Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: What I Can Do Right Now
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Honestly, it had the highest likelihood.
'The agency here has suspiciously deep pockets.'
Their angles were a bit too sharp. Could these bastards be connected to the underworld?
I bit down hard on my lip.
'These damn fuckers.'
Truth be told, gangster money flowing through the entertainment industry was incredibly common. Historically, those kinds of crews had always hung around the scene.
'There were even times when it was rare to find an agency not built on their cash.'
Of course, Friends wasn't one of them.
It wasn't a decent company for no reason.
A metallic tang of blood hit my tongue, so I wiped it lightly with my hand. A bit of blood smeared on my finger.
'Ah, can't let this show.'
The fans would worry again.
I thought back to the fans I'd seen just an hour ago. They had no real connection to me, but simply because they were fans, they'd shed tears out of concern.
That's why I didn't want to show even a hint of pain on screen.
'So what should I do?'
I let out a breath and sifted through what I could manage right now.
'First, I stand on stage like nothing happened.'
My hand hurt a little, but I could do it.
'Second, I don't tell the members about the accident.'
I could handle something like this. I could still nail the performance.
'But the members couldn't.'
Ignorance is bliss sometimes. If they knew about the accident, they'd definitely get rattled.
'And then the stage would be ruined.'
This wasn't just any stage. It was a music show where we were top contenders for first. Freezing up here would spawn all sorts of internet headlines.
'Trendsetter #1, Zenith. Already losing focus on stage.'
There were so many people who'd blow it out of proportion, claiming our necks had gone stiff.
'Third, I check VIP's faces.'
VIP was our fellow #1 contender today. If those bastards orchestrated all this, they'd be shocked to see me unscathed.
'They don't seem like the type who could hide their expressions that well.'
If they were innocent, they wouldn't care. But if they knew something, it'd show right away.
I was lost in thought when the taxi driver spoke up.
"We're here."
"Ah, thank you."
As I handed over the cash, he gave me change along with a piece of paper and a pen.
"You're that guy from TV, right? Sign this for me."
"Ah, sure."
I signed absentmindedly, then furrowed my brow. Pain shot through my right wrist.
'Guess it's sprained pretty good.'
The signature came out a bit wonky because of it, but I finished quickly. When I handed back the paper, he poured some candies into my hand.
"Take these."
"Thanks."
I stepped out quietly. The cool air seeped between my fingers. But I had no time to look around. I hurried into the broadcasting station. Behind me, murmurs rose as people recognized me.
'Just you wait, you VIP bastards.'
I muttered to myself and broke into a run again.
***
The waiting room was the same as ever. As I burst in, Leader Hyung looked up from the sofa.
"Hey, you're here?"
"Yeah. Everything okay with us?"
"Of course. How was the fan meet?"
The makeup artist grabbed my hand and pulled me over. I closed my eyes and said,
"It was fun. There were some unexpected moments, though. Hey, Hajin Hyung. We're really good, right?"
"Seemed fine?"
Just then, Ki Jaeyoon's voice chimed in.
"There was something weird!"
"What happened?"
"VIP kept staring at us. During rehearsal."
"Hmm, I see."
Those fuckers were checking our status?
'One thing's for sure.'
VIP wasn't targeting Zenith—they were after me. They must have figured that if I got into an accident while the other members were at the music show, they'd tamper with a hit-and-run.
Makes sense. If I'd been hurt, the members would've panicked. The stage probably would've tanked.
'So, was Manager Heo caught in the crossfire?'
Fucking bastards. That guy's a crybaby with a loose mouth, but he's not a bad person.
'He's got a wife and daughter. He could've been done for.'
A sigh escaped me. Then the makeup artist spoke.
"Dowon, your lip's busted?"
"Ah, yeah."
"Maybe it's dry. Your complexion looks off, too. Tired?"
Shit.
I flashed a bright smile.
"Nah. Probably from running over here."
"Huh? Where's Manager Heo?"
"Ah, he dropped me off saying he had business. He'll be back soon."
He's probably at the ER right about now.
'Good thing I used the cheat ahead of time.'
The airbag deployed perfectly.
I stood up. Being indoors made my body loosen up. My shoulders felt oddly heavy as a result.
'Been a while since I felt this.'
I knew what it was.
'Fatigue.'
It was that same exhaustion from my part-time job days. I narrowed my eyes. Can't let it hit me already. Not with the enemy right in front of us.
"Ah, Hajin Hyung. What do we use for Jiwoosan today?"
"Not the one made by the intangible cultural asset holder. Why?"
"Good thing. I left the nice one in the car."
I moved my hand and winced. The pain was getting worse.
That's when Lee Seungjun asked.
"Dowon, you hurt somewhere?"
Bears really were quick on the uptake.
"Ah, just twisted my wrist a bit. Heading to the hospital after the show."
"How'd you twist it?"
"Slipped and caught myself wrong."
"You slipped?"
Sharp guy.
"Ah, while grabbing someone. Hajin Hyung, when do we start?"
"Finale, so we're last."
I whistled.
"Nice. First time in the finale."
"Means the momentum's on our side."
"Even though broadcasting stations obsess over seniority. I figured seniors would take finale, so this is unexpected."
Yeah, seniors.
What got you so heated to pull this shit, VIP seniors?
