Just after leaving Yuri-noona's apartment, silence pervaded once again. Not that I blame Cho Ah for it, now that I know some of her situation, I understand why would she try to be as far as possible from me. Unfortunately, I couldn't let that happen.
— So Cho Ah-ssi, you did say that we haven't met before, right? — I slowly said, I was walking ahead, trying to ignore her awkwardness, so I couldn't really see her reaction, not that I needed.
— Y-Y-Y-Yes, I don't think we have met before.... — really awkward.
I hummed, it was starting to get funny to tease her like that.
— So, Yuri-noona told me you were really good at it — I gestured towards the "IPTV" signed on her uniform — being a saleswoman I mean.
— I-I-I just t-t-try to do my best — she was as good at lying as Ju hyun-ah.
— I don't mean to intrude, but seeing that you are that good, you must have been doing it for some time now, right? — this time, I added a teasing tone in my question.
This time there was a slight delay until her reply.
— N-Not at all, Just about 7 months — I peeked at her through the corner of my eye, noticing her visible nervousness.
I stopped walking, and with a fake surprise evident on my face, I said.
— Oh! I'm really sorry, I should be calling you Cho Ah-noona, right? After all you should be older seeing as you are a respected saleswoman — by now, I had a teasing smile while looking directly at her.
She was wide-eyed for half a second but quickly replied.
— D-D-Don't worry about it, j-j-just call me Cho Ah — she aswered with a forced smile.
Once again, I hummed, making her even more nervous.
— How could that be? We're not the same age, after all, how could a minor be a saleswoman, it's illegal after all, I should treat you with the due respect — I teasingly said, still with the smirk plastered on my face.
She inmediately trembled after I said that, but quickly said.
— Of course, but I try to not bother myself with those antics. That's why you should call me Cho Ah — This time, she had a perfect poker face, making me raise my eyebrow at her surprising act.
— Of course, Of course. Then Park Cho Ah — I slowly said her name, perfectly articulating each word — do you like Noona's tea? — I violently changed the topic.
— Of course, it's really calming — unhesitant, it seems she had a newfound security.
— And what about her? — without stop, I asked one more time.
— She's really kind to me, something that you usually don't see as a saleswoman.
— Indeed, indeed. She's really kind and comforting, that's why I appreciate her so much, are your eyes natural? — I was talking really fast, and coupled with the unending questions, this seems like a career interview.
— Yes — she said quickly. I mean, it's okay she's answering without stuttering, but that doesn't explain why was she answering all of my questions. The previous questions were okay, but the eyes? Why would she bother? That only means she was simply hiding her nervousnes, which I already knew.
Noticing it was time I end this, time to set the bait.
— What middle school do you attend?
— Shindong middle school — it was a couple of seconds until she realized. Then visibly surprised, she stared directly at me, and stuttering, she asked.
— You knew? — that squeezed a smile out of me. She was really similar to Hyun-ah, but even more so to Yoona-yah.
I initially simply nodded, but then continued.
— So tell me, Park Cho Ah, JYP trainee, born in 1990, march If I'm not wrong, why are you, a minor, working as a saleswoman?
She plummeted to the ground on her knees, a blank expression on her face. I was already thinking that I won, and the solution to some of my problems was ready, but then she really made me flustered.
Initially a sniff, then a sob, but finally, she was loudly bawling her eyes out while kneeling.
— Shit! I overdid it..... — that was the only thing in my head right now, seeing her reaction.
During the next couple of minutes, I sincerely tried to calm her, using every way I knew of, not that they were effective. It was after 5 minutes, that her bawling finally stopped, only a runny nose as proof of the event.
— I *sniff* really didn't want to do something illegal *sniff*. I just needed the money to pay the training fees, but now *sniff*, now *sniff*.... — by this time, she was on the verge of tears once again. I was simply patting her back while listening to her, hoping she wouldn't start crying again.
— How did you do it? I mean, we're the same age, right? — I was sincerely confused about that.
— It's a family friend the one that gave me the job *sniff*, I also have another part-time job *sniff*.
— But what about the clients, didn't they notice you were a minor? — she quickly shook her head and sadly said.
— The make up helps a lot to look more mature *sniff* — I have to admit that she did look really mature right now, hadn't I met her before, I wouldn't really notice.
It was a little bit ruined right now because of her tears, so I tried to comfort her...
— It's okay, It's okay. I won't tell anyone, if that's what you're worried about... — I said, while sighing.
— Really? — she deeply looked at me, with hope-filled eyes.
— I didn't intend to tell anyone about it — I was mentally exhausted right now, coupled with the physical exhaustion from all the training, I was really weary right now, but still continued — I just need a favor.
— A favor? — she was wiping her eyes with a tissue I passed her earlier. Fortunately, I had a box of tissues in my bag.
She was weirdly staring at me, I could read her thoughts right now.
"You're the son of Park Jin Young, CEO of JYP, why would you need a favor from me?" — Before she could even ask, I simply said.
— I'm also a trainee you know? — rubbing my index and thumb finger together, I continued — money, I also need money.
This was not me being greedy. I didn't want to accept any help from Father, other than him supporting me being an Idol. But not receiving help means, not receiving any kind of money from him.
And even more important, the situation in the dorms has been pretty bad lately. The last week, we only had rice to eat, and that with a meticulous rationing from Jiyong-hyung and myself. If not, I don't think we could have eaten at all.
I was staring at Cho Ah, while she was surprised at first, a look of realization rapidly appeared. She took out what looked like a wallet, then opened it. I was expecting her to take out a card or phone where I could call, looking for a job that would accept a minor, but I was really surprised with her next action.
With the wallet opened, she took out every little bit of money in it and passed it to me while saying.
— It's everything I've earned until now. — I was blankly staring at her, while she continued — I don't really have anything more.. — her eyes were wet once again, but she angrily looked at me.
I could only wryly smile at her while looking at the money she passed to me. Looked at her, then looked at the money, then at her..... That cycle repeated itself for a whole minute. Then I sighed, returned her the money, that really surprised her, and said.
— I meant a job.... I want a part-time job that could accept a minor, and was in accordance to a trainee's schedule, you have two, could you get one for me?... — I was really frustrated right now.
Do I really look like a thug or anything like that? I'm not even wearing the mask....
I saw how slowly her expression changed from an angry one, then to a surprised one, and finally, her cheeks got really red, I almost thought she would start bleeding.
Exasperated, I stood up, and escorted her all the way to her house, complete silence during the rest of the journey. Afterwards, went to the dorms, where Tempo-hyung was the only one awake and mechanically sat in front of him. After a couple of seconds, I finally asked.
— Hyung, Do I look like a thug? — he was initially puzzled, but after deeply looking at my face, and some wondering, he finally said.
— I mean, you do look pretty aggressive, even without the mask. Why do you ask?
I was really abashed right now, so I ignored him, went towards the bathroom, and looked at myself at the mirror...
The next couple days, all the hyungs would be worried about me spending so much time in the bathroom....
Little did they know that I was practicing a kind smile.... I mean... how could she treat me as if I was a thug...