Chapter 234. Her Exam Life (1)

U School in Daechi-dong was well-known for its teaching in non-high school college exam examinees.
Many students were listening to class in order to get into their dream university.

“The function f of x is the x squared multiplied by…”

It was autumn, and the wind was chilly. The maths teacher passionately continued teaching his subject. The students wrote down the contents of the class in their heads as well as on their notes.

‘And so, the value of x is..’

Min JinSeo was immersed in solving the problem like any other student here.
As someone who had focused only on acting her whole life, studying maths was a whole new world to her.
Just as she was painstakingly working on the problem,

‘Hey, JinSeo.’

A girl with a cat-like face, sitting next to her, tapped on her desk with a pen.

‘What is it?’
‘The value here is strange… how do you solve this?’
‘This, huh.’

Min JinSeo solved the problem together with the girl sitting next to her.
Soon, the class ended, and a rest period came.
The students formed groups and chatted together to relieve their academic stress.
The gazes of the girls were all focused on a rather eye-catching pair of girls.

‘Hey, hey. Isn’t Min JinSeo so pretty?’
‘I know, right? Who created that insanely pretty face of hers? Lord plastic surgeon?’
‘There must be some of that at least, right? It doesn’t make sense that absolutely nothing was done to her face.’

Any group that consisted of more than three people gossiped about Min JinSeo.
It wasn’t just the ladies.

‘Hey, I thought you were gonna confess today!’
‘Are you crazy? Do you know how large her fanbase is?’
‘Do I care? If you said you’d do it, you should do it.’
‘F*ck off. Anyway… Lady JinSeo is a goddess, you know? Wait, did you see that just now? She just looked at me!’
‘Bullsh*t.’

The men were very conscious about where Min JinSeo was looking at.
The girl next to JinSeo grabbed her arm and consoled her.

“…Aren’t you annoyed by all of this?”

The girl was the one who solved the problem together with her in class.
Min JinSeo smiled, saying that she was okay.

“It’s like this all the time.”
“Even so, you know? Those people… even though we’re all students here. JinSeo.”
“Hm? What is it, YoonSeon?”

The girl, named Ji YoonSeon, took out a key and showed it to her.

“Let’s go.”
“What’s that?”
“Hehe, a key to a secret door.”

It was the key to the rooftop she received.
Before Min JinSeo could say anything, Ji YoonSeon took Min JinSeo to the rooftop.

“Who’s she? Does she think she’s Min JinSeo’s manager or something?”
“My words exactly. She looks like a thieving fox.”

The arrow was headed to not Min JinSeo, but Ji YoonSeon, who was next to her.
Regardless, the two people were embracing freedom on the rooftop.

“Fuah, that’s refreshing.”

Min JinSeo stretched her arms out.
Seeing her friend at ease, Ji YoonSeon put her arm on top of the rails.

“I got the key from the small chubby manager of yours, who received it from the principal here. He gave the key to me to take care of you since he can’t stay at the school.”

She was referring to Kang GiJoon, who was in charge of Min JinSeo.
As he couldn’t stay at the academy, he requested help from Min JinSeo’s friend, that is, her.
Min JinSeo felt sorry since she felt like she was causing trouble for many people just because she wanted to study.

“Oh…I guess I should treat him to a meal sometime.”

When the two came down after their short rest, the class resumed.
The teachers at the academy did not treat Min JinSeo any differently from the other students.
There was a reason this academy was well known here.
After all the classes finished, Min JinSeo waited for her manager in front of the academy with Ji YoonSeon.

“I’ll give you a ride.”
“Really?”

Ji YoonSeon was overjoyed by Min JinSeo’s offer and thanked her.
Not long later, a small vehicle parked in front of the academy where the students were leaving the building in droves.

“JinSeo, hop on.”

Seeing the driver that came to pick her up, Min JinSeo’s eyes widened.

“Sir!?”

She thought it would be Kang GiJoon, but KangYoon came instead.
Ji YoonSeon was also aware of the president of World Entertainment, who was also a famous composer.

“Sir, I…”

When Min JinSeo asked they could give Ji YoonSeon a ride as well, KangYoon pointed at the back seats.

“Thank you.”

When the two girls got on, the car quickly left the academy.
On their way to Pangyo.
Ji YoonSeon looked at KangYoon with shiny eyes.

