Chapter 540
Chapter 540
An alleyway in Barcelona, Spain.
"Hahaha!"
The air was filled with the sounds of foreign life—children running around and adults walking briskly past.
And we were lost.
“…….”
“…….”
Are you bewildered? So am I.
As for why Seon A-hyun and I were suddenly standing blankly in the middle of Spain... I should probably start from when we first arrived.
-Whoa! Barcelona is such a cool city…!
-We have to eat churros!
-…….
And so, at Cha Yu-jin’s insistent urging, we attempted to head to some famous churro place, but…
-…Wait, where did he go?
-Cha Yu-jin!!
Cha Yu-jin suddenly vanished into an alley, and amidst the chaos of everyone running around to find him, we got separated from the production crew as well.
How does this even happen?
In our attempt to find Cha Yu-jin, we ended up vanishing ourselves. I started to reach up to ruffle my hair in frustration but stopped.
This was the first time in my decades of life that I’d actually ended up as a "lost child."
Of course, we were two grown adults, so there was no reason to panic. I spoke calmly.
“First… let’s get a taxi.”
Then I realized.
We can’t.
We had no money.
According to the variety show’s concept, the production team held the entire budget, and we were supposed to earn pocket money through busking missions.
Even that pocket money had been split up: Ryu Cheong-woo held the operating funds, and Bae Se-jin held the emergency cash.
In other words, all we had was…
“…Enough for one bus ride.”
“……I-I see.”
That was the extent of the cash we had on us.
Smartphone pay services won't work since we're abroad.
Wait.
I reached into my pocket only to realize a fatal flaw: I didn't even have my phone. I’d left it with the manager so I wouldn't get caught using it on camera.
As for Seon A-hyun, he rarely used his phone to begin with, so he’d tucked his away in his bag.
“…….”
So, here we were… two foreigners dropped in a country where we didn't speak the language, with no money.
This is driving me crazy.
The moment we transferred buses, we’d be penniless and forced to contact the embassy. It was an absurd situation.
Seon A-hyun seemed to realize the gravity of the situation as well. His face went pale, but then he suddenly stood up.
“I-I’ll try… talking to other people…!”
“Wait.”
Where did this guy get the confidence when he only knew English and French?
Sure, he could probably get by with English words and gestures, but that would only draw unwanted attention…
It’ll be a problem if there’s a communication mishap.
We couldn't forget that we were celebrities. If we were led to the wrong place, who knows what kind of controversy might spark…
Let’s think of a simpler solution.
The basic rule for being lost.
“Let’s sit down and talk for a bit.”
We wait for the group. That way, we don't keep missing each other.
“Okay….”
I sat down on a nearby bench in the alley next to the plaza. Seon A-hyun quickly sat down beside me.
Doing so made me feel a bit calmer.
It’s been a while since I’ve had time like this.
It felt like years since I’d just sat leisurely in an open outdoor space on a sunny day, people-watching. Even if the reason was that we were lost.
It’s not bad.
I fell silent and watched the plaza.
“It feels like… it’s been a long time since we’ve just walked around outside like this….”
Seon A-hyun’s expression softened as well.
But then, as if realizing something, he quickly added in a flustered tone, “Of course, I’m grateful and happy that we can be so active with our promotions…!”
“I know.”
It was just… well, it wasn't bad to enjoy this once in a while.
When I nodded, Seon A-hyun looked slightly relieved, and the atmosphere returned to quiet people-watching.
Hmm.
Speaking of promotions, something did come to mind.
“Seon A-hyun.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you have any interest in going solo?”
I thought Seon A-hyun was going to jump off the bench.
“M-Me…?!”
“Yeah.”
Even if we delayed enlistment as much as possible with the Cultural Merit Award to manage our peak years, we couldn't avoid the military forever.
Those who have to go, have to go.
To maintain public opinion in Korea, there was no other option.
Naturally, around that time, it would be most efficient to do solo or unit activities. It was a reality that would arrive within a few years.
But looking at Seon A-hyun’s reaction, it seemed he hadn't given a single thought to going solo until now.
He seemed lost in thought for a moment before shaking his head seriously.
“For now, I… prefer promoting with the members.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah.”
