Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Minje Hyung, He's Affectionate
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"Are you listening, fans? I'm going this far.
'Please come over to our side from VIP.'
I'll treat you with all my heart and soul.
'And this is just bait anyway.'
Even if it turned my stomach inside out, it was an investment for the future. With blood practically pouring from my mouth, I kept talking.
"Minje Hyung, he's affectionate."
Suddenly, Kang Minje's face flushed red. I clenched my fist, then released it. It felt like self-harm.
"I, I see. Zenith gets along well."
"Kang Minje. Hey!"
The sly fox took a deep breath in, then out.
"Do, Dowon-ah. Want me to buy you something tasty later?"
"Yes. I heard the nearby pork soup place is good."
Kang Minje nodded. Damn it. Why did I have to bring up even this? I clenched my fist tight again.
"H-Hey, how'd you know about that place? It really is good."
"Really? What's good on the menu?"
"Bone hangover soup."
"Not the blood sausage one?"
"Bone. Dowon-ah. Blood sausage is kinda iffy."
"Blood sausage with green onions is the best. Dowon-ah, get that!"
"No, why fuss over that! Just order both!"
"That's a lot! I can't finish it all!"
I smiled brightly. The MCs caught their breath and moved right into the next segment.
"Alright, next up, time to hear from Kang Minje."
"Kang Minje-ssi, get ready."
"Yes!"
Kang Minje jumped up from his seat. Even then, the MC whispered to me.
"Bone soup. Dowon-ah."
Obsessed with bone soup. Out of respect, I nodded.
"I'll trust you and order it."
"Hahaha! Alright, here's Kang Minje's song. From Flower's Choice!"
I turned to look at the sly fox.
'The song choice is unexpected.'
From Flower's Choice was the OST from the drama Flower's Choice. I thought it'd be a Zenith track, so why this one?
'Well, it does highlight Kang Minje's strengths.'
It was a song that emphasized soft, beautiful vocals. Sure enough, his flawless singing poured out. The MCs listened in admiration.
I glanced at the VIP seniors. They were grinding their teeth.
'This is how you snag them, seniors.'
Whether their instincts had dulled or they were just arrogant.
They noticed my gaze and glared mercilessly. I smiled sweetly and tapped my cheek with my finger.
'Gonna make you do it again?'
My message got through perfectly. Their already rotten faces twisted even more.
Kang Minje's song ended. I clapped with a smile. The MCs seemed deeply moved and suddenly stood up. I followed suit.
"Wow, Zenith is good."
"Song genius. If he can write lyrics, compose, and sing this well, he could be a singer-songwriter."
He's already halfway there as a singer-songwriter.
Kang Minje turned his head shyly and said,
"No. I'm a bit lacking to be a singer-songwriter."
"Oh, come on, so humble. And Dowon-ssi, you get called an acting genius too."
Here it comes. Opportunity.
I shook my head right away.
"No, really, that's not it."
"Zenith is too humble."
"No, seriously. Actually, the company says I'm a genius at something else."
The MCs' eyes narrowed. I smiled awkwardly.
"What do they call you a genius at?"
Bingo.
Thankfully, one MC took the bait. I delivered my prepared line.
"Press conferences."
"Puhahaha!"
"Eek!"
"Cough!"
The MCs and Kang Minje burst out laughing at once. I turned my face away a bit embarrassed and subtly scratched at the bandaged spot.
My sharp eyes told me Camera 4 was on me right now.
'Laugh and chat, and everything feels light.'
My press conference had been too heavy. Debates must have been raging somewhere up till now.
'That's why I wanted variety shows.'
They're great for packaging things. Laughter makes everything seem trivial.
'And that's why I needed a high-ratings show.'
I smiled slightly at the dear VIP seniors.
'Thanks, seniors.'
I'll take everything I can get. One scratch was a huge profit.
The MCs finally came back to their senses after a while, wiping tears as they managed to speak.
"Th-That press conference? Yeah, I admit it was genius."
"I was impressed watching it too."
I bowed my head slightly and lifted it.
"Many people worried about me. I'm sorry."
"No, no. It wasn't your fault, Dowon-ssi."
Wow. They're being nicer than expected. Feeling their sincerity, I bowed and lifted my head again. The MCs smiled warmly at me.
'Really feasting here.'
Someone was glaring, making my side sting a bit, but that wasn't my concern. I focused on the rest of the recording. Fortunately, nothing else happened after that.
***
"We placed 5th today, right?"
"Yeah."
I closed the script I'd finished reading. Lee Seungjun spoke while doing push-ups on the floor.
"Not far off."
"From what? 1st place?"
It was Ki Jaeyun who answered, not Lee Seungjun. The guy who sucked at games sparkled as he said,
"We'll hit 1st soon, right?"
"We're climbing steadily, so yeah."
"But I wish it'd be quicker!"
"I'm fine with now..."
Oh no. Not good for the leader to say that. I smiled sweetly at the ambitionless Yoo Hajin. Leader Hyung straightened up the moment he saw me.
'Why's he tensing up?'
I didn't say anything.
"What are you plotting now!"
"Did I do something?"
I really didn't.
"You come back with a scratched cheek and talk so well."
Oh dear.
I stretched and grinned.
"Ah, it was nothing."
"I heard from Minje. VIP did it, right?"
"He seemed really pissed. Reminded me of Hershey."
