Chapter 155: There's More Than Just Apples in the Apple Orchard (1)
In Sae-Ri's hometown village in Andong, nestled within North Gyeongsang Province, Cherry Blossom was performing in the open space before the village hall.
『Hands Up~? Hurry Up~?』
"Wow~ They're so good! Look at our Sae-Ri!"
"Ha ha! Today's feast is really something! This is great!"
"Yes~ Hurry Up!"
The families gathered in the village hall were joyfully dancing along.
I had promised to take Cherry Blossom to Sae-Ri's hometown if they maintained their number one place for nine consecutive weeks. However, due to Woo Yeon-Hee's injury resulting in a schedule cancellation and the turmoil caused by Golden Road, we brought the visit forward.
Having free schedules, Yoo-Jin and Miso also came along and Miso was dancing in Woo Yeon-Hee's place on the makeshift stage.
"Yessss! Go Miso, you're doing great!" Yoo-Jin cheered.
Encouraged by Yoo-Jin's cheers, Miso started stretching her short arms and legs even more energetically.
Watching Miso dance, Woo Yeon-Hee asked me with a smile in her eyes.
"Yoon-Ho oppa, do you think Miso could replace me in this week's music shows?"
"Absolutely. Cherry Blossom might even gain more popularity with Miso," I replied.
"Ah, come on. Am I being outshined by Miso?"
Woo Yeon-Hee pouted her lips and Yoo-Jin playfully poked my side.
"Ouch...what? It was just a joke," I flinched and replied playfully.
Jung Yoo-Jin frowned and said, "Oppa, you shouldn't say things like that even if it's a joke."
Woo Yeon-Hee brightened up as she felt like she had gained an ally.
"Right? Don't you think Yoon-Ho oppa was too mean just now?"
"Totally. Yoon-Ho oppa doesn't quite get how girls feel."
"Yeah, I thought so too."
They teased me back and forth, giggling together.
In the meantime, Cherry Blossom's performance had come to an end.
"Thank you!"
Sae-Ri bowed deeply after finishing her performance.
"Our Sae-Ri is the best!"
"Oh my, to think our Sae-Ri has become such a famous singer."
"She used to say that when she was little, right? That she'd become a famous singer and go global."
Sae-Ri made a peace sign with her fingers. "On that note, I might be going to Japan soon!"
'Why is she suddenly announcing a move to Japan? Are you leaving for Japan without me knowing, Sae-Ri?' I wondered.
I had considered inviting her as a guest for Kim Jong-Hoon's concert at the end of the year, but I hadn't mentioned this to Sae-Ri.
I thought to myself, 'She's just spouting her wishes as if they were concrete plans. What a bluff!'
As Sae-Ri chatted with her acquaintances, her grandfather, Kim Pan-Seok, who was sitting at the head table, frowned.
"Tsk tsk. Why is a grown woman acting so childish? How did our Andong Kim family end up with such a loach..." Kim Pan-Seok nagged.
Sae-Ri bristled at the old-fashioned nagging.
"Grandpa, why are you always nagging me!?"
Sae-Ri's face turned pouty.
At that moment, Sae-Ri's grandmother dressed neatly in a hanbok and with her hair tidily combed spoke softly to Kim Pan-Seok.
"Old man, it's been a long time since you've last seen your granddaughter. So why don't you keep your mouth shut if you have nothing nice to say? If you're happy to see her, just say you're happy to see her. Why are you acting so tough on the outside, huh? Tsk tsk."
With a heavy hit from Sae-Ri's grandmother Lee Yung-Sook, Kim Pan-Seok fell silent.
"Ke hem, ehem. What have I ever done for you to say that?" Kim Pan-Seok responded as he cleared his throat.
Feeling awkward, Sae-Ri's grandfather quickly changed the topic.
"Now that we've heard Sae-Ri's singing, let's all have a meal."
The family moved into the hall and began to serve the prepared meal. A long table was set up on the platform in the open space and dishes started to pile up one after the other. Colorful pancakes, numerous stews whose names I didn't even know, and crates of makgeolli were brought out.
In the midst of this, Sae-Ri forgot about her earlier complaints and ran over to her grandfather with a bright expression.
"Grandpa! Did you know I've been number one for eight consecutive weeks?"
"Ke hem. Don't be satisfied with just that. You must continue to work hard and progress."
Even though she had seen the banners celebrating her success as they entered the village, Sae-Ri still sought validation like a child throwing a tantrum.
"Wow, Grandpa. You're too harsh. Is it that hard to give a compliment?"
Sae-Ri placed her hands on her hips and glared at her grandfather. In response, Kim Pan-Seok flinched and responded, "Hey! How could you not know that I'm not one for flattering words?"
But his face was already beaming with pride despite his gruff demeanor.
