Chapter 277
Chapter 277
It is currently 4:00 AM, and I am running along the apartment walking trail with a dog by my side.
“Pant, pant!”
I have no idea how I ended up jogging with someone else’s dog. Especially a dog belonging to a guy I haven't seen in nearly half a year and wasn't even slightly happy to run into.
I suppressed a sigh and glanced to my side.
“Kong is a good runner. Good boy.”
The one offering such obvious praise was… Cheong-ryeo, who had suddenly emerged from the fog.
‘Damn it.’
I recalled the sequence of events that led to this mess.
The man had appeared in light athletic wear, keeping the dog under control.
—I’ve been taking him on walks only where there are no people, so he must have gotten a bit excited hearing someone nearby. Sorry if he startled you.
He was excessively nonchalant. So, I asked him.
—You knew it was me, didn't you?
His answer to my suspicion was this:
—A pink-haired man out for a walk in this neighborhood at this hour… doesn't that narrow down the list of candidates significantly?
—…….
—I could see the color even through the fog.
It was an explanation I couldn't really refute. I groaned inwardly, thinking about my hair, which was barely covered by a hat.
Naturally, since it was 4:00 AM, I had assumed no one would be out.
His explanation for why he was suddenly walking here also flowed smoothly.
—I have something to take care of during the tour break, so I’m… staying at the dorm for a bit. And there are even fewer people around this building in the early morning.
It was the truth.
—I assume you’re here for the same reason, Junior.
—…….
Right.
To sum it up, it was a coincidence born from the fact that both he and I had similar occupations and circumstances.
‘Phew.’
I had accepted the situation and tried to leave quickly.
—Right. Well then….
—We’re heading the same way anyway, so why don't we walk for a bit? I think Kong might bark if you run off.
—…….
—It would be a nuisance at this hour, wouldn't it?
I looked at the yellow fluff-ball flailing its front paws in the man’s arms, and I was forced to turn around and walk with them….
“Woof!”
I have no idea how… such a dog came from a guy like that.
‘There are CCTVs everywhere, so he won't try anything stupid.’
I suppressed another sigh and began jogging along the trail at my original pace.
The dog and its owner, running at a similar speed beside me, didn't say much while we jogged.
The problem came afterward.
“A drink?”
“I’m fine.”
Near the end of the trail, I drank water from the bottle I had prepared. Cheong-ryeo fed his dog a snack.
“Next time, you should wear a beanie instead. It covers more of your hair color.”
I just planned on never coming out here at this time again.
“…….”
Instead of answering, I simply nodded. Cheong-ryeo shrugged as he stroked the dog eating its snack.
And then, beneath the hood of the man as he leaned down, I saw… hair that wasn't black.
‘Wait.’
I spoke up without thinking.
“You dyed your hair?”
“Ah, yes.”
Cheong-ryeo touched the hair under his hood and let go.
Dark green hair disappeared beneath the fabric.
No, was it gray? It was hard to tell because of the fog… but the color wasn't the important part.
“Haven't you gone without dyeing your hair even once since your debut?”
At least during my time as a data seller, I had never seen VTIC’s Cheong-ryeo with dyed hair.
I didn't know what it was, but there must be a major conceptual shift coming. I needed to pick up some hints about what VTIC was planning for their next repackage comeback.
I stared at the biggest obstacle to this year’s Grand Prize.
‘Let’s face it.’
These guys still have an unbelievable level of staying power.
It was because VTIC’s career stats from their last comeback in February were as strong as ever.
‘I thought they were about to hit a plateau and start declining.’
In a range where it seemed impossible to see any more upward momentum, VTIC was stretching their prime longer than ever.
It was a level of performance hard to believe for a group that had already gone through contract renewals.
For this February comeback, they had interpreted a 1920s Broadway vibe in a very sophisticated and dark way, and fan satisfaction was reportedly through the roof.
I had checked it out myself. And I almost felt like opening a bottle of liquor.
‘The quality is consistently above expectations.’
There was no helping it.
