Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: A Humble Meal
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I took Kim Sung-hoon to a famous, old-school restaurant in Seoul. As I parked the car, Kim Sung-hoon spoke without moving a muscle.
"...What is this? You want to eat at a place like this now?"
He had debuted in his teens and lived a busy life for over a decade, with some slumps along the way, but always on the move.
Having piled up a fortune but with no time to spend it, there was no way Kim Sung-hoon had ever experienced something so... common.
Looking at his internal profile, which listed his hobbies, favorite restaurants, bars, and even his gym, you could get a clear picture of his tendencies.
"Hyung-nim, you need to start by letting go a little."
"...Even so, this is not it. Being in such an open place, running into people... it'll just make things harder. You just don't understand panic disorder."
[Kim Sung-hoon's stress has increased by 30.]
[Kim Sung-hoon's Stress: 1,147/750]
So it doesn't just go down.
Kim Sung-hoon gasped for air.
"You have a lot of money, Hyung-nim."
"...You think having a lot of money makes you happy?"
"You've got it wrong. I'm telling you to quit your job."
"What?"
Kim Sung-hoon scoffed, finding the suggestion utterly absurd.
"That's what you're worried about, isn't it? 'What if my image is ruined and I stop getting work?'"
"Hey, that's one thing, but this is another. Are you serious? You're a team leader. Don't you know what my position is in our company?"
"The only cash cow."
"......"
Was it because I said it so matter-of-factly? Kim Sung-hoon was at a loss for words.
"...And you're telling me to quit?"
"Yes."
"...Why do you hate me? I've never even tried to pull rank on you."
Betrayal? Disappointment? A complex mix of emotions showed on Kim Sung-hoon's face.
"I don't hate you. I'm worried about you."
"Ha... If Lee Sun-noona and Jae-yong-hyung find out about this..."
So what if they find out?
"Hyung-nim. You're thirty years old."
"So what? You think I'm falling behind? Compared to the younger guys? Besides Fire Emblem, I'm in the top three among boy groups."
I wanted to just blurt out, 'Get over your celebrity syndrome already!' but I couldn't bring myself to say it.
"It's great to shine uniquely like a celebrity, but how about trying to approach your fans more casually?"
"You've never been through it. People come up to talk to me, ask for pictures... I can't even eat, let alone have a drink. My own life just disappears."
I don't know what it was like in the past, but there's no way it's still like that now. While there are some younger people at these old restaurants, the way the general public acts around celebrities has changed a lot.
"...So what I'm saying is, it's not that I can't... uh... put soybean paste in the maggots because I'm scared of it..."
Feeling the contradiction in his own words, Kim Sung-hoon stammered, even getting the order of the words wrong.
"It's 'can't make soybean paste because you're scared of maggots.'"
"Hey! You think I don't know that? If you understood, just let it go..."
"But you've already answered your own question, Hyung-nim. You're trapping yourself because you're afraid of losing your life?"
"......"
Even he must have realized the glaring contradiction.
"I'll take responsibility, so let's try experiencing the life of a regular person."
[Kim Sung-hoon's heart is beating irregularly]
[Kim Sung-hoon's stress has increased by 150.]
[Kim Sung-hoon's Stress: 1,297/750]
Was it a severe case of panic disorder?
Kim Sung-hoon's breathing started to grow ragged again.
[His oxygen saturation level is rising excessively.]
[Appropriate measures are required.]
A warning light flashed in my Third Eye.
"Haa, haa."
"Hyung! Breathe slowly!"
I quickly got out of the car and started rummaging through the back seat.
I happened to find a plastic bag that had been carelessly stuffed there.
I emptied the bag of a damp bundle of cloth and handed it to Kim Sung-hoon.
Kim Sung-hoon, as if he knew what to do, covered his mouth and nose with the bag.
I could see the bag contract and expand as he took deep breaths in and out.
"Ugh!"
Kim Sung-hoon gagged.
Was this a sign of something more dangerous?
The bag contracted and expanded a few more times.
"Blech!"
"......"
"Gack!"
"......"
Kim Sung-hoon pulled the bag away from his face and dry-heaved, but he seemed to have calmed down a bit as he panted and spoke.
"What was in that bag?"
My gaze fell on the damp cloth that had been in the bag.
It was a sock.
Using the tip of my index finger, I kicked the sock under the seat.
"...There was nothing in it, Hyung-nim."
Man, I'm really, really sorry, Kim Sung-hoon-hyung-nim.
"Haa... haa... I think my mental state is really getting serious. I'm hearing things sometimes, and smelling strange odors."
Kim Sung-hoon sniffed inside the bag.
Ugh. I'm so sorry.
"It's not as bad now, but a moment ago, it really smelled like feet. Mental issues are this terrifying."
I'm sorry, it really was the smell of feet. It seems like you breathed it all in, Hyung-nim. I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry!
I decided I had to be nicer to Kim Sung-hoon from now on.
***
"Alright. Screw it, let's live for myself. Let's go!"
I had no idea going to an old-school restaurant required such a dramatic pep talk.
As he got out of the car and entered the district filled with old restaurants and bustling crowds, he habitually lowered his head as if to hide his identity.
"You think people won't recognize you if you duck your head down that low?"
"......"
"You communicate well with your fan club, don't you? Just walk around comfortably, smile, and make eye contact. No one's going to bother you here."
Kim Sung-hoon lifted his head with a scornful look.
"Ah!"
"He's so handsome!"
"Ooh, Kim Sung-hoon!"
"It's Kim Sung-hoon."
The reaction was better than I expected. If people started crowding him for autographs and pictures, it could turn into the suffocating Monday morning subway he described, instead of a peaceful outing.
Kim Sung-hoon's stress level fluctuated wildly, showing signs of instability.
