Chapter 104: 50-Minute Self-Introduction (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 104: 50-Minute Self-Introduction (3)
“Huh?”
The MC’s bewilderment was evident even in that single short syllable.
“Do you like potato chips, I-wol?”
The MC asked while looking at the lonely, opened bag of potato chips sitting on the dining table.
“Yes, they’re a snack I eat often when I drink.”
In reality, I usually ate dried seaweed.
There was no particular reason for it; I just found it a hassle to go out and buy or prepare proper snacks.
However, I figured showing up on a broadcast with nothing but a single container of seaweed would look too insincere. Plus, I was worried about the disaster of getting a piece stuck in my teeth, so I gave up on that idea.
Instead, I brought potato chips—my go-to "2+1" convenience store staple. I didn't expect him to be this flustered by potato chips, though.
Then again, the guest who appeared recently ate canapés topped with truffles, so the gap must feel pretty wide.
“Oh, do you drink often, I-wol?”
“A little. Today is actually my first time drinking since we started living in the dorms!”
“Really? So you haven't had a single drop since your trainee days?”
“Yes. Most of the members are minors, so I thought it would be best to avoid it if possible.”
“You’re a good kid, I-wol. Let’s forget about the younger ones for today and just let loose. How about it?”
“Sounds good. Oh, and I did mention some other snacks earlier….”
“Right? I knew potato chips couldn't be everything!”
As I dropped the hint, the next snacks were brought out. The MC’s face finally brightened.
After all, this was a shoot; having nothing but potato chips wouldn't look right. Especially for a program centered around a drinking table.
Thanks to that, I had gone through a 'Favorite Food World Cup' I never asked for to find snacks that actually suited my palate.
Namely, convenience store fish cakes and a small cup of ramen.
“……I-wol, your taste is almost exactly like us middle-aged guys.”
“Ahaha, is that so? I just find these delicious!”
The fish cakes I’d eaten alone at a convenience store after delivering a dead-drunk Department Head Nam to his house.
And the cup ramen I’d had with a single carton of soju on the day Department Head Nam had chewed me out to no end.
I couldn't eat them often because they reminded me of him, but both were delicious enough to make me forget the sorrows of those days.
Watching me smile as I got lost in nostalgia, the MC placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke.
“I know fish cake soup and ramen are great. But man… I can’t let this slide. I-wol, as your senior, I’m going to treat you to some real snacks sometime.”
“Really?”
I’m grateful, but why so suddenly?
It was a bit baffling. Even if it looked humble, this was actually quite expensive in its own way. Those fish cakes were a premium PB product!
It probably wasn't a matter of price. There had been guests who brought roasted gingko nuts or spicy peppers as their 'nostalgic foods' before.
I figured it was just the usual empty talk people do for the camera, and then it made sense.
“I mean it! For now, let’s toast! Cheers!”
“Yes, sir!”
Following the MC’s lead, we friendly-like filled each other’s glasses and downed the soju. The atmosphere couldn't have been warmer.
Until the System appeared.
I had two goals for today.
One: Appear more honest than usual, as viewers expect from a drinking talk show.
Two: Despite that, do not lose self-control.
“Wait, I-wol.”
“Yes, senior?”
“How are you so good at drinking?”
But it was all ruined. It was all because of that damn System.
+
[SYSTEM] A work order has arrived from the ‘Person in Charge.’
▶ Assistant Manager Kim, come have a drink! Don't make my arm ache just standing here!
[SYSTEM] A ‘Short-term Task’ has been assigned.
▷ Finish at least five bottles of soju.
▷ Reward: 1 Self-PR Score point.
▷ Failure to achieve: Increased probability of an ‘Attitude Controversy’ event.
+
An 'Attitude Controversy' event?
That kind of event is going to trigger soon anyway, even without the alcohol. Because I’m about to start throwing punches at the air.
Besides, is being a heavy drinker even a virtue for an idol? Haven't you been helping me work hard as an idol all this time?
Isn't drinking until I'm wasted and making a fool of myself more likely to cause a controversy? My head was a mess.
But there was no time to hesitate. The cameras were still rolling.
Drinking five bottles itself wasn't that difficult.
Back at Hanpyeong Industry, even when I went to a company dinner late after working overtime to death, I still finished every drink Department Head Nam handed me. Surely I’d be even more fine now that I’m in my twenties.
The problem was that since I was drinking with the MC, I couldn't gauge exactly how much I had consumed on my own.
The System would likely mark it as a failure if I was even a single drop short of five bottles, so I had to be strict about this.
Can't keep track of the math?
Then there was only one answer.
Drink an overwhelming amount. Enough to win by a landslide.
From then on, I gulped down drinks without letting my glass stay dry for a second.
I didn't do anything unsightly like shouting, “Senior, my glass is empty!”
