Childhood Friend Who Sees the Future Utters Nonsense

110 – Remembering the promise of that day

As I was taking the video call, dumbfounded, I saw Yuna struggling between three faces on the other end. At least, it wasn’t the hellish atmosphere I had expected.

No, rather, it seems like everyone is more excited than when I saw them before. They look like they found something fun.

– Siyoon! You knew about it but kept it a secret until now!? You have to buy us something delicious when we meet next time!

“You knew?”

Meanwhile, Yerin’s words made me blink with a start. You knew? So, you didn’t find out about our relationship through today’s dating rumor, but were certain about our relationship all along?

– I’m sorry, Siyoon. I tried to hide it, but it seems like everyone knew.

“No, you have nothing to be sorry about… How did you find out?”

– Just… in various ways?

“… … .”

Looking at Yuna, who was answering vaguely and sticking her tongue out, it seemed like she had been hiding it, but it wasn’t very effective. It was similar when she lied to me before.

When I think about it that way, I guess it wasn’t strange that I expected Yuna to hide our relationship well. After all, I’ve been following her example so much.

– Anyway, let’s talk about it properly when we meet later. First, talk to Yuna. We’ll leave.

“Oh, thank you, Seungyeon noona.”

– Hey, Unnie!? I still have a lot of things I want to say to Siyoon, but…!

Yerin, who had been making a fuss, was naturally taken away by Seungyeon as she gave up her seat, and soon only Yuna was left on the other side of the screen.

It’s really confusing. Even though I’m watching it with my own eyes, I still can’t figure out what’s going on.

– Are you really surprised?

“It would be strange not to be surprised. More importantly, what happened?”

The members’ reactions were a bit strange considering that it was just after the dating rumors broke out. So I asked her casually, and Yuna answered with an awkward expression, scratching her cheek.

– Actually, I told you everything about our relationship. Even the boss and the manager.”

“I see. I expected that, but….”

Since I got a call from the manager earlier, I could guess that Yuna had told the truth to those around her. And I think that was right.

Even if you try to hide it, it’ll just be like covering your eyes and pretending not to know. The truth will come out someday. However, if there’s anything you’re worried about because of this…

“How is the boss? I think he’s really angry.”

Of course, this is the CEO’s reaction. It would be strange for a rookie idol who debuted only a month ago to suddenly burst out in a dating rumor and then maintain a gentle tone while insisting that it was true.

Last time I met you, I could tell you were a very nice person, but that was one thing and this was another. That’s why I felt the most sorry to the CEO when the dating rumor broke out today.

I looked at Yuna, who was maintaining her silence with an anxious heart, and she awkwardly avoided eye contact. Seeing that, I thought that she was angry after all, and I hesitated as to what to say to comfort her.

– Heh… Actually, he knew that we were dating.

“…what?”

I let out a dumbfounded sound again, feeling as if I had been hit hard on the back of my head just like when I first received the video call earlier.

You knew about our relationship, sir? Does that mean you pretended not to know about it on purpose?

– Why, I stopped by your company with you once. He guessed it from then. He said he had a feeling that we would start dating soon.

“Is that all?”

– I think there were a few things the boss could have guessed after that. He said he was convinced after seeing the pictures we took at the park a while ago through his manager.

“… … .”

I knew it. Even though the shadows in the picture weren’t that clear, I was still a bit uneasy because there were two of them when I looked closely. I’m looking for Han Yu-na, who said she couldn’t notice it to that extent.

– I guess that’s why you gave me an extra ticket for the showcase.

“… Somehow, I started to think something was strange from then on. All of you members received one according to the number of family members, so I wondered why you were given one more.”

– I thought I just miscalculated the numbers. Turns out it was the boss who gave me the hint?

As I watched Yuna laughing bashfully, a laugh formed in my mouth as well.

That’s right. It was really a hint. ‘I know about your relationship, but I’ll keep it a secret.’ Without even realizing how grateful we were, we were just happy that we’d accidentally received one more and could go to the showcase…

Oh, my face feels hot when I think about it again.

“Then the boss didn’t say anything?”

– Yeah, he acknowledged that we were dating. But he told me to be careful so that it wouldn’t interfere with our activities.

“That’s a given.”

Even though it’s just a polite remark, it’s something that idols have to be very careful about. If Yuna were a solo artist, it wouldn’t be an issue, but if she’s currently promoting as a group and she’s causing trouble for the team, no matter how much the CEO likes Yuna, he won’t be able to protect her.

Even I, as her boyfriend, cannot dare to take her side on that point. This is something that Yuna must keep in mind if she wants to balance her love life and work in the future.

– Siyoon, are you okay with me only focusing on work and not being interested in you?

“Well, I wouldn’t say that… But it’s true that I have to focus on work. Rather than work, I think it would be more appropriate to say that I have to focus on the group and the fans.”

In the end, it’s the same thing, but telling her to focus on her work might sound too business-like, so I said it in a roundabout way. Then Yuna, who was across from me, pouted her lips with a sullen expression.

– It’s a bit disappointing. I wanted to hear Siyoon say something like, “Work comes first, or me?” to you, full of jealousy.

“Oh my.”

And then I was wondering what she was talking about, and when Yuna started talking nonsense like she usually does, I was dumbfounded.

Hey, Han Yuna, you’re an idol. Come to your senses.

