Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: If You Tell Me to Strip, I Will
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“What the hell, that sounds like a line from some old-school erotic movie from the ‘80s! Don’t take it off! Hey, reel it in! If you actually strip, our company’s gonna look insane!”
At the Pig President’s words, the two judges rushed out and held me back. I raised both hands as if disappointed.
*Why are they freaking out?*
Boring reaction.
The Pig President wiped his forehead with a tissue and grumbled.
“Kids these days are scary. Listen, kid. You can’t just strip because someone tells you to.”
You’re the ones who told me to. What did you want, anyway?
I shrugged.
I’d been catching something off about him from earlier.
I flashed a bright smile and said,
“Cha Dowon.”
“What?”
“I’m Cha Dowon. President.”
The Pig President stared at me blankly.
Kid? Come on, that hurts my feelings. We’re gonna be seeing a lot of each other from now on, right?
I kept my eyes locked on him. He stared back for a long while before finally—grinning.
Everything’s great and all, President. But you’ve got tissue stuck to your forehead.
“Kids these days are really something. Alright, Cha Dowon?”
“Yes. Cha Dowon, second year Class 2, number 22 at Jeongseol Middle School.”
“You’re a funny one. I’ve been thinking it since earlier, but your skills are one thing—your guts are impressive too. Alright, Dowon. What’s your nickname? What do other people call you?”
The judge released my arm. I sat back down in my spot.
“It’s a bit embarrassing.”
“What is it?”
I blushed slightly and turned my head a little. It felt a tad cliché.
“Crazy.”
Of course, I didn’t have some nickname like that. If anything, it was pretty boy. But the truth didn’t matter.
I glanced at the judges’ table. The Pig President’s buttonhole eyes had widened a bit. What’s with that, President? Acting all surprised now.
I got it.
*You needed this.*
Friends Entertainment’s idols were all about character marketing. That’s why you’re holding auditions like this.
*“Crazy maknae.”*
The Pig President covered his mouth after a moment, staying quiet. I waited patiently.
How about it? Feel like you’ve hit the jackpot?
Soon, the Pig President burst into hearty laughter.
“Huhuhuhu. Puhahaha! This kid’s the real deal.”
Not just any deal—you get prime merchandise every day.
I quietly swung my legs up and down. The Pig President couldn’t stop laughing, clearly delighted.
Time to stick to the character.
*Gotta act shy now, right?*
That’s the kind of crazy maknae you want.
I scratched my cheek a little and averted my gaze. That’s when my eyes met Kang Minje’s—he’d been staring right at me.
Hidden behind his sunglasses, I couldn’t be sure, but I felt it.
We were looking at each other.
*What’re you looking at, punk?*
I wanted to glare at him with all my heart and soul, but right now, I was just an innocent middle school second-year. I cast my eyes down shyly, and Kang Minje gave an awkward smile, like he was reassuring me.
*Huh? Why so nice all of a sudden?*
What’s that about? Trying to play harmless? Cut the crap, punk. I remember every damn thing you did to me.
*But I can’t show it.*
I’m a crazy middle schooler with a shy side right now. Gotta hold back.
I ducked my head even more bashfully. The Pig President’s laughter still echoed.
*I’m in.*
Nailed it.
I took a small breath. Yeah, it’s nothing big, but it’s a start. Not even the starting line—just made it into the waiting room, really.
I turned my gaze back to the Pig President. He looked at me with eyes sparkling in a way that didn’t suit him.
The tissue scrap on his pig forehead dangled.
I smirked inwardly. Perfect.
“Alright, Dowon. One last question.”
“Yes, President.”
Ask away.
“What kind of idol do you want to be?”
A classic but nutritious question.
“One who makes people happy just by looking at them.”
The Pig President’s button eyes blinked.
“Dowon, care to elaborate?”
“When you see something good, it makes you feel good, right? I want to be that ‘good thing’ for the public.”
“That’s gonna be tough. People don’t just feel good for no reason.”
I beamed.
“I can do it.”
No.
“I want to.”
Being that ‘good thing’ came with a lot. Good looks, top-notch skills, pleasant speech, clean personal life, and...
*Consistent effort.*
That might be the hardest one.
*Getting better is hard, but falling is so damn easy.*
Showbiz was brutal. Plenty climbed high only to crash fast.
“If you become an idol, it’ll be hard to even go on family trips.”
I chuckled.
“I don’t like traveling much anyway. Plus...”
Should I play crazy or get real? I decided to mix both.
“I’m hungry.”
Really, super hungry. Starving to death, President. I could devour anything.
I smiled with my eyes.
“I’m greedy. I want to excel at everything.”
I craved the public’s attention. Imagine every breath under the spotlight—except bathroom breaks.
*Guess that makes me crazy.*
What was it they called it? Attention whore?
I owned it.
*Yeah, that’s me.*
If I could get attention because I’m that good, how great would life be? What kind of future if I succeed here?
*I want to get on stage.*
That place under the bright lights—how heavenly would it be?
The Pig President roared with laughter at my words.
“You really are crazy, huh?”
What, thought it was fake? Well, it kinda is acting.
“Good work. You can go now.”
I gave a slight bow. The staff gestured for me to leave. I stood lightly and headed to the door.
I felt eyes on my back. Kang Minje, no doubt, but I didn’t turn.
*See you later, hyung.*
Next time, I’ll smile so wide—with all my heart and soul.
