Chapter 316
Chapter 316
I have no idea what could have happened over the past year for a signed poster of a competitor in the same industry to be in this house.
And of all people, it’s Cheong-ryeo.
‘Isn’t this around the time the bastard was busy stabbing me in the back?’
What on earth possessed him to get an autograph from this "Reset Syndrome" prick?
He didn’t seem like the type to dump money into a fan signing event just because he won the lottery. Sure enough, there was another reason.
[Ah! I won that while I was out buying clothes!]
Since he’d suddenly been dropped into a reset, empty-handed life, it seemed that even someone with zero interest in fashion had eventually gone on a bulk-buying spree for survival once he had some financial leeway.
Especially winter clothes… Since you’re practically asking to freeze to death without outerwear, he said he’d bought coats and paddings all at once during a sale.
[I don’t know much about clothes… so I just bought whatever the shop assistant recommended….]
It just so happened that the store was an outdoor brand modeled by VTIC.
And the application slip he’d entered into the drawing just for fun had landed him a spot at the model’s fan signing event.
I’d rather it had been something TeSTAR was advertising… No, that would have made things weirdly complicated.
‘In the first place, why would he even enter a drawing for a male idol’s fan sign—’
[The performance we went to see last time was so cool… and since they’re idols, I got curious. Also, one of the members appeared on a variety show with you, Hyung….]
“…….”
It was my fault. I get it.
I pulled my gaze away from the poster with a lingering sense of unease. He seemed to be studying properly, so I suppose it didn’t matter much.
“When did you go?”
[Yesterday!]
It seemed he’d gone to celebrate finishing the first round of exams, just like last time.
Since he’d been given another one-year grace period, I’d told him not to worry too much about the second round and just focus on the first, so it made sense.
And honestly, I had a feeling a Status Effect would pop up—one that required him to just avoid failing, similar to the first round.
[!Status Effect: Death if Not Passing! (3)
If you do not receive a transcript without any failing grades in the second written exam of the ‘Level 7 Civil Service Examination,’ you will die.]
Yeah, I knew it.
So, next year, he just needs to pass the first round and avoid failing the second. And since I already know the exam questions up until next year, there shouldn't be any issues.
I was about to explain that to him, but he spoke up with something unexpected.
[Actually… I’ve already taken the second round, and based on my self-scoring… I don’t think I failed any subjects!]
“…!”
[I got really lucky with my guesses! I don’t think I’ll pass, but still……]
Even so, it was an incredible achievement.
“That’s enough. You did well.”
[…! Yes!! Thank you!]
That meant I could clear the new Status Effect for free within a month. I nodded, doing the math.
“Still, don’t trigger the clear immediately. Make sure to drag it out until just before next year’s second-round results come out. Secure as much extra time as possible.”
[Got it!]
Then roughly… will I return in September next year as well?
I checked the current date on the smartphone. It was indeed September. I had returned to this body exactly one year later.
[You told me to wait this time too, so I held back as much as I could and tried to stall for time…!]
“You did well there, too.”
The Gong-myeong vibrated with a flickering resonance. He seemed to be laughing.
‘Then I guess there’s nothing special to do today.’
I figured I could spend the time feeling him out to see if anything else unusual had happened over the past year besides that bastard’s autograph.
I logged into a stock app, picking out which ones to sell while continuing my conversation with ‘Park Moon-dae.’
“How’s the boarding academy?”
[It’s great! The people are kind… and they’re really good at teaching, so I’ve been doing well. The food is delicious, too…!]
I see. I cycled through a few sells and buys before closing the app.
‘At this rate, he won’t have any money problems even if he does nothing but study.’
Just as I was heading out to the living room while listening to the Gong-myeong chatter away about his daily routine for the past year, I saw something truly striking.
“…….”
A flower-head.
The doll of ‘May Groom,’ the hologram character I’d created when I appeared on The Singer I Made, was sitting right in the center of the sofa.
‘What is this?’
It seemed he had watched his own body’s activities with quite an impression.
“Is this also from then?”
[You sang so well, Hyung… I thought it would be nice to have one as a souvenir….]
I was the one who had allocated a monthly budget for stress relief. So, if he liked it, I suppose it didn't matter, but….
Feeling somewhat awkward, I pushed the doll aside and sat on the sofa.
Then, the Gong-myeong cautiously brought up the main point he seemed to have been saving.
[Um, after the second-round results are out… would it be okay if I went to see you at TeSTAR’s year-end concert? I couldn't go earlier this year because I was studying….]
It sounded like a request he’d been preparing since yesterday.
I let out a short laugh.
“Why are you asking for permission? If you think it’s okay to go, then go.”
[…! Yes! Thank you!]
There’s nothing to be thankful for. Of course, going to a male idol concert in my body would be a bit conspicuous… Wait.
“That fan sign.”
[…??]
“…You said you went yesterday.”
[Yes!]
I looked at the poster with Cheong-ryeo’s signature again.
While people who aren't fans do show up to brand model signings rather than album signings… he still would have stood out.
[He was very kind.]
That’s even more ominous.
Just in case, I accessed WeTube and typed in some search terms.
Combining today’s date, the stage name, and the clothing brand… sure enough, a fancam of the fan signing event popped up.
Scrolling through the comments, I found exactly what I feared.
“…….”
When I clicked the timestamp, a partial view of ‘Ryu Gun-woo’s’ shadowed back was captured as he received the autograph.
The Gong-myeong let out a sound like a scream.
[Ugh! I-I didn’t know it would be uploaded like this….]
I took a screenshot and adjusted the color levels.
[Hyung?]
