Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: A Resolute Departure
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I waited exactly one hour before waking Kang Ju-hyeok.
The other team members looked like they wanted to come along, but I felt that having too many people there would only complicate things for him, so I said I would go alone.
“Hey.”
He opened his eyes after just a few shakes.
Then, he looked around.
“Did I really fall asleep? I was just going to close my eyes for a second.”
He ran a hand through his hair, as if he couldn't believe he had actually fallen asleep.
“It’s probably because you’re mentally exhausted. I read somewhere once that when things get too tough, people sometimes use sleep as a form of escape.”
Kang Ju-hyeok seemed to believe me right away.
“Still, you feel a bit better than before you slept, right?”
“Yeah. I feel a little more clear-headed. Thanks.”
He was definitely calmer than before.
“Are you really going to drop out?”
“Yeah. I think that’s the right thing to do. I need to talk more with my agency, but it seems for the best. If I don’t leave now, I’ll just be a burden to the show…”
“You can’t.”
I met his eyes and shook my head.
There was no way he could be allowed to drop out here.
“I’m giving up on Red Cube, not anything else. I’m going to continue being an idol. There’s no reason for me to give up on my dream because of him.”
Though his voice still lacked strength, it felt like the Kang Ju-hyeok I knew was back.
“That’s not it.”
I knew.
I knew what people would say the moment Kang Ju-hyeok dropped out.
[So Kang Ju-hyeok is leaving after all. If he’s leaving, it means he has something to hide. Why would you leave if you did nothing wrong? You should stick it out even if you get hate.
↳ lolololol this is the right answer. If you did nothing wrong, you stay. Just release a statement denying it.
↳ Isn’t he leaving because he hates all the mud-slinging?
↳ You have to endure it to prove your innocence.
↳ But I’m grateful he’s leaving. It would suck for the other members if he debuted…
↳ He probably wouldn’t have debuted anyway. He’s more of a casual viewer pick than someone with a dedicated fanbase. He can’t survive a controversy like this. If he had a solid individual fandom like Haru, he might have gotten lucky and debuted.
↳ Anyway, there goes another one. Seriously, kids who were school bullies should have it written on their foreheads. There are too many cases where you think someone is decent, but it turns out they’re not. I’ve been betrayed too many times.]
The moment he left, Kang Ju-hyeok would be tentatively branded a school bully.
Just like how I was branded after one apology broadcast, even though I had done nothing wrong.
“The moment you apologize, it becomes the truth. You’ve seen it all, haven’t you? How I’ve lived.”
Kang Ju-hyeok said nothing.
“The moment you drop out, you’ll have to struggle to prove your innocence, even though you did nothing wrong. Thrashing about while no one believes you… that’s no way to live.”
“It’ll be the same even if I don’t leave.”
“Of course, not leaving doesn’t guarantee you can prove your innocence. But more people will believe you if you stay.”
Right now, I was more desperate than Kang Ju-hyeok.
“I’ll contact my company first. It’s not something I can decide on my own.”
It seemed his announcement about leaving after hearing the news about Park Su-hyeol had been a unilateral decision.
One made without consulting his agency at all.
“Okay.”
Kang Ju-hyeok took out his phone and called his company.
I felt it was better to stay by his side for now, so I didn’t leave.
“Yes. …No.”
I couldn’t hear what the company was saying to him.
“Yes.”
Kang Ju-hyeok continued the call with a serious expression.
*I hope it’s going well.*
Worry washed over me.
If Kang Ju-hyeok’s current agency was a garbage place like LM, they wouldn’t protect him.
They would either cast him out or try to make money off this controversy.
*I don’t want to see him go through the same thing I did.*
He wasn’t a stranger, and watching someone I knew crumble because of a person like that would be hard to bear.
“I understand.”
Kang Ju-hyeok’s call ended.
I couldn’t bring myself to ask if he was okay, so I just watched him in silence.
“The company said they’ve already drafted a statement. They’ve also contacted my friends from middle school, and they’re in touch with the victim of the school violence. Thankfully, it seems the victim agreed to do an interview.”
Kang Ju-hyeok’s expression had visibly lightened.
“Then you don’t have to leave, do you?”
If the victim themselves said it wasn't Kang Ju-hyeok, there would be no reason for him to drop out.
That’s why I wanted to hold on to him.
“No.”
Contrary to my hopes, Kang Ju-hyeok shook his head and gave a negative reply.
“Why? You’re a shoo-in for the debut lineup. Aren’t you disappointed?”
“I am. I am, but… to be honest, I don’t want to leave my current agency. It’s a place that’s too good for me.”
“What?”
“When my group disbanded and I was drifting, the CEO of my current company took me in. It’s not a big agency, but he said he was producing an idol group, thinking of it as his last chance, and asked me to do it with him.”
Kang Ju-hyeok seemed to have a deep attachment to his current agency.
