Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Different From Before
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I asked in detail.
“How?”
“Huh?”
“How is it going to be a big deal?”
Kang Minje fell into thought for a moment. I waited quietly.
“You’re gone, Hajin’s gone, Seungjun’s gone...”
He chuckled a little.
“I’d probably survive somehow, even if it killed me.”
“That bad?”
“Worse than that. Hmm...”
Kang Minje leaned back against the sofa.
“Even if we consider them just regular members.”
“Yeah.”
“They’d be jealous of me, right?”
“Probably.”
And in reality, they were.
“Then I’d be under a lot of pressure. The members wouldn’t listen, and the company would tell me to smooth things over.”
“Ah, so you’d end up as the leader then.”
“Yeah. And foolishly, I’d try to do everything myself. Maybe I’d give them a part here and there sometimes. But even that wouldn’t satisfy them.”
His hypotheticals were surprisingly spot-on.
“Their vocals wouldn’t meet my standards. I’d make them repeat it over and over, and if they didn’t get it, I’d do it myself.”
“Then they’d resent me even more.”
“They would. The team atmosphere would sour, and it’d be natural for them to hate me. But I wouldn’t want to ruin my song.”
“So you’d end up doing it all yourself.”
“Yeah. And then one or two members would start going astray.”
He was talking like he’d seen it happen.
“I’d try to hold them together, but I wouldn’t compromise on the music.”
I cut to the conclusion.
“In the end, the members would leave the team, right?”
“Yeah. They’d all blame me and scatter. The fans would split apart, and then I’d...”
Kang Minje murmured while staring at the ceiling.
“I’d do anything to make it big on my own.”
I thought back to the old Kang Minje. Funny enough, he had succeeded at that.
“Minje hyung. If you succeeded on your own like that, you’d be thrilled, right?”
Kang Minje shook his head immediately.
“Even if I succeeded, it’d feel empty, I think?”
“Why?”
“I’d be obsessed with making the next song a hit too. I probably wouldn’t sleep or eat properly.”
Had this guy actually seen the future?
“It’d be really tough.”
“I see.”
“It’s a scary thought.”
I looked at him. There didn’t seem to be any lie in Kang Minje’s expression.
“You really like Zenith, hyung.”
“I do.”
Kang Minje closed his eyes.
“It’s incredibly precious. Teammates who move the way I want? It’s like a miracle.”
A sigh escaped me naturally. I stared at him blankly.
‘It’s different.’
Really different.
“Minje hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“I have another question.”
“What is it?”
I stared straight at him. He was similar to the old Kang Minje, but different.
“Why did you do it, hyung?”
I realized it the moment I asked.
‘What I want to ask isn’t this Kang Minje.’
So even this question was pointless.
Old memories surfaced. I’d asked the exact same thing back then.
After everything happened, I’d asked him. But Kang Minje had just brushed past me.
“Huh?”
“No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand. Why did you do that, hyung?”
He started dating Yumiho and stole the hard-earned roles from me.
For hyung, who’d spent his life making music, acting wasn’t even a field he wanted to pursue.
‘Why...’
Why on earth.
I closed my eyes.
‘The person I could ask is gone now.’
Like theater actor Cha Dowon, that Kang Minje existed only in that world.
‘I’m the only one left here.’
A bitter smile crossed my lips. I shook my head to clear my thoughts.
“Dowon-ah, what is it?”
“Nothing.”
I said to Kang Minje.
“Just something I said.”
“That doesn’t seem like nothing.”
“Ah, I have something else to tell you, hyung.”
I glanced at the fox and smiled a bit.
“Later.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll apologize.”
It probably wouldn’t take that long.
“Once everything’s sorted, I’ll apologize properly.”
“What is it? Something serious?”
“It’s serious in a way, and not in another. Anyway, it’s not bad enough to harm the team.”
A laugh bubbled up unexpectedly. I leaned back on the sofa. Fatigue suddenly washed over me.
“You seem weird today, Dowon.”
“I’ve always been weird.”
“That’s true.”
What was this? Was he picking a fight?
Kang Minje, still clutching the bouquet, said,
“I thought you’d be mad.”
“Why?”
“I dragged you to bed by force.”
I shook my head with a laugh.
“It’s fine. Forget it.”
“You’re forgiving me this easily! You’ve grown up, Dowon!”
Damn it.
“You said we all did it together. And I already got an earful from Executive Director Joo.”
“Phew, that’s a relief.”
Kang Minje smiled softly, looking relieved.
“I thought you’d smash something.”
What?
“That’s why I was a bit worried when Manager hyung came. I really thought you’d break a mirror.”
Crazy.
“Am I some hot-blooded teenager who smashes things when he’s upset?”
“Huh? You are a teenager.”
Oh, right. I forgot.
“Why smash things? Better to smash people.”
“Huh?”
“Mental damage is cleaner than physical. Lawsuits are a hassle. And with all the ads I’m tied to.”
Kang Minje blinked.
“Huh? Yeah, I guess.”
“Hey, hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“You look like a fox.”
It was something I’d said to Kang Minje before regression too. He tilted his head.
“I see.”
“But who do I look like in that song? The garcon?”
Did I really look like I was working that hard?
That’s when it happened. Kang Minje suddenly coughed.
“Minje hyung?”
“Ah, Dowon-ah. Sorry. *Cough*!”
What was wrong with him? After coughing for a while, Kang Minje hurriedly changed the subject.
“You said I’m a fox? Hmm, what about others? Seungjun?”
“Seungjun? That guy’s a grizzly bear.”
Kang Minje grinned brightly.
