Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: It's the Legendary Childhood Friend!!
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A week or so after confirming our feelings for each other.
They say the world looks different once you start dating..., but I'm not so sure.
We've known each other for so long that our daily lives with Chaewon haven't changed dramatically.
We were still diligently going about each other's routines.
We texted and called every day, and while there was some excitement, it felt more like being friends.
Hmm, but if I had to pick something that's changed...
"If you could only go to one—Ever's concert or Charlie Puth's?"
"Charlie Puth."
"...What?"
"...Why would I go to a concert? Obviously to watch our Chaewon dance amazingly with my own eyes. Ah, yeah. Of course...!"
True to her balance game addiction, she played it whenever she had the chance, always forcing me to choose by including herself as an option.
But I stubbornly picked the other option every time—not because it was more appealing, but mostly because I wanted to tease her.
If she brushed it off coolly, I wouldn't do it, but she always gave the reaction I wanted, so how cute was that?
Jealousy. She's always had a strong sense of possession and competitiveness, the bratty one.
Now that expressing emotions honestly had become natural, they all bundled up into jealousy.
Chaewon's jealousy was cute and trivial.
Even though this was our first relationship for both of us, she felt more like the newbie because of it.
She wasn't smooth; she was jerky.
When she stared at my face, it was fine if I stared back, but she'd blush and turn away sharply.
She'd call me "baby" naturally and casually, but if I rarely used it on her, her lips would twitch and she'd bow her head.
When she subtly touched me hoping for skinship, she'd deliberately pull her hand away, but right before getting sulky, if I grabbed it, her face would brighten—only for her to pout and say not to tease.
I'd told her countless times to just take it naturally, but what could I do?
All I could do was wait patiently as the more mature one.
It was Friday afternoon, after we'd been keeping in touch by phone and text since parting ways.
-Minah, can you come to a shoot tomorrow by any chance?
Han Chaewon, the celebrity, jumped straight into shoot talk as soon as the call connected.
We'd already finished the middle school reshoot on Monday.
High school era was next Thursday, so this wasn't on my known schedule.
"A shoot?"
-It's almost our 7th anniversary soon, right? So we've been doing various YouTube shoots lately, and this one's a besties special—calling members' close friends, you know, the ones from the vlogs.
"So ten people total shooting?"
-Yeah. We're heading to Chuncheon for the weekend for some low-key fun.
"But you're telling me now for a shoot tomorrow?"
-Hehe.
"...You're something else."
I let out a small sigh and shook my head.
I grumbled, but since we already knew each other's schedules roughly, tomorrow's shoot didn't feel burdensome.
A 1-night, 2-day trip to Chuncheon...
"Sounds good. I'll go too."
It seemed like a good opportunity, so I agreed.
Before, even a free trip would've turned me off with the word "shoot," but now I was used to it...
Above all, going on a trip with Chaewon sounded nice.
-Then come to Yongsan Station by 8 tomorrow?
"But is it okay to go out like this, like a friend meetup?"
-Truth is, I already told the PD and writer we'd be going together.
"...You rascal."
-Forgive me if I do aegyo?
I heard unsolicited aegyo through the phone.
She made that short-tongued sound, whining about cheeseburgers past their prime...
Sorry. Even if you're my girlfriend, it's burdensome for me to hear.
"Anyway, since it's a shoot, we should be careful."
I naturally changed the subject.
-Careful how?
"No point letting on we're dating. You haven't told the members yet, right?"
Idol dating never ends well if revealed.
We'd decided to keep ours quiet until it leaked, meeting at her place.
Honestly, I thought our vibe was the same before or after dating.
But to others, it might seem suspiciously intimate.
So I mentioned caution, but...
-Should we set a concept then?
"Concept?"
-Like we're constantly teasing and messing with each other. That way it won't feel like dating, but it'll give off childhood friend vibes, right?
If there was an Olympics for petty tricks, this bratty one would win gold.
I chuckled at the brilliant idea and nodded.
"Not bad."
-But no sulking like a loser guy, okay?
"When have I ever sulked? History shows you're always the sulker, Sulky."
-...What did you just call me?
"See? You're sulking a bit now—"
-It's not shooting yet.
...What? What's with her?
Is this my fault too?
"Sorry."
I didn't know, but an apology slipped out instinctively.
-What for?
"For stating facts as they are."
-So you're saying I'm an easy-sulker, loser girl Sulky?
An dizzying infinite subjective question just from hearing it.
No escape in sight—this net was tighter than any martial arts master's trap.
"You know I like you a lot, right?"
-Answer me. Am I Sulky?
Sorry. I was all wrong.
+++
There are countless things to check before a trip.
I'm the type who goes wherever my feet take me by feel, so I check the weather.
In that sense, today's weather was brilliantly clear—9 out of 10, no doubt.
