Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Unwanted Visitors
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They had been at the salon since 4 a.m. getting the full makeup treatment and were now on their way to the filming of *Best Idol*.
The members were buzzing with an unnecessary amount of excitement.
It was understandable, of course, as this was their first time on a top-tier, mainstream show since their debut.
“What if I fall asleep during the shoot? They said it’ll be at least ten hours.”
“I told you to go to bed early.”
“I was too excited to sleep!”
A nervous Yi-na huffed 괜히, while Seul-bi held up a hand mirror, examining every corner of her face.
“You should get some sleep now, then.”
At my words, Ro-si, who had been dozing off, jolted awake with a start.
“I told you to sleep, and you wake up.”
I glanced at Seol-ah through the rearview mirror.
Her eyes, which had been on me, quickly darted away.
Ever since her vocal level had skyrocketed, Seol-ah had become much quieter.
She hadn't even offered a word of thanks.
We arrived at the *Best Idol* set, which was a music show studio with additional stage equipment.
“Name?”
“Answer.”
The staff member’s curt question fueled my desire to make the group famous as quickly as possible.
Famous enough that they wouldn't even need to state their name.
“…Second to last room at the end.”
“A room? We get a waiting room too?”
“Pfft.”
The staff member let out a snort at Yi-na's innocent reaction. Seul-bi, looking embarrassed, quickly pulled Yi-na down the hallway, and Ro-si followed.
After getting closer to Seul-bi, Ro-si now followed her everywhere.
With their similar hair colors and appearances, they looked like twins from behind.
“…How did you do it?”
“Do what?”
I had no choice but to feign ignorance at Seol-ah’s abrupt question.
“My vocals. Is this even possible?”
“It was possible because you were always talented, Seol-ah. To be honest, I never expected you to improve that much in a single day.”
“……”
“Sometimes, a breakthrough just happens in an instant.”
“Really?”
“What, are you worried I used some kind of drug? If I were you, instead of interrogating me, I would have just said, ‘Thank you, teacher.’”
“…Thank you.”
“About time. It’s been days.”
She couldn’t have seen something, right?
Her persistent questioning was suspicious, but I could understand, given all the unusual things she had experienced.
“Whoa! A waiting room!”
I heard the sound of air escaping a sofa.
It seemed Yi-na had plopped down rather forcefully.
“You’re going to rip your stockings if you do that.”
“My thighs aren't as thick as yours, Unni, so it's fine.”
“Hey! This is muscle, you know?”
Yi-na and Seul-bi were bickering again.
“…It’s gross.”
“A toned butt is what’s in right now, kid!”
Seul-bi said, slapping her own hips for emphasis.
Choi Yoo-jun, his face flushed, turned his head away, only to flinch when his eyes met mine.
I let out a dry laugh at the sight.
He was like a mad dog one moment and a total softie the next. An unpredictable guy.
“Are you that happy about a waiting room?”
“Of course! It’d be even better if we hit it big and got a room with a bed.”
“We’ll get there by the end of the year.”
“I belieeeve! I believe in our oppa!”
Yi-na shouted playfully.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, that would indeed happen.
“You’re Answer, right?”
“Yes. Hello, Writer-nim.”
“You’ve familiarized yourselves with the show’s format, correct?”
A junior writer was checking on their preparations in place of the main writer.
“As you’ve been told, this is a special episode, so the schedule might change on the fly. Please follow the directions carefully.”
Something about the writer’s explanation felt off, but I wasn't too worried. We had thoroughly prepared for the possibility of malicious editing, and more importantly, we had the backing of a Division Head.
All we had to do was make an appearance and play out the personas we had prepared.
“You all have the scripts we sent, right? Do you need any more copies?”
“No, we have them all.”
“Hoo… Alright. Rehearsal will be starting soon, so please be on standby.”
The writer finished her check-in and moved on to the next room.
“I’m going to go check the sound and stage. Yoo-jun, you stay here until I get back.”
“Of course! Don’t worry about a thing!”
His impulsive nature was a bit of a concern, but he was definitely a trustworthy guy.
* * *
The members of Answer were looking at their scripts, each imagining a happy performance.
It wasn't that they had many lines to deliver, but their reactions had to be on point.
“So, we have to act like something’s funny even when it’s not, and exaggerate our reactions a bit, right?”
“Right. But don’t overdo it and get on their bad side.”
