Became The Leader of a Girl Group Destined To Fail - Chapter 220

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 12.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Yun Chung fixed the Cotton Ball Entity with a gaze colder than ever before.

“That won’t happen. No one in StillBlue will ever leave the group.”
-Then what, figure it out yourself. Honestly, if things keep going like this, she’ll end up wanting to quit on her own anyway?

The Cotton Ball Entity chuckled softly and conjured something like a small mirror.
As Yun Chung turned her gaze toward it, a familiar figure appeared in the mirror’s surface.
It was Kim Geum.
Kim Geum sat in her room at her hometown, hugging her knees, her eyes fixed on empty space with nothing but hollowness reflected in them.

“…!”

At a glance, she was far from her normal state.
It was immediately clear how severely this situation was destroying Kim Geum.

-Isn’t this me being generous, actually? She’s obviously going to quit anyway, and I’m even giving her hearing back.
“…Why do you want Kim Geum to leave?”
-….
“You’ve always wanted to debut at least one more idol and push for more activities whenever possible. Why is this time different?”

Hit by Yun Chung’s sharp observation, the Cotton Ball Entity closed its gaping mouth.

“There’s a reason. Tell me what you’re hiding.”
-…I really don’t like you, Yun Chung. I never have.

The Cotton Ball Entity rose slowly, as if resigned.

-That’s true. I’ve never liked losing even a single talented person. But….

The Cotton Ball Entity circled once around the mirror, which still showed Kim Geum staring into the void.

-I hate weakness.

…What’s going on? It feels like Cotton Ball Entity has some hidden agenda here.
Just as Yun Chung was about to cast a suspicious glance,

-In the end, such a weak human will only collapse the entire group. It’d be better if she left quickly.

Cotton Ball Entity made the first move.

-You know how much investment I’ve poured into your group, Yun Chung.
“I have no idea.”

What investment are you even talking about? All of this is thanks to the members working themselves to the bone.
Yun Chung was resolute.

-You really don’t appreciate kindness, Yun Chung.
“Neither do you.”
-Well, anyway… I can’t let the entire group crumble because of one weak member like that. It would be a massive loss. So kick her out.
“Kim Geum isn’t weak. Anyone would struggle in a situation like hers. The Kim Geum I know…”

Yun Chung took a breath and continued.

“…is stronger than anyone. Right now, she just needs time to rest.”
-Is that so? Then… you believe Kim Geum will come back?
“It’s not just belief. I’m certain of it.”
-Then prove it.

[Prove that Kim Geum is not weak
Condition: Make Kim Geum return with courage despite her lost hearing
Reward: Recovery of half her hearing]

-That she’s not a coward.

***

“…Sigh.”

Yun Chung exhaled a long breath.
I’d boasted to Cotton Ball Entity that “this is nothing, I’ll prove it right away,” but…

‘That look on her face just now… Kim Geum really did seem to be struggling.’

Isn’t it cruel to ask someone like that to come back?
Shouldn’t we just let her rest for now….
Yun Chung found herself lost in such regret. She couldn’t shake the thought that forcing Kim Geum to return would be doing her a disservice.
Of course, StillBlue without even one member wasn’t truly StillBlue, so she’d insisted regardless….

“Chung-chung.”
“!”

At that moment, hearing her name called, Yun Chung reflexively turned around.

“It was you.”

There stood Ryu Bora, her face utterly expressionless.

“Are you feeling better now?”
“Me? I’ve never felt worse.”
“But you suddenly jumped up from your seat and went to your room earlier.”
“Ah.”

I’d been in a hurry to deal with the Cotton Ball Entity first… but yeah, that must have looked really strange to the members.
Yun Chung reflected on it. They already had more than enough to worry about, and now I’ve added to their concerns.

“I’m fine. I just needed time to collect myself.”
“I understand.”

Ryu Bora spoke with her eyes downcast.

“More than anyone, Chung-chung… you must be worried about the members.”
“You’re the same way, Bora. You worry just as much—”
“….”

It seemed she didn’t want to acknowledge that part of herself, as Ryu Bora closed her mouth.
But soon she exhaled a short breath and lifted her head.

