Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: It's Nice to See You Getting Along, But
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“Argh!”
“Try eating it yourself? How long has it been since you scarfed down five hamburgers! Chinese food now? You really wanna rip your costume?”
It was a scene where the leader's nagging went completely ignored. I took over carrying the delivered food for Ki Jaeyoon, who was getting scolded.
Lee Seungjun rushed over and said,
“Ah, let me do it. You just sit tight.”
“I'm just carrying stuff, no big deal. Oh, Seungjun.”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for the clothes. I'll tell Leader Hyung about it later.”
The bear grinned.
“Now we won't see you in the same outfits as much.”
“What's wrong with that? They're comfy and nice.”
He sighed and shook his head.
“You can't not wear clothes someone gifted you just 'cause they're comfy.”
“What do you take me for? Of course I'll wear them.”
“The Stylist Noona will get mad if you don't.”
Oh no. That really is scary.
“You know she checks our SNS too, right?”
“Y-yeah. I'll wear them and take lots of pics.”
“Yeah. Noona's scary when she's mad.”
True that.
I'd moved all the food to the table, but Hajin Hyung's nagging continued.
“You're only eating chicken breast!”
“Everyone else is having jjajangmyeon! How can I be the only one stuck with chicken breast!”
This wasn't ending anytime soon. I stepped in right away to stop Leader Hyung.
“Yeah, exactly. Hajin Hyung, that's too much.”
“Dowon, don't baby him. This guy's obviously been sampling from everywhere under the guise of 'tasting'.”
Yeah, he'd totally do that. The monkey would.
I flashed my most wholehearted, sincere smile.
“You gotta pair it with salad too. Chicken breast alone? Come on.”
I'd done my best. For Ki Jaeyoon.
“You're too much!”
Ki Jaeyoon grumbled.
‘That said, the cheat effect should've still been active, right?’
Unauthorized food should've dropped once, so how'd he eat it?
‘No way?’
I glanced at Ki Jaeyoon. Sure enough, that monkey was something else.
***
The clothes we'd gotten seemed to match the Stylist Noona's tastes—lots of weird stuff. And when I tried one on, it was a bit big.
‘She said she picked them expecting me to grow into them.’
The Stylist Noona really was amazing—and terrifying. Well, this outfit was her handiwork too. I tugged at the Chunhyang hanbok I was wearing last. Come to think of it, it was time to say goodbye to hanbok.
‘Last episode of House 2.’
It left a weird lingering aftertaste.
‘Gotta climb to the top soon...’
Too many obstacles.
‘These thoughts are pointless anyway.’
Better to focus on what I could do now. I considered reviewing the script for 'Melody's Saga' that I'd memorized, but held off. High chance it'd get changed.
‘So what I should do now...’
I glanced at Kang Minje, who had his headset on. He'd asked me to feature on something.
‘Dunno what it is, but he'll want something huge.’
I quietly plopped down on the floor. Time for abs training and vocal exercises. Needed to check vocal cord closure again too.
I was deep into abs when Lee Seungjun started push-ups next to me in the waiting room.
Without missing a breath, he said,
“Dowon, episode 1 of your graduation video is up.”
“Fast. We shot it the day before yesterday, right?”
“That's the perk of in-house videos. PR Team must've hustled on editing.”
Well, we'd shot it hoping fans would enjoy it.
“Had to get it out quick. There's an article: 'Cha Dowon Graduates Middle School in 3 Days, Receives Congrats from Members'.”
My brows furrowed on their own.
“Korea's got nothing better to do? Why so many articles on my graduation.”
Then Leader Hyung lay down next to me and started similar abs work.
‘Feels kinda weird, everyone doing this in the big waiting room.’
Only Ki Jaeyoon was crashed out on the sofa. Hajin Hyung groaned,
“Eutcha. Our maknae's a trendsetter idol now. He'd be bummed if popularity dipped and these articles stopped.”
Eh.
“Why would popularity drop? It's barely keeping up as is.”
“Wha—you want more from here? Classic Dowon. No wonder you're the ambitious one.”
Ugh, seriously. That nickname from Teacher K needs to go.
Hajin Hyung moved his legs and showed me his phone screen. There I was, pants rolled up exposing my ankles.
‘Damn.’
Didn't think it'd get immortalized like this.
“Article even explains why the pants are short.”
“Crazy.”
What to do.
“Fans love it.”
I sighed involuntarily.
“Good thing. Thought they'd call it weird.”
“They know you're growing.”
Didn't think much of it, but the ripple effect was bigger than expected.
“It's not a negative image, so don't worry, maknae.”
“Not worried. Just don't want weird rumors.”
“What kind?”
“I'm the orphan nationwide now. Bet someone says it's 'cause no parents to buy properly fitting clothes.”
Leader Hyung's brows furrowed.
“That's too harsh.”
“Well, whatever they chew on, I don't care. Not pitiful, so sympathy as an idol? Kinda iffy.”
If I had to use that image, I'd milk it hard, but it didn't sit right. Plus, not super positive.
“Personally, I like being judged on diligence and skill. Best is the rising star image, though. Ugh, annoying—makes me wanna win everything.”
“Wha—from there, win more?”
