Chapter 530: Sense of Exclusion
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 530: Sense of Exclusion
After finishing the pizza and before starting practice.
We all went to the bathroom together to wash our hands.
This was due to Choi Jin-ah’s ominous warning that if the smell of pizza seeped into her instruments, she would turn us into bio-drums.
When we returned, Choi Jin-ah was standing in front of the instrument room with her arms crossed.
I wondered what she was doing, but then she held out her hand.
“I’m going to do a hand-smell check. Line up.”
“What is this, kindergarten?”
How old are we that we have to line up and get our hands inspected to see if we washed them properly?
It was absurd, but since she was the owner of the instruments, I decided to play along for now.
Sniff, sniff.
Pyo Jin-ho, after sniffing his own hands, slunk back toward the bathroom.
I knew it the moment I saw him washing them so half-heartedly.
“Here.”
“Hmm, hmm. You pass.”
Jeong Chan-woo went inside.
Next was Ahn Hyun-ho, but Choi Jin-ah immediately furrowed her brows.
“Are you joking?”
“…….”
Ahn Hyun-ho also began to creep back toward the bathroom.
Next, Kang Han-gang stepped forward boastfully and held out his hands.
“Sniffing hands like that… you’re kind of like a pet dog, aren’t you?”
“I’m being serious, okay? Just get in there.”
That guy, Han-gang, really can’t help but act up as long as the person he’s talking to doesn't have a dick.
Finding it ridiculous, I gave him a smack on the back of the head. He made a face like he’d been wronged, asking why I hit him, but he grumbled and went inside anyway.
When I held out my hand to Choi Jin-ah, she leaned in and took a deep sniff.
“Tsk, Woo-jin.”
“Huh? It doesn't smell, does it?”
“Just a little.”
“Then I’ll go wash—”
I was about to say I’d go wash again, but Choi Jin-ah suddenly grabbed the finger she had been sniffing and brought it to her mouth.
She licked it thoroughly with her tongue, gave it a final 'mwah' kiss with her lips, and let go.
“Now it’s clean.”
“……Didn't it just get dirtier?”
“No, it didn't?!”
“I’ve got a boner.”
“Then sit down.”
It was a bit embarrassing that my lower half had reacted. There were wet wipes inside, so I’d have to wipe it off with those.
Before heading in, I gave Choi Jin-ah’s head a little pat.
“Aren't you a little minx?”
“Woo-jjin-a, what are you doing after practice today?”
She occasionally changes her tone of voice on purpose like this, and every time she does, it makes my heart flutter a bit.
“I have to go see the kids.”
I’m sorry, but business is business, and family is family.
As a father, I wanted to go see my children.
“…….”
Apparently dissatisfied with my answer, Choi Jin-ah gave my butt a light kick as I walked inside.
Seeing her grumbling was so cute that I couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
“Why is that guy smirking as he walks in?”
“Ah! Ahh! Aaaaah! Aaaaaaaaaah! Aaaaaaaaaaaang!”
Jeong Chan-woo was sitting at the keyboard, acting annoyed for no reason, while Kang Han-gang was doing something weird under the guise of warming up his throat.
“What’s wrong with him? He’s being damn noisy.”
“No idea. I said something to him too, but he’s already lost in his own world.”
Is screaming like that really the right way to warm up your voice?
Isn't he going to lose his voice at that rate?
Various thoughts crossed my mind, but regardless.
A few minutes later, Ahn Hyun-ho and Pyo Jin-ho returned after passing their inspections.
Choi Jin-ah was the last to enter.
With a bright smile, she clapped her hands once, drawing everyone’s attention like a kindergarten teacher.
“Alright, everyone. I told you all to practice individually, right? Today, we’re going to try an ensemble.”
“Already?”
Ahn Hyun-ho asked as he slung his guitar over his shoulder.
I was also taken aback, thinking the same thing, but Choi Jin-ah replied with a smile.
