Chapter 84
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Fan Frenzy Aftermath
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I thought a war had broken out. Before I could even recall the military drill about Jindo dogs being unleashed, zombies started screaming right in the middle of the city.
"Kyaaahhh!"
"Kyaaah! Jumin oppa! Hoi oppa!"
"I love you! Just one handshake, please!"
My eardrums were gonna burst. It suddenly made sense why they were having such a serious talk in the bathroom earlier. And why idols hire burly bodyguards to protect them, holding back on fan service no matter how excited the fans get.
If you're unlucky, someone could actually die.
"Everyone, please calm down first. Calm... Ugh!"
"Call the team leader! This isn't working! We're in big trouble!"
"Everyone, you'll get hurt! Please calm down and maintain some order...!"
It was total chaos. Utter chaos.
Some women stood quietly, worried about getting hurt. Others tried to intervene actively, while some charged ahead like they couldn't even hear the warnings.
With those three types all mixed up, it created the most chaotic mess of my life. Scarier than the aunties charging at a first-come-first-served bargain sale when I was a kid. It felt like if your hand accidentally got caught in there, it'd get ripped right off—with eight arms sprouting from every body.
I wouldn't dare go near that, but the women were shoving their faces right in without a hint of fear. Insane.
"......"
No one was paying any attention to the Oh Hana issue anymore. Not even the troublemaking blonde who started it all. She was standing there dazed, turning to dust. Her Jumin and Hoi photos pinned to her chest looked more pained than she did.
"Let's go, oppa."
"Huh?"
I figured Oh Hana would be charging in too, but surprisingly, she easily led me by the hand and out of the store.
"You sure you don't want an autograph?"
"It's fine. Better than you getting hurt or in trouble if we stayed. In a way, you set off the bomb."
"Oh... yeah, true."
I did feel a bit sorry for the idols stuck dealing with the mess I caused. Honestly, I didn't expect it to blow up like this. Even the Japanese fans who looked worried when Oh Hana got dragged into trouble earlier had their eyes flip 180 degrees and join the charge. It hit me again.
Some of these rabid fangirls weren't normal by my standards.
"Whew."
"You okay?"
It had calmed down a bit, but as we walked out of the cafe by inertia, Oh Hana's steps trembled faintly.
"Feeling a bit rough?"
"Let's rest here before moving."
"Sure."
[Dajaba Indoor Fishing Market B1F]
We stopped in front of a building with hardly anyone around. True to its name as an indoor fishing market, a faint fishy smell wafted from inside.
More importantly, seeing Oh Hana still looking off, I cautiously asked,
"Want a smoke? Might help you feel better."
"I'm good. My face must look pretty bad right now if you're offering first."
"Well, it's not a face you could lie and say looks fine."
Honestly, even after that mess, I thought she'd handle it coolly, but seeing her rattled got me rattled too. Pulling it off like that was borderline miraculous. Truth be told, I have no idea how I did it myself.
Should I ask about it or not... After debating, I spoke up.
"You seemed really thrown off—not like you at all. You didn't actually stalk them secretly, right?"
"Joking? I love Riki a ton, sure. But I've never crossed the line."
"......"
So agonizing over whether to bring a hot pack at dawn while watching her do makeup is fine, huh.
"I think I just reacted sensitively to 'stealing' more than 'stalking.'"
"Yeah?"
"Bad memory from when I was a kid."
Stalking's okay, but stealing's not? The more I learn, the more amazed I am.
With a groan, Oh Hana squatted down, scratching her head as she said,
"Thanks for today, oppa."
"For what?"
"Helping at the cafe. Without you, it would've dragged on painfully."
"No biggie. You carried me at the wedding."
Well, you slipped a bit at the end. But yeah, she carried the wedding.
"......"
Truth is, I slipped there too.
We both recalled it after ages and quietly clutched our heads. Dark history has such a long aftermath.
"Anyway, you cool just letting it slide? That blonde looked like she was gunning for you."
I half-expected Oh Hana to turn back and kick her in the back of the head right now. Instead, she smacked her lips with almost pitying expression.
"Nah. No one there would've called her out anyway."
"Really?"
"She's done. Looks like Jumin oppa and Hoi oppa are her ults, and she acted like that in front of them. Lucky if she doesn't off herself."
Gasp.
"Even I felt a bit bad for her."
"...That bad?"
Hearing suicide mentioned made my heart sink for no reason. Damn. What if the news suddenly drops 'Female fan of famous idol makes extreme choice'?
"Getting cussed out and beaten by you is 100 times less shocking. Especially today— even top idols will remember this. Imagine for her. Exaggerating a bit, it'll haunt her every breath. Minimum, psych ward bound."
Listening to Oh Hana, two feelings hit me at once: good riddance, and a twinge of worry.
"She brought it on herself, oppa."
"Huh?"
"Whatever happens to her, no need for you to feel guilty."
"Tch. Yeah, guess so."
