” again! Finally noticing Kashie next to Lia, Xingxing-girl’s fierce demeanor softened. “Hm? This young lady, who might you be?” “Hello, ma’am. I’m Alisha’s personal assistant, Kashie.” “...Alisha’s personal assistant...?” Oops. I hadn’t told Xingxing-girl that Lia was the owner of Oscar Hotel... If Manager Kim Sangin at the flea market is known for having a loose tongue, then Xingxing-girl is the equivalent of Naver. The moment she knows a secret, it quickly spreads to the four nearby aunts, each gossiping rivals to Xingxing-girl herself, eventually creating a pyramid effect. “Oh, she’s not an assistant but a manager, a manager.” I interjected, attempting to patch things over. Yet, Lia seemed to think she could cover her sense of guilt with her wealth, blurting out her affluent status without a second thought. “Mom, Dad, Alisha is the owner of Oscar Hotel.” “Wha...? Oscar Hotel...?” <The Theory of Yoonho the Cause of Everything> End