Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: School Violence (1)
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I respected their silence. After a long moment, Yoo Hajin finally spoke up.
“R-right! We’ve gotta... go the distance, right?”
*Why does it end like a question?*
“Of course we’re going the distance. If we wanted it short, we wouldn’t have chosen this path in the first place.”
There were countless stages we had to conquer, and money to earn scattered like air in the wind. Right?
I propped my chin on my hand and said,
“There’s that saying about boys having ambitions. Let’s have some ambitions.”
Executive Director Joo swallowed hard. Wait, even you, sir?
“Dowon. Let me ask you one thing.”
“You can ask two.”
“What’s your goal?”
“My goal’s lower than you think.”
I flashed a big smile.
“I want to become a world-famous idol beyond Korea.”
“That’s more normal than I expected.”
“Even better if I have enough influence to stop wars.”
Everyone fell silent. I looked around. Yoo Hajin was speechless, and Kang Minje’s eyes wavered. That’s when it happened.
Hic—hic—
Executive Director Joo suddenly started hiccuping.
“I’m kidding.”
*Why isn’t anyone laughing?*
Hic—hic—
The hiccups kept going. The mood felt off, so I tilted my head, and Ki Jaeyoon spoke up.
“Don’t tell jokes anywhere else.”
“Why not?”
“They suck.”
*Harsh.*
I gave my warmest, sincerest smile. Seeing it, Yoo Hajin pressed his forehead and let out a deep sigh.
***
Even if I wanted to become an idol who could end wars, I was still in middle school year three. Which meant I had to go to school.
*That said, the CF deals aren’t filling up fast enough.*
I’d heard we landed a school uniform CF. While coordinating the ads, I grabbed my backpack.
*Government agency CFs would be nice right about now.*
Bright and moral image, too.
Lee Seungjun asked,
“School?”
“Yeah. Gotta go for now.”
Music shows ended in the morning sometimes, leaving gaps, but afternoon events lined up like they’d been waiting.
“Straight to the salon after.”
“Got it. See you later. I’ve got school too.”
Oh, right. This guy’s in high school.
*Idol life is basically a job, so I keep forgetting these kids are minors.*
I shook my head and left the dorm. Casually pulled on a hat, slipped out quietly, and headed underground.
*Don’t these guys go to school?*
A few people murmured at the apartment entrance. Sasaeng fans, huh. I masked up quietly and exited through the underground parking. Felt like hide-and-seek—kinda fun.
***
Stepping into the classroom, kids buzzed. I smiled brightly and looked around.
The girl up front, face red, said,
“Th-the seats got switched.”
“Where should I go?”
“Ov-over there!”
She pointed to the back by the window.
“Thanks.”
Her face got even redder. So innocent and cute. Is everyone this age like that? I sat at the desk and pulled out three scripts. Planning to kill time here.
*Would be nice to try the cafeteria food.*
Come to think of it, I never have.
*To be a global idol, maybe I need one normal school friend.*
I looked around again. A few kids met my eyes but quickly looked down.
*Should’ve made friends before debuting. Too late now. Don’t stir up trouble.*
Friends, huh.
I thought of my pre-regression friends one by one. Wonder if they’re doing well.
That’s when it hit—a grating voice.
“Hey, you buy it?”
“I’m broke.”
“You bastard! I told you to buy it! Hey, Lee Taejin, you don’t get your situation?”
Wow. School violence.
*Happens everywhere, nationwide.*
Shouldn’t exist, but always does. Guess I really am in middle school year three. I stood, grabbed my bag and scripts, and stepped in front of the kid being threatened.
The classroom buzz stopped. I smiled brightly at the threatener next to him.
“Let’s switch seats.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s switch.”
“Y-yeah!”
Second time asking, and he nicely packed up and stood. I sat in the empty spot and extended a hand to the threatened kid.
“I’m Cha Dowon.”
“Huh? I-I’m Lee Taejin.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Handshake done, I realized.
*Oh, middle schoolers don’t shake hands.*
Forgot.
I looked each bully in the face.
“I’ve got business with Taejin. Urgent—mind if I go first?”
Idol smile worked; they backed off easy. Watching them scramble out, I clicked my tongue.
“Not even same class. Why doesn’t anyone stop them?”
Looking around, everyone hung their heads like they’d done wrong. Then Lee Taejin said,
“They look out for me in their own way. Let me escape.”
Ah, popular guy.
“But that doesn’t solve it at the root.”
Lee Taejin gave a bitter smile. I tilted my head.
“What if they actually get violent?”
“Hmm, not that far yet.”
“It escalates fast. They got backing? Money? That why you take it?”
Lee Taejin shook his head.
“Nah. Cheolwoong’s parents do manual labor.”
Rich kids don’t get a free pass, but why’s this guy targeted?
“Want me to tell the teacher? Or call the cops?”
Lee Taejin chuckled a bit.
*Oh? This guy’s got spirit.*
“Dunno what it is, but carry this around.”
I pulled a pen-shaped recorder from my pocket.
“More evidence, the better.”
