Chapter 118
Chapter 118
The SBC Gayo Daejeon was over.
Due to the subsequent schedule, I spent the entire early morning sleeping in the car while traveling, yet I felt better than I had in the past month.
This was because the manager, clearly thrilled as soon as the broadcast ended, had given me a blow-by-blow account of the current public opinion.
—Everything’s been completely flipped on its head!
The members' expressions at that moment were quite a sight.
Anyway, after that, everyone must have finally let their guard down, because we all fell into a deep sleep despite being in a moving car.
Thanks to that, I found it bearable that the company had summoned me alone this morning instead of letting me go straight to the dorm.
However, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why they had called me in.
‘Well, looking at their faces, it doesn't seem like anything bad.’
I figured it might be a new individual schedule.
But as soon as I stepped through the back entrance of the company building, I saw the reason for the summons.
The small entrance for staff was overflowing with stacks of boxes.
Every single one was meticulously wrapped, complete with matching ribbons... They were gift boxes.
They looked similar to the ones I’d seen at the dorm entrance during our last break, but the scale was much larger.
‘Huh?’
Wait.
One of the staff members standing there smiled and spoke.
"Moondae-ssi, your birthday presents are here~"
"……!"
…That was it.
Today was December 15th.
It was Park Moondae’s birthday.
‘…I didn't have a clue.’
Between the endless schedules and repetitive practice, I’d lost all sense of time and completely forgotten.
Since I’d been intentionally avoiding social media lately, I hadn't picked up on it from there either.
‘…It’s not like it was my original birthday anyway.’
Actually, even before I ended up in Park Moondae’s body… I rarely made a big deal out of my birthday.
‘At most, I’d just cook a meal with some slightly expensive ingredients.’
Seeing the gift boxes filling two entire walls, my feet froze of their own accord.
All of this was for me?
"It might be hard to keep these at the dorm… Moondae-ssi, your family home… um."
The staff member’s voice trailed off abruptly as they seemed to remember Park Moondae’s family history.
They quickly and kindly corrected themselves.
"Should we put them in the company storage for now? We’ll send the electronics and luxury goods to the dorm. You can open those there."
"……The people who brought these, did they say anything in particular?"
At a glance, the different wrapping styles suggested they had been sent by three or four separate groups.
‘I would have expected at least one or two teams to try and deliver them in person…….’
"Ah, they used a professional delivery service. We got the delivery notice the day before yesterday."
The staff member shrugged.
"And I think they asked me to tell you that you don't need to do a special verification post or anything……. Right. That’s what they said."
"……!"
Only then did I realize the situation.
‘……They intentionally delivered them quietly.’
The day before yesterday was when the internet was in an uproar, with people using TeSTAR as a target regarding the Rookie of the Year award.
If we hadn't gone all out at the SBC yesterday, things would surely still be the same.
They must have worried that if I posted a verification for receiving such a massive gift support in that climate, it would just give people another excuse to nitpick.
‘They couldn't even bring themselves to come in person because they were conscious of that…….’
It was a strange feeling.
It felt bizarre that there were people who would put so much heart and effort into someone they couldn't even properly interact with.
And the fact that the target was me was… even more bizarre.
"Aren't you going to open them? Should we just move them to storage for now?"
"…Just a moment."
I finally moved my feet and approached the boxes.
Beyond the framed photos of myself and brand-name shopping bags tied with ribbons, I saw boxes uniformly wrapped in the same paper.
Each ribbon had a tag attached.
"……."
Countless clothes, electronics, and accessories were listed on the tags.
‘…What should I do?’
I was nearly overwhelmed. I didn't know what criteria to use to decide what to take to the dorm first.
‘…Maybe just three items from each wrapping design, focusing on things that are easy to verify…….’
As I was debating, one tag caught my eye.
It was attached to a box that was relatively smaller than the others.
[Message Book]
"……."
After a moment's hesitation, I picked up the box and unwrapped it.
A gold-colored hardcover book, seemingly custom-made, was revealed.
<You, Who Descended into My Heart Like a Shooting Star>
When I opened the book, I saw sentences edited into a neat design.
—The moment I saw the <Into the New World> stage, I knew. That guy is my idol! haha
I’m rooting for Moondae, who always does his best and keeps improving. But even if you don't, it’s okay. I’ll always be rooting for Moondae’s happiness ♡
—My star, whom I want to see for a long, long time.
