Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Cha Dowon's Graduation Ceremony (1)
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You know, if you dig into drama history, this comes up pretty often, right?
"Sunbae might actually pull off something that tough."
"Huh?"
"Come on. That's their thing, and we're ours."
I respect you, sunbae. Looking forward to more great performances ahead.
A laugh bubbled up naturally.
I was really looking forward to the shoot.
***
There was a lot of buzz about *The Saga of Melody*. Maybe because it sold to Japan, the broadcasting station was hyping it as a mid-year standout.
*Talk is good.*
We'd wrapped underwater filming, but the drama hadn't officially cranked in yet.
*In other words, prime time for script tweaks.*
Plus, the writer was doing her debut work. They always want to try everything at the start.
I grinned as I slipped into the uniform. Writer-nim, I can handle it. If you want to screw over Jeremy, use me. I'll deliver.
I was changing pants when my hands froze mid-motion.
"Short?"
I clicked my tongue at the pants. These were a stretch to call long pants.
*Awkward length. Ankles are showing.*
I hurriedly grabbed similar ones from the closet and pulled them on. Then it hit me.
"Short again."
Why these too? I let out a small sigh. Rifled through the closet, but no luck with matching colors.
*Trouble.*
Normally, I'd just head out and change into wardrobe later. But not today.
The door opened, and the manager spoke.
"Dowon-ah. PR staff's here."
"Oh, already? They're fast."
"Wow. Middle school uniform? That's fresh."
Fresh fish? And he's seen it before.
"Man, you actually look like a student like this."
What did I look like normally?
I shot him a baffled look, and he clasped his hands behind his back.
"Nah, I mean, you're so mature usually. Work mindset's pro-level. Looks grown-up. Huh? Why are your ankles so bare?"
"Pants got short."
The manager scanned me top to bottom.
"Grown a ton lately?"
"I can wear 'em. Just short."
"Like you stretched your legs out extra."
I shook my head at my exposed ankles.
"Forgot to buy new clothes, so gotta roll with it."
Should've grabbed bigger pants if I knew.
"Yeah? But hey, don't regular teens care about clothes?"
"Sure."
"You're an idol. Shouldn't you care more?"
"It's not work or anything. Why blow money here?"
The manager stuck out his tongue.
"You're like a monk about everything but ambition."
Isn't that contradictory?
Wanted to say something, but no time. Couldn't leave PR staff waiting. I grabbed my bag.
Last middle school uniform.
*Surprisingly, no real thoughts on it.*
Tied to work, maybe. Felt like just another schedule.
Opened the door, and two cameras were right there. I flashed a big smile.
"Good morning."
The PR staff whispered.
"Uniform?"
"Graduation day."
"So today's the last time wearing it?"
"Yeah."
Well, high school one soon enough.
"G-Gonna film!"
The PR staff awkwardly panned cameras up and down. I winced internally.
*Bottom's already... Ah, too late.*
"Oh my, pants are short."
"Growing spurt lately. Ankles all out, looks weird..."
Gonna be immortalized on video.
*Fans'll probably enjoy the little things.*
I hid my embarrassment with a small smile and headed quietly to the entrance. That's when Kang Minje walked in, perfectly dressed for his morning schedule.
"Oh, Minje hyung. You're here?"
"Yeah, just wrapped schedule. Dowon? Uniform? School?"
I covered the cameras with both hands.
"Staff's here. Filming 'Congrats on Graduation! Dowon-ah!' today."
Program name right? Glanced back, staff shook heads.
"No, Dowon-ssi. It's 'Congrats on Graduation! Maknae!'"
Only the end changed.
Pure curiosity, I asked.
"When'd the title change?"
"30 minutes before filming."
Seriously.
*How was I supposed to know?*
Something off, right? PR team?
Stared blankly, and they seemed to realize.
"Hohohoho. Message didn't go through."
Whatever. I chuckled and shook my head.
"Ah, Dowon's graduating. Middle school?"
"Yeah. High schooler now."
"You were so tiny when we met. Graduation already."
Kang Minje grinned. Seeing it furrowed my brows automatically.
"You were tiny when we met too, hyung."
Met as preschoolers, now eyeing me like a grown kid. Fox cub.
"Ah, that was ages ago. Anyway, have a good graduation."
"Yeah. Rest up, hyung."
Right, time to go.
Behind me, Kang Minje muttered at the camera.
"Already that big."
Damn.
*Hajin hyung too, team's vibe's weird lately.*
Wasn't it straight business? Feels like they crossed some line.
*No clue if good or bad.*
That's teams for you?
Walking casually, PR staff said.
"Dowon-ssi, walking?"
"Yeah. 30 minutes gets me there."
"No bus or subway?"
"30 minutes. Running halves it. Whatever."
Heading out normal-style, PR staff paled.
