Chapter 92: Internal Strife (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 92: Internal Strife (2)
“So, you and Jeong Seong-bin had a massive blowout yesterday?”
Choi Je-ho asked, gulping down cold milk. I told him to warm that milk up before drinking it, but he never damn well listens.
“I was calmly explaining the situation; Seong-bin was just the one who got a bit worked up.”
“You usually have a way of talking that pisses people off.”
“Je-ho, are you describing yourself right now?”
I spoke with a refreshing smile, but Choi Je-ho just snorted.
Unbelievable. After all the effort I put into helping him watch his mouth, this is how he repays me? By throwing me under the bus?
“From what I heard, it doesn't sound like Park Ju-woo is on your side either.”
At Choi Je-ho’s words, the sparks flew toward Park Ju-woo, who had been quietly eating bread in the corner.
Well, if Ju-woo hadn't blabbed in the first place, Je-ho wouldn't have even noticed that Seong-bin was angry.
Still, clinging to a sliver of hope, I sent Ju-woo a look that asked, Do you really think so?
Ju-woo avoided my gaze.
Even you’re betraying me?
After all those savory pancakes I fed you during Chuseok. The world is truly full of traitors.
“No, seriously, was I really in the wrong here?”
I expressed my grievance with total sincerity.
However, the response I got was cold as ice.
“Obviously, it was your fault.”
“Unbelievable.”
How is it a mistake to try and get some extra practice in?
The guy who used to nag me the most for being a bad dancer sure has a lot to say now.
“Hyung, how is your nose…?”
In the midst of this, Park Ju-woo cautiously checked on the state of my nose. His skill at playing both the arsonist and the firefighter is top-tier.
“It’s perfectly fine. Couldn't be better.”
“Yeah, right.”
“Choi Je-ho, you want to keep picking a fight?”
When I snapped at him, Je-ho just shrugged.
Leaving him aside, I turned my focus back to Park Ju-woo.
“Ju-woo, as my best friend, what do you think? Does Seong-bin seem really mad?”
“I’m not sure how to put this…”
“Give it to me in a percentage.”
“About… 97%.”
He’s reached the breaking point. This is bad.
As I pressed a hand to my forehead, Choi Je-ho asked, “Are you scared of Jeong Seong-bin?”
“A subordinate’s happiness index fluctuates based on the superior’s mood. The team leader is displeased because of me—how could I not be concerned?”
“Just leave him be. Once he’s done sorting out his thoughts, he’ll calm down and come back.”
“I’m sorry, is that based on personal experience?”
“Yeah.”
What a thing to be proud of, you prick.
To think I’ve fallen to the same level as Choi Je-ho. I started to feel a little sorry for Jeong Seong-bin.
I swallowed a sigh and spoke.
“It can’t be helped. I have to apologize to Seong-bin.”
“An apology? Aren't you just going to pour gasoline on the fire?”
“No. I’ll just explain the measures I’ll take to prevent a recurrence.”
“So you are saying you’re going to pour gasoline on it.”
I wanted to slap a gag order on Choi Je-ho for raining on my parade every time I opened my mouth, but I held back. We live in a country with freedom of speech, after all.
“Then what? Do you guys want to see Seong-bin’s heavy expression throughout practice all day?”
“I don’t care. It’s not because of me.”
Choi Je-ho raised an eyebrow and looked at me.
So as long as he’s not the one getting scolded, he doesn't care. Seeing that nonchalant face made a deep surge of anger rise from the pit of my stomach.
“…I don’t want to see it, but I don’t think the ‘prevention measures’ you mentioned will actually make him feel better, Hyung,” Park Ju-woo said cautiously.
How sorrowful. There isn't a single person on my side in this world.
As I wallowed in self-pity, Park Ju-woo glanced at me, reading the room, and added, “But if you really want to do it, go ahead…!”
Forget it, kid…
Just as I expected, Jeong Seong-bin carried his anger all the way home.
Even Kang Gi-yeon, who walked home with him, was shaking his head behind Seong-bin’s back.
So, as soon as Seong-bin arrived, I dropped to my knees and offered a sincere apology.
