Chapter 62: How to Resolve Conflict with Superiors (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 62: How to Resolve Conflict with Superiors (3)
I tried, albeit belatedly, to cover the spot where Yu Han-su had struck me.
However, I failed because Choi Je-ho had already marched right up to my face.
"Did you get hit?"
"What?!"
At Je-ho’s question, poor Jeong Seong-bin jumped in surprise.
"No, I just bumped into something."
"What kind of thing do you bump into that leaves a handprint like that?"
"A handprint? No way."
I turned my gaze toward the mirror to avoid Je-ho’s eyes, only to see my face swollen bright red.
Though a faint outline was visible, it wasn't clear enough to immediately categorize it as a handprint. This punk... he actually tried to use interrogation tactics on me.
"Hyung, are you okay...?"
With a look of utter gravity, Park Ju-woo brought over a bottle of cold water and handed it to me.
When I pressed the bottle against my face, my cheek felt blissfully cool. Only then did I realize just how much my face was throbbing with heat.
"Fix your expressions. Anyone watching would think you guys were the ones who got hit."
"So, did you actually get hit?"
"I told you, I bumped into something. And Kang Gi-yeon, don't stand like that. You'll warp your spine."
Despite answering twice, it seemed no one believed me.
I reached out and smoothed the furrow in Park Ju-woo’s brow with my finger.
"Besides, even if I did get hit, so what? It’s no big deal."
"How is getting hit 'no big deal'?" Kang Gi-yeon retorted. He seemed particularly bristling with indignation today.
"Who did it? Was it Jang Jun-hu sunbae?"
Even Lee Cheong-hyeon asked the question, his face devoid of its usual smile.
"Didn't I tell you not to go running your mouths about people in the industry?"
"No, I’m asking if Jang Jun-hu sunbae actually hit you!"
When I told him no, Lee Cheong-hyeon crossed his arms and shot back, "So you did get hit, then?"
Why does it feel like no one believes a word I say? This old man’s feelings are hurt.
I tried to change the subject, suggesting we stop talking and get back to practice, but they showed no signs of backing down.
Left with no choice, I let out a sigh.
"There was just a slight difference of opinion with the PD. It just looks worse because he happened to hit my face."
At my words, Jeong Seong-bin locked eyes with me.
"Was it Producer Yu Han-su?"
Seong-bin’s eyes trembled slightly.
I felt a pang of guilt, wondering if I’d inadvertently reminded him of what happened with Jang Jun-hu. The atmosphere grew heavy as they likely realized they, too, could be hit at any moment.
It was only natural for them to be anxious. How threatening must the presence of a violent older man be to them?
Regardless of my plans to get rid of Yu Han-su, this downward spiral wasn't good. We were at a point where we needed to be fully immersed in practice.
So, I spoke up loudly, acting as if it were nothing.
"Yeah. Happy now? I’m turning the music back on."
I turned my back on them.
As I picked up the spare phone to play the track, someone grabbed me.
Jeong Seong-bin was holding my elbow, looking up at me.
"We’re going to tell the manager."
"What?"
"We have to tell him the PD hit you. The PD calls for you all the time as it is; there’s no guarantee this won't happen again."
Seong-bin spoke calmly, but despite his composed tone, his fingertips were trembling minutely.
But what would change if I went?
I didn't know Yu Han-su’s weakness yet, and I couldn't be sure how the company weighed his value against mine.
I’ll admit UA has shown a certain level of compassion so far.
But a company is not something to be trusted.
A company—and its executives—are entities that will suddenly hurl verbal abuse at an employee of thirteen years, or drive foreign luxury cars while slashing the entire staff's salaries.
Even if UA was lucky enough to see a bit of professional competence in me, it wouldn't be easy for them to discard Yu Han-su, who had already signed an employment contract, in favor of me.
If luck wasn't on my side, I, the victim, would be the one facing sanctions. I’d seen that happen countless times at Hanpyeong Industry.
I agreed with the System’s directive to remove Yu Han-su from the idol business because he might lay a hand on the other members.
But that was as far as it went. I had no desire to get caught in the crossfire of a failed attempt to screw over Yu Han-su without a solid weapon in hand.
I couldn't let something like this jeopardize the debut.
I patted Jeong Seong-bin’s shoulder, hoping my sincere desire not to cause trouble would get through to him.
"It’s just because I upset the PD a little. It won't happen again."
"How can you be sure? And even if you upset him, he shouldn't be hitting people."
I failed. I had briefly forgotten that this kid was one of the most stubborn members of the team.
Back at Hanpyeong Industry, saying "I'm sorry, it's all my fault" solved everything. How regrettable.
I spoke as nonchalantly as possible, trying to smooth over the situation.
"Surely he wouldn't do it again."
Seong-bin’s expression hardened.
"Who can guarantee that?"
In that moment, I sensed he was thinking of Jang Jun-hu. Jeong Seong-bin knew all too well that harassment doesn't just start out of nowhere—it begins slowly and repeats incessantly.
I’d ended up dredging up bad memories for him.
I swallowed a sigh. Since it had come to this, I had to wrap the conversation up as best I could.
