Not Bad! The Female Lead Returns (DISCONTINUED)

#18 Almost Paradise feat. Lil Chaebols

"You've nothing to do today."

Ah-ri was dissatisfied when she heard what her manager said. Her work was the only thing that diverted her thoughts away from sob stories of the past and present.

She knew it was unhealthy but currently, she had no choice.

Seeing her expression, Manager Kim knew her dislike.

Trying to ignore her talent, she quickly looked back to her tablet and started scrolling randomly.

A moment later, she lifted her eyes in pleasant surprise. "Well, what do you know... Remember that school event we couldn't fit in your sched before?"

Ah-ri vaguely recalled the invitation sent to them months ago but back then, they expected her schedule to be fully booked for the indicated date so Manager Kim politely declined while leaving a bit of leeway.

"Is it today?" That was the most important question for her right now.

"Yeah, later 3 pm."

Ah-ri nodded. Her manager knew her meaning already.

"You're agreeing last minute so don't expect too much." Kim Hyun-soo reminded before contacting the event planner.

To be productive, Ah-ri decided to take a bath while her manager arranged the formal stuff.

It was only 6:45 am so they wouldn't be short of time.

Getting out of the bathroom, Manager Kim greeted her with an affirmative.

"As an apology, I told them it's okay to cut the TF[1] by 30-40%. You'll only perform two upbeat songs and mostly interact with the kids and parents after."

She gave two thumbs up before running to her walk-in closet.

Manager Kim would probably call to request stylists, back up dancers and singers, technical staff and other people they needed from the company.

If it was Kim Hyun-soo, the company would probably agree despite the late notice.

Less than an hour later, they arrived at the school. After greeting her fellow artists in the venue and upon getting permission from the coordinator, Ah-ri immediately rehearsed.

She had her own performance number, of course.

And the artists that were also cued to do a number were mostly rising stars so their eyes sparkled upon seeing JNE's princess.

Not long after, the real program began.

Today was the foundation day of this academy which mostly catered fancy elites as its students.

The students had also showcased their talents and were divided by grade and section.

Others opted to dance, some sang. One group even made a theatrical play.

The audience was composed of their families and the academy's faculty.

Ah-ri's performance was more of a transmisson in between the program, a job that a big name like her didn't really need to take.

But because she didn't want to be alone in her room and sulk all day, here she was.

Of course, her audience easily recognized her.

Some socialized with her after the performance. She gladly entertained them and had Manager Kim take note of the invitations they gave to her to grace their own events.

After a long time of talking with executives' wives, Ah-ri started feeling suffocated so she excused herself.

The event should have been for the kids but their ultra-rich parents were all just subtly showing off to one another.

She sighed a few times inside the sparkly clean cubicle before going out again.

St. Claire Academy was the name of this school. It offered state-of-the-art primary and secondary education to the offspring of the high strata and had been around for more than a century.

It was an exclusive school that normal folks in Sokor couldn't even peer into.

Ah-ri chose a relatively far restroom so she could leisurely walk along the halls.

As expected, seeing winding corridors surrounded by patches of grass on both sides was better than seeing children trying to act like adults back in the school field.

At a young age, they were probably taught to forge useful connections for the future. Some of them probably had no time to be kids at all.

She felt quite sad for them.

Just as she was musing at the dramatic life of rich kids, a noise caught her attention.

"What's that, weirdo? Another one of your weirdness?"

Young voices snickered but no one answered back.

"Hey, I'm talking to you ah!"

Just as Ah-ri turned the corner, the big kid splashed paint on the canvas in front of his classmate.

The other two was holding the bullied classmate down.

"Yah! What kind of conduct is this? Did the teacher tell you how to be mean to someone?! Youngsters these days, rich or poor, there are bullies!"

Upon seeing an adult, the three backtracked.

"That's... Ah-ri noona?" One whispered.

"Pretty ah." Another whispered back.

But the ringleader only tsked then turned to leave.

Ah-ri was stunned. These little chaebol[2] sons already had attitude!

After her passionate speech, they weren't even moved or scared one bit?

What the heck was this?

Boys Over Flowers Kindergarten Edition? [3]

Her eyes turned back to Jan-di... Err... The bullied kid.

It turned out to be a little jaded boy.

Milky white skin, healthy pink cheeks, deep eyes, curly lashes and cherry red lips.

He was wearing a mini tux with shorts instead of pants.

The toppled canvas near his feet got splashed with a mixture of paint, covering the real image underneath.

His clothes were also stained.

Ah-ri's initial thought: Is this paint nontoxic? It'll be bad if this pretty baby gets rashes.

But she had to brush these thoughts off and focus on the main issue.

"Are you okay?" She asked while stooping down to his level.

The kid ignored her.

Ah-ri's lips twitched. Another haughty little chaebol!

But what was strange was the boy who looked no older than five or six didn't cry. He was just staring at the ruined painting.

"What were you trying to paint?" She casually asked while fixing the canvas on its stand.

She was actually prepared to be ignored again when the boy looked at her.

Ah-ri wanted to scold, 'Hey kid I saved you ah!'

But her words got stuck on her throat when he replied:

"Morning Glory."

---

[1]TF- talent fee
[2] Chaebol- refers to large conglomerates in Korea. Chae means wealth. Bol means clan/faction
[3]Boys Over Flowers - 2009 Korean drama adaptation of the manga Hana Yori Dango. Chinese Version was Meteor Garden.
[4]Jandi- Geum Jan-di is the female protagonist of the said drama who was bullied by the F4. Ah-ri's mind works wonders so ask her how she came up with the analogy.

The title is inspired by the OST of Boys Over Flowers. I find it fun referencing classic Kdramas in this story. You might find more in the future~

Yosh everything seems disconnected rn but the puzzle will unfold itself in the next few chaps so hold on tight!