The Sacred Manager Life - Chapter 70

I had a dream.

I was walking on a red carpet that stretched endlessly.

After walking for a while, I neared the end of the carpet.

Someone was standing there.

Cha Soyeon, Yeoreum, and Min Ayoung.

Cha Soyeon stood in the center, with Yeoreum and Min Ayoung on either side.

They wore pristine white wedding dresses, holding bouquets.

Their shy smiles were impossibly beautiful.

Before I knew it, my clothes had changed into a tuxedo.

‘Wait, this is a wedding. And there are… three brides?’

As I approached, all three dropped their bouquets to the ground.

From behind, they pulled out massive chainsaws and revved them up.

Vrrroooom~

The genre had shifted from romantic comedy to horror.

Before I could react, the enormous blades came slashing at me relentlessly.

Damn it, I take it back—those smiles weren’t beautiful at all.

"AAAAAH!"

I woke up feeling deeply unsettled.

‘Could this… be a prophetic dream?’

If so, I’d have to kneel and beg to clear up the misunderstanding.

I’d have to explain that I wasn’t some shameless guy trying to have them all at once.

[No. It was just a stupid dream.]

Thank goodness, but why do I still feel so uneasy?

After talking with Team Leader Baek Hakyung, we agreed to push Jung-ah’s audition date as far back as possible.

"Looking at her weekly evaluations and camera test footage, I can roughly gauge her level. Jung-ah has talent, but she’s not ready for the debut team yet. The choreography team’s assessment matches mine."

"Can she polish her skills by the time of the comeback?"

"Time is absolutely tight. It depends on how much effort she pours into it, but… you must’ve seen something to pick her."

"We need Jung-ah for the comeback to succeed."

"Seeing how confident you are, you must’ve seen something."

"Well, yeah."

"When you witnessed that miracle at the hospital, I figured there was more to it. I won’t pry. It’s probably beyond my understanding anyway."

"Thanks for saying that."

Team Leader Baek is really straightforward.

"I’m the one who should be thanking you. I’ll repay you for life, so don’t hesitate to ask."

We decided to buy time and prepare solid results to present to the director and chairman.

I revised the schedule to focus on refining her dance skills as much as possible.

I felt guilty piling more onto Jung-ah after her grueling diet process, but time was running out.

"That composer you introduced—he worked under Choi Hoseok for a long time, right?"

"Yes. Five years."

"Listening to the demo, it totally has Hoseok’s vibe. Kinda suspicious."

"You’re spot on."

Team Leader Baek explained that since Haram would be working with him, he should know—the guy was a ghostwriter.

He wanted to return what Choi Hoseok had stolen to its rightful place.

"Damn, I’d heard rumors, but I didn’t realize the victim was right under my nose."

"It’s dirty and petty, but it happens a lot. When signing contracts with unknown composers, they offer a lump sum in exchange for full ownership rights. Then they release the songs under the company’s name."

"Hoseok knew the industry inside out, so he probably exploited clueless newcomers like that. And yet, he managed to maintain such a pristine public image. In this industry, everyone’s connected, so unless it’s extreme, people usually turn a blind eye. No one wants to pick a fight with a famous composer like Hoseok."

Team Leader Baek clicked his tongue as he shared this.

"Anyway, all he did was chase women while pulling this crap."

Choi Hoseok is now paying for his sins.

Doksa had updated me on his current state—stripped of all his assets in Macau, now scavenging for scraps.

He’s being dealt with in ways ordinary people couldn’t even imagine.

"Send me the tracks when they’re ready. Let me know if you need the recording studio."

"Will do."

"An escort?"

Min Ayoung called, asking me to escort her around.

"After waking up from two years of darkness, there’s so much I want to see properly. You’ll take me, right?"

"But why me…?"

"I’ve cut ties with everyone. Going out alone still scares me a little. But if you’re with me, I think I’ll be fine. You’ll do it, won’t you?"

She melted me with her actress-level sweet, coquettish voice.

Since I fixed her eyes, she asked me to help her return to normal life.

Asking for help is like a cheat code for someone like me who loves helping.

Min Ayoung, dressed casually with a cap pulled low, slid into the passenger seat.

"Your car’s… a bit old."

"It’s the company car. Once we add more members and make a comeback, we’ll replace it."