Instead, I deliberately placed my empty glass at the edge of the table so the camera would catch it, or I downed every drink the moment I received it.
Then, the production staff would notice and mention my glass was empty, or the MC would immediately refill it.
“Are you okay? Aren't you drinking too much?”
“I’m still fine!”
Even if I wasn't, I was in a situation where I had to say I was, but I truly was fine. In this moment, I was grateful for my tolerance.
Glancing at the production staff, I heard them whispering, “Look at I-wol, his face hasn't even changed color….”
As a result of drinking like a beast:
+
[SYSTEM] The ‘Short-term Task’ has been completed.
▷ Reward: 1 Self-PR Score point.
+
I managed to recover some of the Self-PR points I had unknowingly lost.
Thank you, my liver.
It hadn't been long since group practice had started feeling familiar. To be precise, they were still in the adjustment phase.
So, if one person was missing and the numbers were reduced, it should have felt more comfortable.
“Je-ho hyung, please look forward!”
Choi Je-ho was unable to focus on practice. To the point where he was receiving feedback from the leader, Jeong Seong-bin.
What was it that was scattering his concentration?
Choi Je-ho cast his gaze toward the empty spot in the formation.
It was the spot where Kim I-wol, the member currently away for an external schedule, should have been standing.
Even during the brief break, Choi Je-ho kept glancing at the spot where Kim I-wol usually stood to drink water.
He was aware that this was unlike him. But he couldn't help but be bothered.
Because of 'that' specific schedule that had caused Kim I-wol's absence.
‘We got an offer to appear on the MeTube show People Who Drink Alcohol. Have you both heard of it?’
A few days ago, the manager had called Choi Je-ho and Kim I-wol to explain the plan for a solo variety appearance.
He hadn't heard of it, but honestly, he wasn't interested. He was sick and tired of alcohol.
Drinking to the point of being unable to take care of oneself was an eyesore. It was the biggest reason he hated his father.
Whenever he thought of his father, his emotions became uncontrollable. Choi Je-ho loathed that side of himself. At the same time, he didn't want to show it.
So, if he could help it, he tried not to get involved with anything that reminded him of his father.
But one cannot live only doing what they want.
Choi Je-ho already had a track record of ruining a project once.
He didn't think it was his responsibility, but no one would feel comfortable watching others clean up their mess.
Among the many reasons he hated his father was that 'it was obvious he didn't want to take responsibility.'
He shouldn't live like that. He had decided not to.
Choi Je-ho braced himself. And just as he was about to volunteer for the shoot—
‘Could I go on that one? If Je-ho is okay with it.’
Kim I-wol, who was sitting next to him, had said with a smile.
Some might say of Kim I-wol’s behavior, “Who wouldn't be greedy for a solo activity?”
But that was something only someone who didn't know Kim I-wol could say.
Kim I-wol was extremely reluctant to stand out. He didn't back out if given a task, but if a good opportunity arose, he didn't hesitate to pass it to others.
It was visible even to Choi Je-ho, who had grown up hearing, “Why are you so indifferent to your surroundings?”
Such a Kim I-wol had volunteered. Deliberately.
Saying ‘If Je-ho is okay with it,’ as if asking for his understanding.
It was a clear act of consideration.
Looking back, Kim I-wol was always like that.
When a problem arose, he would show up, resolve the situation alone without even asking for the reason, and then calmly go back to his business. With that characteristic expressionless face.
A few days later, Choi Je-ho had stopped Kim I-wol as he was putting on his shoes to go to the salon.
‘Hey.’
‘Yeah?’
Those lifeless black eyes turned toward Choi Je-ho.
A guy who made a face like that acted like a completely different person in front of others or the camera.
If so, was Kim I-wol a human being fundamentally different from himself, or was he a human being with the same essence but different conduct?
He didn't want to think too deeply. Such sentiments didn't suit him anyway.
Instead, Choi Je-ho asked Kim I-wol:
‘Is there anything you need?’
I should have asked if there was anything I should do. These words of mine always come out without passing through my brain.
But this guy would probably understand the gist of it.
Kim I-wol turned his head and spoke while re-tying his shoelaces.
‘Just make sure the kids don't do anything stupid.’
With a goodbye, Kim I-wol left the practice room.
He was someone who listened intently to the younger ones, but when talking to Je-ho, he often didn't even wait for an answer.
Whether that was resignation or trust, he didn't know.
Choi Je-ho didn't dislike it.
The members of Spark were generally well-behaved.
Though things got noisy occasionally, they were all sensible and could take care of themselves.
So, Choi Je-ho believed he could easily fulfill Kim I-wol’s small request.
“Um, hyung.”
Until Jeong Seong-bin, of all people, came to his room…
“I’m sorry, but could you do a search for me just this once?!”
…and showed him a phone screen that required adult verification.