“I said I’d give it to you because you didn’t see it.”
“Yeah… but there are so many places to get it, I can’t take it.”
"Good idea! Don't even think about stealing it. I'll listen carefully."
Hansol sighed at his brother's words and barely managed to say, "I understand."
“I’ll listen to Seventeen’s songs too.”
I fiddled with a dull lime-green album. It was one I thought I'd never own. Albums usually cost around 20,000 won, and I couldn't afford to spend two hours' wages on it. I was barely scraping together enough money to pay rent.
“Hey, did you just get your makeup on?”
“Not yet. I have to go out soon.
“I just came because you guys are my brothers.”
“Ugh… I wish I had more heart…”
“Hey, you little brat.”
I hit Chan-i's head without being mean. He covered the area with his hand and glared at me, but there wasn't a hint of malice in his eyes. No matter how I looked at it, he was still cute.
“Why are you acting cute all of a sudden? I can’t get used to it.”
"Yeah. We're not even recording here right now."
“When did I ever act cute?”
Even with Hansol and Jihoon speaking, Chani still trailed off. It seemed like he was the only one unaware of his aegyo. Was it just everyday aegyo, or was he only showing it to me?
“Everyone here has already heard it.
"Okay, guys. Chan-i, you've been playing hard, and I'm going to go now."
“To get makeup done?”
Sunyoung asked and I answered with happy excitement.
“I’m going to get my makeup and hair done and then go see my seniors.”
"Okay, then. See you later, Ma-eum."
It was typical of Seungcheol to let me go so coolly. The amount of jealousy was the same, but he was still the one who guaranteed me the most freedom among the 13. If only he was the leader, Jisoo would have tried to restrain me as a group. It would have been a beautiful restraint, though.
With those random thoughts in my mind, I left Seventeen's waiting room. For some reason, I walked back through the familiar broadcasting station waiting room hallway, and Chanyeol knocked on the door to his brother's waiting room.
“Hey, wait a minute!”
There was a brief pause, as if he were changing clothes. As I tapped the toes of my shoes against the floor, the door opened.
“Did you go? What did your juniors say?”
“You can call me Seventeen oppas or kids.
“There’s no need to keep calling me junior.”
Chanyeol, who had been waiting for those words, laughed and said, “Poohaha.”
“Okay. Actually, it was a bit uncomfortable.
We liked each other so much that I thought I would get in trouble if I didn't.
By the way, have you relaxed a little?”
He said, placing the album on the table. Now that I look at it, it's an autographed album with all 13 signatures.
“I feel at ease when I’m with my Seventeen brothers.”
“That means it’s a little bit better.
"Thank goodness. Do you have any plans after you finish?"
“I’m trying to find out about your agency.
I guess it's because the manager and the staff aren't there.
“It was uncomfortable.”
“Ah… So you’re still trying to become a singer.
“I was going to suggest that we eat together if you don’t have any plans.”
Ah, I felt a moment of regret. The time I spent with him had already exceeded several hours, but all we had together was a sandwich for dinner. Chanyeol, if he had a lot of money, would buy him something expensive… It might seem materialistic, but it's true. After all, EXO had already become Korea's representative K-pop idols.
“Oh… that’s too bad.”
“There will be plenty of opportunities later. Let’s definitely eat together sometime.”
He smiled brightly and answered, “Yes!”
“By the way, which agency are you thinking of?”
“I’ll try to find out more. First, I’ll gather information.
“I wish my brother was in SM…”
Chanyeol just smiled awkwardly, unsure of how to react. Well, even I would have a hard time reacting.
“I can enter, right…?”
“Yes. 100%. I have reached a point where there is nothing left to teach.
"You're only eighteen. Even if I were you, I'd bring you."
“There’s even an album?”
He said it with a hint of playfulness. Even Chanyeol chuckled, finding that adorable and endearing. He needed to get used to this life of being loved so he wouldn't cringe, but every time it happened, he cringed and was happy. Being happy is so wonderful, but every time he heard those words, he felt like his hands and feet would disappear. Well, should he even accept this as happiness?
“Yeah. It’s a very special case, though.
Because the entertainment industry is so unique.
“There are plenty of companies ready to cast you. Don’t worry too much.”
"huh…"
I knew I had a significant advantage over others, but I was worried the entertainment company that would cast me might be a bad one. If that were the case, I thought I'd audition for a good agency.
“That includes the agency you know just by hearing the name, Ma-eum.”
“Thank you for your words, senior~”
“Oh my, my heart. Not just words.
I think it's real.
And besides senior, oppa.”
Wow, this guy is also obsessed with the title "oppa." I'll accept this as a condition for a happy life and call him "oppa."
“Come on, don’t be so pessimistic.