“Y, you look more handsome in real life than you do in the media.”
“Thanks.”

KangYoon was also surprised about Ji YoonSeon, who Min JinSeo considered a friend.

“I was surprised since this is the first time JinSeo decided to bring a friend. I was worried if she could get used to the academic lifestyle.”
“Aah, I was surprised at first. Why is such a huge star going to an academy like this? Did she get fired from her company? – were my first questions after al.”
“Hahahaha.”

KangYoon burst out laughing, hearing that she was so direct with her words.

“Oh, sorry about that. I was too rude there, wasn’t I?”
“No, not at all. You’re rather funny.”
“Please, don’t talk to me so formally.”
“May I, then?”

In the car, Ji YoonSeon and KangYoon quickly became close.
As Min JinSeo also joined the chat, the three people talked about many things, including the things that happened at the academy.
While having an enjoyable time, they soon arrived at Pangyo, where Ji YoonSeon lived.

“Thank you.”

Ji YoonSeon got off the car and bowed towards KangYoon.
KangYoon waved his hand and spoke.

“Let’s have a meal together sometime. I’ll contact you soon.”
“What? I… will look forward to it!”

After Ji YoonSeon went home, KangYoon and Min JinSeo drove to the company.
Min JinSeo changed seats to the front passenger seat and held KangYoon’s hand as she asked.

“YoonSeon is pretty, isn’t she?”
“She seems like a good friend; she gave me a good impression.”

Min JinSeo asked many more times while blinking her large eyes, but KangYoon no longer commented about her.

“You consider her a friend, so she’s an important person to us. I should get to know who she is.”
“…Okay.”
“It’s time for your private lesson now, isn’t it?”
“Urgh.”

Min JinSeo agonized, just like anyone else would in her position.
After taking her home, KangYoon returned to the company.
When he went down to the studio, he heard music being played.

– You approach me sweetly and melt my heart — what am I supposed to do.

Han JooYeon’s notes were filling the studio, and Producer Oh JiWan was controlling the mixer.
KangYoon quietly approached behind him and watched as he did his work.
Stopping mid-way through a verse, Han JooYeon tilted her head and asked.

– I’ll try that again. Doesn’t it feel a little stuffy?
“Should I put a bit of reverb in?”

The recording began again.
Producer Oh JiWan proficiently controlled the mixer and made the white light stronger.
The other people in the studio, who also came over from MG, worked very efficiently.

‘I knew I could leave this to them.’

KangYoon was satisfied.
Inside the booth, Jung MinAh and Han JooYeon were at ease doing the recording as well.
Only when Jung MinAh noticed KangYoon and waved at him did Producer Oh JiWan find out he was here and turned around on the chair.

“President, welc…”
“Keep doing what you were doing. I’m not here to distract you.”

KangYoon stopped Producer Oh JiWan from standing up and made him continue his work.
Producer Oh JiWan hesitated for a bit before saying okay and put his hands back on the mixer.
After a long while, they finished recording two verses, and the two girls inside the booth came out.

“President!”

Han JooYeon politely greeted him while Jung MinAh approached him and grabbed his hands in joy.
KangYoon lightly grabbed her hand and let go immediately before turning around to Producer Oh JiWan.

“Is work going well?”
“Yes. It will take some time, but we’re progressing.”

Producer Oh JiWan played back the finished parts for KangYoon to listen.
A wavy pattern appeared on the monitor, and the speakers started producing many different music notes.
KangYoon put his hand on his chin while watching the stream of white light.

“I guess I should wait until it’s fully mastered. It’s a little awkward to listen to right now.”
“Please have a look at it after we finish it. I believe we can make something good out of this.”

When Producer Oh JiWan claimed, KangYoon nodded his head and patted his shoulders.
I leave the rest to you – was his implication.
Just as KangYoon left, Jung MinAh followed him out.

“Ahjussi.”

When KangYoon turned around, Jung MinAh smiled and asked.

“Uhm, do you have time on the night after tomorrow?”
“The night after tomorrow? Is there something important?”
“How about we have a meal together? I think we’ll finish the recording by then.”

Hearing that, KangYoon smiled in response.

“I guess we’ll celebrate with JooYeon and Producer Oh. Alright. I’ll see what I can do about it.”

