IJLMT 10

Chapter 10
“Is this for real?”

Tudle, tudle. Sora walked down the street in a daze. She wasn’t even sure how she had gotten on the bus.

Bus? Right, she had taken the bus. Normally, Byungjo would have driven her home, but he hadn’t today. He was very angry.

“Unbelievable. Seriously, let’s be honest. What do you have to brag about? You went to a provincial nursing school and don’t have any savings. And now you’re complaining that I’m going to buy an 800 million won newlywed apartment? Are you expecting me to take care of you? Do you think you’re in a position to be taken care of? On what basis?”

Well? What basis was there?

Sora couldn’t answer. Because she didn’t answer, Byungjo’s anger didn’t subside, and because his anger didn’t subside, she had to take the bus home.

As she walked, she thought. Expecting him to take care of me? Being in a position to be taken care of? She had never thought that while dating Byungjo. But all through their relationship, she had kept thinking:

• I chose this person over Hyunjae.

Sora believed that judgment was correct. By your late twenties, being in a long-term relationship with a man you won’t marry is pointless. Marriage is reality. If you marry recklessly just because someone is “kind” or “handsome,” you’ll spend your whole life in hell. That’s why she had broken up. All her friends agreed she had done the right thing.

Sometimes, believing you’re right goes beyond judgment—it becomes stubbornness. Right now, Sora was in a state where she had to believe her decision was correct. She had to convince herself that Byungjo was better than Hyunjae.

At first, she thought Byungjo was cool—when he wore his doctor’s coat. Until she met both Hyunjae and Byungjo at the same time, she genuinely thought Byungjo was impressive. But the illusion created by the coat didn’t last long.

Byungjo wasn’t that great. He was inconsiderate and arrogant. He always talked about how smart he was and subtly looked down on others. Whenever Sora tried to talk about something difficult, he’d interrupt with “nurses always…” implying that nurses couldn’t have it harder than doctors.

Hyunjae would have never acted that way. Even after working overtime until 11 p.m., he never complained to Sora. Instead, he would say, “You’ve worked hard. Get some rest.”

• I’m sorry I can’t make you happy right now. Even if we start in a shabby rented place… I’ll work nonstop, so that by the time I’m forty-five, you might think, “Marrying this man was probably the right choice.”

She remembered what Hyunjae had said about three years ago. Hyunjae was handsome. He wore a few similar outfits repeatedly, but they were always neat and tidy. He smelled good, was always considerate, and kind.

Sora had abandoned all of that to choose Byungjo, and now she had to give up living in Seoul because of him? She couldn’t accept it. Doing so would shatter her belief that her choice was right.

But the moment she saw the news, her feelings weren’t just shaken—they were shattered.

“2 billion won? A 2 billion won apartment in Seonglim District? Then it has to be Puremera, right?”

Seonglim District was relatively affordable compared to surrounding areas. The only apartment hitting 2 billion won was Puremera. It was advertised by Samjin Construction, Korea’s largest construction company, as having “the best quality.” A friend of hers who lived there had once bragged about being so happy every day. And now Hyunjae was living there? The same Hyunjae who used to live in a tiny 400,000 won monthly room?

“Then what about me?”

Sora felt wronged. Something was off. She had been with Hyunjae for seven years, hadn’t she? Poor and struggling, he had been her support. So why couldn’t she enjoy the rewards he now reaped?

Beep, beep, beep, beep.

She entered her door lock code. Her mother came running out without even greeting her.

“Sora! Mom remembered everything! That manager, Yu, on TV—isn’t he your boyfriend? You ran into him at a cafe recently!”

“…….”

“He’s a huge success now! A real star! Can you believe his strength? His courage… He even got a house from Im Yuju! His future’s so bright. You should bring him home sometime. Dad wants to see him too.”

“You told Dad?!”

“Huh? Yeah, of course I did.”

Sora felt a surge of irritation.

“Why would you say that?!”

“You have to, we’re family.”

“Just because we’re married doesn’t mean you discuss my private life like that! You know Dad’s personality!”

“Why are you getting mad… Wait, did you break up with him?”

“I DON’T KNOW!”

“Why? You just saw him with Mom recently, didn’t you?”

“I said I DON’T KNOW!”

Sora shook off her mother’s hand and went into her room.

“Why does my family always scratch at my heart?”

She remembered a conversation with her mother:

• “Is he okay at work? Earnings? Hmm… not so great. He’s decent-looking, but looks alone won’t get you far. But that’s for you to handle.”

“Back then, she shook her head disapprovingly. And now she’s acting like it’s all my fault!”

Sora lay down and turned on her phone. Her expression hardened as soon as she saw the headlines about Hyunjae.

<“Singer Im Yuju’s Lifesaver Becomes Her Manager”>
<“A 2 Billion Won Apartment Gift Isn’t Excessive—My Life Was Worth That Much”>
<“Novagirls’ Chart Rises Thanks to Manager Buzz”>

All the comments were positive.

? If anything happened to Yuju, South Korea’s economy would’ve collapsed. The state should award her.
? The scene was scary and desolate, but she bravely approached. The criminal even had a knife, but she didn’t back down. Incredible courage.
? He’s just a manager? But so handsome…
? How did JM put a top star in danger like that? If not for the manager, disaster. Previous manager exposed Yuju’s address.

