Became The Leader of a Girl Group Destined To Fail - Chapter 254

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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 46.

[Hong Yeon-seo, Former Colors Representative, Sells 12% Stake Block Deal… Officially Relinquishes Management Rights]
[Colors Completes Shareholder Stake Dispersion… Management Rights Dispute Settled]
[Colors Private Equity Fund Sale Falls Through… Pursuing Independent Management Through Stake Dispersion]
[Hong Yeon-seo, Former Colors Representative, Reduces Largest Shareholder Stake by 50%… Establishes Management-Centered System]

After the articles appeared in financial publications, absolute chaos erupted among Colors fans and some idol enthusiasts.
The fact that Hong Yeon-seo had attempted to sell Colors to a Private Equity Fund backed by Chinese capital—no less—had been leaking out like gossip through securities circles for some time.
But given how massive the news was, no one had believed it. Yet it turned out every bit of it was true, and she’d actually released 12 percent to the market on top of that.
At first, everyone struggled to comprehend Hong Yeon-seo’s actions—but ultimately, Colors fans decided to welcome the development with open arms.
Anyone who was a fan of an idol under Colors knew exactly how badly Hong Yeon-seo had been mismanaging things lately.
And then.

“You did this, didn’t you, unnie?”

There was one person here.
The only person in this entire world who had grown angry upon hearing this news.

“…Ugh.”

I found myself cornered in the corner of the room like someone being punished.

“Bora, look, this was—this was a protective measure for us. There was no danger whatsoever. And, um, it all resolved very well. The Shop Owner willingly gave up management rights and walked away with a hefty sum of cash. So, um.”
“It’s not that the work wasn’t handled properly. It’s that you’re the one who resolved it that’s infuriating.”

Why would that be infuriating…?
I glanced at Ryu Bora with genuinely confused eyes.
Wasn’t this something to be praised…? Why was I being scolded instead of praised…?

“Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think you did well?”
“I… didn’t do well?”
“No. I told you to work moderately and rest, but you didn’t listen.”
“Right….”

Sob.
I must be the only person in the world who gets scolded after working so hard. I quietly swallowed my tears.

“Now that everything’s truly resolved, I can finally focus entirely on our activities….”
“But you said the concert venue issue still needs to be sorted out. You picked the wrong location.”
“…That’s something Ju-ha said she’d handle….”

It’s actually a lie.
Someone else agreed to take care of it.
Who, you ask?
Well….

***

-You managed to sort it out after all, Yun Chung?

It was this insufferable bastard.

“You never tire of showing up, do you?”
-I told you. You’re my greatest asset. I can’t just sit idle when my asset’s about to become worthless paper.
“….”

Instead of responding, I glared at the Cotton Ball Entity.

“I could’ve handled this perfectly fine without your threats. You saw that yourself.”
-Come on, Yun Chung. If I hadn’t warned you strongly, you wouldn’t have grasped how serious this was and might’ve just sat around doing nothing until you hit rock bottom. Haven’t you thought about that?
“….”

It’s been a while since I’ve heard something so irritating.
I turned my head away, ignoring the words.

“If you’re going to keep spouting useless nonsense, get out. I’m incredibly busy, and I’m sick of looking at your face.”
-Huh?

The Cotton Ball Entity zipped right toward my face despite my deliberate turn.

-It’d be better if you didn’t act so petulant, Yun Chung?
“I’m absolutely fed up with you now. I said get lost.”
-There’s still one problem that hasn’t been resolved, isn’t there?
“!”
-I could solve that for you, you know?

This infuriating, insane Cotton Ball Entity.
Only then did I lift my head and glare at the Cotton Ball Entity with all my might.

-That’s right. I knew you wouldn’t miss an opportunity like this.
“How exactly are you planning to solve this? This can’t be solved. All the major concert venues have been fully booked a year in advance—”
-Just cancel one of them.

The Cotton Ball Entity said it as if it were nothing, tossing the words out casually.

“!”
-Don’t worry. Just seize the opportunity.
“Hey. If you harm other people—!”
-It’s amazing how you manage to do such ruthless things while being so naïve.