“We have to do it eventually. Didn't you guys say earlier while eating pizza that you could play the whole thing through on your own?”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
Several people went silent.
It seemed they had been bluffing while eating the pizza.
‘I guess it’s partly my fault.’
It was because I had practiced hard at home to show the kids.
So when I said I could play from start to finish now, the others got a strange sense of competition, not wanting to be outdone.
‘Well, as for me, I just need to handle my own part.’
Even if it’s an ensemble, isn't it just playing along to the song?
“Let’s just try it. No matter what happens, go until the end.”
At Choi Jin-ah’s words, Pyo Jin-ho tapped his drumsticks together.
“I’ve really wanted to do this.”
Tap! Tap! Tap-tap-tap-tap!
You’d have to be a total moron to mess even that up.
With that thought, we began the ensemble.
The moment it ended.
“……Be honest with me.”
Choi Jin-ah, who had been covering her ears with both hands, asked with a frown.
“None of you practiced, did you?”
“…….”
“…….”
“I—I did!”
While everyone else stayed silent, Kang Han-gang raised his hand. Choi Jin-ah glared at him.
“I know. Your voice is cracking all over the place, isn't it? I told you clearly. Don't just strain your throat on the high notes. You’ll ruin your voice. Managing yourself is also a skill!”
“…….”
Kang Han-gang shut his mouth tight.
He was acting up earlier saying he was warming up his throat, but when it came to the actual song, he couldn't hit the high notes for shit.
While everyone else was walking on eggshells, I was the only one feeling proud, puffing out my chest.
Maybe that’s why.
These guys decided to use me.
“Hey, Woo-jin. Your bass was no joke.”
“There was a reason you were so confident.”
“You didn't hesitate at all. You just kept going, didn't you?”
I knew they were trying to divert the captain’s gaze with these pathetic compliments, but still.
“Ahem.”
A compliment is a compliment.
I decided to accept it graciously.
“You guys should practice as hard as I do.”
“That’s right, Woo-jin was actually doing quite well.”
Nodding, Choi Jin-ah pointed to the side of me—specifically, at the amp.
“He would have been, if he’d actually turned on the amp.”
“…….”
When I glanced over, the amp was indeed turned off.
While I was sniffing my nose in embarrassment, I realized something strange.
“You bastards. How did you hear my playing if the amp was off?”
Look at them all avoiding eye contact. Seriously, these guys lie every time they open their mouths.
“Sigh, what is this? Do it properly. You didn't really skip practice entirely, did you? You managed to keep up at the beginning, at least.”
Everyone nodded at Choi Jin-ah’s question.
Since Choi Jin-ah had lent them instruments to take home, it seemed they had practiced to some extent.
“It’s just, the tempo is faster than I thought, so it’s hard to keep up.”
“It’s hard to focus because I can’t hear my own instrument over the others.”
It seemed they were having trouble now that they were playing together.
“Sigh, fine. Then let’s go one by one. I wanted to see the overall picture first, but this is a total mess.”
Then, Choi Jin-ah pointed at me.
“Woo-jin seems like he can actually play, so you go first. And turn on the amp.”
“It’s already on.”
Everyone’s eyes were on me.
Feeling a bit of pressure, I struck a cool pose and made a serious expression as I began to play. Thump! Thump! Thump!
“……”
“…….”
“…….”
The guys listened in silence.
I guess I’m built for the stage.
I play so much better when people are watching.
I was doing much better than usual, and a satisfied smile was about to spread across my face when—
“How long is this guy going to keep tuning?”
“Hey, stop warming up and just play the song.”
“You assholes, it’s already the chorus, you sons of bitches!”
I should really kill them.
* * *
“Yeah, so I think I’ll be late today.”
— The baby is crying right now!
“Who? Chae-rin?!”
— No, Ye-rin.
— Waaaaaaaah!
“…….”
— Pffft! Hahaha!
— Hehehe!
Yoo Ah-rin and Seo Ye-rin were laughing and joking together, saying it was fun.