The door closed. I walked away leisurely.
Audition: success.
***
I quietly headed to the funeral home. I brushed off my mourning clothes and entered silently. Whispers reached my ears.
I let out a small chuckle.
*I see.*
It hit me—this audition was two days after Mom passed.
*Most of these visitors were just gawkers who love free drama.*
I glanced around. Bald heads stood out especially.
*Not falling for it this time.*
I took a deep breath. Then I pulled the armband from my pocket. As I tore off the number tag and put it on—
“Cha Dowon!”
A smile came naturally. The person I loved most in the world.
“Noona!”
“What’re you smiling about, you punk!”
Noona swung her hand. Soon, stinging pain hit my back.
“Noona, that hurts!”
“That’s why I hit you! Come on, follow me!”
Noona grabbed my ear and dragged me into the mourning room. I smartly slipped off my shoes and followed. My ear felt like it’d rip off.
“Noona, my ear hurts.”
“That’s why I’m pulling it!”
Noona shut the door to the room and yelled.
“Where the hell were you!”
I grinned at her. Then I was a bit surprised.
*Noona looks so young.*
She’d always seemed older than me. Never imagined she’d look this youthful back then.
“At the audition.”
Noona furrowed her brow.
“What?”
“I went to Friends Entertainment’s quarterly audition.”
Noona’s eyes shook. I watched her quietly, then pulled her into a hug. She was still taller than me and flinched in surprise.
There was something I had to tell Noona.
“Sorry.”
I remembered myself collapsed in vomit. I said it again.
“Sorry.”
Sorry for staying a nobody actor. Sorry for leeching off you financially to the end. Sorry for blocking your dreams. Noona, I...
*I want to do everything for you.*
Whatever that means.
Then my body was shoved back. Noona pushed me away, yelling.
“What’s wrong with you! Gross!”
I couldn’t hold back the laugh. Ah, really. It’s Noona.
“Hey, Cha Dowon. Think this makes me forgive you?”
“Uh, probably not?”
Noona pointed at Mom’s portrait with her hand.
“Audition that important? More than staying at your mom’s funeral?”
I turned quietly and looked at the portrait. Come to think of it, I’d forgotten Mom’s face.
*She looks so young.*
45. That’s how old Mom was when she died. I smiled bitterly.
*Must’ve been hard closing your eyes.*
With your daughter fresh out of college entrance exams and your fifteen-year-old son—how worried were you?
I whispered softly.
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
*Failed big time. And yet I drank, even though you told me not to.*
*I’ll never drink again...*
Please forgive me.
A heavy weight pressed on my chest. Mom’s death never got easier, even years later. But it was different now. I shook my head, brushing off the emotions.
I could handle it. And now, I could comfort others too.
Noona glared at me. Oh, right—put out the immediate fire first. Gonna get in trouble like this.
“Sorry, Noona. You’re right. There’ll be other auditions. But...”
I smiled awkwardly.
“I had to go. Felt like I had to. And this is just my thought, but...”
Looking at Mom’s portrait, I said,
“Mom wouldn’t mind me going to an audition.”
She’d probably tell me to do something productive instead of moping at the funeral. Cha Yeonhwa was that kind of person.
Noona sighed deeply and swept back her loose hair.
“Unbelievable. You’ve got a slick tongue when you wanna talk your way out.”
I shrugged.
“Sorry. But there’s no more visitors now.”
“Grandma’s still here.”
I gave a wry smile.
“That’s just a leech in relative clothing.”
“Dowon!”
“Noona, since it came up— we gotta protect our assets.”
Noona’s eyes shook a little.
“Don’t ever trust talk of helping with inheritance.”
“How’d you know? Grandma was saying to leave it to her earlier.”
“No way. Don’t give fish to a cat.”
Cats are at least cute. Damn.
I ground my teeth, recalling before regression. Mom had saved so hard, and those leeches took it bit by bit. When we demanded it back, what’d they say? Something about ungrateful kids who’d been bad luck since birth.
“But you’re the eldest grandson...”
“Eldest what? Mom and Dad divorced, Mom got custody. You know what Dad did.”
Noona nodded slowly.
“We’ve got no ties to them. And Noona.”
I gripped her hand tight. The most important part was separate.
“Go to med school.”
Noona’s eyes shook.
“Don’t give up med school because of me. Being a doctor was your dream.”
Unlike me, Noona was crazy smart.
“You’re already in striking distance, right?”
“How’d you know?”
I smiled bitterly. I found out way too late before. That Noona gave up med school for her middle-school me and became a nurse.
*You know how much I regretted that?*
I blocked Noona’s path. I gripped her hand tighter.
“Please, go to med school.”
If we keep the leeches from the money, we’ll have enough.
“What about you?”
“I’m fine, Noona. I cook well, make great soup.”
“You’re still fifteen.”
“Fifteen’s plenty grown.”
I smiled reassuringly.
“If you get into med school, you’ll have to dorm. Can’t commute from here.”
“So? Go dorm.”
“Cha Dowon. I’m your guardian now. How can I go to med school leaving you alone?”
I shook my head.
“Noona, I don’t need protecting. Besides, you’re barely twenty.”
“But I’m your sister.”
So this is how she held on.
A sigh escaped me. I shook her hand.
“Don’t worry. For real. I can handle it.”
Noona stared at me without a word. I pretended not to notice, but I knew. Her breathing was ragged.
*She’s holding back tears.*