Chapter 39: Yuna

“Sunbae, I’m here!”

While waiting near the bus stop, I spotted Na Yuna, who was looking around from afar, and called out to her.

Na Yuna heard my call and came running over.

“You came really early. I should have come a little earlier too.”

When she showed a sorry expression, I shook my head.

“You came even earlier than the promised time anyway. I don’t care. So, we’re going right away, right?”

“Yeah. I’m a little nervous….”

“Just do what they tell you to do.”

Na Yuna and I were currently heading to SC after receiving a call from CEO Lim Juhee.

Originally, only Na Yuna had received a call, but for some reason, Na Yuna asked me to accompany her.

‘I thought she would call Kim Noeul or Doa-sunbae.’

It was unexpected that she chose me.

Na Yuna didn’t open her mouth while we were getting closer to the SC building.

It was understandable that she was nervous since it was the day she was taking her first steps as a model. Not only that, but she said she had something to tell me today.

She was probably going to confess to me about her broadcasting. She seemed nervous because there were two big events.

When we arrived at the entrance of the building, we stopped for a moment. It was because Na Yuna was taking a deep breath.

“Hoo, ha. Hoo, ha.”

“Shall we go in?”

“Yeah.”

Na Yuna and I stepped inside the building.

We went straight up to the office and drank the tea that the staff served us while waiting for CEO Lim Juhee to come.

After a while, the office door opened and CEO Lim Juhee came in with a beaming face.

“Yuna, long time no see~. And Maru is also here. To think that two shining treasures would fall into my lap, I’m a lucky person!”

“Maru just came as an escort.”

“Really? What kind of relationship do you two have?”

“Th, ththat’s.”

Na Yuna, who had started to stammer, couldn’t finish her words and hung her head. And she glanced at me, who was sitting next to her.

“I came as Yuna-sunbae’s manager.”

When I answered normally, CEO Lim Juhee made an okay sign with her fingers as if she understood. Na Yuna also calmed down at my calm answer.

“First, we’ll write a contract, and then we’ll make a profile. Keep in mind that we may not be able to finish it all today.”

“But does the CEO usually come to the signing of a contract in person?”

“Sometimes.”

Lim Juhee answered vaguely to my question. It meant that she didn’t always attend.

“I hope Yuna realizes the meaning of me coming to this place in person.”

Na Yuna clenched her fist at her meaningful words. Na Yuna would have guessed the extent of Lim Juhee’s expectations for her.

After calmly completing the pre-contract, we headed to the studio.

“Originally, we can rent an external studio, but since we’re just simply writing a rough draft, we’ll solve it within the company.”

Lim Juhee, who explained in detail, called some artists and staff. Na Yuna and I were flustered when quite a few people gathered.

“Then call me when you’re done writing. I have work to do.”

After saying that, Lim Juhee left the seat. At the same time, people rushed to Na Yuna.

“Hello~. I’ll be in charge of Yuna-ssi’s hair today.”

“I’m the person who decorates the mask.”

“When you’re done with your makeup, come to the lighting room and we’ll try filming.”

As people gathered to the point where I couldn’t even approach Na Yuna, I distanced myself from Na Yuna.

And I asked one of the staff members who was nearby.

“…What does the manager do?”

“Ah, you’re the person who came with Na Yuna-ssi, right? You can stay in the lounge, or you can watch from here.”

It was a way of saying that there was nothing I could do. Accepting that favor, I watched in real time as Na Yuna was changing.

Her hair was curled up, her skin became brighter, and her eyes came to life.

The outcast, who had been emitting a dark atmosphere while covering her forehead, was now transforming into a celebrity who walked around the downtown area and attracted people’s attention.

Since she couldn’t cut her long bangs right away, she fixed them to the side so that her forehead was slightly exposed. It was the moment when Na Yuna’s big eyes were revealed to the world.

“Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a mask like this.”

“There was a reason why the CEO was inwardly anxious and waiting.”

“Sigh, we need to change the school uniform and shoot, right? The chest doesn’t have a good fit.”

“I’ll shine the light for a moment. Everyone, get away from the reflector~.”

