Chapter 146
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 146
To get straight to the point, I didn’t go to the hospital.
Kang Yi-chae was not an easy man to deal with, but I wasn’t the type to just sit back and take it, either.
I dragged things out by rambling on, hiding in the bathroom and refusing to come out, and clinging to the bed for dear life. By the time Kang Yi-chae was about to lose his mind again—a little over two hours later—my body had completely returned to normal.
He had practically dragged me to the door before I was finally able to calm him down and convince him I was fine.
Kang Yi-chae narrowed his eyes, took my temperature, and scanned my entire body from head to toe.
“36.2 degrees.”
He checked again and again, asking if I was sure it wasn't some fatal illness, if I wasn't lying, if I really wasn't sick. Finally, he crossed his arms.
“…Weird, isn’t it?”
He was still suspicious, but his expression had softened considerably.
He still insisted I go to the hospital, but there was no reason to risk creating a useless news story.
“I’m not going.”
With my condition back to normal and my mind sharp again, I was fucking stubborn about it. In the end, I was only released after promising to go to a hospital the company knew of once we returned to Korea.
And after we got back, Kang Yi-chae, as expected, insisted on tagging along to the hospital. However, the manager intervened, arguing that the more people who came, the higher the chance of being noticed. So, only the road manager accompanied me.
We even took a taxi instead of the van.
But somehow, the road manager had been sweet-talked. He followed me into every examination room, even the doctor’s office, recorded everything, and passed it all on to Kang Yi-chae.
His persistence was intense, but after hearing the doctor’s opinion and seeing the medical report stating there was nothing wrong, Kang Yi-chae finally backed off.
I didn’t know why, but it seemed he had decided to let this bizarre situation slide for now.
Just like he did with the hyperventilation incident.
…So for him, all that really matters is that the people around him are healthy.
It seemed that my being alive and well was more important to him than any logic or understanding.
“I’m glad you’re not sick.”
“……”
“Still, let’s get regular check-ups. All the members, together.”
Looking at Kang Yi-chae’s faint smile, I was utterly fed up.
This kid isn’t sane either.
At the same time, I felt a pang of self-reflection.
I thought I was the only crazy one in The Dawn, but there was another.
As someone who had directly experienced Kang Yi-chae’s tyranny, I felt a little sorry for the other members, having learned a lesson from his bad example. Of course, even that feeling didn’t last long.
Seeing how Kang Yi-chae’s attitude softened the instant he knew I was okay, I re-evaluated my opinion of him.
“…Are you going to tell the members?”
“Who knows?”
He gave a vague answer, but he didn’t tell them.
Well…
I didn’t know why, but that was a relief for me.
“Hyung, hyung! Want some of this?”
“No, thanks.”
I refused the snack offered by an oblivious Jeong Da-jun, who was munching away with his cheeks stuffed full of Tokyo Banana, and turned my gaze out the window.
I just have to be patient…
For the sake of a peaceful and comfortable idol life, I decided to avoid Kang Yi-chae’s landmines as much as possible from now on.
* * *
The Dawn’s Japanese promotions came to an end.
[So glad Ho-yun looks like he’s in good condition today ㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
[Heard they caught the leaker at Daepasung ㄷㄷㄷ So it really was an insider ㄷㄷ]
The stage I’d set and the item I’d used must have worked like a charm. The leaker, after being called into the police station for questioning as a witness, immediately went to the CEO, crying and begging for forgiveness.
The CEO, wanting to bury the issue quietly, had hoped to handle it internally and wrap it up quickly. But Seo Ho-yun was not one to stand by and watch.
From the leak to my poor condition on stage, a flood of complaints and demands for an official statement poured into Daepasung via email, phone, and fax. The protest hashtag was still trending.
[#Daepasung_Apologize]
[#Boycott_Daepasung]
With the company atmosphere already tense from the intense external pressure, I taunted the CEO, saying it would be quite a show to see what would happen if I revealed that a “frail member” had coughed up blood due to the unreasonable schedule. Of course, I had no real intention of exposing it.
The CEO’s voice trembled as he asked.
“…What do you want?”
The answer to his threat was obvious.
“Get rid of the leaker and add a few more people to that spot. I want more staff dedicated to The Dawn.”
“……”
He looked like he wanted to ask, ‘You caused all this trouble just for that?’ but the CEO could only nod his head in miserable defeat.
In the end, I managed to clean up the situation and provide Lee Ji-hyeon with a comfortable work environment.
I wanted to promote Lee Ji-hyeon to team leader.
But that would have been overstepping my authority. Even a cornered mouse will bite. One had to know where to draw the line.
For now, I decided to be satisfied with creating a dedicated planning team for The Dawn.
If I could get this much in return for putting my body through the wringer once, it was a cheap price to pay.