“Obviously. We're just starting—what're you saying.”
Yoo Hajin and Lee Seungjun exchanged looks. Then—
A short buzz from the phone on the table.
“Whose is it?”
“Mine.”
“Really?”
Weird reaction.
“Why?”
“First text I've ever gotten. Calls happen sometimes, but.”
“Whoa, Seungjun. Dowon's that isolated?”
“I message school friends via app occasionally, but yeah, rare.”
Well, changed numbers mid-way, so yeah. Had friends pre-trainee, but out of touch forever.
Anyway, people who text? Fingers could count 'em.
‘Aha!’
I grabbed my smartphone and grinned. Nice surprise—whoever it was.
The text was simple.
-Jeremy Hyung says he won't go easy on you guys today.
I tilted my head. When did he ever?
‘Means he'll push harder?’
Mind games, huh. Couldn't help laughing. Perfect.
‘I'm confident there too. When have we ever faced off?’
I recalled today's music show cue sheet. Nothing special. Oh, wait—something extra.
“Hajin Hyung, who's our behind-the-scenes with today?”
“Us, right?”
Thud—
The staff burst in, bowed hastily.
“Zenith, your behind-the-scenes partner changed to VIP today.”
Hajin Hyung shot up. Before he could, the manager spoke.
“No, why the sudden change?”
“Dunno. Here's the updated cue sheet.”
Staff bolted, not wanting chit-chat. I snickered.
‘This must be it.’
Impressive. They can just swap like that?
Leader Hyung muttered worriedly.
“VIP? Why them of all people?”
“Bet it's on purpose. Wanna wager 10,000 won?”
“No, how? What pull do they have?”
Dunno that far.
“Agency owns the station? Possible? VIP's hot now, but this is excessive.”
“Yeah. Station folks have pride too.”
“Guess it's all about the schmoozing.”
I eyed the cue sheet the staff left. Couldn't help laughing.
“Damn, they really played their hand.”
“What?”
“'Swap and use each other's props.' Something like that.”
I looked at the stage umbrella.
“Ours today—made by an intangible cultural asset artisan?”
“Probably. It's the finale.”
“Spares too?”
“Yeah, but in the car.”
“Manager, grab the spare?”
So childish and petty.
“Prediction: Our umbrella breaks.”
“That's expensive...”
“Expensive's why they'll wreck it.”
Gotta go this far? Such a hassle.
Then Ki Jaeyoon yawned.
“Why're VIP mad?”
“Dunno. They're always pissed.”
“Still, sudden like this—must be a reason.”
I racked my brain for Jeremy sunbaenim moments.
“Too many to count.”
Underwater shoot? Or unscathed stage after hit-and-run? Nah, elbow swing before that?
‘Varied indeed.’
Hershey wasn't bad, but missed it today.
Then Kang Minje's low voice.
“I think I know.”
The fox kid took off his headset, smiling brightly.
“What?”
“Dowon, come here.”
I scooted closer. He showed his laptop screen.
‘News article?’
Title said it all.
“'Looking forward to working with Cha Dowon?'”
Aha. This.
Shook my head in disbelief. Would read later, but gist was clear. Great underwater shoot or whatever.
“No mention of Jeremy sunbaenim, right?”
“Not a word. Oh, says we sold in Japan thanks to him.”
“Our sunbaenim's got reason to be mad.”
Even for a 5-min behind clip, swapping on a whim?
“Guess he misses me that much.”
What now.
Leader Hyung fretted.
“Trouble. Who knows what they'll pull...”
“Cameras rolling, though. Won't go too overt.”
“Hope so.”
I handed Hajin Hyung a copied cue sheet.
“Memorize first.”
“Y-yeah.”
“Gotta know what they're doing to screw 'em over.”
“Huh?”
“What? We just gonna take it?”
No plans to.
“These things? Pros always win. Strike first.”
“Dowon!”
I pored over the cue sheet. Then the bear from behind:
“Together.”
“What?”
“I like screwing people over too. So together.”
What's with him.
Lee Seungjun peered at my cue sheet. I unfolded it so he could see, brows furrowed.
“Hey, kids. Nice to see you bonding, but don't get hurt.”
Like that's up to us. I shook my head.
***
Behind-the-scenes wasn't a big deal. Filler clip for K-pop fans. Main broadcast edited fun bits short. But full versions stayed longer on video sites.
‘Made for that group's fans, basically.’
Not bad. Problem: Station started pairing groups for video views.
‘Idols together? Predictable.’
Could be friendly, but usually posturing. And these vicious station jerks exploited that.
‘They're the real villains.’
I eyed the factory-made umbrella—not artisan work.
‘First: Try each other's props.’
I glanced at Kang Minje.
‘Second: Swap and sing each other's songs.’
That was it. 5-min clip.
I hurried to Kang Minje.
“Minje Hyung. Know 'Psychopath'?”
“Yeah, sorta.”
“A cappella right now possible?”
He furrowed his brows.
“A cappella? Who sings if not me?”
“I will. Guide me. I'll memorize the melody quick.”
“Right now?”
“No time. When else? Before main behind shoot.”
The fox smiled softly.
“Wow, our Dowon's incredible.”
Kang Minje. Time's short—hurry up.