By Zephyria I don’t like that other people know what I don’t know, but what I really can’t stand is the fact that Sung Se-han doesn’t trust me.
There was originally a clear line drawn between us, but I just didn’t realize it until now.
So the cowardly me is trying to distance myself.
In order to be hurt a little less.
“Lee Tae-kyung.”
The person who called out to me in the hallway leading to the practice room was Kim Hyeong-seok, General manager.
“General manager, hello!”
Even while receiving the greetings of the members, Kim General manager gestured to me.
“Tae-kyung, come with me for a bit.”
“Yes? Where are you going?”
Gun-woo Hyung asked before me. Kim Hyeong-seok General manager looked around at the manager Hyung and the members before raising his index finger.
“Listen carefully. I’m going to see Park Jin-seok, the Director of KCS right now.”
“Yes?”
Kim Hyeong-seok General manager had a determined expression, but the members had dazed faces. Kim General manager sternly furrowed his brow.
“The Director showed interest in Sky Blue, so I arranged this meeting. You guys are really lucky. If you make an impression on the Director, you can immediately break into KCS’s flagship entertainment program.”
“Yes?”
“Yeees?”
The members were dazed by the unexpected situation, but only for a moment, and then their hearts started beating. We can go on KCS’s flagship entertainment program…?
“Kim General manager, but why are you only taking Tae-kyung…?”
Kim General manager answered firmly to Gun-woo Hyung’s question.
“That’s because the Director specifically mentioned Lee Tae-kyung. There’s no need for all of you to go together. Everything will work out well if Tae-kyung makes an impression.”
“Still, sending Tae-kyung alone…”
Manager Doo-hyun Hyung looked at me with a worried face. Kim General manager, who checked the time, turned around busily.
“I’m going with him, so what’s there to worry about? Tae-kyung, follow me quickly because we don’t have time.”
“Yes, yes!”
I waved goodbye to the members and hurriedly followed Kim General manager.
We took Kim General manager’s car and traveled for an hour to arrive at a traditional Korean restaurant with a classic atmosphere.
As I passed through the large garden and entered the interior following the manager’s guidance, my shoulders stiffened without me realizing it.
Unlike the sparkling garden, the heavy and dark interior atmosphere made my body stiff.
“Tae-kyung, it won’t be easy to match the mood of the higher-ups. But I believe you’ll be smart and do well in social life.”
Kim General manager said sternly as he walked on the wooden floor.
I took off my coat with a complicated heart. I didn’t have time to dress properly because I came so suddenly, but slacks and a shirt wouldn’t be too bad.
“Kim General manager, I’m worried that I might make a mistake because I came here suddenly without any preparation. Is there anything I should be particularly careful about?”
“That’s…”
“Kim General manager, have you arrived?”
“Yes, Secretary Park! I hope I’m not late.”
Kim General manager, who greeted the man waiting in the middle of the hallway, turned to me.
“Tae-kyung, you can follow this person.”
“Yes…? By myself?”
I naturally assumed General manager Kim would be by my side, so I couldn’t help but feel flustered. General manager Kim pushed my back and quickly whispered.
“Tae-kyung, we’re a bit late. Hurry and get inside.”
Urged by General manager Kim, I hastily followed the man called Secretary Park. Suddenly, tension washed over me. I thought I could just stay quietly next to General manager Kim, but now I had to go in alone and I didn’t know what to do.
How great would it be if Sung Se-han were here right now. If Se-han was on our team….
Ah, please stop. I bit my lip tightly, annoyed at myself for constantly having useless thoughts.
“Director Min, we’ve arrived.”
The man quietly opened the sliding door and signaled me to enter with a nod. As soon as I stepped into the room, I bowed deeply.
“Nice to meet you! I’m Lee Tae-kyung, the vocalist of Sky Blue!”
Before I could even lift my head, laughter erupted. It was a mix of female and male laughter. I belatedly raised my head and quickly scanned the room.
There were a total of three people sitting at the long table and on the deep sofa-like chairs. One woman and two men.
The person sitting at the head of the table was a woman with a cold impression.
The woman, with a crimson dress and wavy hair draped over her left shoulder, had an appearance that made it difficult to guess her age.
“Don’t just stand there, come and sit here.”
Of the men sitting to the woman’s left, the one on the outside pointed to a seat with his finger. The spot the man pointed to was the seat to the woman’s right.
“Yes.”