After saying that, KangYoon immediately went to the office.
Seeing his back, Jung MinAh lightly frowned.

“…Is he dim-witted or what?”

Jung MinAh pouted before returning to the studio.

***

Ding-dong-𝅘𝅥-𝅘𝅥
As soon as the bell rang, Ji YoonSeon left the classroom and ran towards the bathroom.

After slamming the cubicle shut, she only came to herself after sitting down.
She was feeling the joy of relieving a natural physiological phenomenon when she heard the voices of a few girls laughing.

“Hey, hey. Did you see that Ji YoonSeon?”
“The bitch that hangs out with Min JinSeo? She looks like a thieving fox. Isn’t she just her lackey?”
“Lackey, I know, right? She thinks she is something since she’s next to Min JinSeo, don’t you think?”
“Right right. I heard from the guys that used to go to high-school with her, and apparently, the delinquents at her school used to…”

Unspeakable words were spoken.

‘They’re at it again…’

Ji YoonSeon’s face turned red in anger.
This wasn’t the first time. The girls always talked badly about her whenever they gathered at the bathroom.
At first, the gossip was mostly ‘I can’t stand her acting friendly towards Min JinSeo, but now they talked about how she was supposedly a delinquent’s ex-girlfriend.

“I heard she can’t sleep at night without a man next to her.”
“What, really? Pwahahaha!”

Perhaps this was what it meant to make a fool out of someone?
Only after the giggles disappeared did Ji YoonSeon open her cubicle with traces of tears around her eyes.

“……”

She tried to get a hold herself by washing her face, but the rage didn’t disappear that quickly.
She was twenty-two this year.
She was trying to get into college when she was old enough to be a third-year, so it wasn’t that surprising that rumors were floating around.

‘I’m just applying for college now because my family can finally afford me to send me…’

It wasn’t like anyone would believe her now, even if she told them the truth.
When she powerlessly returned to her seat, she saw Min JinSeo going over the materials they learned in the previous class.

“YoonSeon, what happened to you?”
“…..”
“YoonSeon?”
“It’s nothing, don’t worry.”

Min JinSeo, worried, asked her friend, but Ji YoonSeon bit her lips and did not say anything.
After classes finished, Min JinSeo and Ji YoonSeon were waiting for the car in front of the academy today as well.

‘…They must be the same, right?’

Min JinSeo was talking right next to her, but Ji YoonSeon’s interest was headed towards the girls that passed by the two.

“YoonSeon?”
“……”
“Ji YoonSeon?”
“…Sorry, what was that?”

Min JinSeo was worried for her friend.
However, asking her didn’t give her a reply…
When she asked if she was feeling ill anywhere, it wasn’t that either so…
Just as the two were thinking about different things, a van leisurely entered the academy grounds.

“What’s that?”
“A celebrity van?”

The van attracted the interest of everyone around and stopped in front of Min JinSeo.
The window opened, and the last person she expected to see here waved at her.

“Director-unni?”

Through the open window, Lee HyunJi pointed at the back with her usual confident smile.

“Hop on. There’s a guest, right? You can get on as well. There’s plenty of room.”

Ji YoonSeon couldn’t hide her surprise, seeing the sudden appearance of a celebrity van.
However, when Min JinSeo pushed her back, she had no choice but to get on.
Seeing Lee HyunJi drive a van so proficiently, Min JinSeo asked, surprised.

“Director-unni, you can drive a van as well?”

Ji YoonSeon’s eyes widened, hearing the word ‘director’.
However, Lee HyunJi naturally nodded without taking notice of her.

“Of course. I work in this industry. Do you think it makes sense for me not to be able to drive one? And miss.”
“Y, Yes!”

Lee HyunJi’s confident voice seemed to have surprised her as Ji YoonSeon straightened her back.
Finding that rather funny, Lee HyunJi laughed.

“You can be at ease. I just came here to see the friend that JinSeo praises all the time.
“That’s…”
“JinSeo has a good eye for people. She’s someone who has had society experience since she was young, so she knows if anyone approaching her has bad intentions. But these days, she’s been talking about you a lot, saying that you don’t have any bad intentions. The president should have prepared today’s event, knowing that.
“Oh…”

Lee HyunJi’s clear-cut explanation persuaded Ji YoonSeon.
She also found it somewhat surprising that a small lady like her had such charisma.
The van was headed to the restaurant that they reserved.
At the restaurant was KangYoon, who had arrived earlier than them.

