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A bright early afternoon.

I stepped outside, now able to wear short sleeves on this warm day.

“Big sister! It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, have you been well?”

“Yes!”

Today, I met my cousin Kim Yuna (16) after a long time. Speaking of which, is she now in her third year of middle school? Next year, she’ll be entering high school.

“How’s school these days?”

“I’m doing great! I’m totally popular!”

Hmm… to call yourself popular? Is that what kids these days are like? Well, considering she’s posting videos on TikTok, she must have quite a following.

“How’s your brother doing?”

Taking the opportunity, I asked about another cousin I haven’t been in touch with lately due to his busy schedule. And it seemed he’s been pretty out of reach, too.

Did I push him too hard about school?

But I did study for a bit back then, right? So as a senior, I generously offered my advice to Kim Nam-soon (18), who recently started studying for the college entrance exam, but it seems I may have worn him out since he’s been slow to respond.

“Yes, he’s been boasting about studying a lot lately.”

“Really? That’s good to hear.”

Since he hadn’t been messaging, I wondered if he had given up on studying, so it’s a relief that he’s doing well. Still, he’s a bit of a brat, isn’t he?

I thought about crashing over to my cousin’s house sometime soon to give him a little wake-up call while asking Yuna for directions.

“Shall we head off then? Can you lead the way?”

“Sure!”

With my cousin guiding me, we headed to the academy in the bustling district to meet our dance instructor after quite a while. I was going to make a request for the dance to be used in a challenge that came up during the recent song production meeting.

Today, I wasn’t a dance student, but rather a businesswoman named Miro.

“Is the instructor doing well?”

“Yes, she’s super energetic!”

Fortunately, since my cousin Yuna was attending the newly established academy run by our instructor, getting there was a breeze.

“How are the classes?”

“I absolutely love them!”

By the way, the girl seems to have brightened up. She used to be cheerful, but reflecting on the times she was glued to her phone in the corner during holidays, it’s like she’s become the very embodiment of a lively middle schooler now.

Well, it’s nice to see. There will come a day when she’s weighed down by society like I am, though.

“By the way, big sis, you look like a celebrity with those sunglasses on!”

“Didn’t I look anything like one without them?”

“Umm… not really.”

“Good enough.”

Honestly, I’m getting tired of hearing I look like a celebrity. It’s been a while since that trend started, and I doubt anyone would recognize me if I didn’t wear them, but I still put them on.

They’re comfortable, after all, especially with this glaring sunlight.

Anyway, the academy we finally arrived at turned out to be in an even nicer building than I expected.

“Wow, is this it?”

“Yes, it’s amazing, right?”

“…Yeah, it looks it.”

The rent must be astronomical for a place like this. Is this what a famous dancer can afford?

“Well, let’s go in then.”

“Please follow me closely!”

Yuna, happy to show me around her academy, led the way with the enthusiasm befitting her age. In moments like this, she’s undeniably a middle schooler.

I wondered if her dancing skills had improved. It’s been a while since I last saw her; perhaps she has progressed splendidly.

Following Yuna, we took the elevator, reaching the dance academy where a few students were already present, even though classes hadn’t started yet.

Well, they must all be dance students, considering the energetic vibe around them.

“Hey, Yuna’s here!”

“Welcome back!”

“Big sisters!”

Yuna was greeted by several students immediately upon arrival, confirming that she indeed had been doing well. They all seemed a bit older than her, though. Is Yuna the youngest here?

“Uh… who’s that?”

Anyway, suddenly, all eyes turned to me as I entered. It’s natural for students to stare when an adult suddenly shows up at their academy, especially since I had my sunglasses on.

“W-who is she?”

“Oh… that’s our cousin.”

As soon as Yuna mentioned I was her cousin, I could feel the spark of interest from the surrounding eyes. Thinking about it, the kids attending the academy must have seen the videos Yuna posted on TikTok.

I thought it was about time to introduce myself and took off my sunglasses.

“Hello everyone!”

Now that I think about it, am I the oldest one here? In most cases, I’m usually the youngest, but being in this academy full of kids makes my age feel so much more tangible.

I really am getting old. So old!

“Wow….”

The reactions from the other students were great, probably because they’re young. I took the chance to look around the academy’s interior.

There’s the director’s office… there it is.

“Well, I’m going to have a chat with the instructor here, so just stay put.”

“Okay!”

With that, I headed into the director’s office, which stood prominently in one corner of the academy.

Squeak—

“Oh? You’ve arrived!”

Though not overly large, the director’s office had everything it needed, and there sat the dance instructor comfortably.

Wow, looking at her like this really confirms she’s the head of the academy.

