Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Why Are You All in My Room?
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I took a quiet deep breath.
I felt unnecessarily anxious. I racked my brain, but for some reason, no excuses came to mind.
‘Should I grovel flat on the ground, or just brazen it out? No, wait—why should I even apologize in the first place?’
I felt like a kid who’d gotten into trouble. I rested my chin in my hand and sank into thought.
‘Is it because I skipped the schedule?’
But I didn’t want to see those VIP bastards strutting around. They must’ve been hoping I’d have a panic attack or something—why should I play right into their hands?
‘In times like this, doing what I can is a hundred times better.’
That’s all I’d done. This could’ve been wrapped up with a cheat from the start.
I switched my smartphone back to cheat mode.
[Cheat Mode 1/3]
[Recover Cha Dowon’s body]
[Change completed.]
[Side effect: You will pass out and sleep like the dead for 5 hours in 5 minutes.]
[Cheat Mode 2/3]
I knew this would happen. If I passed out here like that, I’d probably wake up in a real hospital tomorrow.
I hurriedly tapped the screen.
[Cheat Mode 2/3]
[Delay side effect by 2 hours]
[Change completed.]
[Side effect: You will pass out and sleep like the dead for 7 hours in 2 hours.]
[Cheat Mode 3/3]
I’d always thought this, but what were the cheat’s standards anyway? I’d delayed it, but weirdly, the time had increased.
‘Whatever. No schedule tomorrow anyway.’
I could use that as an excuse to hole up in bed and rest.
A sigh escaped me naturally. I rested my chin in my hand and gazed out the window.
‘For now, I need to take them down one by one.’
Three of them together were too strong.
‘I have to face them one-on-one.’
No, seriously—what was this that I had to strategize like this? Why were my fellow coworkers so intimidating? Was it because we spent so much time stuck together? I pressed my forehead against the window. The glass was cold, but it didn’t cool my head.
***
I opened the dorm door and checked for any signs of life. Inside was dead silent, like a morgue.
‘They must all be asleep.’
Good thing. That meant Seungjun was asleep too.
I grinned widely and opened my room door.
‘Huh?’
What was I seeing?
I shut the door immediately. But as if they’d been waiting, it flew open, and several arms grabbed me.
“Let go, let go!”
“You’re back?”
“You’re here.”
“You said you were coming, and you really did.”
Damn it, what the hell was this?
I tried to shake off the arms, but they’d apparently been eating nothing but protein and hitting the gym—they wouldn’t budge. I forced an awkward smile and said,
“Why are you all in my room?”
Kang Minje spoke first.
“We need to have a talk.”
Yoo Hajin picked up.
“The explanation earlier wasn’t enough.”
Lee Seungjun dragged me by the scruff to the bed and sat me down.
“And you don’t even seem to know what the problem is.”
Damn it, what the hell.
I desperately rolled my eyes and said,
“Can I at least shower first? I’m planning to pass out and sleep like the dead for seven hours in an hour and fifty minutes.”
Yeah. Shower and sleep. Damn it. Maybe pretend to shower and escape.
At my words, all three nodded. But Lee Seungjun shot up from his seat.
“I’ll stand guard outside the door.”
“Good thinking, Seungjun.”
“You were definitely planning to run.”
When did this guy get to know me so well? Because we shared a room?
“Run? I’ve got nowhere to go.”
The monthly rent on my place had been rerouted to the group account ages ago.
Whether they knew my thoughts or not, the three of them formed a wall and said,
“Yeah. Hurry up and shower.”
“We’ve got time.”
“We can wait.”
“Let’s have a proper talk.”
Damn it.
‘I shouldn’t have come back to the dorm at all.’
I should’ve just gotten admitted straight from the ER. No, that would just add to Zenith’s accident-prone image. But this was too much. What the hell was wrong with you guys?
I hung my head and headed to the bathroom first. Seeing Lee Seungjun actually following to monitor me, I felt true despair for the first time in a while. No escape in sight.
***
Three guys were squeezed onto my ordinary single bed. I toweled my hair as I said,
“Complaints one at a time. I only do one-on-one.”
It was a strategy I’d desperately come up with in the shower. Kang Minje replied,
“Why?”
“So it ends faster. I’m passing out and sleeping like the dead in an hour and twenty minutes.”
“Wouldn’t it be faster if we did it together?”
“No. One-on-one. Who’s first?”
Hajin Hyung answered right away.
“Me first. I’m the leader.”
“Good choice. Go ahead, Hajin Hyung.”
Yoo Hajin didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
“Why didn’t you tell us you’d been in a car accident?”
“Worried it’d mess up the stage.”
I pressed on my half-splinted wrist and said,
“I’m fine, so you’d think it’s okay, but I knew you’d worry, Hyung. And it wasn’t just any accident—it was a hit-and-run.”
“That’s why you didn’t say anything?”
“Plus, it was our number one stage. If we got distracted, weird articles would pop up, disappointing the fans. That’s exactly what those guys behind this wanted.”
My half-splinted hand felt so frustrating. It was fine now, after all.
“I didn’t want to do what those bastards wanted.”
“You still should’ve told me at least.”
Ah. So that was it. I could see the path clearly.
“You’re right.”
I met Yoo Hajin’s eyes.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you first, Hyung, but it didn’t cross my mind.”
“Dowon.”
“But please understand. I did hesitate a bit about telling you, Hajin Hyung.”
I hadn’t, but.
“Our prep time was so short anyway. No chance to pull you aside alone without the others.”
