Chapter 159
Chapter 159
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: Cha Dowon's Graduation Ceremony (2)
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“People didn’t believe me when I said I was in the same class as Cha Dowon!”
“Take a picture with me too!”
“Me too, me too!”
Well, what could I do.
The public’s demands must be met.
That’s an idol’s duty, right? I clapped my hands twice.
“Attention please… no, wait.”
Damn. Did I pick that up from the choreographer? This habit.
“Line up. Let’s do this quick. One by one, nice and slow! We’ve got plenty of time.”
The kids lined up obediently in no time. They handed their phones over to the staff one after another. It was so military-like, I couldn’t help but admire them.
Graduating without even knowing your classmates’ faces—you guys are impressive.
I smiled and took photos one by one.
Click—
How long did I keep that up?
‘They’re all cuter than I expected.’
Of course, celebrities are supposed to be like that. I’d just forgotten for a bit.
“Dowon! I support you!”
“Thanks!”
One kid vanished.
“I’m Jenny! I like Oppa Minje!”
Why does it have to be the little fox?
We’re publicly known to be close. I forced out some praise.
“Minje hyung’s a genius.”
“Oppa Minje is so pretty.”
That guy does have a delicate look.
‘No matter how I look at it, the next shorts vid should feature the little fox?’
He’d been working hard on his muscles, but honestly, what did I care.
Another photo, and one more kid was gone.
Next was some guy whose name I didn’t know.
“Uh, I’m just…”
“Yeah, let’s just take it.”
What reason do we need?
After countless repeats like that, it was the last one. An unknown girl suddenly shouted at me.
“Zenith!”
Friend, why?
“To you! Hello. This is Zenith?”
“Eek!”
The friend snapped her photo and disappeared. Ah, intense to the very end.
That’s when it happened. The homeroom teacher, whom I’d seen a few times, spoke up.
“Um, can we proceed with the graduation ceremony now?”
Oh no.
I bowed my head slightly and then lifted it. The teacher strode in confidently and handed his phone to the staff.
“Me too.”
The classroom erupted in cheers instantly.
“Woo! Teacher too? That’s too much!”
“Quiet down. I need a proof pic too. Dowon. Let’s take one.”
“With pleasure.”
The homeroom teacher grabbed my shoulder and snapped away eagerly. Three times more than the kids, then finally retrieved his phone.
“Done. Leave Dowon be and let’s start the graduation ceremony.”
I covered my mouth and laughed. Wow. I hadn’t come to class much, so I didn’t know, but he’s a fun guy.
“Graduation ceremony starting!”
The teacher turned on the TV. The camera captured me watching the screen.
‘Is it okay to film this as is?’
Too many unexpected moments.
‘They’ll edit it. Whatever.’
I stopped thinking about it. No need for me to know everything about the world.
***
Once the standard ceremony wrapped up, the staff said they’d take a break from filming. That’s when Lee Taejin dragged me over.
“Grandpa, this is my celebrity friend.”
Ah, that high-up police guy.
‘Better make a good impression.’
No need to act arrogant. I straightened up, bowed, and rose.
“I’m Cha Dowon.”
“Oh my. Handsome kid. Ah, you were on that poster.”
Ah, the school violence poster.
“Heard it got a good response. So you’re Taejin’s friend.”
He knew all along and set it up, but playing innocent—classic high-ranking official.
‘If he’s sly, I’ll play along.’
I smiled a little and said,
“I’m always careful when working with government agencies.”
“Hahaha. Indeed.”
Even without fault, celebrity images can crumble easily.
‘The guy in front of me wouldn’t miss that.’
A police bigwig would know all about celebrity crimes. Lee Taejin looked at me and said.
“Grandpa, he’s really nice.”
Anyone hearing that would think I’m actually nice. Lee Taejin.
“Hahaha. Taejin, time to go now.”
“Ah, right. Dowon. Nice meeting you! Let’s chat on the messaging app! Sucks we’re going to different high schools!”
“Yeah. Hit me up.”
“See you next time! Definitely! Let’s hit the PC bang when you have time!”
I don’t game. And time? Yeah right.
‘Still, doesn’t feel bad.’
I waved to Lee Taejin. The kid who’d suffered school violence graduated surprisingly bright.
‘Would’ve worked out even without me.’
He’d end up as the mukbang emperor years later, living well.
‘Even so, suffering school violence for years is ridiculous.’
Too unfair.
Connecting with the future video site high-earner emperor wasn’t bad.
After waving goodbye, a PR Team staffer approached.
‘Next scene’s the graduation surprise party, right?’
Had to act surprised by Hajin hyung and Seungjun’s gift and party.
‘Pretend to be touched just enough?’
Good that member camaraderie sells well.
‘But what gift are those two planning?’
They’d been whispering and prepping hard, but no spoilers.
‘Wasn’t this a fake documentary?’
It was supposed to be staged go-stop, but they seemed serious.
‘What the heck.’
Two cameras rolled on me again. I smiled and proceeded.
“The graduation’s over. Kinda sad knowing I won’t come back to this school.”
As if. Ah, the young appeal had been working well; a shame it’s fading.
“But it was a fun graduation.”
I walked slowly, turned back, and walked backward while looking at the school.
“Ah, it’s really graduation.”
So wistful. Just aging without doing anything.
I smiled at the camera again.
“Congrats to everyone graduating today.”
Nice wrap-up. The PR staffer lowered the camera.
“Dowon, that was good.”
“Yeah. Time to head to the dorm.”
“Ah, no dorm. We’re going to Friends Restaurant.”
“Ah, so that’s where they set it up?”
