Chapter 437
Chapter 437
“There’s no content…”
Muttering gloomily while aimlessly scrolling through social media, a fan of Kim Rae-bin spotted a post shared on her timeline.
It was from VTIC’s official account.
[Special news to commemorate D-7 of the 〈Save the World〉 Charity Concert!
The indomitable guests are returning.
(Photo)]
The account that shared it had added a short, ominous comment.
-Don’t tell me it’s our boys?
“…….”
Kim Rae-bin’s fan felt a chill. It was that specific gut feeling she got whenever her intuition was about to be proven right.
‘Oh, please.’
After everything they went through, TeSTAR was still going to appear at a VTIC charity concert?
She felt conflicted.
On one hand, it was good. The charity concert was a hot topic, so it was a smart move to join the flow and not miss the momentum. More content was always better.
The problem was… it felt like they were just doing VTIC a favor, which pissed her off.
‘I mean, those bastards are responsible too. It’s not like they were the ones who almost got into an accident, so how can they shamelessly act like they’re victims too?!’
It was a transparent ploy, but the fact that the broadcasting station was even more infuriated and fell for it was a source of eternal resentment.
Now that TeSTAR was joining, the charity concert would be even more of a success! Kim Rae-bin’s fan fumed for a moment before eventually accepting reality.
Having passed her senior year and now preparing for employment, her combativeness on the internet had gradually mellowed out.
‘Well… I wonder if they’ll perform.’
Since the incident happened before they could even take the stage that day, she couldn’t be sure, but they would probably perform a few title tracks.
Naturally, one thought crossed her mind.
‘…Is Park Moon-dae okay?’
No matter how strong-willed he was, almost being crushed by stage equipment seemed like something that would leave a trauma.
Still, TeSTAR had resumed using social media just yesterday.
-Fun board games (Puppy emoji)
The attached short video showed a heartwarming scene of Keun Se-jin rolling on the floor after seeing a failed dice roll and the rest of TeSTAR bursting into laughter.
Looking at the background, they were indoors. Seeing them all hanging out together, the atmosphere didn't seem bad.
‘Of course, they’d only post stuff like that.’
She replayed the video to capture a screenshot of Kim Rae-bin passing by in neat pajamas, then decided to focus on the new content instead of wasting energy on useless emotions.
However, the scheduled "content" wasn't what she expected.
That afternoon, a post appeared on TeSTAR’s official account as well as VTIC’s.
[TeSTAR’s Counseling Center
Preparing to open (Flexed bicep emoji)
Location: 〈Save the World〉 Charity Booth]
“…?!”
Confused, she clicked on the description.
-Help young heads of households and consult with TeSTAR about the worries and difficulties of your youth (Photo)
That was it. TeSTAR wasn't performing.
If they performed the stage they had prepared for the charity concert, people would inevitably be reminded of the stage collapse.
It was too ambiguous to turn into a narrative about "overcoming" it since no members were actually injured. There was a risk that viewers would only think about the accident instead of enjoying the performance.
So, they chose this method instead.
Supplementary content for the VCR!
-Talk with TeSTAR!
They called it a "counseling center," but in reality, this was… a video call fansign event!!
“Aaaah!”
Kim Rae-bin’s fan quickly found a post on her timeline that summarized the details.
-You apply by donating to the collection box, picking a member, and writing down your story. The face of the person being consulted will be hidden, but the stories might be broadcast anonymously….
-And the members pick the stories themselves!
The application period was only one day.
“…….”
She looked back at the presentation PPT she was making and clutched her head.
“Aaaah, seriously!”
Whatever, I’ll just stay up all night!
Having never won a single fansign before because of the shamelessly insane cut-off numbers, she decided to give this "futile" challenge a try.
Of course, the odds were low since an enormous number of people would apply, but…
‘Kim Rae-bin!’
She opened a Word document.
And two days later, she let out a roar of triumph upon seeing the news that she had won.
Naturally, she had no idea what kind of process Park Moon-dae had gone through to plan this.
*
I won’t deny it. Surprisingly, unlike being hospitalized, living at the pension was quite nice. Bae Se-jin seriously tried to persuade me to "hand over my smartphone again," but it was bearable.
