Chapter 245
Chapter 245
It had been a while since I’d sat down for a serious talk with Ryu Cheong-woo.
‘Is this the first time since I woke up?’
No, wait. Before I woke up, I’d been keeping a proper distance from him thanks to that damn Truth Verification. If I count that, it’s been even longer.
‘...Though it looks like I’ll have to do that Truth Verification again soon.’
I briefly recalled the pop-up window before clearing it from my mind. There was still time.
Anyway… since he hadn’t looked to be in great shape after I woke up, I’d intentionally left him alone. In my experience, poking someone when they’re like that only pisses them off.
That’s why I hadn’t expected Ryu Cheong-woo to be the one to arrange this meeting so soon after the concert ended.
“Want a non-alcoholic one?”
“...Sure.”
I accepted the non-alcoholic canned beer he handed me.
Tsk. Gulp.
The sound of the can opening and the stinging sensation as it went down were refreshing.
“……You drink well.”
“I suppose so.”
It wasn’t that I had a desperate craving, but I couldn’t say I didn't think about a drink every now and then.
Whether he was trying to match my pace or just being polite, Ryu Cheong-woo opened a non-alcoholic beer for himself as well.
The conversation began in a fairly relaxed atmosphere, making it easy to get to the main point.
“Have you thought about the lawsuit?”
Right. Now that the sudden concert was over, it was time for this topic to resurface. I answered honestly.
“I’ve thought about it… but honestly, I think a delay of over six months would be a burden right now. Our momentum would stall.”
“That’s a valid point.”
Ryu Cheong-woo took a quiet sip of his beer.
“The value of one year now… is probably different from the value of one year ten years from now.”
Exactly.
It was the dilemma of a profession where an uncertain prime ends quickly at a young age.
—Is this matter worth sacrificing a year of our peak for?
Since Ryu Cheong-woo was originally an athlete, he was likely even more familiar with this kind of value judgment.
He gave a bitter smile.
“Se-jin doesn’t seem to have given up yet. He’s been looking into a lot of things. Even meeting with lawyers.”
“...A lawyer?”
“Yeah. It looks like he’s doing consultations over text.”
When did he find the time for that while practicing like his life depended on it?
I was amazed, but at the same time, I felt a bit of a bitter aftertaste.
He was probably the one who wanted to prepare for a lawsuit rather than a concert, so he must have been frustrated when I, driven by a desperate need to survive, suddenly pushed for a charity concert.
He must have held back a lot since it was the wish of someone who had literally come back from the dead.
“…….”
Ryu Cheong-woo and I drank our beer in silence. I was the first to speak.
“For now… should we call Se-jin Hyung?”
“Sure.”
The conversation would only progress if someone who actively supported the lawsuit was involved.
I sent a message to Bae Se-jin.
[Hyung, could you come to Cheong-woo Hyung’s room? We’re talking.]
The '1' disappeared instantly. Before a reply could even come, I heard the sound of someone scurrying over from down the hall, followed shortly by a cautious knock.
“…….”
Man, he’s so easy to read.
“Come in.”
“O-Oh!”
I opened the door for him, and the dynamic shifted into a three-way meeting.
“We were talking about the lawsuit.”
“...! R-Right.”
“Yes. Hyung, your position is still that we should sue the company, right?”
“...That’s right.”
Tension flickered across Bae Se-jin’s face, but his answer was fairly calm. It didn't seem like he was going to turn red and start shouting anymore—
“Even after the Human Rights Commission’s recommendation, they’re just cutting off scapegoats, and the General Manager hasn't even been replaced...! At this rate, everything will go back to the way it was before long!”
“…….”
“They’re just waiting for things to quiet down!!”
Never mind. He was already plenty worked up.
Well… although the company was currently keeping a very low profile and walking on eggshells, Bae Se-jin had a point. The General Manager hadn't been replaced.
But actually, it was better that way.
“Hyung, I actually think it might be more convenient if that General Manager stays.”
“What?? Why!”
I said calmly.
“Because he’ll be terrified.”
“……??”
“He probably won’t be able to pull anything and will just be walking on eggshells around us. The incident was so big that he won’t have a choice.”
