Genius Idol’s Strategy to Conquer the Entertainment Industry

Chapter 220

After giving an autograph and taking a photo with a resident on the first floor, I took the elevator up, my mind swirling with all sorts of thoughts.

No, how on earth did it fall from up there?

Or did he drop it on purpose, not by accident?

…Still, he’s a guy with some sense, so he probably didn’t throw it away intentionally.

But I was so curious about how he dropped it that I wanted to ask right away.

In the midst of all this, I had told Kang Ji-woo honestly, but it was absurd that he didn’t believe me and mercilessly condemned the guy instead.

‘I don’t want to give it back nicely.’

I thought while feeling the texture of the ring in my clenched hand.

After what happened, if I quietly return this, wouldn’t he just think of me as a fool? What else could he think?

I could never let that happen.

With a ding, the elevator doors opened.

When I opened the door to the dorm, Gyun Seong-ha, who was watching TV in the living room, greeted me.

“You’re back?”

“Yeah. Is Yo-han here?”

“He is.”

“Where?”

“There.”

Gyun Seong-ha glanced nervously at the veranda.

I saw Ban Yo-han’s back.

Despite the hot weather, he was in the veranda without an air conditioner.

‘Is he looking for the ring that fell below?’

A thin laugh escaped my lips.

As I turned directly toward the veranda, Gyun Seong-ha grabbed me and pleaded.

“Don’t fight. Okay?”

“I won’t fight.”

I went straight into the veranda and closed the door.

Even though he must have heard the front door close earlier, Ban Yo-han only turned to me with a distinctly cold face now.

“What? Do you feel like apologizing now?”

Although the ring was still missing from Ban Yo-han’s hand, he calmly asked me as if he had never lost it.

Of course, he had no idea that the ring had ended up in my hands after going through a lot of trouble.

“….”

But anyway, this was a big deal.

Because of this ring, I had forgotten to think about what I did wrong.

I had been pondering it for days, but nothing came to mind.

However, at least the amount of wrongdoing seemed more on the side of the guy who arrogantly spoke his mind to someone who had just woken up and lost the team ring.

“You go first.”

I demanded confidently.

“Okay. I’m sorry for speaking harshly to you when you were going through a hard time. Even when I’m angry, I should have expressed it more gently. That was my mistake. I’m sorry.”

His face, softened from its initial coldness, delivered a sincere apology that was far from the kind meant to just end the matter quickly.

The apology was as genuine as the day he put the ring on my finger, and I almost dropped the ring again.

‘This isn’t what I expected?’

The genuinely delivered words caught me off guard, making it hard to brush it off as an insincere apology.

Ban Yo-han continued with an irritatingly relaxed demeanor.

“Now it’s your turn.”

“Um….”

Ban Yo-han gave me plenty of time to respond.

Even after that, when I couldn’t answer, he continued.

“You don’t know, do you?”

“….”

“You probably wouldn’t know even if you thought about it all year. On top of that, you wouldn’t have come to me first before figuring something out because of your useless stubbornness. Even though you’d obviously struggle alone during that time. Do you agree with what I just said?”

It sounded like he was speaking kindly while spouting harsh words again, but was it just my imagination?

“…You’re right.”

But it was true.

If it weren’t for this suddenly acquired ring, I wouldn’t have come looking for him first without being prepared to talk.

And I don’t know how long that frustrating situation would have dragged on.

“Kang Ji-woo might have advised you to think about it alone, but I don’t like things that are frustrating. I also don’t like waiting.”

“…So?”

What, was he saying it’s too late to accept my apology now?

When Ban Yo-han saw my face, he laughed shortly.

“Will you listen if I tell you?”

“I’ll… listen.”

The chill that had thinly settled on his slender face disappeared, and Ban Yo-han spoke slowly with a resigned smile.

“You’re too harsh on yourself and the people around you.”

“What are you talking about?”

Harsh? Me? No way.

What does it mean to be harsh on myself?

Does he think I’m a fool?

“I worry about you and care for you much more than you think.”

What is this man saying? It’s embarrassing.

“Well, it doesn’t mean you have every right to get mad at me for being hard on yourself. But this time, I got angry.”

Ban Yo-han glanced at my expression and laughed lazily again.

“Of course, I don’t expect you to have a sudden realization because of what I’m saying.”

It was somewhat insulting, but just as he said, I had no idea why he was saying this now.

“You said you wanted me to let it slide once, right? I’ll let it slide with this, so think more about what I said and try harder from now on.”

Ban Yo-han seemed ready to end the conversation right away.

I felt rushed.

If things ended like this, it would feel like I had lost.

I couldn’t let that happen for my pride, so I tightened my grip on the ring and asked Ban Yo-han in a challenging tone.

“The ring?”

“The ring?”

With a curious expression, Ban Yo-han looked at his hand once and said nonchalantly.

“I left it at the company. I was planning to get it tomorrow.”

Was the new one he ordered arriving tomorrow?

Feeling absurd, I grabbed his left hand and put the warm ring I had been holding onto in its place.

Ban Yo-han asked calmly, more than I expected.

“Why is this….”

“Why do you think? Ha…. You left such an important ring at the company, and it ended up falling all the way down….”

