Chapter 334
Chapter 334
Keun Se-jin believed me.
‘How did this even happen?’
I didn't know either. Last night, I even opened my status window to see if I’d received some kind of correction buff, but everything was normal.
In a completely ordinary state, Keun Se-jin had accepted my situation.
‘It actually worked.’
I was still a bit dazed. But… obviously, I wasn't unhappy about it.
It felt a bit strange, though. I’d never spoken so honestly before. I hadn't predicted that his attitude wouldn't change even after hearing the whole story.
Thanks to that, I think I went a bit… overboard during today’s concert.
‘I feel like my lungs are about to burst.’
“Here you go!”
“Thank… you.”
Gasping for breath, I looked down at the towel and smartphone I received from a staff member.
‘I didn't even… have to go this far.’
Actually, inside this phone were the contingency plans I’d prepared for last night’s revelation.
‘Keun Se-jin has a realistic personality.’
I figured that for a guy like him to accept some nonsense that sounded like it came out of a web novel, I’d need to shove physical evidence in his face.
But it wasn't like I had anything like that. The best I had was circumstantial evidence.
‘Testimonies from those involved.’
Since the only cards I could play were words, I’d tried to secure a diverse range of them.
First, Ryu Cheong-woo.
—If I can be of help, of course I should do it.
Even so, he’d suggested that the two of us should try talking first.
Next was Keun-dal.
—Um… am I going to have a video call with Lee Se-jin?
This guy was more than welcoming. There was nothing more to say there. In fact, I’d even set up a promise with Keun-dal to meet up later with Keun Se-jin included.
The next one was the problem.
“…….”
If I only recruited people who were friendly to me or people Keun Se-jin didn't know well, there would be room for suspicion. To balance the spectrum, I needed to recruit someone Keun Se-jin would perceive as being on hostile terms with me.
Cheong-ryeo.
—Is that so?
The guy seemed puzzled, as if wondering why I’d bother doing such a thing, but he didn't refuse. He only said this:
—I don’t mind, but… I wouldn't recommend it.
—Because he won’t believe you.
Yeah, damn it. To be honest, I’d suspected the same thing.
But he believed me.
‘He believed me just by listening to my explanation.’
I won’t deny it. It might have been because I was so sleep-deprived that I wasn't in my right mind, but as I walked back to my room late last night after everything was over, a shiver of excitement ran all the way up to the crown of my head.
Because of that, I did something last night that would have gotten me canceled if it ever leaked online. In the early hours before falling asleep, I sent a text to my senior.
[He believed me.]
And this was the reply that came this morning:
[Really?]
[Bring him over sometime. ^^]
Is he crazy?
‘Why is he naturally extending an invitation?’
I couldn't tell what he was plotting. I looked away from my smartphone with a lingering sense of unease.
It was then.
“…What are you doing?”
“Just checking if any messages came in.”
“I see.”
Bae Se-jin happened to strike up a conversation. He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking with an expectant look on his face.
“You two… reconciled, right?”
I smiled. I figured he hadn't had a chance to ask while we were preparing for the concert, so he asked the moment it was over.
“Yes.”
“Phew…”
Bae Se-jin let out a long sigh of relief, as if all his tension had vanished. He sighed so hard I thought the floor might cave in.
I looked at him anew. I’d heard that it was thanks to him that our call time had been pushed back.
“Thank you.”
“For… for what?”
“For the time, and for telling Lee Se-jin to talk to me.”
“…! You, you heard that?”
“Yes. Not on purpose, just by chance. Thanks to that, I found the courage to apologize.”
Bae Se-jin’s face turned beet red. I let out a short laugh.
“But you didn't really need to apologize to him yourself, Hyung.”
“I know that! I just said it to start the conversation…!”
“…….”
Is that so?
“His vibe was completely different from yours….”
“…….”
Was it that obvious?
Bae Se-jin looked like his soul was about to leave his body.
“I… I’ve never been in a situation like this before…. I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing.”
“I told you, you did well.”
