Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Work Colleague
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“Better to add ‘work’ in front. Work colleague.”
“Whatever works. Be friends with me.”
Brown Bear’s eyes sparkled. I slicked back my wet hair. I had no clue what to do.
“If you don’t wanna be friends, I’ll tell the company.”
Haha.
‘It was never a choice to begin with.’
I let out a long sigh. My chest really felt tight.
“Fine.”
Trainees lived in their own worlds anyway. He’d cling for a few days then go his own way.
I glared at him, but Brown Bear just grinned happily.
“You’re a busy one, crying then laughing. You.”
“I’m Lee Seungjun. I know your name. Heard it earlier. Got any ambition?”
My fist clenched tight for a second. Damn. That choreography needed a solid punch to the solar plexus.
“Who names their kid Ambition?”
“Hmm, true?”
“It’s Cha Dowon!”
Brown Bear chuckled foolishly.
“Oh, right. How old are you?”
“Fifteen. You?”
“Seventeen.”
Kids these days were impressive. How was a seventeen-year-old this big?
I punched his shoulder.
“You don’t call me hyung?”
It could’ve pissed him off, but Lee Seungjun just laughed.
“Nope!”
Damn.
I shook my head and finally walked down the hall. He followed. A glance back showed him still smiling.
***
Friends Entertainment was a really good company.
They provided dorms for trainees and free breakfast and lunch. Other necessities were on us, but this was pretty great.
‘They don’t even deduct trainee costs after debut.’
Debuting here was lucky. Plenty of companies didn’t cover dorms or meals.
‘Idol business is all about money anyway.’
From raising trainees to songs, outfits, music videos—nothing was free.
‘And surprisingly, it doesn’t make much.’
I’d read in the papers. Even riding the Hallyu wave, K-pop profits were a tenth of big food conglomerates.
‘I’ll rake it in like a dog.’
Gotta sweep it up. Idols had a shelf life, so I’d earn big while I could.
With that in mind, I poured milk over cereal. The free company cereal and milk were precious.
‘Must be the workouts. I’m starving. Gotta eat this to hold out.’
I chewed mechanically for a while when the front door opened.
“Hey, you’re up? Early riser, huh?”
A stocky guy raised his arm. I bowed my head slightly then lifted it.
“You’re here?”
“Breakfast? That enough? Just eat at the diner up front like the others.”
I shook my head.
“Gotta save money.”
Can’t sell the house till my sister graduates med school.
‘Selling now would be stupid.’
It was a first-floor apartment, but in Pangyo. Prices were set to double soon.
“No money at home?”
“Family situation. No one’s earning right now. But we’re not poor.”
“Didn’t you say your mom’s a criminal lawyer?”
Oh, right. My aunt was basically Mom.
“She only takes low-paying cases.”
Sorry, Aunt. Little white lie.
“I-I see.”
The manager’s eyes suddenly turned distant, lost in thought.
“She only defends the poor, huh.”
No, not really. She did some human rights stuff occasionally.
“What a great mom.”
No reason to correct him. I focused on swallowing cereal down my throat.
“By the way, Dowon.”
“Yeah.”
“Why’s Seungjun next to you?”
Damn. I sighed deeply and glanced sideways. The big Brown Bear was silently pouring cereal into his bowl beside me.
“Some milk.”
I shot him a glare and handed over the milk. Brown Bear smiled casually.
“Thanks.”
He looked so content it made me wanna punch him.
Damn. How’d things end up like this?
“Seungjun, didn’t you switch rooms?”
Brown Bear grinned like a fox.
“Yeah. Next to Ambition—no, Dowon.”
“Ambition?”
The manager looked me up and down.
“Caught watching porn?”
Damn.
“No. Dowon’s not Ambition like that. He’s got tons of ambition, so Ambition.”
“Oh, that ‘be ambitious, young man’ ambition?”
“Teacher Kay gave him the nickname. I thought his name was Ambition.”
Argh, seriously!
I snapped, asking directly.
“Is there even a Ya surname?”
The manager and Brown Bear looked at each other.
“Manager hyung, is there?”
“Dunno? Wanna search?”
They huddled, whispering and staring at their smartphones.
‘As if.’
Never heard of a Ya clan in my life.
“Hey, there is!”
“See? There’s a Ya clan in Korea, Dowon.”
Damn. Didn’t know that.
‘They get along great.’
Like blood brothers trading jabs.
I silently ate my cereal watching them. The manager and the beaming Brown Bear felt so foreign.
‘A week ago, we were at each other’s throats…’
The guy who’d been so intimidating was totally different now.
‘Kids are like that.’
The past week was the weird part. I’d just be tolerant.
“Oh, Dowon. Remember, profile pics today. 2 p.m.!”
“That’s vocal practice.”
“Skip it. When’s your break end, Dowon?”
“School starts next week. Transfer’s all set.”
The manager patted my shoulder.
“Handling it all yourself! Good job! Super good! Get along with kids at the new school. You’re handsome, but that prickly face is the issue.”
