As always, when Geon Kim released an album, it became a topic of interest worldwide. Especially in Japan, the enthusiasm was so high that programs inviting music critics, video analysts, animation, and movie experts were temporarily scheduled in a talk show format to analyze Shizuka's music videos and songs. In contrast to Geon, Shizuka, who was still an unknown student, became the target of journalists scouring Manhattan to find her. Byungjun, to protect her, hired security guards to watch over the area around Juilliard and Shizuka's home.
A few days later, after finalizing the contract for a top-floor apartment in a high-end building, Byungjun brought Shizuka to their new apartment, and Anna and Anthony came over under the pretext of a housewarming to see the place. Upon arriving at the skyscraper in the middle of Manhattan, Anna ran around the apartment, exclaiming enviously.
"How many rooms are there, exactly? How much does this place cost, Shizuka?"
Sitting on the living room sofa, offering coffee to Anthony, Shizuka replied with a shy smile.
"I'm not sure about the price. It was arranged by my manager."
Anthony, pulling the coffee towards him, laughed and said,
"Given that you've been provided with a place like this, it seems like Shizuka's earnings are not insignificant."
Shizuka, blushing, tucked her hair behind her ears.
"Well, I don't know. I haven't received a settlement yet. I'll have to see the settlement results."
After Anna had opened the last balcony door and screamed,
"There are five rooms and a huge balcony overlooking downtown Manhattan!"
Anna rushed back to the living room and jumped onto the sofa, excitedly saying,
"Who cares about settlement data! Everyone around me is curious about you. Even my YouTube fans who know I attend Juilliard are asking if I know you. Don't you get the feeling? You've definitely made it big! Congratulations!"
Shizuka, embarrassed, fidgeted with her hands on her lap and replied in a voice that barely rose above a whisper,
"It's all thanks to Kay."
Anna snapped her fingers and said,
"While it's true Kay has been a huge help, the media is focusing on you, Shizuka. It means you have the star quality that draws people's attention. It's fine to be grateful to Kay, but don't think everything is thanks to Kay alone. Believe in yourself."
"Yes, yes..."
While the three were chatting on the sofa, the sound of the front door's password being entered was heard, and the door opened. Byungjun, carrying shopping bags filled with various items, stood awkwardly in front of the sofa, looking at the three, and made a slight bow before putting the bags down in front of the refrigerator, saying,
"You're here? I see you've come for the housewarming."
Knowing that Byungjun was Geon and Shizuka's manager, Anthony spoke in a somewhat hesitant tone,
"Oh, yes! We came to congratulate Shizuka, you know, just dropping by."
"Haha, I see. Make yourselves at home."
As Byungjun started to unpack the bags, Shizuka quickly stood up, opened the refrigerator, and began putting the groceries away. Seeing the two guests unsure of what to do, Byungjun tapped Shizuka's arm and spoke softly,
"I'll take care of this. You stay with your guests."
"No, no, how can I let you work alone, Manager? Let me help."
"Stop calling me manager, just call me by my name."
"I, I am Japanese, so I feel uncomfortable calling someone by their name directly."
"Don't stutter. You don't get nervous when filming music videos, why now?"
"That's because Kay is there..."
"I'm your manager. I hope you'll trust me more than Kay in the future."
"Ah..yes, yes..."
"By the way, you've been getting non-stop casting offers from Japan. What do you want to do? The semester is still a bit away, but you've already earned all your credits. Do you want to go to Japan and work?"
Shizuka, surprised, looked at Byungjun and then asked timidly,
"What... What kind of programs?"
Byungjun, smiling mischievously, bent down and said,
"Don't talk like that. What kind of programs, indeed."
Shizuka couldn't help but laugh at Byungjun's comical demeanor, and with a smile, he opened the fridge to put in some bottled water, saying,
"There are endless programs. From music shows to talk shows and variety shows, Japan is practically at war to have you. Have your parents not called you?"
Shizuka checked her phone in her pocket and shook her head,
"No, they haven't. Why, is something wrong?"
Byungjun shook his head disapprovingly,
"I
guess all journalists are the same after all. I thought Japanese ones would be more polite, but it seems they've been camping out in front of your parents' house, asking them to get in touch with you. Luckily, it's winter, so they're not going out to the fields and are just staying home."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, it's worrying."
Shizuka, still filling the fridge, looked at Byungjun intently and asked,
"How did you know about my parents facing that?"
Byungjun, as if it was nothing, filled the vegetable drawer and replied,
"How would I not know? I called to inform them about their celebrity daughter. The company hired a simultaneous interpreter. We'll call them frequently to share your news and to relay theirs to you."
Shizuka, touched, quietly looked down and said,
"Thank you, Manager."