Sora didn’t want to see more. She turned to YouTube Shorts, only to see news about Hyunjae there too.

[Attempted Kidnapping of Im Yuju: Why the Manager’s Role Was Unreal]

Curious, she clicked. Two men in black bodysuits appeared. One was bulky and muscular, the other tall and lean with defined muscles.

The lean one grabbed the bulky one by the collar, straining.

• “Look, viewers. See his forearms trembling? He’s barely moving the other. With this size difference, lifting by the collar? Impossible.”

A viewer commented:

• “Then it’s fake? But this is police footage.”

• “Not fake. Remember the mother who lifted a car to save her child? This is the same type of situation. Superhuman strength! This is what humans can do!”

Sora threw her phone.

“This is ridiculous.”

Then she buried her head in the pillow. Hyunjae’s kind voice lingered in her mind:

• “Sora, I’m really sorry… I think it’s better if we stop seeing each other now.”

Why did he say that so urgently? She should have waited just a month longer. When she had said goodbye, what had his expression been like?

• “What do you mean? You weren’t serious all this time? I’ve always…”

His face had been like a drenched puppy. Even Sora felt guilty seeing it. Seven years together—it was natural. She broke up out of necessity, not desire.

Hours passed as she lay on the bed, thoughts swirling. One thought: Hyunjae still loved her. What was his life like? For the past seven years, he had lived only for her. He couldn’t have resolved his feelings for her in just two weeks.

Vrrr…

Her phone vibrated. Sora scrambled to grab it from the floor.

• “I really want to know how you feel. Contact me when you’ve sorted your thoughts. Let’s talk seriously.”

It was a message from Byungjo. Sora left it unread.

“Right, I blocked Hyunjae.”

She unblocked him in her contacts.

“Hyunjae will understand. We were together seven years—he must know my heart wasn’t at ease when I broke up.”

Then she called him.

She was taking the members back to the dorm after practice.

Vrrr… Vrrr…

Her phone, placed in the car mount, vibrated. At the same time, her wrist reeked.

“Ugh, what’s that smell?”

Through the rearview, she checked the Novagirls’ faces. No one flinched or frowned. So it was just her?

Expecting an urgent call, she checked the screen: “My Everything♡.”

“Hah.”

Suddenly everything made sense. That’s why it smelled. Why had she still saved him as “My Everything♡”? She had blocked him but hadn’t let go emotionally.

“Mina! The manager just—”
“Shh, Mina. Respect his privacy.”
“Oh… right. (whispering) Nari, did you see the saved name? Our manager is so romantic!”

She laughed.

“I can hear you, Mina.”
“Ha… yes.”
“You said it knowing I’d hear.”
“Hehe, we’re curious. We can’t date, so we go crazy over others’ love stories.”

After some grueling work (realizing road managers and AMDs do similar labor), she had grown close to the members, especially the youngest, Mina.

“I’m not curious.”

Vrrr… Vrrr…

The calls kept coming. She hung up and pressed spam block—it was hard to endure the smell.

“He got dumped.”
“Oh… ah…”

Mina covered her mouth. Nari poked her side, signaling, See, I told you to stay calm.

“Don’t worry. It’s nothing serious. They weren’t together long.”

Sora put on a brave front. She needed to—she had been hurt. Now he called? Seeing the news? Right? Thoughts boiled inside her.

Noticing, Mina said:

“But that girl’s really dumb. She can’t see what kind of person he is.”
“Huh?”
“Why dump the manager? He’s amazing! Handsome… strong… dealt with attackers… incredible.”

Mina gestured vaguely. She wasn’t the best with words.

“He’ll meet someone even better. Pretty, kind, cute, beautiful, sparkling, like us?”
“Thanks, Mina. But you should read more books.”
“……?”

The other members nodded. They seemed to want to comfort her.

Hayoung said, “Live your life as it comes. If fate connects you—”
Nari agreed, “Right, right.”
Dabin stared at her, hesitating to speak.

Yes, they were right. Even if life was 95% predetermined, she was lucky. Four idols were affirming her. No need to fret about a call from Sora.

“Exactly. Live as it comes. Don’t stress too much. I see you practicing constantly—pace yourselves. Trying too hard backfires.”
“Yes, don’t worry. Everyone sleeps by 11.”

Dabin answered.

They were good kids. Persistent, hardworking, not whining.

“I hope it goes well.”

This Friday, Music Tomato would be exciting.

About three hours earlier:

“Is it true?”
“Yes. Sugar Pink’s manager heard it from the director.”
“The manager rejected taking Im Yuju on?”
“They said she’s… a bit eccentric.”

Hayoung brought the news. Having modeled before, she had some connections.

“Reason? Taking Yuju shouldn’t be bad. The news is everywhere.”
“She wants to keep trusting us. If she leaves now, we’d lose confidence.”
“Anything else?”
“Nope, that’s it.”

A moment of silence. Mina broke it.

“The old manager… said there’s no idiot on a sinking ship…”
“Why bring him up? Not even comparable.”

Everyone seemed lost in thought.

“…Shall we practice?”

Dabin suggested. Only five minutes left in break, but everyone followed.

Their expressions were serious. Earlier, they had been excited, “We’re going to Music Tomato? Wow!!” But now, urgency had set in.

“If we fail there… we’ll make Hyunjae, who trusts us, look like a fool.”