Chapter 290: Graduation (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 290: Graduation (1)
With Choi Je-ho returning a week before his vacation was over, Spark was back together as a full group. Those stubborn guys—how is it that they can't even take a vacation when they're given one?
Ah, and Choi Je-ho did bring back something interesting this time.
"Jeong Seong-bin, here."
"Is this for me? What is it?"
He handed Seong-bin something thick wrapped in OPP film. When we opened it, it turned out to be a pack full of stickers.
"Stickers...?"
"You said you keep a notebook."
"I do, but..."
"Choi Mi-ho bought a whole box of them to use for her planner decorating. When I told her you keep a notebook, she packed these for you. She said it's for sharing."
It seemed our Center Emperor, Mr. Choi Je-ho, thought the leader was into planner decorating. I saw it all—Park Ju-woo and Lee Cheong-hyeon biting their lips, desperately holding back their laughter.
Holding the pile of vintage-style stickers, Jeong Seong-bin spoke.
"But everyone's back so early. We had such a long vacation for once."
Everyone except me and Choi Je-ho flinched as if a button had been pressed. These guys really have zero talent for surprise events.
There was a reason Jeong Seong-bin had returned early. His graduation ceremony was coming up soon.
Following my opinion that it is improper to miss a joyous occasion in a superior's life, we decided to joyfully celebrate Seong-bin's graduation.
I had been worried that Seong-bin might not have many friends, or that he might feel embarrassed to show us that side of himself, but...
'Seong-bin Hyung's social life? It’s no joke. Every time he goes to the cafeteria, he’s hanging out with ten people at a time.'
...Thanks to a report from Kang Gi-yeon, who attends the same school, my worries were eased.
Me
[We’ll congratulate him, but if Seong-bin looks overwhelmed or too busy taking photos with his friends, we pull out immediately. Got it?]
King Cute Kang Gi-yeon
[If we’re going to go that far, wouldn’t it be better to just ask for permission beforehand?]
Me
[Superiors are always busy and will tell you that you don't need to come. But those are the times when you're in real trouble if you actually don't show up.]
2019 Vintage Metal Jade Bead Park Ju-woo
[Seong-bin isn't really the type to be like that...]
Me
[You can know the depth of ten fathoms of water, but not a single inch of a person's heart.]
Center Emperor Choi Je-ho
[Can't we just congratulate him when he gets back to the dorm?]
Cute Pretty Visually Lee Cheong-hyeon
[Seeing as this hyung isn't replying, a 'View All' long-form message is coming soon.]
Me
[Do you think a superior's retirement—I mean, graduation—is such a trivial matter? This is an event that should be making headlines in the entertainment news, and right now you're... Read More]
After a long meeting like this, we had planned for everyone to return to the dorm by the day before Jeong Seong-bin's graduation. And now, everyone was likely holed up in their rooms, excellently picking out what to wear tomorrow.
The problem was me. What should I wear?
Unaware of my burning anxiety, Jeong Seong-bin brightly hung his school uniform on a hanger.
"This is the last time for those clothes, too."
"I know. I don't know how these three years flew by."
Seong-bin laughed modestly.
"Now that you're an adult, is there anything you want to do? Excluding deviance, acts an idol shouldn't commit, tattoos decided hastily without deep thought, or investments started just because you followed what others said."
"Ahaha."
You're laughing? When I'm being this serious?
"There is one thing I'd like to try."
"What is it?"
"Drinking as the team representative at a company dinner."
"Why would you want to do that of all things?"
"Until now, whenever there was an occasion to drink, you always drank alone, Hyung."
That's because you were all minors, and Choi Je-ho doesn't drink.
"Why drink alone as a representative when we can just share?
"It's for the sake of your liver health, Hyung."
"Do you even know your own tolerance?"
"I just had a small drink with my dad this time."
This kid...
I have a bad feeling. I smell a future heavy drinker.
"Seong-bin."
"Yes."
"Alcohol is banned in our dorm unless it's a very happy or very sad occasion."
When I spoke out of concern, Jeong Seong-bin burst into hearty laughter. He even had tears in his eyes.
"I'm not saying you should go out and drink elsewhere, no... Anyway, let's talk again after you've said goodbye to your uniform."
"I get it, I get it!"
Seong-bin pushed me toward the bed, telling me to just get some sleep. Without even deciding on my graduation look, I was tucked into bed and fell asleep.
The long-awaited graduation day dawned. Jeong Seong-bin was busy getting ready from early morning.
"Aren't you leaving too early?"
Choi Je-ho asked, tilting his head as he looked at the clock. I answered on behalf of the busy Seong-bin.
"He has to go to the salon before heading there."
"What salon for a graduation?"
"Tsk."
Did all the idol vibes wash off this punk while he was back home? Should I raid his room today and give him some manual ASMR?
Feeling embarrassed, Jeong Seong-bin laughed awkwardly.
"I-wol Hyung insisted I stop by..."
"Of course. Do you think graduation ceremonies happen three times a year?"
After nagging him that I wouldn't let him back into the dorm if he didn't take solo photos, I sent Seong-bin off. Then, I went around to each room to check if the members had started getting ready to go out.