The Cotton Ball Entity clicked its tongue in exasperation, then opened its mouth wide.

-Don’t worry. Just seize the opportunity.

And it swallowed me whole in one gulp.

***

“…So, a slot opened up at the Gymnastics Arena?”
“Yeah. Apparently so. There was originally a corporate event scheduled, but that company received a massive overseas investment and now they need to hold their event there instead. So the domestic event was automatically canceled.”
“….”

I shook my head in exasperation.
I don’t know which company it was, but thanks to the Cotton Ball Entity, they received an enormous investment. Should I be grateful for this…?
Now that I think about it, I’m suddenly furious. If that investment had gone to me instead, I wouldn’t have had to suffer like this.
I really can’t understand why it uses its abilities in such bizarre ways.

“Anyway, so they put out a notice looking for someone to fill that slot, and we got lucky.”
“…That’s… great….”
“It really is great. I’ve never had luck like this. It’s truly amazing. I’ve worked in this industry for well over ten years, and this is the first time something like this has happened.”
“….”

Though it’s not exactly just luck, you know….

“But Yun Chung, how did you know about this? I told you to keep watching in case there was a punk announcement. I’ve been checking constantly based on what you said, and I barely managed to secure it.”
“…I suppose it was just a dream premonition….”
“Really? Your dreams are seriously uncanny.”

Baek Ju-ha remarked with wonder.

“In any case, now we’ll be able to hold the concert without any issues.”
“Right. This worked out perfectly. We just need to perform the concert well right after Coachella ends.”

I nodded. I thought the fans would understand that we weren’t focusing solely on overseas activities.
Recently, there had been quite a few disappointed reactions because StillBlue was concentrating on overseas promotions.
They understood, but still felt let down… that was the general sentiment.
This should help soothe some of that disappointment and dissatisfaction, at least.
Fifteen thousand seats each, over two days… that meant we’d be drawing thirty thousand people.

“But unnie.”
“Hmm?”
“I made a big announcement, but… we can actually fill the seats, right…?”
“…?”

Baek Ju-ha stared at me in disbelief.

“Yun Chung.”
“Yes?”
“Are you joking? You could fill it even over four days. Seriously, don’t say things like that.”
“….”

I scratched my head sheepishly.

***

And so, back in the United States—in the heart of the California Desert.
The StillBlue members were all on standby together at the artist village set up behind the Coachella stage.
They checked and rechecked their movements and stage order one final time, reviewing every detail of the choreography once more.
Even though these were songs they’d practiced hundreds of times and performed on stage dozens of times, this time they’d been rearranged specifically for Coachella, and with unreleased tracks being performed for the first time, the members were as tense as they could possibly be.
Especially Kim Geum, who was the most on edge. Though she’d recovered, some psychological aftereffects still lingered, so all the members were doing their utmost to reassure her.

“Alright. Everyone gather for a moment.”

At my words, the members lifted their heads.

“We’ll be taking the Stage in about thirty minutes. This is our last chance to gather and cheer each other on.”
“…Oh, right?”
“Huff, huff, huff, huff, huff….”

At my words, the members all took deep breaths, tension coiling through their bodies as they exhaled.
We’d performed on countless stages before, but this moment felt more nerve-wracking than any other.

“Don’t be nervous, everyone. Just think of it as going up there to have fun.”
“….”

At those words, a flood of skeptical glances came my way—as if to say, ‘How is that even possible?’

“We can do this.”
“!”
“We can, so let’s do it. That’s all there is to it.”

At my words, the members blinked their eyes rapidly.

“Yun Chung’s right.”

Seo Baek-young spoke up.

“So everyone, let’s chant it. Our Stage prep motto.”
“We’re doing that again…?”

Before Ryu Bora could even protest,

“Everyone, put your heads together!”
Yeon Ju-hong gathered the members close.

“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!”

I shouted first,

“StillBlue, StillBlue, StillBlue!”

And together, the members joined hands and chanted our motto—childish perhaps, yet utterly, unmistakably StillBlue.

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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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