Episode: 29
Peep Peep-.
"Team Manager, are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Really. Are you okay?"
"I said I'm fine."
"What if that person insulted you? Should I take care of it?"
What would you take care of? People can get insulted sometimes in life.
If I had to be 'taken care of' for getting insulted, I would've died a hundred times over.
"I'm okay, I'm okay~♬"
"Oh, you really are okay."
Handling these kids is tougher than dealing with Park Joo-yong one-on-one.
Peep Peep-.
"We haven't seen him much, but that guy really gets on my nerves. It's one thing if he points out something legitimate."
"Hey, hey. Watch your language. We'll talk later, Da-young."
"But really, someone has to say something. He hasn't done anything for us, yet he constantly tries to push us around. Especially with you, Team Manager."
"There's no one in this world who doesn't want to say what they think. But we all hold it in and get on with life."
The road to the hospital isn't even that far, but my chicks are chirping non-stop.
"In the end, we just have to show results, right? Then even Team Manager Park and everyone else will acknowledge us."
"That would be nice, but... hmm, yeah, let's go with that."
In a way, maybe the person who should be the angriest right now is her.
Even in this situation, Min-seo's choice of words is so polite and kind. She's definitely an impressive kid.
However...
"All three of them are so scattered."
I'm trying my best to keep them in check, but it's not working.
And it's not like I can appoint one of them as the leader to bring them into line.
Because even Min-seo doesn't easily follow what the other two say.
Maybe it's because they are all so talented.
Or maybe it's because they're all so stubborn in their own way.
"If I can't manage them, how could they?"
Even after raising their affection and obedience towards me to the extreme through...ahem... "close encounters," they still aren't easily corrected.
Like these chicks could manage.
"We need a hen. A hen that looks like it could fight."
[Bbyak Hospital]
As we got closer to the hospital.
Even for a moment, there was a chick turning into a hen.
"Oh! Leave this to me!"
Min-seo, who had been visiting the hospital almost since elementary school, was the most excited.
We had come to a hospital she frequently visited.
It would be more comfortable for her since it was familiar.
And the hospital’s reviews weren't bad either.
"Today's schedule is a visit to the dermatologist for everyone, especially Hee-ju. Then finally, Min-seo will have a check-up at the cardiology department, and that’ll be it for the day. We'll do the more intensive stuff after we've gathered all the members. Keep that in mind until then."
"Yes!"
It's rare to see someone so excited about going to the hospital.
As I opened the door, Min-seo dashed out like an excited elementary schooler on a field trip, rushing into the hospital.
Even in the first-floor lobby, the strong smell of medicine unique to hospitals hit us.
I could also see quite a few people wearing patient gowns.
"Hello! Hello!"
How many people greet others like that these days?
Even though Min-seo had frequented this hospital, more than half the people here were probably strangers to her.
But Min-seo didn't care and greeted them anyway.
"Should I...also greet people?"
Eun Hee-ju asked me cautiously.
"You don't have to right now. Min-seo is Min-seo, and you are you."
"Okay."
Hee-ju, who placed endless trust in my words, stuck close to me.
Da-young, who tends to be sensitive, got unnecessarily riled up by Min-seo’s behavior and awkwardly tried to follow along, only to end up feeling restless.
Eventually, she too came over to my side.
"Hello, Grandpa. How's your knee doing now? Is it getting better?"
Meanwhile, Min-seo was like a fish in water, conversing with the people she knew.
There were especially many elderly folks at the hospital.
In a way, Min-seo was one of the few remaining pleasures in their lives.
She was like a cute granddaughter to them.
"Oh, I'm fine, dear. How are you doing these days, Min-seo?"
"Ah! Min-seo's here. This old lady lives to see you, Min-seo."
"Of course! Hehe. I recently became an idol trainee. I'll work hard so that you can see me on TV someday. Oh! Or should I show you something right now? I've improved a lot in dancing."
Seeing that Min-seo's actions might cause a commotion, especially in a place like a hospital, I wondered if I should stop her. But even the doctors and nurses, who should be the ones to step in, seemed to tacitly approve of Min-seo’s behavior.
‘She really is a born idol.’
When it came to charm, Min-seo was overwhelming. Her overflowing energy brought happiness to everyone around her.
[Gil Min-seo, SS+]
That rating was definitely no lie.
"To be successful, I need to do that too, right? If you tell me to, I'll do it too, Team Manager."
As I gently patted the head of Eun Hee-ju, who was tugging at my sleeve, I said, "You don't have to. You have your own charm. I like Min-seo, but I like Hee-ju even more. You were the first one I picked."
"Oh, okay."
"You just need to keep trying as much as you are now."
"...I will."
At that moment, I thought I might have seen wrong. It seemed like Eun Hee-ju, who hadn't smiled brightly in a long time, had done so again.
[Eun Hee-ju, SS+]
It looked like her rating had changed for a moment, but when I rubbed my eyes and checked again:
[Eun Hee-ju, SS]
Was it just my imagination?
After a few more playful moments from Min-seo, we headed to the dermatology department since we couldn't afford to linger any longer.
Although the usual dermatologist we visited wasn’t at this hospital, we had come here today for another reason, rather than just skincare, so we had chosen a bigger hospital.
"Can these scars all be removed? It seems like they've been here for quite a while."