The cigarette rumor had died down, and as for coughing up blood, I could just think of it as a few lost days of my life.
And so, by weighing the situation and conditions, I maximized efficiency and created a pleasant environment for the planning team.
There was just one unexpected variable.
“Ah~, I’m a little thirsty~.”
It was Kang Yi-chae.
“Yi-chae wants some banana milk~.”
“…I’ll buy it for you.”
“Just kidding. I want some Ssanghwatang with an egg yolk floating in it.”
“Where am I supposed to get that?”
“I’d like it if you could make it homemade for your precious little brother, who you wouldn’t mind putting in your eye~.”
Kang Yi-chae said, chewing his gum obnoxiously while sitting on the recording studio sofa. I, who had been catering to his whims for days, ground my teeth.
If only he hadn’t found out.
If he hadn’t, this whole affair, where I’d sacrificed my own flesh to take the enemy’s head, would have wrapped up so beautifully.
“You… you didn’t tell the others just so you could boss me around, didn’t you?”
“My, what a very Seo Ho-yun-like way of thinking.”
“It would have been better if I’d just hit you over the head back then and made you lose your memory.”
“Eek~.”
Although the rumors, the leaker, and the planning team issues were all resolved, and he had smiled brightly upon learning my health was fine, Kang Yi-chae was apparently still pissed off, because he hounded me relentlessly.
I felt guilty and had misspoken, so I was bottling up my foul temper and enduring it, but I was reaching my limit.
“Seeing you being so cheeky means you’re healthy, and I love that.”
“You psycho.”
After that, Kang Yi-chae pretended to be fine, but his eyes gleamed. A hint of madness seeped into his tone.
It was clear I had pushed him past his breaking point at the time, because he threw all sorts of tantrums disguised as complaints.
The banana milk and Ssanghwatang were child’s play. He would taunt me in front of the other members, and just when I was about to get angry because he was crossing a line, he would take a step back and play the victim.
“Hyung, you’re so mean to Yi-chae.”
“……”
That little fox!
My insides boiled as I watched Kang Yi-chae turn the tables and make me the bad guy for getting angry.
Fine! I’ll put up with it for two more days.
If he was still like this after two days, I decided I would just expose everything, find a way for Kang Yi-chae to die, and for me to live.
In any case, thanks to Kang Yi-chae, I was on edge, so full of venom that I felt like I could kill anyone who crossed me.
Not just the company staff, but even our manager started giving me wary looks and keeping his distance. Still, work had to be done.
Just then, Lee Ji-hyeon, looking ecstatic with her improved work environment—a stark contrast to me—handed me a proposal.
It was for a self-produced content series that would conclude the Apocalypse Trilogy, following our last year-end stage.
[The Dawn - The Rising Dawn and the Ruined Self-Produced Content]
I took the document and, after a quick scan, cheered internally.
I couldn’t miss this heaven-sent opportunity.
.
.
.
And so, before the start of Shining Star Season 2, an ad for The Dawn’s first self-produced content of the year was uploaded to Nutube.
[OMG a self-produced content teaser after so long]
It was mid-February. Since the weather was still cold, the shoot took place indoors.
[I guess the boys are really getting into their apocalypse concept ;;]
[Aaaah I’m so excited ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
[How do you even get into an apocalypse concept..? Do you just scream that the world is ending?
└ Jeong Da-jun would be amazing at that
└└ We already saw his sensitive side during his birthday lol]
[But Seo Ho-yun is...ㅋㅋ]
Noeuls had realized something while watching Seo Ho-yun during the surprise birthday party.
He was so shameless he might as well have a steel plate for a face, so he would surely pop up with a sly grin again.
[This bastard will probably show up with his hands casually in his pockets like he did for the student council president election]
[Seo Ho-yun, the senior soldier just waiting for discharge
└ Ah ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
On the day the self-produced content was released, the Noeuls who tuned in were left with their jaws on the floor.
[Oh my god]
From the very beginning, Seo Ho-yun appeared, dressed in black techwear that looked like a modified S.W.A.T. uniform.
Thump, thump. With the crisp sound of combat boots, the camera slowly panned up from his feet, past a black bulletproof vest, to his expressionless face under a tightly pulled cap.
[Oh my god thank you lord]
[Currently bowing in the direction of Daepasung]
Since Seo Ho-yun had been part of the government army during “Second Chance,” fans had seen him in various uniforms, but this was the first time he had worn full-on techwear, and they were busy screaming.
Just then, Seo Ho-yun stepped onto a platform. Behind him, a banner with The Dawn’s logo fluttered.
[And he’s not acting like a senior soldier at all!!!!]
[OMG what is this, Seo Ho-yun you crazy bastard, what’s with this sharp posture??]
Seemingly unaware of the situation, the four other members were gathered in front of the platform, chattering amongst themselves. Seo Ho-yun swept a cold gaze over them, then flicked the proposal and recited calmly.
