Chapter 34
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: It Really Blew Up
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Yeah, it really blew up. Everything blew up. Was this what "blowing up" was supposed to mean?
'Luck blowing up my ass! My guts are exploding.'
Folks! Lee Do-jun's insides are bursting right here!
But then.
"Kyaaak!"
Crash!
A shrill scream pierced the air alongside the sound of shattering glass. Every eye in the bar turned toward the source of the noise.
'Huh?'
It was the customer sitting right behind Moon Dae-chan.
She shot to her feet, brushing off her clothes. Shards of a broken glass lay scattered miserably on the floor.
"S-sorry! Ma'am! Are you okay?"
The bar staff flailed about in panic, not knowing what to do. The customer's clothes were soaked, her face twisted in disgust.
Drenched, for sure. Looked seriously uncomfortable.
The place grew even more chaotic with the manager rushing over to handle the situation.
Even Moon Dae-chan glanced back briefly. Though he quickly turned away, as if he couldn't care less.
After accepting the manager's apologies, the soaked customer and her group left the bar. Meanwhile, the staff hurriedly swept up the broken glass.
So that seat's empty now? Perfect time to move. This luck... uh-huh?
'...Hold on.'
Was this the "exploding" luck?
I'd hoped, but no time to overthink it now.
The moment the staff cleared the glass and vanished, I carefully slid into the seat.
'Don't look back...'
If he suddenly turned, or got up for the bathroom, our eyes might meet.
I killed my footsteps, moving as quickly and naturally as possible to sit back-to-back with Moon Dae-chan. My racing heart gradually calmed.
'Time to record...'
I fired up the phone's recorder and subtly checked behind me.
A bit of distance, but close enough to catch their conversation. Of course, that meant a higher risk of getting caught...
'Nah.'
What could he do if he knew? He should be the one dodging me.
I'd be cautious for the recording's sake. Couldn't waste a chance like this.
'Gotta catch something.'
With that thought, I held the phone to my ear. In case a reporter spotted me, it'd look like I was just on a call.
Tuning in, Moon Dae-chan's obnoxious voice cut clearly through the bar's din.
"Not the best spot for a quiet chat."
"A trendy businessman like you should hit up the young crowd's favorites now and then. Thought you'd like it."
"Not bad."
He scanned the bar, now settling down from the chaos, his tone dripping with dissatisfaction as he lowered his voice.
"When's the last article dropping?"
"It's all written up. No worries."
"Good. Post this one and wash your hands of it. The scandal-hungry vultures will spread it themselves."
"That enough?"
"For a rookie who just debuted? Overkill."
That's me. I swallowed hard without thinking. It felt so loud it might pick up on the recording.
'Please say something useful.'
But they switched topics, trading drinks and banter.
Waiting wasn't easy. No juicy bits forthcoming—it was frustrating.
'...My arm's getting sore.'
No clue how long I'd held the phone. Just as I worried this might end in nothing but wasted effort,
the reporter slurred, sounding tipsy.
"I get the thing with Sung Joo-chan, but why obsess over that punk?"
Yes! That's exactly what I'd been dying to hear.
I leaned back casually for better audio.
Moon Dae-chan replied with a smirk in his voice.
"Irritants need immediate removal. Otherwise, they keep nagging at you."
"What bugs you about him? You're not the type to sweat a nobody... Unless GH dumping him backfired, and he's looking good now?"
"Sorry, but calling a group that couldn't top the charts with their debut 'looking good' is a stretch. They're gone soon enough."
My grip tightened on the phone. Same old, same old—looking down on everyone.
"Then why bother?"
"Some people just grate, no matter how insignificant. One Lee Jae-yoon's plenty."
'You psycho...'
Just 'grating' on him? For real?
Something surged up from my chest.
I wanted to leap up and yank out what little hair that bastard had left. Suppressing the urge was torture.
And Jae-yoon? Why drag him in? Who's more obedient than that guy?
Gulp, gulp.
The sound of downing a drink, then glass slamming on the table.
"Idols are just company products. If the merch goes rogue before launch, no reason not to scrap it."
"Right, right. These days, idols call themselves 'artists' after making a buck. Full of themselves."
Riding the reporter's agreement—or maybe amping him up more—the bastard spoke in a sly tone.
"Clueless staff defend them as 'pure,' but those types ruin lives around them. Disrespecting superiors from the start."
Moon Dae-chan's rambling bullshit grew more infuriating by the word.
'What the hell is this crap?'
Just give proper orders from the get-go, then?
I still vividly remembered his idiotic commands.
Hang with age-faking drunks who party at clubs till dawn.
I don't like the guy, so if he's dying in pain, don't bother helping.
'Hoo...'
The more I thought, the more suffocated I felt. I slammed back my long-ordered, now-lukewarm beer. Finally calming a bit.
'Do-jun, hold it together.'
Deep breaths as I checked the recording. Vague, but solid circumstantial evidence of his article meddling.
