Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Stereo Star
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‘Where’s the funny part?’
Kang Minje seemed to lose all his strength in that instant, nearly letting go of my hand on his shoulder. Thanks to that, his balance shifted, and I scooped him up with my knee.
“Unf!”
“Puhahaha!”
What the hell was so hilarious?
Kang Minje’s face flushed red with embarrassment. I strode right over and plunked him back down in his seat before heading out.
“Ugh, this is driving me crazy.”
“Dowon-ah. How much older is Minje?”
Why ask something like that?
“Four years? Five? Minje hyung, right?”
Kang Minje kept his head bowed without answering.
“Puhahaha! Great job. Dowon-ssi.”
“Come back out just like that. You can’t just pick up the lightweight Minje.”
“How about carrying me this time?”
The MC who said that was short but solidly built. I cheerfully stepped back to center stage. The MC came out and awkwardly draped an arm over my shoulder.
The camera zoomed in close. Time to look good. I flashed a light smile in that pose. The MC spoke up.
“Whoa, this feels weird.”
Oh dear.
‘Should I make it feel even weirder?’
I hoisted the MC and strolled around the studio. The MCs burst into hysterics again.
“Whoa, it’s moving!”
“Feels good?”
“It’s weird, but the good kind!”
I escorted the male MC back to his seat just like with Kang Minje. As he sat, the MC waved.
“Thanks for the lift! Dowon-ah!”
“An honor. Come use me anytime!”
“Puhahaha! Dowon-ah, how was it? Compared to Minje…”
I glanced slyly at the fox-like guy and said,
“Minje hyung was lighter.”
“Ehehehik! Minje’s taller, though!”
“Minje’s skinny.”
“Minje’s face is red.”
Was this really that embarrassing? What a world.
It seemed like the piggyback segment was wrapping up, so I started heading back to my seat. But the chubbiest MC piped up.
“Dowon-ah. Me too?”
I smiled and eyed the MC up and down.
I could lift him.
‘Saying yes would be fun, though.’
Gotta play along.
I averted my gaze and said,
“That might be…”
“Puhahaha!”
“Hey, why not me!”
“Dowon’s back will snap! He’s just a high school freshman! Have some conscience!”
“No, he carried Urami too!”
“You look heavier than Urami!”
“Hey, Dowon-ah. Am I lighter than Urami? Do me too!”
I desperately kept my head turned away. The MC found that even funnier and doubled over laughing.
“Yes, we’ve seen Cha Dowon-ssi’s talent. Now for Kang Minje-ssi’s.”
“What is this? Making people get goosebumps with your voice?”
Kang Minje grinned like a fox.
“When I whisper, everyone scratches their arms and backs away.”
Ah.
‘I get it.’
Kang Minje had a pretty deep voice. His normal tone was low and straight, but his whisper was different.
‘Too smooth. Makes me wanna smack him.’
It’d be annoying as a narration midway through a song, but it fit well otherwise.
‘But right in your ear…’
I clenched then unclenched my fist. My hand itched for no reason.
“How’s it sound? Guess we need a demo.”
Kang Minje stood and approached an MC, whispering in his ear.
“Good night.”
“Eek!”
The MC jumped up and scurried away. Kang Minje smiled softly and scratched his cheek lightly.
“Not bad, just weird!”
“What’s it like?”
“Try it yourself!”
Another MC said,
“Kang Minje-ssi, do me too?”
“Sure, anytime.”
Kang Minje slinked up like a sly weasel and whispered,
“Wanna grab a meal together?”
“Euaak!”
The MC flung himself at the guy next to him. The poor middle-aged dude suddenly hugged got shoved right off.
“Hey, no need to toss me!”
“What the hell! Hey!”
The studio turned into chaos in seconds. I covered my eyes and laughed.
“Whoa, it’s real. Goosebumps!”
Kang Minje kept beaming and said,
“But there’s one person it works fine on.”
“W-Who?”
The fox eyed me.
“Dowon.”
Suddenly, all four MCs’ gazes locked on me.
Oh boy.
“Do it.”
Kang Minje sidled behind me and whispered right away.
“Dowon-ah. I crave radish soup.”
Damn.
Goosebumps hit, but I forced a smile. Seeing my calm reaction, the MCs asked,
“How’s Cha Dowon-ssi fine with it?”
“I’d die. Look at these chills.”
I beamed my brightest at the camera.
“Just enduring it.”
The MCs exploded again, giggling and shoving each other.
Ahh. Great vibe.
‘This’ll boost our screen time.’
Please take good care of us, viewers.
The rowdiness settled once the MCs resumed hosting.
“Ahem. Yes. You’re watching the classy music show Stereo Star.”
“Now, VIP’s turn?”
“Time for the seniors’ polished talents. VIP! Zenith was fun! Step it up!”
VIP forced rotten smiles.
“Zenith’s rookies, so they’ve got more to show.”
“Haven’t done a talent in ages.”
Cocky again.
Seeing them like that reminded me of someone.
‘Do the VIP seniors know about Hershe?’
Some crossed the line and got axed in one go, now stepping on the same rake.
“VIP Jeremy’s talent. Tongue rolling?”
“Yes.”
Wow.
‘This’ll be a riot!’
Sarcasm, of course.
“Go ahead.”
