205 - Upki Girl

< Just Give Me a Back Hug > "That's right. Isn't Riya's birthday tomorrow?" "Oh! Thank you for remembering, Myunmyun." Inside the car, on our way to the practice studio. With my signal, the kids began acting casually. "Oh, was Riya's birthday tomorrow? Why didn't you tell us?" "Even I nearly forgot about it, Alia." Following Eunbi, Yona continued the conversation warmly. "If there’s something you want or need, tell us. We’ll get it for you." "I don’t need anything in particular. I just want handwritten letters from my older sisters." "That's so humble of you. But then, you already have everything, so there’s not much we can buy for you." Seowon added a touch of mock disappointment to set the mood. Then, Hong asked me. "Manager, are we celebrating Riya's birthday tomorrow? Can we have some meat?" I sighed, making an excuse with a hint of reluctance. "Um... I initially planned for a small fan meeting? But the venue and schedule didn’t match up. Plus, we have the Leaf Girl interview shoot in Hongdae tomorrow evening. Who knows when that'll end... Let's just have dinner together. Riya, I'll ensure a fan meeting next year, okay?" "Oh, don't worry about it. We should be practicing more instead of doing things like that." Even though she said so, wouldn’t she feel a bit disappointed inside? Of course, everything the kids and I had said so far was a ruse. The 'Supreme Riya Exclusive' surprise party, with 100 secretly recruited Riya fans, was already fully prepared. We told Riya it was for an interview shoot, but it was actually a fan meeting, with a live broadcast planned for those fans who couldn't make it. That was the end of our birthday talk with Riya. Meanwhile, the kids had been secretly chatting in a group chat Riya wasn't part of. I could check the messages only after reaching the office. < Supreme Riya Exclusive Conspiracy Room > SexyBa [ㅋㅋㅋㅋDoesn't it seem like Riya's a bit peeved?] SibpalSegi [ㅋㅋㅋㅋSo cute] YonnaJoug[Feels like she's slightly disappointed, it breaks my heartㅠ] ClingySeowon [The more disappointed she is, the greater the impact will be. Let’s keep at it] I also added a late comment. Me [Everyone, maintain security until the end! No slipping up!] SexyBa [Hail Myunodra!] YonnaJoug [But since we're all on our phones, us chatting is pretty obvious. Let's tone it down a bit, she might notice.] Me [What’s Riya doing?] SibpalSegi [She's practicing choreography with LipBalm sisters.] Me [Good work, everyone.] ClingySeowon [I love you too] SibpalSegi [Such a roundabout answer] ClingySeowon [Manager. Apparently, HongPig was caught by Yona sneaking a 'freedom snack' last night.] YonnaJoug [Caught (X) ―> Caught (O)] SibpalSegi [No! I didn’t eat it, I just got caught peeling the wrapperㅠㅠ] YonnaJoug [It was (X) ―> It was (O)] Me [Where did you even get this 'freedom snack'ㅋㅋㅋㅋ?] ClingySeowon [A fan gave it to them, apparently] YonnaJoug [Seowon, you keep misusing 'de' and 'dae'.] ClingySeowon [So annoying, Yona.] ‘ClingySeowon’ has left the room. ‘SibpalSegi’ has invited ‘ClingySeowon’ back to the room. *** The next evening. "Oh, right. I have to write a letter for Riya. Has anyone written one yet?" In the car heading to the Leaf Girl interview shoot—also Riya's birthday party—Seowon started a pre-planned little skit. She found fun in playfully tormenting Riya and had written the script herself. The rest of the kids recited their lines according to Seowon’s plan. "Oops, I completely forgot too." "Oh... Riya, I'm sorry..." "Everyone was busy today. As long as we give it to her before midnight, we can write them back at the dorm. That’s okay, right, Riya?" "Of course, of course. It’s not a big deal if you give it to me after midnight." As expected, Riya was cool about it... "And what about Myunmyun?" ...until she turned to me, not letting it go. "Huh?" "You weren't busy, Myunmyun. Give me the letter. I want to read it now." "Oh... Was I supposed to write one too?" "Of course! Isn't our squad ‘LangKkang’?" Riya, frustrated, brandished the 113-bead bracelet she made during a temple stay, which she constantly wore, waving it in my direction. "Look! It’s engraved here: we six are a team!" "I'm sorry. I