Chapter 40
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: A Senior's Favor and Stage Slip
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We spent quite a while venting about the drama production company and swapping stories about everything that had happened lately.
Park Min-ha got mad right alongside me, fuming as if it were her own problem, staunchly taking my side.
"Don't be too bummed out. You got cast once already, so other places will reach out too."
"For a drama?"
"Of course."
"Ahaha, I hope so. But wouldn't it be tough? I'm just a rookie idol..."
Besides, they probably cast me for that drama on the condition of appearing with Park Min-ha in the first place.
Now that it was off the table, it wasn't likely another opportunity like that would come around anytime soon. It sucked, but there was nothing to be done.
Yet she gave me a meaningful smile and said,
"It'll definitely happen. If you end up having to choose between a bunch of scripts, let me know too."
"Pardon?"
Her request caught me so off guard that I stupidly asked her to repeat it. She grinned and continued,
"I'm starting a new drama soon myself."
"Why, sunbaenim? Not doing that one?"
"Yeah. Reason being, I didn't like how they handled things?"
"Ah... It wasn't because of me that you got on their bad side, right?"
"Not at all. I just figured it was necessary to minimize the fallout for others down the line."
Fair enough—Park Min-ha wasn't in a position to suffer any real backlash from something like this.
But what did that have to do with her helping me pick scripts? Had I missed something she said?
Just as I was about to ask for clarification, as if reading my mind, Park Min-ha spoke up.
"Do-jun-ssi has exactly the voice I like. The better you do, the more songs you'll release, right? As a fan and a senior from the same company, I want to help however I can."
With that, Park Min-ha flashed another bright smile and added,
"Of course, if you don't want my input, you don't have to tell me."
No, if anything, I was grateful. Park Min-ha had a reputation for an impeccable eye for projects—she'd never flopped at the box office.
The company would guide me well too, but someone at her level would make the final call herself.
Plus, seeing Kim Han-soo sitting quietly beside us confirmed it was a good thing. If there were any issues, he'd have stepped in by now.
"Ah, no! I'd be thrilled if you helped!"
"Not sure how much help it'll actually be."
The conversation flowed warmly, and I finally picked up a chicken skewer.
There had definitely been a ton of them... how was only one left already...?
At least there was still one—I thought that as I went to take a bite.
"Ahh!"
Kim Ha-woon shouted in surprise, staring right at me. I flinched and froze my hand mid-motion.
"What's up?"
But Ha-woon didn't answer, just kept staring with wide eyes. I followed his gaze.
No matter how I looked, it seemed fixed on the chicken skewer in my hand?
He wasn't seriously reacting to me about to eat it, right? Even if he loved chicken...
Then his pale finger pointed straight at the skewer I held.
What? No way it was that?
"It's raining!"
A torrent slammed against the window, drawing everyone's eyes behind us. The relentless rain battering the glass turned the view hazy.
'Huh? Real rain?'
What about our performance?
❤
I swallowed the last piece of dakgangjeong I'd been chewing. The generous spread of food we'd brought was now just scraps.
The rain had lost its initial fury and mostly tapered off.
"Stage is all set up, no issues. The first act has already started."
Kim Han-soo reported as he closed the waiting room door after talking with the event staff. I'd been worried deep down, but it was a relief.
Park Min-ha, who had been chatting with us in the waiting room, clapped her hands at the news.
"Phew, good. My friends were looking forward to it."
For real? Park Min-ha always said nice things, so it was hard to take at face value.
Half-joking, half-serious, I asked,
"There are actually people excited for us?"
"Absolutely. Tons of them."
Her words rang utterly sincere, drawing smiles across the members' faces.
Even Lee Jae-ha's lips curved up, ever so slightly more than usual.
Park Min-ha beamed radiantly, then stood with a polite bow.
"Well, I'll get going then. Hope I didn't cause any trouble by dropping by."
"Ah, trouble? Absolutely not."
I shot up hastily after her, and the other members nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Of course not!"
"Totally!"
Our firm response brought another relieved smile to her face.
"So you're heading home now? Or back to the company?"
"Huh? Nah, not yet. Gonna watch the stages with my friends."
"Ah..."
"What, you were gonna shoo me off without watching? I'm a B.O.Y fan too, you know."
Our fan? The unexpected declaration startled me into waving my hands frantically.
"N-No, that's not—!"
"Ahahat, kidding. Just teasing."