—My insomnia disappeared after I met Moondae! Just looking at you makes me happy, and just thinking about seeing you makes my heart flutter… I’ll love you always.
—I feel both grateful and sorry to Moondae, who always looks out for the fans no matter what he’s doing ㅠㅠ Our Moondae, do everything you want to do. You really deserve to!
Between the long paragraphs, short, restrained sentences popped out. It felt as if their refined emotions were bursting through.
—Noona still hasn't forgotten the Tibetan fox, Moondae-ya… I love Puppy Moondae, but I love Tibetan Moondae too ㅠㅠ
"Haha."
I couldn't help but laugh.
They really were… peculiar people. Their kindness was almost unbelievable.
Of course, emotions aren't eternal. These people used words like 'always, for a long time, forever,' but I knew that as human beings, that was impossible.
But at this very moment, just knowing that there were people somewhere thinking such things made me feel an uncontrollable surge of emotion.
I wanted to do something.
"……."
"Moondae-ssi?"
"…Ah, sorry."
I barely managed to snap out of it. Then, I quickly gathered several gift boxes.
As I’d planned… no, a bit more than I’d planned.
"…Can you take all those to the dorm?"
"The car is here. It’s fine."
The manager was with me. He was probably drinking something or having a smoke near the lobby in front of the building.
"Hmm… alright. Get back safely. And happy birthday!"
"Thank you."
With my hands full of gifts, I headed to the parking lot.
The manager I met halfway was horrified.
"You brought all that by yourself?! You should've called me!"
"It's fine. It was a short distance."
"Geez… anyway, congrats on the gifts. Happy birthday. Want Hyung to buy you a coffee or something?"
"Next time."
"Oho, not even turning it down, are you?"
I just laughed. It felt like I’d caught a bit of a flighty mood; everything seemed pleasant.
"Get in safe~"
"Yes. Thank you."
I parted ways with the manager in front of the dorm building. Then, I gathered the gifts again and headed up to the dorm.
It happened the moment I stepped out of the elevator.
A strange smell wafted from in front of the dorm door.
"……?"
Isn't this the smell of something burning?
‘No way.’
I stacked the gifts on one side of the hallway and immediately unlocked the door.
After checking the fire hydrant, I threw the door open.
"……?!"
"No!!"
…And there I witnessed Cha Yu-jin and Seon A-hyun sprinting across the living room holding a pot.
Smoke was billowing from the pot.
I asked with effort.
"…What are you guys doing?"
"M-Moondae! I-It’s nothing much……."
"Chicken Soup for the Soul!"
Cha Yu-jin shouted that as he began to run back toward the kitchen with the pot.
A heavy silence began to flow from Seon A-hyun, who was left standing awkwardly in the living room.
"……."
"……."
"…H-Happy… b-birthday."
"Thanks."
I appreciate the wishes, but I’d really like an explanation for what the hell is going on.
"…A birthday present?"
"Yes!"
"N-No… the, the gift is separate! T-This was just to say thanks……."
"I have more gifts too!"
Listening to Cha Yu-jin and Seon A-hyun chatter was getting me nowhere.
It didn't even seem like they were communicating well with each other.
The other members, who had been woken up by the pot commotion, stepped in to sort things out.
"So, it’s Moondae’s birthday, and since we happened to have time this morning, you were planning to cook him something delicious?"
"Yes!"
"……With that lineup?"
As Bae Se-jin muttered quietly to himself, Seon A-hyun lowered his head with a dejected face.
"T-The recipe was solid…… I, I thought we could do it."
"…Are you sure it was a solid recipe?"
At Bae Se-jin’s skeptical question, Cha Yu-jin answered cheerfully.
"It’s my mom’s recipe! Chicken soup!"
"……!"
Bae Se-jin’s eyes shook for a moment before he hurriedly added.
"Well… even if the recipe is great, beginners might not be able to pull it off."
"Let's try again!"
"Wait, sit down."
I pushed Cha Yu-jin, who was about to jump up, back into his seat. Then I recalled the pot I’d seen in the kitchen.
‘…It was burnt pitch black.’
Furthermore, judging by the state of the cutting board and the sink, the cooking process itself couldn't have been normal.