We’d been talking about this the whole time, so what was he on about? Still, I understood what he meant. When would this guy ever have had a history of trying to mediate between peers?
‘Back in school, it seemed like he was the one voluntarily ostracizing everyone else.’
He probably didn't expect his first attempt at mediation to work so well.
“Right, anyway… I’m glad you reconciled….”
Bae Se-jin looked like he’d burned through his life force on this novel experience, appearing pale and exhausted, yet he seemed quite proud of himself.
‘Maybe I should make him a late-night snack or something.’
I was about to speak when I saw Keun Se-jin approaching us after finishing his conversation with Ryu Cheong-woo.
‘Did he and Ryu Cheong-woo take turns marking us?’
This was a first. Keun Se-jin approached, gave me a few meaningful glances, and then spoke to Bae Se-jin.
“Hey, Hyung.”
“Uh, yeah?”
“Thank you. I heard from Cheong-woo Hyung. You pushed back the call time for us?”
A look of ‘He told you that too?’ flashed across Bae Se-jin’s face, but pride soon seemed to win out.
“Ahem, well, we’re a group. It’s better for everyone to, uh, be understanding about these things. …And! It wasn't just my idea… everyone agreed.”
“…….”
“Well, um, you might think, ‘Why did you let it interfere with work?’ or something, but this too….”
“I don’t think that.”
“…!”
Keun Se-jin toyed with his collar. The punk looked embarrassed.
“I just didn't know you cared that much, Hyung. No, I’m not being sarcastic, I mean it.”
“…….”
I considered slipping away and leaving them to it, but since another dogfight might break out, I decided to stay for now.
Bae Se-jin didn't seem angry, but his expression settled into something more composed.
“Why… did you think I wouldn't care?”
“I thought that even if you cared about the other members' business, you’d avoid it. It’s uncomfortable, after all.”
“…!”
For the record, I was the one who was surprised.
‘What’s gotten into this guy, speaking exactly what’s on his mind?’
Even Bae Se-jin’s mouth, which usually went through a forced filter, began to loosen up.
“It is uncomfortable.”
“Yeah.”
“But the concert was tomorrow, and I was involved in your fight too. …I just tried to do what I could.”
“…….”
“You would have done the same.”
“…!”
Keun Se-jin looked like he’d been struck. Bae Se-jin spoke with a fairly dignified expression.
“Ahem, am I wrong?”
“…No.”
At that moment, Keun Se-jin’s expression softened into a grin.
“Of course you’re right. Hyung, anyway, I guess I misunderstood for no reason. I’m sorry.”
“…….”
“And thank you. Really.”
“Right. Um, good job.”
The atmosphere lightened instantly. I shrugged my shoulders.
“…Park Moon-dae! Good job to you too!”
He was dragging me in because he was embarrassed.
“It was nothing. Let’s head down now.”
“Ah, right.”
Only then did the three of us start walking briskly down the hallway. The other guys had already headed to the waiting room.
In the midst of that, Keun Se-jin suddenly chuckled and even cracked a joke.
“Hyung, was that why you were always out in the living room when we were roommates? Trying to do what you could?”
“No… that was because it really was uncomfortable.”
“…….”
“…….”
“Yeah. Well.”
“Ahem, if we become roommates again… let’s, uh, try talking more.”
Keun Se-jin tried one more time.
“Hyung, you didn't even give me proper answers when I tried to talk to you!”
“No! That was because I really had nothing to say!”
I knew it would end up like this. Still, honestly, it was much better now that they were speaking about what they didn't like.
‘They probably knew in their heads that there was no ill will, but they couldn't feel it.’
It seemed they were feeling it now. I shrugged.
“You know I really don’t understand you sometimes, Hyung?”
“I know. Same here.”
It looked like Keun Se-jin and Bae Se-jin were going to settle things at that level for now. It was a huge step forward.
‘They won’t explode even if I leave them together.’
I was quite pleased with this unexpected gain.
The process was similar as we entered the waiting room and prepared to leave.
—Hyungs! You’re here!
—Hyung, this is delicious. Have some!