"Dowon-ssi, take our car! Not mine—ours!"
"Huh? I'm good."
"We're not!"
Why?
"Dowon-ssi! We tire easy!"
"Can walk, but don't wanna!"
Oh. That reason.
*Better go along.*
I nodded with a smile.
"Yeah. Thanks for the ride."
"Yes! Before you change mind—car, quick!"
PR staff grabbed my arm and dragged me.
*Desperate.*
Reminded me of part-time job office workers. They liked walks too, but gasped after 10 minutes.
*Hmm, spice up the footage?*
I beamed.
"Wanna hit the mountains for graduation memorial."
Both PR staff's eyes quivered wildly.
"No way, right?"
"No! Dowon-ssi! Kiddo, hiking?!"
"What old-man hobby!"
That old? Can like it. Harsh.
"Team lead, no mountains!"
"No. Absolutely not!"
Staff desperate. Just light suggestion, overreacting.
*Fun.*
Quietly continued.
"Love mountains. Birdsong, fresh air."
"Birds chirp in the city too!"
"Pigeons are birds!"
Not totally wrong.
"Pigeons don't chirp much."
"They lose hearing from city life."
"Victims of harsh urban living."
"Pigeons are pitiful if you think about it."
Tearjerking defense to change subject.
"You two need exercise?"
Camera-holders ignored me now.
"Team lead! Car, go!"
"Dowon-ssi, school where? No! Don't tell! No need! I'll nav it! Every middle school nearby, I'll get you there!"
Couldn't hold back laughter. Leaned chin on hand, chuckled. These folks funnier than expected.
"High school—no, middle school."
"Ah, right!"
Leaned back, laughed long. PR staff kept filming me.
Wiping laugh-tears, felt odd stares.
"Wow..."
Seemed satisfied.
"Why?"
"Nah. Mom once said seeing me full even without eating. Didn't get it till Cha Dowon-ssi. Really full without food."
What?
"Don't make 'em explain. Only those who've seen Cha Dowon-ssi's pure laugh get it."
No clue. Better not pry.
*Don't need to know everything.*
Nodded. Footage okay like this?
*They'll edit fine.*
Saw Ki Jae-yoon burger ep, pros.
Sat still, then yelled.
"School's opposite lane!"
"Eek!"
Seriously, where were they going?
Laughter again. In-house content, veering weird. But mood good oddly.
***
Ankles-out uniform, trailed by two staff. Headed to classroom first. Last day, should introduce or something.
Entered, felt flashes. Posed as reporters wanted.
They didn't come inside.
Early, so few kids. Waved to unknowns, to my seat.
*Back row, yeah.*
Faced in-house camera.
"My seat. Skipped a lot from schedules."
Awkward smile good. Beamed eyes, sat.
"Kinda embarrassing."
Acting, though.
Then. Back door opened. Quiet look—who rushed in.
*Ah.*
Knew without seeing. Lee Taejin.
Hugged me tight on entry.
"Hey, what. Let go."
"Been forever! Cha Dowon! Miss your face!"
'Cause I'm trending idol.
"Sang to come to school, still no!"
Messages noisy, yeah.
"Busy."
"How skip graduation too!"
Hey, no content, no show either.
"Yeah, let go."
"Missed you!"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Don't brush off!"
Always like this, extra today.
"Hey, they're filming."
"Huh? Real?"
Lee Taejin finally eyed staff, cameras.
"Yeah. Company shoot."
"Not broadcast?"
Cheekily faced camera, still hugging.
"Hi. Lee Taejin. Cha Dowon's one school friend."
Damn. Wanna deny, but true.
"Sad Dowon skips school."
"Busy!"
"Always says misses only me! Upset!"
Peeled him off desperately, sighed. Future mukbang king? Spilled easy on first camera.
"Taejin-ah. What you wanna do with me?"
"PC bang! Wanna PC bang!"
"Quit games? Sold items all when trainee."
"Huh? What games?"
About to say, shut mouth.
*Oops! Image.*
Narrowed eyes at Lee Taejin. Somehow, lose to this guy.
"Tell later."
"Aah! Pricey guy! So many secrets!"
Insane. Why today. Hey, you're on cam.
"Dowon-ah. Pic first!"
"What pic?"
"All doubt we're friends. Proof shot."
"Yeah, yeah."
Lee Taejin phone out, arm extended. Staff said.
"I'll take it!"
"O! Noona, thanks!"
Impressive. Sat quick, posed. Stood, posed more.
Checked pic, grumbled.
"Damn, my face huge."
Kids picky too?
Then. Voice from behind.
"Uh, me too pic."
Unknown girl. Idled smile, nodded. Sudden buzz, classroom kids swarmed.
"Me! Me!"
"Unfair, only Taejin!"
"Need proof shot too!"
How many? Wait, proof for what?