Sit here and get your hair and makeup done!
“Once I get everything, I’ll go see my seniors.”
“Thank you, Oppa. You really are so…”
He stared at me for a moment, then opened his mouth. I couldn't figure out what he was trying to say.
“I understand why the kids like you.”
"yes?"
“You’re really good at expressing yourself. People like this are truly loved.”
“No matter where I go, I won’t starve to death.
So I’m alive like this…”
Before I could even finish speaking, my brother put his finger on my lips.
“You’re okay, but I’m not okay.”
“Oh, yes…! I’ll try to reduce it a bit too.”
Chanyeol said while gently stroking my head.
“Sometimes I wonder about your personality.
I have high self-esteem, but I'm not confident in myself.
Well, I guess I'll become more confident as I grow up."
“Yeah, I guess so. I think I’m a bit weird too.”
Chanyeol-oppa smiled, "Phew," and turned the chair in front of the vanity toward me. He probably meant for me to hurry up and get my hair and makeup done. There was still a bit of time left before the stage, but he knew I was eager to meet my seniors. And if I got this over with quickly, Chanyeol-oppa and the staff would feel better. I should stop being such a nuisance.
As I sat down on the chair Chanyeol had shown me, cool skin touched my face. I guess he was probably starting to apply his base makeup. I gave my face over to the strange yet pleasant touch of someone's hands touching my face.
How long had passed? Soon, I stood in front of the mirror, a completely different person. A dark purple shadow had been applied to an area twice the width of my eyes. The same was true for my under-eye area. I'd never worn makeup like this before, and I'd never even considered it. I disliked being conspicuous, so I tried to live a normal life.
“Wow… As expected, the makeup is amazing.”
If it were me, I would have joked that my bare face wasn't that great, but I ended up freaking out because of the heavy makeup that I couldn't handle. I don't think I'd wear this much makeup for a musical. Oh, do they wear it so heavily? I don't know because I haven't seen the musical. I should go see a musical with Jeongyeon later.
“…It’s awkward.”
“It’s my first time, so I didn’t do it that strongly…?”
It was only after the makeup artist told me that I was too dull. Neither Chanyeol oppa nor the staff members who were with me said that my makeup was too dark.
“I don’t usually do it.”
Chanyeol, standing to my left, said, "Oh, my brother does it." I said I did it, but I guess it looked like I wasn't doing it to other people.
“Oh, then it might be a little awkward.
But the reason why it is so dark is,
If you're under the lights, it's just normal makeup.
I'll delete it right after the show.
“Is there anything else that is inconvenient?”
Of course, she was wearing a name tag that said "Seo Ji-won," so she probably really intended to receive feedback, but why does it sound to me like she's just going to let it slide? Ha, the road to survival as a singer in the entertainment industry is long and arduous.
“No, thank you.”
After getting my makeup done and standing up, Chanyeol pushed me toward the hanger. My clothes were clearly lined up on the hanger, which must have been at least 1.5 meters long. Jihyuk must have gotten them for me. Given the mood of the song, there were a lot of dark, muted clothes. I felt Jihyuk's gaze on me and smiled. He must have gotten these clothes with me in mind. The thought of being loved and cared for made me smile.
“I’ll take this.”
It was a toned-down open-shoulder blue knit with a gradient black skirt that got brighter towards the bottom.
Jihyuk drew the curtains, seemingly excited about something. He chuckled and went into the changing room to undress before stepping out.
“Um… do you have an earring?”
The reason Jihyuk was looking for earrings was because I didn't have pierced ears. It added another item to the itinerary I had with Jeongyeon. I'll think about getting pierced later, but I'll definitely get my ears pierced.
“Oh, there is. What kind are you looking for? Do you want to come and see it?”
“Shall we go together, Ma-yang?”
“Yes! Oh, and please leave the horse alone.
I don't hear the term "mind sheep" very often.
“It’s a little awkward.”
His tone was just right, enough to avoid offending Jihyuk. He smiled broadly and led me to the supply room. Judging by the silver-toned bracelets, it seemed there were no other colors to choose from. I chose one with a cubic zirconia stone that shone like opal. The left one had a diamond-shaped wire, while the right one was straight.
With a very careful touch, Jihyuk gave me a pair of earrings and a necklace. It was a chain, not too long, and a striking accent to my muted rose gold outfit. The diamond-colored cubic zirconia stones interspersed throughout made it look even more luxurious.
“Thank you. When will I ever get to do something like this?”
“I will continue to do so in the future.
“Do you have any plans to visit our shop?”
And he handed me a white business card. I smiled and accepted it.
"I'll think about it."
"thank you."
I returned to the waiting room, getting closer to Jihyuk. I signed a few albums and took them with me. I planned to visit other waiting rooms.
