Chapter 392
Chapter 392
Ryu Cheong-woo, who had been walking over after handing off his microphone, sat down next to the waiting room sofa and spoke.
“I enjoyed the performance. It was a great stage.”
“Thanks.”
After a brief silence, he asked quietly.
“Are you feeling any better?”
I let out a short laugh. Of course, this guy noticed too.
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
Looking back with a more rational mind, it was almost ridiculous. To think my nerves were frayed this badly just because I was ‘overwriting’ my first stage.
‘I could have just thought it was a bit unpleasant and used it as a means to an end since I’m planning to escape anyway.’
[No! It was a situation shocking enough to warrant that!]
Is that so?
Let’s be honest.
I’m not the type of person to be affected by petty emotional squabbles. But now I think I understand why I acted so stupidly.
[What do you mean…?]
It’s simple.
‘I felt miserable.’
Starting from the first fansite master leaving to the constant stream of ‘proof’ like the verification shots saying ‘You are no longer TeSTAR’s Park Moon-dae’—my mental state had shattered irrationally.
It meant… I had grown that attached to that reality.
…No, not just ‘a bit,’ but ‘a lot.’
I crossed my arms.
‘…It’s a first.’
[Pardon?]
And I admitted it.
‘It’s the first time my physical condition actually worsened over something like this.’
[Gasp!]
It wasn’t like someone had died, or my landlord had scammed me out of my deposit, so I hadn’t expected to feel such a sense of helplessness.
I opened my mouth and added, “It won’t happen again.”
My response was inadequate because it was the first time. It won’t happen again. Now I know how to control it.
[Ooh~ What kind of method is it?]
Why is this guy writing like Keun Se-jin?
I made a calm declaration.
If there’s something I have to do but don’t emotionally feel like doing, and no immediate solution presents itself?
‘Then I just stop thinking about it.’
[Ah.]
‘Don’t think. If the situation requires it, just do it. And if it makes you feel so bad that your efficiency drops, then just quit.’
This is the fastest way.
I can’t believe I hadn’t been practicing such a simple truth. I nodded to myself.
[Hyung, that… are you sure that’s a healthy method? I think—]
It’s my mind, so I’ll do what I want. Got it?
[Yes….]
The popup shook. At the same time, I heard Ryu Cheong-woo’s reply.
“I’m sure you’re capable of that, but it’s also okay to talk about it when your mind is cluttered.”
When I turned my head, Ryu Cheong-woo made a small hand gesture.
…It was the TeSTAR logo.
“Because we can understand each other. Right?”
“…….”
[Did you hear that??]
I nodded. Ryu Cheong-woo simply smiled without saying anything else.
I didn’t feel bad.
Afterward, we went back up to the empty stage where the audience had already left to film the finale cut for this episode.
Looking at the CEO’s face, it seemed he was satisfied with every single performance today.
The participants were also a bit swept up in the excitement, and filming ended in a rare, pleasant atmosphere.
“Gun-woo hyung! I heard you were suffering from body aches!”
And so, I ended up preparing to go home while holding a bottle of grandmother-made Sujeonggwa that Kim Rae-bin handed me, insisting it was ‘good for body aches.’
“…??”
For the record, I was going to refuse since it seemed like it was meant for him to eat, but then a list of misunderstandings he would likely have if I refused flashed through my mind.
-Because the container looks shabby!
-Because he doesn’t eat food made by others!
-Because it’s the end of filming and he’s worried the Sujeonggwa has expired!
…I accepted it cleanly. To avoid any issues with his grandmother, I should probably invite him over and cook something for him before the next shoot.
That’s why I was currently stuffing this water bottle into my bag while packing.
Around me, I could hear the excited voices of the guys sharing the waiting room.
“Hey, do you think we’ll all end up debuting together like this?”
“Ah, that’s a bit many… but I’d rather have that than be eliminated.”
“Oh, look at this guy knowing how to spot a win.”
For the record, since these are the bastards Cheong-ryeo cut ties with, there’s no way they’re going together.
‘What exactly did you guys do in which year?’
