Chapter 171
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 171
"Waaaaah!"
The moment we finished our greetings, a roar of screams filled the live hall.
The crushing pressure that had been weighing on me eased slightly at the thought that I had somehow managed to bring this chapter to a close as well.
"It’s been three months—long for some, short for others."
As I spoke, I took in the sight of the fans. They were looking up at me with faces messy from crying, waving their inverted-triangle lightsticks and slogans.
"In the end, we took first place. This is all thanks to Noeul. I’m sorry for making you worry all these months."
Many people behind the TV screens were probably wondering what I would say while shedding tears.
Unfortunately for them, my eyes were bone-dry.
I listed the names of people I was required to thank by protocol, one by one. After a brief hesitation, I spoke again.
"I’m also very grateful to my members. I was quite stubborn, but they believed in me and followed my lead without a word of complaint."
I glanced to the side and saw Jeong Da-jun burst into tears again just as he’d finally calmed down, covering his face with both hands. A small laugh escaped me at the sight.
"I also want to express my gratitude to my family."
Now was the timing to say the words everyone was waiting for.
"I miss you, always."
I spat out the appropriate, pre-prepared sentiment and slowly lowered the hand holding the microphone. Then, I lightly patted the back of Kim Seong-hyeon, whose eyes were bloodshot.
As I stepped back to let Kim Seong-hyeon move forward, Seong Ji-won pulled me into a hug from the side. I felt something hot and damp soak into my shoulder.
"…Ho-yun."
Seong Ji-won called my name but couldn't say anything else, only sobbing. I patted him comfortingly while waiting for Kim Seong-hyeon to give his speech.
Since I had already covered the usual opening remarks Kim Seong-hyeon would make, I expected him to elaborate on his feelings about winning first place.
"There’s so much I want to say, but Seo Ho-yun already said it all."
However, Kim Seong-hyeon let out those unexpected words and took a moment to catch his breath.
"Just as Noeul is always by our side…"
He lowered his head for a moment as if his throat had tightened. When he looked up again, a smile played over his tear-stained face.
Our leader…
"The five of us will always be with you. Thank you."
…is a really good guy.
*
"Great job, everyone!"
"Congratulations, The Dawn!"
"Wow, that was so moving. Huge congratulations!"
As we headed offstage, the staff members still bustling about backstage offered their congratulations.
The members bowed their heads repeatedly as they passed through the crowd.
Then, the assistant director approached us. Perhaps because the program had concluded successfully, he had the brightest expression I’d seen on him yet.
"Are you guys coming to the after-party?"
"Ahaha, the members will be going, but…"
I glanced behind me. The members, who had been right at my heels a moment ago, had stopped a short distance away.
It looked like they had already been caught by members of other groups or staff.
"I’m a bit tired, so I think I’ll pass."
"Ah, I see. It’s a shame; the atmosphere really heats up when Seo Ho-yun is around."
The AD seemed slightly disappointed that he wouldn't get to see my drinking tricks, but he didn't push further. Instead, he added, "If the opportunity arises next time…" and made a clicking sound with his mouth while snapping his wrist as if tossing back a shot before quickly disappearing.
I watched him go for a moment and was about to call over the members who were still held up when I spotted the mentors gathered in a group at the end of the hallway.
'Whoa…'
Im Hyeon-su, Ju Woo-seong, Ha Seo-yeon, and Han Chae-ri.
Even Chae Jeong-woo was there.
"Oh!"
I tried to avoid them, thinking it would be a hassle if I caught their eye, but an ominous exclamation rang out behind me.
"Hey, Seo Ho-yun."
I turned my head slowly to see Im Hyeon-su approaching with a bright smile.
"Still got that swagger, I see. Congrats on first place, you brat."
"Of course. Isn't this all thanks to you, Composer?"
"Wow~ look at him being all slick."
Since it was all out in the open, there was no way she didn't know how I’d secured that first-place win, but Im Hyeon-su didn't mention it.
Still, it was clear as day what people would be whispering behind my back.
Seo Ho-yun even sold out his family history just to get first place.
'Well, I admit it.'
Because it was the truth.
"The final song was good. It was so good it was almost annoying."
"…And who do I have to thank for that?"
"Puhaha!"
