Chapter 173
Chapter 173
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Worrying After Making Something Like That
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Laughable guy.
I shook my head. As expected, he wasn't called a fox for nothing.
‘I'm not well-versed in music, but I know one thing.’
This guy handled rhythm and melody well. No, he played with them.
‘Just like a kid toying with playthings.’
Even when he was worn out and parched from exhaustion, I sometimes wondered. Maybe for him, music was closer to play.
That's how naturally he made music.
The beautifully crafted falsetto continued. I focused back on the screen. The music video progressed right on cue with the chorus.
The woman and the garçon kept bickering.
The woman was as willful as ever. She broke plates at times and tore clothes too.
The man accepted everything with a smile. But he was strict about the books he studied. He wouldn't allow anything to touch those.
‘Usually, you end up doing the things you're told not to.’
In the end, that's what always happened.
One day, the woman playfully tore up the books on the man's desk. After having her fun, she tossed the shredded paper into the air and realized something.
The woman suddenly grew restless. Then, hearing footsteps, she bit her lip while looking out the window.
‘The window was up high, wasn't it?’
The garçon entered the room and immediately saw the mess of books. He looked around angrily and realized the woman was gone.
He lifted the bed, checked under the table. Then he spotted the open window and pressed a hand to his forehead.
‘The scene changes.’
Suddenly, the screen turned black-and-white again.
The woman shivered outside in the cold. Her black fur coat was a mess again, as if she'd been attacked somewhere. She sat on the park bench and ended up crying.
‘A woman who does whatever she wants.’
Most viewers would probably think that.
But then, the garçon appeared like a hero. Panting with relief, he approached her. Covered in sweat from searching, it seemed.
The moment the woman spotted him, she jumped up and ran over. The garçon spread his arms and embraced her.
‘The screen turned color again.’
Kang Minje sat up in bed. He checked the spot right next to him first.
When he pulled back the sheet, there was a small black kitten wrapped in bandages.
‘As expected.’
A K-pop music video without a twist would be disappointing.
‘So the woman was a cat.’
I nodded slightly. Yeah, that made everything click. Her willfulness, tearing the books—it all fit.
‘Damn. Fox bastard. Worrying after making something like that.’
On screen, Kang Minje stroked the cat and smiled. Then the MV ended.
The host took over again.
“Yes, that was a very impressive music video. The woman was so willful it must've been tough, but turns out she was a cat. Kang Minje, you said you came up with the music video idea yourself. No surprise there. We have lots of reporters with questions about it!”
Even the idea was his.
‘Creepy guy.’
He was still whining despite doing so well. Shaking my head at his shamelessness, Kang Minje answered.
“Ah, well... um...”
Unlike him, he hesitated.
“There was someone around me like that song. Thinking of that person made writing it not so hard.”
“Oh! Who is it? Is this a scandal?”
“No, no! Of course not!”
Laughter filled the showcase hall. Kang Minje hurriedly denied it, his eyes darting everywhere.
“If I say it, they'll get mad.”
“Oh my, who is it? Lots of you are curious, right? If you're curious, just raise your hand a bit.”
Reporters laughed and raised their hands. The host said to Kang Minje,
“You see, Minje? So many curious reporters. Now you have to tell us.”
The fox looked at the reporters and bowed his head deeply.
“Please spare me, reporters.”
The showcase hall filled with laughter again.
‘That guy did it on purpose.’
Thanks to him, the mood was great. I stuck out my tongue at the fox's cunning.
“Kang Minje, if you do this, reporters might spin it into a scandal!”
“They'll really get mad. That person.”
“No, who is it? Someone you can't name?”
The host was persistent. Kang Minje suddenly lifted his head. He looked at me with trembling eyes.
‘Why, what?’
He covered his face and whispered.
“It was... Dowon.”
For a moment, it felt like cold water poured down my back.
‘What did I just hear?’
What did you say, Kang Minje?
“Yes, Zenith's Cha Dowon?”
“Dowon gave a lot of inspiration for the whole album.”
My hands trembled. Yeah, I'd heard that before.
‘It, it might not be a big deal.’
Then, Kang Minje, you bastard! Act like it's nothing! Getting embarrassed makes the vibe weird!
“You might feel that way, but why so shy about it!”
“Because Dowon will get mad if they hear.”
Damn it.
“No, why? You're members, that can happen.”
No. Who decided that.
“Well, uh... they'll say it's cringy and get mad.”
The reporters laughed again. I pressed my forehead.
‘Please say it's no big deal right now. Kang Minje.’
This could turn into weird articles. Damn it.
I took a deep breath. Kang Minje glanced at me and leaned into the mic again.
“Dowon is really shy.”
“You two get along well.”
“Yeah. We've known each other since we were young.”
Please, don't emphasize that now.
“We lost touch for a while, and now I regret it a bit. If we'd stayed in contact...”
