I Became An Idol To Pay Off My Debt

There are days like that.

A day when you wake up in the morning and feel refreshed.

A day when you get the feeling that it’s going to be a fulfilling and happy day as soon as you rise.

Today was one of those days.

Bing!

“…I slept well.”

As soon as I opened my eyes in the morning, I felt a refreshing sensation wash over my entire body.

All my fatigue vanished, and my head was clear… I thought to myself that it had been a long time since I had sleep so well.

So, I immediately got up, tidied my blanket, and headed to the bathroom to wash my face.

The me in the mirror… was grinning widely.

Since Na Ah Ah ended, I found myself smiling more often.

Seeing my smiling face in the mirror after neatly putting away my blanket and washing my face… I felt extraordinarily good.

I had a hunch that today would unfold nicely.

Hoo hoot!

I hummed happily as I stepped into the living room.

Dad and Mom had already left for work, so the house was just me.

Since we had to gather at the new Rookies’ lodging in two hours, I hurried to prepare breakfast.

Today’s breakfast was Nugula ramen.

Since I probably wouldn’t get to eat ramen once we started staying at the lodging, I thought I’d eat plenty of it while I could.

With a smile, I opened the packaging, excited to eat ramen when suddenly…

“Oh, wow!”

Seeing two pieces of kelp inside was astonishing.

‘This has never happened before…?’

From the moment I woke up this morning, my entire body had felt refreshing, and now I discovered two pieces of kelp in my Nugula ramen…

Today was truly a lucky day.

I happily finished my meal and got ready to go out, leaving on time.

Since Kang Hyung-man was busy and couldn’t come, Older Brother Sang-gu took me to the Rookies’ lodging in Gangnam.

“Unnie!”

“Yoo-jin!”

“Did Ye-rin come?”

“Hye-jeong unnie!”

“Seol, Yoo-jung, and Han-na are all here. Let’s hurry in.”

I entered the Rookies’ new lodging with the Rookies members who had arrived early and a NAS Entertainment staff member who was there to guide us.

And our new lodging was…

“Wow…”

“Unbelievable…”

It was so nice that I couldn’t even close my mouth from the entrance.

“Um… this is the nicest apartment I’ve ever seen…”

Park Yoo-jung muttered with a blank expression as the guiding staff started explaining with a satisfied smile.

“The main advantage of this place is the thorough security. From the main gate to the entrance, it has double and triple locks, and there are security staff everywhere, making it impossible for unauthorized outsiders to enter.”

Since we were girl idols, it felt like the company took security seriously.

Of course, this place wasn’t just good for security.

The metal gate resembling a wealthy house, friendly security staff, a well-maintained communal garden, and a lobby that would hold its own against hotels.

We marveled as we took a luxurious elevator to the 28th floor, where our Rookies’ lodging awaited us.

Ding ding!

“Okay, take your time to explore since we have plenty of time.”

“Waaaah—!”

“Da da ra da~”

As the staff opened the door, we rushed inside like fish meeting water.

The outside of the apartment was great, but the inside was even better.

A spacious layout with three large rooms, two small rooms, and two bathrooms.

A gigantic living room and a fantastic view when you open the windows.

There were already various furnishings filling the lodging.

“Most of the furniture is already in place, but if there’s anything you need, just let us know before you start living here next week.”

Listening to the staff, we excitedly scattered around to explore the lodging until…

“Let’s decide our rooms!”

“……!”

At Park Yoo-jung’s suggestion, we gathered in the living room.

“There are three big rooms, so if we split into two, two, and two, that’ll work perfectly! The two remaining small rooms can be our personal closets!”

“Right, that sounds good.”

“So, how do we split the rooms?”

“…….”

As we pondered how to divide the rooms, the members started glancing at each other.

Park Yoo-jung, who was good at leading, even in Na Ah Ah, stepped up again to suggest.

“How about we point with our fingers to choose who we want to share a room with?”

“…That could lead to overlaps.”

“Still, everyone is curious about who they want to share a room with! Let’s try it for fun!”

After Park Yoo-jung’s suggestion, we all took a moment to think about who we wanted to share a room with…

“One, two, three! Choose!”

Boom!

