Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 37

I couldn't help but blurt out, "이런 종류의 시나리오에 대한 일종의 프로토콜이 있지 않나요? 내 말은, Arc의 데이트 생활에 관한 소문이 수천 개 있다는 거죠?(Isn't there some kind of protocol for this kind of scenario? I mean, there are thousands of rumors about Arc's dating life, right?)"

Arc, lounging on the couch with his back brace in place, protested immediately. "천 개는 아니에요.(It's not thousands.)"

I shot him a pointed look, arching an eyebrow. "정말? 그럼 수백 명과 함께 가고 싶나요?(Really? You want to go with hundreds, then?)"

He gave me an exaggerated shrug, muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "아마도? (Maybe?)", but Jihoon quickly jumped in.

"Yes, there is a protocol," Jihoon said in his usual matter-of-fact tone. "이런 경우 대부분 회사는 공식 입장을 내고 루머를 부인하고 관련성이 없음을 분명히 밝혔습니다. 여기도 그럴 계획이에요.(In most cases like this, the company releases an official statement denying the rumors and clarifying that there's no relationship. That's the plan here as well.)"

I exhaled in relief. "글쎄요. 좋습니다. 성명이 나오면 모든 것이 정리됩니다.(Well, that's good. Once the statement is out, it'll clear everything up.)"

Jihoon didn't respond immediately. Instead, his gaze flicked toward Arc, silently asking for his input. Arc, after a moment's thought, gave him a small nod. Jihoon turned back to me, his face now more serious.

"문제는(The issue is)," Jihoon began carefully, "회사가 발표를 해도 여론은 통제할 수 없다는 거예요.(even if the company makes a statement, we can't control public opinion.)"

He paused before adding, "팬들은 믿고 싶은 걸 믿어요. 보통 이런 상황에서는 같이 있는 모습을 피하고, 거리를 두며, 접촉을 최소화하라는 지시를 해요.(Fans believe what they want to believe. Usually, in situations like this, we'd give instructions to avoid being seen together, keep your distance, and minimize interactions.)"

Jihoon glanced at Arc again before continuing. "하지만 이번 경우에는 그게 불가능해요.(But in this case, that's impossible.)"

"왜냐하면," Jihoon said, leaning forward, "당신은 Arc의 통역사니까요. 역할상 거리를 둘 수 없어요. 다른 사람으로 바꾸거나 등장 횟수를 줄이는 건 더 큰 추측을 만들어낼 뿐이에요.(Because you're Arc's translator. Your role makes it impossible to create that kind of distance. Switching to someone else or cutting back your appearances would only create more speculation.)"

I blinked, the weight of the situation slowly dawning on me. "So what are you saying?(So what are you saying?)"

This time, Arc leaned forward, his expression a mix of determination and resignation. "Jihoon이 말하고 싶은 건,(What Jihoon is trying to say)", Arc explained, "회사가 할 수 있는 건 성명서를 발표하는 것뿐이라는 거예요. 그 이후에는 팬들에게 달렸어요. 믿든 말든, 그건 그들의 선택이에요.(is that the company can only release a statement. After that, it's up to the fans. Whether they believe it or not—that's their choice.)"

I sighed, sinking into the nearest chair. "그렇다면 기본적으로 회사는 성명을 발표하는 것 외에 루머를 일축하기 위해 실제로 아무것도 할 수 없다는 건가요?(So, basically, the company can't actually do anything to dismiss the rumors apart from issuing a statement?)"

Jihoon gave a casual shrug, his tone nonchalant. "네.(Yep.)"

Dejection settled over me as I rested my elbows on my knees and buried my face in my hands for a moment. This whole situation felt so much bigger than I had expected, like I was a tiny piece caught in the machinery of Arc's massive public life. "정말 어이없네요.(This is ridiculous)", I muttered under my breath.