Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 373



Only Noblemtl

Episode 373

The atmosphere inside the minibus was not very good because of Seiko.

The members weren’t glaring at Seiko or gossiping in low voices, but the constant silence was enough to make anyone who didn’t know feel oppressed.

‘Seiko-san… … .’

Seongpil looked at the back of Seiko, who was sitting in the passenger seat, with complicated feelings.

It’s been four months since he rejected her confession. In Sungpil’s experience, four months is enough time to erase the pain of a breakup or anything else.

Still, seeing Seiko here, it seemed like she still hadn’t given up on Seongpil.

‘What should I do?’

As Seongpil was fidgeting like a puppy that needs to go to the bathroom, Jo Ara pretended to be calm and tried to joke around.

Jo Ara tapped Seongpil on the back. When he looked back, Jo Ara was looking out the window as if she didn’t notice.

Seongpil looked forward again. Then Joara tapped him on the back again. When Seongpil turned around, Joara was looking out the window again.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“… … .”

“Araya.”

“… …Me? Why me?”

“Why are you hitting me?”

“me?”

Joara stared blankly at Rika sitting next to her. Rika, who was reading the comments on SNS, sensed a strange atmosphere.

“to?”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Atashi (me)?”

“Why are you asking that?”

“Nanio (what)?”

“Why are you hitting me, sir?”

“Why? Why? Me?”

“It’s so frustrating. Why do you keep using Japanese?”

“This is Japan!”

“Anyway, don’t bother me, sir.”

“Eh… … Maa (what), I’ll do that!”

Rika took Joara’s joke leisurely as if to say, ‘I understand as an adult.’ Seongpil also sighed and looked forward again.

Then Joara swept the back of Seongpil’s neck from bottom to top with her index finger.

When Seongpil turned around in surprise, Joara was pointing at Rika.

Rika sighed deeply and shook her head.

“Ara-chan isn’t even a kindergartener… … .”

“Rika, are you really going to die?!”

“Me?!”

“If you keep doing that, you’ll end up without any soup, okay?!”

“Eeeeek?!”

Rika held onto Seongpil and shouted repeatedly, “It’s not me, please believe me!”, saying that it was unfair. Joara looked at her with a smile.

In the meantime, Seiko’s gaze and Joara’s gaze met as they were reflected in the front window.

Seiko’s eyes reflected in the car window slowly turned to the other side. Joara followed her gaze until the very end.

“joy.”

Seiko got off the bus before reaching Webex, as if to prove that she was on her way.

He also didn’t forget to say ‘Heung’ to mean ‘Did you see it?’ on the way down.

Only when she disappeared did the tense atmosphere on the bus disappear.

“Mr. Shuichi.”

“Yes, Director Park.”

“Isn’t Chief Misato going with you?”

“The head of the headquarters has appointed Seiko as her dedicated manager.”

“What about the other managers?”

“That doesn’t seem to fit. That’s why I came today, saying, ‘I can go alone.’”

I heard that there is an interview scheduled for a certain magazine.

‘I could probably do an interview by myself, but if there’s no manager to cut off any unfavorable comments, it would be a significant risk.’

However, seeing as he sent Seiko out alone, it seems that Webex is having a hard time controlling her properly.

‘Is it a good thing in that it fosters self-reliance?’

First of all, Seongpil was happy to see her in good health.

I had rejected her confession in the past, and I couldn’t talk to her on the bus because the members hated her.

‘I’ll come see you later separately… ‘

At that moment, a shadow appeared in front of Seongpil. It was a shadow coming down from behind.

When I looked back, Joara was staring out the window, stretching her legs. Towards Seiko, who was entering the building… … .

“Araya, are you crazy?!”

Seongpil quickly grabbed Joara’s hand and made her stop.

“Why, sir? I can’t even move my fingers as I wish.”

“No, it’s your senior!”

“Ha, senior.”

Joara laughed.

“Yes, senior. I’m sorry.”

“Ara, this week’s allowance of 30 thousand won will be confiscated.”

“… … Sir, you don’t give me allowance. But what allowance?”

“I won’t buy you food or drinks.”

