Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: It's Fine to Threaten
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What the hell is this?
“Isn't this supposed to be fake drama format?”
“Real variety once in a while is fine too.”
What the heck are they even trying to film?
“We discussed it among ourselves! We concluded that Zenith's natural side is the best.”
“How can we be natural with cameras around?”
“It's okay! We'll edit it.”
No, that's not the point. How am I supposed to act?
“No need to tense up. Just be yourself like always, and it'll be fine.”
I furrowed my brow.
“But even for in-house content, isn't this going too far?”
“The fans love it.”
Damn.
‘Guess I have no choice then.’
It was bizarre in-house content with a convoluted concept and outfits, but if the fans liked it, I could do anything.
‘I'm an idol, after all.’
I tossed my hair back. Fine, if we're doing this, let's do it right. I untied my apron and then retied it tightly.
“Let's go.”
“Yeah.”
I smiled. Alright, Ki Jaeyoon. I'll send you to heaven that feels like hell.
***
Ki Jaeyoon sat at the table set up just for show, his eyes sparkling. He was fidgeting like he was genuinely excited.
“Hyung, it's really the deluxe burger?”
Kang Minje, dressed in a suit, replied elegantly.
“Yeah. Since Jaeyoon finally succeeded.”
Crazy.
As I flipped the patty, I asked Lee Seungjun.
“Did Jaeyoon really succeed?”
“Yeah. In the latest video, he finally succeeds and looks thrilled.”
“Minje hyung must've had it rough.”
“The next clip ends with Minje hyung collapsing from exhaustion.”
What kind of story is this? And I assigned Minje to torment Jaeyoon, but he looks the one suffering.
“The more I hear, the weirder it sounds. Is it really that popular?”
“Yeah. The views are insane.”
I let out a small sigh. I still couldn't wrap my head around it. But I had a method for times like this.
‘Stop thinking about it.’
As long as the fans like it. Right. That's the goal. I don't get what they love about it, but there must be something I'm missing.
Once I cheerfully gave up, I could focus. I flipped the beef patty on the grill. A delicious aroma spread through the restaurant.
Ki Jaeyoon pointed at me.
“Hyung, I can't hold back anymore.”
“You have to. Jaeyoon.”
“Dowon, can I try a patty first?”
“Jaeyoon. Hold it in.”
“What's that smell? It's so fragrant.”
“Jaeyoon, I said no.”
“Don't stop me!”
I quietly loosened my grip on the tongs. For a split second, the patty nearly slipped off onto the floor.
“Whoops, can't have that.”
I smoothly caught the meat with the tongs again. Juices dripped onto the floor.
“That was close.”
The patty settled back on the grill. Ki Jaeyoon was speechless. Then the fox pup muttered.
“See? I told you to hold it in. Dowon gets mad.”
That's what you meant? But Minje, how could you say that? What about my image?
I flashed a bright smile.
“How can you say something so scary about me?”
“If you act up, the maknae drops the food? And then feeds it to you naturally.”
Damn. What do you take me for?
I spun the knife once, set it down, and picked up a spoon. Then I quietly separated the avocado skin. For some reason, Ki Jaeyoon suddenly straightened up.
“I don't mess around with food. Do you know how precious ingredients are? Why toss them on the floor?”
You have to appreciate good food.
I picked up the knife again and spun it once. It was nothing much, but Jaeyoon gulped.
Lee Seungjun said.
“You're threatening him.”
“Threats are fine. It doesn't cost money.”
Just then, a PR team staffer snickered.
‘This is what they find fun?’
Tastes are weird.
‘Don't try to understand.’
There must be something I'm missing. I quietly set down the knife and said to Seungjun.
“Seungjun, grab the bread baking in the prep room oven.”
“Okay.”
Kang Minje rested his chin on his hand and asked.
“You made the buns for the burger too?”
“To do it perfectly, yeah, but I'm not great at that. I bought some good ones.”
“I'm picky about bread.”
“I'm picky about people who complain about food.”
Jaeyoon quietly shut his mouth.
“But I buttered them and toasted lightly. The outside should be crisp, inside a bit moist.”
“Eep!”
“And above all, bread tastes best warm.”
Jaeyoon's eyes sparkled again. Seungjun strode over in his ambiguous chef-waiter outfit, and a camera captured every flutter of his apron.
‘Why are they so passionate about that?’
Better not ask.
“Here.”
“Yeah. Good job.”
“Order more. You're doing everything yourself.”
Oh, right.
Now that I thought about it, we'd each been using tongs for different tasks. Probably my multitasking skill making me unconsciously take over.
“Ah, then the sauce bottles too.”
“Okay.”
“Dowon! I hate store-bought sauce!”
“I have a bad habit of feeding Thai chili to picky eaters.”
“Eep.”
What's his deal?
Kang Minje patted Jaeyoon's shoulder consolingly.
“Jaeyoon, don't pick fights with Dowon.”
“But I'm serious about burgers.”
I rolled a frying pan onto the induction cooker and said.
“I'm serious about this too.”
“Eep!”
“Please just eat whatever Dowon gives you. You won't even break even otherwise.”
“Ah, seriously! Let me say this while we're at it. Aren't we being too weird?”
Ki Jaeyoon pointed at me.
“He's the maknae. In other teams, maknaes run errands and stuff.”
