Chapter 69: The Secret to Lasting a Long Time

I hadn’t known.

That even without any real reason, you sometimes had to check in on people.

That even without any real interest, you had to talk as if you knew them very well.

That even when you gave your opinion, you had to maintain a humble attitude.

All those situations where you had to smooth things over without revealing your true feelings.

That, was what they called social life.

If you looked at it that way, I had been putting quite a bit of effort into my “social life” these days.

I was only now slowly learning the things everyone else seemed to have always done naturally.

It had all started with a conversation with Hyung.

You, are you doing well with social life?

What’s that?

Like keeping in touch warmly with people you’re not close to?

If it’s that, I’m making an effort.

You always have to show people who hold the upper hand that you’re interested in them. Got it?

That doesn’t sound so hard.

Emotional control. Relationship maintenance.

Reading the atmosphere.

Apparently, those were all part of social life too.

I had thought “social life” meant something grand.

That only impressive people did it.

No wonder people reached out for no reason.

Maybe it was just because the weather was nice?

Today especially, there were a lot of people “doing social life” with me.

It started with lyricist Oh Jisoo.

[Lyricist Oh Jisoo: The lyrics keep piling up! I’ve been enjoying your songs.]

[Lyricist Oh Jisoo: Ah! And I’m a real fan of UTAR. Could you maybe set up a meeting?]

I typed “That might be difficult…” and then deleted it.

Hyung had taught me a few skills, and there was one I found myself using a lot.

Never refuse outright!

Not that you should actually die if someone says “Drop dead,” but you could at least pretend to die a little, you know?

Always leave some room.

You never know what might happen with people.

Even if you have to say no, never use the words “can’t” or “impossible.”

He said that was the secret to lasting a long time.

Hm. Not easy.

Still, I always did my best.

With lyricist Oh Jisoo, I played it off politely.

[Me: I really liked the lyrics for the new Decens song. I’m always learning so much from you!]

[Me: Ah, and ㅋㅋ The UTAR members are a bit shy……. ㅎㅎㅎ (embarrassed laughing emoji)]

Her reply came right away.

[Lyricist Oh Jisoo: This is why I like our Writer Seoㅎㅎ Take care of your health!]

One hurdle down.

Next was PD Nam Seonghyeon.

I had met him a few times for meals even after Han Yujin’s album recording.

The first meeting was at a rather expensive beef place. Everyone had plenty to drink too.

Honestly, it was a gathering I had arranged because I wanted to treat him.

I’d been so grateful he took my side during Han Yujin’s jacket design issue.

My check card had a nice balance at the time, but…!

He had paid the bill without me knowing.

Rather than feeling flustered, I thought it was kind of cool.

And I learned something new: at those kinds of dinners, I should have paid first.

When I looked embarrassed, PD Nam Seonghyeon said this to me:

What kind of senior gets treated by a junior? And besides, think of this as my bribe. Who knows? Maybe someday I’ll have to ask you for a favor, Writer Seo.

At the time, I said I understood.

He must not have trusted me, because we hooked pinkies, signed it, and even made a copy.

Someone once said—

If you really get to know someone, there’s no such thing as a bad person.

It’s just that circumstances make them act that way.

Who knew that saying would turn out to be true.

In private, PD Nam was someone I could learn a lot from.

He would reach out to me from time to time too.

[PD Nam Seonghyeon: Writer Seo, aren’t you going to write another song like “Ancora”? I liked it even more than “More Than Time.”]

[PD Nam Seonghyeon: Anyway, let’s meet up sometime soon!]

[Me: Yes!!! I really want to treat you next time!!!]

[PD Nam Seonghyeon: (bear running away emoji)]

Exchanging messages like this felt nice.

Next time, I’d be the one to reach out first.

…Not that it was easy to do as I thought.

Anyway.

Lastly, I opened my chat with Han Yujin.

Han Yujin was a bit different.

While others reached out from time to time, she contacted me often.

Even if I couldn’t reply right away, I always tried my best to respond.