At my scolding, Ban Yo-han laughed softly.

“Haha. So you do know it’s important.”

What’s with this reaction?

He can’t reflect on himself, but he laughs?

Is this funny to him?

“You think this is funny? If it were Seong-ha or Ji-woo hyung, they would’ve been moved and cried at this timing.”

“I was moved.”

“Really.”

“By my consideration and character.”

“You’re not even fully human.”

A bit later, as I reached out to grab his arm, demanding he give it back, Ban Yo-han lifted his left hand high, daring me to take it.

During that time, the refreshing sound of Ban Yo-han’s laughter echoed brightly in the veranda for the first time in a long while.

* * *

Two days ago.

Ban Yo-han, holding a cake in his hand, went to visit the resident of Unit 103.

The dinging sound of the doorbell echoed, and soon after, a middle-aged woman’s voice came through the intercom.

– Who is it?

“Hello. I’m from Unit 1803. I have something to tell you. Could you spare a moment?”

– Unit 1803… Oh, is that where the idol lives?

It had long been rumored among the apartment residents that Orca lived in Unit 1803.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

– Yes, just a moment.

With a clicking sound, the front door opened.

“Hello, I’m Orca Ban Yo-han from Unit 1803. This is from Abo Bakery up front. If you don’t dislike cake, please share it with your family.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to… We’re fine.”

“No, please accept it. I learned it’s polite not to visit empty-handed, and I’m always sorry for the trouble we cause.”

“Then… thank you. We’ll enjoy it.”

“You’re welcome.”

“If you have more to say, would you like to come in and talk?”

The resident, who had initially seemed a bit wary of the polite and well-mannered young man, soon invited Ban Yo-han inside.

“I apologize for the issue with the sasaengs. It must be very inconvenient. The company is trying to respond strongly, but it’s difficult under the current laws….”

“It’s alright. Our eldest daughter, though she wanted to keep it a secret, is actually an Orca fan.”

The privacy of Aeri from Unit 103, who experienced heart-stopping excitement upon discovering that her favorite idol lived in the same building, was being blatantly invaded by her mother, who loved to talk about her children.

“She always tells me to be patient, saying her kids have it harder, but what can I do?”

The hint of laughter in her reproachful voice revealed her affection for her daughter.

Feeling that things were going well, Ban Yo-han smiled brightly.

“Thank you so much, both you and your daughter.”

Ban Yo-han skillfully steered the conversation while chatting about various topics.

The resident of Unit 103 especially enjoyed talking about her children, and Ban Yo-han didn’t miss this opportunity.

“Oh, your son is a senior in high school?”

“Yes. He says academies just distract him, so he’s studying alone at a study cafe. He’s working hard, but because of his condition, his grades fluctuate with each mistake, which worries me to no end.”

“Then, what were his grades for the June mock exam…?”

The resident, having heard endlessly from her daughter about Ban Yo-han being a top scorer in the college entrance exam, thought he might have some advice and revealed her son’s grades. Ban Yo-han widened his eyes and clapped silently.

“If he achieved those grades on his own, that’s excellent.”

Even if it was just flattery, no parent would dislike hearing praise about their child. The resident’s lips curved up in satisfaction.

“Right? I don’t think he’s entirely without a knack for studying. If only his Korean scores were more stable, I wouldn’t worry so much…”

“Does your son hate academies that much?”

“If I insisted, he’d go, but we haven’t found a place he likes.”

“But with those grades, he’s already in the upper tier. With just a bit more effort, he could reach the top tier, in my opinion.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I also thought academies weren’t necessary, so I barely attended them, but I did take a couple of good lecturers’ classes during vacation. Since it’s summer vacation now, I think it wouldn’t be bad for your son to try it. Besides, last year’s Korean exam was relatively easy, so it’s good to prepare for a harder one this year.”

Though Ban Yo-han had been out of the scene for a while, his clear, trustworthy voice conveyed the aura of an expert in humanities college admissions.

“To be honest, I’ve thought about it, too, but when I looked into it, all the good teachers were fully booked.”

“In that case, if you’re interested in Director Kim Jae-jin’s special lecture at Cheongsoo Academy in Gangnam, I think I could get you a spot…”

Since the academy director was acquainted with his parents and had plastered his face on every flyer and ad all over Seoul when he scored a perfect exam, it felt like an ethical obligation to arrange this favor.

The resident responded enthusiastically to Ban Yo-han’s suggestion.

“Really? Is that possible?”

“Of course.”

“I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Well, it’s not exactly in return, but… could you do me a favor?”

“Just say the word. Should I chase the kids outside away?”

Ban Yo-han smiled softly at the resident’s playful remark.

“It’s not that. Actually, I had a fight with my younger brother recently.”

“Oh my, even Yo-han fights with his brother.”

“Haha… we fight a lot.”

“But didn’t you say you were the youngest earlier?”

“Oh, he’s not my real brother, just a younger member of my group. I want to make up with him, but it’s hard for both of us right now… Can I ask you for a favor? It might be a bit troublesome, though…”

“Troublesome, my foot. The advice you gave me and my son today was such a big help. Just tell me what you need.”

“Thank you. Well then…”

A little later, the resident accepted the ring that Ban Yo-han handed her with curious eyes.