IJLMT 36

Chapter 36 ….

The country’s most luxurious hot spring accommodation, Yuwonjang. I am currently at the place that JM CEO Lee Jongmuk reserved for me.

I thought 2.12 million won for one night was insane, but after arriving, I realized it was worth it. The path from the house to the garden and then to the hot springs looked like a work of art. I even wondered if it was really okay for me to use a place like this.

‘Come to think of it, Dad does like messing around in saunas.’

I immediately called home. Yeah, I might as well splurge a little with the money I have.

[What’s the occasion?]

My father answered the phone. He’s a taciturn man. Unlike Mom, he doesn’t ask in detail about how I’ve been or about my work.

“Dad, how about a hot spring trip? Let’s go together—Hyunseo, you, and me.”

[A hot spring trip? Where to?]

“To Chungju.”

[Chungju? Ah, that’s nice. The Baekje Hotel spa was amazing… Are you planning to go there?]

I had stayed at Baekje Hotel with my dad when I was little. It was before his business failed, and we went there because of his work. After his business collapsed, he often reminisces, “Those were good times,” thinking of the hotel.

“This place is even better. When would be convenient for you?”

[Better than that? Has a new place opened?]

Though skeptical, Dad gave me a date. A night at Baekje Hotel cost 220,000 won, but this place is ten times that. What would he think if he knew? I laughed imagining that the “good old days” might have a new standard now.

I completed the reservation for the date my father mentioned and started browsing online. It’s a perfect place, but being alone was a bit boring. Of course—the other Nova Girls members are at different accommodations.

[“If I were to invest, I’d invest in Nova Girls, not you.” Why did Aaron Husk say that?]
[UN Secretary-General: “Nova Girls represent the youth of the world and gave the most ‘effective’ advice for global happiness.”]
[Nova Girls, supporting all the youth of the world.]
[Translated song “Even if not a single star lights up the sky tonight” ranks globally on SpookyPie!]

People were going crazy for Nova Girls. Many factors contributed, but the biggest was obviously Dabin’s speech and the members’ performance.

• “There must be people braver than us in the world. We’re cowards, so even admitting that we wanted to be loved was difficult. If we admitted how thirsty we were for love, reality would feel too miserable. Isn’t it cowardly for a girl group to admit that?”

• “But then someone started trusting us… and we realized how desperate we were for trust, support, and love. Only after acknowledging that did life really begin.”

• “We’re too young and inexperienced to tell others how to live to be happy. But we want to give support. To someone walking through darkness like we once did in our unknown days, we want them to know we are cheering for them. Just as stars shine even under clouded skies, we hope our support reaches those walking through darkness.”

Then, Nova Girls performed two songs: Ugly Syndrome and Even if not a single star lights up the sky tonight.

Of course, the videos were uploaded to YouTube, and the results were…

• Views: 34.24 million

• Likes: 5.01 million

Less than 24 hours after upload, the views skyrocketed to 34.24 million with an overwhelmingly high like ratio. There were 30,000 comments…

? I’m… being supported? Oh my… I’ve never felt this before. Yeah, I admit it. I think I wanted support!
? Watching a dull UN event and getting impressed like this
? Perfect speech! Perfect stage! Nova ignited in my heart!
? Why did Grenny pick a fight with these girls? Serves the fake environmentalist right
? These girls endured Grenny’s sly, mean oppression wisely
? Always hated Husk’s antics. But this time, I can’t help but praise him
? Unless Husk uses these girls to issue cryptocurrency or stir up NFT trouble, I support his actions

As the comments show, there were two other major reasons this speech became a hit. One was that Tina Grenny’s hypocrisy, long a point of controversy, was clearly exposed. The other was that Aaron Husk was the one who confronted it. Husk revealing his engagement to Eva Brooks also played a role.

Was the sweet scent from the onion bracelet as I approached Eva Brooks because of this?

‘…….’

But somehow, my heart didn’t feel completely refreshed. Of course, it was good. It had to be. The true value of the Nova Girls was finally being recognized worldwide—how could that not feel good?

Yet the image that came to my mind was this:

How I had been powerless during Grenny’s speech.

How I couldn’t give Grenny a taste of her own medicine while my people were unfairly criticized.

Of course, no one was entirely free from responsibility at that moment. Even Husk acted against risk, taking Eva’s presence into account.

Knowing that didn’t remove my frustration.

‘This isn’t enough.’

It was the first thought I had since meeting Onion.