Maybe it was because she was one of the few who knew I was Blackhole, Seo Rabbit, and Stay. I was grateful and comfortable with her.

[Han Yujin: ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Thought you were a Blackhole robotㅋㅋㅋ]

[Han Yujin: (photo) (photo) (photo) You were nervous, right? Weren’t you?]

[Han Yujin: Ah, Blackhole’s real charm is bowing low……. Don’t be like that…….]

More than ten new messages piled up.

Well, she did love to chat.

Anyway…

I asked her sincerely.

[Me: Have you been busy lately?]

Han Yujin hadn’t shown up at the club in a while.

Strangely, even with a huge crowd, she always stood out.

Even with a hat, even with a mask.

I was certain she hadn’t appeared in almost a month. She used to come at least once a week.

Was I feeling… disappointed? I wasn’t sure.

[Han Yujin: You’re right. (rabbit flopping down emoji) How did you know?]

[Me: Because you haven’t been coming to the club?]

[Han Yujin: Oh!]

“Oh!” What’s that supposed to mean.

She didn’t reply after that.

Guess she really was busy. Fair enough.

That was a relief. Being busy was good for a celebrity.

Han Yujin was a special person to me.

Someone who recognized me, always took my side, and sang my first song.

The second single album was a success.

Han Yujin kept saying it was all thanks to me.

But I felt differently. If anything, I was the one who should be grateful.

No matter how good a song was—

If you couldn’t express it well, it was all for nothing.

‘Should I bring it up next time…?’

I typed out a bunch of questions I wanted to ask, then deleted them.

She was already busy enough; I didn’t want to bother her on my account.

As I sat there, spinning my chair idly, a message came in.

[Han Yujin: Oh, sorry. The CEO just dropped byㅋㅋ But what’s up?]

Hmm… Suddenly, I remembered something I’d thought about at dawn.

I wanted to have a deep conversation about “what exactly is an idol.”

Han Yujin used to be an idol.

She knew all about idols.

So naturally, I had to ask Han Yujin what being an idol meant.

That was my train of thought.

So I sent this reply.

[Me: I have something I want to ask you. It’s really important, and you’re the only one who can answer.]

[Han Yujin: (surprised emoji)]

[Han Yujin: (touched emoji)]

[Han Yujin: (running emoji)]

What in the world.

She kept sending about ten more emojis after that.

I didn’t know what to make of it, so I didn’t reply.

[Han Yujin: You finally called me “noona”! I’m touched!]

Han Yujin often tried to make me call her “noona.”

I had always refused.

Then she begged me at least not to call her “Han Yujin-ssi.”

Uh… but what else was I supposed to call her?

To be honest, I’d always found it awkward to call people “so-and-so-ssi.”

The problem was, calling someone “noona” felt even more awkward.

Come to think of it, I’d never called anyone “noona” before.

Not that I could call her “hyung” either.

Since we’d gotten pretty close now, I decided to call her “noona.”

But for some reason, that moved her so much.

I was about to reply when my phone rang.

Hi! Holderbit!

“Ah, seriously!”

No show today, right? At the studio?

“Yeah.”

Han Yujin knew I used the backstage studio.

I’d told her each time we talked—

About how good the food here was.

Then I’ll swing by for a bit.

“Here for the tonkatsu? I thought you only ate greens because of your diet.”

I get to eat what I want one day a week.

“Ahh…”

Perfect timing, since I had something to ask her.

An idol who had to refrain from eating her beloved tonkatsu because of a diet.

If I interviewed her on her one cheat day when she was eating her favorite food, wouldn’t I get more candid answers?

Perfect.

“When will you get here?”

Right now?

And just like that, Han Yujin flew straight over to my studio.

“Hellooo~ Anyone heeere~”

Her lively voice filled the backstage.

Han Yujin had arrived.

“Welcome— Huh…?”

Moon Jungbae tilted his head at the sight of an unfamiliar yet oddly familiar face.

Backstage was the kind of place—

Where only rough, black-clad guys came and went every day.

Even after it became public that UTAR was Cheongseong—

Only familiar faces came backstage.