On her cue, we all reached out with our fingers.

And…

“Whoa…”

Seo Yoo-jin, Park Yoo-jung, Lee Hye-jeong, and Yoo Seol all pointed at me.

Swipe.

Na Han-na hesitated for a moment before pointing at herself…

“…….”

The four gazes fixed on me made it hard for me to point at someone else.

Tension filled the air among the four who pointed at me, and Park Yoo-jung laughed awkwardly as she said.

“…Looks like many people want to share a room with Ye-rin unnie. Is there anyone willing to yield?”

“…….”

“…Doesn’t seem so. Then let’s decide with a fair game.”

“Game? What game?”

“How about a simple drawing lots?”

At Yoo Seol’s question, Park Yoo-jung took out her phone to set up the drawing lots game.

She shook her phone as if seeking agreement from everyone, and everyone nodded with tense expressions.

“Alright, let’s decide on the rooms. The people whose names are lined up together will share a room, okay? Here we go!”

With a serious face, Park Yoo-jung began the drawing lots…

Boom!

[Ha Ye-rin ♡ Seo Yoo-jin]

[Park Yoo-jung ♡ Na Han-na]

[Lee Hye-jeong ♡ Yoo Seol]

“Ahhh—!!”

As the results came out, Seo Yoo-jin let out a cheer and hugged me tightly.

“Unnie, we’re in the same room!”

“Uh-huh, looks like it.”

“How is it so perfect? The couple room, the same-age room, and the old folks’ room are all neatly divided!”

“…….”

Seo Yoo-jin felt like she was becoming arrogant again lately.

Yoo Seol and Lee Hye-jeong shot her annoyed looks at the mention of the “old folks’ room,” but Seo Yoo-jin, holding me, simply…

Hmph.

Gave a victorious smile.

“…Hehe.”

As Yoo Seol raised an eyebrow with a smirk, I urgently suggested to the members.

“W, what if we don’t do that and just check out our rooms? With our roommates?”

“Sounds good!”

“Waaah—!”

With my suggestion, each pair excitedly dashed to their respective rooms, thankfully keeping the mood from cooling down.

I pulled Seo Yoo-jin along, who was still clinging to me, whispering in her ear.

“Yoo-jin… why are you flirting with Seol unnie so much?”

Seo Yoo-jin scrunched her face in dissatisfaction and replied.

“Seol unnie keeps trying to wedge herself between us! The closest person to you is me!”

“…….”

When I hesitated at her words, she squirmed and asked.

“…Isn’t it? Do you not want to share a room with me?”

“No, it’s not that!”

I stroked her hair as I answered.

“Honestly, I wanted to share a room with you too.”

“…Really?”

“Of course.”

My desire to share a room with Yoo-jin wasn’t a lie.

She had a tendency to be a bit scatterbrained and often followed me, after all.

I planned to take care of her as much as possible while sharing a room together.

Plus, I had frequently shared a room with Yoo-jin back in Na Ah Ah, so it didn’t feel uncomfortable.

‘Thinking like that, the room placements turned out surprisingly well.’

First, the same-age room.

Even though Park Yoo-jung and Na Han-na were both the same age, they didn’t seem close.

So, they could become friends while being roommates this time.

And for the old folks’ room…

Lee Hye-jeong, who was understanding, and Yoo Seol, who had a solid emotional wall, could embrace each other and create good synergy.

‘Yeah, this is the optimal arrangement for the rooms in my opinion.’

Satisfied that the rooms split well without conflict, I entered the room that would be mine and Yoo-jin’s.

And then…

“Wow…”

I was once again taken aback with admiration.

“This room is almost as big as our house…”

The spacious room, bright sunlight pouring in, and stylish-looking furniture.

Feeling mesmerized by the splendid appearance of the room, I…

“Yoo-jin, which bed do you want out of the two?”

“Please choose first, unnie! I’ll take the leftover!”

“Then I’ll take this one.”

I lay down on the bed that had been decided as mine.

Fluffy.

“…This is nice.”

I thought the bed I used in Na Ah Ah was pretty good, but this one was in a different league.

As I savored the soft bed and cozy blanket, Yoo-jin lay beside me and wrapped her arms around me.

Hug.