Honestly, everything felt like a dream after meeting Onion. A constant sense of receiving bonuses. Things I didn’t covet kept being given to me. Through that, I connected with amazing people—Nova Girls, Lim Yuju, Lee Jua…

But the people I was responsible for were all talented and outstanding. They would continue to grow and reach large stages.

When that happens, could I protect them? Once they reach world-class status, attacks would come world-class as well. And me? Would I just stand by watching Onion again? Searching for ways to indirectly shield them like Aaron Husk?

No, I couldn’t.

I couldn’t be satisfied with the achievements I had so far. I had to protect those who believed in me. To do that…

‘I have to grow bigger and stronger. Far more than now.’

“Wow… insane. My body’s melting.”

Ha Young said, submerged up to her neck in the open-air bath.

“Is it really okay for us to stay here? We’re the only ones using this huge open-air bath… Isn’t this overlapping with the gift our CEO gave Hyunjae? Won’t it cost more because of us?”

“Since it’s already reserved, we should use it gratefully. Everyone worked hard,” Dabin replied to Nari.

“What’s Hyunjae doing now? He must be bored alone.”

“Let’s all go out after dinner!”

“What to do there?”

“I saw they lend board games at the front desk. Jenga? Or One Card?”

“Mina… isn’t that too high-school trip vibe? Hyunjae is 27.”

“So what? We can’t drink anyway.”

“Hmm…”

Mina, speaking with Nari, noticed Dabin’s expression.

“Dabin unnie, why are you smiling?”

“Huh? I’m not.”

“No, you were. What were you thinking?”

“Ah…”

Dabin hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

“I was thinking about Hyunjae at that time.”

“That time?”

“Yes. After Tina Grenny’s speech, when it was our turn.”

“Oh.”

Dabin recalled how she felt back then—surrounded by entrepreneurs and politicians.

‘Do these people here even care about us?’

With Tina Grenny openly criticizing them, the situation felt heavier. It was an unwelcoming place. But…

“Hyunjae’s expression back then was really scary, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah. I didn’t know our calm Hyunjae could make that face.”

“He even shook his butt a bit—like he might jump onto the stage?”

Each member spoke, and Dabin realized they all felt the same.

“That’s what moved me.”

“…Right.”

When Dabin said this, everyone nodded.

Like a calm countryside dog growling fiercely. The surprise lasts only a moment.

A calm countryside dog only growls in one case: when protecting its own.

Did Hyunjae know how Dabin felt seeing his face?

Dabin saw Hyunjae’s expression and thought:

‘Ah, there’s someone on my side here.’

In a foreign land, among people who weren’t necessarily friendly, there was someone unconditionally on her side. How to express that sense of relief?

For some reason, Aaron Husk whistled nearby, and the previously indifferent entrepreneurs clapped. Even without seeing the process, Hyunjae’s efforts were clear.

Grenny’s criticisms? They didn’t matter at all.

“There’s a moment when everything feels lighter, right? Seeing Hyunjae up front like that, I feel like we can make it.”

“I felt bad that we were unfairly criticized, but now… who cares? They’re not important to us anyway.”

Ha Young and Nari said.

Dabin agreed. She even thought:

‘Even if everyone in front of me is an enemy, it’s fine.’

It really felt okay. Not frightening at all.

‘Then I just need to sing for the person who made that face for us.’

Without voicing that thought, Dabin said:

“We have to grow more. So no one can underestimate us. Then Hyunjae can walk proudly too.”

Everyone nodded.

A girl group participates in the UN-hosted World Happiness Day event, giving a speech and performing.

No one could predict the exact ripple effects. The World Happiness Day event had only been held for a few years, with the concept and invitees changing each year.

So while people could say, “Going to a global event will obviously help your reputation,” no one could specifically know how.

After all, some participants failed miserably. Justin Carius, for example. Participated and got nothing but criticism. But…

“Team leader, look at this! Eva Brooks’ SNS is going crazy! Thousands of comments on photos with Nova Girls!”

“And Aaron vs. Grenny? Grenny-supporting environmental groups are protesting Husk’s SNS, but he’s countering each one. ‘I never insulted vegans. I criticized bullies who pretend to be good but attack innocent vegans.’ Wow, his wording is intense.”

Team leader Jo Minsu calmly checked company emails. Offers to work with Nova Girls were pouring in, in several languages!

One notable thing: all these emails were marked as ‘read.’

‘Hyunjae must still be at the hot springs… ignoring my advice.’