"Seong-bin."
"..."
"Thanks for worrying about me. I’ll figure out what to do next, so let’s just practice for now."
Pretending not to see the look on Seong-bin’s face, I forced the music on.
I figured that since Seong-bin was a rational kid, he’d understand what I meant after sleeping on it.
However, the situation unfolded in a direction I hadn't expected at all.
It was a few days later when I detected a strange vibe.
Taking advantage of a break while warming up in the practice room, I asked Choi Je-ho.
"Hey. Seong-bin seemed mad at me the other day, right?"
"A bit."
Je-ho answered without even looking at me, focusing entirely on his stretching.
I’d been busy these past few days trying to figure out what triggered Yu Han-su’s rage. I hadn't realized that I’d simultaneously triggered our team leader’s "displeasure button." And I was only realizing it now.
I stole a glance toward one side of the practice room.
"But why does the vibe between Seong-bin and Ju-woo seem so weird...?"
That was the problem.
I didn't know if the arrow of Seong-bin’s anger had shifted targets or if another problem had cropped up.
For some reason, the two most mild-mannered members of our dorm were acting incredibly awkward around each other.
In the practice room, Jeong Seong-bin acted mostly like his usual self. Park Ju-woo was naturally quiet, so he didn't seem much different either.
But it was impossible not to notice that the two, who usually stuck together and whispered during breaks, were keeping their distance.
Since they usually showed their bond in a different way than Lee Cheong-hyeon and Kang Gi-yeon, this sight was quite jarring.
While I was searching for the cause, Choi Je-ho stood up.
"How should I know?"
Useless punk.
Still, if even the dense Choi Je-ho could sense it, the atmosphere between Jeong Seong-bin and Park Ju-woo wasn't just my imagination.
"With those two, they’re the type to talk things out. They don't have the personalities to fight."
"True."
"Do Seong-bin and Ju-woo argue often?"
"No. I don't think they ever have."
"Really?"
"...Probably?"
Je-ho generally lacked interest in his teammates, but I could trust him on this one.
In a past interview, those two had introduced each other as "best friends who have never fought even once."
'You've never fought? Really?'
'Yes. I think we get along so well because Ju-woo is so good at yielding to others.'
'But is it really possible to never fight while living in a group?'
'We find it fascinating too. Haha.'
Jeong Seong-bin wasn't the type to give fake interviews just for the broadcast, so those words were likely true.
That meant this situation was an unprecedented exception. Much like Lee Cheong-hyeon’s attempt to run away from home.
At this point, I wondered if my presence was actually a curse for this team. Ever since I joined, the members were getting into accidents they never would have before.
Well, I suppose I am a curse, considering I’m dragging down the average stats.
As I massaged my throbbing forehead and tried to soothe my complicated thoughts, Je-ho asked, "But you told the company when Jeong Seong-bin was being bullied by Jang Jun-hu. Why are you acting the opposite way this time?"
"Is a minor getting hit the same as an adult getting hit? And Seong-bin is different from me..."
"...?"
The words 'He’s a trainee the company would never let go of' almost slipped out, but I caught myself.
Instead, hoping their strange distance was only temporary, I called Park Ju-woo over after practice to carefully test the waters.
However, Ju-woo’s response shattered my hope that this would be easily resolved.
"As a result... it seems we ended up fighting."
I confess: it took a lot of effort to swallow my sigh that time.
"Can I ask why you fought?" I asked with concern.
The concern was genuine. If the two main vocals fought, the group would be ruined, the company would be ruined, and my KPI would be absolute trash.
Park Ju-woo hesitated instead of speaking right away.
They say his voice melts the fans' eardrums, but he was certainly wringing my heart out, too.
Only when I felt like I was about to expire from the suspense did Ju-woo finally speak with difficulty.
"That... the day you had that problem with Producer Yu Han-su."
Ju-woo’s consideration was evident in the way he didn't describe it as "the day you got slapped by Yu Han-su."
"I talked with Seong-bin that day, and we had a difference of opinion. ...I’m sorry for talking about you behind your back; you might find that offensive."
"No, I don't mind that at all."
I gave Ju-woo a friendly smile, but my mind was filled with doubt.
What could those two possibly disagree on regarding me getting slapped?
I was the one who got hit!
I wanted to hear specifically what they had talked about, but unfortunately, I failed as Park Ju-woo clamped his mouth shut like a clam.
In the end, I had to use my trump card.
"So, I’m going to need you guys to put in some effort."
"What?"
Choi Je-ho, Kang Gi-yeon, and Lee Cheong-hyeon, who had been summoned to the living room, looked bewildered.
"Go to those two and find out exactly what happened."
"Us?"
Choi Je-ho, looking the most reluctant of the bunch, asked first.
"Then should I ask? When they supposedly fought because of me? Like they’d actually tell me."
"I don't think they'll tell us either!"
"That’s why I’m telling you to put in the effort and get an answer. I didn't raise you to be this weak, Cheong-hyeon."
I prefer solving things myself rather than relying on others, but what could I do? This was the situation.
I patted the shoulders of my clearly flustered spies and encouraged them.
And the very next day, the spies returned with information.