'How proud he must be of his granddaughter's great success at such a young age,' I smiled as I thought to myself.
His attempt to hide his inner feelings with constant throat-clearing made the stereotype of the stoic Gyeongsang-do man feel like a complete falsehood.
That's when Sae-Ri caught her grandfather smiling and teased him.
"Huh? Grandpa, you just smiled!"
Kim Pan-Seok's face turned slightly red. "No, no I didn't. You little rascal."
"Oh, come on. You totally did. I did pretty well, didn't I?"
As Sae-Ri kept asking, Kim Pan-Seok reluctantly answered. "Ke hem. Yes, yes, you did well. My baby girl."
Just that remark from her grandpa was enough to make Sae-Ri look as if she owned the world.
"He he. Grandpa~."
Kim Pan-Seok patted Sae-Ri's back as she hugged him, smiling contentedly.
Just like that, my second life was being overwritten with hope and joy, replacing the gloomy memories of my first life.
***
Sae-Ri's parents, Kim Yung-Min and Jang Yeon-Jung, came up to me and started asking about Sae-Ri. It was more out of concern than actual questioning.
"As parents, we're worried that this year's success might just be a flash in the pan," Sae-Ri's parents asked with a concerned look.
"Don't worry. A girl group that has risen to this level of fame won't easily fall apart unless it's due to a scandal," I assured them.
I carefully explained to Sae-Ri's parents that the environment surrounding Cherry Blossom had completely changed from last year with talented staff like Bang Seon-Woo, Jang Ye-Bin, and Park Seon-Nyeo supporting Cherry Blossom.
Their expressions gradually began to brighten with this explanation.
At that moment, Sae-Ri approached me with a plate filled with my favorite pancakes and skewers.
"Mom! Dad! Stop it. Our talent agent oppa can't even eat because you're asking too many questions!"
"Ha ha ha. Our Sae-Ri is taking care of others now. She really has grown up."
"What do you mean? I've always been caring!"
Sae-Ri stuck out her tongue and then scurried over to her little brother, Jung-Hoo, who was surrounded by Cherry Blossom members at the next table.
Looking at the four-year-old Jung-Hoo who shared Sae-Ri's cute looks, another idea sparked in me.
'I wish I could recruit Sae-Ri's brother as well...'
But he was too young, so I had to put aside the thought with regret.
'Let's wait until he grows up.'
I decided to wait until he was older, much like waiting for a wine to age.
I turned my attention back to Sae-Ri's parents.
"Sae-Ri always works hard with you guys in mind. I'll pay more attention to Cherry Blossom, so please don't worry too much."
Sae-Ri's parents gave a warm smile and thanked me.
"Thank you so much. And Sae-Ri mentioned that this success was all thanks to you, Mr. Jung. Please continue to look after her."
"That's right. Without you, our Sae-Ri would have struggled so much. We'll continue to place our trust in you."
I nodded at their gratitude and earnest requests. "Of course. She's my singer, after all."
"Alright, let's eat now. We've talked too much."
A plate five times larger than the plate Sae-Ri was brought in front of me. Yoo-Jin and Miso, who had finished eating, also came over.
"Uncle Yoon-Ho, Uncle Yoon-Ho! The grandparents here are so lovely."
I smiled warmly and wiped off the sesame seeds stuck on Miso's mouth.
"Is that so?"
Miso proudly showed off a hanbok that Sae-Ri used to wear when she was younger, a complete set with a colorful jacket and rubber shoes. "Hehe. Lookie! Grandma gave me this! Isn't it pretty?"
"I'm glad we came here today. Are you having fun?" I asked.
"Yes!" exclaimed Miso.
Seeing Miso's cheerful face made it seem like the fatigue from the tough entertainment industry life had been washed away.
That's when Jung-Hoo reached out his hands toward Miso.
"Noona."
"Uncle Yoon-Ho, I need to play with Jung-Hoo." Miso said as she quickly turned around and headed toward Jung-Hoo.
"Hey...Miso?"
'To think Miso is snatched away from me by Kim Jung-Hoo! I'll get back at you for this!' I remarked inwardly.
But as I watched Miso play with Jung-Hoo, their undeniable cuteness melted away any lingering resentment I harbored. However, my attention shifted when I noticed a shadow crossing Yoo-Jin's face as she quietly observed them.
"Yoo-Jin, what's on your mind?"
"Oh, no. It's nothing."
"Come on. Is it because of Miso's custody?"
"...Yes."
"Don't worry. I'll take care of it. Let's just relax for now."
Only then did Yoo-Jin finally brighten up.
"Thank you always, oppa."
"Don't mention it. I'm your talent agent and this is my job."
"Pfft. That's easy to say. Other talent agents can't even come close to what you do." Yoo-Jin replied as she compared me to other talent agents at Hoop Entertainment.