Honestly, the team was talking about the New York trip. Would Hyunjae pull something? Well, even if he went, would anything special happen at the UN event? They’d talk nicely and return without incident…

But something did happen.

“Team leader, look at this article: ‘Analysis of Why Aaron Husk Fought Grenny Seriously.’”

“What’s it say?”

Jo Minsu read the article from assistant manager Kim Seungmok. It said:

[Aaron Husk reportedly pursued Eva Brooks passionately, but Eva wasn’t fully receptive to Aaron, divorced twice already. She’s warm and emotional, hesitated to marry Aaron thinking him a cold businessman. Aaron, deeply in love, participated in World Happiness Day to win her over. In the video, he suddenly leaves the conversation with other businessmen to approach Eva Brooks.]

“Oh.”

Jo Minsu shivered, goosebumps rising.

“Isn’t it creepy? The article claims it was coincidence that Eva met the team leader and was impressed by Nova Girls, causing Aaron to fight Grenny to win her favor… but we know better, right? This wasn’t coincidence.”

Kim Seungmok excitedly said.

“This is scary. The mastermind term fits perfectly. He approached Eva intentionally, pulled in Aaron, dealt with Grenny, and grabbed the publicity. All controversy went to Aaron and Grenny, while we got a clean, buzz-worthy image. Where else do you see villains like this? I feel safe because he’s on our side.”

“Hey, Kim.”

“Yes?”

“Hyunjae isn’t normally like that. Did it really happen that way?”

“Come on, team leader, haven’t you heard of the ‘squint character’? Usually calm and smiling, but if he squints, the world flips.”

“Hmm…”

The team murmured, “I know, you mean Zeros!” Hyunjae now had a dark boss image added to his calm persona. Jo Minsu wanted to refute it but had nothing to say. If it wasn’t coincidence, Kim Seungmok was right.

‘Well… if he’s perceived as charismatic, it’s good.’

Late afternoon, Hyunjae came to the office. Handing out gifts from the hot springs, he told Jo Minsu:

“Oh, by the way, team leader, Nova Girls got an advertising model offer from Sekhmet, and they accepted.”

“What?!”

Why say such a thing so casually? Like, “By the way, oil has started coming out of my yard.” Sekhmet? Isn’t that the world’s top luxury brand?

“There was no offer in the company emails. And Sekhmet doesn’t usually hire promo models, except for campaigns.”

“It’s for a campaign. MycoWorks, a handbag made from mushroom mycelium. Eco-friendly, sustainable luxury. They contacted me directly. They originally wanted Tina Grenny, but her image is too bad now, so they want Nova Girls.”

“Really… I see.”

“I’ll leave right after filming <Chalk and Window>.”

Hyunjae left, leaving Jo Minsu dumbfounded.

‘What’s happening? He seems different…’

He wasn’t the only one feeling that.

“Did you hear that? Sekhmet model? Eva Brooks’ acquaintance is a Sekhmet designer?”

“Hyunjae’s presence is insane… He doesn’t brag, just finishes his work and moves on.”

“This was all planned, right? For him, it’s completely normal.”

“Crush Grenny and steal the chance from her… amazing… so cool.”

An elementary school classroom.

‘I can’t believe I’m spying at my age.’

Lee Seongwoo, Head of Planning Strategy at Valhalla Studio, wore a flipped hat. Today was a public shooting event for JM’s highly promoted movie <Chalk and Window>.

Looking around, a few others seemed to have come for the same purpose.

After checking the promotion schedule for <Thieves of the Heart> several times, CEO Park Min-kyu was overly conscious of <Chalk and Window>. Not because Lim Yuju and Lee Jua were in it, but because Hyunjae picked the film.

Especially after Nova Girls’ UN visit, it seemed almost obsessive. Seongwoo was there personally because only he could explain rationally whether the film was good or bad, and why.

Hyunjae was visible in the distance. He looked like an ordinary person.

‘People treat Hyunjae like a ghost or goblin? That’s a problem if it goes that far…’

Just then, filming began.

‘Lee Jua as the villain… can’t be bad. Her acting is deep. If the script is sloppy, it immediately shows.’

Then the criticism would fall on Hyunjae. “Couldn’t do better with Lee Jua?” they’d say. Likely, right? Her previous unknown director projects all failed. Either the acting couldn’t match the script or vice versa…

“Onew, this… it’s all planned, right?”

When Lee Jua spoke, the atmosphere froze.

Seongwoo instinctively opened his mouth.

‘Wait. That acting… the villain? That’s…?’