didn't realize." "Ack! Ack! Then give me a present! A big, big present!" "Umm... I’ll... give it to you back at the dorm. I accidentally left it there." "Stop lying, you scammer! You didn’t prepare a present, did you?" "Is it that obvious...?" "What the...? Wow, Alia has always been so kind to LangKkang, yet no birthday present from her employer? This is unbelievable!" Cute little thing. She never scolds the other kids, but she sure lets loose on me. Her arrow of anger soon targeted the youngest in rank, the driver, Jangwoo. "Manager Jangwoo, what did you prepare?" "Huh? Oh..." "You didn't leave it somewhere, did you?" "Um... I left it at the office..." "Get out." "Excuse me?" "Jump out through the window right now! Hand in hand with LangKkang! Disappear from Alia's sight! Go to hell!" "My apologies..." "Alia mentioned repeatedly. If apologizing were enough, then why are there police and judges in this world? Jump out, now!" "Kkkk." "Hekkk...” Everyone, including me, from the UpkiGirls, chuckled silently. However, as always, Riya directed her frustrations solely at me. "LangKkang, are you laughing? Are you laughing without realizing the situation? Is Alia a joke to you?" "Oh dear. There she goes, like the princess she is." "I'm not in the mood for jokes, Alia. Specifically because of LangKkang and Jangwoo, my mood has soured. So, don't talk to me from now on." Riya genuinely ignored both Jangwoo and me until we arrived. It felt as if we’d just met for the first time. The event venue was the SangSang Madang Live Hall in Hongdae. Inside, the hum of excitement filled the air as staff and fans had everything ready, eagerly waiting for Riya. Soon, our car came to a stop in the parking lot. I initiated the live broadcast I had set up beforehand and stepped out of the car. Riya thought it was just a regular video shoot. As soon as the camera captured the protagonist of the day, Riya, the number of viewers shot up, and the chat exploded with activity. ★Notice★ Manager Myono: Welcome to the surprise birthday party broadcast for the legendary maknae, Alia from UpkiGirl^^ All collected donations today will be fully directed to single mother support centers and pediatric cancer patients. No 'thank you' donation messages will pop up for smooth chat flow. —Beloa: Happy Birthday to the legendary maknae♡ —yooyt: Is this the start of an epic prank? ㅋㅋㅋ —I-Pado: My heart is pounding with excitement ㅋㅋㅋ —LittleHoYang: Jealous of those at the historic scene. I was waiting list no. 3 but never got contactedㅠㅠ —Yuhyeon: Wow. With a 100-member draw, those up to waitlist no. 5 usually get in. Attendance rate: impressive. —Geoncheon: Riya, the truth. Shout out 'GodRiya'! "LangKkang, are you filming now?" "Huh? Oh... The writer asked me to shoot some clips for the Leaf Girl footage." "Tch..." —tuha: Looks like LangKkang’s being ignored again by Myuno ㅋㅋㅋ —NeighborBunny: LangKkangㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ —Theblue007: She doesn’t know it’s a live broadcast now, right??? —AmiSyu: Yeah ㅋㅋㅋ She thinks it’s a shoot for the Leaf Girl ㅋㅋㅋ —DreamTraveler: Keep it up, Our Riya.ㅎㅎ By the way, I’m starting my dream job tomorrow. Wish me luck. Ah~~~ —AkiLuru: Congrats on your first day, DreamTraveler. —KingGodNyang: Oh, congrats congrats. The four other kids, when Riya wasn’t looking, waved to the camera and whispered ‘Happy Birthday Riya,’ exchanging brief greetings with the fans. —InvisiblePerson: Wow... Yona’s black hair is amazing. It was brown until recently, wasn’t it? —Peekaboo1: Probably changed it for the Leaf Girl mission. Yona made a circle with her fingers. Despite the fast-moving chat, she pinpointed comments about herself and engaged with the fans. No wonder she’s called the "Fan Meeting Girlfriend." A true enchantress. The chat then filled with expressions of love for their idol. —AdonisS: ♡HongTen exploded again today♡ —BloodySunset: Yell at me, Seowon, hal ㅋ hal —PoliceOfficer: Want to adopt Siba so bad "Is it just us filming today?" Perhaps feeling something amiss, Riya started questioning as we approached the entrance. As Jangwoo responded, he began separating Riya according to our pre-set plan. "Yes, today’s shoot