Oh no. Jaeyoon.
I flashed a bright smile.
“You want a maknae like that?”
Kang Minje's eyes trembled.
“Jaeyoon, if you don't wanna die, apologize now.”
“I'm not sorry at all! Honestly, it's weird! Why is everyone tiptoeing around him!”
“You really wanna know why?”
My lips twitched. Kang Minje looked at me and straightened up from resting his chin.
“I think I get it, but why doesn't our Jaeyoon?”
I quietly found the Thai chili and minced it finely. The spicy scent wafted up, and Seungjun stepped back.
“Ki Jaeyoon.”
“Y-Yeah.”
“First off, you don't mess with someone holding a knife. Hands can slip.”
“Gasp!”
“And I'm cooking right now. Using fire. A burn could make my hand jerk and throw something hot.”
Dare to complain about my food? What, you're serious about burgers?
I sprinkled the minced Thai chili into the patty mix.
“Okay, my bad.”
“Do you even know what you did wrong, Jaeyoon?”
“No, Dowon. I was wrong. Must've been wrong. Sorry. Should I kneel?”
“No need. But I do want something in return.”
A cheeky smile came naturally. I poked at the patty with the tongs again.
“Eat it all?”
Jaeyoon gulped.
“Eat everything I give you. Gotta appreciate the chef's effort, right?”
“Okay, my bad! Sorry!”
“You don't need to apologize, got it? If you didn't know, now you do.”
Jaeyoon trembled. Kang Minje stared at me intently.
“Hyung, got something to say?”
“No. Uh, anyway. Nice.”
What? This moment of Jaeyoon getting threatened?
‘Fox pup must've built up a lot of grudges against the monkey.’
Makes sense. Jaeyoon has that punchable vibe. I've wanted to sock him plenty.
At my words, Kang Minje crossed his legs the other way.
“Hey, Dowon. I think there's a misunderstanding?”
“What?”
“What I meant was nice was your outfits.”
I quietly looked down at my uniform.
“You like this stuff?”
Crazy guy. Likes anything.
“Ah, no, not that! I meant it'd be good for the concept.”
Ah, got it.
‘Are we dancing in this for the next album?’
Seems like niche appeal.
‘Well, harnesses were weird from the start.’
Main Director shook his head saying no more after getting flak last time, but maybe again?
I imagined Zenith dancing in these outfits as a group. Not sure, but our hardworking noona would hate it as another weird stunt.
“Hey, Dowon?”
“Yeah, hyung. If it works, we'll wear it. Why?”
“Not Zenith concept. My solo concept.”
Ah.
I flashed a bright smile.
“Suits you, hyung. Want me to help you try it on?”
Refusing would be bad. Better encourage actively.
“Ah, no need.”
“I'll lend it after shooting. Ah, gotta return to Stylist Noona. But it's already tailored to me...”
I scanned Kang Minje up and down.
“Whatever. Minje hyung's slimmer than me anyway.”
Suddenly, Kang Minje hung his head low. Then he muttered softly.
Sizzle—
Amid the meat searing, the fox pup's voice came through.
“Increase the order. Definitely. If this keeps up, it'll be shorts for real.”
Does he have trauma or something?
‘It's just stage wear for a bit, right?’
Focusing on asparagus, he lamented again.
“Stylist Noona might put him in leather pants or hot pants. Ah, hate that.”
Wow.
Me too.
Requires guts? Leather pants are too tight anyway. How to dance? Drama shoot might mean swimsuit, but.
‘Oh yeah, the drama we're doing has underwater scenes.’
Better tone up.
Lost in thoughts, I started plating. Thanks to multitasking, my hands and feet moved freely.
Three burgers went on white plates. Two for Jaeyoon, one for Minje.
I stuck toothpicks in, stacked two plates on one arm, and strode over. Everyone stared in surprise.
“Wow, that's so cool.”
Is it?
‘Busy shifts at the shop made you do it all.’
The Itaewon spot loaded three per arm. Dodging tables built my balance back then.
‘This body's inexperienced, so senses are duller.’
I set the three plates on the cloth-draped makeshift table.
“Dig in.”
Stuff your faces.
Ki Jaeyoon cheered.
“Wow, this looks like real cuisine!”
Burgers are cuisine.
“Too fancy. Huh? Asparagus only on my plate?”
“Minje hyung likes asparagus.”
Kang Minje blinked.
“How'd you know?”
“You always add it at steakhouses.”
“Did I?”
“Eat up. Want more asparagus?”
“Thanks.”
Kang Minje gazed at his burger with flushed cheeks. It annoyed me, so I clenched and unclenched my fist.
“Ch-Cheese! The cheese is oozing!”
Of course.
“Three kinds of cheese.”
“Really?”
Well, not my money for ingredients. Fun not worrying about cost since not selling.
Jaeyoon took a huge bite. Then suddenly bowed his head.
“The juices... they're flowing.”
Beef does that.
“The saltiness of different cheeses blends, swirls your tongue with juices, then butter scent hits your brain!”
What? Poetry now?
“When eating, the bun's crisp announcing itself, cheese adds creaminess...”
Jaeyoon looked at me with trembling eyes.
“Garlic ties it together!”
Koreans can't handle too much richness. Garlic's popular.
“You a food god or what?”
Thought it was a joke, but he was serious.
‘Still too explosive though?’