Chapter 444
Chapter 444
This morning, one of TeSTAR’s managers found himself playing host to an unexpected addition to the team.
Working a schedule with a member’s family…
For a man known for working strictly by the book, this was a somewhat daunting prospect, but there was no helping it.
Despite their astronomical brand value worth tens of billions of won, TeSTAR had rarely made unreasonable demands. On the rare occasion they did push for something like this, shouldn't the company accommodate them?
At least, that was the company’s stance, and as a subordinate, he had to suck it up and follow orders.
“Phew…”
He headed out to meet the members, already resigned to his fate.
He prepared himself for a complicated day, playing the role of a ‘Daily Manager’ while looking after a complete amateur he couldn't even treat casually.
And then, he finally met the guest in question…
“Hello. I’m Ryu Gun-woo.”
“Ah, yes.”
The man looked like Ryu Cheong-woo if he’d been locked in a library for five years and fed nothing but vegetables—a handsome man who clearly shared the family resemblance.
Up to this point, the manager was surprised, but nothing felt out of place.
“Headcount is complete, and no other members have any specific issues. Ah, the company has already been notified about Moon-dae’s condition.”
“Ah, yes.”
This was where things started getting strange.
The man was… incredibly sharp.
“Whoa~ We’re in your hands, Hyung~!”
“Yeah.”
“H-here! Why don’t you… have this while we go…?”
“Thanks.”
Furthermore, the members were completely at ease with him. One would think they had lived and breathed together for seven years.
Question marks began to pop up in the manager’s mind, but his body moved habitually to keep the schedule on track.
However, once they reached the car, Ryu Gun-woo raised a hand and made a suggestion.
“Shall I drive?”
The steering wheel?
Of course, it was standard for the person with the least seniority to handle the grueling tasks, but wasn't this case a bit different?
The manager hesitated for a moment but soon nodded obediently.
“Ah, hmmm… Yes. Thank you.”
“It’s only natural. I should be the one thanking you.”
Rather than wasting time bickering if he insisted on driving himself, it seemed better to just hand it over.
The company was nearby anyway, and he could just set the destination on the navigation system. After that, he could use the busy schedule as an excuse to jump into the driver's seat first.
After a few trials and errors, he’ll realize how hard it is and give up the seat on his own…
However, as soon as Ryu Gun-woo got into the driver’s seat, he skillfully set the navigation without even asking.
“…??”
“Then, we’ll head to the company first.”
“Ah, yes.”
And just like that, he began checking the subsequent schedule while naturally merging into traffic.
“The morning schedule starts with a meeting, then the salon, then a consultation. It should wrap up around 1 PM. For lunch… let me know if there’s anywhere specific you want to eat.”
“I want chicken!”
“Let’s do a show of hands. Anyone else? …Good. But since we’re right before a comeback, it’ll be boiled.”
The manager, sitting in the passenger seat, was granted a period of rest for no apparent reason.
“…?”
Meanwhile, Ryu Gun-woo was checking the rearview mirror, keeping an eye on the back seat while offering advice.
“Rae-bin, your hair.”
“Ack, thank you!”
In that figure—somewhere between a kindergarten teacher and a veteran manager—one could feel an aura that only came from years of experience.
The manager spoke up before he realized it.
“Um, what is your actual profession?”
“Ah, I’m an administrative civil servant.”
“…?!”
An answer he never could have imagined.
In the meantime, the car arrived at the company.
Without asking, Ryu Gun-woo smoothly handled the entry using an ID card from his pocket, and as soon as he finished parking, he confirmed the members’ entry.
By which I mean, he didn't follow them inside.
“Um… aren't you coming in?”
“…? I have to go buy coffee. I’m the rookie, after all.”
How on earth do you even know that?
“Ah, I’ll buy them from the place with the affiliate discount. Four iced decaf Americanos, two chamomiles, and one hot chocolate.”
“…….”
“I took the orders when we were getting out of the car. What would you like, Section Chief?”
The manager gave up on thinking.
For the record, a few hours later, Keun-dal would similarly give up on thinking.
“I think I’m going to die.”
“Hey, you won’t die, you won’t~”
Lee Se-jin laughed as he handed over some water. Keun-dal barely managed to take it, his hands trembling as he gulped it down.