[Trait 'Soldier's Spirit' activated]
[Trait 'Charisma Lv. 2' activated]
[The two traits are exhibiting a strong synergistic effect.]
I stuck close to Kim Sung-hoon's side and hardened my gaze.
An irregular, sharp aura began to spread around me. As if an invisible glass wall had formed, the people who were about to approach us hesitated, keeping a certain distance.
"...This shouldn't be happening."
Kim Sung-hoon looked awkward at the unexpected situation.
I sat down at an outdoor table at our destination, a gochujang-marinated pork belly restaurant.
"...Let's go somewhere else."
"Why?"
"It's dirty."
Kim Sung-hoon whispered.
It was a folding table that looked like it would tip over with a single touch and backless stools, but it wasn't dirty enough to deserve such criticism.
"Sir! Two orders of the marinated pork and a bottle of soju, please."
"Yes, coming right up!"
As a few gazes turned our way, Kim Sung-hoon sighed, blew on his stool with a 'huff,' and sat down.
The soju and vegetable sticks came to the table first, and Kim Sung-hoon wiped his side of the table with a napkin soaked in soju.
"That's not going to do anything."
"What do you mean? It's alcohol."
"To disinfect, it needs to be at least 120 proof. 40 proof is nowhere near enough. In fact, the sugar content will probably just make more bacteria grow."
"Really? Ah, damn it! Still, it's better than water, right?"
Kim Sung-hoon took out a dry napkin and wiped his spot again.
"...Anyway, I get what you're trying to do. You want me to mingle with people. But did we really have to come here? At least in Itaewon, there are plenty of clean and delicious places..."
"Here's your two orders of gochujang-marinated pork. Enjoy your meal."
As the owner brought out the grilled pork belly on a wire rack, Kim Sung-hoon pretended to be uninterested.
"You're a singer, right? I gave you a three-person serving, on the house for the celebrity."
"Huh? Oh... thank you."
The owner, who had whispered so the other customers wouldn't hear, turned away with a warm smile.
"Hey, how did the food come out so fast? Did they give us someone else's canceled order?"
"They start cooking as soon as a customer sits down."
The gochujang pork belly on the grill was still sizzling, releasing a spicy and sweet aroma.
Contrary to his grumbling, I could see Kim Sung-hoon swallow, drawn in by the enticing sight and smell.
*Pour.*
I poured soju into Kim Sung-hoon's glass and my own.
"Let's have a drink."
Kim Sung-hoon reluctantly raised his glass and cautiously looked around.
There were many passersby and customers, but seeing no particular reaction other than curious glances, he tilted his head in confusion again.
*Clink.*
"...Kuh."
I thought he wouldn't even consider soju a proper drink, but I was relieved to see he drank it well.
I popped a hot, 5mm-thick slice of pork belly into my mouth to wash away the bitter taste. I marveled at the perfect balance of spicy, savory, and sweet flavors, with a texture that was pleasantly crispy yet moist.
Despite being cooked over high heat, the marinade hadn't burned and was full of umami. It was clear they had first seared the pork belly over a strong charcoal fire, then applied the marinade and grilled it again.
[Kim Sung-hoon's stress has decreased by 20.]
"......"
After trying the pork belly, Kim Sung-hoon's face filled with surprise.
Surely this wasn't his first time trying charcoal-grilled gochujang pork belly, was it?
"Is it worse than Itaewon?"
"...That's because you've never been to Itaewon, Min-jun."
"So, is it bad?"
"...It's delicious."
Just be honest, dude.
***
"Sirrr! Two more servings over here!"
"Yes, coming right up!"
Kim Sung-hoon slurred his order, and the other customers watched him with amused smiles.
"I thought you said Itaewon was better."
"...Shh! But why is this sho good?"
Seeing him pleasantly drunk from sipping soju and eating pork belly, I felt the time was right.
"You have everything now, Hyung. What more do you need that you can't let go?"
"...They'll starve without me."
"That's the company's problem. Even without you, they'll find a way to secure funds and keep going."
"......"
Kim Sung-hoon gave a bitter smile.
"Our company's money... selling meat..."
"Not the company, you idiot. Our members."
Kim Sung-hoon threw back his soju.
Although Kim Sung-hoon's own brand value had grown, he was originally a member of the five-person boy group, Dope Scale.
Fifty percent of the income Kim Sung-hoon earned went to him, while the other fifty percent was distributed among the other four members.
The drunken haze in Kim Sung-hoon's eyes cleared, replaced by a focused intensity.
"One of them, his parents' business failed, and he's spent all his money paying off their debt, so he doesn't even have his own place."
"Another guy is struggling to prepare for his wedding, trying to get on his girlfriend's parents' good side."
"If they were just coasting through life, I wouldn't say a word. Do you have any idea how hard they work? The dirty variety shows that everyone else avoids..."
Hearing the full story from Kim Sung-hoon, whom I had thought was just a selfish egomaniac, I felt a sense of solemn respect.
I thought he was a cunning jerk, but this was a whole other level of being a soft-hearted pushover.
"To be blunt, it's the company too. Right after our group debuted, a school violence rumor about me broke out. The atmosphere was so serious, I thought I was going to get cut. But... it was something that could've ended if they just cut me... but Jae-yong-hyung and Lee Sun-noona took all the heat, absorbed all the criticism, faced boycotts, and the company struggled. They believed in me like that, so how can I quit? A human being can't do that."
He was carrying his own heavy burden.
I started to feel sorry for having treated him so presumptuously.
[Kim Sung-hoon's stress has decreased by 50.]
[Kim Sung-hoon's stress has decreased by 70.]
[Kim Sung-hoon's Stress: 1,137/750]
As Kim Sung-hoon began to open up, his stress level started to drop significantly.