My Unrequited Love Is an Absolute Secret - Chapter 86

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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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Chapter 86

[Mom… Aemerus is going to do a homestay here when he has a perfectly good house?]
Aemerus’s House is a penthouse on 5th Avenue, after all.
Harry let out a soft sigh as she watched her mother, who seemed intent on teasing her at every opportunity.
But even she leaned over and whispered something to Aemerus.
[What kind of magic did you cast on my brother?]
He demurred, claiming he’d done nothing special.
Which was actually the truth.
Harry, her eyes narrowed, studied him for a moment before shaking her head with a slight smile.
[I suppose it’s not strange that Robin is so smitten with you. I am too, after all.]
A playful smile crossed Harry’s lips.
Upon seeing that smile, Aemerus felt an overwhelming desire to make her his own as soon as possible.
Truly, desperately so.
‘I have to wait a whole week?’
It would be the longest week of his life.
Aemerus gazed at Harry’s face for a long time, committing it to memory before their brief separation.

Section 7. Our Relationship Must Remain Absolutely Secret

After a long flight, I arrived at Incheon Airport.
Business class with my family wasn’t bad at all.
But having experienced first class on my last trip, I found myself feeling a bit disappointed.
‘Aemerus is completely ruining my habits.’
If I kept growing accustomed to the conveniences Aemerus provided, there might come a day when I couldn’t live without them.
‘I need to get my head on straight.’
Even as I thought this, my hands were already texting Aemerus.
After letting him know I’d arrived safely in Korea, my family and I took a taxi right away.
Given the time difference between New York and Korea, I hadn’t expected a reply, but surprisingly, Aemerus was awake.
「Did you meet with your relatives?」
「No, not yet」
「Looks like I’ll meet them in the evening」
「But why are you awake instead of sleeping?」
「Waiting for you」
The corners of Harry’s mouth twitched as she read his reply.
Who would fall for something like that?
I told him to think seriously for a week, and instead of actually thinking, he’s just trying to charm me.
My parents called out to me while I was pondering how to reply.
[Lili, what’s so funny? What do you want for lunch?]
[Oh, anything is fine for me.]
[Really? Then should we go with gamjatang?]
[Yes.]
Now that I thought about it, it had been a while since I’d had gamjatang.
My stomach felt bloated from sitting still on the plane, but hunger was starting to creep in.
[Could we also add sujebi noodles?]
[Why not.]
As we entered Seoul from Incheon, my entire family, including me, couldn’t take our eyes off the window.
[Seoul seems to change every time we come.]
[Right. They’ve built apartments here too.]
[It seems like it’s been a while since you’ve been to Korea.]
[Yes. We just came from the United States.]
Chatting with the talkative taxi driver made the ride to the hotel pass quickly.
After checking in and putting away my luggage, we had lunch at a gamjatang restaurant run by my father’s former colleague.
After a satisfying lunch, we visited GT Entertainment.
[Hello. I’m Harry, here to sign a contract today.]
When I approached the information desk and spoke, the employee gave me and my family a quick once-over.
[Are you here to sign a trainee contract?]
Since most aspiring idols were minors, it didn’t seem unusual for them to visit with family.
[No. I’m a lyricist.]
[Oh, I naturally assumed you’d be a trainee… My apologies.]
“It’s fine.”
While an employee notified us via intercom that our guests had arrived, my mother nudged me repeatedly in the ribs.
“Our daughter could be an idol instead of just a lyricist, don’t you think?”
“That’s not likely.”
From what I’d heard, aspiring singers trained and practiced for years before debuting.
At this point, it was impossible for me to catch up with them.
The employee finished her brief call and handed out temporary access badges.
“Just scan your card at the gate to enter. Please return the card before you leave.”
“Of course.”
After hanging the badge around my neck and waiting a moment, a company employee appeared and greeted us.
“You’re Harry, correct? Welcome. Are these your family members?”
“Yes.”
“Wow, your whole family is so striking. Hello?”
The employee, who had been looking over our group, brightened noticeably upon seeing Robin.
“Your friend—would you ever consider becoming an idol?”
However, Robin, who was extremely shy around strangers, hid himself behind his father’s legs.
“Robin is too reserved to be an idol.”
“Is your friend’s name really Robin? That’s such a perfect idol name.”
The employee introduced herself belatedly, unable to hide her disappointment.
“I apologize for the late introduction. I’m Han Da-mi, A&R Team Lead. I’m overseeing the launch of a new girl group debuting next year. Before we go sign the contracts, would you like a quick tour of the company first? Since you’ve come from so far away.”
