A Trend Only Those in the Know Aware Of
Cain stared at the reactions with a complicated expression.
...I didn't actually get any offers, though...
But he had no intention of correcting them. It was too embarrassing!
Those bastards...!
Cain trembled with rage. Despite Choi Sang-yun trying to stop him, repeatedly saying, "Uh, is that really the play? Are you sure about this?", Cain had proudly chosen this outfit! Thanks to that, comments like "Everything is great, but Cain's fashion is a bit..." were constantly popping up.
"Look at my skills! Focus on the skills!" Cain yelled.
Cain suddenly got curious and asked.
"But why didn't she show up at the announcement ceremony?"
"Hahaha. It's a concept. Mystique."
"...?"
"Hello!"
"Hey. Everything comfortable for you guys?"
"Yes!"
Tae-hyun was chatting with Lee Da-bi's younger sisters. Of course, Lee Da-bi had no idea this meeting was taking place.
Sorry, Da-bi. But you should have opened up about your worries more often.
Because Da-bi tended to keep most of her troubles to herself and suffer in silence, Tae-hyun had decided to take a different approach. He would get close to her sisters and extract information! It was an active, aggressive method of showing concern.
"Right, right. Your sister hasn't been acting weird lately, has she? Like sighing to herself..."
"She actually sighs a lot lately," Lee Da-sol said.
"What? Really?"
Seeing Tae-hyun's surprised reaction, Da-sol quickly waved her hands.
"Ah, no! It's not in a bad way... it's more like... in a good way..."
"...Is there such a thing as a sigh in a good way?"
"There is! You know, like..."
"...?"
"...Never mind. Anyway, she's totally fine!"
"That's a relief."
Tae-hyun nodded. He had handled everything flawlessly, but he was a man who strived for perfection upon perfection. It was true in the game, but even more so in reality! One mistake in real life, and there was no turning back!
Leaving sloppy openings is something only Cain would do.
"Ah, can I ask you something?"
"Ask away. Want me to tell you one of Cain's secrets?"
Tae-hyun's kindness was aimed at winning over the sisters! Of course, that kind of kindness didn't work immediately.
"Ah, no. We're good on that..."
"Really? Other guys would pay good money for his secrets."
"...It's not that. Do you happen to know if Sis needs anything lately?"
"Hmm... decent guild members? But why do you ask?"
"Her birthday is coming up soon. The first week of December."
"Oh? Really?"
"Whenever we ask, she just says she doesn't need anything. We thought you might know, Oppa."
"What thoughtful kids...!"
"Ah! Are you going to find out for us?"
"No."
"...Huh?"
"If I find out, I have to be the one to give it to her. You guys should figure out your own gift."
"..."
"Hmm, knowing Da-bi, she probably didn't say anything because she didn't want to be a burden. Thanks for letting me know."
"..."
The sisters' eyes grew slightly cold, but Tae-hyun didn't notice.
"Ah. Representative."
Representative Lee Dong-pal's voice came through the phone, full of excitement.
"You did great! Absolutely fantastic! Announcing the gaming team just as the buzz from the broadcast was starting to die down. That was incredibly strategic. You're a natural! You're basically a full-fledged celebrity now."
"Uh... I didn't really think about it that deeply..."
"No need to be so humble!"
Representative Lee Dong-pal spoke in an ecstatic tone. The broadcast Tae-hyun had done with Lee Se-yeon last time was a massive hit, and thanks to that, more and more places were scout-calling Tae-hyun. And just as that wave was starting to settle, he had dropped this massive announcement!
"Ah, youth is truly a wonderful thing, isn't it?"
"So, what did you call for?"
"Does there always have to be a reason to call? I could just be calling to praise you."
"In that case, I'll hang up—"
"Wait, wait! Actually, yes, I do have a reason to call today."
"..."
"An offer came in."
"...?"
"How would you feel about doing a commercial shoot as a model?"
"A model? Me?" Tae-hyun asked back, as if it made no sense.
"Why not? Someone of your caliber is more than qualified. You're tall, your proportions are great, and your face... well, we'll definitely make sure you get professional makeup."
"...You didn't really need to add that last part. Anyway, I thought only professionals did that kind of thing."
"There are professional models, but famous celebrities and actors do them all the time too. Above all, the goal of an advertisement is publicity, so recognition is everything, isn't it? If you're worried because it's your first time, there's no need. They said they'd teach you everything from A to Z. They just want us to send you over. They really want you."
"Hmm... I'm not really feeling it..."
"One more thing. This brand has a contract with the company behind Pan-On and releases all sorts of collaboration goods."
"Really?"
"Meaning, if you build a good relationship with them, we might even get a sponsorship for the gaming team. Don't you need sponsors?"
"Now that is a bit tempting."
"Then I'll take that as a yes."
"Yes, alright."
Tae-hyun agreed. Normally he would have refused, but he was now in a position where he had to build and lead a gaming team. He had to bring in sponsors and advertisements for his teammates who were currently rolling around in a luxurious house!
"Oh, and my niece will be shooting with you. It couldn't be helped. It was their request."
"What? Wait, Representative..."