I hoped they would wrap it up with this for the year, but I had no expectations since it looked like they were going to hustle for a year or two before anyone enlisted.
‘Since he even dyed his hair, it’s confirmed.’
They were definitely preparing something. And with a drastic change and a lot of effort put into it.
“I was just wondering what kind of unexpected result you’re planning to show that made you go as far as dyeing your hair.”
I waited for his answer, closing my water bottle and crossing my arms.
The man… chuckled.
“Well, I think it’ll be less unexpected than pink.”
Damn it.
“The fans like it.”
“Is that so? Congratulations.”
He smoothly shifted the topic without leaking a single word. I nodded inwardly.
‘He’s consciously avoiding the subject.’
He was keeping an eye on TeSTAR just as much.
I occasionally recalled the texts and calls the VTIC guys would send.
I felt like I was being monitored.
[I saw the variety show <Dance Over Flowers> you guys were on. We’re going on that one this time too.]
Was that the text I got near the end of TeSTAR’s January promotions?
[Wow, combining two songs is so amazing!! Rae-bin… would you ever consider giving a song to another group?? (laughing emoticon)]
[^^b]
That was the message that came during the concert.
[The documentary is so touching ㅠㅠㅠ]
Well, that one… he backpedaled after the Cha Yu-jin incident broke out.
Anyway, it was also a sign that they were conscious enough to constantly check TeSTAR’s content this year.
They probably think they’re doing it for encouragement, but subconsciously, there’s definitely a desire to check the growth of the newcomer and assess the situation.
‘…This year is going to be incredibly fierce.’
I nodded to myself.
However, the next topic Cheong-ryeo brought up was unexpected.
“Right, I haven't dyed my hair even once this time around.”
The man tilted his head to the side.
“But… I didn't expect you to know that, Junior.”
“…….”
“Did you study us a lot? By any chance, were you our fan instead of Malang Dalkom’s back when you were in your original body? Ah, some people like everyone under the same agency. Though… I think that was rare for men.”
What a chillingly accurate guess.
‘Damn it.’
I suppressed a sigh and put the water bottle into my backpack. Then, I quickly finished a calculation.
‘Fine.’
Since the situation has come to this, I’ll say it.
“I wasn't anyone’s fan.”
“Then?”
I spoke as if intentionally letting it slip.
As if I was distracted by the dog running toward me, letting my guard down and answering casually….
Like this.
“Actually, I wasn't into idols. I sold idol data to fansite masters when I was in university. So, I naturally got to know the ones who made money.”
“Ah.”
I leaked information about ‘Ryu Gun-woo.’
The fact that I was a data seller during my university days.
It was an act with a clear purpose.
‘Track it.’
The information on the ‘Ryu Gun-woo’ of this world.
“That’s all.”
This guy definitely said it with his own mouth.
I recalled him telling me about Young-rin’s surprise digital single release plan at the end of last year.
—You don't know. You don't have an informant. Right? That… will probably be your biggest problem going forward, Junior.
This meant he had plenty of informants.
The fact that he found out about Young-rin’s song, which only her closest associates knew, was as good as proving it himself.
‘He definitely wouldn't have limited that to just within the entertainment industry.’
To control all external factors, he would need to know other circumstances connected to entertainment figures.
Then, among the cards I could play… he was the most optimal choice to track Ryu Gun-woo’s whereabouts without leaving a trail that ‘Park Moon-dae is illegally surveilling a civilian.’
‘Since you said I don't have an informant, I might as well use you since you have them.’
Since I had confirmed through the video at Ryu Cheong-woo’s house that Ryu Gun-woo definitely existed here, I might be able to use this guy to at least check if he was currently alive.
‘I don't even care if he finds him.’
Whatever this bastard finds out, it’ll just be nonsense based on the premise that bodies were swapped anyway.
And realistically, ‘Ryu Gun-woo’ couldn't become my weakness.
‘You need to have something for it to become a weakness.’
From around the time I graduated university, I had nothing except enough money to last three years.
But he doesn't know that.
