Chapter 160
Chapter 160
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: Dowon, You're Really Serious
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“What do you mean?”
I hurriedly looked around.
‘If someone misunderstands!’
I change clothes every day, but it looks like I only have one outfit!
“I thought it was a weird hobby.”
“Then I realized you bought multiples of the same clothes.”
You could’ve told me sooner.
The PR team’s camera was filming my face. I desperately composed my expression.
“I noticed it after that.”
“Dowon, you’re really serious.”
“I don’t get what’s so serious about it.”
Wearing perfectly laundered clothes—why not?
“Dowon. Normal people don’t buy ten of the same shirt.”
Oh.
“People watching will misunderstand. Same shirt?”
“It is the same.”
“The design’s identical, right?”
“The colors are different.”
They’re clearly different shirts.
Yoo Hajin hung his head. Lee Seungjun muttered at the ceiling.
“So that’s what you thought.”
“Dowon, you’re on another level. Sure, if you like a shirt, you might buy it in different colors.”
“You bought ten each of black, gray, and white, and rotate them.”
I nodded.
“They’re comfortable and nice.”
I could buy them all at once.
Leader Hyung, Kang Minje, and Lee Seungjun all shook their heads. Then they each placed hands on my shoulders and arms.
“Normal people don’t do that.”
“After a year, I figured it out. It repeats even in summer.”
“My white, gray, and black practice t-shirts increased to twenty each just for that.”
“I put thought into it.”
Good absorbency, easy to wash, basic ones. I picked them in person and got discounts online to stock the closet—why the fuss?
“Your pants are the same situation, right?”
“You bought fifteen pairs each of black pants and jeans of the same type.”
“At first, I was shocked. Does he not change?”
“I saw the laundry and realized—oh, multiples.”
No, what’s the big deal?
“Casual clothes don’t matter. Schedules have Stylist Noona handling outfits.”
“Normal people don’t do that.”
“You do it because you hate thinking about it, right?”
I nodded. I’m dying of busyness—when would I sit and choose? Such a hassle.
“Serious.”
“Hard to even put into words.”
“If fans knew the trendsetting idol dresses like this, they’d scream.”
Not a scandal. Screaming? More than that—if it’s a secret, why spill it? You just broadcast it. This is on camera.
Then Lee Seungjun, my roommate, said quietly.
“Want to hear something even more serious?”
“What?”
“There’s more?”
“He has a whopping fifty pairs of the same socks.”
Yoo Hajin and Kang Minje both clutched their foreheads and bowed their heads.
“No way—why buy in bulk? Got a factory hookup?”
I had something to say here.
“Because if one goes missing, it doesn’t matter. No need to search.”
“Dowon.”
“I’m going insane. For real.”
“It’s so convenient. I really recommend socks.”
Then Ki Jaeyoon, who’d been listening quietly, spoke up.
“That might actually be convenient.”
Yoo Hajin yelled immediately.
“Don’t pick up habits like that!”
“Jaeyoon! Don’t get convinced! Copy the good stuff.”
Rude. It really is convenient. Why’s everyone freaking out?
“Dowon. You’re a trendsetting idol in Korea right now.”
“Even if Stylist Noona handles schedule outfits, you can’t live like that.”
Anyone would think I live some sloppy, promiscuous life.
‘So the clothes were the preparation.’
Packed like moving boxes.
I sighed involuntarily. No—just bring one or two. You hauled a whole household.
I looked at the clothes.
‘Come to think of it, before the famous fortune-teller Madam Cha Yeonhwa in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, passed away, I didn’t dress like this.’
Guess I started skimping when part-time jobs got busy.
“Selected these clothes carefully.”
“Stylist Noona helped.”
Crazy.
“How could you burden a busy person with this?”
“Noona loved it.”
“‘This suits Dowon!’ She swept them up.”
W-what about the money?
“Material support from Executive Director Joo.”
Oh no.
‘She must’ve maxed out the corporate card.’
I recalled Executive Director Joo clapping earlier. Looked so proud— that was it.
“We stopped Stylist Noona later.”
