Chapter 72
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: What to Do?
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'What should I do?'
I lay in bed early, trying to sort out my thoughts, but nothing came together.
Asking Kim Han-soo for help felt awkward, too.
If I suddenly claimed there'd be a woman in Lee Jun-hyung's car or that a reporter was lurking somewhere, who would believe me?
Sure, I could push it by insisting they trust me just once, but then what? If they asked how I knew, I'd have nothing to say.
I couldn't exactly admit the Status Window told me. Brushing it off vaguely would just make them think I was hiding something.
And yeah, I was hiding something—but not because I wanted to. It was something I had to hide... Argh.
'He already warned me not to try handling things alone again.'
So what was I supposed to do? Tag along every time Lee Jun-hyung went somewhere? That'd be weird.
Maybe dodging him that day was the best bet.
"Ugh."
But would avoiding him just that one day really end it?
Not only was a woman involved, but reporters too—this guy Lee Jun-hyung was no slouch. He wouldn't give up after one failure.
And for me, letting it slide wasn't an option.
'Crazy bastard. Trying to bury me like this?'
Rumors were the last thing I needed. Even though the last one had blown over, I still got chills thinking about when GH spread those lies.
If it weren't for the Status Window, I'd have been blindsided and taken down.
A dating scandal for an idol who just debuted? The thought alone gave me goosebumps. And it almost happened to me, which made it worse.
'He's crossing the line.'
I couldn't let this go. Like Writer Seo Ji-hye said, the best defense here might be a good offense.
'Problem is, I don't have a sharp plan.'
The dinner was just days away. Could I find something to shut Lee Jun-hyung up in that time?
Kim Han-soo had already checked through company channels, and nothing turned up.
Even back then, he hadn't given any hints—just shown reluctance. Now, with his drama premiere looming, he'd be even more tight-lipped.
"Sigh..."
A sigh slipped out on its own. At this rate, I'd explode from frustration.
But giving up wasn't an option either. Ignorance would have been one thing, but knowing and doing nothing would make me a total pushover.
That's when, idly scrolling through my phone, I spotted a contact I'd saved recently.
'Reporter Kim Isul.'
She'd dropped Lee Jun-hyung's name just from reading the room. She knew all the juicy details.
Made sense—she was an entertainment reporter. Not knowing would mean she was incompetent. Lee Jun-hyung wasn't picking fights in secret; everyone was just working to keep it out of the papers.
'...Worth a shot?'
Kim Isul had told me to contact her anytime if I needed help, but I hadn't planned to.
Couldn't just trust her because she seemed friendly. Especially not an entertainment reporter.
But sometimes, you have to take a leap with people like that.
Plus, her goodwill felt genuine. The interview article she'd posted, the fact that the kid I helped was her niece—it all checked out.
If I couldn't trust her now, who else could I rely on besides company folks during promotions?
'Plus, things are different from back then.'
On interview day, I had no idea Lee Jun-hyung was plotting something this insane.
At least asking what she knew seemed reasonable.
'Alright.'
No more hesitation.
I tapped her name and sent a text right away.
Hello, Reporter. This is Lee Do-jun from B.O.Y. Are you free for a call?
❤
Before the dreaded dinner day arrived, there was one more thing I needed to figure out.
"Team Leader."
"What's up?"
"Do I have to drink a lot at the dinner?"
"Drink?"
Kim Han-soo pondered briefly before answering.
"Well, the atmosphere's more relaxed than in the old days, but yeah, you'll have to drink some. It's one of those seats you can't easily skip."
Another crucial detail: my exact tolerance.
From the screen, Lee Jun-hyung planned to strike when I was drunk.
He'd probably plant the woman and snap photos when I couldn't stand straight. So I had to hold out without getting wasted.
Problem was, I didn't really know my limit. I'd never gotten blackout drunk before.
'Conveniently, tomorrow's a rare day off.'
I spread out beer and soju from the convenience store on the table, along with some simple snacks.
"Hm?"
Just then, Lee Jae-ha emerged, towel-drying his hair.
"What's with the sudden booze?"
"Just felt like it."
"First time seeing you drink alone, hyung."
"Yeah, first since debut."
Aside from light drinks with the members, never. I didn't even like alcohol much to begin with.
The last time I got tipsy was with Manager Kim Min-jae on the day GH cut me loose—and that was just beer.
Lee Jae-ha looked concerned. Probably because I was doing something out of character.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah, nothing's wrong. Just testing my limit before the dinner, in case I get too drunk."
"Whoa, hyung's gonna drink?"
Kim Ha-woon came bounding out of his room at the noise.