“Oh, that’s Evaji! What am I supposed to do if you confiscate it because you feel bad about buying it for me two or three times a month?”

“You take it for granted that you spend other people’s money.”

“No, this is to your advantage.”

Joara ran her hand through her hair as if she was looking at something.

“You have to pay about 30,000 won a month to maintain a relationship with someone like me.”

“Yeah, I’ll confiscate it. Don’t buy it.”

Joara made a heart with her hands outside the car window.

“Is it okay?”

Seongpil smiled bitterly.

‘The kids really hate Seiko.’

After experiencing the minor incident of Seiko’s appearance, the Girls’ League arrived at Webex.

Director Himura was waiting in the lobby on the first floor. He smiled friendly as if he was meeting a friend he hadn’t seen in ten years.

“Welcome. I look forward to working with you for the next 10 days.”

There were a total of 4 concerts in Japan.

The Girls’ League would stay in Japan for about ten days.

* * *

“Seiko-chan, let’s try making friends first.”

Misato recommended it as part of the Seiko Rehabilitation Project.

“Yeah, I will.”

Seiko was very passionate.

It was to the point where my worries about how she would change after being dumped by Seongpil were meaningless.

As if she had found the driving force of life since that day, Seiko was always full of energy. The problem was that the only thing she could pour that energy into was working on her album.

‘Is there anything else fun in life besides practice?’

If Seiko’s only leisure activity is occasionally visiting Misato’s house and having awkward conversations with Seo Yu-seon, then that would be it.

Actually, it wasn’t really a conversation.

Seiko came to spend time with Misato, not to talk to Seo Yu-seon. Since he was Misato’s boyfriend, it was inevitable that they would hang out together, that kind of atmosphere.

“Making friends who share your hobbies and like-minded people is a very important thing in life.”

“know.”

Then Seiko said with a slightly bitter tone.

“Misato can’t stay by my side forever.”

Misato became nervous.

It was because I remembered what Seiko had done on the rooftop that day.

“No. I will always be by Seiko-chan’s side, no matter what happens.”

“Thank you, Misato.”

Seiko spoke again briskly, trying not to make the atmosphere strange.

“But how do you make friends?”

“Huh? Uh, um, how to make friends… … .”

Seiko has been a singer for a long time. She has met many people, and there must have been some people she got along with.

I just couldn’t find it.

‘Because Seiko-chan only relied on me.’

Even when going to business settings, it was mostly Misato who did the talking.

Others also made sure to relay their business through Misato instead of speaking to Seiko.

That kind of attitude has built up for a long time, and no one has dared to approach Kafu Seiko privately.

The aura of the afterlife blocks any human approach.

“How about trying to become friends with people at work? Have you ever thought, ‘I want to be friends with this person?’”

“I don’t know.”

“I see.”

Misato is a completely different type. She often thinks, ‘I want to become close with this person.’

So, I had learned the skill of approaching people without hesitation since my school days. It was clear that this helped me in my managerial activities.

But how should I explain this to Seiko?

‘Or maybe you could recommend something like a hobby club.’

“Anyway, just find someone you want to become friends with, right?”

That’s how Seiko’s friend-making began.

Misato looked for several people who would get along well with Seiko.

It’s like parents trying to get to know other families to make friends for their kindergarten-aged children.

“Seiko-chan, Hanabi-san said she’s going to a Kyoto-style cafe this weekend.”

Hanabi is a singer belonging to Webex.

My hobby is visiting cafes and restaurants, and I upload vlogs about it on iTube.

When I asked Seiko if she could come with me, she said, “This will probably get a lot of views,” and asked me to please come with her.

“how is it?”

“Fireworks?”

Seiko thought for a moment.

“not really.”

“Uh, why?”

“Isn’t the level of difficulty wrong?”

Misato’s head became dizzy.

“That, that’s urgent?”

“Misato said that in the past. You have to be selective about who you make friends with.”

It must have been when Seiko was a student.

Misato grabbed her pounding head.

“That’s a story about not getting into bad water.”

“Still, a little.”