I wondered if he’d faint if he knew Kim Rae-bin had already produced a demo version of a Seon A-hyun solo track.
To lower the barrier to entry, I guess this guy should start with a unit.
I gave a small smirk and nodded.
“I prefer team activities too.”
“…Yeah!”
Seon A-hyun nodded, looking quite happy.
Even though our most recent "team activity" involved dressing up as Christmas trees on the street to sell stamps…
And it was a B-list costume, at that.
With the blinking light bulbs, singing a cappella carols didn't feel sacred at all; it felt like a cheap sales tactic to hawk stamps. It was disastrous.
…Of all things, we had to lose that mini-game together.
Seven… no, seven glowing, moving trees. It was such a sight that we had more onlookers than ever before.
For the record, the mission the production team gave us was "Get cheered on by at least 3 children," and after a desperate argument that everyone under the age of majority is a child, TeSTAR was granted a success.
-Everyone who hasn't become an adult is a child! Wait. PD-nim, are you suggesting that minors are adults…?
-Wow, you’re really twisting my words here.
Because we’d earned food expenses that way, the suggestion to buy churros had passed without issue.
Cha Yu-jin….
My eyebrow twitched.
I didn't know why he’d bolted, but regardless, the moment the cameras turned off, that guy was going to live on a healthy, low-sodium diet for the rest of the tour.
Late-night snacks will be nothing but a dream for you.
I was a bit worried about what the other members and the crew were doing after we vanished, but looking at the list of remaining members, it seemed fine.
Only the calm ones are left.
They were the type who could find us.
I stretched my legs and leaned back against the bench.
The December weather was cold, and we were lost. It was supposed to be a gourmet trip, but I didn't even have a snack in my hand. Still, I didn't feel too bad.
Maybe it’s because I’ve worn so many weird costumes lately.
Compared to that, this was heaven.
How long had we been sitting there?
“Hey, guys!”
“…!!”
I heard familiar Korean.
When I turned my head, a figure running from afar was waving his hand.
“Hyung…!”
It was Ryu Cheong-woo.
Rarely out of breath, he ran over to us in a single bound.
“Are you both okay?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah!”
As expected, staying put was the right answer. The situation was resolved.
I was about to get up from the bench to greet him.
However…
“But Hyung, where are the others?”
“Ah.”
…‘Ah’?
At that ominous sound, I looked at his face. Ryu Cheong-woo looked behind him at the empty street and gave an embarrassed laugh.
“I was looking for you guys… and I think I got separated from them.”
“…!!”
“T-Then….”
The words Doesn't that just make it 'Lost Child +1'? were about to burst out of Seon A-hyun’s mouth.
I suppressed a sigh.
Still, three is better than two.
Besides, this guy had the most important thing.
Money.
“…Well, thanks to you, Hyung, we can take a taxi or something if the crew can’t find us.”
“Yeah, we can do that. But before that…”
Ryu Cheong-woo smiled brightly.
“Let’s get you guys something to eat. You’ve been out in the cold for a while.”
“Ah….”
Seon A-hyun was touched, but at that moment, a thought flashed through my mind.
Something to eat?
Wait a minute.
Could Cha Yu-jin’s destination be…
Right next to the plaza.
“Gracias!”
A famous churro shop.
Standing in front of the shop, which was thick with the scent of cinnamon, I nodded.
“I think he’ll come here.”
Unlike us, Cha Yu-jin was a native Spanish speaker and would have no trouble finding his way.
So, whatever his reason for running off was, once he achieved his goal, there was a high probability he’d naturally head to our original destination.
“That’s a good guess. It’s perfect for you guys to eat, too.”
“Mm.”
It was better to be on the street where people looking for us could see us, rather than being tucked away inside a restaurant.
I gave a slight nod, and Ryu Cheong-woo walked toward the shop with a smile.
Come to think of it, his coat seemed a bit thin for this weather.
“Aren't you cold?”
“I’m fine. I did a bit of running.”
Answering casually, he pulled some bills out of a silk pouch labeled <Pocket Money> that the production team had given him.
Then he placed the order.
“Esto, por favor.”
“…!!”
To my surprise, Ryu Cheong-woo spoke Spanish.
What the?