I'm going crazy. Why add more? It's already too much. Fox bastard. At this point, stop pushing the close bond.
‘How do I fix this?’
The situation tickled unbearably. I thought desperately.
‘Think of it as food—too much seasoning right now?’
Then add water? What's water here? A feud?
‘No way.’
Us getting along was a strong selling point. I'd emphasized it countless times on live streams.
‘Can't disappoint the fans now.’
Better to find another way than let our lovely fans down.
That's when it happened. The manager sneaked in beside me with a big envelope.
“Hey, how's it going? Good reactions? Ugh, missed the MV.”
“Song reactions are good, but it's hell here.”
“Huh?”
I rubbed my dry face. Then thought calmly.
‘Excluding my mood, what? Yeah. Not bad.’
Fans would love this. Probably.
I glanced at the flower bouquet the manager bought. Oh, right. Told him to get a big one.
What to do.
‘Just... amp it up.’
No diluting—add more spice to make it mouthwatering.
But here? More?
‘C-can I do it?’
Even if it's acting?
‘Damn. Need courage.’
This required resolve. I steeled myself desperately.
‘This is work. Work.’
As I psyched myself up, the manager asked quietly.
“S-so, how's the song?”
“Good. Minje hyung made it just like him.”
“Th-think it'll hit big?”
“Very much so.”
The showcase continued. I looked around. Maybe from the laughter earlier, the reporters' faces weren't bad.
“Phew, good. Minje worried a lot.”
Pretending weak with that talent was a skill too.
That's when the host said.
“Reporter Lee Jeomhun from Sihu Ilbo and reporter from Inin Sports Document have questions. ‘If this solo album succeeds, will you bring another solo album soon?’ Kang Minje.”
I narrowed my eyes. I knew what pre-regression Kang Minje answered.
‘Yeah. “I want to meet you again soon.” Something like that?’
Would current Kang Minje say the same?
The fox picked up the mic. Smiling softly as usual, he said.
“No. I'll bring one if I have time, but I could do this now because our maknae is in a drama.”
Reporters laughed again.
“You know, right? The drama our maknae stars in is ‘Melody's Narrative.’”
Why are you promoting it?
‘Well, I did too.’
On live streams, I'd plug Minje hyung's solo album every chance. Fans begged me to stop.
‘I know, Dowon. We'll stream on repeat, so please stop. My ears are callused.’
‘What’s on my ears now? Oh, calluses from Minje solo album talk.’
‘FYI, peeling them off won't help. Dowon mentions it again in 30 minutes.’
They were sick of it, but not hating it.
“After this album, I'll prepare Zenith's 3rd album. Looking forward to what that’ll be.”
Unexpected answer. I narrowed my eyes.
‘Admit it.’
He's definitely different.
‘Funny.’
Kang Minje loving team work. Who'd have thought.
‘Just like I'm not actor Cha Dowon, you're not that Kang Minje either.’
I closed my eyes and bowed my head.
‘Strange.’
An odd feeling rose. Not good or bad. Just...
“Oh, Kang Minje. You seem to like team work.”
“I love Zenith's work. Preparing solo really showed me—doing it alone is harder and has limits than I thought.”
I opened my eyes and looked at the fox.
“Producing for Zenith feels light. No limits?”
Kang Minje smiled shyly.
“Maybe because the members are so good. Whatever I give them, they're reliable. Even if I push too hard, they pull it off effortlessly.”
Who? Me?
‘Never did it easily?’
Only memories of overdoing it with cheats. Kang Minje.
‘That's how he sees me?’
It was maddening. I let out a long breath.
‘Well, can't be helped.’
Have to keep it up. No other way from the start.
“Zenith really gets along well.”
“Yes.”
Kang Minje looked at the reporters and said.
“No lie. Zenith members really get along. Believe it or not, we've never fought once?”
Reporters buzzed.
‘Not a lie.’
We haven't fought.
‘No reason to, really.’
Even concepts or parts that cause issues in other teams, we were okay with.
‘Well, small team.’
Few who can sing properly.
‘Ki Jaeyoon is dance-focused. Wants parts but secretly burdened.’
Subtracting leaves songs to Kang Minje, Hajin hyung, and me.
‘Still, fox. If this causes fights and sours things?’
Of course, I'd mediate first.
The host said.
“Yes. We heard about Kang Minje's love for Zenith. On that note, a special guest is here today.”
I removed my mask. The manager handed me the bouquet from the big bag.
Reporters murmured.
“Zenith's Cha Dowon.”
Damn. Face burning.
This is work. Fans love it.
‘I can do this.’
I steeled myself desperately and stood. The huge bouquet was heavy.
As I walked slowly, flashes popped. I smiled brightly like idol Cha Dowon.
Kang Minje stood right away to come to me. But I raised a hand, gesturing him to stop.
The bouquet had lots of roses. I exhaled softly.
‘Damn.’
I summoned every ounce of courage from infancy. And finally plucked a few roses.