So seeing this flashy, glittering young lady who didn’t match the place made him wonder what brought her here.

Moon Jungbae asked cautiously.

“Have we met somewhere before?”

“No. I just heard this place had great tonkatsu. I finally get to try it.”

“Why do you look so familiar? Did you come here with someone before?”

The aura radiating from Han Yujin was fresher than the fruity scent filling the shop.

Straightening her posture, she bowed politely to Moon Jungbae.

“Hello! I’ve heard so much about you! I’ve really wanted to visit Backstage—what an honor.”

“No need for honor… By the way…”

Smiling pleasantly, Moon Jungbae snapped his fingers and asked confidently.

“You’re a singer, aren’t you?”

“Oh? Yes, I am! How did you know? Wow, you’re sharp—”

Han Yujin handled it smoothly.

She wasn’t the type to pout and say, “How could you not know who I am?” out of vanity.

She simply resolved to work harder.

“I could tell from your voice.”

“Oh? What about my voice?”

“Your pronunciation’s precise, and your tone’s really nice. I think you’d suit alluring songs, and your voice is so clear and bright it’d be great for dance tracks too.”

Moon Jungbae studied Han Yujin closely.

Barefaced, wearing a hoodie.

It was a casual outfit, but she couldn’t hide the special spark only celebrities had.

Smiling, Han Yujin replied—

“I’m Han Yujin, a solo singer from ToMe Entertainment! I’ve heard so much about you! It’s such an honor to meet you in person. Cheongseong!”

At her spirited greeting, the Cheongseong members sitting in the corner began to gather one by one.

“Oh? She’s a singer!”

“ToMe Entertainment… That means you’re in Youngho’s family? If you’re in Youngho’s family, you’re one of us. Have a seat.”

“But what brings you to a shabby place like this?”

“Hey, don’t call my shop shabby.”

Han Yujin liked this kind of atmosphere.

Would this be what it felt like to have a father? Or maybe an uncle?

In this warm atmosphere, I found myself feeling a little envious of Taeyoon.

Everything about it was nice.

The faint scent of tonkatsu, the Cheongseong members treating me comfortably like a niece, even the easygoing air floating in the room.

No wonder Taeyoon always bragged so much about the band.

It felt like discovering a new world.

Amid the fierce entertainment industry, this felt like a comfortable shelter.

Ahem. I lightly cleared my throat before answering.

“I’m Writer Taeyoon’s friend. We were supposed to meet at the studio.”

“What? You’re Taeyoon’s friend?”

At the words “Taeyoon’s friend,” playful responses came flying back.

“Huh? Doesn’t Taeyoon not have any friends?”

“Exactly. No way Taeyoon would have a friend like this.”

“Taeyoon likes hanging out with us old guys. Heh-heh.”

Just then, Han Yujin’s manager came into Backstage.

His arms were piled high with things.

Taking the bundles from him, Han Yujin began unpacking them one by one.

“What’s all that?”

“Uh… You can’t come visit someone’s studio empty-handed. I’m a friend, after all. Here, take one each.”

“Oooh?”

She had prepared windbreakers and T-shirts from a famous outdoor brand for each member.

It was a brand for which Han Yujin was a model.

“And this too. Make sure you take it.”

This time, it was a red ginseng gift set.

Again, from a brand Han Yujin modeled for.

“…She’s not Taeyoon’s friend, she’s Santa. Huh? There’s more?”

Only after setting down a pile of snacks as well did the “studio visit commemorative gift-giving ceremony” come to an end.

‘…What in the world.’

Watching all this quietly, Taeyoon slapped his forehead.

He couldn’t find a single chance to step in.

When had she prepared all that?

She could’ve at least given him a heads-up.

Still… it felt really good.

She was boosting his spirits with such thoughtful flair.

But surprisingly…

This wasn’t the end.

“Oh? Writer Seo! Hurry over here. I have something for you too.”

Was this—what Taeyoon had been wondering an idol was?

Han Yujin’s ‘Surprise Writer Seo by Lifting Up Seo Taeyoon’s Spirits’ Project had only just begun.

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