Kang Gi-yeon's fashion: pass. Lee Cheong-hyeon's face: pass. Park Ju-woo's sincere congratulations: pass... but.
"Now that I think about it, what have you been doing?"
"I just need to put on my clothes and leave."
"I respect your freedom of fashion, but you know today is Seong-bin's day, right? I won't forgive you if you stand out more than Seong-bin for any reason. I'm busy enough as it is, so go get your outfit checked by Gi-yeon and Cheong-hyeon and then we'll talk."
Choi Je-ho made a face but headed toward the younger members' room with his clothes.
While I was secretly coordinating with Manager Dae-yeon for our surprise visit, the sound of laughter from Cheong-hyeon's room didn't stop.
Even after picking up the pre-ordered bouquet, we weren't late. In fact, we were early. Our conviction of never being late for a schedule manifested itself again today.
"It looks like a lot of other seniors are here too?"
Given the nature of an arts high school, quite a few of the graduates had already debuted. Or were on the verge of debuting.
Perhaps because of that, we saw many other idol groups who had come to congratulate their members.
I knew from my research that the scene would be like this, but I'm glad we weren't the only ones who came as a group. It would reduce the chances of Jeong Seong-bin seeing us as overbearing and feeling embarrassed.
"Choi Je-ho, hold the flowers properly."
I repeatedly cautioned Choi Je-ho. He hugged the bouquet with a look of indifference.
The one who prepared the bouquet was Seong-bin's best friend, Park Ju-woo. After much deliberation, he had personally ordered a bouquet that harmoniously mixed blue mini delphiniums and white gerberas.
I asked if it might look a bit cold, but unfortunately, he said there were no orange flowers he liked among those blooming this season.
"So we just give him the flowers and leave?"
"Yeah. And if Seong-bin's parents haven't taken a family photo yet, we'll take one for them."
Checking the time, it was about time for the students to receive their diplomas and come out.
Most people who had parked in the lot seemed to have gone into the auditorium to watch the ceremony, as almost no one was getting out of their cars at this time.
"Should we wait five more minutes before heading out?"
I was trying to avoid the most crowded time when Choi Je-ho pointed out the window.
"Isn't that Jeong Seong-bin?"
A boy with gray hair, wearing a light purple school uniform, was passing by the parking lot behind the school.
Choi Je-ho rolled down the window. Then he shouted toward the person passing by.
"Jeong Seong-bin!"
"Ah, Hyung! Why are you calling Seong-bin Hyung now!"
Lee Cheong-hyeon scolded him relentlessly. I barely managed to soothe him as I spoke.
"It's okay."
"What do you mean! Our surprise is totally ruined!"
The pedestrian who heard Choi Je-ho's call turned his head toward us.
"Because that person is Mr. Jeong Seong-jun."
"What?"
As soon as I finished speaking, Mr. Jeong Seong-jun, who had the exact face of Jeong Seong-bin, ran toward our car while waving one arm.
Fearing someone might see, we quickly pulled Mr. Jeong Seong-jun into the car as if stuffing him in. Even then, Mr. Seong-jun affably greeted everyone.
"Did you come to give Seong-bin a surprise party?"
"Yes, though it almost got ruined because of Choi Je-ho."
Seeing my smile, Choi Je-ho turned his head away. You should be grateful that the person passing by at this time was Mr. Jeong Seong-jun.
"How did you know it was me? I made the most of the identical twin advantage today."
"Seong-bin has bleached his hair so much that his hair is a bit more frizzy than yours, Mr. Seong-jun."
At my words, Mr. Seong-jun covered his hair with both hands with a clap.
"But Seong-jun, if you're here right now, don't tell me you're at the graduation..."
Park Ju-woo, who was in the passenger seat, looked back with a puzzled expression.
Come to think of it, Mr. Jeong Seong-jun's uniform is the uniform of this school. It was too authentic to be something he just got for a surprise; even the name tag was his own.
"I was hiding around to do a grand surprise reveal for Jeong Seong-bin."
"This is your graduation too...!"
Park Ju-woo was aghast. Just how much does Mr. Jeong Seong-jun love Seong-bin? Is this... brotherly love?
"But back in middle school, I couldn't go to the graduation because of a competition, so I couldn't do an event. This year is finally the time."
"It was an event three years in the making..."
Kang Gi-yeon's eyes were out of focus.
"I didn't know Mr. Seong-jun went to the same school. If I had known, I would have prepared another bouquet. I wasn't thoughtful enough."
"I knew, but I forgot. It's my fault."
Kang Gi-yeon said gloomily. Mr. Seong-jun waved his hands, saying it was fine.
"No, it's okay! Anyway, all the bouquets Jeong Seong-bin receives will end up at our house! I'm already looking forward to the scent of nature."
Mr. Seong-jun looked truly happy.
"Mom and Dad are going to the field now to take pictures with Jeong Seong-bin! Shall we move too?"
With the help of Mr. Jeong Seong-jun, who had become an excellent spy, we all piled out of the car. From a distance, I could occasionally hear voices saying, "Isn't that Spark?"