195 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

EP.195 #195. The Future of Closer [I think the final decision will be made by today.] In the Closer's voice code announcement room. We couldn't shake off the tension following our manager's ultimatum. [Guys... Thank you so much for everything... I was really happy.] Ro-ba's tearful words made Muring panic. [Ah! What are you doing, sis! We haven't even said it's over yet, right? There's still a chance for more!] [Yeah, yeah. Why are you saying such depressing things, sis?] Despite saying this, we were all just as nervous. Hoo... What's going to happen to us? [Well... I mean... you all know...] We'd heard the explanation more than a few times. We had to graduate to make way for the second generation members. [Then, can't we at least collaborate among ourselves?] [Well... I don't think it would be feasible to gather all of us under the Closer name.] Manager's words dampened our spirits. We had grown too attached. Our camaraderie had strengthened after the get-together following the third album recording. It wasn't just avatars giggling at each other, but actually spending time with sisters and younger members in real life. That day, we stayed out until very late, and my brother waited up for me until the early morning. He offered to pick me up, but I refused. Leah being there and the members constantly wanting to see my brother's face didn't sit well with me. Han Tae-min... he's mine... I felt a bit too possessive, but it wasn't my fault his face was unnecessarily handsome. Whenever I brought it up, he'd say, aren't there hundreds of thousands of men who call you cute? But that was Luka, not me. In reality, I was just a withdrawn leave-of-absence student, Kim Do-Ah. [Ah, they seem to have released the official document. Hold on. I'll read it.] As the manager disappeared, our conversation dwindled. The atmosphere resembled that of university admission results day. If we were together, we'd be holding hands. [So... um... in conclusion, it seems there won't be any major changes.] A sliver of hope was snuffed out. [Then... we’re disbanding in November, right...?] [Yes, the official graduation ceremony will be held after the last concert.] With no room for doubt, Muring was the first to break into tears. [Oh no... Sis... Can't we do it just a bit longer?] The other sisters didn't seem to cry, but I felt a lump in my throat. [Agh... I can't lose Closer. Really. Hoo hoo hoo.] Childlike sorrow in Muring's cries. Ro-ba gently soothed her in a calm voice. [Muring, look. We still have a few months left.] [It's not even two months... What do you mean a few months... Waaah…] Maybe it's because she only recently graduated from school meals, or maybe she's just honest with her emotions. We comforted the sobbing Muring with sweet words. [It's okay. We can collaborate again as streamers, right?] [Even if it's just among us, we can meet up to eat tasty food. We'll not become strangers overnight.] Even while comforting her, weren't we all feeling the same as Muring on the inside? As I consoled her, it was hard to fend off the growing sense of despair. It felt like just yesterday I had passed the audition. Yet time, in its hurry, was already flipping through 12 calendar pages. [Still, if you do your best during the remaining time, it might leave a good memory for the fans.] Laughing bitterly at our manager's words. She probably didn't want to say that either. She had always been there, supporting us closely. We exchanged countless conversations, always benefiting from her help. Though Muring poured out her feelings to the undeserving manager, we all knew the decision wasn't hers to make. [Also, don't forget to keep the news from the fans until the very end.] Don't let Pingdukdan know about my graduation. It was a phrase reminiscent of a well-known saying. * * * Since I started dating Do-Ah, I'd never seen her so down. "Do-Ah." She lay facedown on the pillow. Even as I approached and rubbed her shoulder, there was no reaction. "Shall we have something delicious for dinner today?" “...No.” “How about we go to the Han River for a change of scenery?” “...It's cold outside.” On a normal day, I might have asked why she was acting differently, but today was not that kind of day. Because I knew the reason for Do-Ah’s state. The date for Closer’s graduation had been announced, and her heartbreak was immense. Instead of forcing her outside, I chose to stay by her side. “Can you move over a bit?” As she shifted to the side, Do-Ah's face emerged from beneath the pillow, her eyes red. It seemed she had been crying alone. “Oh dear…” As I opened my arms to hug her, she clung to me, burying her face in my chest. “...I'm so sad.” Nodding in understanding, I slowly patted her back. “We... I mean... we made so much money...” Sniffing, Do-Ah began passionately explaining how amazing they were while in my arms. “We even made it to sixth place on the chart... why are they discarding us... ugh hoo hoo…” “Exactly. The results were better than a lot of real artists.” It was a level of success most random artists would only dream of experiencing once in their lifetime. “Hooo…” Even as she sniffled, I found it endearing and discreetly pulled some tissues to hand to her. After blowing her nose, she managed to calm down and faced me directly. “...I’m hungry.” "You said you didn't want to eat." "But now I'm hungry." See? You wanted to eat after all. Even though she didn't want to go out, I ordered her favorite tteokbokki instead. She's not great with spicy food, so I usually order mild, but today, I opted for extra spicy to shake her out of her gloomy mood. Ah, though I might regret it tomorrow morning. The spicy aroma was overwhelming, like something dredged up from the depths of hell, making me sweat just from the smell. "Thank you." She snapped her chopsticks in half and began eating. "Yeah. Eat a lot and recharge so you can do your broadcast again tomorrow." As I took a bite of the tteok, I quickly poured juice to the brim of my cup. Ah, damn. It's insanely spicy. Even knowing it, it still burned fiercely. "Here you go." This time, Do-Ah handed me a tissue. "Huh?" "Oppa, you're sweating buckets." Well, all of this is for your sake, Do-Ah. In contrast, Do-Ah, her face still pale, chewed the tteok calmly, her little mouth moving steadily. "Isn't it spicy?" "Nope." I couldn't eat much and settled for a few rice balls, while Do-Ah declared she'd use the leftovers for fried rice tomorrow and closed the container lid. At least she seemed more lively than before eating, which was a relief. "Oppaya." "Yeah?" "Will it burn if we kiss now?" Do-Ah seemed playful now, blinking up at me. "It probably will... right?" "Can I try it, then?" "...No, don't." How can I be asked to march right back into hell? "I want to try." "I said don't." "Aaah~ I want to kiss you, oppa, why are you stopping me!" "Then at least go wash your mouth first." "Don't you love me?" Why are you wrapping love into this, Do-Ah? "You used to say you'd give me the world... but now... sob... sob..." With a sigh of resignation, she puckered her lips adorably. "Pleasee!" Seeing her persistence, I had no choice but to relent. Fine. I was devoted to her for the day anyway. Letting go would just be easier. As I slowly leaned down, ready to press my lips to hers, Do-Ah reached out and planted a firm kiss on me. "Mmph...!" My eyes flew wide open. Unlike mine, Do-Ah's eyes were smiling, causing an intriguing mix of the spicy burn in my mouth and her playful gaze. "Teehee." Despite the mellowed pain returning to my tongue, I looked at Do-Ah with half-lidded eyes. "Thanks for looking out for me. Heehee." "They say laughter after tears brings a bump on your butt, Kim Do-Ah." "What are you talking about? Idols don't get such things on their butts." She turned dramatically, sticking her rear out in my direction. I playfully gave her a light pat on the behind. "Now that you're ‘retired,’ you might develop one soon." "Ugh... How could you say something so mean?" Yet, the smile lingering on her face was reassuring.