"I see. What about your own car?"

"I have a compact, but I don’t usually bring it to work unless it’s urgent. The subway’s just one stop away."

"A compact? With your build, that’s not ideal. Want me to buy you one?"

She said it like she was offering me a canned coffee.

When I declined, she said she’d get me something else instead and to let her know anytime.

Just like Cha Soyeon, the women around me love giving things.

Our first stop was a famous handmade burger joint.

An early lunch.

"Mmm~ The beef patty is so good. Look, the onions are caramelized. Ugh, I should’ve added more toppings."

She inhaled the burger blissfully, meticulously sharing her thoughts.

Her reactions were top-tier—she’d kill it in a mukbang video.

"Wow, these fries are amazing. Juwon-ssi, say ‘ah’~"

She fed me one, clearly enjoying herself.

No matter how I looked at it, this was a regular date.

Next, we hit the luxury section of a department store.

"This necklace is trending. I really wanted to see it."

"Not at a trending price, though. 16 million won?"

"Don’t be stingy looking at prices. If this shocks you, how are you gonna take me out?"

Like Cha Soyeon, the women around me often tell me to take them places.

"Let’s check out the earrings and watches before we go. I want to buy you a watch that suits your wrist."

Luxury bags, shoes, suits… we didn’t skip a single store.

Like Cha Soyeon, Min Ayoung’s sense of money was light-years beyond the average person.

Among the women around me, only Yeoreum—who meticulously checks supermarket discounts—is on my level.

But even Yeoreum will rise to Cha Soyeon and Min Ayoung’s league next year.

Because I’ll make it happen.

We left the department store, the weight of capitalism heavy in our hands.

No matter how I looked at it, this was an expensive date.

Next, we went to a movie theater.

Not just any seats—private balcony-style booths on the second floor, completely separate from other viewers.

A couple-only theater for two.

"I wanted to watch a movie on a big, clear screen. Perfect that it’s just you and me."

The film was an R-rated romance.

Every time the leads had an intense love scene, Min Ayoung’s breathing grew rough.

Eventually, she clung to my arm, subtly pressing her chest against me.

Her loose clothes hid it, but I was surprised by how full and soft they were.

No matter how I looked at it, this was a steamy date.

Our final stop was Neverland in Yongin.

"Honestly, I don’t really like rides."

"Then why’d you want to come here? Just to look at them?"

"I thought walking around during the night opening would be fun. Oh, I’d ride that, though."

She pointed at the Ferris wheel.

Slow-moving, perfect for couples to cuddle.

The sunset painted the sky in breathtaking colors.

"Let’s ride that. We can’t come here and not go on anything."

I wasn’t sure if it counted as a ride, but her hopeful expression left me no choice.

As we ascended, Neverland’s panorama unfolded below.

Min Ayoung pressed close, alternating between the view and my face.

The sunset’s glow filled her eyes and cheeks.

No matter how I looked at it, this was the final course of a date.

"Thanks for giving me an ordinary day. I had so much fun because of you, Juwon-ssi."

Her definition of "ordinary" and mine were galaxies apart, but the date’s warmth made me enjoy it "ordinarily" too.

"But the day was too short. There’s so much more I wanted to see… Can you escort me again next time?"

With her sultry gaze and honeyed voice, most men would’ve folded.

But after over two months of training with Cha Soyeon and Yeoreum, I’m not most men.

From today, it was clear she could have fun without my escort.

"The last member’s audition is coming up. We need tracks for the mini-album, and Yeoreum’s drama starts soon. Then it’s music show PDs to chase…"

"……."

"Ayoung-ssi, you can see fine now. Reconnect with people. Act again. You’ll be too busy to need my escort."

"Wow, you’re tough. I came at you like this, and you didn’t budge."

This is why learning is scary.

I almost wanted to thank Cha Soyeon and Yeoreum.

"Well, this is fine too. Too easy would’ve been boring."

Then she leaned in and kissed my cheek.

The sudden attack made me bump my back against the seat.

"Surprised? I’ll save the lips for next time. Someone said you’re only half-taken, so I’ll hold back today."

"Someone?"

"There’s such a person."

She stretched lazily.

"Ahh, next time, maybe I’ll take it all off~"

She said something terrifying so casually.