In short, the hierarchy had flipped.
The moment a company’s mistake almost kills their artist—and those artists have grounds for a lawsuit—it’s game over.
He probably got torn to shreds by the head office, so if he wants to keep his job, he’s going to have a rough time ahead.
I lightly crushed the beer can for recycling.
“So, even if the company feels like trash, it means our future movements will be easier than ever.”
“T-Trash is a bit much…”
“Fine, I’ll correct that to 'unethical'.”
“…….”
Bae Se-jin fell silent for a moment. I couldn't tell if he was at a loss for words or just dumbfounded.
However, he soon replied in a slightly subdued voice.
“Fine… if everyone else thinks so.”
Was this going to be a repeat of when we deferred the lawsuit in the hospital room, with Bae Se-jin giving up because he was outnumbered?
Bae Se-jin hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“Actually, I thought… if we filed a lawsuit and won this time, it would set a good precedent…”
“…….”
He’d thought that far ahead?
“But you’re right. If I have time to think about things like that, I should focus on doing my part for the team properly.”
Bae Se-jin lowered his head.
“I’ll give up on the lawsuit.”
“No, wait…”
I hadn't intended to pressure him like this.
I just wanted to persuade him gently or, if we did sue, find a way to finish it as quickly as possible.
I weighed my words for a moment. But Ryu Cheong-woo spoke up first in a gentle tone.
“Not everyone thinks that way, Se-jin.”
“Huh?”
“I’m fine with a lawsuit.”
“...!”
What?
Bae Se-jin’s head snapped up.
“...R-Really??”
“Yeah.”
You punk, didn't you just agree with me earlier about the lawsuit being a burden?
…Wait.
I recalled the sentence Ryu Cheong-woo had used to agree with me.
—That’s a valid point.
…He said ‘a’ valid point.
I suppressed a groan. This guy was neutral.
‘Now that I think about it, he was like that in the hospital room, too.’
Ryu Cheong-woo continued in his usual calm manner.
“And Se-jin, I think you’re doing a great job as the eldest member of the team.”
“…….”
Should I add a bit more?
“I think so too. I’m only hesitant about the lawsuit because I’m not certain about it, so don’t worry.”
“You guys……”
Bae Se-jin looked momentarily touched, but he quickly regained his composure and cleared his throat.
“Ahem, then… s-should we ask the others? To see if they’ve changed their minds!”
“Sure. Let’s do that.”
“Good.”
A short while later.
“A lawsuit? Uh… didn't we decide not to do it? Haha.”
“I-If we do a lawsuit, will the next album be postponed indefinitely…?”
“I want to promote! I like promoting!”
“…….”
It was a K.O.
Even Cha Yu-jin, who had been in favor, had turned around, perhaps having enjoyed the concert too much.
Bae Se-jin sat on the floor with a lonely expression, beginning to chew on his defeat. It was a bit pitiful.
Seon A-hyun, who had remained neutral, was fidgeting restlessly before he carefully raised a hand to speak.
“Um… i-if we do a lawsuit, do we get to rest…?”
“That’s right, A-hyun.”
Ryu Cheong-woo answered for him. At that, Seon A-hyun glanced around and answered softly.
“T-Then, if it’s not too long… I’d like that.”
“...!!”
What was this now?
I asked immediately.
“Seon A-hyun, did you want to rest?”
“Eh? Y-Yeah……”
Seon A-hyun avoided my gaze. This guy…?
“Wait, wait. So A-hyun wants to sue because he wants to rest~?”
“Yeah, the concert ended well, and the r-reaction was good. I thought it would be nice to… r-rest a bit and take care of our bodies…!”
Keun Se-jin quickly snatched up the topic.
“Hey, then we can just rest~! Let’s clear two or three weeks of the schedule before we start preparing for the new album and go somewhere to recover!”
“Oh~”
“What’s 'recovering'?”
“Eating delicious food and playing~”
“I like it!”
Votes of approval poured in. I saw Bae Se-jin try to glare at Keun Se-jin before holding back. Even if Seon A-hyun had voted for the lawsuit, they still wouldn't have won the majority.
The problem was me.