He was wearing a hat, and probably glasses too….
Wait, isn't this exactly the description of Ryu Gun-woo I gave that bastard?
‘Dammit.’
Just in case, I checked the poster he’d signed once more.
The recipient's name.
‘Don’t tell me he used Ryu Gun-woo….’
—To. Keun-dal
“…….”
Keun-dal?
[That’s a nickname I used to use… I felt bad getting it in your name, Hyung.]
Excellent judgment.
‘Phew.’
I quickly swiped away the image of Cheong-ryeo smiling as he signed.
“Avoid this guy from now on.”
[Ch-Cheong-ryeo?]
“Yeah. Because he’s a lunatic.”
[Hic.]
I had given him hints to help him find ‘Ryu Gun-woo’s’ whereabouts, but now that I knew his number and address, it didn't matter.
There was no need to increase the variables by letting him encounter such an unpredictable and dangerous bastard.
‘Come to think of it, was the reason his whereabouts were so mysterious because I’d stuffed him into a boarding academy?’
Now it made sense. I rubbed my chin.
‘Then, when I go back after finishing this, I should contact him and….’
No. I think I’m misunderstanding something right now.
‘…How do I know it’ll turn out that way?’
I don’t know what will happen when this guy’s Status Effect finally ends.
In the absolute worst-case scenario, he might just vanish once the reward is collected.
And even if he remains in this body… wouldn't he want to return to his own?
Just look at how he got the autograph under his old nickname.
“…….”
[I thought you were close with Cheong-ryeo-ssi, I didn't realize he was a strange person… Uh, Hyung?]
“We’re not close. It’s for the broadcast.”
[Ah…….]
This… requires some thought.
I was glad I had some time today. I could really put my brain to work.
I began preparing a meal while coming up with several hypotheses and countermeasures.
After that, there were no particularly urgent matters to handle.
[Hyung, you’re a good cook, too….]
“Yeah, thanks.”
Since we shared senses, it was also convenient that I only had to cook for one.
On the TV during prime time, the variety show I’d filmed with Seon A-hyun happened to be airing. The one where we fell into the Joseon era and solved problems.
‘Was this when we were rooting out the industrial spy inside the company?’
I really did live a busy life. I watched my onscreen self acting all high and mighty without much emotion.
[Variety shows are good, but I think you’re coolest when you’re on stage. ‘Haengcha’ was really amazing…! I hope you make a comeback soon….]
I know I’ve been pumping up my stats, but to say that while looking at his own face…?
Still, a compliment is a compliment, and it didn't feel bad. I gave a casual reply.
“The comeback is on the 14th of next month.”
[Heh…!]
“Don’t go around talking about it.”
[Yes! I don’t have anyone to tell anyway!! No one at the academy talks about idols!]
He was stating the obvious.
The Gong-myeong fluctuated excitedly with an unknown frequency, but soon calmed down and began to hum softly.
His tone was a bit cautious.
[Um, Hyung. I keep receiving help like this… is there anything I can do to help? Like when you called the police station last time. If there’s anything you need done, I’ll do it!]
Something I need done?
Well, come to think of it, Cheong-ryeo does try to kill me the month after next.
I pondered for a moment but soon shook my head.
I’d handled things like that well enough on my own. I couldn't ask for more from someone who already had his own Status Effect to worry about.
“Nothing in particular. Just keep studying hard.”
[Okay…….]
He sounded dejected. Good grief.
And as midnight approached, that mood only worsened. The Gong-myeong sounded almost anxious.
‘He must have had a hard time spending a year alone, even if he didn't say it.’
Since he had no one to talk to about his situation, it was understandable. He might have needed something other than studying to do or think about.
So, as it was about time to go to sleep, I brought up a new topic.
“Is there anything else you want to say to me?”
[Me?]
Yeah.
The Gong-myeong seemed to hesitate, but soon vibrated softly again.
[Then Hyung, by any chance… what did you think when you saw my nickname?]
“Nickname?”
Keun-dal. I knew it came from his real name, ‘Moon-dae,’ but it wasn't a particularly unique word. If anything, it felt familiar….
[That… I used to leave comments often on that account you used to run.]
Ah.
“That was you?”
[…! You remember?]
“Yeah. You left one every single time.”
[Yes…!!]
Come to think of it, that was the nickname I’d seen during the first ‘Truth Verification.’
In reality, I didn't look at comments much, but I remembered seeing it because it was posted almost as soon as I uploaded anything.
The pieces finally clicked together.
‘Had he been interested in idol stages since then?’
It was a strange feeling to realize a connection that had started through text. I shrugged.
“If you’re interested in that field, maybe you could buy a camera and try taking photos once this is all over.”
[…Sh-should I?]
“Of course, after all these exams are finished.”
[Of course! Still… wow.]
His mood seemed to have improved, as the Gong-myeong vibrated more comfortably.
And just then, the time was up.
“Right. Then think about it. See you next year.”
[Yes….]
Sleep slowly washed over me. It was quite peaceful.
[Hyung? …Hyung?]
I opened my eyes.
It was the same morning as last time. The temperature felt similar, so it was likely September of the following year….
[You’re Gun-woo Hyung, right?? Hyung!!]
“Yeah.”
This guy sounds like he’s in a panic. Did he call me because something went wrong?
I immediately sat up. But before I could do anything, the Gong-myeong vibrated incessantly.
…He sounded like he was sobbing.
[Hyung, Hyung, the car accident….]
Ah.
‘Fuck.’
I immediately opened the smartphone.
—June 22nd.
Four days after the debut anniversary.
It was the time I had fallen into a coma because of that insane former manager.