Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Camaraderie
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It was an idol created through planning, but one who sang and danced. Someone pretty and cool, an existence I wanted to emulate.
‘Then sticky camaraderie is perfect.’
Because that kind of thing barely exists in reality.
‘Looking out for each other—something like that doesn’t exist in today’s world.’
Yoo Hajin’s voice trembled slightly. But he didn’t stop answering.
“On the contrary, I regret sending you out alone back then. I should’ve gone with you to that spot—I’ve been regretting it lately.”
I clapped inwardly.
Silence hung over the showcase hall. For dramatic effect, I grabbed Yoo Hajin’s hand. The camera flashes went even wilder.
The MC spoke.
“Uh, next question! The person in the back row who just asked!”
“This is Weekly Entertainment’s Kim Jungjin. A question for Cha Dowon. Don’t you feel sorry toward your members?”
These bastards really came prepared.
‘I bet they even know why they’re doing this…….’
If they poked there, I had to hit back properly.
I smiled brightly.
“Of course I feel sorry. It must’ve been tough because of me. And there are others I feel sorry toward.”
I slowly wiped the smile from my face.
“I apologize to my fans—no, to Zenith’s Jenny fans. I’m always worried that you’re hearing painful words because you’re looking out for me.”
Flashes popped. I bowed my head slightly and lifted it.
“I’m fine, so you don’t have to do that—I wanted to say that using this opportunity.”
The reporters’ faces looked strange. Inwardly, I grinned ear to ear.
How’s that, you bastards.
‘If you say anything more, you’re not human.’
Though you’re already trash wearing human skins.
Movie premieres get filmed too, so showcases probably do as well. Meaning, this was being live-streamed somewhere right now.
‘Satisfactory.’
I could tell the reaction without looking. My fans would rally fiercely.
‘Sorry. I’ll make it up to you.’
No matter what it takes.
In the ensuing silence, the MC said pitifully.
“Alright, that concludes the showcase Q&A time.”
Oh dear.
I smiled brightly. The MC seemed a bit pitiful.
***
The manager said.
‘From tomorrow, no time to breathe!’
Must be super busy. Well, 100 times better than idle.
‘But why’d he call me?’
I quietly looked ahead. Yoo Hajin, wearing a hat, smiled from the front.
Surrounding noise filtered in. I let out a deep sigh.
“We live together, Hajin hyung. We could just talk at the dorm.”
“It’s not easy to be alone at the dorm.”
“You could come to my room.”
“Seungjun’s there.”
I tilted my head.
“Is it something he can’t hear?”
“Not exactly…….”
“If it’s that bad, I could go to your room, Hajin hyung.”
“Ah, yeah, that works…….”
The manager set down cocoa in front of us and left, saying to talk.
‘I get it now.’
Probably asked the leader to comfort me a bit.
‘What’s there to comfort?’
I shook my head.
‘On the contrary, I should praise him.’
I took a sip of the cocoa. Manager’s taste, disgustingly sweet.
Leader hyung finally spoke.
“You worked hard today.”
“What. You worked harder, hyung.”
“Ah, the questions were intense.”
“Those bastards are curious about everything.”
Even cursing didn’t satisfy.
“Why’d you drag me out alone?”
“Manager hyung said to comfort you.”
As expected. I shrugged.
“I’m fine.”
“Yeah. I know.”
“Then let’s head in.”
Wasting time. Better to review a script or study English.
“Let’s go in a bit later. Maknae, give me some time.”
Why’s he like this?
I narrowed my eyes.
‘Why’s he talking like Kang Minje?’
Weird vibe.
“What’s up?”
“That was sincere.”
What?
“The part about regretting not going to the press conference together?”
Yoo Hajin nodded.
‘Whether he goes or not isn’t my business…….’
Press conference questions were ones I’d block anyway, and counterattack.
“Hyung, I’m fine.”
“Yeah. I know.”
“Don’t feel needless guilt. You didn’t do anything wrong—why feel sorry?”
Yoo Hajin lowered his head.
“I’d resent it if it were me.”
“Me? Resent you? For what reason?”
“Why send me alone to a place like that! I’m the maknae! That’s what they’d say.”
I shook my head.
“No such thoughts. Besides…….”
I placed my smartphone on the table. Then searched in the green window.
Zenith.
Articles poured out the moment I searched our group. Top entertainment news was mostly us.
‘Thanks to that, no VIP talk.’
Laughter bubbled up. Very satisfying.
“We got buzz, so I’m satisfied. Look, hyung. Check the articles. It’s all about us.”
Comments were chaos.
-I’m fine. I can do anything for Dowon! Ack!
-You say that, how can we stop? Heart aches…….
-Because of maknae again. Ugh, XX bastards, leave him alone. Kid just wants to promote!
-Not giving money to relatives a crime? Their money? We entrusted it!
-Share articles. Drop comments. VIP fans bitching again.
Fans rallying solidly.
-And Chunhyang concept in the midst…… Killer. Ah, I’m already dead. In heaven now.
-Insane. Digesting this too. Everyone’s concepts slay.
-This track no joke. Minje real genius? Chills.
Song reactions good too.
“I’m pretty satisfied.”
Reporters were nasty, but gains doubled.
“Really?”
“Hyung, you did great earlier. That attitude’s crucial. Plus, you’re the leader. Probably boosted your fandom too.”