“Suits him. Grizzly bears are big.”
Why did it feel like he kept dodging? And he looked suspiciously guilty.
“Hyung?”
“Ah, I’m hungry after getting nervous. Wanna go eat, Dowon-ah?”
Why avoid answering?
I was about to press him when the manager came in carrying pet bottles.
“Done talking?”
“Yeah, Manager hyung, you’re here?”
“Yeah. I brought Dowon. Minje-ya, you’ve got radio now.”
“Oh, right.”
Kang Minje stood up with a smile.
“What about Dowon?”
“I’ll drop you at radio, then send him to the dorm.”
I sighed and said,
“Executive Director Joo cleared my schedule. Hajin hyung and Ki Jaeyoon are covering for me.”
“I see.”
“A trendsetter idol with an empty schedule.”
He’d get scolded if it was live broadcast.
“You need to cut back on work.”
“Yeah, take a break.”
“Don’t wanna hear that from you, hyung.”
Kang Minje smirked.
“I have been resting lately. Though it felt uneasy.”
“You did great, so now it’s all uphill.”
The fox patted my shoulder and walked ahead. I stood still, watching him.
‘Feels strange.’
Kang Minje. Minje hyung.
‘It hasn’t sunk in yet.’
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. There was still something to resolve.
‘Once that’s sorted, I’ll apologize.’
Whether he believes it or not.
I clenched and unclenched my fist. My mind was a mess, but oddly, my mood was good.
***
‘The Melody’s Narrative’ started filming later than expected.
‘Wonder why.’
It made the schedule a bit rushed.
‘Well, better to wrap it up quick for everyone.’
I skimmed the script again on set. The revised version subtly showed it.
‘My screen time increased.’
It was noticeable now, and blatantly so from mid-point on. I smiled and walked forward. Everyone seemed busy due to the tight schedule.
“You’re here early, Dowon-ssi.”
The PD greeted me first. I bowed my head.
“Yes. Today’s shoot is heavy, so I hurried.”
“I see. You’ve been appearing a lot lately, which has given us a boost.”
Well, I had been on a lot.
‘I thought it was no big deal...’
It became more topical than expected. I did it for the fans, but it spread elsewhere.
‘Didn’t know internet communities had that much reach.’
Reactions poured in from non-fan sites.
‘I heard there was some hate too...’
Not everyone can like me.
I grinned widely at the director.
“Ah, sorry it became a hot topic for the wrong reasons.”
“No, not at all. It wasn’t bad.”
I turned my head shyly. The director patted my back.
“Members getting along is good.”
Debatable if that counted as getting along.
‘He knows I did it for the fans anyway...’
He was glossing over it nicely.
“And articles always mention you’re filming ‘The Melody’s Narrative’.”
True, exposure is good.
“Dowon-ssi. I’m really looking forward to today’s shoot.”
Oh.
“Honored.”
Today’s scene was smashing the piano keys in the indoor studio.
‘The scene showing “Iryul” struggling in the drama.’
It needed intense emotion. I took a deep breath.
“If it’s even a little off, it’s NG.”
“Gets me tense.”
“Because it’s you, Dowon-ssi. I believe even with repeated NGs, you’ll deliver a great take.”
I bowed politely.
“Truly honored, Director.”
“Hahaha. See you later.”
The director seemed pleased. I rolled my shoulders and looked around. Far off, my dear Jeremy sunbaenim was visible.
‘Same as ever... no.’
His costume looked a bit tight. My imagination?
‘Not my business.’
While checking my outfit, the manager who’d parked came running.
“Dowon-ssi. Greeted the director?”
“Ah, it’s Manager Han today.”
“Yes. Manager Heo went with Kang Minje-ssi’s schedule.”
The fox was shining as expected. Music shows were packed soon.
“Minje hyung’s music show today?”
“Live, so five hours from now. Wanna watch?”
“If I get the chance.”
First entry, so no first place.
‘Still, just a matter of time.’
The fox complains needlessly. Then Manager Han said,
“You two get along well. Nice.”
“Me and Minje hyung?”
“Yes. Enough to shower him with flowers.”
Damn it.
“Ah, that was just fan service. You know that, why say it.”
“To some extent, sure. But I know you a bit, Cha Dowon-ssi.”
Manager Han smiled warmly.
“No matter fan service, you can’t do it without any feelings.”
Wow.
“No idea why you think that. I’m trendsetter idol Cha Dowon—I’d do anything if fans like it.”
“Hahaha! You’re embarrassed.”
Damn, stop laughing.
‘No, where does the misunderstanding even start.’
Wait, no way.
“Manager Han, does everyone at Friends think that?”
At my question, Manager Han covered his mouth laughing. Goosebumps exploded.
“This is driving me crazy.”
How to fix this? Grab each one and persuade with persistence? Damn.
“It was heartwarming, so it’s fine.”
“Not fine for me, Manager.”
This was unexpected.
“Why assume I meant it even a little?”
Did they all take weird pills?
I desperately explained, but Manager Han just laughed.
“Stop laughing.”
“Haha! Sorry. You look like a boy your age when flustered.”
I frowned.
“They say I look more mature lately. Stylist noona said.”
“Ah, true. You’ve grown up a bit.”
Not bad.
“Suits this role.”
Matches the brooding guy perfectly.
That’s when it happened. Sunbaenim approached leisurely.
Our eyes met, and I smiled brightly.
“Hello, sunbaenim.”
Made me think of Saheuk. What was my Saheuk like?
Did he get mad? Ignore me? Can’t remember.
Then, my Jeremy sunbaenim spoke.
“Hey, the coffee truck’s here.”