Eun Hee-ju had scars all over her body that looked painful just to look at. I hadn’t noticed them closely, but they were discovered by Lee Da-young and Gil Min-seo, who were living together with her in the dorm. I didn’t even get a chance to question why she hadn’t mentioned it.
Because it was Hee-ju.
It was my fault for not asking.
I should have paid more attention.
"Scars are called scars because they can't be completely removed. That's why we usually talk about reducing them rather than erasing them. However, the process can significantly reduce them to the point where it seems like they've been erased, which is why people think scars can be removed."
"So, it's possible?"
"These are old scars, but with the advancement of technology, it's possible. It will require effort and time, but they will get much better than they are now. However, I don't think they'll completely disappear. Some of these scars are quite deep."
Eun Hee-ju tilted her head.
"I'm fine even if they don't get removed."
"Just do it if I tell you to."
"Okay."
I gently patted Eun Hee-ju's head as she tried to hide her scars.
She probably thought I wanted them removed because I found them unsightly.
"It's not that I find the scars unpleasant to look at. I just think you could become even prettier if they were removed. And idols need to be pretty."
"Oh, okay. I’ll do it."
[Maybe it's time you have sex with Hee-ju. That could actually make the scars disappear completely, and the healing process would speed up.]
Hmm.
Nobel wasn't entirely wrong.
Hee-ju was someone who would do anything if I asked her to.
Even if I took her now, she probably wouldn't think badly of me.
But still, taking advantage of a girl who had suffered from school violence...
It didn't sit well with me.
‘Maybe later.’
[Hmm. Well, as an AI, my role is to assist you, Master. I won't interfere directly.]
[In the end, it's your decision that determines the outcome.]
Those kinds of ominous words are the scariest.
After Eun Hee-ju's appointment, we also received some brief advice on skincare for Lee Da-young and Gil Min-seo. Visiting the dermatology department wasn't a bad idea since we could get recommendations for the best skincare routines and products suited for them.
Lastly:
[Cardiology Department]
"I honestly don't know if this result makes any sense."
As the doctor examined the CT scan of Gil Min-seo's heart, his expression grew more serious the longer he looked at the images.
"Although I'm a doctor, I have to say, Min-seo's heart has recovered so much that it's nothing short of a miracle. This is the image from a month ago, and the one on the right is from today. The damaged heart muscles are clearly healing."
The doctor alternated his gaze between Min-seo and me, then tilted his head slightly as he continued to review the chart.
As he typed on the keyboard, he began to speak again.
"To be honest, when I first heard that Min-seo was preparing to debut as an idol trainee, I thought some lunatic was trying to lead a sweet girl to her death. But looking at this, I can’t say that anymore."
"Doctor! Don't say such things about my brother! Why are you talking like that! Hmph!"
"Oh dear. How jealous are you? Alright, alright, I wouldn't say anything bad about your manager. He’s accomplished something even a doctor couldn’t. It’s hard to believe this medically, but at this point, who cares? The important thing is that someone who was sick is getting better."
The doctor, who seemed reliable, prescribed some medication for Min-seo and gave us various pieces of advice.
"Although your condition has improved a lot, it's still not in great shape compared to others, so don't push yourself too hard."
"Yes! I will."
The doctor, the nurse, and I all smiled, relieved that Min-seo was getting healthier.
Even Eun Hee-ju, who usually bickered with Da-young, was somewhat gentler with Min-seo.
"Unnie, I’m glad."
"Thanks! Do you want a kiss, unnie?"
"..."
Heeju quickly hid behind me.
"It's good to hear you're healthy. Considering all that you usually do, it would have been strange if you weren't."
"Thanks for worrying about me, unnie."
"Hmph!"
Da-young also offered her congratulations.
As we shared this warm moment, the doctor, who had just closed Min-seo's chart, asked me privately.
"Whatever the case, she’s much healthier now, so I think she can eat a wider variety of foods. How about asking your manager to buy you something delicious?"
Hey, Doc. Shouldn’t you be the one saying you’ll buy something, given the mood?
You know you can’t use the company card for this, right?
"Well, if Min-seo wants to eat something, I’ll buy it for her."
"Gasp! Then, um... I don’t know if this is okay, but there’s something I’ve always wanted to try."
"What is it? Tell me. As long as it’s not some extravagant meal from a 5-star hotel..."
At that, Min-seo cautiously spoke up.
"Alcohol. Is it okay?"
"Oh."
I cautiously asked the doctor as well.
"Is that alright?"
"Well, uh..."
The doctor answered with a foolish smile.
"Should be okay, right?"
Is it okay or not, Doc?
"I think... it should be fine."
This guy!
"Let’s see. If you're going to drink, I know a place I can recommend. They have cocktails with a low alcohol content, perfect for girls trying alcohol for the first time. The atmosphere is nice too, and they have a famous Madonna that’s fun to watch."
Madonna, huh? Sure...
Oh, speaking of alcohol.
"Hee-ju, have you ever drunk alcohol before?"
Hee-ju shook her head slightly.
"This will be my first time too."
"Hmm. Maybe it’s better to find out your drinking habits today."
"Okay, I’ll get drunk."
It had been a while since I wanted to have a drink too.
"So where is this place you mentioned, Doctor?"
It'll be great if they can all improve.
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