I looked at the two who still seemed decent for now, then grabbed my things and stepped out into the hallway. The others would be waiting in the lobby.
And just as I was about to finally leave the filming site.
A familiar voice echoed from across the hallway.
“A-hyun-ssi, wait, please wait a moment!”
“Yes.”
…It was Seon A-hyun and a staff member.
I heard the sound of the staff member running off somewhere, and Seon A-hyun turned the corner.
‘Hmm.’
The moment our eyes met, he walked straight toward me.
“I was planning to say hello anyway, but I’ve run into you here!”
“Ah, yes.”
I bowed my head, acting like a participant meeting a mentor who had successfully finished a performance.
For the record, I thought this guy would hand out points generously to other teams’ performances, but surprisingly, he gave out scores quite coldly. Thanks to that, my position in the Elite Class seemed secure.
As a mentor, he was top-tier.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, we finished the stage well.”
“No! I’m the one who should be thankful. It was a very interesting performance.”
Seon A-hyun waved his hand slightly, his face flushing.
“I rarely get the chance to do a stage using pop music like this… it was refreshing. Thank you.”
“…….”
Alright, stop thinking, finish the greeting, and leave. Let’s go with that.
However, Seon A-hyun spoke again.
“And… I really wanted to tell you this. The draft you revised was even better than before.”
“…….”
“I think you found an even better answer. And.”
Seon A-hyun added the next part softly and carefully.
“The introduction to the counselor… it’s still okay if you want it now.”
Ah.
I should probably ask about this.
Why on earth is this guy seeing a counselor here?
“May I ask how you met this counselor?”
This much should come across as moderate interest and a verification of credibility.
I even pre-planned the steps to withdraw the question if he hesitated.
However, Seon A-hyun answered readily.
“They were listed in my agency contract terms.”
Hmm?
“After all, the arts are always a battle with oneself. Counseling is even included in the basic curriculum.”
“……Ah.”
So… it was artist welfare.
‘Then in what context did he say that he was also in pain?’
I scrutinized him to see if he was lying. In reality, he was the type whose lies were painfully obvious, but he might be better at hiding it here.
But there was no sign of it.
‘He’s not lying.’
And perhaps thinking I was contemplating, Seon A-hyun added more.
“A performer has to manage not just their physical condition, but their mental state as well.”
“Hmm, yes.”
“So, if you want, I’ll contact them in advance. Um… you’ll probably be able to get about five sessions for free.”
“…….”
It was only then, looking at Seon A-hyun’s smiling face, that I realized.
I see… that was it.
‘He said those things about pain on purpose.’
He was lowering the hurdle by building rapport so that a depressed guy would feel comfortable talking about his troubles and feel better.
‘To think I didn’t notice that.’
I looked at him with a slightly awkward expression.
Wait, if that’s the case… doesn’t it mean this guy is in perfectly healthy condition?
It meant he was building his career while receiving all the care he could get.
[That… seems to be the case?]
Right.
He even had enough peace of mind to talk to a complete stranger who looked troubled and offer a favor.
The tension left me all at once.
‘Good grief.’
“…I’m fine. Actually, there’s someone a friend recommended to me beforehand.”
“Ah… I see.”
I made an groundless over-assumption for nothing. My own state must have been poor for my thoughts to spiral that far. I clicked my tongue inwardly and withdrew all my assumptions.
With a smile, Seon A-hyun asked again.
“Then… shall we exchange contacts and check in on each other occasionally?”
“Sure.”
I gave him my number on his smartphone without any issue. It would be ridiculous to refuse here. It’s not like I was throwing a gauntlet in his face.
‘Though we probably won’t see each other in person again once he leaves the country for ballet.’
I could just see him when I returned to reality. …Though honestly, I didn’t know if the version of him living here would welcome that.
‘Well, I’ll worry about that after he actually comes out of the gacha.’
Talking about it when I haven’t even pulled him yet is just counting chickens before they hatch. I immediately stopped that line of thought.
‘This is what I mean by controlling it.’
It was working well.
I nodded after shaking his hand out of habit, just as I would with anyone in the industry I’d exchanged contacts with.
