[Oh Lira]

To make sure Saeyi's downfall is total, I studied her character, her interactions with followers, her relationships. Everything. Now that the job is done, I can delete the burner account. Easy peasy. This way, there's no chance that idiot can try to use it against me.

I decide to take a break from digging up dirt against Sara. Targeting Byeonghee seems more fun, anyway. Plus, he has been dishonest to his new friends all his time. I know who he actually is. If he doesn't come clean on his terms, I'll make sure he does on mine.

***

It turns out Byeonghee has a cousin, Jeong Chaeryeom, with whom he's in bad terms. I reach out to her on social media; at first, she doesn't pay me much attention and even considers blocking me on Instagram. However, she caves when I make her a shocking offer.

'If you help me, I'll give you a lot of money. Let's say... five millions won. Enough for you to help with some crucial expenses. I saw a TikTok of you complaining that the price of the driving license exam has skyrocketed... I can help you to make your wish come true.'

This turns out to be enough to convince her. When I receive a positive response, we agree to meet at my aunt's café—the same where I fought with Sara the last time I went there. I hope not to see her or Byeonghee around, or this time I'll drag them even worse than before.

I'm looking forward for the hot tea on the new "Prince Charming" from someone who knows him well enough not to fall for his pretty face. I'm sure it's going to be something nasty... Exposing him will be even more entertaining than I thought at first.

***

Before I'm set to meet Chaeryeom, Mom stops me on my tracks. She doesn't know about my next plan; therefore, she asks me suspiciously, "Where are you going, Lira? Don't you think it's time for you to keep a lower profile?" On one hand, she has a point. My mission on Saeyi has been accomplished successfully.

On the other hand, there's still someone blindly supporting her, named New Guy and his new loser friends: Sara and Saehyeon. I can't stand either of them. I want them to go under. I hate that they act self righteous when they're a bunch of judgemental pieces of shit.

To avoid worrying my mother, I lie to her. "I'm just seeing a friend, Mom. I need to keep up my social life, as well."

Still, she warns me. "Hmm... You've made yourself a lot of enemies. Be careful. You may not recognize them, but they're lurking in the shadows, waiting for a faux pas... If they catch you, you're in trouble." She's right. I can't afford any more missteps.

"Mom, I promise you I'll be careful. Don't worry. There's no way Park Saeyi will bounce back." I'm confident I'm right. That fool is now forced to work odd jobs, so there's no way she can bounce back. Everyone besides the three losers hate her. Moreover, she was overrated as an influencer.

Enough talking about her. I have a much bigger target to aim at—a success will protect me from accusations of being delusional. I know I'm in the right.

***

Jeong Chaeryeom is the portrait of desperation—literally. From her sloppy hair to her questionable outfit choices, it's clear she needs someone who can give her sound advice on how not to look like a mess every time she sets foot out of her house.

However, this isn't the time to give her a makeover or whatever. I have more pressing matters to take care of: get her to spill as much she knows on her cousin as she can. I hope she won't disappoint me. I'm not here to waste precious hours to listen to dead air.

She starts with the usual compliments to flatter me. "Your skin... It's as shiny as freshly polished glass. Tell me, what's your skincare routine? I'm quite jealous." She has all rights to be. Her face is full of pimples, as well as the scars she left by squashing the old ones.

"Thank you, thank you. I'm glad you appreciate it. By the way, no, I'm not going to share my routine with you. It's a secret." I try not to sound too dismissive, but it doesn't really make a difference because she doesn't notice.

I insist on my point. "So, we're here for a reason. Your cousin, Byeonghee. You must know him very well. Tell me, how is he? In particular, does he treat you well?" Since she doesn't have an answer ready yet, I press her. "I believe anyone treating their family members, no matter how distant, like shit is a terrible person-"

"No, no, he has never treated me badly. I mean, we barely talk, but that's because we're physically distant. I live in Busan." I yawn. What a bummer. I kind of hope something negative about New Guy comes out next. I suspect Chaeryeom isn't telling the truth in its entirety, though.

"So? Anything else? He can't be Mr. Perfection!" I'm on the verge of losing it. This girl has to come up with something juicy, otherwise I'll switch my focus on her. She can't make my job harder than it already is.

"You're right. He isn't perfect. Nobody is, in that sense." She's starting to piss me off. If she can't give me a straight answer, I'll tell everyone she's unreliable as a confidant. I won't have issues discrediting her in front of Byeonghee if I need to.

"Oh, I have something on him! Do you know X-FILE?"

At this point, I can no longer hide my annoyance. "Oh, my God! That group filled with overrated mannequins! Please... Next!"

"Hey! Let me finish, for God's fucking sake! Anyway, he's a member of 'that group of overrated mannequins.' So, yes, he's famous."

"That's it?"

"Yes. That's it." Chaeryeom snaps at me instead of being grateful I'm here with her. "What did you expect me to say?"

"I expected something compromising, not this bullshit. Who cares if your stupid cousin is an idol? I want to know if he has any pending scandals or stuff like that!" My voice is so loud that it gives Chaeryeom a jumpscare.

Of course, she doesn't take my reaction well at all. "Scandals? Why the fuck are you hellbent on making him look bad? Just admit you don't like him and that's it."

I smirk at her. "Yeah, I don't like him. I don't like how he pretends to act like a saint all while hiding his fucking identity, okay? I hate hypocrites."

"You know what, little miss? Fuck you. I won't let you spin the truth as you desire. Now, leave me alone. I have a train to catch." She leaves the bar without greeting me properly or thanking me for dedicating my time to her. I should've found some reliable sasaeng of X-FILE instead.

When I'm at my lowest, I remember my mother's advice. Therefore, I recollect myself. I can't let others see I'm miserable. The fact that Byeonghee is an idol disguising as an ordinary student may not be that great of a scandal, but I know how to twist it against him.

I'll use the fact that he's living a double life as leverage, as well as proof that he's a liar. When Mom calls me, I tell her what I found out, shouting it loud. "Guess what, Mom? What I found on Jeong Byeonghee will have you shake!"

"Don't shout on the phone, Lira! What is it, anyway?"

"He's an idol, and he's been lying all the time!" Just as I drop the bombshell, I realize Sara has just passed by. I can't wait to see her turn against him, with the rest of the school following. His downfall will be even worse than Park Saeyi's—and more satisfying.