Lee Taejin eyed the recorder and me, then pocketed it quick.
“I know you. Idol, right? Saw your first win two days ago.”
“Yeah. Zenith’s Cha Dowon.”
“Celebrity seatmate. Wild. My sister’s a fan.”
“Cool. Want an autograph?”
Gotta take care of fans.
Lee Taejin nodded and flipped open his notebook. I signed diligently; he grinned goofily.
Soon a new teacher entered. I pulled two scripts and flipped through both.
*Multitasking’s handy.*
Class started. Teacher’s voice droned, but irrelevant to me.
***
*Time to go.*
Just standing when I noticed Lee Taejin gone from next seat.
*Whatever, can say bye later.*
Dunno how often I’ll come back anyway. I packed scripts and left.
Checked my smartphone first. Manager’s message on top.
-Sorry, Dowon! Wait 10 min.
Darn.
Could wait that much. I gazed out the window quietly. Blue sky and gray walls—decent combo.
*Idol going to school feels weird.*
But school itself felt like it might end soon.
*Maybe memorize it for acting ref.*
Student days short this life. Could reference later.
Glancing around, a familiar face in the shadowy back.
“Damn!”
Lee Taejin surrounded by that group. I whipped out my phone and used the cheat.
[Cheat Mode 1/3]
[Teacher arrives at Lee Taejin’s location in 10 seconds.]
[Impossible in current state.]
[Cheat Mode 1/3]
Too soon? I sighed.
[Cheat Mode 1/3]
[Teacher arrives at Lee Taejin’s location in 3 minutes.]
[Impossible in current state.]
[Cheat Mode 1/3]
Picky as hell. Tried again.
[Cheat Mode 1/3]
[Teacher arrives at Lee Taejin’s location in 5 minutes.]
[Changed.]
[Side effect: Back itches for 5 minutes starting in 5 seconds.]
[Cheat Mode 2/3]
Side effect weak, ignorable. Hurried down stairs. 10 sec wait I’d watch, but 5 min too long.
*Fragile kid could get wrecked easy.*
Breath to my throat. Pushed through the group to Lee Taejin.
Haa—
Lee Taejin’s cheek already swollen from a hit. Damn, underestimate and it escalates.
“Wh-what the!”
I smiled brightly.
*What the?*
“It’s the idol.”
The angriest-looking one grabbed my collar suddenly. I smiled more at his neck.
“You punk! What’s your deal jumping in!”
“Told you, idol.”
I tapped the collar he grabbed.
“Hit me, your life gets hard.”
His arm twitched slightly.
“I’ve got fans. They find out you hit me, curse city.”
Kept going.
“Plus, I’ll pretend to stop them but egg ’em on. Doxxed before? Brutal.”
His face paled.
“Past dug up deep. My face is merchandise. Damage it, criminal and civil suits. You rich? We got lawyers.”
Maybe not. Unsure.
They eyed each other. Yeah, let go, punk.
Hand loosened finally. I dusted my uniform.
“Let’s talk. What’s the tantrum?”
Checked Lee Taejin’s face again. Model student’s face bruised red already.
*Lee Taejin looks familiar up close?*
Where from?
Tilted head, scanned him. No breaks, good.
They stayed quiet, glancing. Collar guy yelled finally.
“What’s it to you!”
True. None. Smart answer?
*Too late, punk.*
Stall for time now. Logic loses here.
“Why? Me and Taejin are close.”
“Huh?”
Lee Taejin startled. Dude, don’t freak.
“Became buds earlier. Bud’s getting hit—can’t just watch. Deep friendship.”
Time crawled. Hurry 5 min.
“Hey! Pretty boy! Butt out!”
“Pretty boy? Classic insult.”
Old-school for kids today.
My line got snickers around.
“You bastard!”
He swung. I dodged easy.
“Huh?”
Didn’t expect miss, he stumbled. Could trip but held.
“Talk? Really want fans doxxing?”
“You bastard!”
Bastard spam.
I beamed. Saw teacher approaching far off.
*Finally.*
Cut to chase.
“Why extort money?”
His face changed.
“Why? Taejin your meal ticket?”
“What do you know?”
“Know enough it’s extortion. He didn’t borrow.”
Scanned him top to bottom.
“Need money? Get a job. Crime.”
“What do you know! Punk! Know how loaded he is?”
Didn’t. Glanced at Lee Taejin—yeah, well-off vibe.
“So? Rich = your ATM? Why?”
They blanked.
“Rich, gotta pay you? Weird.”
His face flushed.
“Be real. Easy target, right?”
Silence hung. Saw teachers close, drove nail.
“Excuses match the maker.”
He swung instant. I ducked.
“What the hell!”
Teacher arrived. Wow, speedy now.
Teacher there, their faces ashen.
“Good lord! Ki Cheolwoong! You bastard!”
Ki Cheolwoong, huh. Watched chaos unfold eagerly, asked Lee Taejin my big question.
“You rich?”
“Huh? Not poor.”
Got it.
“No wonder Cheolwoong misunderstood. I drop 50k at the canteen sometimes.”