Then, to keep TeSTAR—the most troublesome rival to his current form—in check, and to control any contingencies, he will definitely dig into ‘Park Moon-dae’s original body.’
Until now, it must have been impossible because all he had was a name.
‘Because the only clues were a name and an age group.’
So, let’s see… I hope there’s a reaction from him when I add ‘data seller’ to ‘Ryu Gun-woo’s’ characteristics.
‘It’s a trait that allows for various deductions.’
If my prediction is correct, he will start calculating too.
I finished my words nonchalantly.
“Still, Malang Dalkom… I wasn't a fan, but let’s just say I had a good impression of them.”
“…….”
I chuckled as I stroked the dog. Cheong-ryeo, who was holding the leash, looked over with an unreadable expression.
“You really were… more professionally involved in the industry than I thought.”
Listen to him talking about professionalism to a guy who sold idol data.
“I just did it to earn some pocket money.”
“Haha, seeing how you handle things, Junior, it doesn't seem like it was just that. Hmm, I guess that experience helped you recognize talent that would become valuable. Interesting.”
The man muttered to himself and rested his chin on the hand not holding the leash.
The fog prevented me from seeing his expression clearly… but he seemed lost in thought.
‘Good.’
Take the bait.
Soon, a soft voice spoke.
“Still, a man in his 20s with a camera… that’s quite unique. Why don't you try describing your appearance? You said you filmed VTIC too, right? I think I might remember you.”
There it is.
‘He’s trying to dig for information in return.’
I thought as I rubbed behind the ears of the dog, which had rolled onto its back.
‘In this situation… I shouldn't give the impression that I’m intentionally leaking information.’
With his personality, he would either demand a deal to the limit or try to stab me in the back. Or maybe both.
Since answering too eagerly would look suspicious, I shook my head.
“I just wore glasses and a hat. It’s a common look, so what’s the point?”
“Hmm.”
This should feel like I’m being appropriately guarded.
But the actual information was sufficient.
—A male in his early 20s, glasses, hat, camera.
If he went through the event videos stored by the agency and matched the years, he would be able to get the faces of ‘Ryu Gun-woo’ candidates, even if they were low-resolution.
Because they usually hold noticeable cameras in the front of the audience.
‘He’ll probably assume the university is in Seoul, since you’d need to be there to make enough money as a data seller.’
Since the main broadcasting stations and performance venues are mostly concentrated in Seoul.
‘Then, if he searches by matching the year, universities in Seoul, age group, name, and face….’
“Hmm.”
If he’s skilled enough, he might be able to dig up ‘Ryu Gun-woo’s’ current status in no time.
‘That’s enough.’
I shrugged and stood up.
There was no need to say something like ‘I think I said too much.’ That would be more awkward.
Leaving naturally was the best move.
“Woof!”
The dog at my feet made a strange sound as if it were disappointed and stomped its paws.
“I’m heading in.”
“Mm, alright. Get back safely.”
Cheong-ryeo picked up his dog and spoke casually.
“I plan on coming out for walks around here for about fifteen days, so if we run into each other, at least say hi to Kong.”
“……I’ll see.”
“Haha.”
I suppressed a sigh, left him behind, and emerged from the fog on the walking trail.
“……Phew.”
I think I handled it well, but for some reason, I always felt exhausted whenever I met that bastard.
A few minutes later. I only managed to shake off the unpleasant feeling once I entered the dorm building.
‘Was there some kind of debuff in that fog?’
Anyway, moving on. Let’s just look at the result.
In order for Cheong-ryeo to strike a deal with me, the moment he finds ‘Ryu Gun-woo,’ he’ll have no choice but to leak information to me, at least regarding ‘Ryu Gun-woo’s current state.’
‘Good.’
Clean.
I shrugged and got into the elevator. My mind started racing again.
‘Is it because I went to bed early yesterday?’
I had slept a bit longer because I had an active schedule this afternoon for the first time in a while.
As for what that schedule was….
“Now, let’s begin the room assignments~!”
“Wooooo!”
To fill the awkward hiatus, the roommate assignment content was back.