-#@$@#$!!@$!!!@$$!
Loud shouting was heard from outside the office building.
AS Entertainment’s office is located on the third floor of a small alleyway building in Yeongdeungpo-gu.
Right now, the office door is covered in all kinds of graffiti and trash.
Originally, those people had stormed right up to the office door, but thanks to the building manager, they were at least forced outside.
Jeyoung also looked quite dirty, as if he had been hit by something when coming in.
From what I heard, it was quite difficult for him to get inside.
“…I’m sorry, Siyeon. Because of me.”
“No, I should be the one apologizing. I should be doing something.”
The ‘they’ I just mentioned are none other than the members of my fan club, ‘Siyeonhada.’
They came after hearing that my agency’s CEO is Jeyoung, determined to bring him down.
From their perspective, it was understandable for them to react this way, knowing that their favorite star was working under a murderer’s company.
Besides, public opinion was also questioning why Jeyoung was still actively working in the entertainment industry.
People were demanding that the company be shut down immediately.
They were also asking why a murderer hadn’t been sent to prison.
Jeyoung had already received massive backlash during the ‘Sweet Black Naeun suicide incident.’
Now that his identity had been revealed while I was at the peak of my career, the backlash was even stronger.
I managed to sneak in without getting caught by climbing up the outer wall at the back of the building, avoiding the fan club members’ eyes.
“…No. What could you even do? But how did you come in through the window—never mind, knowing you, that’s actually possible.”
I had even considered holding a press conference by myself to explain the situation.
But I quickly gave up on that idea.
There were several reasons.
First of all, it would be strange for me to openly defend Jeyoung in this situation.
He had already been branded as a murderer and a corrupt producer.
And right now, I had nothing that could overturn that perception.
If anything, stepping forward to defend him would only bring damage to me as well.
Another major problem was that the opponent we were facing was TM.
TM was one of the largest entertainment agencies in South Korea.
It turned out that TM was the one who publicly exposed the fact that Jeyoung was running AS Entertainment.
I wasn’t sure exactly how TM found out about it.
But my suspicion was that the information had leaked through Chaeyoung or Hyewon.
“So. What are you going to do now?”
“Answer us!”
Jeyoung couldn’t answer.
I let out a sigh at his reaction.
Jeyoung was always good at handling things, so seeing him like this felt frustrating.
I was worried about him…
—Or at least, that’s definitely not what it was.
Right now, I was extremely angry about this entire situation.
But my anger wasn’t because of the fan club downstairs, nor because of my concern for Jeyoung, nor even because of the media attacking us or my suspicions that Chaeyoung might have leaked this to the company.
The real reason I was so furious was none other than…
“—Is it true that Tom Cross said he won’t be filming the movie with me anymore?!”
Tom Cross had canceled the collaboration project he had promised with me!
According to the official statement, he said, ‘It would be difficult to work with a company involved in such controversies. While the actor is important, the agency managing them also needs to be trustworthy. I’m greatly disappointed in the Korean entertainment industry over this situation. I still think highly of Siyeon and would love to work with her, but for now, it seems impossible.’
Just during the special screening, we had even discussed working on our next project together.
And now, he had suddenly changed his mind.
I could let other things go, but this—I absolutely could not tolerate this.
I was so angry that I wanted to destroy everything related to the Sweet Black incident.
“…I’m really sorry, Siyeon. I know how much you admire Tom Cross, but right now…”
Jeyoung ran a hand through his hair with a pained expression.
I couldn’t blame him for this, so I tried to calm my anger.
Right. It wasn’t his fault.
The real culprits were elsewhere.
“Sigh…”
I took a big sip of the cola I had bought on my way here.
The sweet carbonation sliding down my throat helped improve my mood a little.
For a while, an awkward silence filled the office.
This small office, which Jeyoung had painstakingly built after being expelled from TM.
Its location was still close to broadcasting stations.
Though small, I could see the efforts he had put in for me in various places.
Over the past year, I had seen it—he was, without a doubt, a reliable CEO.
“…Siyeon.”
After a short pause, Jeyoung finally spoke.
Outside, the fan club members were still shouting.
The thin walls of the cheaply built office weren’t enough to block out the noise.
“Leave here. Move to another agency.”
“What?”
Jeyoung lifted his head.
He was forcing a smile.
“You, you’re definitely going to make it big. You need to keep riding the growth you’ve had since last year. If you can just get through this year, you’ll be able to firmly establish yourself in the industry.
But at such a crucial time, I don’t think you should be by my side.