"Ah, anything change during rehearsal?"
"Glow tape's orange? Positions same as last week."
"Gotta be careful not to mess up."
The door opened, and a staffer came in.
"Zenith, prepare for main stage."
The members all stood. Time to stretch my shoulders quietly and follow. Suddenly, Kang Minje grabbed my sore wrist.
"Hyung?"
"Something's off."
I smiled brightly right away.
"With what?"
"It's weird. You're talking too much. Not like you."
"Ah, just excited to see you guys. Doing solo schedules made me miss the members today."
"Not like you."
Damn. Believe me a little, you fox bastard.
'Always so perceptive.'
I pulled my wrist free and said,
"This hand's the sore one."
"Ah, sorry."
"Nah, not bad enough to miss the stage."
I brushed it off and moved forward. But Kang Minje stuck close and said,
"Something happened, didn't it?"
"Nope. Fan meet—nothing rough could've gone down. Everyone there loved the movie, great vibes."
The fan meet was great. The aftermath was the problem.
"Well, weird fans show up sometimes."
"Only grateful fans came."
Bitter that I couldn't keep my no-injury promise at lightspeed, but still.
"Something more's up, right? You've been like this since we were kids. You talk a lot when you're hiding stuff."
What in our earlier chat made him think I was talkative? Wasn't it just normal conversation?
'Damn perceptive fox...'
Silence is golden when cornered. I just kept walking without answering.
That's when I spotted VIP checking their phones. Sweat beaded on their faces, fresh off stage.
I greeted them brightly first.
"Hello, seniors!"
As I bowed and straightened, their eyes came into sharp focus. Just for a split second, but clear as day.
'They're shaken.'
They didn't expect me to show.
A laugh bubbled up. Wow, these bastards are something.
"Uh, hey."
"We're heading up now. Honored to be #1 contenders with VIP seniors."
They trembled harder at my casual reply.
"You look healthy."
I whispered softly.
"No big deal happened."
I looked at VIP's leader. Jeremy or whatever was different. The others' eyes were twitching like mad, but this one stayed calm.
He said,
"You do."
"Yeah. No big deals in the future either."
"Pfft, idols always have something come up."
"Eh, I'll make them not happen."
"Can't be done. One trigger, and boom—stage fright, panic attacks."
Ah, so that's the goal.
'Childish, really.'
I couldn't hold back the laugh. I smiled wide, full of sincerity.
"Me? On stage? Stage fright?'
Sure, it could happen someday. Totally possible.
But me? Right now? At this point?
I glanced at the members. They watched me talking to VIP with worry.
'Good thing it was me who got hit.'
If the members had gone through this, maybe. But not me.
I turned my head with a smile.
"Ah, funny joke, senior."
I remembered my pre-regression days crystal clear.
Did these bastards know how much I craved the stage and the crowd? I was stage-mad, wanted to die up there.
'Whatever, doesn't matter if they know.'
I smiled brightly and brushed past them.
"That won't happen."
Bastards, so childish. Making me childish too.
I whispered,
"No such thing as a perfect crime."
Long tails get caught.
'This probably isn't their first time either.'
Wonder how it'll play out legally. Should ask my aunt?
'Law's a mystery to me.'
But showing up like this was a huge fuck-you to them. That much I knew.
Staff beckoned us. I headed to the stage with the members.
On stage, they looked at me. I smiled and said,
"Explanations later. Focus for now. We're #1 contenders."
Kang Minje heard me clearest. He snapped his head forward and took position. The rest slowly awaited Chunhyang.
Soon, Chunhyang flowed through the in-ears. I started the first move.
'Damn...'
Grabbing Jiwoosan sent pain through my wrist. I looked out at the stage. Fans' lights danced like stars.
I extended my arm to the beat.
'Pain's there.'
But I could pretend it wasn't.
'What can't I do if I'm on stage?'
Plus, Chunhyang was a well-prepped performance. Good choreography chances like this weren't common.
The moves warmed my body. The crowd's gaze still felt great.
'Feels good.'
Just performing, but flipping off VIP seniors? Huge honor. I stretched my arm further. Wrist ached, but no biggie.
Stages always ended quick. Pin lights faded, Chunhyang wrapped.
'Just the #1 announcement left.'
I held my wrist and smiled lightly at the members.
Idol groups filed in behind. I stood by Lee Seungjun, eyeing incoming VIP. Our eyes met; I didn't forget to smile.
"Music Light music show, announcing this week's #1. Show the screen!"
"Combining live votes, this week's #1 is?"
"Congratulations. Zenith."
Well, damn. Us.
Lights sparkled. Confetti burst; performers clapped. How many #1s was this now?
Yoo Hajin stepped forward for the trophy. In the bright lights, I bowed to VIP seniors.
'Their faces are gold.'
Gut-punch expressions were perfect. Suited them so well, I wanted to preserve them forever.
'Whatever.'
I turned and bowed to the stage. Fan cheers erupted.
"One word on your thoughts."
Yoo Hajin passed the mic to Kang Minje this time. Sharing the moment—true good leader.
"Thrilled Chunhyang took #1. Dedicate this to Friends who believed in it, members who nailed the new track, and our loving fans!"
Fox-like clean speech. I grinned amid the cheers.
'Did what needed doing.'
So, what's next?