As Byungjun waved it off and continued working, Shizuka suddenly asked,
"But Manager, do you often call Kay's home as well? Since you speak Korean well, it must be easier for you?"
Byungjun paused and sighed deeply, causing Shizuka to worry she might have said something wrong.
"No, I don't. Well, I can't. Geon doesn't like his father much. It seems he only contacts his sister separately. And he cherishes his sister terribly."
"Oh... I see."
"Shizuka, make sure not to mention this kind of thing in front of Geon. He's usually very kind and endlessly positive, but if family matters, especially about his father, come up, he gets as gloomy as someone with depression all day."
"Yes... I'll remember that."
"Alright, I'm done here. I'll make myself a cup of coffee and join you on the sofa."
"Thank you for your hard work, Manager."
"Stop with the 'Manager' already and just go."
"Yes, Manager."
"Ah... just go..."
Shortly after, Byungjun, who had just made coffee, walked over to the sofa, where Shizuka gave up her seat next to her. Sitting on the sofa and taking a sip of coffee, Byungjun glanced between the two people watching him and subtly stood up, saying,
"Ahem, I think I need to step out for a bit."
Anthony quickly stopped Byungjun from leaving.
"Oh! No, Mr. Lee. It's not because it's awkward!"
Byungjun turned back to Anthony with a puzzled look, prompting Anthony to hesitantly speak up.
"Actually, we were just talking about Shizuka's activities in Japan…"
Byungjun sat back down and asked,
"Yes, what about it?"
"We're a bit worried about sending Shizuka alone."
Seeing Anthony and Anna looking at him, Byungjun chuckled and said,
"Haha, I see. If we get booked for a music program, will you two come along?"
"What?! Really?"
"Eek! I've never been to Asia before!"
As Anna cheered and Anthony looked incredulously, Shizuka asked with concern,
"Um.. manager. If it's a music program… Kay would have to go too, right?"
Hearing Shizuka, Anna's excitement turned to a sullen mutter,
"Well… if Kay can't go, we won't be able to appear on the music program… Kay must be busy with a full schedule… sigh."
Byungjun responded with an exasperated look,
"What schedule! Damn, well said. I've been wanting to vent. This guy doesn't have any schedule! Using being a student as an excuse, saying he needs to study! Spending the holidays gallivanting and getting into trouble! And when we try to book something, he just disappears. Ah, my luck."
Shizuka looked at Byungjun surprised, then nodded,
"Ah.. so that's why we haven't seen him on TV after the album release."
Byungjun slapped his chest in frustration,
"Exactly! If he had been active, he would have been filthy rich by now!"
Anthony asked with a hint of hope,
"So… does Kay have no schedule during the holidays?"
"None, absolutely none. He'll probably say he's going on a trip somewhere."
Anna caught Anthony's eye and then glanced at Byungjun, asking,
"A trip? Could it be to Japan?"
After considering Anna's question, Byungjun pondered for a moment before responding,
"Hmm… that's possible, but… don't you guys know Kay yet?"
Anthony and Anna looked at each other before asking together,
"Sorry? What do you mean?"
Byungjun shrugged at the three of them,
"That guy. Just say 'let's go together, help me out', and he'll just say 'yeah'."
Ding dong.
The sudden sound of the doorbell led Shizuka to run to the door, where she was greeted by Kay, waving a can of beer and smiling.
"Ah! Kay! You came too!"
"Haha, how could I not after getting the call? I was a bit late because I was dropping Kiska off at home. Is everyone here?"
Kay entered the living room, waving his beer and sat next to Byungjun.
"Bro, you're here?"
"Yeah, did you drop off Kiska okay?"
"Yeah, bro. Guys, I brought beer. Let's drink!"
Shizuka hesitantly brought another chair to the table and sat down. As her friends hesitated and glanced at Kay, Byungjun laughed and turned to Kay,
"Shizuka got an offer for activities in Japan. To do a music broadcast, you'd have to go too. What do you think? Wanna go?"
Kay swallowed and looked around at the three people watching him before replying,
"Yes, I'll go."
Anna and Anthony, who had been holding their breath, exhaled and exclaimed in unison,
"Gasp!! For real!"
"Is it that easy?"
"What were we so worried about!"
"Ahahah~~ I need to buy a suitcase!"
Seeing Shizuka's eyes turn into hearts at Kay, Byungjun laughed and said,
"See, I told you. Just ask for help outright, and it's done."
At Byungjun's words, the three of them beamed with joy, while Kay frowned and said,
"What's this conversation about? Include me too."
"Hahahahaha"
"Hohoho, no need, Kay."
"Oh my, what am I thinking. I'll bring out some snacks."
Kay, initially puzzled and frowning, soon joined his friends, happily drinking beer together.