Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Misunderstanding
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“More soup okay?”
“Yes.”
This guy sure loves home-cooked meals more than he lets on.
“Anyway, there’s something I wanted to talk about. We’ve moved in, right?”
I nodded. Looking around, the place felt completely empty.
‘Vita used to live here, didn’t they?’
I’d heard they’d trashed it over the years they lived there, so they’d done a full renovation.
“Is it okay using the rooms like this?”
The 40-pyeong apartment had four rooms. With five members, naturally, Lee Seungjun and I ended up sharing one.
“It’s fine. What about you, Seungjun?”
Lee Seungjun just nodded.
‘This bear of a guy barely talks to anyone else.’
When it’s just the two of us, he chats plenty, though. This level of shyness was pro-tier.
‘Can’t put him on variety shows.’
Such a waste with his top-notch physicals.
“Seungjun, you sure it’s okay?”
Even a bear like him wouldn’t ignore the leader’s question outright.
“I like sharing with Dowon.”
“I see. Still, thanks for compromising, you two.”
Huh?
I stared blankly at Yoo Hajin.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just thinking how nice Hajin hyung is.”
“Hahaha! You saying I’m soft?”
Yoo Hajin laughed good-naturedly.
“People usually think stiff, pushy types are the strong ones, but life proves otherwise.”
This type’s scarier.
“Gentle people are way stronger.”
Yoo Hajin’s eyes flickered behind his glasses.
“By the way, Hajin hyung, you keeping the glasses on forever?”
“Oh, yeah. They told me to. My vision’s not that bad, so I can function without them, but Executive Director Joo said absolutely no taking them off.”
Pushing that concept, huh.
‘Planning’s a mystery sometimes.’
Best to leave it to the pros until we’ve got some experience.
“Oh, speaking of which, an announcement.”
Yoo Hajin got up to ladle more soup.
“As you know, our music video isn’t done yet. We shot the drama scenes, but the choreography parts keep getting delayed.”
Kang Minje sighed as he slurped his soup.
“Changed again?”
“Yeah. But they sent another video last night. So, we eat and head straight to the practice room.”
Ah, revisions again.
“Hajin hyung, the choreographer’s K, right? Isn’t she in the US now?”
“Yeah. She said the new place is sparking inspiration.”
Ki Jaeyoon slumped over his chair and yelled.
“Ugh. Tell her to lay off the pizza and inspiration! I just memorized the choreo!”
I agreed completely.
Yoo Hajin topped his rice with kimchi as he spoke.
“But she’s putting in effort for us. Let’s keep at it till it works.”
No real choice there.
That’s when the front door opened, and the manager walked in holding a roll of toilet paper.
“Man, nothing here. It’s barren. At least get a sofa. What’re you guys doing?”
I looked at the plump manager and said.
“Had breakfast?”
“Nope! Of course not!”
No time to tell him to grab a spoon. The manager scooped rice and soup faster than lightning and squeezed into the table.
“Who made this?”
“Me.”
The manager looked shocked.
“You cook well too?”
“Yeah. You knew that.”
“Oh, right? Yeah! That’s right!”
What?
I narrowed my eyes.
“Already got dementia?”
“Hey! Hey! Don’t jinx it! Mira’d freak!”
Who’s Mira?
“You’re just too good at everything, I forgot! I was shocked yesterday!”
Ki Jaeyoon jumped in.
“What’s Cha Dowon good at?”
“This kid’s amazing at love scenes!”
Pfft—
Yoo Hajin sputtered water in surprise. He blocked it with his hand, averting disaster, but his clothes were a mess.
“Hajin hyung…”
“S-sorry!”
Yoo Hajin started coughing too. I shook my head and tossed him a nearby dishcloth.
Then Ki Jaeyoon grabbed my arm hard.
“You, what’d you do? With who? A girl?”
“Who else?”
Suddenly, everyone was buzzing.
“Shot the MV. I’m in it.”
“Dude, how was the skinship?”
“Pretty normal?”
Why are they making such a fuss?
“He was incredible. Had the actress like, whoa!”
Ki Jaeyoon shook my shoulder, yelling.
“Aaah! Lucky bastard!”
Lucky, my ass. I turned to Kang Minje, who was quietly eating through it all.
“Hyung, say something. You knew about the MV content.”
“Huh? Music video? Nah, not really. Executive Director Joo was handling it, and…”
Kang Minje mumbled half-asleep.
“We left it to our Dowon. Figured he’d nail it, so I tuned out.”
Ah, damn.
Chills ran from head to toe. What?
‘Our Dowon?’
I desperately controlled my expression. My fists were actually trembling.
‘Calm down.’
This guy needs to make music. He’s a hit factory. Damn it, chug that seaweed soup and get composing!
I forced a deep breath-ish thing, but the manager grinned.
“You’re trusted, huh. Crazy ambitious kid!”
I wanted to bury that trust right then.
“Just one question, Manager.”
“Yeah, what?”
“What’s the most essential thing for an idol?”
The manager patted his belly.
“Stamina.”
Not quite.
“Wanna make movies? Be an actor? Idol’s your dream? Simple! Build stamina first!”
I quietly pressed my forehead.
‘Random, but spot on.’
Entertaining uses the body more than you’d think. Shoots can last days, action scenes can injure you.