“It’s been a while, instructor!”

“Wow, it really has been a long time!”

The instructor welcomed me with a bright smile, exuding a warm energy.

“Please, have a seat! I’ll get you a drink.”

The instructor guided me to a seat in front of her and opened the small refrigerator nearby to grab a drink for me.

“Ah, thank you.”

…Sitting here in the director’s office while sipping on a drink makes it feel like I came to register at the academy. Well, the reason I’m here is quite the opposite, though.

“So, what brings you here?”

Since I hadn’t mentioned my intentions, the instructor looked a bit curious, though still happy.

I mean, it’s not like I’m the type to come just to say hello at the academy.

“Hmm, it’s a business matter.”

“Business?”

The instructor’s eyes widened in surprise, probably not expecting I’d come with work-related topics.

Well, it’s no surprise that a student turned businesswoman appearing out of the blue would be surprising.

“Um… is it related to choreography, Miro?”

Sharp as always, the instructor quickly caught on to my intent. If it was anything dance-related, there was only one reason why I’d be here.

The instructor had already sent me congratulatory messages when I had my breakthrough, so she knows.

And come on, I’m an idol. Even if it’s virtual, it wouldn’t be strange to be here for choreography requests.

“Yes, I’d like to request a dance for a challenge. I’m sure you know other talented dancers besides yourself, right?”

“Oh my, you’re showering me with compliments… So, for a challenge, you say?”

“Yes, ideally something simple and easy, if at all possible?”

It can’t be too difficult.

We’ve got a 40-year-old (self-proclaimed) man in here.

Neither Hyeon-su nor I are particularly great dancers, after all.

“Oh… is there a song for that?”

“Haha… I tend to work better in collaboration than alone, and it was during that collaboration that the challenge topic came up.”

“Indeed, challenges have become all the rage these days. The kids here often ask to learn the dances once a trend pops up.”

“Right?”

These days, when idols or other singers release new songs, they kick off a challenge first to get the hype going.

It seems like even the instructor, who’s working actively, is well aware.

Actually, she probably knows it better than I do.

“Well, we also have song meetings where we discuss making challenges, so your visit made me think of you.”

“Wow, you thought of me and came to hire me?”

“Well, you could say that!”

“Ha… You’ve raised a great student.”

The instructor exaggeratedly expressed being flattered, visibly pleased.

Well, it makes sense. A former student becoming a businesswoman and bringing in work would be good news for her.

However…

“However… what should we do? I’ve actually been quite booked lately.”

“Is that so?”

“Oh, I’m not saying I won’t do it! It’s just that it might take some time.”

I did come here knowing that someone famous would likely be busy.

“So if it’s urgent, I can introduce you to someone else. Of course, they’d be just as good as I am.”

“Is that so? Hmmm….”

I’m not interested in being introduced to anyone else.

If that were the case, I would’ve hired dancers through the composer.

Still, this was sort of expected.

Also, since the song isn’t completely finished yet, there’s no rush.

But as a professional businesswoman, I came here to get a definite answer today.

And I intend to prioritize our work.

“By the way, instructor, do you know Slim Gold?”

“Of course! He’s super popular these days, right? The students in our academy love him.”

I anticipated she would know that, so I asked.

“And how about Kang Woo-hyeon, the composer?”

“Oh, I know him! But why are you bringing those two up…?”

Given her history with idol-related work, the instructor definitely knows about Kang Woo-hyeon.

After all, he’s pretty famous in the K-pop scene.

“They’re collaborating on a new track, and I’ve joined in as well.”

“Collaboration? With you?”

“Yes.”

It might seem odd for a virtual YouTuber like Miro to suddenly insert herself between two well-known figures, but…

“Oh, I suppose if it’s those two….”

Since the instructor understands the context well enough, it was clear she found it reasonable.

“Wait, then what exactly is the task at hand…?”

Suddenly, it seemed she caught on to what I was getting at.

Looks like she picked up on it.

“Yes, the new song they’re pouring their hearts into—a challenge related to it… really no chance you can fit it in?”

Then, I struck my decisive blow.

Busy?

Sure, she might be busy.

And I know that typically work is done in order of receipt, so priorities can often shift around.

However, sometimes schedules must be adjusted and expedited.

“Um… um… I, I can do it. Yes? There’s no way I can’t, right?”

The instructor, likely worried I’d leave at any moment, held on to my arm tightly as she asserted that.

So how do I hold back now?

I could tell it was going to be a messy job.

“Then I’ll be counting on you.”

“Yes, yes!”

And just like that, today…

I, living up to my title as a professional businesswoman, confidently secured the job at hand.

 

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