I basically admitted my negligence in managing my health, apologized for scaring my teammate, and promised that such a thing would never happen again.
‘…Hyung, that’s not something you can guarantee.’
‘I’ll ask my ancestral spirits to attach a guardian ghost specifically for health monitoring.’
I offer my apologies to my ancestors, who are now being exploited for my excuses. Please do not forgive your impious descendant.
However, the promise that it wouldn't happen again was somewhat sincere. Even without a health-monitoring ghost, I had a fatigue index that could be measured in percentages.
Perhaps sensing that I had something to rely on, Seong-bin’s eyes wavered for a moment.
Taking advantage of his hesitation, I played on his worry and sympathy for a sick member, as well as the guilt that must have grown overnight for getting angry at an elder.
In other words, I just stayed on my knees and kept begging.
His face turned pale as he finally accepted my apology. He must have been moved by my devotion.
The highlight was Seong-bin sighing with a voice that was 80% air, saying, “Hyung, you really are…”
Anyway, thanks to Jeong Seong-bin’s broad-mindedness in accepting my apology, our afternoon practice proceeded very smoothly.
Until I got a call from Yu Han-su, that is.
There was a missed call on the phone I’d gotten back from the manager, so I called him back. The moment he picked up, he screamed.
— You little shit, are you ignoring my calls now?
Such vulgar profanity. Such lack of telephone etiquette.
And the anger that transcended the limits of space. He really is a man who reminds me of a certain someone.
“I’m sorry, PD-nim.”
I answered politely. The Spark members, who had been scattered around, all jumped to their feet.
I gestured for them to sit down and then signaled for them to be quiet.
Then, from one side, Lee Cheong-hyeon mouthed, ‘Put it on speaker!’
I don't think so.
No matter how worn down my conscience is, I know better than to let these kids listen to this kind of ‘bad adult’ conversation.
Meanwhile, Yu Han-su’s medley of insults continued.
“It’s not that I intentionally didn't answer; it’s just our rule to hand in our phones.”
— So what the fuck? Am I supposed to check your schedule before I call? Huh?
“Absolutely not. I’m sorry, PD-nim.”
— Sorry? You’re ‘sorry’ while you’re screwing me over like this?
Yu Han-su was already beyond the point of reason.
In my previous life, I hadn't encountered a boomer of this caliber until I met Department Head Nam. This life is progressing way too fast.
Just as I was about to squeeze out a drop of artificial tears for my pitiful situation, my eyes met Jeong Seong-bin’s.
Seong-bin’s eyes seemed to be checking if I had forgotten the promise I made earlier.
‘I know, I know.’
I pushed off my knees and stood up quietly.
After giving Yu Han-su a half-hearted response to show I was listening, I mouthed silently to the boys.
‘I’m going to go record this.’
Having understood me, the boys let me go without a fuss.
And so, I stood in the emergency stairwell with the record button pressed, listening to Yu Han-su ramble on for a long time.
I waited until he screamed to ask if I was actually listening before replying in a dejected voice that I was very sorry and was listening intently.
Sensing that this was going to be a long talk, I leaned my back against the stairwell wall.
And these hunches are never wrong.
Yu Han-su finally got to the point twenty minutes later.
— You little brat, you messed with An Yu-ri’s side too, didn't you?
An Yu-ri is Nyuri’s real name. I expected it, but he seemed incredibly pissed off about it.
“PD-nim, I…”
— What? You going to make an excuse? You piece of shit, you cause all this trouble and now you have something to say? Huh?
“…”
— Who do you think you are, crossing the line? Just because you got a few compliments from the company, you think you’re something special? Have you never heard the phrase ‘a frog in a well’?
It’s so unfair. They were the ones who very cautiously asked for my opinion first. And if you weren't going to listen to me anyway, why did you call?
He really is a man incapable of progress. Instead of doing this, wouldn't it be better to spend his time looking for a way to save his own skin?
— You aren't afraid of anything, are you? But guess what? Your reputation in the industry is already shit. One wrong move and you’re going straight to the bottom.
“I’m sorry, PD-nim.”
Of course, I wasn't sorry at all.
