“Sojung ssi?”
Yerin knocked on the door of the apartment once more.
“Big star Sowon ssi?”
The door swung open and a grumpy face revealed itself.
“Who are you?”
“I’m your new female manager Jung Yerin, nice to meet you.”
The door shut.
Yerin sighed and sat down, leaning on the wall adjacent to the door.
“Hm? What are you doing sitting outside?”
“Oppa, she just shut the door on my face.”
“Oh. She does that, just be patient, she’s really alright when she’s properly awake.”
Yerin nodded and sighed. Watching as her sunbae in being Sowon’s manager knock on the door for his turn.
“Sowon? We need to go in fift-“
“Fifteen, got it.”
“No, fifty minutes.”
“What? Why did you come so early then?!”
The door slammed open and Yerin couldn’t help but shrink behind her only shield under Sowon’s harsh glare.
“Hey, don’t blame her, management wanted you two to get acquainted before you started work today.”
Sending an equally freezing glare at him, Sowon huffed and went back into her apartment.
“Come in oppa, and you too newbie.”
Yerin quickly followed.
——————————
To say that the inside of the world class star’s apartment, was extravagant, or even excessive, would all be a lie.
It wasn’t really a mess, but it wasn’t very clean either. Some clothes were thrown over the hanging rack in a stack, empty snack bags and empty cans of alcohol were left on the coffee table.
“What the....”
“Shut up! It isn’t usually this dirty alright? I just woke up and haven’t gotten to cleaning yet.”
Yerin held her breath as Sowon yelled from presumably her room. Quietly she reached out to clean it, for her, this mess was nearly unbearable.
“Oppa, bring me the trash can and the recycle bin.”
“You sure? She won’t be happy.”
“Do it. I can’t stand it.”
Quickly gathering all the cans that seem to have been from the whole weekend, Yerin instantly felt better when the main part of the clutter was cleared. Grabbing a napkin and initially scrubbing with just water, she wiped down the surface of the coffee table.
Going over to the clothes rack, she quickly took a whiff to make sure that it was clean before hanging them properly on the hangers underneath. Matching the pile of socks on the floor, she neatly stacked them off to the side since she dared not to open any drawers.
“Ahem.”
Yerin froze and slowly turned to face Sowon.
“Um, sorry?”
Sowon sighed and Yerin shrunk a bit more than she already was.
“No, no no, thanks. I’m a mess in the mornings.”
Yerin’s shoulders relaxed some, a small smile blossoming on her face.
“No problem.”
Seeing Sowon smile a little made Yerin feel better instantly.
“Ah, one more thing.”
Yerin turned to face Sowon who had started to move to her bathroom.
“Yes, Sowon ssi?”
“Don’t call me that, tell me what year you were born?”
“‘96.”
“Then just call me Unnie, Yerin ah.”
Yerin grinned.
“Unnie!”
“Yea yea, as long as you treat me as a human.”
Seeing Sowon waving her hand exasperatedly, Yerin wondered exactly what Sowon meant by ‘human’.
“Do some people treat you differently?”
“Sometimes, it’s necessary. Most of the time, it isn’t.”
With that, Sowon disappeared into her bathroom, the sound of water running going through the door.
Looking around the living room, Yerin pushed open the blinds and took a breath. The view was very nice, the sun peeking over the mountain in the distance, the Hangang in the far distance.
“Hm, the fine dust is particularly bad deeper in the city, I should pack an extra mask.”
—————————
Yerin wandered in after Sowon, she wasn’t sure of where everything was just yet and they were here for a photoshoot.
“Ah! Sowon ssi! You’re early today!”
Sowon gave a smile that Yerin registered as a fake one, or even a slightly angry one with the small quirk in Sowon’s eyebrow.
“Yes, it seems that way today.”
“Well, since you’re here, I can brief you right now I guess? Follow me.”
Yerin still followed behind Sowon, until the star turned around.
“I know that this is probably your first time in this studio, but remember it well. You’re supposed to be walking in front of me and doing the speaking.”
“Ah! Yes, of course.”
Sowon gave her a once over look before turning to follow after the representative for her shoot.
“Don’t mind her, she’s a new manager.”
“Ah, is that so. Nice to meet you!”
“Nice to meet you.”
Yerin gave a polite smile and scooted to stand in between the rep and Sowon, making the idol smile a little. Making a mental note that Sowon didn’t like certain people being too close, Yerin stuck her tongue out a little on the corner of in concentration, listening to everything that the rep was saying.
—————————————
“Are you okay with that?”
Sowon looked at Yerin blankly.
“I’m fine thank you.”
“No, about when we’re going to the next shoot. You’re fine with it being on Saturday at 3 am?”
Sowon blinked.
“No.”
“Eh?”
Yerin leaned over as Sowon gestured her to.
“I don’t do weekends. Haven’t you seen my schedules for the last two weeks?”
“Yea, I did, that’s why I asked.”
Sowon tsked and shook her head.
“Tell them my schedule is full.”
“Eh?”
“No one must know I take the weekends off.”
Pushed by her shoulder, Yerin turned back to the rep.
“Ah haha, um her schedule is full on the weekend unfortunately, maybe next Monday? I’d prefer that she get a break however, maybe Tuesday?”
“Alright I’ll check with my boss as well. Now, shall we move to the filming area?”
“Yes, yes.”
Sowon dragged her hand down her face as soon as the rep was out of sight.
“That was a poor job of keeping them away.”
“S-sorry.”
“Whatever.”
Brushing past, Yerin couldn’t help but step back from Sowon’s way. Watching as the taller girl stepped out and into the changing area, she sighed.
“I need a proper lesson on how to take care of her.”