Click—
"..."
He had been played! Tae-hyun realized it then. People who had rolled around in the entertainment industry for a long time were truly on another level!
I'm never falling for that again.
At that moment, another call came in.
"Hello?"
"Ah, Tae-hyun-ssi! Do you remember me?"
"Uh. Well, that is..."
"Haha. Of course you remember. I'm just joking."
Tae-hyun didn't actually remember, but since the other person just rolled with it, he nodded comfortably.
"Anyway, I saw the announcement for your gaming team. Congratulations."
"Ah, yes."
"But I noticed you all said you're living together in a team house. Is that correct?"
"Yes. What about it?"
"Then isn't it about time you appeared on I Live Alone?"
"...!"
This guy, he was that PD! Tae-hyun grimaced. When did he even change his number?
"No, I don't live alone. I live with the other players..."
"Haha, that's perfectly fine! A bunch of young players living together is plenty of fun on its own. We've had groups like that on the show a few times already, so it's totally fine!"
"No, but shouldn't we preserve the original intent and meaning of the broadcast?"
Tae-hyun argued for the true meaning of a show he had never even watched!
"Haha! To think you'd worry about us like that! It's really fine!"
I'm the one who's not fine...!
"Look at idols these days, so many of them live together in dorms! It's really fine, so please come on the show!"
"..."
Tae-hyun's mind raced. How could he escape this situation?
"I, well, I have to ask the other kids what they think..."
"Then I'll ask them myself!"
"Ah, no. Wait..."
If it went that way, their appearance was 100% guaranteed! Tae-hyun finally gave up. There was no way out.
Ugh...!
To get played twice in a single day...!
"...And that's what happened."
"...Uh, is, is that considered getting played?"
Lee Da-bi tilted her head, looking utterly confused. No matter how she looked at it, wasn't it a good thing?
"Of course I got played!"
"Uh... yes... but what was the brand name?"
"It was Pro... Pro... Pro-something."
"Prosdas?"
"Ah, that's the one."
"But they're incredibly famous!"
A famous fashion company. A brand active in various fields starting from apparel to sports equipment! And above all, they were deeply engraved in the minds of Pan-On users because they occasionally released Pan-On-related products.
"The Sneakers of Vitality they released last time were really pretty."
"...Do people actually wear those in real life?"
"They wear them because they're pretty. You only say that because you haven't seen them. Go look at them yourself. You'll understand once you see them."
"Oh. Do you want those sneakers by any chance?"
"Huh? No. I already have sneakers."
"I see..."
"...?"
Tae-hyun fell into thought. Actually, asking directly, "I heard your birthday is coming up. Is there anything you need?" suited Tae-hyun's personality best. But he couldn't do that. It was because of her sisters' plea.
Hmm...
Since they had begged him like that, he couldn't break his word... What should he do?
"Da-bi."
"Yes?"
"I have a bit of a dilemma."
"Oh! Tell me anything! I'll listen!"
"...? Why do you look so happy?"
"It's just your imagination, your imagination!" Da-bi said, waving her hands dismissively.
"I'm trying to buy a gift for someone I know, but I don't know what she'd like."
"Hmm. First of all, it's important to know what kind of person they are. What are they like? A woman? A man?"
"A woman."
Flinch—
Da-bi flinched for a split second.
"I, I see. Is she older?"
"No. She's only a few years apart from me. She's young."
"I... I... I see!"
"I just don't know what she likes. Do you know what's trendy these days? What would you want to receive if you were her?"
A wicked leading question! However, Tae-hyun had no idea what Da-bi was currently agonizing over.
"Well, I'm not sure..."
"Really? You were the only one I could ask..."
Da-bi was conflicted. It was rare for Tae-hyun to ask for her help like this. She wanted to help him as much as possible in times like this. But...!
I can't help him...!
Da-bi was surprised at herself. She hadn't realized she could be this jealous. Whoever it was, she didn't want to help!
Is it Lee Se-yeon-ssi? As expected? They did appear on that broadcast together last time...
After agonizing over it, Da-bi finally made a compromise. She would recommend the strangest gift possible, as long as it didn't completely violate her conscience!
"Pan..."
"Pan?"
"How about Pan-On?"
"Pan, Pan-On?"
"Pan-On is incredibly popular. Since you said she's young, she probably plays Pan-On too."
"...I suppose so, but..."
"Then a Pan-On item! You should gift her an item!"
"...R-really? Is that actually a trend?"
Tae-hyun could hardly believe it. Such a gift was trendy these days? But the person who knew best was right in front of him, and since she was saying it, he had no choice but to believe her.
"Yes! It's quite trendy these days! A trend only those in the know are aware of!"
"What kind of item? Something like flowers?"
"...Something more practical! Flowers like that are dangerous!"
"What's dangerous about them? It's not like they're bombs."
"Anyway, they're dangerous. You should gift her the most practical and useful item possible."
"Mmm... I really don't think that's it. Really? Are you sure?"
The last remaining shred of Tae-hyun's reason resisted. But Da-bi was firm.
"I'm absolutely sure!"
"W-well, if you say so, then I guess it must be."