“We’d be happy to.”
“If you ever change your mind about becoming an idol, just let me know anytime.”
The employee said this to Robin in a joking tone, but somehow it sounded sincere.
“Actually, I wanted to ask you to become an idol the moment I saw you, Harry. These days, idols often write their own lyrics and compositions. But I suppose that’s difficult for you?”
“Yes… I need to go to university.”
Han Da-mi had exchanged several emails with me about the contract, so she already knew something about my current situation.
“There are idols who balance academics too. Being a university student can actually be a selling point for fans.”
“Haha…”
That sounds like a recipe for working myself to death.
I laughed awkwardly and avoided giving a direct answer.
Reading the reluctance in my attitude, Han Da-mi sighed.
“What a shame, what a shame. Finding talent like this these days is really difficult.”
Her regret was short-lived as we arrived at the recording studio.
We exchanged greetings with the Producer who was working there.
“Ah, the person who wrote the lyrics… I sensed such a girlish sensibility that I thought you’d actually be a high school student.”
“Adults can only imitate—they can never truly replicate the genuine thing.”
The Producer wasn’t particularly surprised to see me looking younger than expected.
He seemed accustomed to it, having worked with many aspiring idols who composed their own music.
“What if we had you write the lyrics for the B-side tracks as well? There’s a certain quality to lyrics written at your age that can only come then, and it would be a waste to write just one song.”
“Hmm, that’s not a bad idea. What do you think, Harry?”
“Well… I suppose I don’t mind.”
“Perfect. Have a seat over there. While you’re here, let me play you a song.”
I found myself unexpectedly taking on additional work before leaving.
On my way to finalize the contract, I happened to glance into the practice room.
Watching the trainees dance with such passion that their breath fogged the mirrors, I felt my own motivation ignite alongside theirs.
“Here’s the contract. I’ve marked the sections that require your signature with sticky notes.”
In the conference room where I arrived last, I signed the contract.
Since I’d had my lawyer review it before coming to Korea, I only needed to verify if any terms had changed from the original.
“Yes, here you are.”
“Confirmed. I look forward to working with you going forward. I’m already anticipating the new lyrics!”
Even as Han Da-mi saw me off and I left the company, the reality of it all hadn’t quite sunk in—everything felt surreal.
Clutching my copy of the contract close to my chest, I climbed into a taxi when both my parents exhaled simultaneously.
Only then did I realize they’d been tense the whole time, and I burst into laughter.
“What is it? Why were you two so nervous?”
“We were worried they might be scamming our daughter.”
“But it doesn’t seem to be a scam, so we’re relieved.”
“Your worries are something else…”
I shook my head with a wry smile.
Yet I had to admit, having my parents there with me made me feel secure.
“Where should we go?”
“To Gyeongbokgung Station, please.”
My mother, having told the taxi driver our destination, covered Robin’s eyes.
“Get some sleep on the way, Robin.”
“I’m not even tired.”
“Sure, and then you’ll complain about being sleepy later.”
“No, I won’t.”
“Right, you won’t.”
Robin protested that he wasn’t sleepy, but before long he fell asleep as if unconscious.
I sat in silence, absently fiddling with my phone.
‘I wonder if Aemerus is sleeping?’
It was truly the early morning hours in New York now.
Especially with the finals coming tomorrow, Aemerus absolutely had to be asleep at this hour.
I considered sending him a message saying the contract went well, but decided against it.
I didn’t want to disturb his sleep.
‘I’ll send it later anyway.’
I pocketed my phone and gazed out the window, and before I knew it, we’d arrived at Gyeongbokgung Station.
“Wow, it must have snowed yesterday!”
Looking at Bukak Mountain blanketed in pristine white snow, I felt as though I’d stepped into an ink wash painting.
“It’s so beautiful.”
“Lili, come here quickly. Don’t get lost daydreaming.”
“I’m turning eighteen soon anyway. What’s the big deal?”
Harry retorted confidently, but her parents paid no heed whatsoever.
The entire family hurried to arrive at none other than a traditional Korean hanbok rental shop.
“My goodness, hanboks these days are so beautifully made. When I got married, there was nothing but tacky options.”
“Mom, but it looks like there are only tourists here….”
“We came here as tourists too, so what’s the problem?”
Come to think of it, her mother had a point.
“Go pick out whichever one you like. Choose something pretty, understand?”
“Yes, Mom.”
As I examined the hanboks hanging on the display racks, my eyes suddenly caught sight of a black gat.
‘That would look so good on Aemerus.’

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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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