Chapter 188
Chapter 188
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: I'll Handle Everything Myself
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Huh. What's going on?
‘I hope it's about a parenting program.’
I picked up the phone right away.
-Came, saw, will do.
Damn. More poetic than "came, saw, conquered." I couldn't help but laugh.
"Thank you."
-From what I saw, the program's direction isn't bad. A bit corny, though.
"That's fine. I'll try to boost the ratings, but even if they don't come, it'll serve as evidence."
Somehow, I had to get footage of Lee Seungjun's true self.
‘I can do this.’
Water dripped from my hair. The manager hurriedly wrapped another towel around my head.
-Dowon.
"Yes, Executive Director Ju."
-I know you're busy, but I have one favor to ask.
"You could ask for two."
Laughter came through the smartphone. But Executive Director Ju's voice soon turned serious.
-Comfort Seungjun a bit.
I narrowed my eyes. I knew exactly what he meant.
"He's been all over the place lately."
-He handles his schedules fine. But you know what state of mind he's in right now.
I nodded.
"Yeah. I know."
-When you have time, give him some real comfort. I asked Hajin too, but he was stubborn about it.
A wry smile crossed my lips. Honestly, his intentions were obvious.
‘No way.’
Where do you think you're going?
I replied immediately.
"Yes. Got it, Executive Director Ju."
-Sorry to give you this mission on top of your packed schedule, Dowon.
"No. I'm grateful you mentioned it. I was thinking we needed to address it before jumping into the parenting variety show anyway."
I looked around. The sun had already set.
"Alright. I'm counting on you. Hanging up."
"Yes, Director."
The call ended. I rubbed my hair with the towel and asked Manager Han,
"Manager, is today's shoot over?"
"Yeah. The drama schedule's done as far as I know, but there's one more after."
"Got it. I'll change in the van."
The manager ran off to check with the staff. I walked slowly in my wet clothes.
Fortunately, I had time to see the guy.
‘Just you wait, brown bear.’
What’s good for bear hunting? I narrowed my eyes.
***
The dorm hadn't changed. But maybe because of all the shoots, it felt like ages since I'd been back.
"See you tomorrow, Dowon."
"Ah. Yeah, get home safe."
I waved to Manager Han. The frail-looking guy surprisingly kept up with the schedule well.
‘Well, he used to manage Sa-hyuk.’
Lost in thought, I opened the door. The lights were off.
‘No one's here? Nah.’
What the hell is he doing?
Lee Seungjun was sitting on the floor in the dark room.
‘Not very bear-like.’
It felt weird seeing him do nothing. Every time I saw him, he was working out or practicing rap.
"What're you doing?"
"Oh, you're back?"
I changed clothes as I said,
"You look like you're brooding."
"Ah...."
That gloomy look was seriously annoying. I finished changing and sat on the bed.
"Lee Seungjun. You hear?"
"Hear what?"
"We're doing a parenting program together."
His eyes shook. Yeah, he's not clueless.
"Executive Director Ju asked."
"Why all of a sudden?"
"What do you mean why? It's because of you."
He shot to his feet. I sighed.
"You just do you."
Lee Seungjun came over to me.
"That's all you have to do. I'll handle everything."
"Handle what?"
"The variety show. If there's a role for screwing up, I'll take it. You just build your good image."
"Why?"
I furrowed my brow. Yeah.
"Who said so?"
His eyes shook.
"You're thinking of leaving because you're a burden to the team or whatever, right?"
He didn't say anything. As expected.
"Who decided? That you get to leave?"
The company decided when he joined, but leaving? Not on my watch, punk.
"Dowon."
"It's settled with Executive Director Ju. Just keep doing you."
"You don't have to."
Lee Seungjun looked down.
"I know you're ambitious."
Duh.
"I know you work harder than anyone to climb higher."
Look at this guy.
"Keep going."
"Brother-in-law will keep at it. I'll probably keep dragging Zenith down steadily."
It was ridiculous listening to him.
"Probably."
"Just cut me loose."
"Who says? You?"
I crossed my arms and tilted my head.
"Lee Seungjun. Zenith is five members. If we had like fifteen, maybe, but you leaving means losing 20%."
"Dowon. Zenith runs on you and Minje hyung."
Wow.
‘Executive Director Ju's words coming from this guy's mouth.’
He had some insight after all.
"So you're leaving without regrets?"
Look at this punk.
"Who says?"
"Dowon!"
"Yeah, maybe. Minje hyung and I are the most popular in Zenith. But does a team run well just on a few popular members?"
I don't know much, but like Executive Director Ju said, that's not all there is to it.
"You can't go. Where do you think you're going?"
"Dowon."
"We can fix this. Plus, it's your brother-in-law who's the asshole, not you."
"It wasn't your fault either."
I chuckled.
"And you overcame it in the end."
People who wanted to trash him would have anyway, even without that incident—they'd find something else.
"It flares up hot, but it cools down too."
"Dowon."
"Hang in there a little."
He shook his head. I gripped his shoulder tight.
"Whether you like it or not, hang in there."
The brown bear asked,
"Why?"
"Huh?"
"Why tell me to hang in? The you I know would tell me to bail."
I burst out laughing.
