Chapter 528
Chapter 528
“…….”
I gripped my smartphone and read the headline again.
[Breaking News] VTIC’s Cheong-ryeo to Enlist in D-4
The news I hadn't been the least bit curious about had finally popped up as a breaking alert.
No matter how I looked at it, the timing made it clear that the jerk had intentionally sent me that text about enlisting right when the public announcement was scheduled.
I pressed my thumb against the bridge of my nose, barely managing to suppress a frown.
I was still on set. There was no need to give the staff any juicy gossip like, ‘TeSTAR’s Park Moon-dae looked incredibly threatened the moment he saw the news about VTIC’s enlistment.’
However, the guy who had been stuck by my side for years seemed to have read something on my face.
Keun Se-jin intentionally made a fuss and clapped me on the shoulder. Stop it….
“What is it? What’s up?”
“VTIC’s Cheong-ryeo… sunbae-nim is enlisting.”
“Oh~”
Keun Se-jin let out a meaningless exclamation and gave a breezy smile.
“I hope he has a safe trip~”
His tone overflowed with social grace, but his face practically screamed, ‘I hope he disappears quickly.’
Then, I realized this wasn't particularly surprising news anyway.
‘Right. It’s November now.’
I had already heard their plan for the entire group to be discharged at the same time, so it was silly to be surprised by the obvious enlistment date now.
I had calculated this since last year, but so many things had happened that I’d briefly forgotten.
“Then, the VTIC sunbae-nims… since they won’t have any activities at all, I think the fans will be very sad…….”
“That’s true.”
Seon A-hyun probably wasn't just being conscious of his surroundings; he likely said that out of genuine worry.
But there was no need to worry about that either.
‘That guy has probably already paved his own way.’
Cheong-ryeo was the type of person who would have already decided on the group's comeback song for when they returned. Someone like Jin Chae-yul might even receive choreography videos while in the military.
Before that, I should focus on how to draw in fans during their group hiatus. All that mattered was TeSTAR’s success.
And since VTIC fans had likely sensed it coming, the reaction wasn't as brutal as it could have been.
Though, there were comments like these:
“…….”
I wondered if that last one was serious, but anyway.
“Still, a simultaneous discharge would look really cool, wouldn't it?”
“Yeah. I hope they have a good service.”
“Mhm…!”
We wrapped up the conversation on that heartwarming note.
At least, while we were on set.
“Moon-dae, Moon-dae! About what we were talking about earlier.”
As soon as we got into the car and the door closed, Keun Se-jin immediately brought the subject back up.
“A comeback right after being discharged in six months… no, considering hair issues and all, it’ll be about seven months. So, a comeback in June next year?”
“Probably.”
His expression stiffened slightly.
“We should avoid that window when we plan our schedule for next year.”
I agreed. Though we’d need to secure the Cultural Merit Award first so we could postpone our own enlistment before a proper plan could be made.
“Phew, it’s not easy for us to plan these things ourselves, is it?”
“True, but it’s better than not being able to plan at all.”
He grinned as if I’d stated the obvious.
Compared to the T1 days, when they insisted on a crazy idea like debuting a rookie group at the same time as a VTIC comeback, this was a luxury.
It was around then that Seon A-hyun cautiously chimed in.
“Um… about the, uh, VTIC sunbae-nims?”
“Hmm? Ah~ right, right! We were just thinking about their comeback timing for next year. It’s almost the end of the year, so we need to plan for next year too.”
Seon A-hyun nodded vigorously with a serious face.
“I think spring… would be good too. I was wondering what it would be like to make an album that, um, captures the feeling of the season….”
“Oh~ that sounds good too!”
And so, they excitedly began discussing the next album concept. Well, having many ideas and being proactive was a good thing. More heads meant more options.
A peaceful moment seemed to pass, but Keun Se-jin apparently reached a natural conclusion during the conversation.
“Wait a sec, did that sunbae contact you directly?”
It must have looked quite absurd to him, considering I’d acted like I’d just seen the news.
“Yeah.”
“No, but why?”
“I don’t know.”
Keun Se-jin looked bewildered, but I truly didn't know.
If he had called me two weeks ago, I would have understood, but why call a busy person only four days before enlisting?