It sounds a bit funny, but these past few days were filled with relaxation rather than boredom.
‘Could it be that having a smartphone makes such a difference…’
No, it’s not like I’m an addict.
There’s no way.
Well… it was probably because there were many small, non-threatening variables that kept things from being boring.
“A cat came…!”
“Wow, what kind of pattern is this? The baby has yellow stripes~”
“It feels like water! It’s weird!”
I nodded as I watched Cha Yu-jin get flustered while trying to pet a stray cat that had wandered in as if it were a dog.
Things like that.
Besides that, even if it was a bit hectic, it wasn't a bad life. Exercising, cooking, practicing drawing.
I even thought that I could live like this once I retired someday.
‘Is this the first time I’ve had time like this since entering this body?’
To put it a bit vulgarly, a daily life where I killed time doing whatever I wanted, like a wealthy person with no job.
Of course, I couldn't stay like this forever, so after observing the atmosphere for a few days, I gathered the guys together in the evening.
And I just said it straight out.
“I feel more at ease when I’m working.”
“…….”
“Resting is good, but it’s only rest if I do it when I want to.”
They didn't look at me with "so what?" eyes. Let's move on to the next point.
“So….”
“I know.”
“…!”
Keun Se-jin answered without any expression.
“But even if you don’t feel at ease, you have to rest when you need to. …It really was the doctor’s recommendation. He said your lactic acid levels were too high.”
“…!”
“We weren't lying. Even if you felt like we were.”
“…….”
I looked around at the others. Even the one whose expressions were easiest to read didn't waver.
It meant it was the truth.
“They also said if you use your smartphone too often, it’s better not to use it for a while.”
“Me?”
Immediate responses poured out as if they had been waiting.
“Yeah. You’re a total addict.”
“Park Moon-dae looks for his smartphone the way people look for a drink.”
“…….”
No, alcohol’s only utility is stress relief, while there are so many things you can do with a smartphone. What kind of nonsense is this?
But no one refuted it. Cha Yu-jin just shrugged his shoulders.
At least Kim Rae-bin tentatively made this comment.
“However, since most modern people have symptoms of dopamine addiction, I believe you do not need to be excessively concerned!”
“You’re only saying that because you’re an electronics addict too.”
“…??”
And he was immediately shut down.
Ryu Cheong-woo took that opportunity to start speaking. Smoothly, as if he had prepared for a long time.
“But Moon-dae must have been flustered. Right?”
“…….”
“I think we were just too panicked. We’ve been through a lot since before our debut… but no one thought our lives would be in danger. Especially in such a supernatural way.”
Right.
That was why I had tried to cooperate with their attitude as much as possible, but…
“Still, I should have said this first. I think I’m a bit late.”
Ryu Cheong-woo smiled and reached out to pat my back.
“Thank you for being safe.”
My stomach felt a bit churned up.
“…Yeah, thanks.”
“Thank you.”
As if they had discussed it beforehand, similar sentiments were heard from all around. Every time, I felt even more nauseous.
‘Damn it.’
I took a deep breath and answered calmly.
“Me too. Thank you. …I’m glad everyone made it out safely.”
“Yeah.”
The atmosphere in the living room where we sat in a circle softened. The strange tension that had been created by avoiding the topic during the days of hospitalization vanished.
Bae Se-jin cleared his throat with a slightly reddened face.
“Well, I think I was being sensitive too. Since something unimaginable happened….”
“Still, won’t it be helpful when you act in a project with a similar vibe later?”
“No! Something like this should never happen again.”
Bae Se-jin glared at me. Then he asked seriously.
“Can… something like this happen again in the future?”
“I don’t know either.”
“Hey!”
“I’ve been told it’s unlikely, but honestly, I mean I don’t really know. I think I need to look into it more.”
Honestly, I thought he would scream again.
But Bae Se-jin just nodded and said this.
“…Right, thanks for being honest.”
“…!”
“I mean, it’s not like interrogating you will give me an answer… Anyway, well, I’ll look into things too.”
Is he planning to read sci-fi novels or something?
“Great! We’re all grateful to each other. We can just keep going like this. Moon-dae hyung, say what you want to say.”