Leader hyung, Seungjun. What did you two do.
“Surprise party—ready to be shocked?”
I sighed and shook my head.
“Keep it moderate, both of you.”
“Puhahaha!”
The staff laughed.
“Zenith members all seem so cute and nice.”
Well, most are still young, so cute yeah. Nice? Not sure. Wait, minus me, the other two are decently nice. Fair enough.
“Thanks.”
“Ah, got lots of good footage. Right, Manager?”
“Yeah!”
The staff looked pleased. I started to mention editing but shut my mouth.
They’ll handle it.
‘Ignorance is bliss.’
I shook my head. Felt like I was getting dragged along more, but I ignored it.
‘The big one’s still coming.’
Please keep it moderate. Seungjun, Leader hyung.
A sigh escaped. I shook my head and followed the staff ahead.
***
‘They really do everything.’
Upon arriving at Friends HQ, I faced all sorts of nonsense right away. Blindfold slapped on, some headband shoved on.
‘Animal ears or something.’
Confusing, but Kang Minje’s casual radio chatter snapped me out quick.
‘Just you wait.’
I’d make sure they all got this treatment on their anniversaries. Look forward to it.
Dressed like this freak, shoved roughly into a chair. If it stopped there, I wouldn’t feel this heartbroken.
I moved my arms and sighed.
‘Tied up.’
What the hell are they planning.
Even if I resisted, too many hands holding me. I quietly accepted the situation.
‘Why did I agree to this?’
Why did I bring this misfortune on myself? Wasn’t it supposed to be simple? What’s with the theatrics?
Then, applause rang out. I desperately reminded myself.
‘I’m an actor right now.’
No punching. Just fake surprise. Damn.
Finally, the blindfold came off. Sudden light made me squint. When focus returned, I couldn’t believe it.
‘So many people?’
Seemed like every Friends employee was there.
‘No way—why call staff to an idol surprise party?’
Thunderous applause hit. This make sense? I awkward-smiled and responded to the cheers.
“Dowon, congrats on graduating!”
“Our maknae’s final education is now middle school dropout!”
“Congrats!”
Amid the shouts, Ki Jaeyoon’s voice cut through.
“Congrats! Ah, but isn’t this kinda tacky?”
Damn. Monkey kid. Then why didn’t you stop it earlier.
“Feels like a company party.”
“Enter companies should be flashy, right? But it’s weirdly urban vibe. Doesn’t feel like it once inside.”
“Everyone’s swamped with overtime…”
If you know, why do it. Damn. Who planned this? This going in the video too?
Who’d like Zenith after seeing this.
Then, the familiar Executive Director Joo entered beaming.
“Dowon! Congrats on graduating!”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
“Prepared this for you.”
Damn. Don’t.
I couldn’t even laugh anymore. Just wanted this over quick.
“Did Executive Director Joo plan this?”
“Ah, needed applause. So I called them.”
“You should’ve let them work.”
“It’s fine. Gave ’em dinner money. PR Team! Got it? Edit it well!”
PR Team gave an OK sign. They were having a blast, drumming and all.
I looked around.
The company cafeteria had crudely made balloons and banners.
[Zenith’s Maknae! Cha Dowon! Congrats on Middle School Graduation.]
Twice the congrats might kill me from shame.
“Now, main event time. We’ll head out! Celebrate cozy with the members!”
My chaotic mind cleared as staff finally left. Watching them file out, I let out a deep sigh.
“Hyungs, how did this happen?”
Yoo Hajin and Kang Minje answered in turn.
“Couldn’t stop it. Tried.”
“Can’t avoid it, so enjoy. Dowon.”
Oh, damn. How do you enjoy this.
I looked at my bound hands.
“Untie this first.”
“No can do.”
“Untie and you’ll bolt.”
Well, mentally, yeah. I quietly stared at the ceiling. Under the LED lights, I missed noona today.
“Dowon! Time for gifts!”
“Right, right! We prepared a bunch!”
What’d they prepare? I turned casually and jolted.
‘No—why drag gifts in on a cart?’
Lee Seungjun casually wheeled in a huge box on a cart. Wrapped, but I knew.
‘Moving box size.’
What did you prepare. Leader hyung, bear cub.
“Open the gift!”
Kang Minje handed me scissors.
“Hey! Wait!”
I barely held back boiling rage, spitting polite words.
“Untie my hands first, then I can open, right?”
“Ah! Forgot! Jaeyoon, untie Dowon’s hands.”
“Yes! Just the hands.”
I eyed the monkey.
“Could untie legs too?”
“No. Legs free and you’ll run.”
Well, mentally still true.
‘Damn. Still miss noona.’
Studying medical books, prospective doctor Cha Sora. How you holding up? I’m surviving like this.
Ki Jaeyoon fiddled with the rope on my hands. I flexed my free fists.
Lee Seungjun, oblivious to my mood, grinned and brought the gift.
“Here!”
I forced a smile and unwrapped. Wanted this over fast.
Plastic off, revealed a green moving box.
‘What’d you bring. Seriously.’
Hope nothing alive inside. I swallowed and opened the box.
‘Huh?’
Surprisingly ordinary.
“Clothes?”
Box crammed full of clothes layered high.
“Yeah. All clothes, Dowon.”
“Bottom’s summer stuff.”
I tilted my head.
“Why all clothes? Someone’d think I run around naked.”
Instantly, Kang Minje and Yoo Hajin turned away laughing.
‘What?’
Lee Seungjun sighed.
“Dowon. You’re serious.”
What?
“You were really shocked. Clothes not changing.”