Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Let's Do It Together. Whatever.
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Lee Seungjun's eyes wavered.
'No, why are you getting scared?'
I'm really looking forward to this, though? We've already beaten them with the album, and Chunhyang has brought in even more fans. Well, Executive Director Joo would know the detailed trends.
'In the end, the aesthetic album succeeded.'
Kang Minje handled the music, and Executive Director Joo did the planning, so this was their victory.
Now, it was finally my turn.
"Good. I was getting hungry anyway."
I'll give it my all.
Jeremy will probably be the protagonist. Ah, is that innocent genius role for him?
A chuckle escaped me.
'An innocent and bright role, and Jeremy's doing it...'
Does that guy even have method acting skills? Saehyeok's 'Choice of Flowers' was better. I could guarantee that role didn't suit Jeremy.
'If it were me, maybe...'
Hmm, I'm not handsome yet and still get called pretty, so it'd fit me. Whatever, not my business.
I patted Lee Seungjun's shoulder.
"I'm confident."
"You're not going to get hurt again, are you?"
"Nah, he'll be careful with his body. No direct contact. They said the debtors are threatening him. He'll throw his weight around a bit on set, sure. But once it airs, we'll see."
You're done for. The viewers will decide.
"He'll flop harder than Saehyeok. Still pisses me off, though. They're breaking every law, and I have to play by the rules."
"I see."
"And it's such a precious body."
I grinned, looking at the bruise on the back of my hand.
"You gotta pay generously for this."
Lee Seungjun stared at me intently. I looked up to meet his gaze.
"What?"
"No, you always steel yourself like that. That's why you charge ahead without looking back."
My brow furrowed on its own.
Is he picking a fight? Doesn't seem like it?
"So, you gonna try to stop me?"
"No. You think you'd listen if I did? How could I stop you anyway? So..."
His eyes curved slightly.
"Let's do it together. Whatever. Revenge, plans, anything."
Crazy.
"Lee Seungjun. I don't need your help, honestly."
"I know."
"I just don't get it. You could just sit back and collect the rice cakes."
"You do all the good stuff? And I just watch?"
The bear kept smiling. He opened the door to the waiting room they'd arrived at and said,
"No thanks."
Wait, why?
"Not telling you the reason."
"Hey!"
"Riddles are pretty fun. So figure it out."
What did this guy eat wrong?
"Why I'm doing this. Guess right, and I'll give you a prize. A pound of premium hanwoo for stew."
I stared at him. It's been about a year since we met, right? He's getting weirder by the day.
'No, he was weirder at first.'
Is he okay? I rubbed my forehead and sighed.
"How much is that stuff these days?"
"You don't know?"
"No time to go to the mart. Grocery prices change every day."
He chuckled at my words.
"So you don't know everything."
"Of course not."
"You always seem like you do."
He smiled and went inside. Lately, dealing with the members has been tough. I shook my head, and unusually, the bear smiled again.
'Crazy...'
What am I gonna do with him? My worries just keep piling up weirdly.
***
Kang Minje's ambitious track 'Chunhyang' was in its final stretch. A well-made song really lasts. Hitting number one right up to the end felt satisfying.
'Guess the rankings will start dropping soon.'
Schedules were shifting too. Executive Director Joo would handle that. Then, Kang Minje looked at the number one trophy and said,
"Think I can make another song like this?"
Why is a genius worrying like this? In a broadcasting station hallway, no less.
"Why, inspiration dried up?"
"No, not that. Just kinda scared."
Oh boy. Playing weak.
What a pointless worry. Every time this guy—who succeeds at everything—does this, it's baffling.
"Have to tell you the same thing as your brother? My mouth hurts already."
Kang Minje looked down at me. I forced a smile.
"You wouldn't, Minje hyung."
I pulled the trophy he was holding right up to my face.
"See? Half of this is your achievement."
So quit the weak act. It's annoying.
He stared at the trophy—crystal or plastic, who knows—for a long time. Then he covered his mouth and bowed his head.
He muttered,
"It's not just me who did it..."
Quit the humble act, it's irritating.
"You could do it all on your own, hyung."
Kang Minje suddenly stopped walking. He turned to look at me quietly.
"You really think so?"
"Yeah."
"Uh..."
He brushed back his fallen hair. I narrowed my eyes. The fox seemed off.
'Let me think. What did he do around this time before regression?'
The answer came quick.
"You're going solo, hyung."
Kang Minje's pupils shook. Guess it's true.
'Yeah, makes sense.'
Zenith's mini single was a hit. His OST charted high too. Even I'd greenlight a solo album.
'And the timing's perfect.'
I'll be busy filming drama, creating a gap. Perfect for solo activities.
Ki Jaeyoon came running up.
"Whoa! Minje hyung's going solo?"
"Yeah. Dowon, how'd you know?"
"I'm going into drama too. Executive Director Joo wouldn't leave you alone."
Ki Jaeyoon grabbed my shoulders.
"Jealous! So jealous!"
"Me? Or Minje hyung?"
"Both! Think they'll let me drop an album?"
I scanned the monkey up and down. Survival shows weren't big yet. He'd need time for a dance survival.
'Yeah, a few years.'
I shook off his hand and said,
"Focus on dance."
"Hey, nothing explodes like that."