is called 'Inner Thoughts Interview,' where you say things you’ve always wanted to tell the members. You’re first, Alia. Wait in the dressing room and then come on stage when called. The others listen from the audience. You handling Riya?" "Yeah, I got Riya. Jangwoo, take care of the rest and head to the stage. And since I’m filming now, if you need to call, use Riya’s phone. I have it with me." "Alright." "Riya, let’s go." "Okay." Her expression lightened up, likely thinking this was part of the shoot. I was cautious, doing my best not to let her realize this was a live broadcast. We reached the waiting room on the basement floor without trouble. With separate entrances, there was no way for Riya to catch onto the surprise event where the fans awaited. Still, she seemed to note something was unusual. "Aren’t we getting makeup done? I don’t see the network coordi sisters here." "You don’t need it. You’re pretty enough without makeup." "I wasn’t asking if I was pretty. Shouldn’t we at least do makeup for filming?" "Uh... Hold on. I’ll go ask the writer." Leaving Riya in the waiting room, I briefly stepped out to check on the stage. Perfect. Silhouettes of 100 devoted Riya fans were faintly visible in the dark auditorium. As instructed, they held their breath in utmost silence. El-Myung and other excited staff managed the scene, waiting in anticipation. Mi-jeong from the PR team approached me on stage, handing over a blindfold. "Manager, you need to put this on Riya before bringing her out." "Ah, going for a guerrilla concert feel?" "Yes." "Ha, this is good." "When she reaches the stage center and takes off the blindfold, fans will sing her a birthday song while members bring out the cake." "Ready to go now?" "Yes, we’re set." "Okey..." I applied the blindfold to Riya upon returning to the waiting room. Live streaming continued on my phone screen. Now that her eyes were covered, I could relax a bit. "Riya, can you see anything?" "No. It’s completely dark." "I'll guide you by holding your shoulders, so just walk straight ahead. There's nothing to trip over." "Okay." Positioned behind Riya, I placed one hand on her shoulder while holding my phone with the other, capturing her like a selfie as we moved step by step toward the stage. The fans in the chat were counting down, signaling that the surprise was near. However, after just a few steps, something seemed off with Riya. "But Myunmyun, it's so dark, my chest feels a bit tight..." "Hold on, we're almost there. Just hang in there." "Haah... I'm out of breath... Hoo, hoo-ah..." Riya's shoulders were visibly moving, indicating her struggle to breathe. The corridor leading to the stage was narrow, combined with the inability to see, it triggered her anxiety. Darn, I didn't anticipate this. "Haa, haaa..." "Are you really struggling? Should I take off the blindfold?" "No, I can handle it. There must be a reason you’re having me wear it. Hooo..." "How about I just take off the blindfold and you can keep your eyes closed? As long as you don't look forward..." "No... let’s do as the production wants. We don't want to get on their bad side for doing it our way." "It's not that serious." "Hoo, I need to stop and rest for a bit." "Just take off the blindfold already." "No, a five-second break should be enough." "Alright then." "Hooo..." Riya stopped to steady her breathing. Then, about 5 meters from the stage passage, Yona appeared, likely coming to escort Riya the rest of the way. As Yona started walking toward us, I signaled her to stop, and she quietly stood still. Then Riya spoke to me in a trembling, earnest voice. The infamous line she uttered was broadcast live to over 1,500 fans watching. Thinking it was just footage for later editing, Riya assumed it could be cut if necessary. "Myunmyun, could you give me a back hug? I calm down right away when you do..." Whoa, whoaaah! The chat, which had been moving too fast to read, suddenly slowed to a crawl, as if frozen. Even the viewers were taken aback. —JeokHakJinIn: ??? —BlackSpearman: ?????? —YangPu: What did Riya just say to Manager Myunmyun? —WinglessBird: What's with this sudden awkward tension... < Just Give Me a Back Hug > End