Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Hyung, Don't You Trust Me?
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It was just a slight moment of worry. Fortunately, the reaction wasn't bad—the staff's expressions were bright.
‘Then I should push it further.’
As long as it's not too funny.
"Dowon-ah. Aren't you trusting me a bit too much?"
I shook my head with a smile. Of course, it was all an act.
Look, fans. This is how much we trust each other. Zenith is solid.
"You can trust Minje hyung. I mean."
"Huh?"
"It's natural for members to trust each other. Hyung, don't you trust me?"
Of course, I don't trust you.
The fox bastard showed a rare flustered expression. What's wrong, Kang Minje? There's a camera—act a little.
"Huh? Yeah. I trust you? I don't usually trust people easily, but with you, Dowon, I think I can."
Luckily, he gave a decent response, true to form. I beamed.
‘Pushing it further here might tickle, right?’
Even the sweetest flattery song gets old after a couple listens.
"If it were you, hyung, I'd lend you a few hundred million and forget about it."
Eat and run—that's the idea.
"Whoa, for you, Dowon, that sounds like the highest praise?"
"To say it again, that's how much I trust you."
At this point, Kang Minje should slither out with his slick tongue. But the guy just kept grinning.
"Minje hyung?"
"Ah, I'm thrilled. Let's hear a song. Zenith's 'Chunhyang.'"
Music started playing. Kang Minje lifted his headset slightly and spoke.
"Dowon-ah. Don't jump in so suddenly."
"Yes. I won't. I got a bit hasty there."
"The writer threw out a few reactions, and the fans are super excited."
As expected. No matter the era or time, the bond of trust between members always works. I grinned.
"Good. Hope it helps the ratings."
"It probably will..."
"Then it's all good. Why worry?"
"Hmm. Yeah."
The music ended. Kang Minje resumed hosting.
"A Spoonful Under the Moonlit Night! With Zenith's Cha Dowon. Let's read a question. From DIA: Dowon-ah. How do I get a strong mentality like yours?"
Oh.
‘This is a question I can't pretend to be tough on.’
I had to act as weak as possible. Of course, wrap it up classically with member harmony. I quickly scripted it.
"Hmm, Minje hyung. Do I really have a strong mentality?"
"You do? You're not weak."
"I've never thought of myself as having a strong mentality."
The studio suddenly went quiet. Exactly the reaction I wanted.
"If I seem that way, maybe it's because I've met so many good people?"
I smiled brightly at the camera.
"My mentality's foundation is my hyungs."
Even I thought it was a solid answer. Kang Minje was so baffled he couldn't respond for a moment.
"Minje hyung?"
"Uh, yeah. That makes me happy."
Damn. It's acting.
"As the maknae, I'm always worrying everyone, but my goal is to be strong enough for my hyungs to rely on. Maybe because I get hurt so often. They overprotect me a bit."
The fox let out a deep sigh, then quickly caught himself.
"You do get hurt a lot."
"Sorry for worrying you."
"If you know, stop getting hurt."
I was still fine with any injury if it brought gains. But saying that would make the fans sad.
I smiled and moved on.
"So, um, DIA, if you have precious people around, you don't need to be strong—you can find strength. Hope you find someone like that."
Was it too cheesy?
I worried, but suddenly there was a groan like "Euu." I turned— it was the writer. She gestured sorry, but I shook my head. No need to apologize for that.
"I-I see."
"Yeah. But don't push too hard."
Kang Minje wiped his dry face. The fox was a master actor—his feigned fluster was art.
"Yeah. Next, Dowon-ah, Minje-ya. Take a two-shot."
Stick together for a photo, huh. DJs shouldn't move, so I had to go to him.
The staff handed me a selfie stick and camera.
I pressed against Kang Minje and smiled brightly as fans wanted.
"One, two, three!"
Snapped a few bursts and neatly returned them.
‘Visible radio is busier than I thought.’
But it had its own fun. Clearing fan missions one by one was intriguing.
‘We could make some for our own content.’
MC could be Hajin hyung. Come to think of it, Zenith's positions were well-balanced—not bad.
"Wow, A Spoonful Under the Moonlit Night. An hour and a half gone already. How was it, Dowon-ssi? Fun today?"
"Of course. Being alone in a radio studio with Minje hyung was a novel experience."
"Come back when you have time?"
"If you call me."
"Ah, but you don't have time, Dowon."
"I'll make time. If you call me, hyung."
If something like this came up again, I could handle it. Ah, hope our seniors are doing well on their radios.
"Reliable. Alright, that's it for today. Cha Dowon-ssi, final greetings."
"Good night, everyone. And sorry for all the injuries lately. This has been Zenith's Cha Dowon."
Ads played as the broadcast ended. I roughly took off the hat.
"That hat suits you."
Picking a fight?
"I was surprised. Could've given a heads-up, Minje hyung."
"Ah, that. You really didn't know? Ambitious guests even do bunny ear headbands."