"Hey, Lee Seungjun. I don't know what kind of guy you think I am, but...."
I grabbed his collar.
"I don't want to room alone."
His eyes shook.
"Where you going."
"Isn't rooming alone more comfy?"
"No. It's way better with you here. So don't even think about leaving. Hang in. I'll take care of everything."
Zenith needed Lee Seungjun. Not just for rap or looks. His presence was huge.
‘Executive Director Ju knew what he was doing when he put him in.’
He subtly anchored the group's vibe.
‘Polite, serious, kind.’
The guy worked without fuss. Insanely diligent.
The problem? None of it was known.
‘If the public knew....’
They'd see the brother-in-law was the weirdo right away.
I said again,
"Zenith needs you. Don't go."
He stayed silent.
"You don't want to leave either."
"Yeah, but...."
"If you decide to stay, that's it. Trust us. We'll make it work."
Friends was a big company. They had systems, so legal advice wouldn't be hard.
‘They probably already consulted a lawyer....’
And concluded there's no answer.
‘But so what.’
I let out a long breath.
‘We have to face the public's tastes, not a trial.’
When it flares up, we need water to douse it.
"Dowon."
"What, you punk."
"Doing the parenting show change anything?"
"It will."
I tightened my grip on his collar.
"Once people get to know you, it'll definitely change."
"Dowon. Even if that happens, the situation...."
I cut him off.
"You're a good guy."
The brown bear's eyes blinked.
"That's huge. The problem is no one knows. Once they do, it'll change for sure."
They'll believe he's the victim. So please....
"I'll handle all the bad stuff. You just be you."
An odd silence fell. He grabbed my hand on his collar.
"I see."
I sighed and relaxed my grip. My arm stayed put since he was holding it.
"I can keep being an idol, huh."
Lee Seungjun smiled faintly.
"I've wanted this since I was a kid, and I still can."
He let go of my hand gently.
"Thanks to you."
I shook my head right away.
"What are you talking about? This isn't because of me. If anyone's pulling strings, it's Executive Director Ju."
"Thanks."
I furrowed my brow.
"For giving me hope."
Chills ran down my spine.
"I can keep dreaming, huh."
"Uh, you writing poetry or something?"
Must be the artsy job. Sometimes I couldn't keep up with their vibes.
"Hahaha!"
Lee Seungjun laughed heartily at my words. Watching the big guy laugh, I sighed.
‘Well, good is good.’
Way better than those misty eyes.
"I wanted to stay in Zenith longer anyway."
"Yeah."
He'd trained hard. With momentum building, stopping now made no sense.
"I'll try. I still feel like a burden, but still...."
Lee Seungjun muttered softly.
"I'll follow with all I've got."
Look at this punk.
"You don't need to follow with all you've got."
I narrowed my eyes and glared at Lee Seungjun.
"Did my words sound like bullshit? I said I'd handle everything. Just be your usual self."
Ah, almost used one of noona's weird phrases.
"That's enough."
Cameras have directors and scripts. But not everything's hidden.
‘It'll show through.’
The more his true nature shows, the better he'll be received.
"Yeah. Got it."
A long sigh escaped me. I rubbed my forehead and shook my head. What a pain this guy was.
"We're starting the parenting variety soon."
"Yeah."
"You get a lawyer intro?"
"Executive Director Ju set it up."
"Let's do what we're told. Us."
He smiled a bit. I swept back my fallen hair.
‘Alright, that's settled....’
I thought of the remaining tasks.
‘Drama first?’
Our Jeremy sunbae, can't stop screwing with you.
‘It's been fun lately.’
I glanced at the wall clock. Time to go already. Sure enough, the front door opened.
"Ah, heading out."
"Another schedule?"
"Yeah."
"You look busy. Made time on purpose?"
I glared at Lee Seungjun.
"Yeah."
"Ahahaha!"
Annoying bastard.
"On the parenting show, it won't show my personality, right?"
What?
"Maybe it'll show your personality too, Dowon."
"I'll act, obviously."
"We'll see."
The guy who'd been moping smiled brightly.
"Well, parenting...."
I'd been distracted by the variety gig, but thinking about it, isn't that super tough?
"Ah, you spoke well. Gotta prepare."
"Huh?"
"You prepare too. Diaper changing and stuff."
"Ah...."
"You know how?"
"No."
Damn.
‘Anyone among us know how to handle kids?’
Kang Minje definitely no, Hajin hyung was maknae.
‘Was Ki Jaeyoon maknae too?’
Damn.
I opened the door and stepped out. The manager was already in the living room.
Ah, this guy's a dad.
"Uh, Manager."
"Yes."
"How do you make baby food?"
"Pardon?"
Starting from square one.
"Ah, I'll look up videos too."
"Uh, Dowon?"
"Something boiled soft, right? Like porridge? But what ingredients?"
I pulled out my smartphone and searched. Good thing "baby food" brought up tons.
"Dowon!"
"Yeah."
"It's for the parenting program, right?"
"Ah, you heard? Yeah."
The manager suddenly sighed and patted his chest.
"Thank goodness."
What?
I stared blankly, and the manager shook his head hurriedly.
"I-I had some unnecessary thoughts."
What thoughts?
I kept staring, and the manager shook his head hurriedly again.