Chapter 74: The Chaerin Effect

A tranquil space filled with classical music, the gentle lights illuminating the banquet hall.

A vibrant bouquet placed at the center of the table lends a touch of elegance.

The party venue is filled with actors, models, directors, and people from affluent circles.

Following Chaerin, Dahye was introduced to such people as she walked.

“Come over here. This spot is nice.”

Chaerin pointed to a table near the window.

“Yes!”

Dahye responded loudly and, like an eager puppy, sat where Chaerin had indicated. A smile never left her lips.

“How do you like this atmosphere?”

Chaerin asked as she poured Dahye a drink.

“It feels like a scene from a movie.”

Dahye spoke her emotions and thoughts honestly.

She was still amazed that she was experiencing an event she had only ever seen on TV.

“Pfft, I guess it does. It’s your first time at a place like this, right?”

Chaerin chuckled softly and nodded slightly.

She brought up her own first memories of such a party and reminisced about that time.

Back then, when she had been invited to a party, everything had seemed so fascinating, and she had doubted more than once whether she truly belonged there.

Was it a dream? A hidden camera show?

She mingled with the crowd, her head swirling with thoughts.

That was already years ago.

Now, this environment felt completely normal, but back then, she hadn’t been much different from Dahye.

Remembering those times, Chaerin smiled and looked at Dahye.

“Yes!”

Dahye answered energetically.

Her excitement was plain on her face.

“Hoho, so how are you feeling now?”

“My heart’s pounding and fluttering. I can’t believe I’m actually here… but I’m so happy to be with you, unni!”

Dahye clasped her hands to her chest, feeling her racing heart.

This moment truly felt like a dream.

At the same time, she felt as if she were the protagonist here.

“Ah, I envy you, Dahye. I had times like that too. But now, I can’t feel that emotion anymore. That feeling.”

Chaerin looked at Dahye with a proud gaze, gently patting her hand.

Her face was full of affection.

“Have you ever felt this way before, unni?”

Dahye, surprised, looked up at Chaerin with sparkling eyes. The one who lit up the party with her presence, with an elegance no one could match.

It didn’t seem like a story that fit her at all.

“Of course, I was a rookie once too! I was so nervous back then.”

Chaerin couldn’t stop smiling at Dahye’s cuteness.

She wondered if this was how it would feel to have a little sister.

“Wow… so you went through it too, unni.”

“Hoho, I am human, you know.”

“But you’re so amazing, unni.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

Click, click.

Just then.

The sound of a camera shutter echoed.

From afar, a photographer was aiming his lens at Chaerin.

“Dahye, do you want to try this? It’s really good.”

A fun idea popped into Chaerin’s head. Since their photo was being taken, she decided to create a little story.

The concept: a lovely older sister and a cute younger sister.

Chaerin cut a piece of cake with her fork and brought it to Dahye’s mouth.

“Yes!”

Dahye opened her mouth wide—“Ahh”—and accepted the cake from Chaerin.

That scene was perfectly captured by the photographer’s camera.

“Unni, this is really delicious. It melts in my mouth.”

Her tongue was enchanted by the taste of a cake she’d never had before.

With sparkling eyes, Dahye stared at the cake.

She didn’t even notice the camera, her gaze fixed on the cake.

“Hoho, right? Isn’t it good? Try some more.”

Finding Dahye adorable, Chaerin cut another bite-sized piece of cake and fed it to her.

Click, click.

The camera shutter continued to go off.

Perhaps the photographer liked the scene, as he began taking pictures even more persistently than before.

‘Looks like some fun photos are going to surface soon. I wonder how Dahye will feel when she sees them. Hehe.’

Chaerin’s actions were meant to help Dahye’s career, even in the smallest way. Whether as an actress or a model, anyone in this field wishes to be featured in a famous magazine or article.

Once exposed to the public, one’s recognition grows and new opportunities arise.

With hope for Dahye’s success, Chaerin wanted to open such a door for her.

“Today’s vibe is different from usual, Ms. Chaerin. I haven’t seen this friend before, but the atmosphere is really nice.”

A little later, the photographer who had been taking their pictures walked over to Chaerin, a satisfied smile on his lips, complimenting the scene.

“Is that so? Hoho. Dahye, say hello. This is photographer Kim Eulyong. He’s pretty famous, so make a good impression. Hoho. She’s my treasured little sister. Please post some beautiful photos.”

Chaerin introduced Dahye to the photographer and asked him to make Dahye the star of the photos he’d just taken, instead of herself.

“Wow, I hadn’t heard you had such a pretty little sister. Which agency are you with?”

Kim Eulyong handed his business card to Dahye and asked which company she belonged to.

“I’m training at AC. I’m Yoo Dahye.”

Dahye, a little shy, stood up and introduced herself.

“Ah, where Director Hwang is. I know it well. Seems like their finances have improved recently—they’re expanding aggressively. You’re in a good place.”

Kim Eulyong nodded knowingly and complimented Dahye’s agency, mentioning AC’s recent progress.