– Just kidding, just kidding. Anyway, like I said, it’s not that big of a deal, so don’t worry and wait. There’ll be a press conference soon, and then it’ll all be over.”

“…press conference?”

Soon, when a word came out of Yuna’s mouth, who had been laughing at my insult, I tilted my head to the side in confusion. Of course, I was wondering because it seemed like this was the kind of time when press conferences were usually held.

I don’t know if everyone is like this, but from what I remember, when most celebrities deny something like a scandal, their agency usually speaks out on their behalf.

He rarely appears at official events, and mostly spreads news to the outside world through one or two reporters who are friendly to the company. For example, he says, “This scandal is groundless.”

But this time, they’re holding a press conference? Just to deny a dating rumor? It’s just that Yuna is a new idol, so it’s hard to infer something.

As I silently looked at Yuna beyond the screen, feeling as if something big was going to happen, the look in her eyes as she looked at me mysteriously changed. It was as if she was saying, ‘Did you get caught?’

Wait, is this really…?

“Hey, Han Yuna.”

– Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve been called that?

“I’m not in the mood to joke, be honest.”

I frowned as I tried to stop Yuna from changing the subject. I didn’t think it was true, but somehow I remembered what she had said a while ago, and I couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

“Are you planning on making your dating rumor public?”

– … Yeah, that’s right. How did you know?

“It’s not common to hold a press conference to deny dating rumors.”

– You’re more knowledgeable about this industry than me? Hehe.

Yuna is smiling playfully, but I don’t feel like smiling at all.

Does he really know? It’s a huge risk for an idol to go public with a relationship. It would be much easier to just get the approval of those around them and end it, then deny the dating rumors to the public.

But why do you want to go down such a thorny path? I couldn’t understand your feelings.

“What on earth are you going to do?”

– I want to date you.

“I’m not in the mood to joke around.”

– I’m not in the mood to joke around either. I’m serious.

Even as she answered with a bright smile, Yuna’s voice was not at all frivolous. Rather, it was a tone lower than mine, and a weight that I had never felt before was conveyed through her voice.

I could tell from that point that Yuna was more serious than I was now.

– Shiyoon, I thought you would react like that. But, I think this is the right way.

“What does it mean to be right?”

– At least I don’t want to fool my fans. I don’t want to go on some variety show and act like I’ve never had a boyfriend. I just want at least one more person to know that I have such a wonderful person.

I couldn’t bring myself to say what was on my mind because of Yuna’s serious answer. Of course, at this moment, Yuna was the one facing the fans properly, and I was the one who was trying to tell them to deceive them.

I’m not trying to say who is morally right or wrong. I’m just saying that at this moment, as an idol, Yuna is the one who thought more sincerely about her fans and made the choice more than anyone else.

And that was a choice that was made with the mindset of not wanting to deceive the fans, but also thinking of me more than anything else.

That’s why I couldn’t say anything. Because I could feel Yuna’s sincerity so desperately at that moment.

– Actually, Jiwon unnie said that? You never know what happens to people. When you start dating publicly, you might feel confident and cool, but if the day comes when we break up, you’ll be twice as sad.

“… … .”

That’s right. It’s just like the manager said. Right now, when a celebrity is in a public relationship and then breaks up, all sorts of speculations and gossip start to run wild on the internet.

Although I may not have as much of a reaction since I am not a celebrity, I can’t guarantee that there won’t be any. Some people might try to bring up bad things about Yuna.

Even though love is just a normal process of two people meeting and breaking up, they will try to find fault with it and nitpick it somehow.

– So, can you love me for the rest of my life so that I won’t have to be twice as sad? If you just say that, I think I’ll have more courage.

“… Of course, I will love you for the rest of my life.”

What Yuna wanted was for me to like her, but my promise was to love her. I said that in the hopes that the subtle difference in vocabulary would make Yuna feel a little more sincere.

– Really? You’re saving this video? If you ever break up with me, I’ll play it for you and hold onto your pants, so just know that.

“As much as you want.”

As I replied with a bitter smile, Yuna on the other side smiled brightly. It was truly new and amazing that there was someone who was so happy about just one thing I said.

Even as I touched my heavy heart, I focused on the thought that the story wasn’t over yet. Still, I wondered if there were other options, and while I couldn’t bring myself to confirm Yuna’s choice, I couldn’t deny it either, so I watched the screen with an ambiguous stance.

– Do you remember what we promised at Danseong Park?

“… … .”

Even at this moment, I was at a loss for words when Yuna asked me to recall the memory I most hated to recall.

Could it be that this was a promise made with anticipation? At that moment, I had a silly thought that maybe Yuna really had the ability to see the future.

– Of course I know you’re being selfish, and I expected you to get angry like you did just now. But I’ll ask you a favor.

‘Trust me and wait.’

Those words flew into my heart and pierced me deeply.

Of course, I said it with my own mouth. I said I would believe in you and wait. No matter what choice Yuna makes, even if the world turns its back on you, I will support you. I guess I can’t break that promise now.

Besides, maybe Yuna has more in mind than I think. I realized that from our conversation earlier, so I didn’t think this was just a reckless decision made in the heat of the moment.

So, I nodded, seeming a little convinced.

“…Okay, I’ll wait.”

I felt a little awkward saying the kind of lines a princess in a fairy tale might say while waiting for her prince to return after defeating the devil.

On the other hand, Yuna’s face lit up as if she was satisfied with that.

With that face as the last thing seen, the call was hung up.