Ugh!
It was a localized hell of a forced march.
Park Moon-dae hadn't lied. There truly weren't any nerve-wracking public schedules like live radio.
TeSTAR had already finished recording the album and filming pre-release content for the comeback, so there was no other pressure.
But the training schedule… the management schedule!
I don’t even know where I am anymore…
The meeting room, the salon, the vocal training room, the bone-setting clinic… They moved so busily it made his head spin, and even during the transit time, interview questionnaires were handed out.
[You don’t have to read it. We’re not doing it today.]
It was a pop-up sent by Ryu Gun-woo—or rather, the Park Moon-dae inside him—who was holding the steering wheel.
But just because he didn't have to read the questionnaire didn't mean he had time to rest.
Five minutes later, the car stopped at the company again.
The destination was the choreography practice room on the first basement floor.
“The bridge section you guys mentioned last time has been modified. It’s a bit tricky, though. You okay with that?”
“Yep~!”
“Aww, you’re always so reliable.”
The choreographer, who was under an exclusive contract with the label, was scheduled to spend 40 minutes going over the final fixed choreography made from six or seven different drafts.
Before starting, Ryu Cheong-woo smoothly relayed the specific details.
“Ah, Moon-dae is excluded from choreography practice today due to his injury.”
This was an agreed-upon matter. No matter how things were, Keun-dal couldn't possibly perform choreography he hadn't even learned.
“Ah, really? Then we’ll start with him out.”
And as if there wasn't even time to ask after his well-being, ‘Park Moon-dae’ was immediately sidelined, and the modified choreography demonstration began.
Whoa…
Keun-dal sat down in a chair, confused whether he should be happy about his good luck or happy about having time to catch his breath.
And he soon forgot all about that.
Wow.
—Again!
Even though they were only practicing the bridge part repeatedly, witnessing it from such a close distance was incredibly powerful. Adding the fact that he was watching an ‘unreleased new song’ made his hands shake.
Moreover, the moment he turned his head.
“…!”
He saw Ryu Gun-woo leaning against the wall right next to the door, his eyes quickly scanning the choreography.
To be precise, it was TeSTAR’s Park Moon-dae in Ryu Gun-woo’s body.
He’s memorizing it with his head.
It hit him once again that even though they were using the same body, the impression changed depending on who was inside.
And… the fact that this was actually the time that Hyung should be practicing in this body.
“…….”
This won't do.
Keun-dal had a strange sense of pride in his achievements(?) as a status window.
He had only been a great help to Moon-dae Hyung’s idol path so far… and now I’m the one causing a setback!
This isn't right.
So, when the next schedule came around, this is what he thought.
“Now it’s PT in the training room until 9:10.”
This is it!
“Um, Hyung!”
“Hmm?”
At Keun-dal’s call, Ryu Gun-woo, who had been watching the overall situation while leaning against the wall, turned his head.
“Can’t I just do the workout? The body is the same!”
“Hmm…”
“Oh, you want to try? It is pretty fun.”
Ryu Cheong-woo reacted readily from the side.
Encouraged by that reaction, Keun-dal resolved once again to willingly participate in the PT!
“Yes!”
He shouldn't have.
He should have checked Ryu Gun-woo’s expression at that moment…
However, having committed the sin of not possessing the 340-degree field of vision of an eagle, Keun-dal was now sprawled limply on the training room floor.
……The advanced course was a demon’s den that a beginner should never challenge based on resolve alone.
So this is how you’ve been living…
He felt like he had finally found rest after a long torture session. It was only because the body was accustomed to it that he had even endured.
Sob…
He sucked down the water Lee Se-jin handed him like it was the water of life.
But that rest ended immediately.
“Time to move!”
Agh!
That’s right. Because right before an idol’s comeback, even rest was scheduled down to the minute…….
Just then, someone reached out to support Keun-dal so he could stand up.
“…!”
It was Bae Se-jin!
“Oh, uh, thank you.”
“…It’s nothing.”
Bae Se-jin muttered. Then, after a slight hesitation, he added more.
“It’s normal for it to be hard the first time, so don’t overthink it.”
“…! Yes, thank you!”