"Come to think of it, didn't you say Yu-jin was good at cooking~?"
"I'm good at grilling. Boiling is a first……."
"Oh dear."
It was like a comedy routine. Keun Se-jin clicked his tongue, then waved his hand when our eyes met.
"Ah, happy birthday, Moondae~ I sent you a gifticon."
"…Chicken?"
"Chicken. Two of them, even."
I got back exactly what I’d given him in August.
It was a result typical of a guy who was quick with his math.
"Thanks."
"M-Me too! Wait a second……!"
Seon A-hyun, who had been sitting like a criminal, suddenly bolted upright and stomped off to his room.
He returned with a small, well-wrapped gift and held it out.
"H-Happy birthday!"
"Uh… thanks. Can I open it?"
"Y-Yeah!"
When I opened it, there was a department store gift certificate inside.
This… feels like I’m collecting some kind of 'friendship fee.'
But Seon A-hyun looked proud.
"I, I really didn't have time to go shopping……. And, it’s better to pick something out yourself!"
"…Um, yeah. Thanks. I’ll have to go when I have time."
"Mhm!"
Next time I go… I should buy something for Seon A-hyun too. The amount was a bit much to receive from a friend or a colleague.
‘Come to think of it, I think he gave Keun Se-jin something expensive for his birthday too.’
I wondered if I should tell him sometime that he didn't need to do that.
"Ah, I bought one too."
While there were no items as unexpected as Seon A-hyun’s, I surprisingly received gifts from one or two others after that.
First, Cha Yu-jin gave me a giant tub of jellies.
‘He’ll probably end up eating half of them himself.’
It was clearly a portion taken from his own order.
And surprisingly, Bae Se-jin seemed to be the type to remember others' birthdays; he gave me a hoodie.
"I’ll wear it well. Thank you, Hyung."
"…Well, sure."
And so, the gift-giving ceremony ended.
Honestly, it was the first time in my life I’d received so many congratulatory gifts on the actual day.
‘It’s a strange feeling.’
I gathered the boxes I’d received from the fans and moved them to my room along with the gifts from the members.
"I’m sorry I didn't prepare anything. I’ll buy you a meal sometime. What do you want to eat?"
"You don't have to be sorry. Hmm, shall we just eat whatever I’m craving then?"
"Sure. Let's do that."
As I was settling things with Ryu Cheong-woo—who was apologizing for not knowing, which was only natural—by agreeing on a meal, Kim Rae-bin shouted in a solemn voice from beside us.
"I am sorry for not knowing your date of birth…!"
"…I said it’s fine."
"I have a beat I worked on recently… if you would use that for your solo song……!"
Why are you just handing over your song like that?
…Still, let's just go along with it for now.
"Sure. I bet it’s a good track. Let's check it out when we have time."
"Yes!"
Only then did Kim Rae-bin seem to unburden his heart, letting out a huge sigh of relief before staggering back to his room.
"……."
I felt like he might run himself ragged at this rate; I’d have to tell him later not to be so subservient.
I organized the boxes next to my bed and lay down.
Then, for the first time in a while, I turned on my smartphone's data. Immediately, a message popped up.
It was Keun Se-jin’s gift.
[Keun Se-jin’s Gift]
: Orim Heritage Whole Raw Chicken 1.5kg
"……."
A moment later, a message from Keun Se-jin arrived, filled with 'lolololol.'
‘This little punk, seriously.’
I instinctively typed out my true feelings.
[You want to die?]
An answer came back instantly.
[Keun Se-jin: Nope~]
"……."
I started to get up to run to Keun Se-jin’s room, but I stopped myself.
That’s exactly the reaction he’s looking for.
Instead, let's deliver a calm and ideal blow.
[No more photo uploads for you.]
[Keun Se-jin: I’m sorry]
As expected, this was the most effective.
I turned off my phone and tried to get some sleep.
As I closed my eyes, the shapes of the gifts I’d received today and the sentences from the message book drifted through my mind.
…Somehow, I felt like I’d have good dreams during this nap.
However, after a pleasant sleep, unwelcome news was waiting for me from the manager I met again.
"Moondae-ya, you have a phone call."
"Yes? From who?"
The manager handed me his smartphone, mouthing the words.
'VTIC Cheong-ryeo!'
Oh, fuck.