“Okay, okay. Don’t stand out too much, clap hard, cheer loud, and smile wide.”
Choi Yoo-jun kept glancing at the field kit belonging to the makeup artist who had come from the salon.
“Ma’am?”
“…Me? Yes?”
“Could I possibly use a little bit of your tone-up cream?”
“Pfft.”
The makeup artist, who was taking a break after touching up the Answer members, laughed in amusement.
“Keke. Yoo-jun oppa, you’re not even going to be on camera. Why do you need tone-up cream?”
Yi-na and the other members smiled at Choi Yoo-jun.
“Have a seat. I’ll do it for you.”
“Oh! Ahh… I was just going to borrow a little… Well, I’ll gratefully accept! I’ll treat you to coffee and dessert later.”
Choi Yoo-jun beamed as he sat in the chair.
His smooth charm brought a smile to everyone’s face in the waiting room.
“You don’t have any sharp angles, so you don’t even need shading. I’ll just apply some concealer and add a few highlights.”
“Yes, yes!”
The makeup artist pulled out her tools, a look of amusement on her face.
“All the managers at JD Enter are so handsome. If someone saw you…”
“He is an idol.”
The makeup artist jumped in surprise at Seul-bi’s interjection.
“Really?”
“They were both trainees!”
Yi-na answered quickly before Seul-bi could.
“No wonder… It’s a shame to waste those visuals.”
“Haha. I’m planning to move into producing now.”
“Really? That’s cool.”
Just as the makeup artist was dabbing a light-colored concealer on one side of Choi Yoo-jun’s face.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Who…”
Creak.
Before anyone could finish, three men strode into the room.
It was Gyeon Sang-jin of SJ Enter, accompanied by Answer’s former manager, Team Leader Park.
The faces of Seol-ah, Seul-bi, and Yi-na hardened instantly.
“Don’t you know Daepyo-nim Gyeon Sang-jin? Greet him.”
At the words of Team Leader Park, now with SJ Enter, the members of Answer reluctantly nodded their heads.
They couldn't afford to ignore one of the top three powerhouses in the industry.
“This is disappointing. I used to be your manager, yet you just stare at me instead of giving me a warm welcome?”
“……”
As the atmosphere in the room grew tense, Choi Yoo-jun stood up from his chair.
He knew of Gyeon Sang-jin, a former singer, and Team Leader Park, who had worked as a manager at JD Enter.
“Is knocking all you’re going to do? Don’t you think it’s incredibly rude to just barge into a room with ladies present?”
“…What’s this now? It’s not him.”
Choi Yoo-jun boldly blocked their path.
“I’m Answer’s manager. Please leave.”
“Haha! What kind of manager has his face caked in makeup?”
“Hehehe.”
Gyeon Sang-jin’s group sneered at Choi Yoo-jun’s half-concealed face.
“I said, leave.”
When Choi Yoo-jun tried to push Gyeon Sang-jin away, Team Leader Park grabbed him by the collar.
“Where do you think you’re putting your hands, you punk?”
“Oh…? Is this a group assault?”
At Choi Yoo-jun’s threat, Team Leader Park let go of his collar and shoved him back.
“…You’re the trainee…”
Team Leader Park finally recognized Choi Yoo-jun and smirked.
“Director Park, that’s enough. We came to say hello, not to start a fight.”
“Yes, Daepyo-nim.”
“Hmm… It would have been great if you all had accepted my offer. I still don’t understand why you chose to stick with the rotting JD.”
“……”
“You’re here for a singing and dancing segment, right? But I think our girls are far superior. I just hope you don’t get torn apart by the critics. Not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can be a singer, you know.”
Gyeon Sang-jin spoke with a vile condescension that was impossible to believe came from someone with such a pleasant expression.
Finally, Choi Yoo-jun couldn't hold back any longer.
“Leave now. Or do you want to be humiliated on national television?”
Choi Yoo-jun shot him a defiant glare.
His emotions were running high because he vaguely suspected that Gyeon Sang-jin was the reason his sister Choi Yoo-kyung’s life had been ruined.
“A moron working under another moron.”
“The moron’s here.”
The three of them flinched and spun around at the sound of Min-jun’s low voice, which had appeared out of nowhere.
“…You sneaky bastard.”
“Me? Aren’t you the one living a life of sin, Daepyo-nim Gyeon?”
“You insolent fool. What the hell do you know about me?”
‘I know everything. After all, I’m living a new life because of you.’