Because of me, your image will be ruined.
More than anything, in this state, I won’t be able to support your activities for a while… No, because of me, you won’t even get any work.”
“…”
Jeyoung spoke calmly.
He was good with words.
Considering his long career in the industry and the results he had achieved, it was no surprise that he was articulate.
And right now, he was doing his best to hide his pain.
Jeyoung was someone who could say things he didn’t want to, if it was for the success of his artist.
“Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s right for me to say this to a 14-year-old—no, you’re 15 now.
But you’re extraordinary.
You’re mature.
At this age, hardly anyone has the talent to become a star like you.
As a producer, it honestly feels like a waste.
For most kids your age, I’d tell them to take it slow and hone their skills, but you…
You need to take off right now.
You’re not just an ordinary star—you have the potential to grow as big as the Milky Way, no, as vast as the universe itself.”
As he spoke, Jeyoung slowly lowered his head.
Something glittered in his eyes and fell, but I pretended not to see it.
“So go out there and continue your career next year.
You said you’re close with Ji-hyun’s daughter, right?
Joining FAC might be a good option.
Among agencies for actors, that’s the biggest one.
And… um…”
This was probably the last bit of help he could offer me.
Even in this situation, he was presenting me with the best possible choice.
“If you stay here… you’ll have to stop because of me…
Siyeon, I think it would be best for you to leave.
I won’t ask for a penalty fee—I’ll terminate your contract.”
Jeyoung pulled my contract out of the drawer.
The same contract he had fumbled to find when I first came here.
I still vividly remember the surprised look on his face when I told him I wanted to join AS.
“…Right. You… yeah. But…”
Jeyoung stared at the contract for a moment, swallowing his emotions.
I still didn’t look at him.
The cola I had been sipping was now empty.
The bottle, which had seemed black when it was full, now looked transparent.
“But still, don’t go to TM.
That place… that place is really not it… Hah, khhm.”
Rip!
Jeyoung tore up our contract.
He looked up with a smile.
But from his eyes, jewel-like tears were falling one by one.
For some reason, his smile gave me an odd sense of déjà vu.
…Go on, Captain. That’s what a captain—no, a Nameless should do…!
…Why was I suddenly thinking about that guy?
Even in this situation, forcing a smile.
For some reason, it didn’t feel uplifting.
“I’ll go.”
I crumpled the empty cola bottle and tossed it into the trash can.
After packing my things roughly, I opened the back window.
“…! Alright, take care, Siyeon.
Thank you. For signing with me.”
“Don’t come to the office for a while.
And don’t show up for work like a workaholic when there’s nothing to do.
There’s nothing for you to do here without me anyway.”
“…Got it. Be careful out there.”
Whoosh—
I didn’t respond to Jeyoung’s farewell and jumped out the window.
I didn’t bother looking back at his face.
I had no interest in seeing a bearded old man cry.
He should shave every day, seriously.
One foot on the telephone pole, then another on the building wall.
With just two kicks off the wall, I landed safely on the ground.
I had always taken the stairs before, so there had never been a need for this.
Falling like this again after so long brought back old memories—it felt good.
It wasn’t enough to be a proper warm-up.
Not that I needed one anyway.
I had spent too much time in the bright lights.
It was as if the world was telling me that my fate was already decided, pulling me back into the darkness.
I didn’t mind.
It had been a while since I returned to being Nameless.
But once this was over, I would stand in the dazzling light again.
And one day, I might become Nameless once more.
For some reason, that thought didn’t bother me.
I took out my phone and called Dongsoo.
—W-Whoa! S-Siyeon, what’s up? It’s been a while since you called d-directly… Oh, I saw you w-winning all those awards at the c-ceremony…
“Forget that. There’s something I need you to do, Dongsoo. You can handle it, right?”
—W-What kind of thing?
“Breaking into the biggest entertainment agency in South Korea.”
—W-WHAT?! W-What are you even talking abou—
“Shut up. Stop squealing. I’m coming to your place now, so clean up and air it out. Last time I was there, your room smelled disgusting.”
—W-What? M-My room doesn’t sme—
Click.
I hung up, ignoring Dongsoo’s squealing.
As if it didn’t smell.
His room was filthier than the sewer I was born in during my past life.
If I take my time walking there, he should have it somewhat cleaned up by then.
I lightly leaped in the direction of Dongsoo’s house.
TM or whatever.
You messed with the wrong person.
If someone tries to force a brake on me…
I just rip the brake out.