I thought to myself with pride, 'Me, once hailed as the top talent agent in Korea, being compared to a mere assistant manager? Impossible.'
I couldn't resist a smile, and Yoo-Jin grinned in response.
At that moment, a burst of laughter filled the open space.
Curious, I looked over and saw Miso and Kim Jung-Hoo dancing together.
『Daddy is chubby, mommy is slender, the baby is so cute, shake shake, so fun!』
Though his pronunciation wasn't perfect, causing the lyrics to sound a bit off, Jung-Hoo's cuteness was definitely on par with Miso's.
"Oh my~ well done, Jung-Hoo."
"Jung-Hoo could become a celebrity following his sister, couldn't he?"
The village elders clapped and cheered him on.
That's when I noticed a teenager hesitantly peeking into the village hall from the entrance. The face seemed familiar.
'Wait, where have I seen that face before? Who is it?'
Then Sae-Ri's mom called out to the teen.
"Haru, come in already if you're here. What are you doing standing there?"
'Wait a minute. Haru?'
I instantly realized who the teen at the entrance was.
'Lee Haru.'
Actor Lee Haru, using the stage name Haru, had shone in both blockbuster movies with tens of millions of audience and indie films. He proved to be an all-rounder, making his presence known everywhere.
That sought-after actor was right before my eyes.
I knew that he had lived independently after running away from home at a young age, but I never imagined I'd run into him here.
"Huh? It's Haru! Haru, come on in! My mom made your favorite japchae," Sae-Ri exclaimed excitedly.
"Oh, no, it's okay, Sae-Ri," Haru replied.
The blushing Lee Haru quickly turned around and disappeared.
"Tsk, tsk. His dad must've sent him on another errand for alcohol."
"Really, what kind of dad makes his son do such things?"
As murmurs of disapproval spread, Kim Pan-Seok stepped in. "Let's pack up some food for him and visit him later. Haru looks paler than a few days ago. I wonder if he's eating properly..."
While Kim Pan-Seok instructed the family, I asked Sae-Ri a question.
"Sae-Ri, does he live here?"
"Yes. If you go around the corner, you'll see a house with a blue roof. That's his place. Oh, right, he was my number one fan. And my best friend too."
'Best friend? No way. It seemed like he had a fondness for you,' I remarked inwardly.
I started gathering information about Lee Haru through Sae-Ri.
But then I learned about Lee Haru's dark past that I hadn't known of in my past life.
***
Crash!
"You damned brat. Do I sound like a joke to you? Just go get some alcohol from the feast! Why make such a fuss?"
Amid the loud noise, a worn-out aluminum pot flew towards Lee Haru's head. It fortunately missed, but Lee Haru couldn't hold back any longer and talked back.
"Dad! Please, can you stop? I don't want to go around begging for alcohol anymore!"
After his mother left home one day five years ago without a single word, Lee Haru's father, Lee Hyung-Moon's, alcoholism worsened. He always had alcohol over food and constantly sent Haru who should have been focusing on his studies to run alcohol errands.
Having had this life become a routine at this point, Lee Haru resigned to his fate and went out to get alcohol again today. But when he went to beg for alcohol at the biggest festival in the village at Sae-Ri's house, he locked eyes with his first love, Kim Sae-Ri.
He felt miserable and sad.
The girl he liked had become a shining star while he was nothing but pathetic. Lee Haru felt like he was nothing more than a mayfly, barely surviving each day.
Mustering courage he didn't know he had, Lee Haru shouted, "I...I don't want to live like this anymore!"
Compared to the glamorous Sae-Ri, he despised his own pitiful state.
At that moment, Lee Haru's father grabbed a soju bottle and yelled, "Just like your mother who looked down on me and ran away, now you too dare to disrespect me? You brat! I'll kill you today."
"Go ahead! Kill me! I don't want to live like this anymore either!"
Lee Haru's father moved forward with the soju bottle raised in his hand. "You damn bastard!"
Lee Haru closed his eyes tightly. His body tensed up as he braced himself for the terrible pain that was about to come.
Bang!
At that moment, the door flew open. And a young man's voice echoed loudly inside the room with a commotion.
"What are you doing? Are you trying to kill the child?"
"Who, who are you? Let go of me!" Lee Hyung-Moon said as he struggled.
Instead of pain, Lee Haru heard his father arguing with a young man and opened his eyes slightly.
Crash!
The fierce-looking man who took the alcohol bottle from his father and pushed him away was definitely Sae-Ri's talent agent.
As their eyes met, the young man gave Haru a spring-like smile.
"Are you okay, Haru?" the young man asked.
At that moment, tears streamed down Lee Haru's face.
It was a question he hadn't heard since his mother left home.
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