‘Is he trying to sabotage our comeback?’
Honestly, it was doubtful I could even find the time within the next three days. My schedule was packed until past midnight.
‘Besides, the moment a sighting is posted, it’ll be a headache.’
Running through the expected reactions gave me the answer. A phone call would definitely be enough.
Just as I was debating how to politely but firmly convey, ‘Are you insane? Let’s just talk on the phone,’ a voice interrupted.
[Hyung! I just had a great idea!]
“…?”
It was Keun-dal.
Since I had shared my vision with him because he wanted to watch the variety show we were filming in real-time, he must have seen the text earlier.
But….
‘A great idea?’
What kind of idea could it be?
[Ah, only if you promise never to log into the system!]
And so, I learned what Keun-dal’s ‘great idea’ was.
“…So you came in that form?”
At a Korean restaurant in Yeouido.
I lifted my glass. I saw a hand with more calluses than Park Moon-dae’s.
It was Ryu Gun-woo’s hand.
That’s right. Keun-dal’s suggestion was a ‘one-hour body swap.’
Having realized from the previous instance that there were no risks to swapping bodies, he had willingly offered the trade.
Of course, I was joking.
Two days after I received the text from Cheong-ryeo. I managed to carve out about an hour by combining travel and massage time.
Well, a massage wouldn't be an unpleasant experience for him. But regardless, there was no denying that Keun-dal was being considerate.
‘I owe him.’
I’d make sure to pay him back properly this time too. I mentally calculated the amount as I set the glass back down on the table.
This wasn't the outdoor cafe where I’d met Cheong-ryeo a few times before, but a Korean course-meal restaurant with private rooms.
However, there was one peculiarity.
“Woof!”
It was a place that allowed dogs.
‘He really brought the dog again….’
I watched the large dog lying happily on the floor, belly up, and confirmed it was secured by a harness before looking at the guy holding the leash.
Cheong-ryeo.
Even after hearing a brief explanation of why I was in Ryu Gun-woo’s form, the guy in neutral-toned casual clothes didn't burst out laughing.
Instead, he reacted like this:
“If you keep swapping bodies, you’ll start taking it for granted.”
“…….”
“Considering everything that’s happened so far, it doesn't seem like a very good idea, does it?”
I shrugged.
“I’m not just using it recklessly.”
“Hmm?”
What if I got dragged around by the system’s nonsense again? Of course, I’d thought about that.
I wouldn't have done this if I were that stupid.
“I’m using it according to a pattern of frequency.”
I wasn't using the system ‘specifically’ for this purpose today.
I was already using the system regularly, once every three days.
“It seems like this system wants to keep creating situations where I use it frequently. So, I’m using it at the exact same intervals every time so it can’t even rank ‘how often’ I use it.”
Since I intentionally used mostly useless functions, there was no chance of me becoming addicted to its power.
‘And then, when I actually need it… I swap it out like this once in a while.’
This way, it couldn't distinguish which use was actually necessary, and only the regular pattern of using it once every three days would remain in the system’s records.
In short, it was data camouflage.
The guy sitting across from me curled his lips into a smile.
“I see. That’s a method very much like you, Junior.”
Is that an insult?
I felt my eyebrow twitch as I spoke.
“What method did you have in mind?”
“You should throw it away. Don’t use it.”
“…….”
Well… that was the standard answer.
To be honest, it was a surprisingly moderate choice coming from his mouth.
But if I got rid of the system now, you’d be the one losing out the most.
‘Who knows what would happen if the mission failed because I didn't absorb the system fragments you have.’
Thinking about it that way, it did seem a bit lopsided. After dealing with the fragments, I should use that as leverage to squeeze some information out of him.
‘Since he’s the one benefiting, he’ll have to cough something up.’
Of course, explaining all that now would be ridiculous, so I just said this:
“I have my reasons. Anyway… why did you ask to meet?”
I wanted to get to the point.
I was incredibly busy right now. I hoped he wouldn't say something like, ‘Boohoo, I just wanted to see your face one last time before entering the training center.’
Cheong-ryeo spoke with a slightly hurt expression.
“I wanted to see your face one last time before enlisting….”
