Chapter 193: Joyful Wrap-Up (2) |
"I'm nervous," Sae-Ri muttered.
"Nervous? You, Sae-Ri?" I asked in disbelief.
Sae-Ri explained why Cherry Blossom had come to the recording studio in the middle of the night with a face full of worry.
'They're nervous after staying as number one for nine weeks and likely to do so again this week?' I remarked inwardly.
I glanced at Woo Yeon-Hee for elaboration, not quite understanding what Sae-Ri meant.
Woo Yeon-Hee, also looking worried, continued, "We were worried if this might be the end for us. That's why we came to secretly listen to our next song."
Eun-Ah joined the conversation. "To me, tonight feels like the last night of my life that I'll never experience again...I couldn't sleep."
As Eun-Ah had grown more confident, she spoke with a vocabulary and tone that were somewhat stronger than average.
For this reason, I had advised her to think twice before speaking—and this seemed to be her filtered comment.
But come to think of it, Eun-Ah had indeed occasionally shaken up the entertainment industry with her bold statements even in my past life. She had even confronted renowned directors if things didn't go right.
Sae-Ri spoke fast and pressed me for an answer as if rapping. "Oppa, oppa! Yoon-Ho oppa! Are we going to be okay? You said our next song is really good, right? Right? Is it really okay for us to rest like this?"
To alleviate the worries of Cherry Blossom, I thought about playing the new song for them right this moment here. But I soon changed my mind. After all, these kids needed mental rest as much as physical rest.
I pointed to the sofa. "Guys, take a seat over here for a second."
The four members sat opposite me on the sofa. And like four meerkats, they started staring at me in the same pose.
I slowly spoke while making eye contact with each one of them. "You've all worked hard. The new song is good, but let's not worry about that now and just focus on tomorrow."
"But..."
"Sae-Ri."
"Yes?"
"It's good to give it all you've got, and I'm proud of that. But do you know what people call it when you go beyond that?"
"What do they call it?"
"Greed."
Sae-Ri pursed her lips and bowed her head, and the other three did the same.
"Greed isn't bad. Of course, you should have some. But let's not be too greedy. Otherwise, it becomes frustrating and stressful like now."
I thought I had convinced them sufficiently, but the expressions of Cherry Blossom members looked gloomy.
Tomorrow was their final stage, and this was no way to end the night before.
I spoke to the girls with a slightly perked voice. "Want me to tell you a way to deal with the stress you're feeling now?"
At that moment, Sae-Ri widened her eyes and asked. "What is it? Is that even possible?"
The other three also looked at me with bright eyes.
"Just live for today. Worry only about today's issues, and leave tomorrow's concerns for tomorrow. Leave the rest to the talent agents."
This was something I had heard from Ju Yung-In in my past life. She asked why I would unnecessarily worry about tomorrow when even today's worries are hard enough.
Thanks to this way of thinking, Ju Yung-In had never suffered from insomnia or panic attacks. But of course, this was only possible because Ju Yung-In was prone to passing troublesome matters onto her talent agents.
Members of Cherry Blossom sank into their thoughts. Then they slowly started nodding one by one.
"Got it."
"It won't be easy, but I'll try."
As their expressions softened from the worries, Woo Yeon-Hee was the first to speak after letting out a long sigh. "And...We're sorry. It's not that we don't trust Seon-Woo oppa's capabilities, but it's just that we keep feeling anxious."
I patted my chest to reassure them to trust me and the company. "There's nothing to be sorry about. You just need to hone your skills and give your all in every schedule without embarrassing the fans. The company will take care of the rest."
But at that moment, all four of them started to well up with tears. Then Sae-Ri first grabbed my left arm, followed by Yang Eun-Bi grabbing my right arm. Woo Yeon-Hee and Eun-Ah quickly grabbed my arms as well and exclaimed.
"Yoon-Ho oppa. Will you keep looking after us in the future?"
"Even if you get busier, will you still be our talent agent?"
"Oppa, if you leave us... we might really be in trouble."
'Don't worry. We won't part ways no matter what. Even if I travel back in time again, I will come back to find you guys,' I said quietly in my heart.
"Hey, hey. Miss Lee Ju-Yung is here too. Don't you guys think you're relying too much on me?" I teased.
Lee Ju-Yung leaned against the door and waved her hand. "Ha ha ha. Don't worry about me. I prefer less attention anyway."
Although Cherry Blossom apologized belatedly, Lee Ju-Yung simply laughed it off.
I smiled and said, "Anyway, you should all get going now. Everyone go get some sleep. And do well on stage tomorrow. How?"
All of them exclaimed in unison, "Professionally!"
Before I knew it, the four members of Cherry Blossom had become inseparable from me.
***
It was the day of the broadcast of the MBS Show! Music Center.