I quickly moved as instructed, bowing again in front of the table.
“I greet you again, Director Park Jin-seok. I’m Lee Tae-kyung.”
The two men looked similar in age and attire, making it impossible to know who Director Park Jin-seok was. So, I gave a vague greeting, and the man who had indicated the seat chuckled.
“This is Director Park Jin-seok. And I’m Producer Lee Cheol-hyeon.”
As soon as I heard the words “Producer Lee Cheol-hyeon,” I bowed deeply again.
“Greetings, Producer Lee Cheol-hyeon. I’m Lee Tae-kyung of Sky Blue.”
“Alright. That’s enough, just sit down.”
Director Park Jin-seok gestured back to the chair. As I quickly took my seat, Producer Lee Cheol-hyeon pointed to the woman with both hands.
“Say hello. This is Director Min Hyo-jeong of Samjung Construction.”
I immediately stood up and bowed.
“Nice to meet you. I’m from the idol group called Sky Blue….”
“I know, so just sit down.”
Director Min Hyo-jeong, who gave the instruction in a very gentle voice, smiled faintly.
Director Min was leaning comfortably in her chair, looking at me. Yet, I felt uncomfortable.
In fact, I felt like I had been fidgeting ever since I entered the room because of that gaze that had been bothering me.
“Director Min wanted to see you, so consider it an honor that you were called,”
“Ah, yes…!”
I mechanically bowed my head at Director Park Jin-seok’s words.
My head was so confused that I couldn’t decide what to say or where to look.
I clearly came to greet Director Park Jin-seok, but why….
“Lee Tae-kyung, what are you doing? Pour Director Min a drink.”
“Yes.”
My head was blank, but I got up with agile movements and picked up the kettle. Director Min held out her glass, never taking her eyes off me.
“Director Min, what do you think? Seeing him in person….”
“He’s better in person. More than I expected.”
Director Min answered gently to Producer Lee Cheol-hyeon’s question. The hand holding the kettle began to tremble slightly.
“Lee Tae-kyung.”
“Yes.”
I snapped my head up at Director Park Jin-seok’s call.
“Consider it a stroke of luck that you met Director Min before you had to crawl through the mud. Treat her well, got it?”
“Ah… yes.”
I unconsciously wiped my forehead, and my hand came away wet with sweat.
I had been suffering from cold sweats all over my body for a while now. I wanted to go back to the dorm quickly, take a shower, and lie down on my bed, but when would I be able to return?
“Tae-kyung, don’t be so nervous.”
Director Min smiled with her red lips, but it was hard to smile back. I couldn’t even answer and just bowed my head, and Director Park Jin-seok laughed pleasantly.
“Director Min, it seems Lee Tae-kyung is very nervous, so we’ll take our leave.”
“Then have a pleasant time.”
Director Park Jin-seok and Producer Lee Cheol-hyeon got up, so I jumped up as well. At the same time, Producer Lee Cheol-hyeon glared at me.
“Lee Tae-kyung, treat Director Min well.”
As I stood there with a dazed expression, Director Park Jin-seok approached and patted my shoulder.
“If there’s a field you’re particularly interested in, ask Director Min. She’ll take good care of you.”
“…….”
I blankly watched Director Park Jin-seok and Producer Lee Cheol-hyeon leave, then lowered my gaze. I stared at the untouched food and traditional liquor on the table, then looked back at the door.
I wanted to go home, but I couldn’t. It felt like I had become a lost child.
“Tae-kyung, sit down.”
As the gentle instruction fell, my body moved on its own. I sat down as if collapsing, and Director Min turned her body to the right.
“I want to be friends with Tae-kyung from today. How about you, Tae-kyung?”
“Ah… I…!”
I didn’t want to admit it, but I was so scared that my body trembled.
“I’m not sure yet. You’re too difficult of a person….”
“Lift your head.”
The cold voice made my heart sink. I lifted my head and looked at Director Min.
“Good.”
Director Min’s voice became gentle again, as if she was pleased that I was catering to her whims.
Director Min, with her light makeup, was a classic beauty. She looked like she could be in her 30s or 40s.
But what on earth did this person want from me…?
“I want to have dinner with Tae-kyung twice a week.”
I rubbed my sweaty palms on my slacks.
“That… I’ll have to check my schedule….”
“Tae-kyung.”
Director Min leaned towards me, resting her elbow on the table.
“It’s so cute how you pretend to be innocent, Tae-kyung.”