“Greetings.”
He was on edge because of Kang Yi-chae, so he was more than happy to have this self-produced content—a post-apocalyptic military-themed show where he could legally chew out the members.
For the past few days, he’d been so deferential to Kang Yi-chae, his face flushed with barely suppressed anger, that Yi-chae had been all smiles.
Kang Yi-chae, you son of a bitch.
“I am Seo Ho-yun, and I will be in charge of your training starting today.”
You’re dead today.
The day of the shoot was after the two days he’d promised to endure had passed.
“Woah~!! You’re so handsome~!”
“Kyaa~!”
As Jeong Da-jun, who had been particularly influenced by Kang Yi-chae lately, joked around, Seo Ho-yun’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
“……!”
Kim Seong-hyeon and Seong Ji-won exchanged a look.
Leaving Jeong Da-jun, who still hadn’t grasped the situation, to his own devices, the older members instantly realized that things were about to get serious.
“…For today’s self-produced content, you will act in accordance with the post-apocalyptic worldview. Failure to meet these behavioral standards will result in a penalty.”
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋBut seriously ㅋㅋㅋㅋ how are they gonna pull off this concept]
[Da-jun, let’s destroy everything]
[But I totally thought Seo Ho-yun would just show up with his hands in his pockets.... I love this cold, sharp look so much ㅠ Is this the power of an idol who’s finished his military service?? slurp slurp]
[His natural use of formal speech is insane.....
└ Kinda reminds me of Lee Jeong-hun PD again ㅠㅠ]
Seo Ho-yun was an idol who operated with thorough business-like professionalism, but today, it wasn’t an act.
[Hogyoong’s cold acting is insane]
He was being sincere.
He was actually in a really bad mood.
“What’s the penalty?”
When Seong Ji-won raised his hand to ask, the corner of Seo Ho-yun’s mouth lifted slightly.
“An hour ago, Jeong Da-jun was whipping meringue, thinking this was a dessert-making content shoot.”
“For real?”
“Ah! So that’s what that was about??”
Jeong Da-jun shoved his palm under Kim Seong-hyeon’s nose, claiming it still smelled sweet.
At the same time, someone wheeled in a mobile tray from a distance. On it was a plate covered by a stainless-steel cloche.
When Seo Ho-yun lifted the cover, the food was revealed.
It was Jeong Da-jun’s creation.
“Tuna macarons, gochujang sandwiches, and so on…”
“Ugh!”
“Da-jun, why on earth did you do that?”
To Seong Ji-won’s gentle yet dead-serious question, Jeong Da-jun cried out in frustration.
“Hey, I was trying to be unique and creative! And those were the only ingredients I had, okay?? I couldn’t make gochujang macarons, could I?!”
“You could have made a tuna sandwich…”
“……!!”
Jeong Da-jun slapped his forehead as if he’d just realized.
[You idiot ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
[I love Da-jun but
I can’t bring myself to eat a tuna macaron
└ You’d have to be insane to eat that..]
Connecting the penalty to Jeong Da-jun’s food, Kim Seong-hyeon raised his hand with an anxious look.
“So, what is the penalty?”
“That is.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Eating the desserts made by Jeong Da-jun.”
Everyone’s face turned deathly pale, then—
“—Or, run on the treadmill for ten minutes and do a sexy dance.”
“I’ll do the sexy dance.”
Their expressions brightened instantly.
At Kim Seong-hyeon’s sharp, decisive answer, Jeong Da-jun pouted and glared, but he couldn’t change the older members’ firm resolve.
For reasons unknown, Jeong Da-jun had been on a cooking kick ever since he’d become an adult, celebrating his new status. He was especially passionate about fusion cuisine.
“Jeong Da-jun, if someone gave you jjajangmyeon with strawberry jam in it, would you eat it?”
“Ugh…”
“Ah, this is so unfair!! I’m usually a good cook! And strawberry jam in jjajangmyeon could be good!”
“……”
“You narrow-minded people, why do you assume it’s bad without even trying it?”
[Da-jun-ah
Do you have to taste shit to know it’s not bean paste?
└ I guess he wants to taste whether it’s jjajang or strawberry...
└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋah fuck ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
No one was listening to Jeong Da-jun.
Beside him, Kang Yi-chae tilted his head.
“Getting into character is great and all, but who gets to judge that?”
“I do.”
“Isn’t that a bit much? That just means it’s whatever you want, hyung.”
Seo Ho-yun tapped his fingers on the platform, then grinned at the members.
“If you have a problem with it, you should have taken my concept for yourself.”
“Aww~.”
“But…”
Seo Ho-yun looked at Kang Yi-chae and asked.
“Kang Yi-chae-ssi, are you going to keep speaking informally?”