The 1-point deduction was slight stuffiness, but perfect for travel.
Thud.
I stepped off the bus, satisfied.
Yongsan Station.
Throngs heading out for trips, but I was super casual like any guy—big backpack and streetwear style.
Sunwoo nagged if this was right for Ever's channel, but that's silly.
'How do you dress down for celebrities?'
The concept was a friendship trip with friends.
No need to stand out.
Yawning widely with that in mind, I slunk toward the station...
"Cinema camera?"
A high-end camera worth millions, like from Netflix or movies, caught my eye.
Hmm. Something's off.
"...Yeah. For shooting Ever, you need that level of gear."
Full-scale shoot beyond expectations.
I rationalized it and headed toward the expensive camera...
"Yumin-ssi has arrived on site!!"
The camera director and assistant directors rushed over at the sight of me.
I glanced at the crowd turning to look naturally...
Wait, wasn't it supposed to be low-key?
Why are all these people staring?
It was drifting far from my idea of low-key, but what could I do now?
I awkwardly greeted the staff clinging to me and kept walking.
"An Hyungseok PD...?"
Huh? Why was the most famous variety PD in Korea here?
Spotting the celeb-like figure more than Ever, I muttered and bowed repeatedly, joining the site.
"Haha, hello Yumin-ssi."
"...Yes, hello."
"Thrilled to finally meet the famous childhood friend."
"The pleasure's mine—feels like meeting a celebrity—"
"Whoa, it's really Yumin oppa...!"
"It's the legendary childhood friend!!"
Cheers interrupted our greeting.
My gaze turned opposite.
There were Ever members waving welcomingly, with their friends.
One, two, three, four...
"...I'm the only guy here?"
Already feeling the lone male at an all-girls school vibe.
Half-resigned, I smiled awkwardly and glanced at PD An.
"Looking forward to Yumin-ssi's star performance as today's token guy."
I saw it.
That maniacal grin PD An gets when plotting something shady and vicious.
——Emergency.
"Yumin-ah~!"
Before my sad premonition of a tough journey faded, my girlfriend appeared, smiling innocently, oblivious to my heart.
"Everyone, this is the legendary childhood friend, star of ten million views, Forever's number one T-shaped guy they wanna spend a honey night with—Yumin~."
Her sly grin suggested no concept—she was set on real teasing.
This was bad.
No allies.
'Should I go home?'
Couldn't say it aloud, so I muttered inwardly and stood by Chaewon.
Now properly in front of cameras, the shoot's scale hit home.
Ten cast members.
Thirty crew and staff helpers.
About forty people moving together for 1-night, 2-days.
Tense-worthy compared to past shoots, but...
"Oppa, long time no see."
"Hey, your hairstyle's different from last time?"
Maknae Minah and cute May's gentle attention.
"Friend, hi?"
"Oppa still looks so good? Why not become a celeb for real?"
Followed by Serin and Yerin's friendly greetings.
They treated me so naturally, like casual chat, so tension eased, thankfully.
"Now with Yumin-ssi here, all five pairs for the Chuncheon trip are assembled. Forever fans know, but for any viewers, please introduce yourselves."
PD An kicked off smoothly.
Cameras everywhere—I scanned, then focused on one per Chaewon's guide.
Awkward smile, slight bow.
"Yes, hello. I'm Kang Yumin, Chaewon's childhood friend of 15 years. Truly grateful to the Ever members and staff for inviting me today. Looking forward to making fun memories."
Shy applause and bow brought cheers.
Everyone reacted energetically together, lifting my mood.
"As you know, Yumin-ssi starred in that ten-million-view vlog. Did you expect it to blow up like that?"
"Not at all. Thought it'd do like other vlogs."
"Many reasons it went viral, but ten million on a vlog ain't easy. So Yumin-ssi, how much do you credit your own charm?"
PD An's classic bait question.
"...Generously, 20%?"
Having watched his shows since kid, this bait was nothing.
"Huh? That's not what I heard?"
If not for this bratty one in full mode.
"What'd Chaewon say, Yumin-ssi?"
PD An seized the moment.
Quick eye contact between Chaewon and PD.
Chaewon grinned.
"I watched the vlog with Yumin, and since he already knew the content, he scrolled straight to comments..., and as he skimmed, he said..."
"Hold up."
"With this smug look, 'Hey, you're gonna get some fans thanks to me?'"
Perfect expression acting and poking gesture detail.
99% sync divine performance drew cheers of agreement everywhere.
"He's hot-headed. Handsome, that's it?"
"Where do you find a childhood friend like that!!"
Especially the two friends here as members' besties gave solid reactions...
Um, excuse me?
Aren't we meeting for the first time?
Suddenly recalled that middle school kid who treated me like an enemy.
'Should I go home.'
It was summer.