Siblings Work in Business (139)
Eun-ho’s low voice was similar to Eun-ji’s, but slightly lighter.
Which made it blend well with Eun-ji’s deeper voice.
We stopped here, where we used to be together
Let’s believe that these shadows will disappear in the sun
Light has entered our dawn, once sunk in sorrow
Eun-ho and Eun-ji covered their mouths, then gracefully lowered their hands, like flowing silk.
Having practiced with 10kg ankle weights under Lee Gu-reum’s guidance, their movements now, without the weights, were fluid and weightless.
Let’s reconnect this separation, to which we already said goodbye
I pray your morning will become mine
They clasped their hands together as if in prayer, then their hands flowed into a butterfly shape before casually brushing their shoulders.
Then, they turned gracefully and faced the front, bobbing their heads to the rhythm and popping their shoulders.
There’s so much more to cherish
So much more to do together
Just then…
Eun-ho and Eun-ji stopped, their shoulders touching, and sat down.
That’s why I’m here now
(That’s why we’re here now)
The lights dimmed as they sang the last line with melancholic voices.
The screen brightened, showing a hand holding the red book, “The old days.”
The hand was about to open the book when…
…another hand covered it, as if to stop it.
The camera tilted up.
The other hand belonged to Eun-ho, who was smiling wryly.
A moment later, he removed his hand.
Eun-ji was now standing next to him.
Eun-ho and Eun-ji extended their hands towards the person holding the book.
It seemed like they were offering a choice: take their hands, or open the book.
The person holding the book looked at the book, then at Eun-ho and Eun-ji, and hesitated.
But then, they put down the book and took their hands.
Yes
I’m here now
The music resumed, reaching its conclusion.
A woman wearing a lace veil, her hands clasped with Eun-ho on her left and Eun-ji on her right, smiled brightly as she walked with them.
The discarded book on the ground disintegrated into dust, blown away by the wind.
A pair of shoes stepped on the pile of dust, the only trace of the book.
The footprints left the word ‘TIME’ imprinted on the ground.
It was the title of their upcoming album, a word filled with meaning.
Then…
A giant, half-open book appeared, as if this was all part of a story.
The three figures walking away were captured like a photograph inside the book.
As if refusing to reveal the rest of the story, the book slammed shut.
The giant book was the same shade of red as “The old days,” but the title was different.
[Our story]
The long, almost 6-minute music video, combining two songs, finally ended.
[What does ‘Our story’ at the end mean?]
[It means ‘our story,’ I think.]
[OMG… our…]
[The book scene made me tear up…]
[Seriously ㅠㅠ The scene where he gives her the book…]
[I know, right? ㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
[So the woman with the lace veil represents us, and we’re walking with them. Is that it?]
[OMG?]
[I think that’s what it means!]
[Seriously? ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
There was a deeper meaning hidden in Eun-ho’s message.
He handed the book containing his past to the woman in the lace veil, presumably representing E%. It was as if he was saying, ‘You can read it if you want to know.’
But when she tried to open it, Eun-ho gently stopped her, suggesting that instead of reading about it, she should follow them, and then she would understand.
Eun-ji also extended her hand, showing her agreement.
The woman put down the book and took their hands, walking alongside them. It was the answer Eun-ho and Eun-ji wanted from E%.
The book containing their painful past disintegrated, but not completely. It was compressed, weathered by time. They had lived through so much more since then.
And the book, their story, closed. A book is a record. Just like Lee Eun-ho and Lee Eun-ji had their own stories… everything E-UNG did with E% from now on, under that name, would also be recorded, just as meaningful as their past.
The response on E-FAN was overwhelmingly positive. Some E% were touched by Eun-ho’s hidden message. Others tried to decipher the deeper meaning, replaying the video and scrutinizing the details. And of course, there were those who were just excited.
[Rangi’s shirtless scene!!!]
[The vibe is insane!!!]
[His low voice is amazing!!!]
[I don’t know why everyone’s screaming, but I’m joining in!!!]
And some, although not understanding the story, enjoyed the visuals and the music.
[I don’t know what I just watched, but my eyes are happy.]
[The aesthetics are amazing.]
[Ji-ji unnie ㅠㅠㅠㅠ You wore a suit, heels, and everything I like ㅠㅠ]
Many fans, like Joo-yeon, were actively promoting the music videos. As soon as she finished watching, she shared it with everyone she knew. She replied to every message and sent the link to those who were curious about E-UNG’s new song.