Ten weeks ago, the number one spot at MBS was initially claimed by Petite More through deliberate manipulation of the rankings. But after correcting the rankings, Cherry Blossom's new song took first place, and their record of holding first place started from the Saturday MBS music show. Hence, this would potentially mark their tenth week in first place.
Today was the day they were attempting a historic new record in Korea after the legendary girl group Girls' Era had their nine-week streak.
As soon as I opened my eyes in the morning, I headed to the company and waited in the underground parking lot for the girls.
Having just finished an early morning meeting, Cherry Blossom appeared slightly drained as they exited the elevator. Alongside them were Kang Ji-Yung, Lee Dong-Min, Han Myung-Ho, and Lee Ju-Yung, all there to send off Cherry Blossom for their final tenth-week number-one stage.
The members of Cherry Blossom turned to the staff who had followed them to the parking lot and bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle.
"We'll be off!"
"We'll come back with number one!"
After bidding farewell, Cherry Blossom headed toward their usual van which had clocked 300,000 km.
However, I raised my hand and called the girls over to where I was standing."Girls, over here!"
Cherry Blossom's eyes widened. "That car... what is it?"
Behind me stood two Merciless Bends Springer VIP Editions which were usually reserved only for VVIPs. Springer 1 was a high-roof vehicle that was nearly 7 meters long with a height of about 2 meters 90 cm. Springer 2 had a normal roof but was almost 6 meters long and 2 meters 40 cm tall.
The first Springer destined for Cherry Blossom was equipped with four seats similar to those used in first-class aircraft cabins with a space at the back for a stylist.
And the second Springer was to be used by me for picking up Yoo-Jin and other actors. This change was a reflection of the evolving status of celebrities under my care, prompting the company to provide fittingly superior treatment.
Once again, I pointed to Springer 1 for Cherry Blossom. "This is the car you'll be riding starting from today. The old ones will be kept as backups."
As Cherry Blossom stood there stunned, Kang Ji-Yung burst out laughing from behind. "Cherry Blossom has worked very hard. So from now on, you should ride something befitting your level."
At that moment, the members of Cherry Blossom finally snapped out of their daze.
"T-thank you so much."
It seemed like such a gift was beyond their wildest dreams and they all looked visibly delighted.
Kang Ji-Yung clenched her fists energetically. "Alright, Cherry Blossom. Do well on today's stage as always, okay?"
In unison, the Cherry Blossom members shouted in loud voices. "Okay!"
They cheered and stood in front of the car. As the sliding door opened, they all eagerly awaited to board the vehicle.
At that moment, the overlapping stages of the year-end awards ceremony began to blend into the back view of Cherry Blossom.
'Could it be that Kang Ji-Yung bought the car in advance for the year-end preparations?' I wondered.
Lately, popular idols have been riding Merciless Bends Springer class cars at year-end award ceremonies. The high roof meant less bending when getting out and the large body exuded a formidable presence.
If Cherry Blossom won a ten-week consecutive first place today, there would be no competition for them at this year’s year-end awards.
I couldn't help but laugh as I read Kang Ji-Yung’s intention.
But while the sliding door was fully open, the Cherry Blossom members showed no signs of getting in.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you getting in?" I asked.
At my question, all the members of Cherry Blossom turned their gazes toward Woo Yeon-Hee.
"Huh? Girls, what is it~?" I continued asking.
When Woo Yeon-Hee looked puzzled, the other three members spoke in unison. "The leader should pick the seat first."
At that moment, Woo Yeon-Hee covered her mouth with an emotional expression. As Sae-Ri hurried her saying there was no time, Woo Yeon-Hee agreed and headed for the left seat in the back row.
Just then, Yang Eun-Bi began nagging. “You’re giving up your seat again. Don’t do that. Sit in the front.”
But Woo Yeon-Hee shook her head in the car. "No, I like the quiet corner seat."
'That means any seat but next to Sae-Ri, right?' I thought to myself and let out a soft chuckle.
Despite Woo Yeon-Hee's wishes, Sae-Ri won the following rock-paper-scissors for seat selection.
Sae-Ri quickly ran to the seat next to Woo Yeon-Hee. "Rock-paper-scissors! Yay! I want the seat next to Mom!"
At that moment, Woo Yeon-Hee stretched her hand toward Sae-Ri with a resigned expression, her face bearing a tender smile. "Okay, Sae-Ri. Come here."
"Okay Mom!" Sae-Ri exclaimed.
Afterward, the front row left was taken by Eun-Ah and the right by Eun-Bi.
***
As soon as the main building of MBS came into view, I turned to the members seated in the back of car number one and said, "Girls, wake up...Oh, you’re not asleep?"
They didn’t sleep even during hair styling at the shop. I thought they’d take a quick nap out of fatigue, but they all seemed full of adrenaline without any signs of tiredness.
I was worried about their physical condition, but I was reassured for now.