Which is why I hope they crash as hard as Hershey did.
"Can't you just live without injuries?"
"Is this even an injury? Plus, Hyung, how do you stay unscathed in this industry?"
"Dowon-ah! VIP is way bigger than Hershey! See, they might take 1st today too."
Tell me about it. Annoyingly so. Even their 1st on the previous network pissed me off.
"My heart hurts. Having to congratulate them insincerely."
"I heard VIP fans pushed hard since it's their first domestic activity in ages."
I recalled VIP's character.
"Sad that you like people like that."
I'd treat you well if you came over.
"How can I get them to switch to Zenith easily and quickly? Been thinking a lot lately."
Leader Hyung shook his head.
"Yeah, right. A lot."
"You don't believe me? Leader Hyung. I live pretty fiercely in my own way."
Suddenly, hands landed on both my shoulders. I looked up to see Leader Hyung staring seriously.
"Dowon-ah. Living fiercely is good, but don't get hurt. Okay?"
"No, I'm fine, really."
"Listen to Hyung? Okay?"
Oh boy. Gotta placate him.
I nodded slightly.
"I'll try."
Though I doubt it.
"Cha Dowon? I'm not joking."
Right then, the door opened and a staffer came in.
"Zenith, get ready for the ending."
Ah, time for insincere congrats.
The staffer left quickly. I walked as is, but Yoo Hajin just shifted stance without removing his hand from my shoulder.
"Sometimes I wonder why idols all have to rush out for the ending."
"Who knows. Looks good? It's a celebration spot."
"I'll celebrate real good."
As long as there's no pointless drama, it'll be fine.
On stage, lots of teams were already there. Waiting for 1st place announcement was tedious. I made eye contact with Zenith fans and smiled sweetly. Thankfully, they screamed seeing me.
'But...'
I checked the number of fans who'd come for the live broadcast.
'It looks... no, a lot more?'
Zenith had gained some mass appeal, but core fans weren't that many. Now, though, it felt different.
'Main Director would handle the stats anyway.'
Just exchanging glances with fans when the MCs' voices rang out.
"Evin-ssi, time to announce 1st."
"What do I do? My heart's pounding."
"No! Evin-ssi! You have to announce 1st."
Sometimes I think it's a tough script to deliver.
"Right. Ah, this week's 1st is CIO's 'Nene!'"
"Congratulations!"
Oh.
'They blew it.'
Why? I thought it'd be obvious. I clapped with a genuine smile and turned toward the exit. I wanted out of this pointless spot fast.
Then it happened. VIP slunk in next to us. Failed 1st must've soured their mood; their faces were no joke.
I smiled brightly.
'Gotta be careful.'
Don't want the sparks flying my way.
Staying low while that happened, Leader Hajin—who'd been holding my shoulder—suddenly stepped forward. I blinked at my leader's back.
'Is he protecting me?'
Oh man. Hajin Hyung. I picked the right leader.
They swaggered past. Hajin Hyung bowed politely.
Then it happened. An elbow swung wildly toward us.
'Crazy bastard.'
Annoying pricks dared to aim for the head.
I grabbed Yoo Hajin's waist and pulled back. Ki Jaeyun yelled from behind why stop, but I ignored it.
"Huh?"
Luckily, Yoo Hajin was fine. Shocked, his eyes shook wildly. I kept my hand on his waist.
They glared at me. A innocent smile came naturally.
"Congratulations."
Eyes turned our way. Attention calls for response—that's idol duty. I said louder than before,
"On 2nd place."
So, 2nd it is, you bastards.
"Impressive as always. VIP. We wanna climb up like you seniors soon too."
"Hey, you fucking punk!"
Then, a staffer yelled.
"Hey! Exit quickly!"
"Yeah. Calm down, Kao."
Their leader pretended to restrain. They huffed off ahead.
Oh dear.
"See you next time."
What was the next music show? Counting quietly when Yoo Hajin walked forward and said,
"H-Hey, Dowon-ah."
"Yeah?"
"What just happened?"
"What? VIP's Kao swung his elbow to hit your head, Hyung."
The muscles in Yoo Hajin's arm I'd grabbed tensed.
"If I hadn't pulled you, you might've been rolling on the floor, Hyung."
"Y-Yeah."
"See? Can't stay unscathed."
"Uh...."
Yoo Hajin sighed deeply, still with my hand on his waist.
"Idols are exposed to violence, yeah."
"You're talking like it's someone else's business. If that hit and caused a brain bleed, no more idol life for you, Hyung."
"Th-That bad?"
"Wonder if those bastards know it's attempted murder."
Though the law would've slapped them with a light sentence anyway.
Leader Hyung muttered,
"This is crazy."
"You're the one who needs to be careful, not me, Hyung. No more polite bows ahead. Save that for people, not dogs."
Yoo Hajin sighed so deeply it seemed the ground would cave. I smiled sweetly.
'Get hit, hit back.'
Already doing it, though.
"Hey, Dowon-ah. One favor."
"Two's fine."
"First, let go?"
Oh.
I released my arm from around Yoo Hajin's waist. Come to think of it, I'd held on all the way down the stairs.
"Sorry. Clung the whole way."
"Fans probably snapped pics."
"Yeah. You check that stuff. But, Hajin Hyung...."
I clenched, then released my fist.
"You're thicker than I thought."
Leader Hyung was walking fine but suddenly stumbled.