You need more than dance to blow up.
I let out a long sigh. This kind of buildup probably doomed original Zenith.
'Can't let that happen. What a group we built.'
There was a way. Do I really have to go this far? Self-loathing hit, but...
I smiled brightly and whispered to Ki Jaeyoon,
"We need you, Jaeyoon."
Think of it as childcare.
Suddenly, I felt the members' gazes. My face burned, but I ignored it.
"Forgot about content?"
I glanced at Kang Minje, then back at the monkey.
"You're the core of Zenith's in-house content. How do we make the show without you? That program you did with Minje hyung is popular on video sites too, right?"
Ki Jaeyoon's pupils shook.
Hook, line, and sinker.
'Simple guy.'
He nodded.
"Oh yeah! We film our own stuff too, right?"
"Trust Executive Director Joo. He won't leave us hanging."
When the water comes in, you row. How could he pass up money?
"Just wait. Trust him."
Ki Jaeyoon backed off obediently. I turned away, wiping my smile.
'Tired, for real.'
Felt like raising kids, seriously.
Then Lee Seungjun put a hand on my shoulder.
"Good job."
You get it.
"You need a big break too?"
"Nah."
Lee Seungjun muttered softly.
"My schedule's packed enough already."
Oh, right.
I nodded. This guy's got a great body, shoots tons of photoshoots. His rap's decent too, so he slots in everywhere.
"Do a track with Yumi sunbaenim?"
"Yeah. Probably right after Chunhyang ends."
"She's got a lot to teach."
Yumi had that killer stage presence, dominating every performance like fireworks.
Lee Seungjun stared at me.
"What?"
"That's it?"
"Yeah."
"I see. You're so thorough. You."
What?
I tilted my head, and Leader hyung slung his arms over me and Lee Seungjun's shoulders.
"Guess we'll all be on solo schedules outside in-house content soon."
"Looks like it."
"Huh?"
Yoo Hajin tightened his arm. It hurt more than expected, so I said right away,
"Hyung, that hurts."
"Oh, sorry. No..."
Leader hyung blinked and looked away.
"Our Dowon's grown up so much."
What?
"Hajin hyung, what do you mean?"
"No, don't misunderstand. Not arrogant. Well, you are a bit arrogant."
Getting weirder. Picking a fight out of nowhere?
"Dowon. You've grown a lot taller."
I thought wrong again.
"It's growing time."
"Thought you were still a kid, but our maknae's shooting up."
Yoo Hajin's eyes grew distant. What, getting sentimental over growth?
'Our noona wouldn't do this.'
Leader hyung turning into Manager Heo? Getting old and teary already?
Then Kang Minje whispered softly,
"Yeah. Feels like yesterday he was tiny."
"This little guy climbing up like crazy was fun to watch. And he still charges like a machine."
Why are you piling on?
"Hyungs, why the nostalgia?"
We haven't known each other that long. Though we're together 24/7.
They ignored me.
"But Hajin, Dowon's in first year high school now?"
"Yeah, still so young."
"Worried he'll grow up right. This job's so rough..."
What? Are they crazy? When did they raise me?
'Wait, this is...'
Just like what I did to Ki Jaeyoon.
'Childcare?'
I opened my mouth to say something when a booming laugh erupted.
"Khahahahaha! Hahaha!"
I blankly looked aside. Couldn't believe my eyes.
'Lee Seungjun clutching his stomach laughing?'
Can that guy laugh that hard?
Stunned, I stared, and Lee Seungjun wiped tears, saying,
"Ah, your face is too funny..."
Damn it!
I sighed and shook my head.
'Feels like each one's getting harder to handle. Imagination?'
Damn. Should be getting easier.
Lee Seungjun was still laughing. I shut my mouth instead of saying anything. He smiles more now, but he used to be expressionless. Better leave him be.
***
With music shows winding down, individual content hit right away. I put on the chef uniform and tilted my head. Something felt off.
'China collar?'
They told me to wear it, but it was serious. The stiff black fabric told me. Not a normal chef uniform.
'Smells like Stylist Noona.'
Fits snug weirdly. Good it doesn't restrict movement.
"And an apron tied at the waist?"
What if stuff splashes up? Top's chef-like enough, but bottom's like serveur.
I checked the mirror, grimaced, and headed out. Lee Seungjun was already changed on set.
'They dressed us like this on purpose, right?'
Lee Seungjun fumbled with the apron strings, clueless. I yanked them tight and said,
"This outfit's kinda weird, huh?"
"Yeah, Stylist Noona brought it."
"As expected."
I glanced at the camera. PR team or not, why film this?
A staffer whispered,
"We'll edit it."
Obviously.
"She got excited, bought two and customized them since it's filming."
"Feeding Jaeyoon a burger, and they prep this seriously?"
I'm the chef, he's the assistant. That in-house content where Kang Minje fed Jaeyoon snacks got fleshed out weirdly.
"That video was super popular. Executive Director Joo invested some."
"Advertising budget must be hefty."
Lee Seungjun shrugged. I exhaled softly.
Today's spot: Friends Entertainment cafeteria. No aunties in the kitchen today either.
'Not a cheap video anymore?'
What do they want? I asked straight,
"Staff, how should we film?"
"Just like always. Dowon-ssi."