“Prickly face?”
“You always look down like you despise everyone.”
Brown Bear chimed in while eating cereal.
“Oh, Manager hyung. I think I know the face. Like this?”
Lee Seungjun lowered his eyes, mimicking me.
“Not my problem.”
“Puhahaha!”
Argh, shut up.
“You seem to know me ~so~ well?”
It’s only been a week since we met.
The manager scratched his head at my words.
“Living together makes a week feel like a year.”
No it doesn’t.
“Uhahaha. Don’t glare, Dowon. Okay?”
I sighed and shook my head. The manager checked the time.
“Gotta go. Company’s busy.”
“Why?”
“Yumi’s comeback soon. Everyone’s on it.”
I pictured Korea’s top female soloist, Yumi. Dance, vocals, charisma—all perfect.
‘Oh yeah, this album blew up.’
I recalled the past.
‘Song was Sacrifice, right?’
Her teaser went viral despite her fame.
‘MV was solid.’
Yumi as a haughty vampire toying with her sacrifice boy.
‘Wait. Could this be…?’
A great idea hit. I quickly asked the manager.
“Manager, they usually use agency trainees for MV extras, right?”
His eyes widened.
“Huh? Yeah. Debut group mostly.”
“Only debut group?”
He shook his head.
“No strict rule.”
I couldn’t help grinning. I clenched my fist and whispered.
“So how do they pick?”
“From profiles?”
Aha.
Found another meal. Fresh-baked bread, steaming hot.
Wonder what it tastes like.
I quickly recalled the past.
Yumi’s MV racked up insane views. The aesthetic vibe and sexy Yumi were perfect. But the trainee sacrifice’s stiff acting got complaints.
‘I’ll do it.’
I could nail it.
“Why ask, Ambition—no, Dowon?”
“Just curious. Profiles for sure?”
“Probably?”
I rolled my shoulders, loosening up.
“Manager, know my specialty?”
“Dance?”
“Nope. Acting now.”
Long ago theater experience made it A-grade on cheat without tweaks.
‘Time to use it.’
I couldn’t stop smiling.
“Looking forward to profiles.”
Brown Bear replied.
“Profiles are simple. Just some photos.”
I shook my head.
“For most, yeah.”
“What?”
“I’m hungry, and food appeared.”
I grabbed my empty bowl and stood.
“Gonna run and devour it. Nice thick meat, chewy. Profiles could be a great chance for me.”
I washed the bowl quick, stretched again. No time to waste. Check skin and face in mirror.
Stay calm. Prep right, and the world sees my face.
‘Chills.’
Feels amazing.
I fiddled with the cheat in my pocket. What’d work best? Couldn’t stop grinning.
***
[Cha Dowon’s Skin Condition]
[A. Change?]
I shook my head. Altering skin level didn’t feel right.
‘What then?’
Camera magnet? Does that work?
[Cha Dowon’s Camera Magnet]
[Slang not recognized.]
Slang, huh. Or just no slang?
‘News to me.’
What’s the recognition standard? Dictionary?
I tapped my smartphone again.
[Cha Dowon’s Condition]
[Low-Mid. Change?]
I smiled faintly. Aha. This.
[Change to Peak]
[Changed]
[Side effect: 0.5cm neck abrasion]
[Cheat Mode 2/3]
I tilted my head.
‘A scratch?’
Then it stung on my neck. I turned—staff held a reflector, smiling awkwardly.
“S-Sorry!”
I touched my neck. A bit of blood, but shallow.
‘Side effect, so whatever.’
No point souring the mood. I smiled brightly.
“It’s fine.”
“Really sorry.”
“No biggie. Barely bleeding.”
I sent the flustered staff away, then realized.
‘What.’
My body felt different. Tense muscles relaxed, mind sharpened.
‘Condition’s not same as stamina recovery.’
Stamina felt like post-good-sleep. Condition was my baseline boosted.
‘Like a game buff…’
Temporary, but good. Then someone shoved their face close.
“Hey, you’re bleeding.”
Gah, startled me.
I flinched, and laughter tickled my ear.
‘Girl?’
The woman with ponytail in casual clothes adjusted her camera, grinning.
‘Photographer.’
Gotta look good. I beamed.
“Hi.”
“Yeah. Hold still.”
She scanned me top to bottom.
“Pretty decent?”
Girl, so pretty.
“I’m pretty handsome, right?”
“You’ve got that immature charm. Too bad it’s just this age.”
Immature charm?
‘Unripe dough as a plus?’
That’s attractive?
I hid my confusion, just smiling.
The photographer kept chatting.
“How’s the outfit?”
I glanced down. Profile clothes were basic.
‘White shirt, jeans. White sneakers…’
Matched, but plain.
“Our first profiles are always that.”
Aha.
‘Standard issue.’
Made sense. Easy to compare.
“Comfy, yeah.”
I tugged my shirt. At least not a tee.
‘Fine for fresh-faced boy act.’
Then she asked.
“Ever done photos?”
Yeah. Pre-regression.