After a brief thought, I took a sip of a fresh can of beer and replied.
“Recovering sounds good.”
“Oh!”
“R-Really…?”
“Yeah.”
The biggest hurdle was over anyway.
Since there was still a grace period before I had to trigger the Truth Verification, I could afford to spend some time leisurely.
It had been a major accident, after all.
‘...And I did push them a bit too hard.’
Not me, but these guys.
As soon as I was discharged, I’d pushed through the plan to organize a charity concert, even dragging in the most successful senior in the industry as a guest.
‘I was desperate, but these guys basically just humored my stubbornness.’
Though the logic I used to persuade them had worked effectively.
I briefly recalled the conversation from back then.
—I think we need buzz.
—Buzz?
—Yes. Not about the accident or the company mess, but in the way idols are normally consumed. And it’ll be hotter if there’s some conflict involved.
—Hmm.
There are few things that work as well as rival positioning for that.
And it seemed that had provided enough motivation for the members. That was a relief. The results were good.
‘The follow-up measures after the concert went well, too.’
Since we struck first with the donations and photos, public opinion should be fine for a while.
It was a bit annoying that VTIC seemed to have benefited as well, but the champion vs. challenger dynamic seemed to have been established well within a range acceptable to both the public and the parties involved.
‘I just pulled forward a dynamic that would have naturally formed as TeSTAR grew larger, anyway.’
Since I’d squeezed everything I could out of this concert, I should concede a little if I have a conscience.
Even if I couldn't go as far as a lawsuit, I should stop interfering if they want to rest.
‘As for the lawsuit… I think I can find a way to achieve the effect Bae Se-jin wants.’
I slowly let my brain churn. Across from me, Ryu Cheong-woo gave a thin smile.
“I’m for it too. We should have a recovery period. Se-jin?”
“...That much is fine.”
“Great, everyone’s in favor.”
The atmosphere grew harmonious. Keun Se-jin snatched the beer in front of me and popped it open. I’ll let it slide.
“Ah~ Chuseok is coming up soon, so how about we gather and get some proper rest before heading to our hometowns?”
“S-Sounds good…!”
Amidst the guys excitedly chatting about where to go, Kim Rae-bin’s hand crept up this time.
“Uh, Rae-bin, what is it?”
“Ah, it is nothing else, but… does this mean we are informing the company that we are halting all schedules and preparations for the next promotion?”
That was fine.
“We barely have any schedules for a while anyway. I believe there are only a few videos to film for the fans.”
“I see! Then we will only be canceling the videos for the fans…… Hmm.”
Right, putting it that way made the meaning sound a bit strange.
Fortunately, a plausible suggestion came up.
“Then how about we show them us resting? Just casually~ We can ask them to set up some unmanned cameras!”
“...I’m not sure if they’d want to see that.”
“Well, it might be a bit boring, but… so what! That’s what healing travel variety shows are all about~ We already hit them with the charity concert, so I think it’ll be fine.”
That was true. It wasn't a bad idea for hiatus content.
Similar expressions of approval came from all over.
However, the theme needed a change. I finished my can and spoke up.
“But isn't the travel concept a bit repetitive? we did travel in our last reality show, too.”
“Ah, that’s true.”
“That is an excellent point.”
Idol Working Holiday. Everyone had complicated expressions at the memory of making and selling hotteok.
I crossed my arms.
‘Besides that, isn't there some representative healing variety show? Something that fits with 'recovering'.’
Something easy to pull off that isn't travel… Ah, that.
Chicken feet.
“How about we go with a Mukbang theme?”
“Mukbang?”
Wasn't that proven content? I thought back to the time of Idol Inc.
And I wasn't the only one who remembered. Keun Se-jin burst out laughing.
“As expected of Chicken Feet Tibetan Moon-dae~ Ah, Tibet? Right, let’s mix in some animals too! Any other keywords??”
“N-Natural scenery…?”
“...That sounds good.”
And so, by combining all sorts of healing keywords on a whim, a makeshift variety show was urgently scheduled.
〈TeSTAR Healing in the Countryside〉
…And at that time, we had no idea how far this impromptu, slapped-together variety show would go.