“Yes, this feels nice.”

“…Yoo-jin, your bed is over there.”

“Hehe, I like it here.”

Though the bed was probably a double bed size, so it felt a bit cramped, I could share it with Yoo-jin.

… I had a strong feeling that she would come to my bed every night.

‘But that’s okay…’

After being born into Ha Ye-rin’s body, I had spent 19 years sandwiched between Dad and Mom.

I even often slept in the same bed with Yoo-jin during Na Ah Ah, so this wasn’t particularly uncomfortable.

‘This is nice…’

I absentmindedly stroked Yoo-jin’s hair as I drifted into thought.

Lately, I could think of nothing but being incredibly happy.

Just a few months ago, I was living a tough life balancing a part-time job and school, but now I was laying in a fancy Gangnam apartment.

I had won in Idol Academia and was about to debut.

In the future, I would earn a lot of money through idol activities.

Most importantly…

I had many precious people who liked me.

This wasn’t just talking about my fans.

I remembered the members who pointed at me during the room decision-making.

Though it had been surprising then, the fact that so many members wanted to share a room with me… filled my embarrassing desire to the brim.

Now, I had Seo Yoo-jin in my arms.

And Yu Seol, Lee Hye-jeong, Park Yoo-jung, Na Han-na, our Rookies members.

Plus, our Brotherhood Planning family like Kang Hyung-man, Lee Ji-woo, and Older Brother Sang-gu.

‘Everyone is great…’

Everyone was wonderful.

I felt that with these people, I could overcome any difficulties that might arise.

Yes… if I was with these people whom I loved, and who loved me back.

“…Yoo-jin.”

“Yes, unnie.”

“Will you always be by my side?”

As I asked this, I tilted my head slightly to look down, and Seo Yoo-jin smiled, as if to say, “What kind of question is that?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.”

Feeling grateful, I pulled Yoo-jin even closer to me.

The sunlight was warm, the bed was soft, and… with Yoo-jin hugging me, it felt cozy, making me drowsy.

‘If only every day could be like today…’

Just then, as I was about to drift into the happiest short nap in the world…

Bang!

“Ye-rin-ya!!”

“……!”

The NAS Entertainment female staff member, who had only ever shown a quiet and gentle demeanor, burst in with a shout and threw open the door to the room where Yoo-jin and I were.

At this, Yoo-jin and I panicked and hurriedly got out of bed.

“…Y-yes? We’re here… but what’s happening…?”

“You need to quickly answer a call! It’s Director Jeong!”

“……”

From the urgent expression on her face… I sensed something was happening that shouldn’t be happening.

With that, I picked up the phone, feeling more tense than ever.

“…Hello?”

[…This is Director Jeong.]

Though he was always exhausted, he had a friendly tone, but now his voice felt stiff and cold.

“…Yes, Director Jeong.”

[I’ll get straight to the point.]

Director Jeong posed the question in a tone that felt like an interrogator interrogating a criminal.

[Ye-rin-ya, did you sign a double contract?]

“……Yes?”

Double contract…?

With the sudden cold atmosphere, I couldn’t comprehend what he was talking about.

As I hesitated, Director Jeong sighed once and asked again.

[Haah… Ye-rin-ya. Please stay calm and answer. Have you signed a contract with another agency while participating in Idol Academia besides Brotherhood Planning?]

“Ah, no… I haven’t signed a contract with any company other than Brotherhood Planning…”

[…Then please check the article that’s currently spreading on the internet and call me back.]

“…Yes.”

I promptly ended the call with Director Jeong and opened my smartphone to check the news articles.

“…Unnie, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know, I’m not sure either…”

And then…

“……Huh?”

[Idol Academia winner Ha Ye-rin ‘double contract’ controversy…]

[MS Planning files lawsuit against NAS Entertainment: Is Rookies’ debut in jeopardy?]

[MS Planning’s An Representative’s plea ‘Ha Ye-rin is our company’s trainee.’]

[Ha Ye-rin’s management company Brotherhood Planning ‘threat’ , ‘assault’ controversy]

[Is Brotherhood Planning a gangster company? Let’s investigate.]

I froze in shock, unable to process the titles of the articles that were flooding the internet.

---