The voices of people and the noise generated by moving made my head dizzy.

But Na Yuna was probably even more confused than me, but she was glaring and concentrating.

“Yuna-ssi, relax your eyes.”

“Ah, yes.”

Na Yuna quickly relaxed her eyes.

Looking at Na Yuna’s face, I can definitely see the figure of ‘Yuna’ who is active on the Internet. Some of the staff members were also surprised because they were familiar faces.

“Oh? Is that Yuna?”

“That’s right! I can recognize her after she’s dressed up!”

“I subscribed to her!”

Na Yuna bowed her head and expressed her gratitude to the unexpectedly favorable reaction. And she looked at me with worried eyes.

I didn’t make a fuss and just stared at Na Yuna.

“Okay, then let’s finish up now that we’re roughly done.”

“Yuna-ssi, you can rest with your friend.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Na Yuna approached me with a changed appearance. The scent of perfume that I couldn’t usually smell tickled my nose.

“Le, let’s go. Maru.”

“Yes.”

After completing the simple profile, we headed to the lounge.

I plopped down on the chair, and Na Yuna hesitated in front of me without sitting down. It seemed like she had something to say.

“You can tell me.”

“…Yeah, I’ll tell you now.”

Na Yuna began to speak while fiddling with her skirt.

“As you can see from the reactions of the people today, I’m actually broadcasting on the Internet. My name is Yuna.”

“I think I’ve heard of it before.”

“Really? You knew. Then you should have noticed quickly.”

“I can’t recognize you because you were covering your face almost entirely….”

If I didn’t have the knowledge of the original webtoon, I wouldn’t have easily recognized that she was Yuna.

“Ha, I guess I did that on purpose to hide myself.”

“Was there a special reason to hide?”

“…I was scared.”

Na Yuna slowly approached and sat next to me.

“I was bullied for being fat when I was young because of this body. Since then, I hated being noticed by people, so I covered myself as much as possible. My face and my body.”

“…….”

“…As I got used to hiding like that, it was definitely comfortable. Because if I just stayed still, they wouldn’t deliberately touch me.”

But Na Yuna had greed.

Greed to be recognized.

“But I was lonely, so I started broadcasting to communicate with people. There, I acted as Yuna, not Na Yuna. Something… persona? I liked that feeling.”

“I’ve read it in a book. I heard it’s also used as a type of psychotherapy.”

“That’s right. But it’s not a fundamental solution. It was scary because I felt like my ego was gradually separating.”

Na Yuna’s voice started to get watery.

“Isn’t it strange? I chose broadcasting to escape from something scary, but I started to feel scared in broadcasting. From the beginning, running away wasn’t the answer.”

Na Yuna raised her face and looked in the mirror. The figure of Yuna was reflected in the mirror.

“But meeting you guys was an opportunity.”

“The counseling club?”

“Yeah. You and Noeul are admired by a lot of people, but unlike me, you’re confident, so I was jealous. As I became more jealous, I wanted to become like you more and more. After that, I met Doa, and I wanted to become strong like Doa.”

“Anyone feels that emotion, so it’s not wrong. I also admire a lot of people.”

“That’s why I accepted the model offer. If that feeling itself isn’t wrong, as you said, I decided to accept it coolly and overcome my trauma.”

Na Yuna had already started to become independent. Even though I didn’t say anything, she made a decision while thinking for herself.

“First goal is to work hard as a model Yuna.”

“What’s the second?”

“To slowly merge Na Yuna with Yuna.”

I was relieved because it was surprisingly similar to the development of the original webtoon. If Na Yuna continues like this, she will bloom brilliantly.

Someday, she will play an important role in overwhelmingly surpassing Je Galyeonhwa with her model career and inflicting significant damage on Ojakgyo.

“Sunbae, you can set a bigger goal.”

“Bigger?”

“Yes. For example, surpassing Je Galyeonhwa.”

If it’s going to flow like the development of the original webtoon, it’s okay to instill confidence here.

“You’re prettier than that woman.”

“…….”

“…….”

When Na Yuna was silent, I was also silent. Looking closely at her, her face was trembling as if an earthquake had struck.