“Then I’ll be heading off now. Have a safe trip back, Mentor-nim.”
“I’m not a mentor anymore, so you can really call me comfortably.”
Persistent guy. I didn’t know I’d have to call even you by this title.
“…Then hyung, have a safe trip back.”
Seon A-hyun smiled brightly and nodded.
“Yes. …Um, if you ever have any worries, feel free to contact me anytime.”
“You’re too generous to someone who just became an acquaintance.”
Seon A-hyun’s face went blank for a moment, then he let out a small laugh.
“I just… want to.”
Yeah, the fact that he’s still a pushover hasn’t changed.
And so, I obtained a contact through which I could communicate with Ballerino Seon A-hyun even without the <Recruit Colleague> system.
[Seon A-hyun Hyung]
…Though the saved name was like this.
[Ah, hyung! The lobby!]
“Ah.”
Right.
After parting with Seon A-hyun, I went straight to the lobby.
And before I could even reach the main entrance, I was caught once more.
“Gun-woo hyung! Are you leaving?”
It was the two who had been my teammates in this team battle.
Ju-dan and Chae-yul.
“Yeah. I’m on my way out.”
I was starting to get tired after talking to so many people today. But I couldn’t neglect the guys I had just performed with, so I stopped.
‘Are they going to talk about the stage?’
Then, the two of them bowed their heads deeply.
And Jin Chae-yul spoke.
“Thank you for leading us so well every time, even when you weren’t feeling well! Next time, I’ll be a more reliable teammate.”
Ju-dan added.
“Even more so once we debut.”
“Right, even more once we debut!”
“…….”
My condition certainly couldn’t have been pleasant for them, yet they were thanking me instead?
Moreover, the composition I demanded while revising required a level of expressiveness that would be difficult even for idols who had already debuted.
It must have been hard for guys whose stats hadn’t fully matured yet to keep up, but they just kept their mouths shut and worked hard.
‘…They’ve got good tenacity.’
I opened my mouth.
“…You worked hard. I’m the one who should apologize. I’ll take better care of myself and come back healthy next time.”
“…! Yes!”
I’ll admit it. They were guys worth working with.
I looked at Jin Chae-yul, who was smiling so hard his cheeks looked like they might burst.
Maybe that fansite master will watch this stage because of this guy… well, it’s better if they like someone on my team.
It’s better than them not watching my stage at all.
“The stage was really good. I had fun thanks to you guys. Thank you.”
“Haha….”
“Me too.”
Even without consciously trying to stop my thoughts, my mind was surprisingly at ease.
“I hope our stage gets broadcast soon! Ah, should we watch it together?”
“No, that’s a bit…”
“Ah… I-I’m sorry.”
“It’s not that, it’s just that it’ll air after our next filming starts.”
“Hup.”
I just laughed it off. Anyway, I have to debut with these guys, and well… it didn’t seem like life would be that miserable.
And when I finally started my journey home, the guerrilla concert episode of <Wise> had already finished airing outside.
‘I should check the public opinion.’
Since I had been away from my smartphone for a while, a check-up was essential. I immediately accessed the internet.
And I was taken aback.
-Are the Ryu brothers insane? Are the Ryu brothers insane? Are the Ryu brothers insane? Are the Ryu brothers insane? Are the Ryu brothers insane?
-I found the perfect combination. It’s Ryu-Gun-woo-Cheong-woo-dan. Adding Jung Ju-dan makes the visual chemistry insane.
-Wolf Ryu Cheong-woo, Husky Ryu Gun-woo, Arctic Fox Chae-yul… We’ve decided to call this the dog-type spectrum.
-Thank you so much for being idols… I love you.
“…….”
I thought I’d be at the peak of getting cursed at for being a ‘bloodline corruption’ or whatever because we wrecked the Main Vocal Club. But the atmosphere was already like a party that had moved on from the eliminated contestants.
Accounts with all sorts of participants as their profile pictures were jumping in.
It seemed like every viewer was ready to hang a banner for Ryu Cheong-woo.
‘What is this?’
I immediately went to a search engine.