A brief awkward silence followed, then Oh Hana spoke up.
"No, seriously—how'd you handle that so smoothly? Gave me chills. When you said, 'How about asking them directly?' I thought you were some movie hero."
Hearing it from her made my face burn.
"Argh, no clue. Just kept thinking I had to fix it without cussing them out, and suddenly it was done."
"And how'd Jumin oppa and Hoi oppa catch on?"
"Walked into the men's room, heard them muttering about the manager. Compared the part-timer who fled after eye contact earlier to their online pics—hair matched almost perfectly."
Honestly, kinda show-offy? Staring at posters in the studio daily made them stick in my eyes without realizing.
Oh Hana thumbs-upped me.
"Whoa, eagle eyes! You spotted the CCTV like that too? Seemed hidden where no one knew."
That was different.
"Phew! Anyway, you saved my day coming along. Real godsend! What would've happened if you didn't?"
"Disaster. Be grateful, you. For coming with me."
To hide my lingering unease, I puffed up a bit. Oh Hana flashed a sly, bewitching smile.
"Speaking of which, oppa lately..."
Normally she'd blurt it out, but she clamped her mouth mid-sentence.
"...Never mind. Anyway, thanks a ton today. I'll go all-out on one favor for you later."
"My favor?"
She nodded confidently, and 'anal sex' flashed in my head about 100 times.
Thwack!
"Whoa! Why slap your own face?"
"Felt like a dirty demon possessed my brain."
Crazy bastard. Anal with Oh Hana pops up now? Sane? Just because I admitted being a perv doesn't mean go wild.
"Hmm. No real favors in mind. Simple question instead?"
"Question?"
No way I'd waste the favor card on instant anal request. Better burn it casually.
"You said before if Aebom found your high school, it'd be bad."
"Oh, did I?"
"Yeah. So, honestly, what high school?"
"Hmm."
She pondered more seriously than expected.
"Hmmm! You really wanna know? Might be better off asking for specific cosplay."
"Saying that makes me wanna know more."
For real.
"Ahem. If you insist."
Oh Hana said,
"I went to beauty school."
Beauty school? What's that?
"Beauty high school. FYI, didn't graduate. Dropped out."
Gasp. Hold up.
Come to think, my little sis mentioned beauty school once. Casually joking.
'Oppa, watch out? Beauty school girls are no joke scary. Especially around Seomyeon—avert eyes if you meet 'em. Rumor has it two go in, three come out. Even I avoid messing with 'em.'
It's people living there, so probably not all true.
And a dropout, no less?
"Better now?"
No. More confused.
I sighed softly.
"Let's head home."
"Heehee, okay."
Even heading back to the studio, 'beauty school' lingered in my head. Meanwhile, I slyly pictured her in uniform, smiling contentedly.
"What? That face like I should call the cops?"
"Not that bad."
I denied strongly.
* * *
Luckily, no news about the cafe incident. Heard it got sorted somehow.
The weird part? The stalker thing blew over too quietly.
"Hm."
After a quick check, I picked up my pen again.
Study diligently to increase your own value
92/100 hours
Reward: 1,000,000 won, Low-level Speed Reading Skill
The end of this damn quest was finally in sight. Honestly, the speed reading skill? Meh. But the focus habit alone has been huge for my life.
Efficiency's different. Stuff that took repeats to remember or recall now sticks after one or two reads.
"If I'd studied with this focus, would've gotten into Seoul National Uni."
Jeong Hyejeong's SNU hoodie. Picturing myself in it curled my lips. Might suit me?
"What kinda bullshit fantasy you on?"
"Whoa! Manager, why back already?"
Thought maybe I focused too hard and shift ended early—checked time. Only midnight.
"Ha... Tried breaking up kids fighting, got beat instead and chased out. Sob sob, yeah. I'm the sinner for not earning much."
Beep beep beep!
Watching him scan four beers with that pitiful face, I felt bad. No one as pathetic in the world. Thinking of that cute girl from the wedding—he wants kids, but seeing him now? Better not breed.
"Oh, Manager. Alcohol's no drinking in-store..."
"I know, punk! Who said I'm drinking? Home."
"Adult like you breaking up middle-schoolers' fights and ending up that wrecked?"
"Shut it! Ever seen girls fight? That's a warzone itself."
"......"
What? Resonates hard after seeing similar at cafe with Oh Hana recently.
"They usually get along fine. What sparked it?"
"Hell if I know. Anyway, watch out. Girls act chill then explode bigger."
"Me? Worry for what. No girlfriend."
"True. Tch, poor bastard. Good luck. I'm out."
"Get home safe, Manager."
I chuckled watching him trudge off rubbing scraped knuckles, beers in hand.
Four of us live peacefully. Those two can't even manage peace. Heh.
...Or so I thought.
"You thoughtless trashy bitch!"
"Why, Sibin! Fuck!"
Huh? Wait. What the hell.