“She was about to turn the store upside down.”
“Store staff got excited hearing it was Cha Dowon’s birthday gift.”
Yoo Hajin and Lee Seungjun sighed in unison. Why? What happened?
“We prepared this for you.”
“Now wear different clothes, okay?”
I stared blankly at the moving boxes.
‘Well, not my money.’
Didn’t take time either. No reason to refuse.
I smiled brightly at the camera. Felt weirdly happy.
‘Come to think of it, it’s been ages.’
Getting gifts from anyone besides Noona.
“Thank you! I’ll wear them well!”
“Bought twenty pairs of socks in different colors and patterns too.”
“Please wear different ones each time.”
My chest strangely warmed.
“Thank you.”
“Phew. Good job. Seungjun, no more same clothes now.”
“It bothered me.”
Why’s my stomach acting up? Why care about my clothes?
‘I don’t care what members wear.’
As long as they don’t walk around naked. Even naked’s fine at the dorm— all guys anyway.
Then Kang Minje said.
“Alright, gifts from those two done—mine!”
He smiled leisurely and wheeled over something else on the cart.
‘Why bring all gifts on carts.’
This one was as big as the moving boxes.
“Wow, this is heavy.”
What’d he bring? Pretty bulky...
Kang Minje moved the gift in front of me. I tilted my head.
“What is it?”
“It’s a gift—you unwrap it.”
I eyed it suspiciously and undid the packaging. Under the wrap, another moving box.
‘Why are all boxes like this?’
I eagerly opened it.
What came out was totally unexpected.
“Huh?”
I pulled out the item frantically. Couldn’t believe it.
‘Wow.’
Never dreamed I’d get this. This shape! This form!
Ki Jaeyoon glanced and asked.
“What’s that?”
I murmured in bliss.
“Iron pot.”
“Good stuff?”
My heart swelled. ‘Gotta buy one, gotta buy’—forgot, and now a gift!
“Minje Hyung.”
“Yeah?”
I bowed deeply in earnest. So thrilled my face heated up.
“Thank you.”
Cunning fox. You’re something else. How’d you know?
“Is an iron pot that special?”
“Tastier.”
I looked up with trembling eyes.
“Food.”
Cookware doesn’t easily make food tastier. But this iron pot was sturdy, large, and beautiful.
Kang Minje scratched his cheek, embarrassed.
“Whoa, you like it that much?”
“Thank you. I’m really happy.”
“Wow, Cha Dowon’s lost it.”
“Of course. Not just one iron pot—various sizes and types.”
Kang Minje, you’re loaded. Wow. What can I make? I rubbed my chest to calm my pounding heart.
“Wow, Cha Dowon’s excited.”
“Shh. Jaeyoon, quiet.”
“First time seeing him this happy. Guy didn’t blink at number one, but falls for an iron pot.”
Who cares about this or that.
Ki Jaeyoon’s voice faded. I admired the iron pot’s ecstatic form. Knew it well from photos.
‘Hands shaking.’
I stroked the pot and grinned. Wow, to own this. Couldn’t tear eyes away.
“Hajin Hyung, Dowon’s not crazy, right?”
“Jaeyoon, don’t say that.”
“His eyes are glazed.”
I stroked the pot once more and said.
“Ki Jaeyoon.”
“Uh, yeah?”
“Wanna be the first ingredient I cook?”
“Eek!”
I looked at Kang Minje again.
“Hyung, thank you so much!”
“Uh, yeah. Sure.”
“Minje, congrats. Dowon really likes it.”
“Like I said again, didn’t expect this reaction. Hey, Dowon.”
Kang Minje muttered without meeting eyes.
“There’s more?”
What?
“Uh... actually, I didn’t think you’d like the iron pot, so I added one more.”
Only then did I spot something else in the box corner.
“This is more than enough already.”
“If you like the iron pot...”
Kang Minje murmured softly.
“You’ll like this too.”
What is it.
I unwrapped it and gasped in genuine awe.
‘Fox must be blessed by heaven.’
Or it popped from my mind. Dizzy, legs nearly buckled.
