Chapter 35
Chapter 35
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Arrogant, But Pretty Good
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“One, two, three!”
Yumi’s manager snapped a photo of the group shot.
“This is going up on SNS!”
I see.
Yumi kept grinning, thrilled by the applause. Once everything wrapped up, I let out a sigh of relief. That’s when the ponytail tapped my shoulder.
“Good job.”
“Wasn’t it a bit sloppy?”
“Pros might’ve noticed, but in that situation, pulling her back was the right call. And Yumi recovered right away, so it should be fine. Regular fans will just see it as part of the performance.”
“Good to know.”
“You, though.”
The ponytail scanned me up and down.
“Arrogant, but pretty good.”
“Ah, thanks.”
“This is gonna blow up.”
What?
“SNS. Real-time reactions are probably pouring in already.”
Ah, got it.
“Your face is out there now. Not just the music video or CF—this was live.”
“Is that good?”
“Of course it is!”
Well, not bad, then.
Yumi came over to us.
“Let’s do our chant and wrap it up!”
“Yeah, sure. Everyone!”
We all gathered hands. Yumi shouted.
“Yumi!”
The other dancers yelled back.
“The best!”
So that was the chant.
I didn’t know it, so I couldn’t join in. Instead, I just smiled brightly.
“I’ve gotta head back to the company. Dowon, you take her home.”
The ponytail shook her head as she said it.
“Ah, playing favorites with the junior again?”
“He’s not going the same way as you guys. Just dropping him off on my way. What favorites? Dowon, let’s go.”
I nodded. Still in my outfit, I headed back to Yumi’s van. She was still buzzing with excitement, giggling nonstop as she sat down.
“Yumi, congrats.”
“They finally clapped! Kyahahahaha!”
Her laugh was surprisingly hearty.
Yumi pounded the cushion while laughing, then looked at me.
“Thanks.”
“No big deal.”
“If you hadn’t caught me, it would’ve been a disaster. I probably wouldn’t have gotten back up. By now, real-time search would be full of ‘Yumi flops.’”
“Glad it worked out.”
I didn’t want my first stage to end like that either.
“I’m on top of the world today! Manager, I’m gonna binge tonight!”
“Alright, got it.”
“Seasoned soy sauce chicken! And cola!”
“I’ll grab some later.”
No beer, huh.
“I don’t drink. Meds.”
Makes sense. Psych meds? Not that I cared much.
She propped her chin on her hand and stared at me.
“What?”
“You know.”
She brushed her hair back and said.
“Wanna dance with me ten years from now?”
“Huh?”
What’s that supposed to mean?
“Kidding.”
Oh.
*Feels like she meant it, though.*
Wasn’t it serious?
“Just saying. Got caught up in the moment. Ah! This is just too good!”
She hugged the cushion and beamed.
“This is why I get on stage.”
“You pushed too hard, Yumi.”
“I know. That’s why I’m gonna binge. Sleep’ll help. Sleep really is the best medicine. Plus, the jinx is gone now.”
Good for her.
“Real-time search has ‘Yumi Awards Stage.’”
“I killed it, right?”
Yumi punched the cushion and threw up her arms.
“What a beautiful night!”
“This kid. Hey, Dowon, was it? Don’t tell anyone. Yumi’s a total dork.”
I chuckled and nodded.
*Company folks already know, though.*
A bit late for that.
*And honestly, that side of her is even more charming.*
Yumi kept beaming until she conked out like a toy with dead batteries. I draped the knee blanket over her again.
*Well, good’s good.*
Thanks for everything, sunbae.
We arrived at the company soon after. I got out of the van and headed to the dorm. After such a fulfilling day, my steps felt especially light.
***
“Crazy, this is crazy.”
Executive Director Joo clicked on the real-time search and yelped.
“What?”
“Look!”
Joo was scrolling through communities and SNS. Everyone was talking about Yumi’s stage.
*Yumi! Redeemed last year’s humiliation.*
*Great stage this time!*
The president shrugged as he watched.
“Just the usual reactions.”
“No. Look!”
Further down, there was another article.
*‘Yumi’s Guy’ at Awards—Who Is He?*
The president clicked his tongue.
“Well, damn.”
“Right? Crazy, right?”
“Yeah, crazy. Get that info to the press now! He’s trainee Cha Dowon from our company, next group member!”
“Can’t miss this chance! Secretary Kim!”
The secretary rushed over. At Joo’s orders, PR was notified immediately.
“This kid’s something else. Instant spotlight.”
“Stands out like that, he’s got real talent.”
“Saw Yumi’s stage—that waist catch saved it from disaster, right?”
“Bet. Ambitious one. So shameless.”
“A non-pro handled it like a vet.”
The two gazed lovingly at the search terms on screen.
“Smells like a hit.”
“With Minje as our treasure and now this kid—your eye’s spot-on, boss.”
They were so hyped they felt hot. Brother-in-law and sister-in-law fanned themselves.
“Oh, wait. Did we tell Dowon? That he made the group?”
“We didn’t, right?”
They glanced at each other, then back at the screen.
“It’s late. Waking him now would be...”
“Tomorrow.”
They nodded, taking deep breaths. Years in the biz had taught them.
“Smells like success.”
“Yeah?”
They couldn’t shake the feeling it’d be huge. Brother-in-law and sister-in-law grinned at each other.
***
I came out of the shower to find Lee Seungjun on my bed. I tapped his thick legs. The bear moved his muscled thighs aside and said.
“Great stage.”
