Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Pinkie Swear with the Idol
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"You promised to show me your abs?"
"Show them?"
Yes.
"No?!"
I don't want to see that! I glared at him with wide eyes.
"Put some spit on your lips before you say that."
Jeong Eun-seong smirked, his eyes drifting down to look at me. He narrowed them knowingly and lifted one corner of his mouth. His tongue flicked lightly across his lower lip before slipping back in.
"Gasp."
Bang Eun-ji sucked in a breath beside me.
To make that kind of face without cringing or wanting to punch him—that must be what makes someone an idol...
'Imagine Do Ha-jun making that face with his rat-like mug.'
No, no. Bad thought. Don't think it. Why would I even think that.
★Don't think about it☆
Having finished flaunting his looks, Jeong Eun-seong explained.
"You lifted my shirt once, remember?"
"Oh, that time..."
During Do Ha-jun's broadcast confession, I'd grabbed the hem of Jeong Eun-seong's uniform and buried my face there.
'One of the most dog-brained moments after my regression.'
I nodded, and Jeong Eun-seong continued.
"That's when I realized it. Opportunities come to those who are prepared."
"Uh-huh...?"
"You never know when you might have to strip off your top, so keeping your body in perfect shape is the duty of a male idol."
"Ooh..."
What is this guy even saying...?
"Good mindset."
I nodded vaguely and played along.
"Let's make sure to rip your costume at our play performance so your hard work pays off. That video could go viral on YouTube and turn you into a Billboard number one."
Sounds like a webnovel title.
<Abs Reveal Rockets to Billboard #1!>
"Eun-ji, you heard that? Get me something that rips easily."
Just glue a few rice paper sheets like Vietnamese spring roll wrappers for the costume. Then pretend it's an accident and splash water on it.
Bang Eun-ji, receiving my gaze, nodded solemnly.
"Trust me. I'm an expert at shortening and tearing clothes."
"Thanks."
If the play tickets don't sell out, we can promote with Jeong Eun-seong's exposure scene. Just like those Korean movies hyped on female leads' bold reveals.
"Well, I'll head out first."
"Okay. See you."
As I raised my hand, Jeong Eun-seong waved to Bang Eun-ji too.
"Bye."
"Uh, uh! S-see... you..."
Suddenly stiff under Jeong Eun-seong's gaze, Bang Eun-ji squeaked awkwardly as she left.
Jeong Eun-seong watched her slip away clumsily—not even stepping in a puddle—and said to me,
"Let's go. I'll walk you home."
"We made a pretty unexpected duo today."
Jeong Eun-seong nodded at my mumble. He paused thoughtfully before asking,
"Her mom came to school last time, right?"
"Yeah. During the locker incident."
When Bang Eun-ji vandalized my locker.
She hadn't budged when told her kid was bullying friends, but the second 'bite her' came up, she grabbed Bang Eun-ji by the hair.
Right in front of all the teachers in the office.
"Back then, and when Song Yeo-reum got her hospitalized... Bang Eun-ji seems really scared of her mom."
I don't like it.
Abuse isn't just beating and stripping them naked. Bang Eun-ji's mom hits her, sure, but even without that... crushing her with words is abuse too, isn't it?
Kids from parents who do well in school but say 'Not cake again, something else—we don't even eat it,' versus 'Looks tasty, good job' are bound to turn out different.
Parents might think 'Can't even speak up?' but...
From the kid's side, absorbing that negativity daily in those little words—it's got to affect them differently.
"She didn't ask to be wrapped in luxury. Is it that hard to just love the kid you brought into the world?"
Jeong Eun-seong just nodded silently beside me as I muttered to myself, lost in thought.
The air after the rain was moist and refreshing. Jeong Eun-seong and I walked the summer alley as the midday heat began to cool.
We arrived at the villa where the landlady's new car was parked, and I asked,
"So, what's today's promise?"
Remember? Every time Jeong Eun-seong walks me home, we make one.
We'll be great adults, study hard... and this time.
"Jeong Eun-seong, you said there was something you wanted to promise me back then. The day of the field trip."
"Oh."
"Not 'oh.' Spill it."
I prodded, but he shook his head.
"Not telling today."
"I've been dying of curiosity since then. Tell me now."