“Welcome. Wasn’t the traffic bad?”
“It was okay. I took some detours.”

When KangYoon, Lee HyunJi sat down on one side, and Min JinSeo and Ji YoonSeon sat on the other, the meals started coming out.
After chopping up the steak and giving it to Min JinSeo, KangYoon turned around to Ji YoonSeon.

“Did nothing bad happen to you while you spent time with JinSeo?”
“……”

Momentarily, she was at a loss for words.
Just today, she was the topic of girls’ cruel gossip.
Those words came up to her throat, but she smiled and shook her head.

“No, in fact, I feel rather embarrassed. I wonder if I can be considered a friend of hers. After all, JinSeo is a successful actress while I’m a mere examinee.”
“Wait.”

Lee HyunJi tilted her head.

“You aren’t at the age where you should speak like that, no?”
“……”
“That’s strange. I didn’t think you were that kind of person.”

Lee HyunJi was rather direct with her words.
As she and Min JinSeo lived in the same apartment, she heard many stories from Min JinSeo.
There was no way she didn’t know of Ji YoonSeon, a friend that Min JinSeo made at the academy.
However, meeting today, she felt something different about her, which surprised her.
When Lee HyunJi seemed a little too strict, KangYoon tried to relax everyone.

“The students consider JinSeo a celebrity after all. YoonSeon is a friend of hers, but she might feel like that from time to time. It’s not surprising.”
“…Well, I guess you’re right.”

Lee HyunJi seemed persuaded and started chopping the steak vigorously.
It was her way of expressing that something wasn’t to her liking.
Just as Min JinSeo also looked disappointed by that, Ji YoonSeon started speaking heavily.

“…Actually, something did happen.”
“Something happened?”

Everyone put down their cutlery and started listening to her.
She started talking about what happened today as well as how things escalated to this point.
The jealousy she received by being close to Min JinSeo and how she had been enduring it until now.
After listening to her story, Min JinSeo’s face paled, and KangYoon was likewise surprised.

“…YoonSeon.”

Min JinSeo grabbed her hand apologetically.
Ji YoonSeon looked down.
KangYoon closed his eyes, and Lee HyunJi bit her lips.

“…I’m sorry, everyone. None of this would have happened if I didn’t ask to go to an academy…”

Min JinSeo looked down as well.
What was supposed to be a joyful meal together suddenly became gloomy in an instant.
This time, Ji YoonSeon shook her head.

“It’s hard, but I like you, JinSeo. Today was just a little… sorry about that, forget it.”
“YoonSeon.”

Ji YoonSeon apologized to KangYoon and Lee HyunJi.

“I’m sorry. It’s natural for someone to be a gossip topic if they get close to a celebrity like JinSeo without any background. It’s just that it was tough for me today, so… I ended up saying something unnecessary. I’m sorry.”

Regretting, she looked very embarrassed.
KangYoon thought for a moment before gesturing to Lee HyunJi to step outside before standing up.
Lee HyunJi followed suit, and the two moved to the lounge.
Inside the lounge, KangYoon spoke with a severe expression.

“Director. What do you think of that girl’s words?”
“It’s probably true. JinSeo said that she made an excellent friend at the academy. It’s not like she doesn’t have an eye for people. Team Leader Kang also said that she’s an alright girl. So I don’t think we need to question her words.”
“…Hm. Then I guess we should help her out then.”

Lee HyunJi agreed to those words.

“Yes. But we can’t interfere with their academic life. You aren’t planning to accept her as a trainee or something, are you?”

Trainees at World Entertainment were a hot issue these days.
It was hard to become one, and they rarely recruited as well.
Following Kim JiMin, there was the new superstar in Japan, In MoonHee.
Most people thought that ‘becoming a trainee at World is equivalent to becoming a star’. World Entertainment’s website was flooded continuously with applicants.

“I don’t, but there’s another way.”
“It’s not accepting her as a trainee, and it’s not making her popular either. Then what is it?”

KangYoon smiled and spoke.

“We’ll raise her to extreme heights so that no one will dare speak badly about her.”

Lee HyunJi asked back curiously to KangYoon.