Chapter 56
Chapter 56
‘Did Park Moon-dae change his name?’
A chill ran down the back of my neck. This didn't feel good.
Regardless, I couldn't afford to look awkward. I immediately picked up the mic and spoke.
“…I’ve been Park Moon-dae since the day my birth was registered.”
“Pwahaha!”
The MC’s reaction was good.
And what I said was the truth.
‘As soon as I entered this body, I pulled every document—resident registration, abstracts, even family relationship certificates.’
I wasn't an idiot; it was the obvious thing to do. I had searched for anything that could potentially become a problem.
Park Moon-dae had lived under this name his entire life, and there were no other peculiarities. Aside from the high school dropout status he’d noted himself, his record was clean.
‘And according to the suicide note, the dropout was due to bullying.’
In other words, it wasn't a reason that should hinder his debut.
However, that specific question about a ‘name change’… it definitely weighed on my mind.
‘I need to check the internet as soon as this is over.’
“Ah~ Moon-dae, your name is so unique that I guess they were curious!”
Sensing there was nothing more to milk from the topic, the MC wrapped up the question immediately.
I watched the other contestants take their turns, waiting for the filming to end.
*
I soon found a specific social media post on the internet that had gained traction.
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[I’m curious about what Moon-deng-deng did before this, but nothing comes up. Could he be an alien who changed his name?]
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‘So this was the problem.’
I felt a bit deflated.
Since the original account holder was a famous illustrator, it seemed to have become a meme in a very short time—at least within the fan community.
I didn't mind people joking and laughing like this, but the situation itself was a bit suspicious.
‘I didn't expect absolutely nothing to come up.’
Park Moon-dae’s date of birth and name were right there on his profile.
To be honest, I expected his high school to be revealed midway through the broadcast. At the very least, I had anticipated comments like, ‘I went to the same school, and he was a bit weird. He hung out alone and then dropped out.’
And a comment of that level wouldn't even be a blow. If anything, fans would be relieved to know he was the underdog at school and wasn't the type to bully anyone.
‘Is it because his impression changed so much?’
This seemed like the most plausible theory.
When I first entered this body, Park Moon-dae was skin and bones with shaggy, unkempt hair. On top of that, since a completely different person (me) was inside, his speech patterns, movements, and aura would have changed as well.
Still, the story was bound to come out eventually. It wasn't like I was using a stage name.
‘I’d prefer it if it came out after the program ends.’
Since it would be hard to check my phone until the live broadcast anyway.
After the talk show filming ended, I returned to the dorms and handed in my smartphone as usual.
‘Let’s just focus on practicing.’
There was only one week left until the final stage. I didn't have the luxury to think about anything else.
…However, even if you don't have the luxury, you’re forced to think about other things when a problem hits you in the face.
I came to realize this not long after.
*
The incident exploded two days later, in the evening.
I was shoving dinner into my mouth while half-asleep when an urgent call came from the production staff.
Based on my experience so far, I thought they were just going to grab an interview cut. But the atmosphere in the staff room was grim.
“Moon-dae.”
The writer who had cast me at the karaoke bar began to speak in a tone that barely managed to sound concerned.
“Right now, on the internet… a post went up.”
“……Yes.”
I had a terrible feeling about this.
The writer was even choosing her words carefully in front of me, as if she didn't know how to break the news.
Feeling a headache coming on, I held out both hands.
“Would it be okay if I just saw it for myself?”
“Um, alright.”
The writer scanned me from head to toe before quickly handing over her phone.
I looked at the screen. I saw a familiar interface.
It was the same community where Keun Se-jin’s school violence controversy had been posted.
And I saw the title written in a large font at the top.
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[The reason Park Moon-dae dropped out: He got caught stealing sanitary pads lol]
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“…….”
What the fuck is this bullshit?
My mind went blank at the unimaginable title. It had been a long time since I felt my thoughts come to a grinding halt.
With a brain that refused to function due to the shock, I checked the content.
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It’s already out there that Park Moon-dae is from Sijeong High School in Incheon, so I’ll skip the explanation. I went to Sijeong High and I’m the same age as him. Park Moon-dae was in Class 3, and he was a super gloomy, weird kid. Honestly, I didn't even know his name; I only realized it was him after seeing Park Moon-dae on Idol Inc.
Yeah, but don't feel relieved yet, stans. lol ★It’s true that Park Moon-dae dropped out because he got caught stealing a girl’s sanitary pads in the same class.★
Because of this, the girl who got her pads stolen also got caught up in weird rumors and dropped out not long after.
And quite a few kids know about this? There was a huge fuss for a while about whether a School Violence Committee would be held. lol Though Park Moon-dae just dropped out and ran away!
In case you don't believe me, I’ll verify with my graduation album and uniform. But even if I don't, other kids who know will keep coming out~
[Photo] [Photo] [Photo]
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Below that, a string of testimonies from netizens claiming to be from Sijeong High School, asserting they also knew about the incident, were listed as the top comments.
“…….”
A chill ran down my spine.
This… there was no answer for this.
It would have been better if he had hit someone or stolen money. Of all the things to steal, he stole a girl’s sanitary pads?
Even if I had seen this in real life, I would have thought he was a hopeless piece of trash, but for this to break out for a contestant on an idol audition show?
“Did you read it all?”
I read it, but I had nothing to say.
Was this Park Moon-dae guy insane?
‘You did something this pathetic and then wrote in your suicide note that it was unfair you were being bullied?’