“So, other people might call it deceitful, but my heart felt heavy every time I heard that I was a safe bet for the debut lineup.”
I didn't know what it felt like to be attached to an agency, so I wasn't sure how to react.
“I naturally assumed I would debut with a project group for a year or two and then go back.”
Looking back, I think Kang Ju-hyeok’s expression did seem a bit sour during the surprise announcement that we would break our current contracts and sign with a different agency.
“When I heard that wasn’t the case, my heart didn’t feel light. So I had a talk with my agency. I said I had no intention of leaving. The company said it made no sense to miss such a great opportunity. I think we repeated the same conversation for hours. Then, I finally agreed. They said they would use media play, calling my future group my juniors, so I said okay, but my heart remained heavy.”
Kang Ju-hyeok took a short, deep breath.
“Yeah. Maybe this is for the best. I get to keep my loyalty, right?”
Kang Ju-hyeok said as he straightened his hunched body.
He looked somehow relieved.
“Funny, isn’t it? Just an hour ago, I was making a scene, worried I wouldn’t even be able to stand on stage again. I must look like a real fool.”
“No. It just shows how anxious you were. I know that feeling, so I could never call you a fool.”
“Right. You must have had a really hard time too.”
It was the first time someone other than my family and fans had truly understood my feelings, and it felt strange.
“I’m okay now. It was an incredibly difficult and painful time, but looking back, it seems bearable. A lot of people know the truth now, too. And who I am today exists because of that time.”
It was advice only I could give.
Because I was someone who had endured it all.
“Thanks. If it weren’t for you, I might have just hidden away. I’m going to start preparing for my debut as soon as I leave here. We already have a debut song and a group name, you know. We might even debut sooner than you. You better be on your toes. And make sure you debut. Let’s meet again on stage.”
Kang Ju-hyeok playfully nudged my arm.
He seemed completely fine now.
It looked like he had managed to sort out his emotions while honestly sharing his feelings with me.
“How are you getting back?”
“The agency is sending a car. I should pack my things and say my last goodbyes to everyone. You should go back and practice.”
“Okay.”
Feeling it was alright to leave him alone now, I returned to the practice room by myself.
“Where’s Ju-hyeok? How is he?”
Haru asked, grabbing my arm.
“He’s doing much better.”
Everyone let out a sigh of relief at my answer.
“But he’s still planning to drop out of the show.”
“What?”
“No. Why?”
“I think it’s better if you hear it from him directly. He said he’s coming after he packs his things, so let’s wait.”
The team members fell silent with quiet sighs.
Not long after, Kang Ju-hyeok entered the practice room.
His face was completely different from when he’d said he had to leave.
It was almost enough to make one think they were two different people.
“Sorry for making you all worry!”
Kang Ju-hyeok announced with a bright smile and an exaggerated gesture.
“Are you really okay?”
Haru asked him.
“At first, it felt like my world was collapsing, but I’m okay now. What was bound to happen, happened. Honestly, I always knew something like this might happen because of Park Su-hyeol. That’s why I acted so strange when I first met Yoon-seul, out of impatience. If you knew the look Yoon-seul gave me the moment I brought it up, you wouldn’t be able to stop laughing.”
“Ah…”
“Why? What kind of look was it?”
“Um… Ah! That’s it. It was like when he was holding that CCC lemon.”
At Kang Ju-hyeok’s words, everyone burst into laughter.
The impact was so great that the laughter didn't die down easily.
I was the only one standing there blankly, watching them.
It was a little embarrassing, but I didn't want to ruin the good atmosphere, so I just stayed still.
“Oh? It’s the company. Looks like they’re here. I think I have to go now.”
Kang Ju-hyeok, who had been laughing, checked his phone and said.
“Let’s go together. It’s your last day, we’ll see you off.”
“I’m not a kid.”
Kang Ju-hyeok refused Haru’s offer.
“It’s not because we think you’re in danger like a kid. Let’s all go. It would be lonely to leave by yourself.”
“Alright.”
And so, we all went to the parking lot to see Kang Ju-hyeok off.
“Take care.”
“Call us, man.”
“Stay healthy, everyone! I’m not going to vote for anyone! That would be too unfair! Let’s all make sure to debut and meet again.”
Kang Ju-hyeok got in the car, rolled down the window, and waved at us.
He looked so cheerful.
Only after the car left the parking lot did we turn to leave.
“Still, it’s a relief his expression was so bright.”
“I agree.”
“Yoon-seul. You went through a lot.”
“Yeah. If it weren’t for you, we would’ve had heavy hearts sending him off.”
Everyone credited me for the improvement in Kang Ju-hyeok’s mood.
“Well then, shall we resume practice?”
“Let’s go.”
It felt like a storm had just swept by.
*Wait a minute. If this is the case, then there’s an empty spot in the debut lineup.*