“Thanks.”
“They’re all wondering who you are.”
“Who?”
Lee Seungjun grinned and showed me his smartphone.
*SNS, huh?*
Probably good.
“Wanna see Yumi noona’s interview?”
She did one?
It started playing on the video site right away. I lay on the bed, watching the bear’s screen.
The interview was pretty standard.
The MC asked.
-Okay, Yumi. If you confessed to someone you liked, what would you say?
Yumi tilted her head cutely.
-Hmm. Well, if I did.
She smiled brightly.
-I’d say, ‘Let’s dance together ten years from now.’
I quietly bowed my head.
*Ah, so that’s what she meant.*
The interview wrapped up vaguely. I lay back.
*Better play dumb.*
She said it was a joke.
*Anyway, probably won’t see her again.*
What a cool woman to the end. Yumi.
I chuckled a bit.
Then Lee Seungjun said.
“Article dropped.”
He shoved his phone at me. I read the headline.
“‘Yumi’s Man: Friends Entertainment’s New Group Member?’ What the hell.”
The bold title was massive. First off, not her man, and the rest was absurd too.
*Members already picked?*
Why announce it in an article?
“Heard anything?”
“Nope.”
“You’re in the new group.”
“Yeah.”
No real joy or whatever.
“Not happy?”
“Don’t even know if the article’s legit, so hard to be thrilled...”
Plus, with Lee Seungjun—same debut batch trainee—right there, celebrating felt off.
“I’d be stoked if it were me.”
“Y-yeah.”
What now. Awkward.
I probed lightly, looking at him.
“You okay with it?”
“With what?”
“If a buddy right in front of me debuted, I’d feel shitty.”
Lee Seungjun chuckled.
“Don’t get jealous of friends.”
Nothing to say to that. I sighed.
“Want anything to eat?”
“You cooking?”
“Yeah, man.”
Lee Seungjun burst out laughing.
*If he’s offering!*
The bear patted my shoulder.
“Don’t sweat it.”
How not to?
“Ever since the suicide attempt, feels like I’m dreaming nonstop.”
That suicide try where he didn’t seem suicidal at all?
“Like something new’s in my life. Yeah. Dreaming. Good dreams. Maybe that’s why.”
Lee Seungjun stretched his legs.
“Just don’t wanna wake up.”
“Writing poetry now?”
“Rap’s kinda poetic. I’m a rapper.”
Dunno if the bear’s dreaming, but one thing was clear.
*Thicker-skinned than I thought.*
So jealous or not?
I eyed him suspiciously, but Lee Seungjun just grinned.
“Want tteokbokki.”
“Again?”
“Yeah. Lots of cabbage.”
“Fine. Ramen noodles in it this time.”
Asked, but still no clue what he meant. Guy’s always been kinda inscrutable.
*Good’s good, I guess.*
He says no jealousy, so probably not. Can’t argue with his own words.
Oblivious or not, the bear kept grinning.
***
No one in the room. I double-checked the [Conference Room] sign and went in. Being an entertainment company, awards won by singers lined the walls.
*Now, I-Angel, Joo Seung-hwan, Lee Eun-gyun, Yumi, Vita.*
I crossed my arms, checking each name.
*All pretty well-known.*
Would ‘Zenith’ join them?
*Obviously.*
With me and Kang Minje there.
I smiled faintly and turned.
*Got some time somehow.*
Debating abs workout when a familiar face opened the door.
“You crazy ambitious punk! Nice seeing you here.”
I wasn’t thrilled.
“Congrats! New group member!”
I gave a short laugh and shook my head. Was that really how to say it?
“What? Not happy?”
“Info’s best fresh.”
I sighed softly.
“Ah, the article beat me to it.”
“Whatever. Articles happen, no biggie...”
Yesterday, company gathered all debut trainees for photos. All in same white shirts, jeans—no shoes, barefoot.
They shoved the debut group in front of cameras endlessly.
*It showed.*
Me and Kang Minje front and center, others rotating. Solo shots, groups.
*President started snapping himself.*
And Executive Director Joo stood there, arms crossed.
Debut trainees’ stares got brutal. Atmosphere so tense, no one spoke.
Not my problem, though.
“Ah, sorry. Sorry. Article dropped, then president told me to inform you you made it!”
The manager slapped his belly.
“Got busy, forgot!”
Everything like this with him?
I stared quietly; he looked away.
“S-sorry. Should’ve texted... Don’t even have your number?”
This guy okay?
“Really sorry!”
I sighed faintly. Well, better late than never.
“So, number!”
He gestured for my smartphone; I handed it over. As I started typing, someone entered the conference room.
Thought it was Executive Director Joo—unexpected.
“Hajin hyung?”
Yoo Hajin grinned as he walked in. At the same moment, manager snatched my phone and snapped a pic of incoming Hajin hyung.
“What’s that?”
“Oh, was gonna capture first meeting of new group members—forgot.”
This guy’s hopeless. Gotta fix this quick.
Stunned, but Yoo Hajin sat beside me, patting my shoulder.
“I’m in?”
“Yeah.”
“Hey, act happy! You’re glad I’m a member!”
I stared at Yoo Hajin in disbelief. The tall, handsome guy grinned like he owned the world.
*Well, needed him.*
That’s why I used cheat to stop him.
“Honestly, Dowon, you don’t have many close friends!”
“True.”
“And I’m top of your tiny circle—same member, and you’re not happy?”
Didn’t have to be thrilled.
“Relieved, though.”