‘Dancing and singing is physical work from the start.’
I knew that. Knew it desperately.
‘Problem is, Cheat doesn’t boost stamina.’
It handles recovery fine, but total HP stays the same.
‘No. That was before I knew about experience points.’
Maybe now?
I slipped out of the kitchen and checked Cheat.
[Cha Dowon’s HP]
[500/530]
Exercise never betrays. Nice gains.
[Change total to 830]
[Changed to 830. Body will adjust.]
Huh.
‘It works.’
New experiences were key, huh.
[Side effect: Vomiting for 10 minutes starting in 5 seconds.]
Damn.
No time to fix it. I bolted to the farthest bathroom, yanked off my t-shirt.
My stomach churned wildly. I stared at what came up, waiting out the 10 minutes.
Eternal agony passed, peace returned.
‘Cheat, you…’
I washed my face, sighing deeply.
‘Can’t let my guard down.’
Water dripped. I grabbed my shirt, put it on, and left. My head throbbed from the 10-minute war.
A voice I didn’t wanna hear.
“Dowon.”
Ah, damn. Kang Minje.
‘Wanna ask why you’re here, but…’
I’d run to the farthest spot, which happened to be attached to this guy’s room.
I flashed a grin.
“Oh, hyung!”
“You okay?”
“Of course?”
Play along. Please.
“You cough blood, nosebleeds sometimes. Now vomiting too.”
Listing it out, it did sound bad.
Why do you always witness my side effects? Damn.
‘Lee Seungjun, I could brush off…’
This guy won’t buy it.
“I’m fine.”
“Dowon.”
Kang Minje grabbed my arm.
“Anything I need to know?”
“Nope.”
Crazy! What’s there to know!
‘How to convince this guy.’
Random excuses won’t fly.
I racked my brain, but nothing.
“Can’t tell me? That troublesome?”
His instincts were annoyingly sharp. I sighed.
“Can’t say. But trust me, hyung.”
Kang Minje’s eyes wavered.
‘It’s working. Push a bit more.’
I forced emotion control. Had to seem desperately sincere for no reason.
“Zenith won’t lose out.”
“Dowon.”
“Hyung, I’m short on time.”
Yeah. Idols have short shelf lives; dragging it hurts us.
“Ah, I see.”
Kang Minje pressed his eyes down.
‘Damn. It’s landing, but feels sticky.’
He exhaled hot breath. Weird vibe; I just gauged him.
“Gotta be now? Even pushing like this?”
“Yes. Obviously.”
“Okay. Got it.”
“I know your worries, hyung. But really, I’m fine. If I couldn’t handle it, I wouldn’t back it.”
Kang Minje avoided my eyes.
‘This guy’s acting weird?’
But my senses—honed from Seongnam’s famed shaman son—said push.
“I’m healthy. Probably Zenith’s fittest.”
“Yeah? That’s good, but…”
His grip tightened. Kang Minje whispered.
“I’ll take your word.”
Driving me nuts.
‘Why this mood?’
I looked desperately earnest.
“You’re burning bright to the end, like a flame, Dowon.”
Chills everywhere. What? Flame?
‘Is he nuts?’
Speechless.
“Flames burn quick and beautiful. But you as dry kindling? Sad.”
Poetry? No, butchering it.
“Hyung?”
No clue, even trying hard. Flame? Dry kindling? Code?
“Dry kindling burns whoosh. Yeah, got it. Okay.”
Kid who never burned wood at that pension part-time spewing this nonsense!
Kang Minje smiled sadly. Pity on his neat face—infuriating.
Me, pitied by him!
“Won’t ask more. But this sadness all mine? Too much.”
Fox bastard covered his mouth sadly. Overwhelmed or something.
“Why’s life so sad.”
Damn!
Couldn’t take it. Head down, I said.
“Gonna go.”
Escape, bastard.
Didn’t look back, ditched him. Dove into my room, gasping.
‘Scary bastard.’
Mental attack hit hard. Brain pollution feels like this?
‘Clingy guy.’
Good he bought it, but mind bruised. I groaned, flopped on bed. Stress brought up bile.
***
Executive Director Joo clicked her mouse. Watched the screen, clenched then unclenched her fist.
“Director?”
Secretary Kim set a teacup in front of her. Joo leaned back, listless.
“Thanks.”
“You look drained.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah! Wanna see this, Kim Secretary?”
Joo clicked, showed the video. Kim admired the boy on screen. No music, silent, but captivating.
“Wow, cool. That ambitious kid, right?”
“Yeah. Crazy ambitious one.”
“Looks good. Why so down?”
To Kim, the boy was flawless. Eyes, nose, neckline—perfection.
“Kim Secretary, I don’t expect much from trainees.”
“Huh?”
Top agency exec saying this?
“That’s how it is. In this seat, how many recoup investments? Even I can’t save flops.”
True.
Kim nodded.
“How many exceed expectations? Fitting them in forecasts—that’s planning to me.”
Rare philosophy.
“But how to explain this?”
Joo tapped the monitor.
“Exceeds my expectations. I pushed this MV, loaded pressure, half-expecting failure.”
Industry loves aesthetics. But who can pull it off?
“Picked the crazy one, suddenly skills spike. And he digests this?”