Damn. Who gets greedy for that?
"Next time, let's try that."
"Really?"
"If fans like it."
Scratch that earlier resolve. Better avoid coming back here. Scary place.
Kang Minje laughed and put a hand on my shoulder.
"You know, Dowon-ah?"
"What?"
"Camera's still rolling? Radio's over, but the stream isn't."
Didn't know that.
"Everyone, this is how Dowon is normally. That wasn't just for broadcast."
I smiled naturally.
"I'm pretty honest, everyone."
Yeah, right.
From the moment I entered the studio, it was all acting. Who wants raw honesty from idols anyway?
"Now it's really over! Too late for dinner."
"Yeah. It's night. What's your schedule tomorrow, hyung?"
"Ask Manager hyung. Ah! PD-nim, how was today?"
The PD grinned.
"Details when we check, but reactions are hot!"
Nice.
"They said we did well?"
"Nah. An hour together reveals personality."
Those guys were cocky again, huh.
‘Our seniors must be hurt. Fans too.’
Even reaching far to Japan.
I couldn't help laughing. VIP was worth tangling with.
‘Fun watching the dinosaurs shrink.’
They weren't in our league, but you could see them crumbling.
"Hope more stuff like this happens."
"Steal more guests?"
"Just call me."
"This was temporary. You're the busiest in our group—can't always call you."
Ah, right.
"Call other members too. Visible radio seems good. Fans would love it."
"Hmm, maybe. Jae-yoon's the idlest now."
Oof.
‘That'd be torture for him.’
It might be fun enough for good ratings, though.
"Still, how often do you clash properly with respected seniors?"
Only my drama left ahead?
‘I can devour that, but a few more losses would be nice.’
A clear defeat might make them drop the annoying stuff.
"Hmm, Dowon-ah. My solo album. It's clashing."
"With who? VIP?"
"Know Merun? VIP vocalist, duking it out with me this time."
Heat rushed to my head. I glared at Kang Minje with burning eyes.
Clashing again?
I grabbed his shoulder.
"Minje hyung."
"Uh, yeah?"
"Lose, and I won't cook for you anymore."
"Huh?"
His pupils shook mercilessly.
"You have to win. Were you planning to lose?"
"W-Well, I want good charts too, but..."
"That's not the mindset. Sell your lifespan if needed—hit number one."
"That extreme?"
Kang Minje, why so soft? You're the ruthless one.
"Can't sell lifespan? Sell your health temporarily. Fix it up later—make number one."
"Sometimes it hits big from the start..."
"Already tamed by luck? You said it, hyung—good luck is once or twice. Keep selling till it works."
He tilted his head.
"Did I say that?"
Oops.
‘Before regression.’
I quickly covered.
"Ah, sorry. Mixed it up."
"Only composer around you is me?"
"Watched videos hard for the preview drama. Must've blended."
Please buy it, Kang Minje.
"Hmm. Yeah. I thought that way too. But Zenith activities changed me a bit."
He unpinned the rabbit brooch—symbol of naturalness—and said,
"Melodies are around me without squeezing. Even if it seems not, they are. Not squeezing— just existing naturally, and I discover them."
What? Writing poetry now?
But one thing clear.
‘No more old pressure on him?’
I stared. Hard to believe, but no lie.
"Can't discover, still painful, right?"
"Yeah. But they come in tiny ways."
Suddenly recalled his weird earlier line.
"So you're observing me for that?"
"Yeah. Sorry. Kinda?"
"No."
I shook my head right away. Honestly, still clueless. But one thing sure.
‘We beat VIP seniors.’
Whatever, head to Seoul. I gripped his shoulder harder.
"Like I said then, it's fine."
"Uh, thanks?"
"Use me. Exploit me. Don't know what observing means, but."
He blinked, flustered.
"Do it right. Scrape every bit—beat them on charts. Lose, and no radish soup for life!"
"No way!"
I smiled with all my heart.
"Then win! Looking forward to it."
What wouldn't I do for seniors bombing solo and acting.
Kang Minje staggered under pressure.
"Sc-Scary. Threatening with my favorite."
What.
"And from a member."
"Just win."
"W-Well, but..."
He suddenly looked up. Eyes sparkling again.
"Inspiration hit! Dowon, hurry! Manager! Where's my laptop?"
That inspiration strikes anytime. Sometimes he goes nuts. I calmed the running guy, greeted staff first. Weirdly, everyone watched us.
‘Damn, embarrassing.’
Saw all the weird stuff.
Still, do what must.
"Thanks for your hard work. We're off."
"Come again, Dowon-ssi."
"Dowon-ah! Gotta go quick!"
"Ah, calm down! Greeting!"
Staff covered mouths, laughing. Damn. Everything with him.
"Sorry. Heading out fast."
"Yes. You did great. Ratings should be good."
"Honor."
"Dowon-ah! Hurry!"
Really wanted to smack his head once.