“Until this week, I won’t touch Kim Geum.”
“…U-until this week…?”

So you’re saying that starting next week, you’re going to… touch on it…?
Touch on what, exactly?
Yun Chung’s pupils trembled uncontrollably.

“Next week. There’s a fireworks festival, you know.”
“A fireworks festival?”

What is that?
Yun Chung blinked.

“…Chung-chung. Don’t just live for music. Sometimes you should keep up with what’s happening in the world.”
“I’m sorry….”

But did she have to look at me like I was pathetic?

“There’s a fireworks festival at the Han River next weekend.”
“That’s… why?”

What does that have to do with us?
Yun Chung looked at Ryu Bora, still clearly lost.

“I’m going to take her there.”
“Kim Geum? Suddenly?”

Hidden beneath those brief words was another question. ‘You?’ Not someone else, but ‘you?’

“Yes. That girl… honestly, the reason she just keeps digging holes by herself is because she’s not getting proper stress relief.”
“It’s… it’s not that simple, is it…?”
“No. Once I take her, things will change. She loves fireworks festivals.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
“It’s from when she was young.”
“You two went together before?”
“Yes. Though back then… our families went together.”

Ryu Bora’s voice wavered slightly when she spoke the word ‘families.’

“It was still a good memory. For her and for me.”
“I see…. So that’s why you said you’d go together.”

But… would Kim Geum even agree to go outside?
The thought crossed my mind suddenly, but I couldn’t bring myself to voice such skepticism, so I simply closed my mouth.
As if sensing what I was thinking, Ryu Bora added her thoughts.

“If we all go together, she’ll go too. And if she refuses, we’ll just drag her out by force.”
“Huh?”
“Chung-chung has to go too. All the other members as well.”
“Huh…?”

My eyes wavered once more.

“Why? Is there a problem?”
“No, there’s no problem. Well, there isn’t, but…”

I scratched my head.

“I’ve actually never been to a place like that, so I don’t know much, but isn’t it packed with people?”
“It’s absolutely packed.”
“If all five of us go there… won’t we stand out way too much…?”

I mean, even if just you went alone, I bet everyone within a hundred meters in every direction would only have eyes for you…
I forced an awkward smile.

“Five women isn’t anything special to stand out.”
“Do you live without looking in a mirror?”
“What do you mean? I see myself every time I get my makeup done.”
“Then you should know… shouldn’t you? That your face… is impossible not to notice?”
“I can just wear a mask, glasses, and a hat.”
“…That’s… it’s not just your face that stands out.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re just… even if you cover everything up… you’re just an entertainer, Bora…”

I felt a moment of doubt about my own situation, having to explain things so painstakingly.
I mean, if you have eyes, you should be able to tell, Bora…

“There are plenty of people like me. I don’t stand out. I just need to cover my face well.”
“…”

It really gets to me sometimes that she knows absolutely nothing about herself…

“The other members would stand out tremendously too…. Especially if we gathered five people like that together….”
“Then we’ll split into groups of two and three, mixing and regrouping as we go.”
“Two and three?”
“Yes. Chung-chung, Kim Geum, and me. And Ju-hong will go with Baek-young. Baek-young can easily handle looking after one younger member.”
“Mm….”
“What? Is there a problem?”
“No….”

So they’re really entrusting Kim Geum to me. I knew they’d make me babysit… but if I say that, I’ll get scolded….

“But will it really be okay? It could be dangerous.”

In a place with so many people… even if we dressed carefully and kept a low profile, I couldn’t help but worry about the members being recognized in the crowd.

“Chung-chung.”
“Hmm?”
“That’s why we need to bring bodyguards in plain clothes. Why are you worrying about something so obvious?”
“….”
“What else would we spend money on? If not for something like this?”

Yeah, fine…. I lost this one.
Yun Chung simply laughed and ruffled Ryu Bora’s hair.

“What are you doing?”
“You’re impressive.”
“I’m not a child. Why are you impressed?”
“You are a child.”
“You’re a child too, Chung-chung.”
“I’m not a child.”

I’ve lived about ten years longer than you, Bora….
Yun Chung simply smiled.
Yeah, this is good.
Why not go? A fireworks festival, after all.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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