“Ma, Maru. You shouldn’t say things like that.”

Na Yuna, who was creaking like a broken machine, fiddled with her fingers.

“I’m just saying the truth.”

“Ha, haha! Hahaha!”

She laughed like a crazy woman.

Her actions were the usual Na Yuna, but her appearance was Yuna, so I felt a sense of incongruity.

I had cognitive dissonance because I was seeing a cold and haughty woman be unable to come to her senses and be flustered at my words.

“Don’t you want to crush Je Galyeonhwa’s pride?”

“…It would be nice.”

“We have to make it a reality. Sunbae is also a talent chosen by CEO Lim, so what’s there to be intimidated about?”

“Ahem.”

Na Yuna cleared her throat, showing a weak side to praise.

The dark atmosphere had faded and returned to a cheerful atmosphere. Na Yuna gulped down the bottled water on the table.

She slammed the water bottle hard on the table, looked at me sharply.

“A, am I pretty…?”

“…….”

“Why aren’t you saying anything? You said I was pretty earlier….”

“…….”

“Te, tell me again….”

Yuna crawled up and approached me. As her whole face filled my vision, my head turned white.

“Sunbae. Calm down.”

“Am I pretty? Am I pretty?”

“…….”

“Maru….”

Just as she was getting close enough for her breath to touch my face, the lounge door opened.

“You worked hard, Yuna. The next schedule is….”

CEO Lim Juhee, who entered the lounge, stared at the two of us. The scene of Na Yuna riding on top of me on the sofa was shown without filtering.

Na Yuna was startled and got off me and started to make excuses.

“J, Judge! I swear, I didn’t have any thoughts!”

“Why am I a judge?”

“C, CEO.”

“…I don’t care if you’re showing affection, but from now on, you have to do it in a place where the staff can’t see you? It’s dangerous if you get caught up in rumors for no reason.”

“Yes, I’m sorry….”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

CEO Lim Juhee stroked her chin and observed the two of us.

“Is there something on my face?”

When I asked, CEO Lim Juhee shook her head.

“It’s not that. It’s just that the two-shot is good.”

After that, Lim Juhee shared the next schedule with Na Yuna. Na Yuna listened to those words with a serious expression.

CEO Lim Juhee, who had finished talking, got up from her seat first.

“Then that’s it for today. Everyone worked hard. I sent the transportation expenses to your numbers, so use them well.”

“Thank you.”

We bowed our heads to her and left the lounge. While going to the elevator to go back, I received a text message.

After checking the sender’s name, I looked at Na Yuna.

“Sunbae, go first. I’ll go after I take care of something.”

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“I need to go to the bathroom.”

“Ah…. Okay. Then I’ll go first.”

Na Yuna, who was embarrassed by the word “bathroom”, got on the elevator and went down without saying anything.

After checking the elevator going down, I headed to the nearby bathroom. And I checked the contents of the text message.

[I heard the story from Veritas]

It was an unknown number, but I could guess who it was.

[Aside from how you know about the relationship between Yu Hana and me, is it true that Yu Hana is coming to Hakdo soon?]

It seemed that Chief Seong Nari had done the work faster than I expected.

I sent her information.

[Me: Je Galhwarin is contacting Yu Hana. The two are planning to unite and attack Haneul High near the SC building. Jeong Soyeon may also get caught up in it.]

[What do you want from me.]

[Me: Nothing. Just move as you want.]

[Even if Veritas is mediating, I’m not stupid enough to listen to the words of an unidentified person and move.]

‘No, you’re going to move no matter what.’

Because in the original webtoon, she ferreted out Yu Hana and beat her half to death.

The bait has already been thrown.

The beast pretends to be noble and ignores the bait, but the fragrant smell of the bait is already intensely stimulating the beast’s sense of smell.

In the end, it will only lead to the conclusion that the beast bites the bait.

‘We can also stop Je Galhwarin, owe a debt to Seo Yoon, and induce the infighting of Ojakgyo.’

One stone, three birds.

I pray for the repose of Je Galhwarin, who will drink the cup of bitter defeat this time as well. Je Galyeonhwa and Alice probably won’t leave her alone.