I remember last time they also joked that the baby was crying when it was actually Seo Ye-rin.
‘They’ve really developed a taste for this.’
I thought to myself that they’d found a weird hobby, but it was still funny.
Just then, I heard the sound of the phone being shifted, and Choi I-seo’s voice came through.
— Woo-jin, what time do you think you’ll be back today?
“I’m not sure. I might have to sleep over here.”
— ……You’re staying out?
Look at how her voice turned cold instantly.
“I-it’s Jin-ah’s house.”
— And?
— And?!
— And what, you bastard?!
Listen to those voices ringing out in harmony from the side.
“No, I’m fine, but these guys are so bad. I’m being held back by these idiots!”
— Sigh.
— Should we go over there?
— Jeong Chan-woo and Pyo Jin-ho, those bastards are dead.
Hearing Yoo Ah-rin’s voice fading away, it seemed she was going to call Jeong Chan-woo and Pyo Jin-ho to give them a piece of her mind.
My wives are the best.
“Why would you come here? You should stay with the kids. I’ll finish as fast as I can and try to come back even if it’s dawn.”
— No, don't go that far. It’s fine, so just don't stay up too late.
— Late?!
— …….
“…….”
— If Ah-rin were here, she would have laughed.
Seo Ye-rin grumbled.
But I can say for certain, even if Yoo Ah-rin were here, she would have had the same reaction as us.
— Ahem, anyway. Do a good job. But you have to be back before lunch tomorrow, okay? Since it’s the weekend.
“Yes, Ma’am!”
— …….
Why is there no answer?
— I-seo’s face turned red! Look at her smiling!
— Ye-Ye-rin!
The call cut off right there.
The reaction was good.
I’ll have to make sure to say that when Choi I-seo is right in front of me next time.
I left the practice room and went into the living room.
Everyone was resting there, and Jeong Chan-woo was on the phone.
“Ah, Ah-rin…… it’s not like that—”
He was breaking into a cold sweat.
He glanced at me and then glared with an annoyed expression.
“Jin-ho hyung too? Okay. Hold on……. Jin-ho hyung, Ah-rin says she wants to talk to you for a second.”
“Huh?! Me?”
“……Yes. She’s furious.”
Then the two of them went into the practice room together. They’re probably going to get chewed out by Yoo Ah-rin over speakerphone.
“Belly! Belly! Strength! Belly! Belly! Belly!”
In the corner of the living room, Kang Han-gang was getting hit in the stomach by Choi Jin-ah.
“…….”
Is what I’m seeing real?
“Belly! Belly! Belly!”
“Ugh!”
Choi Jin-ah was training Kang Han-gang, asking if he didn't know how to put strength into his abdomen.
I thought it was cute at first, but now that Choi Jin-ah was starting to swing for real, he looked like he was about to cry.
While I was wondering what they’d ordered for dinner, Ahn Hyun-ho, who was sitting on the sofa looking at his phone, tried to take a selfie.
“Hey, Woo-jin. Come here.”
“Why.”
“Hurry, I have to send this to Gyu-a.”
“Ah, just take it yourself. Why do you have to call me over?”
“She’ll only believe me if you’re in it. Gyu-a feels safe if you’re there.”
“……Was I that trustworthy of a person to Gyu-a?”
“No, it’s because of the other girls. If you’re there, it’s like the inspection has already been completed.”
Aha.
So if I’m there, it means there’s no way other girls are around.
Because even if he didn't make a fuss, our girls would have already checked everything.
Click, click.
I took the photo with him.
“You look damn ugly, Kim Woo-jin.”
“Your nose hair is sticking out, you moron.”
“Ah, shit—I already sent it!”
Just then, my phone buzzed.
Since Uncle said he was coming, I thought it was the Bald Man.
But it wasn't the Bald Man; it was someone unexpected.
And then I sent a short text saying I was in a band with these idiots.
A moment later.
“……What is he talking about?”
“What is this guy even saying?”