Bar noise mixed in, but his drivel came through crystal clear.
'What’s with all these calls?'
Missed calls and texts galore. Dozens from an unknown number while I recorded.
Persistent unknown? Reporter?
'What now?'
Mixed in were Kim Han-soo and Pida staff numbers. Unease hit hard.
Did that "last article" they mentioned just drop?
I quietly stood.
Recording mattered, but this urgency meant something big.
Whatever it was, I'd handle it away from here.
Bit of a shame, but with GH staff testimony, this was enough.
"Hahaha!"
Whatever tickled him, Moon Dae-chan burst out laughing with the reporter.
Seeing that grin, I smirked too. Yeah, laugh it up while you can.
Won't have time tomorrow.
Face flushed from the booze, Moon Dae-chan sank deep into his chair.
"Article time yet?"
The reporter, cheeks beet-red, nodded.
"Already? Yes, Executive Director."
"This'll be fun. Let's check reactions."
"Together. Dying to see feedback on my masterpiece."
"Good."
Last article's comment flood brought a smile unbidden.
Moon Dae-chan pulled out his phone, spinning it in his hand.
Boozed up, thorn removed—mood was sky-high.
"No worries for a while. Dramas, variety—our boys'll fill the gaps."
"Don't forget my part."
"Naturally."
He nodded cheerfully.
"Pay back what you get—that's business basics."
"Exactly! That's why I like you, Executive Director."
The reporter's flattery was obvious, but not unpleasant. He chuckled back.
"Why I like you, Kim. We speak the same language. Know how the world works."
"Haha, spot on."
They grinned, firing up their phones. Time to savor the comments.
Booze or glitch? Fingerprint failed a few times. Frowning, Moon Dae-chan punched in his pattern.
"E-Executive Director?"
The reporter, who'd checked the net first, stared wide-eyed, sober as a judge.
"Speak."
Moon Dae-chan barely glanced up, struggling to load the portal site through the haze.
But the reporter sweated bullets, out of place in the cool bar.
"Th-the article's up."
"Article? Yeah, that's why I'm checking."
"N-no... Not mine..."
He trailed off, thrusting his phone forward.
Moon Dae-chan took it indifferently, then blinked at the screen like a fool.
And.
"Fuck! What the hell is this bastard doing?!"
The curse exploded, jarring the bar.
Flame's Lee Jae-yoon: "Can't Work With This Dogshit Company."
Lee Jae-yoon, leader of popular group Flame, posted a lengthy message on his personal SNS tonight.
In it, he wrote, "Do-jun hyung's not that kind of guy—how could he do that? We've trained together for six years. Does that make me a bystander accomplice?" dropping a shocking revelation.
He added, "Hyung was unfairly kicked out by the company from the start," debunking the assault rumors swirling around B.O.Y member Lee Do-jun as baseless, and pointedly noted, "Only GH or Pida could fabricate details this specific—and Pida wouldn't."
"One thing I can say for sure: our hyung's not that person," he stated firmly.
Lee Jae-yoon ended, "Do-jun hyung who always looked out for us more than himself. I'll wait where our memories are."
Netizens reacted: "Knew something was off," "GH fabricated the rumors?"
As the post's impact snowballs, GH Entertainment has yet to comment.
Cap pulled low, Lee Jae-yoon sipped strawberry latte while staring blankly at the hot article.
Drunks stumbled by, caught up in their revelry.
Cool night air, sweet drink, brand-new phone activated right after bolting from the dorm.
Peace washed over him.
'When's the last time I felt this?'
He pondered, but nothing came. Closest memory was pre-debut.
Activities weren't boring. How could they be? Years of chasing a dream, now on stage soaking cheers.
'Nah.'
Actually, they kinda were.
Grueling schedules leaving barely two hours for sleep. Post-success managers tiptoeing around.
And Lee Do-jun debuting elsewhere.
All of it.
'Boring.'
New SIM meant no one to call. Articles checked—nothing left to do.
Added strawberry shortcake, Jae-yoon numbly people-watched while gorging sugar.
But soon.
"Why isn't this hyung coming?"
Article dropped two hours ago, easy. No Do-jun—irritation built.
Called the number strong-armed from Kim Min-jae, but unknown number? Ignored.
Fair enough, bad timing for strangers. Understood, but still frustrating.
Cafe closing soon. Squat out front? No thanks.
'Not even checking his phone?'
Assumed he'd see the article, but maybe not.
Very possible. Hell, probable.
That trash barely qualified as articles anyway. Wrecked your mental just reading. Pida might even block them.
'Damn bastards.'
Thoughts reignited fury at GH—Moon Dae-chan specifically.
'That Moon prick needs a slap.'
Contract ends? Abuse over, bolt to another company.
Do-jun won't return to GH anyway—Pida's fine, but small. Better a bigger one together.
"Hey, fuck! Lee Jae-yoon!"
Finally—the voice he'd waited for.