Then, she meticulously updated her streaming playlist, calculating the exact lengths of “Footsteps” and “Hae-ga,” optimizing it for maximum repeats within an hour.
But there was one thing that bothered her.
‘It’s a waste of space for free songs.’
Despite having released several songs, there was still a lot of empty space on her playlist if she only included E-UNG’s songs.
Joo-yeon reluctantly filled the remaining space with Ji Ye-chan’s songs.
‘Sorry, oppas. I’ll listen to your music more after you change agencies…’
She could have added Toxin’s songs, her past obsession, but… considering how TaKa treated E-UNG, she couldn’t bring herself to.
Of course, throughout this entire process, she kept replaying E-UNG’s music video.
Only after she finished everything did she finally settle down on her bed and watch the music video again, looking for the details she might have missed.
University
“You know we’re not exactly favored by the broadcasting stations…”
We still hadn’t gotten any music show appearances despite releasing “Footsteps” and “Hae-ga,” after provoking TaKa Entertainment.
“But…”
“But?”
“We have an event.”
“An event?”
“Yeah, a university festival.”
“Oh!”
“Yay!”
While Eun-ho seemed simply surprised, Eun-ji cheered, raising both her arms.
Although not as enthusiastic as Eun-ji, I was also happy.
For two reasons.
One, it was a stage after a long time. And two, it was my first time performing at a university.
Well, I had been to a university before…
…to watch Eun-ji’s performance, before the regression. She was the headliner for the three-day festival.
‘Even people from the building across the street were watching her from their windows…’
I remember feeling proud and a bit heartbroken seeing the crowds.
But I was even more excited this time because I would be the one on stage.
“You have other events scheduled too, so manage your condition.”
“Yes.”
“Yes!”
“Promotion is important, but performing well is even more important, so don’t overdo it. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Of course.”
“Good. I trust you. Just please don’t fight on stage.”
“…Yes.”
“…Okay.”
CEO Park’s brow furrowed slightly at their hesitant replies.
“Don’t fight.”
“Only if Lee Eun-ji doesn’t say anything stupid.”
“When did I ever say anything stupid?”
“You said you were in charge of visuals in E-UNG, that’s stupid.”
“That’s not stupid, it’s true! I’m prettier than you.”
“Bullshit.”
As Eun-ji yelled confidently, Eun-ho stared at her blankly.
‘Here we go again…’
‘This is going to be bad…’
Hyun-woo and Seul-gi, standing behind them, exchanged knowing glances, waiting for the inevitable explosion.
“You rockfish-looking bastard, how dare you laugh at me.”
“You pumpkin head. Even a Halloween pumpkin looks better than you.”
“How dare you compare me to something like that, you seafood creature.”
“Wow, the hypocrisy is strong with this one.”
“You started it!”
“It’s not ‘starting it,’ it’s the truth.”
“Shut up!”
“No, why should I?”
As their argument escalated, CEO Park leaned back in his chair, his eyes closed, as if he had a headache. His eyelids twitched.
Eun-ho, completely focused on their fight, didn’t seem to notice the CEO’s state.
‘This is dangerous…’
Hyun-woo, watching the situation, whispered to Seul-gi,
“Seul-gi, let’s get out of here.”
“Huh? Why?”
“The CEO’s about to explode.”
Seul-gi had experienced CEO Park’s lectures a few times during the outfit meetings.
‘Ji-ji-nim, I’m so sorry.’
Making a quick decision, she left the office.
It was perfect timing.
CEO Park was counting to ten.
“If you’re going to cuddle with Briquette, at least clean up its fur! Every time you open your door, it’s like a fur bomb explodes in the living room, after I’ve cleaned it!”
“It’s natural for Briquette to shed! And you were the one who wanted to keep it!”
“I told you why I wanted to keep it! That’s not a normal cat!”
“Are you still saying that?! Who would believe that?! And anyway, it’s your responsibility since you’re the one who wanted to keep it!”
“You believe everything else, why don’t you believe that?! And I do clean up after it! Do I have to clean your room too?! At least hang up your clothes and underwear before you talk!”
“Are you a pervert?! Why are you even looking at my underwear?!”
“You leave them lying around, and now it’s my fault? Seriously?! And they’re covered in fur, so of course they’re shedding everywhere!”
3.
2.
Just as CEO Park reached 10 and was about to explode…
“Uh.”
“Uh…”
1.
Eun-ho and Eun-ji, as if by magic, shut their mouths.
CEO Park, dumbfounded, looked at them and asked,
“Why aren’t you fighting anymore?”
“We’re done talking.”
“Y-Yeah.”