Seeing me return to the hospital on time, Manager Hyun-soo’s face lit up.
“You’re back safe?”
“Yes, hyung.”
“You didn’t cause any trouble, did you?”
“Ah… I didn’t.”
I hadn’t caused any trouble. Instead, I’d emptied a vault full of money that was mine.
“You’re not hurt?”
“Perfectly fine. Really.”
“Well, that’s good, then.”
So he really didn’t trust Yeon Yu-jin at all.
That realization left a bitter taste in my mouth.
I knew he meant well, that he was worried. But it was also clear he wasn’t just being kind—he was genuinely anxious about what kind of mess “Yeon Yu-jin” might cause this time.
“Hyung, I’m not going to do anything weird anymore, so you don’t have to worry so much.”
“Huh? Oh—Yu-jin, I wasn’t trying to criticize you or anything…”
Maybe he thought he’d upset me, because Hyun-soo waved his hands defensively. But I wasn’t bothered at all.
After all, I wasn’t really Yeon Yu-jin.
I don’t know why the real Yu-jin was so depressed and self-destructive, but I have no plans to stand out around here.
Since I’d broken into the vault, there was no doubt that word had already reached the government.
Running into Hyun Je-ha was just a lucky coincidence.
And that money? It would’ve reverted to government control sooner or later. Too bad—someone else accessed the vault and took it before they could. They’d definitely launch an investigation to see who it was and whether it was someone authorized.
Which meant… I was likely going to end up under surveillance.
[And you still went and looted the vault anyway?]
Potato clung to the top of my head, demanding an explanation. This guy had developed a habit of lying around on my head. It was too much of a hassle to shake him off, so I just replied in my head.
Yeon Yu-jin’s bank account was so empty I didn’t have a choice.
Besides, I was the rightful owner. I wasn’t about to sit back and watch that money fall into the government’s hands.
Who decided they get to take the cash I almost died to earn? That was all my hazard pay.
Sure, Yeon Yu-jin and Ahn Ga-hyun had no connection, so the government would definitely find it suspicious…
But I didn’t care.
In fact, I hoped it would draw out the bastard who killed me.
Judging by what I saw, Hyun Je-ha’s been hiding in the shadows for years, fighting against the government all because of me.
We’d been partners long enough that I could read him like a book. I had a pretty good idea of how he was thinking, what he was planning.
He was hunting my killer. And if even someone like him hadn’t found the culprit after all this time, then that person must be extremely hard to track.
Maybe even a high-ranking government official.
It was just speculation, but if I paid close attention to who came poking around next, I might be able to narrow it down. I was counting on that.
As I smirked wickedly to myself, Manager Hyun-soo called my name.
“…Yu-jin?”
“Ah—yeah, hyung?”
“What are you thinking about so hard?”
“Just wondering if it might be time for me to get discharged.”
“Discharged? Already? Don’t you need more time to recover?”
“You heard what the doctor said, right? That I’ve got incredible healing ability?”
“Well, yeah, but…”
I couldn’t stay in the hospital forever.
Thanks to Potato showing up, my physical recovery had been swift. Now I needed to start moving—to find the one who killed me.
“The CEO said I could check out if I was feeling up to it.”
“Right… then I’ll get the paperwork started.”
I beamed brightly.
Of course, I have zero intention of going back to that dorm with those Esper brats.
There was a reason I grabbed that vault cash in such a hurry.
Sorry, Manager Hyun-soo… but I’m not really Yeon Yu-jin.
And I fully intend to ditch this absurd excuse for an idol group.
***
As soon as the discharge was finalized, I headed straight to the CEO’s office at HB Entertainment the very next day.
After a short wait, I was shown in.
“So. Yu-jin. What brings you here in such a rush?”
“I had something urgent to talk about.”
The CEO narrowed her eyes as I smiled sweetly at her.
I could practically see the gears turning in her head, trying to figure out what kind of scheme I’d brought this time.
No need for that anymore, CEO.
I’m going to remove myself from the equation.
Grinning, I took a steady breath.
“CEO.”
“What is it?”
“I’d like to leave the group.”
“…What did you say?”