“R-Right. You came back right before we went live.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll tell you next time, promise.”
I smiled with all my heart and soul. Yoo Hajin nodded, seemingly understanding.
‘Our leader really is naive.’
He’d better not get scammed out there. Oh, right—he almost stood surety for that. If I hadn’t stopped him, poor Hajin Hyung would’ve been stuck outside Zenith, broke as hell.
“Then, next. Hajin Hyung, head to your room.”
“Huh? M-Me, leave?”
“You’re done.”
“Y-Yeah. Good night.”
“You too, Hajin Hyung.”
I turned to the remaining two.
“Who’s next?”
Kang Minje and Lee Seungjun glanced at each other, then immediately played rock-paper-scissors.
“Rock-paper-scissors!”
“Rock-paper-scissors! Ah, damn, I won.”
What the hell were you guys doing? Seriously.
‘Don’t think about it.’
Order was set anyway. Kang Minje first. I turned to the fox.
‘Did he actually bulk up?’
I scanned Kang Minje up and down. Now that I looked, something did seem different.
“Dowon.”
“Yeah, Hyung.”
Why was this guy dragging it out?
“We’re close, right?”
Damn it. What now?
I forced a desperate smile.
“Of course. You know me best in Zenith, Minje Hyung.”
“Right. I even know your past.”
Chilling words. Part of me wanted to spill every embarrassing bit of our friendship history.
“We’re close, so why didn’t you tell me?”
“Oh, about the car accident?”
“Yeah.”
Should I repeat what I told Hajin Hyung?
“No time. No chance to be alone.”
“No, there was. You could’ve texted.”
You barely check texts. No, wait—friends are supposed to reach out, right?
‘Hold on, I see the path.’
I deliberately avoided Kang Minje’s eyes.
“Didn’t want to worry you.”
Kang Minje paused.
‘Got him. This’ll work.’
“You’re close to me, so you’d worry more, Hyung. Even if the others didn’t know, you would.”
Wow.
‘Do I really have to live like this?’
Tough day. Mom. Why am I stuck filming this ridiculous drama?
I desperately reminded myself.
‘This is a drama. I’m an actor.’
Stay calm and see it through.
The oblivious fox shook his head.
“No, Dowon. What worries me more is you not telling me.”
“Why?”
“Have you thought about how shocked I’d be if you collapsed on stage?”
No.
“I see.”
I nodded.
“If you suddenly collapsed on stage, Hyung, I’d get it a little.”
Damn it. If the fox collapsed, I’d just cheat-revive him. What shock? I’d be startled, sure.
‘I’d fix it before that anyway.’
Golden goose—you gotta take care of it. That’s why I cook for you, idiot.
“Tell me from now on, no matter what? Don’t worry about me worrying.”
“Yes, Hyung.”
“Phew, not sure you get it. Anyway, sleep.”
Kang Minje finally stood.
“You must be tired.”
But Lee Seungjun shook his head.
“I’m still here.”
“Oh, right. Seungjun, go easy on him.”
“Yes, Hyung.”
Kang Minje left obediently. The second the fox was gone, I flopped face-first onto the bed. What a slimy bastard.
Then the bear loomed over me.
‘Oh, right—one left.’
Sharing a room must’ve made me drop my guard.
“You got something to say too?”
“Plenty.”
A sigh escaped naturally. I gestured for him to hurry.
“You’re a good actor.”
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
‘Damn it.’
Why was this bear so sharp today? I played dumb.
“Actor? What’re you talking about?”
“Talking about you, exactly as you are.”
Lee Seungjun was on fire today. I let out a deep sigh.
“Cut me some slack. Please.”
“No.”
“You gonna ask why I didn’t tell you too?”
“I get it.”
The bear grinned.
“Telling Hajin Hyung might’ve wrecked the stage. He’s weak on stuff like that. Minje Hyung? You find him annoying. No point worrying someone you don’t like.”
This guy was possessed today.
“Be honest, Dowon.”
“I already was. It’s no big deal. Wrist’ll heal. I’m fine. What I don’t get is why you’re all freaking out when I’m not even hurt.”
Lee Seungjun just stared at me.
Ah, damn. Too honest? Should’ve bullshitted more. Mistake.
“You really don’t get it.”
“Sorry.”
“You’ll do it again?”
“Yeah. Sorry about that too.”
I figured he’d get mad. But the bear just grinned.
“Fine, then.”
What kind of response was that?
“No need to tell me. I’ll figure it out first.”
“Hey, Lee Seungjun…”
“Don’t forget—I’m with you all day. We share a room. I know you inside out.”
Damn it. What’s with him?
“But no lies.”
“About what?”
“Anything. When I notice and ask, answer honestly.”
The bear stretched leisurely.
“Looks like you need curveballs, not fastballs. They work on you.”
“What am I, a strike zone?”
“This is baseball, not soccer?”
Wow. This quiet guy was eloquence incarnate today. Must be possessed.
“Got it?”
“Yeah, man.”
“Then we’re good. Rest.”
A sigh escaped naturally. Wow. Like getting robbed by gangsters. He used to be the easiest to fool—when did he change?
I muttered softly.
“Sorry. For being like this.”
This time, it was sincere.
Lee Seungjun didn’t reply this time. Curious, I glanced back—he was smiling leisurely.
“I get it.”
For real?
‘Whatever.’
I gave up thinking and closed my eyes. Exhausted from handling three complaints, sleep poured over me fast. I didn’t resist, letting my body surrender.
What an unusually long day it had been.