She burst out laughing before the words even finished, then gave a light wave with her white hand.
"Sorry for joking when you're so busy. Anyway, kill it on stage, everyone! Team Leader too."
With her final goodbye, Park Min-ha slipped lightly out of the waiting room.
'...That gave me a scare.'
It wasn't even a big prank, but coming from Park Min-ha, it hit different.
The moment I saw her expression, I bought into the misunderstanding completely—no time to think it was a joke.
No wonder she was a pro actress.
"Alright, let's head backstage."
After a final check on us, Kim Han-soo led the way out.
The rain had nearly stopped. Puddles dotted the path to the stage, some quite large.
Yeah, it had poured buckets in no time. At its peak, I worried the show might get canceled.
"Wait here."
We entered the tent behind the stage, where someone was already waiting.
"Hello! Beside of You! B.O.Y!"
We greeted habitually in unison. The person in the tent jumped up in surprise.
"Ah, yes! Hello! I'm Iru-a!"
Iru-a?
First I'd heard of her. She looked about Ha-woon's age—was she a rookie like us?
"Whoa! Didn't expect to run into hot idols like you here. Solo artist Iru-a. Here's my album."
Iru-a's manager hurried over with an album. Kim Han-soo accepted it politely and offered his business card along with—somehow—ours.
And that was that. Conversation over.
The tent filled with awkward silence thick enough to choke on.
"Next! Iru-a-ssi, get ready!"
"Yes!"
Thankfully, it was her turn first, and she left. With just us remaining, Kim Han-soo leaned in and whispered,
"Just in case, Iru-a debuted before B.O.Y, so call her sunbaenim next time."
"No way, she's a senior?"
Kim Ha-woon muttered, 'She looked my age,' and Park Tae-hoo nodded.
She did seem young.
But it made sense—we'd only debuted recently; no way we had juniors already.
Kim Han-soo nodded sternly.
"You always have to be careful, wherever you go."
This industry was tough.
I'd heard about it before debuting, so I had some idea, but experiencing it firsthand was trickier than expected.
A bit more waiting, and it was our turn.
"We've checked the stage, but just in case, don't get hurt—speak up if anything's off. It's not live broadcast."
"Got it."
We replied briskly and headed for the stage. Iru-a was just finishing her set and coming down.
Should we greet again? As I pondered, she wobbled on the stage stairs.
"Eek!"
She lost balance and started slipping down the steps.
"...!"
I reflexively reached out. Luckily, being close to the stairs, I caught her just before she fell.
"Ugh!"
But as I planted my foot, my ankle twisted sideways.
Even light as she was, her added weight brought sharper pain.
I crumpled to the ground, still holding Iru-a.
"Rua!"
"Hyung!"
Her manager and my members rushed over. I handed the dazed Iru-a to her manager first.
"Hyung! You okay?"
"Hold on."
I stood slowly. My ankle throbbed, but it didn't feel too serious.
'Not broken, right?'
If it were, I wouldn't be this calm.
Tap, tap.
I stamped my twisted right foot a few times. Dull pain rose, but... not bad.
Kim Han-soo and the members watched worriedly. I smiled casually and said,
"I'm fine. Worry about your sunbaenim. You okay?"
I turned to see Iru-a bowing frantically, face pale with shock.
"I'm totally fine. Thank you so much. Really, thank you."
"No, no. Glad you didn't get hurt."
An event staffer gestured urgently from the top of the stairs. We'd taken too much time.
"Guys, let's go—can't keep 'em waiting."
I deliberately climbed using my right foot. Kim Han-soo grabbed my arm quick.
"We can check your condition first. Hold up."
"I'm perfectly fine. See? Walking just like this."
I stomped up the stairs with my right foot for emphasis. A low sigh escaped Kim Han-soo.
"Still, you never know."
"She just tripped. Guys, come on—we're late."
We hurried up the stairs to the stage.
My pants, wet from the ground, clung heavy and damp. Good thing they were black—no one could tell.
The members, who'd worn worried looks throughout, switched to pro mode as cheers erupted, taking their positions.
Then the intro to our title track 'Look at Me' played. I stepped out to the beat.
Zing.
Maybe from the extra weight on my ankle—it stung way worse than before.
But I couldn't collapse now. It was only four minutes anyway.
Yet despite my resolve, my choreography started faltering bit by bit.
'Ugh.'
I pushed through the growing cheers from the crowd somehow, finishing the stage.