Her expression twisted in disbelief.
She clearly hadn’t expected that at all. Honestly, I was the one caught off guard.
Shouldn’t she be thrilled to get rid of the troublemaker who keeps causing problems?
“No.”
“…What?”
“You can’t leave yet.”
What kind of reaction was this?
I didn’t know the first thing about idol culture, so this was baffling to me.
I calmly prepared to lay out the list of all the incidents “Yeon Yu-jin” had caused.
Good thing I looked it up online.
The internet was full of antis who despised him and had documented every little thing he’d ever done.
And while he’d never been caught doing anything career-ending—no drugs, gambling, DUIs, or assaults—he’d still done just about everything else possible to make fans and industry people hate him.
It was like he wanted to be despised.
“You know this too, CEO. The other members don’t even treat me like a human being.”
At that, she closed her eyes. Clearly, she couldn’t argue.
“I know. Even Ho-yeon, who never gave a damn about you, slapped you the moment he woke up.”
“Exactly!”
Grit. Just remembering that guy made my jaw clench.
What was that redhead’s name again? Something-Beom…
[Shin Tae-boem.]
Potato’s whisper was actually helpful for once.
“Right. Shin Tae-boem. We even had a huge blowout. He obviously hates me with a passion.”
“…I know.”
I may not know idol dynamics, but I could ask this with confidence:
“And you’re still planning to keep me in this group?”
……
Secreti was an idol group made up of four Espers and one Guide.
From what I saw online, their whole appeal is the beautiful, tightly bonded relationships between the Espers and their Guide…
Guess I should be thankful they never formed real bonds through Guiding.
Still, if they were trying to maintain that image, it was already too far gone. The rift between “Yeon Yu-jin” and the Espers was massive.
“Honestly, wouldn’t it be better to scout a new Guide idol trainee instead of dragging this out?”
I crossed my arms and made my case with full confidence. The CEO sighed.
“…Yeah. I’ve thought about that.”
“Knew it. Then please, let me go.”
I didn’t want to be stuck in some fake partnership with Espers who looked down on Guides and thought nothing of hitting them.
As I stood my ground, the CEO gave me a strange look.
“But you were the one who always begged to stay an idol, no matter what…”
That hit a nerve.
Yeah, well, I’m not Yeon Yu-jin.
“After almost dying, I just… don’t want to do anything anymore. And I don’t think the public wants someone like me anyway. If I stay, I’ll just drag the company down.”
“You… actually realize you’ve been a burden?”
She looked at me like a monkey that had suddenly learned how to use utensils.
Seriously, what the hell kind of person was Yeon Yu-jin?
I was just being reasonable, and she looked at me like I’d cured cancer.
Whatever. He’s dead. Not like I’ll ever get answers now.
So I just kept pushing ahead, shamelessly demanding to be let go.
“Honestly, from the company’s perspective, from the members’ perspective, even from the fans’ perspective—I’m not someone worth keeping. So please, let me leave.”
As soon as I was out, I planned to start tracking down Hyun Je-ha.
I hadn’t originally intended to involve him in my revenge. But seeing him hiding like that, it made me angry. Sad, even.
Hyun Je-ha was meant to shine. He was bright, optimistic—someone who belonged under the sun, not in the shadows. And the more I thought about it, the more it made sense to join forces.
Using the data he and his group had gathered over the past 20 years, our investigation would be faster and more efficient.
I’d be the one to pull him back into the light. The only problem was…
I haven’t exactly figured out how to convince him I’m Ahn Ga-hyun.
Still, if I opened up about our shared secrets, the ones only he and I would know, he’d have to believe me eventually.
If we could bond again—if we could rebuild our partnership—we could hunt down the culprit together.
[So your plan is to just full-send it and hope for the best?]
Potato snarked, but I replied flatly.
Shut it. I said I’m doing this.
[So stubborn!]
“So please, just let me…”
I looked at the CEO pleadingly.
But her response took me completely off guard.
“No.”
“…What?”
“I said no. You’re not allowed to leave Secreti.”
“Why not?!”
No one wants me. I’m trying to make this easy for everyone.
So what the hell is the problem?!