Jeremy rolled his gross tongue at the camera.
“Yes. Impressive.”
“Does that work?”
“You try.”
“Huh? It does.”
One MC mimicked and nailed it perfectly.
Oh.
‘No thrill, no wow.’
The studio froze fast. The MCs snickered.
“Sorry, VIP! Nailed it.”
“Hey! Don’t steal it!”
“Why not? I can roll mine too. Making this my talent from today?”
Roasting well.
Shadow fell over Jeremy’s face. I gave a neutral reaction and watched.
Then VIP Kao yelled.
“J-Judge my talent.”
“Oh, Kao. Always win at cham cham cham?”
“Yes. My sight and judgment sharpen instantly. Hundred percent win rate.”
Got it.
‘Boring talent.’
Hard to milk screen time from it. But MCs were pros.
“Let’s see it.”
“Hey, one of us try.”
Then Kao turned to us.
‘What?’
I smiled politely. He mirrored with a rotten grin.
Oh boy.
‘Hershe reincarnate.’
Would the outcome match?
VIP Kao said,
“Gotta do it with a junior. Cha Dowon, you and me?”
Wow. Not even Cha Dowon-ssi, just Cha Dowon.
‘Anyone’d think we’re enemies.’
First time meeting today, right?
Sensing the off vibe, MCs went quiet. Writers looked shocked, director’s face stiffened.
Oh no.
‘Can’t let the shoot sour.’
I smiled with all my heart.
“Yes. My honor.”
At that, Kang Minje grabbed my left arm. I turned—the fox’s eyes trembled.
I winked.
“Dowon-ah.”
“It’s fine, hyung. They’re VIP seniors.”
Just upstairs noise.
I stepped forward and asked innocently,
“But what’s cham cham cham?”
Subtle feed. The generation gap question had MCs cracking up again.
“Young, so young.”
“Yeah. Kids these days might not know.”
“Dowon-ssi. Do rock-paper-scissors, then cham with two fingers while moving. Turn head same direction, and smack.”
I held up two fingers and replied.
“Ah, the two-finger cheek slap.”
Subtly feeding more, beloved VIP seniors’ faces rotted further.
‘Rot more and they’ll be compost.’
I smiled brightly and stood before VIP Kao. His eyes were no joke.
Oh boy.
‘Cameras rolling, senior.’
Why bare raw emotions?
Unaware of our tension, MCs hyped it.
“Oh, a slap? Kao won’t really, right?”
“To kids, it looks like slapping.”
“Times change!”
VIP forced a smile.
“Let’s start.”
I feigned slight fear.
“Rock-paper-scissors!”
I lost, as expected.
Kao grinned viciously, victory in hand.
‘Childish, punk.’
Wanna play with kids?
“Cham cham cham!”
I deliberately turned my head toward my fingers. Kao, hooked perfectly, swung his two.
Slap—
Louder than expected. Head snapped fully.
Silence blanketed the studio.
‘Hope the camera caught it well.’
I looked at Kao with mild shock. He twisted into a grin after his stunt.
“See? I’m good!”
No response.
“Uh…”
Director speechless. Veteran MCs too. Kang Minje jumped in urgently.
“Dowon-ah, you okay?”
“Ah…”
Cheat blocked pain. I pressed my hand to the spot. Burning heat surged.
An MC left his seat.
“Dowon-ssi, you alright?”
“Wasn’t that too hard?”
Mood iced over. I glanced at Kao. Unprepared for the backlash, he spat,
“It’s a game! Game!”
VIP Jeremy chimed in.
“Right! It’s a game! Skip it since it’s a game!”
I held back a laugh.
‘Since when do we skip games in this country?’
Why that excuse?
MC signaled X with arms. Director cut cameras fast.
“Dowon-ssi. Okay?”
“Looks painful.”
Director and writers rushed over. They pulled my hand down and winced.
“What now?”
“Already swelling?”
“Hurts?”
I faked a smile.
“Too shocked to feel pain yet.”
“No good. Ice it. Break for now!”
Writers swarmed. With MCs there, people crowded instantly.
“Should we go to the hospital?”
Then the manager bellowed.
“No, what happened! Our handsome Dowon’s face!”
Round guy shoved through.
“Ow, it’s hot from the wound?”
“Medicine first. Band-Aid needed.”
“What about recording?”
I requested first.
“Writer-nim, got a mirror? To check.”
“Huh? Yeah!”
Writer pulled a hand mirror from her pocket. I checked my face.
‘Bruise and swelling.’
Smaller than braced for.
“Dowon-ah, hospital!”
“Cold compress today might fix it.”
“You’re an idol. Idol face hurt? Hospital now.”
Even non-idols go for face injuries.
Staff nodded. Consensus.
‘Unlike Hershe’s show.’
That’s why this one lasts.
I smiled brightly.
“Put medicine, keep going. Hospital after wrap.”
Kang Minje gripped my shoulder.
“Dowon-ah!”
“Fine. Gone by tomorrow.”
Manager yelled.
“How you know!”
“Gut. Writer-nim, colorful band-aid please.”
Writer nodded, applied ointment, stuck band-aid.
I checked in mirror, smiled.
“Ten-minute break.”
I tugged Kang Minje’s clothes.
“No worries.”