Chapter 286: Stranger (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 286: Stranger (4)
In the early days of their debut, Lee Cheong-hyeon had attracted a flash of intense interest. At the time, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that half of the posts mentioning Spark were about Choi Je-ho, and the other half were about Lee Cheong-hyeon.
The difference was that posts about Choi Je-ho focused on his presence, while posts about Lee Cheong-hyeon focused primarily on his looks.
≫ Honestly, even if Lee Cheong-hyeon was a dungeoned member
He could’ve joined any group, snatched a visual position and an ambassador deal, and lived the easy life.
└ There’s no way a face like Lee Cheong-hyeon’s would ever stay dungeoned in the first place.
└ Facts. He could do baby babble rap and still be the main rapper.
≫ If you’re born with a face like that, you’d have enough to live on without doing anything.
└ Obviously. Just look at the solo ads Blue Light is filming.
└ Must be nice to be Blue Light. Life is so easy for him.
Sometimes, people with exceptionally striking looks have their skills overshadowed.
That was the case for Lee Cheong-hyeon. Given the nature of being an idol, his appearance made him stand out, but it also obscured his abilities.
Lee Cheong-hyeon didn't blame anyone for that. Even when the company—which he had joined following a friend—left them alone for months on end, making him wonder if they had forgotten their existence, he tried not to think negatively.
Instead, Lee Cheong-hyeon decided to increase the number of things he was good at. Considering what he had mentioned during live broadcasts and such, it was likely around this time that he began learning how to compose.
I want to be better at even one more thing. Then I can be of more help to the group. I have to work hard.
Lee Cheong-hyeon’s stance wasn't much different before and after my regression. It was just that the timing had been moved up a bit.
And to that Lee Cheong-hyeon, Jeong Seong-bin had flatly declared: that his efforts were no longer needed, and that it would be best for him to leave the team.
This statement was more than enough to serve as a turning point that would drive Lee Cheong-hyeon toward extreme thoughts.
“If I were lacking in something, I might at least try to understand. No, actually, I still wouldn't. If there’s something lacking, you should tell me to fix it, not just tell me to get out.”
“Lee Cheong-hyeon, go cool your head for a second.”
Kang Gi-yeon grabbed Lee Cheong-hyeon’s arm. Lee Cheong-hyeon harshly shook him off.
“What the hell is this all of a sudden? Is the company saying it’s too hard to manage five people, so they want to kick one out? Since I was the last one to join, I’m the one who has to go? Is that it?”
“It’s not like that. I really just want you to…”
“You want me to what?”
Jeong Seong-bin couldn't bring himself to speak.
In his heart, he probably wanted to hold onto Lee Cheong-hyeon. It was just that his conscience and the pressure were dominating his mind. That was why he was taking all the blame and misunderstanding without being able to say it was because of Lee Cheong-hyeon’s father.
And Lee Cheong-hyeon was likely hurt by his hyung’s attitude.
He probably wanted him to fix the situation by saying it was a joke or a hidden camera prank. Even if he felt it wasn't a joke, if there had been just one moment of pause, Lee Cheong-hyeon might have been able to have a calmer conversation.
But Jeong Seong-bin missed the timing to soothe Lee Cheong-hyeon.
The sorrow Lee Cheong-hyeon had suppressed for years finally exploded.
“To put it bluntly, if someone has to leave, it should be the person with the least skill!”
In the worst possible way.
Because these kids didn't know how to fight without losing sight of the core issue.
Because they had never experienced honestly saying they were hurt when they felt hurt.
“Aside from when I first joined, have I ever done worse than you in a monthly evaluation? When we actually managed to land a schedule, who was the one who went on the most variety shows? Who was the one who covered for you when your throat was in bad shape!”
“Lee Cheong-hyeon!”
Kang Gi-yeon shouted at the screaming Lee Cheong-hyeon.
“Are you picking a fight with me too now?”
Kang Gi-yeon asked.
Kang Gi-yeon, who had received lower scores than Lee Cheong-hyeon in monthly evaluations. Who had stage fright and couldn't go on many broadcasts, and was criticized whenever he did.
Kang Gi-yeon, who had injured his ankle shortly after debut and couldn't even dance properly during their brief promotion period.
Lee Cheong-hyeon’s expression crumpled.
“…You know I’m not talking about you.”
“And what if that’s how it sounds?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon wiped his face with both hands.
“Kang Gi-yeon.”
“…”
“Shouldn't you be on my side?”
He looked miserable.
“You’re the one who brought me here.”
“…”
“Then you could at least ask him why he’s saying that to me. Just once.”
“…”
“You could ask him what the problem is, and if I’m not doing well enough.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon slumped to the floor.
“We’re friends…”
Kang Gi-yeon couldn't say a word.
Park Ju-woo, who had been watching everything, hesitantly knocked on a door and went inside. Choi Je-ho was sitting on the edge of the bed.
Looking at Park Ju-woo, who clearly hoped someone would mediate, Choi Je-ho spoke.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Hyung…”
“Anyone would feel like shit after being told to get lost out of nowhere. Isn't it obvious the atmosphere is going to be ruined?”
With that, Choi Je-ho turned his gaze away from Park Ju-woo. His voice was clearly audible to the three in the living room as well.
The current Spark could produce a conversation no matter who you paired together. They had shared topics and talked to each other every day.