Misato was shocked by Seiko’s standard of ‘rank’. It’s shocking to rank people, but no, she’ll only be friends with people who are of the same rank as her?

Should I bring in an actor who received some kind of cultural medal?

Misato couldn’t help but laugh as she imagined Seiko having a tea ceremony with a 50-something actor.

“Don’t do that.”

“No, I don’t think that’s him.”

“Seiko, it would be rude to him to say that we are not on the same level… … .”

“Something doesn’t feel right.”

“… … .”

Misato was running around trying to find someone who would ‘feel good’ according to Seiko’s standards. However, no matter who she asked, Seiko would only say ‘not that good’.

Misato was starting to feel depressed as she thought that maybe he was just saying indirectly that he didn’t want to make friends.

“Who is that person?”

While taking a break in the staff-only cafe inside Webex, Seiko pointed to one side.

A woman was playing on the piano placed in the corner of the cafe. Her performance did not attract much attention among the busy staff, but it succeeded in catching Seiko’s attention.

“Oh, that person? That’s the pianist, Chinon Otonashi. She’s 32 years old.”

“We’re about the same age! Um, a pianist… … .”

Seiko smiled.

“Cool. Can I be friends with that person?”

“Huh? Oh, I guess it’s possible.”

“What should I do?”

Misato briefly explained the process of starting a conversation, including greeting and complimenting.

Seiko waved her fingers in the air as if taking notes. Then, with a determined face, she stood up and walked creakingly toward the pianist.

Misato felt relieved at the sight.

‘Seiko-chan also wanted to make friends.’

Besides, he seemed quite serious.

For some unknown reason, Seiko seemed to sense a ‘good feeling’ from the pianist.

I wonder how she’ll make friends…

“I’m Kafu Seiko. You know me, right?”

Misato banged her head on the desk.

‘What do you want me to do when I’m Kafu Seiko?’

From then on, Seiko bragged about herself to Chinon.

Misato’s face turned red as if she was saying, ‘I’m such an amazing person. You’ll be at a loss if you’re not my friend.’

He looks like an elementary school student trying to get attention by showing off the latest cell phone his parents bought him.

‘Seiko-chan, please stop. I’m so embarrassed… ‘

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

Surprisingly, Chinon was genuinely impressed. Seiko became even more animated and continued to praise him for 30 minutes without hesitation.

Chinon listened to Seiko’s story until the end with a puzzled expression.

After a while, Seiko returned to Misato’s side in high spirits and said.

“I’ll be your friend!”

“Okay, that’s good, Seiko-chan… … .”

“He’s on vacation now! He’s going to be in Japan for a few months! He said he’d come over to my house! He’s going to play the piano for me!”

Seiko was excited to make friends like an elementary school student. Although the method was a bit uneasy, Misato was glad that Seiko had shown courage in human relationships.

That’s how Seiko made a friend.

* * *

Seiko asked her friend Chinon for advice. She had a crush on someone, but she asked how she could become close to him.

Chinon answered simply.

“What if you become close with the people around you?”

“People around you?”

Now that I think about it, the reason Sungpil didn’t accept her confession was because of the Girls’ League.

That must mean that the Girls’ League is that precious.

Then, if you become friendly with the Girls’ League, and if the Girls’ League becomes friendly to you… … .

‘Isn’t that an escalator?’

If the Girls’ League were to talk a lot about Seiko’s good points around Seongpil, Seiko wouldn’t have to bother to show off her charms.

‘I see!’

Seiko thanked Chinon.

“Isn’t Chinon a genius? Yes, yes, that’s right!”

“Yeah, thank you.”

“… … But how do you become friends with those people?”

“I don’t know. But I hope it works out.”

Chinon showed an elegant smile.

This smile was the standard by which Seiko judged Chinon to be a good person. Chinon, who was playing the piano, was also smiling sweetly like she was now.

He is a modest, simple, reserved person who doesn’t seem to radiate energy to those around him.

It’s the complete opposite of Seiko, which radiates energy in all directions. Maybe I was drawn to it because of these contrasting aspects.

“Why don’t you do what you did to me? Tell me all the good things about Seiko.”

“Ah… … I tried it before… … .”

