147 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

EP.147 #147. Such a Beautiful Day. Pale complexion. The vampire-like skin, as white as a corpse in a coffin, looked so lifeless that it wouldn't have been surprising if it stopped breathing any moment. Tears welled up involuntarily as I placed my hand on his slightly cool one. I ran to the hospital after receiving a call from my brother's manager. With no available transport, I had to take a taxi, and received a brief explanation of the situation. My brother had collapsed during a shoot, experiencing breathing difficulties, and was rushed to the emergency room. They tried to call our parents as his guardians, but since they lived out of town, it wasn't feasible for them to come immediately. So, the manager saw my contact record and called me instead. The physical examination revealed nothing unusual. The doctor's diagnosis leaned heavily towards stress-induced breathing difficulties. "On such a beautiful day..." A day when my brother's favorite, Luka, had just pulled off a magnificent solo concert. I reached out and gently stroked his face. "Why are you like this..." -Creak The sound of the hospital room door opening. The manager, who had stepped out for a while, returned to his seat. "...You knew about my brother's condition, didn't you?" My helpless feelings of resentment were directed at him. I knew the manager didn’t have much decision-making power and was just following orders, but I couldn't help it. At that moment, I needed someone to vent this suffocating feeling to. "I was aware that he was struggling." His excessively calm voice made my anger boil. "Then why did you push him into a corner he couldn't handle!" "We made proposals, and it was Taemin who chose to accept them." "Do you think it makes sense to bring someone and leave them in such a state? Truly?" A sigh escaped from his lips as he closed his eyes tightly. "Ms. Doa. I just want to ask you one thing for confirmation." "You're currently in a romantic relationship with Mr. Taemin, right?" "...Yes." For a moment, I wondered if I should say it aloud, given that my brother was a celebrity, but it didn't matter anymore. Because I realized he couldn’t be happy within those confines. "Then, for accurate confirmation, can I ask one more question?" "Go ahead." "Are you currently the VTuber, Luka, under YM?" Even though I knew no one was around, I scanned the surroundings once more before nodding. "...Yes." "Then you’re aware of the details of the first contract Mr. Taemin established." "...Of course." It was just a short three-month trial, trying out the entertainment industry. "While I admit our management of the artist was lacking, we did provide ample compensation for Mr. Taemin's efforts." "I believed Ms. Doa understands this better than anyone else." What... are you talking about...? I understand the compensation? What? "What are you trying to say...?" "The support for the solo concert. You received all of it, didn't you?" "Support?" "It seems Mr. Taemin didn’t tell you everything." The manager glanced at my brother's face before meeting my eyes. "The foremost condition Mr. Taemin prioritized when contracting with us was..." Why... just why... Luka, having realized what made this heartening tremor so jubilant, collapsed entirely. * * * "Only authorized personnel can enter." At the guard’s words blocking the entrance, I slowly raised my head. "I'm Luka." "What...?" "I'm Luka, the VTuber under YM." Seeing as understanding and conversation would be difficult, I immediately called my manager. [A~ Yes~ Luka~ What’s up?] An innocent, clueless voice. [I’m in front of the office right now, can you come out?] [You’re in front of the office?] She sounded flustered but quickly agreed to come down and ended the call. "Ms. Doa! If you were coming, you should've informed us beforehand. What brings you here~" "I have some questions." "You could have just called or texted; shall we go have a coffee inside?" "...No." I wasn’t in a mood for niceties. "I’d appreciate a quiet place for talking." Thus, we ended up in a seminar room with just a small table. Perceiving the serious mood, she cautiously asked me. "So... what’s this about..." "This is about my boyfriend, rookie Han Taemin." Her eyes widened at Han Taemin's name. "Oh. Yes." "He helped with the support for my recent concert, right?" "Yes. Thanks to Taemin, additional funding was allocated." Why does she answer so calmly? Like it was something discussed with me beforehand? "Why didn’t you tell me?" "...What?" "I’m asking why you didn’t tell me!" Have I ever been this angry at someone in my life? My own voice echoed off the ceiling, surprising even myself with how filled with rage it was. "It’s my affair! I’m Luka! So why! Why! Why!" "Why discuss the concert support with my brother...?" "Ms. Doa. Please, calm down..." "No? I can’t calm down. How do I calm down? Someone collapsed and you're telling me to calm down?" I clenched my lips; it was time to address the core issue. "...Let me meet him." This wasn’t a conversation to have with just the manager. "I need to meet that casting team leader, who’s in charge of Taemin." It was right to hold him accountable. * * * An overly refreshed body. My eyes slowly opened. Startled by the unfamiliar ceiling, I hurriedly surveyed my surroundings. A needle stuck in my forearm. A white patient gown that wasn’t mine. It seemed I was indeed in a hospital. What was I doing... Memories before losing consciousness began to piece back together. The shoots that repeated several times. My director had been yelling at me in frustration, and remembering those desperate moments made me feel melancholy again. However, even in this unfamiliar space, there was one familiar presence by my side—my girlfriend, Doa. As I reached out with my IV-attached arm to stroke her hair, she suddenly opened her eyes. "Are you okay?" She asked anxiously about my condition. "Oh... yeah. I think I'm okay." As soon as the words left my mouth, tears welled up in Doa’s eyes. "Aghhh..." Overcome with worry, she couldn’t hold back her tears. I pulled her into my embrace and gently patted her back. "What time is it? How long have I been out?" "You've been like this for two whole days." Doa, sniffing back her tears, answered my question. "Then, what about the filming..." I must have delayed it again because of me... The fact that work was the first thing that came to mind upon waking up made me realize how deeply entrenched I was. "Nuh-uh." I wasn’t sure what she meant exactly, but Doa shook her head. "You don't have to worry about that anymore." "What do you mean by that?" "Oppa, you got fired." The word "fired" left me with a question mark floating in my mind. I'm fired? Really? Uncertain whether she was joking or being serious, I asked her again. "Are you serious?" "Nope. Oppa, you really got fired. You’re out from that drama." "Seriously? You swear?" "Yes. I swear on you, and even on my mom and dad." You don't have to go that far. "Is that so...?" What happens to me now? The contract... That project, then... Various realistic concerns flitted through my mind. "Oppa." Just as I was organizing my thoughts with a serious face, Doa, who was staring intently at me, spoke. "Yeah?" "I have something to say to you." "What is it?" "Do you remember what I said I hate the most? I think I mentioned it briefly before." I mulled over her somewhat unexpected question but ended up shaking my head. "Sorry, I just woke up, so I can’t remember very well." "I told you I hate it when people pretend not to know something they do." Doa grabbed my chin and pulled me closer to her. "Are you trying to make me hate you?" "...Doa?" Unable to follow the conversation, I called her name, prompting her to kindly provide an explanation. "When did I ever ask you to help with my concert?" The secret I had kept hidden from Doa was shattered. "...How did you find out?" Sniffing, Doa turned away and pulled out a tablet from her bag. "You didn’t even ask if my concert went well, since you were so busy." On the screen she held out to me was a pink-haired avatar holding a microphone. "Watch this first, then we'll talk." I watched in a daze as she pushed the hospital room door open and walked out.