Bae Se-jin just gave a blunt nod and walked away, but Keun-dal realized once again that he had a quite kind nature.
No, actually, most of TeSTAR was like that.
Despite the busy schedule, they were plainly kind to him, a stranger, without any particular hazing. No one was wary or sarcastic.
The extroverted members especially went out of their way to talk to him and make sure he wasn't uncomfortable.
“Hey.”
“Ack, yes.”
For instance, in a situation like this.
When almost all the schedules were over and the sun had completely set, the car arrived at the dorms.
And Cha Yu-jin spoke to him.
“Speak casually! I’m younger. It’s okay!”
“Oh, um, okay.”
His body was so exhausted that he succumbed to the comfort and spoke casually.
And Ryu Gun-woo watched the two of them chatting as he got out of the driver’s seat.
Hmm, we got through it reasonably well.
I nodded.
Keun-dal suffered a bit, but I was glad things were wrapping up cleanly without any major issues.
“Ahem, good work today.”
“Not at all. I should be the one thanking you.”
I exchanged platitudes with the manager.
For the record, as soon as Ryu Cheong-woo and Lee Se-jin stepped in as guarantors, Ryu Gun-woo’s interview for the daily road manager position was fast-tracked.
Blood ties really are the best.
Park Moon-dae isn't feeling well, but he has no immediate family to care for him.
So the excuse that Ryu Cheong-woo called his own older cousin, who is close with Park Moon-dae, worked.
The Keun-dal version of Park Moon-dae, who was unusually… dazed and bright compared to usual, must have looked a bit unwell to the company staff.
Thanks to that, Ryu Gun-woo was able to slide in under the guise of mental care.
As for driving… I got the hang of it after a few turns last night.
I did get some help from Ryu Cheong-woo, who has his own car.
He gave me pretty good pointers from the passenger seat.
That suggestion was worth remembering.
Anyway, it’s been a while.
Fortunately, my body hadn't forgotten, and I spent the whole day driving through Seoul without any issues.
Perhaps because I was temporary labor brought in through connections, and because I provided unpaid labor by taking turns at the wheel, the existing manager didn't try to pull any unnecessary rank on me.
I nodded after reviewing the day.
Doesn't seem like I did anything to get caught.
My plan was to head straight into the dorm and finish the day as quietly as possible…
“Moon-dae Hyung!”
“…….”
Hey.
Fortunately, Cha Yu-jin corrected the title immediately.
“Oh! Gun-woo Hyung! Let’s go buy ice cream! Me, Kim Rae-bin, and BM!”
“BM?”
[He said “Keun-dal” was a special nickname? So I changed it to something hip.]
Don’t tell me it’s Big Moon.
It was an incomprehensible sensibility.
Anyway, Keun-dal seemed quite tempted by the proposal himself, given his bright expression.
However, Kim Rae-bin whispered seriously.
“Hyung, given the special circumstances, I believe it would be safer to just go home like this…”
“Nooo! Kim Rae-bin betrayed us! The Kim Rae-bin who said he wanted to eat ice cream has disappeared!”
“…! Betrayal! Saying I want to eat it doesn't imply the intent to go buy it myself! Cha Yu-jin is making a leap in logic right now!”
“Alright, alright.”
Yeah. As Kim Rae-bin said, going back to the dorm was technically the best move, but…
I should give them a carrot.
Let’s be honest. That guy Keun-dal must have felt like he was being tortured throughout today’s schedule.
After giving the manager a nod, I switched cars and got back behind the wheel.
The manager would take care of the guys heading back to the dorm, so I could just stick with these three for a bit.
“Let’s go. If the convenience store right in front is okay.”
“Yeah!”
“Ah, yes!”
“Put on your masks.”
The car started up immediately.
The drive was over in an instant. I pulled up in front of the convenience store and got out.
And instead of going inside with them, I stood outside and waited.
“Hyung! Aren't you coming in?”
“I’m tired. You guys pick yours.”
“OK~”
I watched the convenience store door close and turned my gaze toward the road.
That taxi.
“…….”
The truth was, I had just seen that tail following our car.
Did I get caught now, of all times?
Well, in industry terms, a sasaeng.
Stalkers.