After Cha Yu-jin finished speaking, Keun Se-jin opened his mouth with a bitter smile.
“So, Moon-dae Moon-dae, you want to work? What exactly is it that you want to do?”
He was quite favorable.
‘I can just say it right here.’
I even thought that I didn't necessarily have to choose something that could be done without leaving the pension… well.
“It’s something like this.”
I explained my plan to the members. The atmosphere of them listening intently wasn't bad, and…
“That sounds fun?”
In the end, it passed successfully, and our new way of participating was announced through VTIC’s account.
-〈TeSTAR’s Counseling Center〉
*
[Hello! Thank you for taking the call.]
“Yes, uh, hello!”
Kim Rae-bin’s fan swallowed hard. On the screen, she could see Kim Rae-bin’s face looking back at her. It didn't feel real. But it was reality.
It was reality!
Her story, which involved selling out her younger brother, had been selected, and she was now on a video call with Kim Rae-bin after all this time!
‘Aaaah!’
She tried her best not to make a weird face.
‘He’s so damn handsome!’
Kim Rae-bin had his hair tied back in a small ponytail.
But that didn't mean it was just messily tied up at home. It was clear he had put effort into his appearance, from his piercings to his thick grey knit sweater.
And the glimpse of the light purple beige—ash purple—which was the inner color of his secret two-tone hair, was pure bliss.
The fan lamented.
‘This is a true nation….’
No joke, Kim Rae-bin was someone who could run a country well even if he were given one… No, wait, he might get scammed.
Momentarily regaining her objectivity, she poured out the story she had prepared as calmly as possible.
“It’s because I fight with my younger brother so much….”
It was basically a story about how her family and society were collapsing because she had been fighting with her brother since they were young.
Listening intently, Kim Rae-bin nodded seriously.
[Since I also grew up with an older sister and experienced many different conflicts, I requested a conversation with Ji-won because I thought I could be of help with this grievance.]
He requested a conversation with me!
‘His word choice is killer….’
Not just selected, but he personally requested… Ah, anyway.
Actually, she didn't really need that help, but she was very curious about what kind of help he had in mind.
On the screen, Kim Rae-bin opened his handsome mouth with a serious face.
[How about telling your brother exactly where your feelings were hurt, without adding or subtracting anything?]
[I have also disappointed my sister more than a few times, but I believe that if accurate feedback is given, those points can be corrected. Of course, it might be troublesome…. Please consider it.]
“…….”
So, this meant he had been faithfully and earnestly listening whenever his sister lectured him?
‘I’m jealous.’
Kim Rae-bin’s fan grit her teeth. What on earth did she have to do in her past life to be born as Kim Rae-bin’s sister?
-Whoa, did you really win? Isn't it a scam?
-But it’s not like you’re seeing him in person, why are you dressing up? Even if you do, you’re still ugly, just roughly… Ack! Ack!
-Is it my fault you’re ugly?!
The years she had spent with such a person as a brother flashed before her eyes like a panorama.
Pretending not to care, she had just chased away the guy who was hovering around trying to check.
In short, it was a piece of utterly useless advice that only made a person feel inferior!
However, Kim Rae-bin’s fan smiled brightly and nodded.
“I’ll give it a try!”
[…! Thank you for saying that!]
She couldn't miss Kim Rae-bin being sincerely moved thanks to her! And really… it was more than worth it.
‘Let’s ask him to tell some of his own anecdotes too!’
Ultimately, she would also draw out a cute cheering message for herself.
Kim Rae-bin’s fan strongly motivated herself.
And at the same time.
In a room on the third floor of the pension.
[Hello.]
“…Hello, Noona.”
Park Moon-dae also started his first video call, feeling like he was about to break into a cold sweat. What appeared on the screen was….
[My worry during my youth was being compared to my older sister.]
Ryu Seo-jin.
The younger sister of Ryu Seo-rin, who was a writer for Idol Inc., and a senior from the Department of Mass Communication who used to be in the same photography club as Ryu Gun-woo and could drink well.
[Ah, you can just call me Puppy… no, Ryu Seo-jin.]
…And she was the twin fansite master for Park Moon-dae and Lee Se-jin.
He only just realized it now.
‘Is this for real?’