“I’ll send the original photos to AC. Heh. Something fun finally happened. Thanks, Ms. Chaerin. I’ll send a tasty gift next time. Looks like we’ll be seeing each other again. Well then, have a good time.”

Leaving behind some meaningful words, Kim Eulyong winked and walked away.

“Dahye, you’re lucky.”

“Huh? Why?!”

“Hehe, you’ll see. Something good is going to happen soon.”

“……?”

Not understanding what Chaerin meant, Dahye blinked her large eyes at Chaerin.

“Hoho.”

Chaerin didn’t reveal what she knew.

“If you’re finished eating, let’s get up. I’ll introduce you to some of my friends.”

Finally, Chaerin stood up and took Dahye’s hand, leading her toward a group gathered in one corner.

***

As they left the hotel’s underground parking lot, a gentle piano piece played on the radio.

I turned the steering wheel, checked the rearview mirror, and slowly drove out.

“Did you have a good talk with Chaerin noona?”

“Yeah. She’s really nice and cool. She looked after me and everything. It was great.”

Dahye, sitting in the passenger seat, adjusted her seatbelt and nodded with sparkling eyes. Her face was brimming with life.

“I even got my picture taken with her! And she said if things get tough, she’ll help me.”

I stopped the car at a red light.

As I waited for the green, I glanced over to see Dahye’s expression.

She looked genuinely happy.

A smile came to my lips without thinking.

“Sounds like you had fun.”

The light turned green.

I smiled lightly and looked ahead as I started driving again.

‘Looks like Chaerin noona really intends to help. Good thing I brought Dahye along.’

I could picture the situation in my head.

Photos of a famous celebrity would spread through various channels.

The pictures with Chaerin would quickly circulate among people, and the public would grow curious about Dahye.

If she timed things right, the path ahead would open up for her.

Bringing her to this party was the right choice.

“Oppa.”

“Yeah?”

“I really want to become an actress now.”

Dahye’s quiet voice reached my ears.

“Really?”

I responded casually.

“Yeah. Before, it was just something I admired from afar, but now I actually want to become an actress. Meeting Chaerin unni and all these people today…”

It seemed today had given Dahye a clear goal.

I was glad I could have a positive influence on her.

“You’ll do well. If you ever struggle, tell me anytime.”

“Okay!”

It wasn’t glamorous yet, but things were slowly changing.

Our time, our lives as well.

Like the stars in the night sky, we too were beginning to shine.

“Now that we’re out of the hotel, I feel a little hungry. Don’t you want some ramen?”

“A little?”

“Want to eat ramen at home?”

“Deal!”

Perhaps this was the warmest beginning to all these changes.

Thinking about eating ramen at home, my sister and I pressed down on the accelerator, full of energy.

***

A photo was uploaded to Chaerin’s PSY World mini-homepage.

Though the caption was short, it drew plenty of attention.

[Under a chandelier pouring down like stars.

Our pretty selves ♥

The protagonists of this space

are you and I—

My dearest, prettiest little sister, Yoo Dahye♥]

[#Chaerin’sDay #PrettyDahye #BanquetHallRecord.]

┗ Chaerin noona, you’re so pretty!! Is that your little sister? She’s pretty too!!

┗ Adding you as a friend now.

In no time, numerous comments began appearing on Chaerin’s PSY World.

Most were compliments about Chaerin’s looks, but here and there, people mentioned Dahye as well.

[In the news: Chaerin reveals little sister at party?

Shows off beauty with her little sister.]

Not long after, a short article appeared in the portal’s entertainment section.

[“My dearest little sister,” writes Chaerin, posting a photo and her mini-homepage address……]

The photo of actress Chaerin with a middle school girl quickly became a hot topic.

“Hey, is this really Dahye?!”

Godaesik, having just finished work, saw the article I was looking at and widened his eyes in surprise.

“What? Surprised my little sister’s pretty?”

I enlarged the photo for him to see.

“Damn, Dahye’s really pretty.”

“Huh? Wouldn’t it be awkward if you became my brother-in-law?”

“Hey, you idiot! That’s not what I meant!!”

Godaesik started breathing heavily.

His reaction was so amusing, I couldn’t help but tease him.

“Sorry, sorry.”

“Man, your connections are crazy. Lee Haneul, Chaerin… Now you’ve even got a chaebol hyung.”

Godaesik kept expressing his amazement.

To be honest, I was pretty surprised too.

I never expected to be connected with people like that.

“So, are you really going to stay there?”

“Yeah, I already promised.”

“Lucky you.”

“Come on, you want to join me?”

“Me? Nah. Call me when you become a chaebol.”

“Heh, sure, got it.”

Godaesik waved his hand, looking horrified at the idea.

Brrr!

Just as I was about to move the cursor to the next photo, my phone vibrated.

[My little sister.]

The words “My little sister” appeared on the screen.

It was a message from Dahye.

I took my hand off the mouse and checked my phone.

[Oppa! This is amazing!! Guess what, I just got a sponsorship offer!!]

“What?!”

There was surprising news on my phone’s screen.

With wide eyes, I stared at the message displayed there.