An idol who turns into a whistleblower might be a headache, but wouldn't the reputation of an employee who tried to embezzle be even worse? I really wish he’d realize his own ‘greatness.’
— You messed with the wrong person. You think I don't have any active artists I’m close with? Watch yourself. Jang Jun-hu is going around talking shit about you, too.
Jang Jun-hu, huh?
I thought Yu Han-su had only directed a music video for Jang Jun-hu, but it seems they hit it off quite well. Close enough to bond over badmouthing me in private.
Or maybe Yu Han-su is just bluffing.
Either way, it doesn't matter. Neither Yu Han-su nor Jang Jun-hu are actual threats.
“Jang Jun-hu… sunbaenim?”
— Yeah. Apparently, you’re famous for having no manners. Jang Jun-hu is really gunning for you.
Actually, it might be better if the two of them are close. That way, I can take them both down together if necessary. ‘PD and Senior Singer Join Forces to Power Trip Against a Group.’ Now that’s a great headline.
I toyed with my fingernails with one hand while speaking in a completely flustered voice.
“That can’t be. I’ve only greeted him a few times.”
— He said you threatened him. Insubordination is a serious crime, kid. You know that?
No matter how serious insubordination is, could it possibly beat a power trip? That logic only works in the military.
Thinking I was truly flustered after Jang Jun-hu’s name was mentioned, Yu Han-su didn't stop.
— From what I heard, you were the one acting out over nothing. You took his phone and lectured him about being a senior just because he threw a water bottle?
“PD-nim, that was—”
— If that’s a power trip, then what, am I doing some unbelievable power trip to you right now? Did Jang Jun-hu throw the bottle at someone’s body? Did he break your phone? Oh, I guess since I broke your MP3, you’re going to report me for a power trip too?
I certainly will. I can just use this as evidence. As if the embezzlement suspicions weren't enough, seeing him add more crimes to his tab is truly spectacular.
I covered my mouth, desperately holding back a laugh.
In this shitty world, for things to go this smoothly… I really should have bought a lottery ticket today.
Then, as usual, more insults followed.
I’d recorded enough, so I was about to bow my head, mutter some apologies, and hang up when I heard a clatter from the stairs below.
It would be troublesome to be caught by someone here.
If it were someone from the company, I could probably get them to shut Yu Han-su up immediately, but when I was on the verge of being able to send both Jang Jun-hu and Yu Han-su away as a ‘Power Trip Duo,’ such a mild punishment wouldn't satisfy me.
So, I greeted the unidentified figure as loudly as possible.
“Hello!”
Yu Han-su’s swearing stopped. Soon, along with the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs, a staff member from the agency appeared.
“What are you doing here?”
“Ah, I was just taking a quick call…”
At that moment, the call ended, and the phone screen lit up brightly. I tilted the phone slightly so the screen was within the staff member’s view, clearly showing the name I had politely saved as ‘Yu Han-su PD-nim.’
“Is Yu PD still calling you?”
The staff member looked horrified. I desperately waved my hands and said, “No, it’s just been a really long time since we last spoke!”
Well, it had been a long time.
More importantly, I wanted to get back to the practice room quickly and check if the recording turned out well.
Despite that, the staff member didn't leave immediately.
“It’s not like Yu PD said something to you again, right?”
“No, really…!”
At that moment, unfortunately, my nose started to itch.
Worried that the inside of my nose, which had bled recently, might have burst again, I hurriedly lowered my head.
I pretended to sniffle and quickly put my hand under my nose, but fortunately, it was dry.
Just as I was about to look up in relief, the staff member cried out in shock.
“Are you crying?!”
Pardon? Me?
Wait, hold on.
Could it… look like I’m crying?
If I, caught talking to a boss who used to bully me, suddenly hung my head and started sniffling…
It’s a misunderstanding waiting to happen. I didn't think I had such a fragile image, but the situation was bad.
I put on the brightest smile possible and tried to explain that wasn't the case.
However, it wasn't easy, as the staff member interpreted my attitude as ‘a praiseworthy trainee who is trying his best to act bright despite being on the verge of tears.’
In the end, I had to postpone checking the recording until tonight and see the staff member off on their way.