"Whoa, for real! Can I join? I've always been curious!"
"Wanna try?"
"Yeah!"
Ha-woon plopped down excitedly across from me.
Or tried to—until Lee Jae-ha grabbed his nape.
"Kim Ha-woon! Absolutely not. Hyung, don't tease him. You know he's serious."
I'd just tossed out a joke, but now I felt scolded too.
But Ha-woon wasn't one to give up easily. He pouted.
"But I'm gonna be leader!"
"Even if the cops show up, no."
...Would the cops make it okay?
"Eeeeng."
In the end, Kim Ha-woon got dragged back to his room by the scruff.
Park Tae-hoo was already asleep, Jae-ha headed straight to bed, and somehow I ended up alone in the living room.
'Kinda lonely...'
Day off tomorrow—couldn't they drink with me? I glanced at Jae-ha's door, then shook it off and grabbed a bottle.
Alternate between glasses, one by one?
'Beer first.'
How much time passed?
Mixing them hit fast—vision blurring, mood lifting. A silly grin crept onto my face.
Nice. Everything felt great... except...
"Gonna pass out like this?"
Just this much? Only three draft beers equivalent. What now?
'No.'
Mind still sharp, so keep going.
Three more down.
"Uuum..."
Tongue starting to slur. Mood even better.
I stood, circled the table—body swaying wildly.
Limit reached, probably.
"Ugh, am I this weak?"
Even sipping alone, this was too quick.
'Gotta start with hangover relief.'
System, you sell nothing for hangovers? Socializing without booze is tough for tons of people.
If there was an anti-drunkenness item, I wouldn't need this hassle.
"Fuuu..."
Face down on the cool table against my feverish cheeks—it almost sobered me a bit.
Nah. TV in the living room was spinning, so no.
At least my mind was clear.
'...Or is it? Is the room spinning?'
World turning, but mind intact. Barely safe.
How much more to lose it? Mixed two more drafts and chugged.
"Urk."
Booze tasted brutally bitter now.
Hold out with this limit? Gotta stay sharp...
'And really... no more...'
[User's fatigue level has reached its limit. Would you like to use 'Fatigue is Just from Lack of Sleep'?]
[Quantity in possession: 9]
[Note: This item is currently unavailable for purchase in the Shop.]
...Oh?
❤
The big day: drama premiere.
"Yawn."
I'd tossed and turned all night.
Exhausted from the final shoot four days ago, but after a few rest days, nerves had me going insane.
'Feels like right before debut track rankings.'
If results tanked, months of effort down the drain—for Writer Seo Ji-hye who'd pulled all-nighters revising the script, PD Kim Shin-hyo, all the actors, staff who'd hustled through packed schedules.
And the biggest loser? Me.
With Shop prices hiked, no drama fame meant tougher times ahead.
Of course, it was Writer Seo Ji-hye's surefire hit, and the future screen showed a festival vibe, so it should do well.
'But what if the drama succeeds and I flop? That's a problem too.'
If Likes didn't pour in faster, I'd be...
Chest tightening again. Thought I'd gotten past this.
Anyway, I'd done all I could. Gave my all acting, prepping for tonight's dinner too.
"Ugh..."
Bad thoughts? Stomach hurt despite empty morning belly.
No point staying in bed—sleep wouldn't come. Headed to the living room.
Early morning quiet. Turned on the TV, checked phone. Habitual news scan: nothing special.
Dove into drama communities, scanning overnight posts.
Ordering chicken and beer! ㅎㅎ Hope it's 8 PM already. Nothing good on lately.
We'll see if it's worth watching lololol
Seo Ji-hye's script, so it'll at least be decent. Teaser had solid acting from the cast.
If they suck even in that short teaser, that's the real issue.
Nah, good script's wasted without good actors. Casting's trash. Lee Do-jun will ruin all the chemistry.
What bullshit lololol Did you even watch the teaser??? Lee Do-jun was great.
Some positive takes on me, some negative.
Still, lots of "Oh, My Cat" posts meant solid buzz. A bit reassuring.
Glanced at the clock: seven a.m. Washed up before members stirred, grabbed cereal.
They trickled out one by one. As usual, sharpest-awake Lee Jae-ha sat beside me.
"Premiere tonight, right? Sucks we can't watch together 'cause of dinner."
"Yeah, could lounge here comfy."
True. Wanted to watch first episode with members. Tonight's dinner would wipe me out.
Kim Ha-woon bolted up from sofa-head tousled—and chimed in.
"But there's tons of food there!"
"Can order here too."
"Three of us can't order much variety."
...You're so carefree, huh.