"Nope. It's a secret."
"Spit it out!"
"With the resolve of an independence fighter guarding a printed Declaration of Independence with his life..."
"No..."
How am I supposed to pry it out now...!
Unable to press further, I clenched my fist as Jeong Eun-seong brushed my hair behind my shoulder and asked,
"Kang Da-hye, don't you have a promise you want to make?"
"Not really..."
"We always base ours on what happened that day. What were you thinking today?"
"Hm."
Let me think. What happened to me today?
"Today..."
I met Seo Jae-kyeom's mom, who said there was no adult to speak up beside her, and Bang Eun-ji, who cried wanting to be called by name instead of insults.
Watching them, what I'd thought today was...
"...to become an adult who takes responsibility for the world."
Not turning a blind eye to things around me. Looking straight at them. Thinking for myself.
"Someone who fulfills their role."
Stop a naive newbie from going astray, love your kids if you have them. Like that.
"Sounds good."
Jeong Eun-seong nodded and held out his hand.
"Pinkie swear."
"Okay."
He grasped my outstretched hand. His large palm enveloped mine completely.
"Sign."
"Copy."
Even after the copy, he didn't let go. One second. Two. Three. Four... Right before a drama NG cut, Jeong Eun-seong suddenly said,
"Kang Da-hye. When we go to college later..."
"Yeah?"
"Will you tutor my little sister?"
"Your sister?"
"Yeah."
Out of nowhere?
"Does she study well?"
"Not at all. Only good at eating."
"Ooh..."
"That's why I told Bang Min-ji to eat tteokbokki when she was crying. My sister always eats tteokbokki when she's upset."
"It's Bang Eun-ji, not Min-ji."
At least he's not calling her Bang Jeong-hwan anymore.
"You close with your sister?"
"Nah. She despises me."
"Aw, sounds like you're close despite that."
"She tells me not to debut if I'm gonna end up on the news. All her friends know I'm a trainee—if I cause a scandal, she'll get hate too."
"Uh..."
"So come tutor her and tell her what a kind, diligent brother I am."
Don't cut contact after going to Korea University.
Jeong Eun-seong said it smiling, but I couldn't smile back.
Because future Jeong Eun-seong appeared on the news multiple times.
Except for the brief moment on the ground, the suitcase Jeong Eun-seong had carried the whole time looked brand new.
I examined the suitcase carrying the air of foreign lands I'd never seen, then opened the tin case of hand cream and sniffed the scent.
I opened a book.
I traced sentences I couldn't yet read perfectly with my finger, stumbling over a few words.
"Ah."
I pulled out Jeong Eun-seong's ID photo and a fully dried cherry blossom petal hidden between workbooks.
I slipped the photo and petal into the page with the most beautiful handwriting.
"......"
Jeong Eun-seong shows up in the news often later.
For his brother's expedition gambling, another member's assault, drunk hit-and-run... Sometimes as victim, sometimes witness.
Standing before cameras in a black suit, apologizing—did he ever regret choosing to debut?
I wasn't close to adult Jeong Eun-seong, so I can't know for sure.
But even future Jeong Eun-seong might have regretted it once.
Like Seo Jae-kyeom's mom, wondering why no adult around him tried to stop him.
That's why...
"...we made a promise."
To become adults who take responsibility for the world. With that Jeong Eun-seong.
If there's something I can do, I will.
Not putting it off with 'tell me when you debut.'
Problems arise too late then.
Prevent them beforehand.
💬 KakaoTalk — Bang Eun-ji 19:38 I'm like, seriously sick ㅠ Because of Jeong Eun-seong's eyes Is that the piercing gaze? 저게 바로 쇠뇌적인 눈빛? — Anonymous 20:01 Probably "ravishing" gaze Cure for that's on page 30 of the chem book — Bang Eun-ji 20:10 ? Not there (Photo) — Study Bot 20:10 You've opened the book! Now just study lol — Bang Eun-ji 20:15 ㅜㅜ 📝 Bang Eun-ji Acrostic A bit embarrassing to say directly to Bang Eun-ji herself. Bang: Lily-of-the-valley's meaning is 'You will surely be happy.' Eun: Even if you cry gold and silver tears. Ji: Someday, surely.