Sensing my gaze, he spoke sheepishly.
“I’m not that good, but I remembered a bit of what I learned before.”
“…….”
He must have meant during his days in Steer.
“I guess it comes in handy like this.”
As he spoke, he gave a bittersweet smile, as if reflecting on the past.
The strange sense of rejection he used to feel toward his "Steer self" seemed to have subsided quite a bit.
He even continued talking while waiting for the churros.
“…Now that I think about it, there were times when Yu-jin would quietly disappear when he was resting.”
The current situation must have triggered the memory.
“……I guess it was because he was having a hard time.”
At that moment, Seon A-hyun answered.
“But… I think if Yu-jin were having a hard time now, he’d say it directly.”
“…!”
Ryu Cheong-woo was momentarily surprised, but then he gave a wide grin.
“You’re right. I don't think he’d suddenly disappear for that reason now.”
It was a pleasantly stable response.
Seon A-hyun also quickly nodded with a smile.
I could feel the trust they had in the group and its members, built over several years. It made me feel a bit embarrassed for planning to put Cha Yu-jin on a low-sodium diet.
“Moon-dae, you think so too, right…?”
“Yeah.”
I leaned lightly against the wall.
Well… if I were to be generous, I could assume Cha Yu-jin had a good reason.
And I could even think about his future.
“On that note, since this happened during filming, the crew must be recording it…”
Let’s see, if this gets aired…
-Cha Yu-jin is exactly the type I hate in a group setting.
-Ugh, I’m already annoyed.
-Honestly, it’s only because of the funny editing, but isn't this serious?
-Yeah, if Cha Yu-jin is going to keep acting out, cancel his contract renewal (prayer hands emoji).
It would be a total dumpster fire.
“Let’s act like this never happened.”
“Agreed.”
Both Ryu Cheong-woo and Seon A-hyun nodded immediately without protest.
And so, on the condition that the footage would be scrapped, we enjoyed a snack break in the alley, each holding a piping hot churro.
And just as we were about halfway through our churros…
“Ohhhh!!”
“Hey!”
Surprisingly, Cha Yu-jin appeared around the corner of the alley as if he’d caught the scent.
My prediction had been spot on.
Finally.
I was about to tell him to forget about eating churros.
But as I focused my gaze, I realized Cha Yu-jin looked different from when we’d parted.
His hair and face were grimy and covered in soot, and he was clutching a dark reddish bundle of fur.
What is that?
Cha Yu-jin adjusted his hold on the bundle.
It was… a cat.
“There was a fire over there! I rescued this cat!”
“…?!”
And behind the alley.
Among the members and crew who had chased after Cha Yu-jin, panting for breath, Bae Se-jin pointed at him.
“……He… he saw a building on fire and just ran toward it…….”
“…….”
[My baby! Thank you so much!]
…And so, Cha Yu-jin received the cat owner’s gratitude and got to eat free churros.
He achieved the staggering feat of being featured in the local newspaper with a headline like "The Christmas Tree That Saved a Cat," and the entire incident was turned into an episode and successfully aired on the variety show.
[TeSTAR’s Tiger-Cat saves a cat even on his way to a restaurant... | <TeSTAR's Not Lonely Gourmet Trip> EP. 4]
Less than an hour after the video was uploaded, funny clips were captured and summarized versions began circulating on SNS and online communities.
Naturally, because it was a dramatic episode that would be hard to stage even if one tried, it drew massive attention.
Using that momentum, we timed the release of articles about the tour selling out perfectly.
[Company Grade (B+) → Company Grade (A-)]
Promotion successful!
The company’s grade had finally gone up.
And what this meant was simple.
[Mission Accomplished!]
Mission: Reach A- Grade for <Stars Orbit Entertainment>
- ‘Fragment of ■■■’ can now be retrieved.
It was time to go see Cheong-ryeo.
To retrieve the system fragment.
Only, there was one peculiar detail…
[VTIC Cheong-ryeo completes JSA unit placement... “Can we see him if we go to Panmunjom?”]
JSA, the Joint Security Area.
That bastard Cheong-ryeo had been stationed at Panmunjom, the northernmost point of our country.
Right in front of the armistice line.
“…….”
Well… I definitely won't be able to take the dog.