Seiko recalled Baek Seol-ha, whom she had met in the bathroom before filming ‘New Asa’.

The murderous intent that was so cold-blooded almost made Seiko run out of the bathroom and look for Misato.

“I don’t think it’ll be very effective… … .”

“How odd to dislike someone as great as Seiko.”

Anyway, Seiko made up her mind.

I decided to become friends with the Girls’ League.

* * *

“The concert is tomorrow. Is this okay?”

Red One, the dance studio I had visited when I came to Japan before. Sungpil said this while standing in front of the building. Joara patted Sungpil on the back as if to tell him not to worry.

“A little change of pace… … .”

“You’ve been treating me more and more like a friend lately? Do you know how old I am? I’m 33! 33! No 21-year-old would beat up a 33-year-old!”

“You’re friends with Rika, but not with me? You’re being so selfish. I can only interpret this as you having personal feelings for Rika.”

“ha…….”

“You can’t refute it, right? You just shut your mouth right away, right?”

“Do you know what would happen if I thought of you as a real friend?”

Joara thought of Rica.

Rika lives a life that is no different from a punching bag, crying and laughing at Seongpil’s pranks.

And yet, Rika just keeps laughing and saying things that are good… … .

“That’s because he’s a bit lacking.”

“I have to tell Rika exactly that.”

“He also said to me, ‘Hey, Ara-chan, isn’t your IQ low?’”

“Rika said that?!”

Well, that could happen between friends.

“Hey, sir, you seem incredibly unintelligent when you yell so loudly.”

Seongpil hit Joara’s forehead with the edge of his hand, who spoke like a Japanese gyaru.

Joara stepped into the studio, rubbing her forehead.

After signing up for the Urban Dance Daily Class at the counter, the two waited in the break room for a while until class time arrived.

“mister.”

Joara asked while drinking a free drink provided in the break room.

“Why did you follow me so obediently this time?”

“I told you that if you don’t follow me, I’ll cry like a baby in the lobby on the first floor.”

“No, that’s a joke… … .”

“I can’t stand seeing Ara cry like a baby again.”

“Let’s stop talking.”

Joara looked around the break room, which had not changed since a few months ago. Then, as if a memory suddenly occurred to her, she spoke.

“Is Yuuto still here?”

“hmm.”

Despite Son Hye-bin’s aggressive offensive, Yuuto was not captured in the end. It is said that he refused with a truly apologetic expression, saying that he had no choice but to remain in Japan.

Son Hye-bin also had no choice but to return to Korea in a bitter mood.

“I probably won’t go. They said that if you want to be selected as a member of a group by a certain entertainment agency, you need to have dancing skills.”

“Dance… … I thought of that, I want to see a performance.”

“performance?”

“It’s a modern dance performance.”

Joara explained the performance today with a tension I had never seen before.

Japan is the most developed country in Asia for modern dance, and the dance troupe performing this time will begin its world tour in Tokyo.

“Isn’t modern dance a bit difficult?”

Seongpil was quite surprised to learn that Joara was interested in modern dance.

Contemporary dance is different from the technical dance that Jo Ara has learned. I even doubted whether she had the ability to appreciate contemporary dance.

“Have you ever seen it?”

“Ah, sir.”

Joara frowned as if disappointed.

“I studied contemporary dance in the United States.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

“Honestly, I forgot that the company spent money on it. Of course I have an eye for it since I studied it for 6 weeks.”

“Wow, our Ara.”

Seongpil sensed Jo Ara’s desire to be praised in her words, so he obediently satisfied that desire.

But Joara didn’t like it that much.

“Sir, have you already forgotten what I said a long time ago?”

“… … Don’t treat me like a child?”

“But why is that?”

“I said it was great, so why is it like this?”

“I really want to hit you.”

Seongpil was making a playful, mocking expression. It wasn’t unreasonable to want to squeeze him.

“Oh, what kind of habit is that for adults?”

“I’m an adult too? A member of society? A pillar that supports Garo Enter?”

“I can’t say anything because everything you say is true.”

“To begin with, just because you’re 12 years older doesn’t mean you’re more mature than me… … .”