“I see.”
Even praising, Yoo Hajin looked somehow sad.
“Leader hyung?”
“Dowon. Aren’t you hurt?”
I narrowed my eyes.
“Physically?”
“No. Don’t you get hurt?”
Oh.
I sipped the disgustingly sweet cocoa.
“Why get hurt just because they say to?”
I stretched my legs.
“Hyung, ever dealt with upstairs noise?”
“Nope.”
“Reporters freaking out is like upstairs noise. Murderous urge rises, mind wears down—true. You don’t know unless you’ve lived it. Madness hits in a second.”
Leader hyung’s eyes wavered.
“I experienced it once. What saved me was earplugs and music. No—actually, going out, fully blocking noise? Then I realized: it drives me mad, but doesn’t kill directly.”
I said honestly.
“Once I chose this path, I made myself earplugs. Use situations, don’t get swept. Too busy chasing success for that.”
A chuckle escaped.
“Honestly, reporters versus upstairs noise? Nothing. Plus, fun denying them answers.”
Yoo Hajin said nothing. Just lifted his head and sighed.
“You’re tough.”
“Well, better strong than weak.”
“But why does seeing tough you make me sad.”
What’s this now.
Bewildered, I blinked.
‘What’s sad about it?’
Couldn’t figure it. What sentiment?
“Can’t understand.”
“Yeah. You would say that.”
“Leader hyung?”
“Dowon. You think we…… Never mind.”
Yoo Hajin smiled bitterly and shook his head.
“When you run, at least say something. Let me prepare mentally.”
Leader hyung sighed deeply.
Looked like he’d seen it all— I furrowed my brow.
***
After washing up and entering, Lee Seungjun and Kang Minje sat on my bed.
‘This time it’s these two.’
Hajin hyung too—oddly tiring.
‘Honestly more hassle than reporters. At least those I can spin.’
Remaining spot was right in the middle. Sitting there, I said.
“Speak in turn.”
Kang Minje on the right narrowed his eyes and asked.
“What’d Hajin say?”
“Said to tell him when I run. So he can prepare mentally.”
Kang Minje’s expression vanished. Then Lee Seungjun on the left asked.
“That all?”
“Well, this and that. Manager asked him to look out for me.”
I rubbed my hair with the towel.
“No need, really. But what’s up? Rest, Minje hyung. You too, Seungjun.”
Lee Seungjun said immediately.
“You okay?”
“What?”
“Heard nasty stuff from reporters. Not sad?”
Repeat what I told Yoo Hajin?
‘Then hear similar again?’
Too annoying. I trailed off.
“Nah. Not really my fault. Company and you don’t blame me. Good enough.”
Their faces brightened noticeably. Oops moment.
‘That was the answer.’
Say this to Yoo Hajin, maybe he’d drop the sad talk.
‘Can’t take back words…….’
Group living weirdly tough.
“Good. Relieved.”
“Ah, since we’re talking…….”
I looked at them alternately.
“Both of you, pretend to care about me a bit.”
Kang Minje blinked.
“To beat VIP, membership’s key. Public sees tough kid smiling steadfastly, so both act concerned.”
I grinned.
‘Thanks, reporter bastards.’
Annoying pity, but image gains delicious.
‘Friendship sells anywhere.’
Zenith’s overall image up too.
Mid-laugh, Lee Seungjun’s face was odd. I poked him.
“Why that face?”
“Why pretend?”
Brows furrowed automatically.
“Can’t I just care without pretending?”
“I said I’m fine.”
Kang Minje whispered from the side.
“Dowon. We not reliable?”
Suddenly speechless.
‘Of course not.’
Why rely in the first place?
Their faces super weird.
‘Honest talk = Yoo Hajin season 2.’
Picked words they’d like.
“Already relying. Wouldn’t say this otherwise.”
They exchanged glances, nodded.
“Minje hyung, go rest. Seungjun, sleep time.”
Kang Minje got up obediently. Fox bastard out, Lee Seungjun back to his bed.
“Dowon.”
“Yeah?”
“That was a lie, right?”
Sharp bear bastard. Sometimes sharper than Kang Minje.
Deep sigh.
“Why would I rely. Unless you rely on me.”
Ah, damn. Bear face weird now too.
Glanced at him, then froze.
Lee Seungjun was smiling.
‘Why smile?’
Grinning bright, he lay down. Finally muttered.
“That’s you.”
What?
Almost asked, shut mouth.
‘No easy ones.’
Shook head, stood.
“Lights out.”
Tomorrow, comeback schedule from dawn. Exhausted from showcase, sleep came quick.
***
Music shows same as ever. Rehearsals and waits continued.
“Our comeback reactions good.”
Checked video site comments.
“They praise Friends for using you well.”
Slight smile.
‘True, though.’
Pre-regression Zenith couldn’t shoot this MV.
‘Demands acting outright.’
Scrolled comments. Not just Korean. Languages diverse: English, Spanish, Arabic.
‘Climbing stairs well.’
No wonder exec director danced around grinning.
“Our schedule insane.”
“Probably.”
Post prickly showcase, demands flooded. Exec director grinned, picking spots.
“VIP how?”
“Ah, that.”
Fox bastard smiled softly.
“Members fought.”
“Why? No bad relations talk.”
“6 years in, no conflicts? Unlikely.”
**