“Cut the crap.”
“Haha!”
Yeah, I figured.
“Well, it wasn't a lie. But of course, there’s another reason.”
Cheong-ryeo smiled brightly and said:
“It’s about Kong-i.”
“…….”
I looked down at the furball still lying on the floor with its belly exposed.
Wait, don't tell me….
“Are you asking me to watch her while you’re away?”
“Yes.”
Is he insane?
We can’t even take care of Mung-ge at our dorm, which is why Bae Se-jin’s mother adopted him. Why on earth would I raise someone else’s dog?
‘Wait.’
I was about to retort immediately when I realized this pattern was quite familiar.
‘This is the pattern he uses when he’s trying to piss someone off.’
“Of course, I plan to leave her with a professional service. You didn't think I meant for you to look after her at your dorm, did you, Junior?”
I knew it.
‘That long tongue of his.’
I let out a sigh and took a spoonful of porridge.
“What about your parents?”
“My mother… well, let’s just say she’s not in a position to take in a dog. She’s a very busy person. And she’s not fond of dogs.”
I’m busy too, you jerk.
But I remembered that his mother was a person of national merit, so I kept my mouth shut for now. Cheong-ryeo chuckled.
Did he do that on purpose?
“And things like this are best handled by someone who actually likes them.”
Me?
“Your dog?”
“Yes.”
Then Cheong-ryeo unclipped the harness leash.
Woof!
The fierce yellow furball came charging toward me.
‘What the.’
This thing seems to love humans way too much. I roughly patted its head as I replied.
“It’s just that your dog likes people.”
“You can think of it that way.”
What a ridiculous guy.
Cheong-ryeo fell silent for a moment. He turned his gaze toward his dog.
His expression didn't change, but he seemed unusually contemplative.
He looked quite serious.
“I don’t have anyone else to entrust this to. I don’t trust the character of people I hire.”
“…….”
Come to think of it, he’d been hospitalized because his dorm’s housekeeper hadn't cleaned up grape skins.
‘Well, having multiple people cross-check does lower the probability of problems.’
And since all the people in his circle who knew the situation had already enlisted, I could see why the offer had come to me.
“You just need to visit once or twice a week to check on her. Simple, right?”
Hmm.
“If you have time… it would be even better if you could spend some time with Kong-i.”
“…….”
Ah, dammit.
I sighed.
“I can’t make any promises.”
“…!”
“But if you’re okay with that….”
“I’m okay with it.”
No.
“I said I can’t make any promises.”
“Haha, with your personality, Junior?”
“…….”
“It means I know you’re someone who takes responsibility for what you’ve committed to. Um… thank you.”
Surprisingly, Cheong-ryeo seemed quite sincere.
‘…Sigh.’
I’d have to visit him at least once during his service to recover the system fragments anyway. Using this as an excuse would make it more natural.
In the end, I agreed to check on his dog every now and then.
Of course, not for free.
I should at least get this much before I go.
“When exactly is your comeback next year?”
“Well, even if I don’t say it, I’m sure you can guess.”
Well, I figured he wouldn't give me the exact date considering the risks. But even this much gave me a rough idea.
‘It means a date that’s meaningful to VTIC in June.’
I quickly narrowed down a few dates and nodded.
“If you want to have a simultaneous comeback then, I won’t stop you.”
Is he crazy?
“Yeah. You too.”
“Haha.”
I sent the dog back to him and was about to pick up my chopsticks again.
That was when a challenging blessing came from across the table.
“Good luck with this comeback.”
“Sure.”
I’ll do well even if you don’t tell me to.
I shook the hand Cheong-ryeo extended.
“By the way, are you in the military band?”
“No. I’m an interpreter soldier.”
“…….”
“I found that consistency is the most important thing in learning a foreign language, and I happened to be in an environment where I could be very consistent.”
What a relentless bastard.
A few days later.
Cheong-ryeo enlisted as scheduled, and TeSTAR was given six months until VTIC’s group comeback.
Six months.
‘Within that time, I have to change the game so we can receive the Cultural Merit Award.’
In that sense, the goal for this comeback was clear. I turned off my smartphone and stood up.
And TeSTAR began their aggressive comeback promotions.