Sure, if he hadn't actually stolen them, it might have been unfair. But the problem was whether there was any way to prove right now that he didn't do it.
“……Yes,” I barely managed to answer.
The writer didn't even bother asking useless questions like whether it was true or not.
“I think it would be best for you to quickly think about what you want to do.”
It meant I should either fix it or drop out on my own.
I swallowed hard and replied.
“…I will… think about it for a moment and then… tell you.”
“Yes. Please be quick.”
I could barely even speak properly.
I returned to the dorm in a daze. Since it was still practice time, the dorm room was empty.
I felt like I would smash everything on the table if I sat there, so I sat on the bed instead.
And I tried my best to think calmly… Fuck, calm my ass.
I punched the bed.
A dull thud, thud echoed, but it did nothing to alleviate this rage.
‘You want me to just die like this?’
How the fuck was I supposed to handle this?
Shoving me into a defective body like this, pretending to give me a hand by letting me level up, and then pushing me to debut within a year—I could see nothing but malice in this situation.
My head throbbed. I should have taken that damn Immovable Heart trait.
‘Now… what do I do?’
What followed the anger was, ironically, a deep sense of helplessness.
There was nothing I could do. Truly.
Because I didn't know anything.
If I at least had a smartphone, I could search… no, that would be madness.
The only reason I was holding it together this much was because I wasn't looking at public opinion right now.
No matter how much I’d lived my life not caring what others said, I couldn't guarantee I’d be fine after seeing a nameless mob pouring out raw vitriol.
Furthermore…….
‘……What about those people?’
I meant, how would the people who supported Park Moon-dae feel?
They spent their money and time as they pleased, and they probably never imagined they’d be stabbed in the back like this.
It’s even more absurd because I didn't do it. It’s driving me crazy.
…This feeling of being overwhelmed by a situation was the first time since I became an orphan.
“…….”
Should I give up?
Just as that thought briefly crossed my mind, someone creaked the dorm room door open.
“U-um……”
“…….”
I considered it a feat of superhuman patience that I didn't tell them to get lost right then and there.
I didn't respond and just kept sitting on the bed with my head down. It felt like my brain was boiling.
“Hey, Park Moon-dae.”
At that moment, the door swung wide open and Keun Se-jin walked in.
I guess the rumors had already spread. It wasn't surprising that a sharp guy like him found out first.
“Is that story true?”
I don't know.
I thought I hadn't answered, but it seemed my mouth had slipped due to the extreme stress. The guy responded.
“What do you mean you don't know? Did you really drop out because of that?”
“I said I don't know.”
I didn't know why he was being so annoying. Since only the finals were left, wouldn't it be better for him if I dropped out?
“…You know you’re talking nonsense right now, right?”
I grit my teeth.
“I don't remember.”
“What?”
“Fuck. I woke up after trying to kill myself and I don't remember a thing. Happy now?”
Thud.
The sound of the chocolate bar Seon A-hyun was holding hitting the floor as he stood awkwardly to the side was loud.
I sighed. I’d blurted out the truth for no reason.
Should I consider it a blessing that I didn't go as far as saying my soul had swapped and I’d traveled back in time? If I’d said I could see a status window too, I’d be labeled a pathological liar or a mental patient for sure.
No, what did any of that matter now? If I couldn't solve this, debuting within a year was out of the question anyway.
“I-I-Is that true…….”
“Yeah, it’s true.”
It was already hard enough to stay calm, and this useless conversation was draining my energy.
“Now that you know, just… leave me alone. I’ll settle it myself.”
“…How are you going to settle it when you don't even remember?”
“Just get out.”
“It’s better to have someone to talk to if you don't know anything either. It’s not like you have an agency.”
“…….”
He was right.
“Honestly, it’s hard to believe, but I don't think you’re the type to lie about something like this. The rumor about stealing sanitary pads is even weirder.”
“T-That’s right.”
“I don't think a guy as calculating as you would do something that stupid.”
“…!! N-No……. I didn't mean it like that, u-um, I mean……”
Seon A-hyun broke down. Keun Se-jin ignored him.
“Right. It would be different if the victim or someone close to the victim posted it. But looking at it, that’s not the case either.”
“…….”
My head cooled down a bit. I looked up at Keun Se-jin.
Keun Se-jin was calmly sitting down on the floor opposite me.
I didn't know why a guy who didn't seem the type was being so meddlesome.
‘Is he doing this because I helped him with his own situation?’
Still, it was unexpected for him to do this with the finals right around the corner. Not that I was in any position to care about that right now.
“For now… let’s assume you don't remember this incident. Do you remember anything from high school?”
“High school or whatever, I have no memory at all. When I came to, there was just a suicide note in front of me.”
A brief silence followed.
“…Was there no mention of it in the note?”
“There was no mention of specific incidents. There was an expression of it being unfair, but anyone can say that at any time.”
“You’re quite cold for someone talking about themselves.”
Keun Se-jin let out a weak, hollow laugh.
I wanted to snort, but I didn't have the mental capacity for it.
“U-Um.”
Seon A-hyun struggled to join the conversation.
“T-Then… would it be h-hard to find the p-person involved and check…?”
“…….”
He was probably talking about the girl who supposedly dropped out.
“While we’re filming like this, there’s no time or opportunity to find her…. Unless I drop out.”
…The more we talked, the clearer the situation became.
Dropping out to put out the immediate fire and then accurately assessing the situation seemed to offer the highest chance of survival.
“……D-Don’t.”
“What?”
“D-Don’t quit, and l-let’s w-wait a bit.”