Then, I was shocked by what was happening in front of my eyes. 'Wait, what the heck?'
"Sae-Ri, what are you doing?" I asked.
Sae-Ri was sniffing the plastic on the seat.
"He he. I love the smell of a new car," Sae-Ri giggled and replied.
"Don’t be so tacky."
"Ah, whatever. I'm still gonna do it. Sniff sniff."
She seemed intent on inhaling through the plastic.
As I tried to stop Sae-Ri who was enthralled with the smell of the new car, Woo Yeon-Hee asked a question.
"Oppa. How much does a car like this cost? It’s expensive, right?"
"Hm, I'm not too sure. With full options, probably around 200 million won?" I replied.
"Aaahhhh. Oh my gosh!" Woo Yeon-Hee exclaimed.
I was startled when Woo Yeon-Hee let out a sharp scream.
'I didn't know Woo Yeon-Hee could make such a high-pitched sound,' I observed silently.
Her usually mid-range voice suddenly sounded like Eun-Ah’s soprano which certainly woke everyone up.
"Ca-can we really accept a gift like this?" Woo Yeon-Hee asked, eyes wide opened.
I nodded. "Of course. You've earned it."
Yang Eun-Bi nodded beside Woo Yeon-Hee. "Unnie, Ms. Kang said it's a gift for working so hard."
"But still. It’s too expensive."
"What can we do? It’s already been bought. But the seat really is nice...It's more comfortable than a bed."
The electric chair was a model that could raise footrests and recline by pressing a button. Yang Eun-Bi was also unable to hide her excitement, humming and playing with the electric chair.
Eun-Ah was the most calm.
I had specifically requested the Bends Springer's interior ceiling be decorated with glow-in-the-dark flower patterns resembling blooming Cherry Blossoms.
But after staring up for a while, Eun-Ah casually remarked as she sneakily tried to scrape off a sticker.
"It’s pretty. I wish I could take it to our room..."
It looked like Eun-Ah was checking if the glow-in-the-dark sticker could be peeled off.
Puzzled, I thought to myself, 'Eun-Ah, you can just ask me to buy you a new one! Why are you trying to peel off the stickers inside the car?'
After calming the restless members, I instructed them to get ready to alight from the car.
Woo Yeon-Hee tilted her head in confusion. "We are getting off here? But aren’t we going straight to the underground parking?"
"No. I have a gift for you guys," I replied.
"A gift? What is it?"
"That."
Just as we were entering the main building of MBS, I pointed through the car's front windshield to the scene outside.
At that moment, Cherry Blossom's eyes widened. And soon, a unified scream erupted for 3 seconds.
"Aaaahhhhh!"
"What, what is this?"
I smiled and responded. "A gift."
***
The parking lot in front of MBS’s main building was packed with Cherry Blossom's fans.
The fans were making noise while waving headbands with 'CHERRY_BLOSSOM' written in four different colors, light sticks, and support balloons.
This event had been prepared in the early morning by Jung Sang-Bong, Do Ran-Hee, and the Cherry Blossom Family administration team—the four girls from Hoengseong Girls' High School.
Taking pictures of Cherry Blossom on their way to work had been strictly prohibited until now due to various safety concerns. But with ample staff now secured, permission had been granted to the fans on the day of their last broadcast.
As the parking lot filled with fans, Woo Yeon-Hee began to tremble. "O-oppa. That, that’s..."
"Yes. Your fans came out to support your final broadcast. Many even took leave from work," I said with a smile.
"Then are the Hoengseong Girls' High School girls here too?"
"Yep. Look over there. They're the ones organizing the line right now."
In addition to Jung Sang-Bong and Do Ran-Hee, the Hoengseong Girls' High School girls were wearing Cherry Blossom support T-shirts and arranging the fans in line.
Moved by the scene, Cherry Blossom was about to burst into tears.
But I urgently exclaimed to prevent any tears as their makeup had been painstakingly applied since dawn. "Girls, don't cry. We need to take pictures once we get out!"
In an instant, all four members of Cherry Blossom leaned their heads back. Simultaneously, the stylists Park Yi-Yoon and Lee Mi-Ri sitting in the back seat quickly handed out tissues.
Barely preventing tears with tissues, the members took deep breaths to suppress their sobs following Sae-Ri’s lead in singing the national anthem.
"Until the East Sea's waves are dry~"
'But why are they adding harmony?' I silently questioned.
"Baekdu mountain worn away~"
But singing the national anthem in harmony seemed quite effective looking at the girls having stopped crying.
I smiled as I watched the members cease their tears and said with an upbeat tone, "Alright! Shall we go greet your fans now?"
"Yes!"
Cherry Blossom stepped out of the car as ten-week chart-topping nominees and now the top girl group to an unprecedented barrage of flashes, unlike any they had ever experienced.
Ristretto's Thoughts
I wonder how much they would be paid this year.