They tried to hide it, but it was obvious. The whole ‘I know you guys fought and reconciled, and I feel proud because I think I contributed to it’ vibe was everywhere.
Even the staff seemed to have heard the rumors, as they walked by with beaming smiles. Oh, for heaven’s sake.
—Ahaha, thanks~
Keun Se-jin didn't stop smiling. It seemed he was quite embarrassed that everyone knew. I get it. I felt the same way.
At the same time, he whispered to me.
—Park Moon-dae, tell me whenever there’s a problem, okay? I’m looking forward to meeting that person you mentioned~
Sure. If he wanted to see for himself, it wasn't a bad idea.
‘It seems he talked things out with Ryu Cheong-woo on his own.’
…I felt a bit unburdened. I straightened my shoulders. Then, another guy caught my eye.
Seon A-hyun.
He was sitting alone in a corner looking at something, and when our eyes met, he jumped in surprise.
“…? What, what is it…?”
“Nothing.”
Come to think of it, from his perspective, the two same-age friends in the team—excluding himself—had fought and then reconciled. He must have been on pins and needles.
‘I didn't realize everyone would know this much.’
Furthermore, it looked like more situations would arise where I’d have to speak while leaving him out. I glossed over it for now.
“I’m sorry for making you worry.”
“N-no…! I was worried, but I, I knew you’d reconcile.”
Seon A-hyun smiled softly, then added in a small voice.
“Um… M-Moon-dae, if you have any troubles, you can, anytime, tell me too.”
“…….”
There’s no way this guy knows everything and is testing me… right?
“Thanks.”
“For… for what.”
Seon A-hyun smiled and began packing his things. I found myself wondering.
‘How would he react if he found out…?’
I didn't know. I hadn't even expected Keun Se-jin to believe me. Well, I didn't plan on involving Keun Se-jin that deeply in this mess anyway, so Seon A-hyun wouldn't really be left out.
I started picking up my own belongings next to him. Then I spotted it. Bae Se-jin’s electronic device… was it an e-book reader?
“Hyung, this is yours, right?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah.”
I handed it to him, and in the process, the screen lit up. It was locked, but the title of the book was visible.
[A Day Where It’s Okay to Fight]
“…….”
“…Just for reference!”
“Right.”
It was a self-help book. He really… must have worked hard.
‘It’d be weird if I didn't give him a compliment here.’
I spoke up immediately.
“Hyung, I think you’re definitely the type who… does well once you set your mind to it.”
Surprisingly, Bae Se-jin didn't freak out at those words. Instead, he muttered in a slightly excited voice.
“I guess so. Like with producing, I, I thought I wouldn't be able to do it, but once I tried, it worked out well… so I was surprised.”
“…….”
“I’m going to… try being more proactive from now on.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Yeah.”
Bae Se-jin seemed to have made a new resolution. And the opportunity to put that resolution into practice arrived before long.
A few days later.
“We got a response from the film studio.”
“Ooooh.”
The inquiry about the OST for the movie based on the Ruin Factory game universe seemed to have been successfully delivered through T1. However, Ryu Cheong-woo, who had received the call from the company, gave a troubled smile.
‘…Troubled?’
“It’s positive.”
“Awesome!”
“Woooow!”
Cha Yu-jin, who had been looking forward to it the most, let out a whistle. But Ryu Cheong-woo’s troubled expression didn't fade.
“But… the deadline is extremely tight.”
“Pardon?”
No way.
“It seems we’re the ones pushing our way in right now. So, if we’re serious about participating….”
“If we are?”
“They said we have to submit a demo within four days.”
“…!”
That was insane. Everyone instinctively looked at Kim Rae-bin. It was a situation that required an expert’s opinion.
But I already knew the answer.
‘It’s obvious without even looking.’
As expected, Kim Rae-bin’s eyes… were flashing.
“As expected of Moon-dae Hyung-nim! You anticipated this situation and brought forth the powerful policy of staying together for three days a week!”
“…….”
Let’s go with that.
K-Pop Hell Camp… re-opening.