“ah!”

Suddenly a woman cried out in surprise.

Seongpil and Joara looked at him with a start.

At first glance, she looked like a dance instructor. You could tell just by looking at the clothes she was wearing, which were comfortable for dancing.

“Him!”

Joara immediately switched her language to Japanese and changed her speech style.

“Oh, oh, oh. This fame doesn’t disappear wherever I go… … .”

“The person who danced to C-Ace’s ‘Addicted’!”

“… … .”

Joara looked at Seongpil with her eyes wide open. Seongpil was equally flustered. And then, Seongpil realized who she was.

“Ms. Ira?”

This was the instructor who taught me the Siace ‘Addicted’ when I came here before.

Ira clapped her hands in joy.

“Wow, you’re back again? Daily class again? I’m your next class.”

“yes that’s right.”

“Thank you for letting me film the video before. Did you see that it got over 30,000 views?”

“Hahaha, yeah, well… … .”

Seongpil was not happy, but rather trembled.

The fact that Sungpil’s ‘Addicted’ video reached 30,000 views was entirely thanks to the People, the fandom of Girls’ League.

There was a time when a post was trending in the community saying, “You have to be this good to become a director of a planning company.” The content of the post was a video of Sungpil dancing to “Addicted.”

The video spread to the public in an instant, and Sungpil unintentionally became a topic of conversation.

“You’re going after celebrities by taking advantage of this momentum! This time, it’s a boy group song, right? This time too? This time too?”

“Oh, no, this time it’s a bit… … .”

“You never know until you try. Oh, class starts in 5 minutes. Should we go?”

Seongpil and Joara followed Ira. Joara poked Seongpil in the back.

“The old man is just debuting.”

“How can I.”

“If you do something like a trot dancer, wouldn’t you become very popular among the middle-aged and older generation?”

“What is a trot dancer? And middle-aged people also like young people.”

“Sir, can you raise your nose a little more?”

“Are you suggesting plastic surgery right now? That’s just a face-evaluation!”

It’s not even just an evaluation, it’s an incredible level of insult, like, ‘Your face is a bit like that, so do you want to fix it?’

“I did it because I thought it would be okay if I just raised the nose. And while I was at it, I also made a front… … .”

“Okay, I’ll shave my chin and make it look like Ha-yang. Is that okay?”

Joara laughed, holding her stomach.

If Sungpil had a sharp chin like Jang Ha-yang, it would be quite a sight.

“Can that be done with plastic surgery?”

“Surprisingly, plastic surgery has developed a lot, Araya. It’s like magic.”

“So when are you doing it?”

“Don’t do it! I like myself!”

“Oh, confidence. Sexy.”

“Would you like to do something while you’re at it?”

“Have you evaluated my face just now? Seriously, I don’t know how long I have to live like this. I’m reporting it to the National Human Rights Commission.”

“Okay, I’ll go to jail. Please let me go. At least then I won’t hear you say I’m a nosy person… … .”

Joara burst into laughter, then suddenly asked in a slightly lowered voice.

“Hey, is there anything I need to fix?”

“doesn’t exist.”

“But why do you say that?”

“You did it first.”

“Really not there?”

“I told you there isn’t any.”

“I was hurt.”

“If you really don’t want to see me dancing like crazy, then stop, please… … . What beat should I dance to?”

“Sir, you won’t dance to any beat if I ask you anyway.”

“Ooh.”

Seongpil reached out his hand, impressed by Jo Ara’s wordplay. Jo Ara clapped her hands together.

“uh?”

Ira’s panicked voice was heard ahead.

When Seongpil and Joara looked ahead, they could immediately understand why she was surprised.

The area in front of the practice room was packed with people, both instructors and students.

“Just a moment! I’ll pass! Just a moment!”

Ira pushed her way through the crowd and went inside. Seongpil and Joara followed behind her.

Then, I was able to see at a glance why the area in front of the practice room had changed like this.

“Oh, what a coincidence.”

Seiko, who had been sitting, sat up. Just by her standing up, screams of joy rang out here and there.

“I suddenly want to learn how to dance.”

By the way, no one asked.