On the other hand, the Spark of the past was different. While it was true that Lee Cheong-hyeon tended to keep the tension up, he had his ups and downs, and there were combinations that made viewers feel uncomfortable. Even Jeong Seong-bin and Lee Cheong-hyeon, who understood the flow of a broadcast, didn't create synergy when they were together.
I wondered why that was.
If something like this had happened, it would have been difficult for the two of them to show a good image on screen.
If there was any silver lining, it was that the long hiatus that followed prevented it from being too obvious. I wasn't sure if I should call that a relief.
My thoughts grew heavy. Conversely, my consciousness began to drift. It seemed the past data was coming to an end.
I woke up to a tickling sensation on the tip of my nose. Someone’s lower half, crouched down, occupied the space right in front of my eyes.
“…Are you awake?”
Park Ju-woo’s voice came from above my head. He pulled his finger back.
“You were sleeping for so long, hyung, so just in case…”
Park Ju-woo made a hurried excuse. He must have been checking to see if I was still breathing.
“What time is it?”
“11:00.”
“Huh?”
Startled, I checked, and the wall clock really did point to 11:00.
“Did you eat breakfast? What about Cheong-hyeon?”
“I ate, and Cheong-hyeon is in his room writing a song…”
“Good job.”
“Is I-wol hyung awake?!”
Lee Cheong-hyeon was full of energy since morning. Even though Park Ju-woo and I were talking in voices as small as ants, he somehow overheard us and came bursting out of his room.
“I wondered when you’d get up. Are you upset that we didn't wake you for breakfast?”
“Not at all.”
I looked up at Lee Cheong-hyeon quietly. He stared back at me with wide eyes.
“Cheong-hyeon.”
“Yeah?”
“Were you making a song?”
Actually, I wanted to ask what he thought of Jeong Seong-bin. Even though I knew the answer would be that he’s a kind and good hyung.
But I couldn't ask. Just in case a different answer came out.
“Yeah. Why?”
Because I didn't know everything about Lee Cheong-hyeon. Just as I hadn't known about what happened between them back then.
“Can I hear it?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon said that was easy and headed to his room. He returned with his laptop.
“Which one do you want to hear first? They aren't exactly masterpieces, but I have two fresh tracks…”
Lee Cheong-hyeon played the music.
‘You could ask him what the problem is, and if I’m not doing well enough.’
I closed my eyes. A light, unfinished melody played softly.
“It’s good.”
“Which one? Number one or number two?”
“Both.”
The current Lee Cheong-hyeon, and the songs he had started making in this life.
They were all good, but…
“Still, make sure to take breaks.”
“Huh?”
So that he wouldn't get exhausted. So that he could always enjoy what he was doing.
As much as he had lived giving up on fun things, I wanted him to have several times more excitement.
“Nagging machine.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon clicked his tongue and turned off the laptop.
The sunlight shone brightly deep into the living room.
Unlike the chilly dream, reality was warm. They said the dorm faced south. It must have been true.
Kang Gi-yeon returned home two days later as scheduled. And as soon as he arrived, he had to comfort a wailing Lee Cheong-hyeon.
“Why on earth are you crying?!”
“Because I can finally use my pouch with pride!”
Then Lee Cheong-hyeon hugged Kang Gi-yeon and began sobbing again. He claimed they were tears of joy, but I wasn't so sure. Kang Gi-yeon could only sigh as he patted his friend’s back.
While they were having their one-sided tearful reunion, I slipped into my room.
I reviewed the new task that had appeared a few days ago.
+
[SYSTEM] A ‘New Task’ has been assigned.
▷ Family Interview
+
This was no longer a simple interview. It had become a major mission where I had to take Jeong Seong-bin’s place and persuade Lee Cheong-hyeon’s father.
In the past, Lee Cheong-hyeon was an adult, so his legal guardian couldn't force a contract termination.
However, because I had moved up the debut, Lee Cheong-hyeon was still a minor.
If I sent the company as a substitute, it would be even worse, as business-like conversations would take place between two adults. The odds were stacked against me in this battle of wits.
The first priority was to prevent Jeong Seong-bin from being called to that meeting.
The second was to persuade Lee Cheong-hyeon’s father so that the kid could stay in the group with a peaceful mind.
If I couldn't achieve these two things, task or no task, the group could face another crisis.
I seriously considered whether I should hide Jeong Seong-bin’s phone. Since we were roommates, there were plenty of opportunities. However, I held back, knowing that one shouldn't do things that are beneath a human being.
Then a thought occurred to me. How did Lee Cheong-hyeon’s father contact Jeong Seong-bin?
Lee Cheong-hyeon might have given him the members' contact info, but the old Spark wasn't allowed to use personal phones for a year after debut. Even if Lee Cheong-hyeon had given him the number, it would have been difficult for his father to contact only Jeong Seong-bin without his son knowing. They all would have used the dorm’s common phone.
Then the next method would be through the company… and if it was UA, they were the type to hand over a member’s phone number to someone’s father three times over.
Should I give the managers a heads-up? Or maybe Ju-gyeong-nim?
I pondered how I could say, “If a certain someone’s father calls, keep it a secret from that friend and tell me instead!” without sounding too suspicious.
But there was no need for that.
“Cheong-hyeon’s father?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon’s father had sought me out, not Jeong Seong-bin. Directly.