“Hyung, thank you so much.”
“Glad you like it—thanks.”
Oh my god.
I gazed at the gleaming silver blade. Gripped the handle with trembling hands. Grip was art too.
Ki Jaeyoon shouted.
“That’s a knife!”
“Jaeyoon, don’t say it like that—people misunderstand. It’s a kitchen knife.”
I held the blade to the light and murmured.
“Not just any kitchen knife.”
“It’s German-made.”
“Must be pricey.”
“Hmm, not insanely expensive.”
Heart raced. First time receiving something I liked this much in my life.
“So many great things—unbelievable.”
Eyes trembled. Didn’t know what I was saying.
“Somehow, feels like my life so far wasn’t so bad.”
While I was immersed in emotion, Ki Jaeyoon chattered.
“Cha Dowon seems a screw loose.”
“Jaeyoon, let him enjoy it.”
Oh.
“Ki Jaeyoon.”
“Y-Yeah!”
“This is a really good kitchen knife.”
“Eek!”
Ki Jaeyoon hid behind Yoo Hajin. I looked at the monkey and said.
“Can’t wait to use it.”
Gotta go back and slice something right now.
I stood up. Wanted to grab the iron pot and knife and head to the dorm.
“Wh-where you going, Dowon?”
“Dorm!”
“No. We’re filming now.”
“Oh, sorry.”
I breathed deeply to calm down. Got too excited.
‘Not like me.’
I smiled brightly again.
“Thanks, Minje Hyung.”
“Y-Yeah.”
“So, what’s next?”
I turned to Ki Jaeyoon.
“Ki Jaeyoon, what is it?”
“Why ask me?”
“You’re the only one left. No gift? Then let’s go. Wanna try it. Slice some meat quick.”
Yoo Hajin muttered.
“Loves kitchenware like a luxury car.”
“Must’ve really wanted it. Jealous, Minje Hyung.”
“Again, didn’t expect him to love it this much.”
Kang Minje grabbed my shoulder. I flinched but smiled genuinely this time.
“Really thankful?”
“Yes!”
“Then, one favor.”
“Anything but guarantees.”
The three bent over laughing.
“Y-Yeah, not that.”
“Okay. What do you want?”
“Feature on my solo album.”
Damn. Thought it was big.
“Just tell me to. For you, Minje Hyung, I’d do it anyway.”
“Uh, it’s a unique track. But need your voice, Dowon.”
What track makes Kang Minje hedge?
‘Well, doing it’ll improve skills anyway.’
I exhaled long.
“I’m in.”
“Thanks.”
“No biggie.”
Sorted. Now, finally to Ki Jaeyoon.
“Really no gift?”
“I-I have one!”
Why stammer?
“Damn. Should’ve done that. Apron and ladle or something.”
Yoo Hajin shook his head.
“Jaeyoon, Dowon doesn’t love all kitchen stuff.”
What’d he do? Not rubber gloves, right?
Then the restaurant door opened. Ki Jaeyoon bolted out saying.
“It’s... for graduation, jjajangmyeon’s a must. So I ordered it.”
Oh.
‘Not bad?’
Not sure if people still do jjajangmyeon for graduations.
Ki Jaeyoon peeked at me while eyeing the delivery. I smiled.
“Thanks.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. For real.”
Ki Jaeyoon bowed his head.
“Phew, good.”
“Good how?”
“Seemed lame.”
I covered my mouth and chuckled a bit. No— isn’t food the most important?
‘Come to think, what’d I eat at middle school graduation pre-regression?’
Couldn’t recall. Probably something quick.
‘Thinking back then...’
Chest ached again. I pressed it down and said.
“Not lame.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Monkey put in effort. Honestly grateful.
“Wow! Really saved!”
Only then did Ki Jaeyoon bounce like a monkey. Droops, perks up—busy guy.
‘Feels like raising a pet.’
Then Ki Jaeyoon said suddenly.
“Picked the best place. Checked reviews, ordered from top few, tasted myself.”
Oh.
Hajin Hyung’s head snapped up stiffly.
“Jaeyoon? What’d you just say?”