“What brings the esteemed CEO of such a great agency here?”
“Look at you, all full of yourself after not seeing you for a while. You think being a team leader at a shitty little agency is some grand title?”
Min-jun ignored Gyeon Sang-jin and looked at Team Leader Park instead. The man puffed out his chest and lifted his chin, trying not to look intimidated.
“…Jumping from one side to the other like a bat. Must be reaping some sweet rewards, huh?”
“You little piece of shit.”
“What? Feeling brave with your numbers?”
Min-jun’s harsh words seemed to fluster Gyeon Sang-jin’s group.
They had come to intimidate him, but Min-jun’s unwavering confidence had turned the tables on them.
“You’re just a fledgling who knows nothing about how this industry works. All talk.”
“You must watch a lot of movies. Why are your lines so cliché?”
As the situation of getting back more than he gave continued, Gyeon Sang-jin gritted his teeth and delivered a final ultimatum.
“Not a single man or woman I’ve targeted has ever made it out okay. Look forward to it.”
“How about you stop swindling kids first.”
Gyeon Sang-jin’s face twisted as the remark hit a nerve.
“And you, you little shit, stop using Fire Emblem’s name. Keep it up, and you’ll really end up dead.”
“Go ahead and try.”
‘It would be quite a sight if Fire Emblem came to our company.’
Min-jun thought of a future goal and gave a sly smile.
“…You arrogant bastard. We’ll see you later.”
Team Leader Park managed to spit out a single remark only after Gyeon Sang-jin had turned to leave.
“You said ‘see you later’ at the café last time, too. Let’s just see each other now.”
“…Shit.”
Gyeon Sang-jin’s crew disappeared, cursing under their breath.
“…Why are they trying to pick a fight like that? Fucking losers. Did they get beat up as kids or something?”
It seemed Gyeon Sang-jin’s body flinched for a moment at Choi Yoo-jun’s words, which were spoken loud enough for them to hear.
“Yoo-jun, watch your mouth. This is a broadcast station.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Choi Yoo-jun’s bravado vanished in an instant.
‘I didn’t mean for it to go like that.’
Min-jun decided he needed to boost Choi Yoo-jun’s spirits.
“Still, you did a good job protecting Answer. Keep it up.”
“Oh! Ahh…”
‘Does his mood really change that quickly?’
‘I need to cheer up Answer, too. Their spirits are low.’
[Trait ‘Star Maker (A)’ has been activated.]
[Trait ‘Charisma Lv. 2’ has been activated.]
“Don’t be intimidated. There’s no team here that can dance or sing better than us, or that has a more interesting concept.”
An aura emanated from Min-jun, enveloping the members of Answer. Like embers catching fire, a powerful energy began to surge.
[Group Trait ‘Unyielding Resolve (B)’ 4/4 has been activated.]
The members, who had been hanging their heads in gloom, snapped them up.
Their blazing eyes swirled with a mixture of growing anger and desire.
“We’re not scared.”
“That’s right. Gyeon Sang-jin is a bad guy, but Team Leader Park is worse.”
“Just those two? There’s Mi-ji, too. That little bitch, I knew she’d betray us!”
Starting with Seol-ah, Yi-na and Seul-bi began to vent their anger.
“We shouldn’t just stand here. Let’s go find that group, Your Girl. We’re their seniors, aren’t we?”
An inexplicable thrill ran through Min-jun as he watched even the usually quiet Ro-si rise to her feet.
“Right! They were such bitches at the pre-meeting. It’s not like they’re going to come to us first, so let’s go to them, Unni.”
“Yeah. I had something I wanted to say to Mi-ji anyway. Let’s go.”
“Yeah! They’re so dead!”
Led by Seol-ah, the members of Answer stood up in unison.
“No, even if we were the juniors, shouldn’t they be the ones to get up if they’re late for a meeting?”
“Exactly! If they had any decency, they should have gotten up even if they were the seniors!”
Their rage from the pre-meeting long ago finally exploded, filling the members of Answer with fighting spirit.
Choi Yoo-jun stared at Min-jun with a dumbfounded expression, baffled by the sudden shift in atmosphere.
“What is happening?”
“Are you not coming?”
“Of course I’m coming!”
Click-clack, click-clack.
The four members of Answer, shoulders squared, walked with the powerful, unified steps of marching soldiers.
It was like watching four intimidating older sisters on the warpath.