I crossed my arms as Im Hyeon-su let out a boisterous laugh.
"Why don't you go talk to Kang Yi-chae? He’d like that."
"Mmm. No, it’s fine. I’ll do it later."
Im Hyeon-su waved her hand dismissively and clicked her tongue as she looked toward where Kang Yi-chae was. He was standing there radiating a chilling aura, completely indifferent to his surroundings.
Feeling a sharp prickle at the back of my neck for some reason, I decided to ignore him for now.
"Are you going to the after-party?"
"No. I’m heading back first."
It would be difficult for the entire winning team to skip the after-party, so the other members were planning to go. However, as the person who had just broadcasted such a tragic narrative, I couldn't exactly show up at a company dinner laughing and performing drinking tricks.
The agency, the manager, and I were all in agreement on this point for once.
Even without a detailed explanation, Im Hyeon-su picked up on the situation.
"…Right. Then let’s grab a meal once things settle down. Your treat."
"Oh, of course, of course. I’ll make sure to serve you well."
"You really have as much nerve as you have lack of manners."
I looked away from Im Hyeon-su, who was shaking her head in disbelief, and scanned the area until I locked eyes with Ju Woo-seong. He immediately began striding toward me.
"Seo Ho-yun."
I thought things were getting tedious, but there was nowhere to run.
Ju Woo-seong looked exhausted for some reason as he approached.
"Uh…"
He opened his mouth but then just awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
"…So, uh, congrats on first place."
"Well, yes. Thanks to you, Senior."
"Hey!! You just said it was thanks to me!"
Ju Woo-seong let out a hollow laugh at Im Hyeon-su’s interruption, his eyes narrowing.
"What do you expect from this guy, Noona? He’s a master of empty flattery."
After slandering me like that, he just stood there with his lips pouted. So, I decided to make the first move.
"Senior, thank you for everything."
"……Huh?"
"I really received a lot of help."
When I first saw Ju Woo-seong on TV and picked him as a target, I never imagined we would stay in touch like this, let alone that I’d receive so much help from him.
Actually, to be honest, I still don't quite understand it.
The fact that a guy who was blackmailed would help his blackmailer without asking for anything in return.
Leaving Ju Woo-seong speechless and stunned, I gave a slick smile.
"And I trust you’ll keep helping me in the future? I still have a long way to go."
"……."
I expected him to curse or at least laugh, but Ju Woo-seong only wore an ambiguous expression.
Just as I quirked an eyebrow at the strange atmosphere, Im Hyeon-su grabbed Ju Woo-seong by the scruff of the neck.
"Alright, that’s enough. This kid is more than fine; he’s healthier than I am. Woo-seong, let’s go wet our whistles at the after-party."
"…Sigh, I don't want to."
"Let’s go chug some bottles!!"
Im Hyeon-su dragged away the protesting Ju Woo-seong, making sure to snag Chae Jeong-woo as well, and disappeared while cackling.
I gave a single shrug and approached my members.
"What are you guys doing?"
The members, who had been talking to various people just a moment ago, were now huddled together whispering.
As I slipped into the group, Jeong Da-jun clung to me.
I habitually stroked his hair, and the youngest, his eyes darting around, blurted out some nonsense.
"…Ho-yun Hyung, can’t I skip the after-party too?"
"No."
"……I don't want to go."
"Just go."
Even for a top-tier celebrity, skipping an event like this without a good reason would draw scrutiny.
For a group at The Dawn's level, people would immediately start gossiping about how we’d thrown our manners out the window.
"Jeong Da-jun."
Knowing this, Kim Seong-hyeon sighed and pried Jeong Da-jun’s arms off me.
"Mr. Jeong Da-jun, now that you're an adult, let’s go."
"Uuuugh……."
Jeong Da-jun moved sluggishly, still glancing back at me with lingering regret.
"Ho-yun, get home safe."
"Yeah."
"We’ll be back soon too."
Seong Ji-won waved as he pushed the dawdling maknae along.
Even then, Kang Yi-chae didn't say a single word.
As I turned to leave at the manager's call, I felt a lingering sense of unease.
However, my thoughts soon shifted toward how to neutralize the public's pity and what would be best to transform my image.
"I’ll head back first. Thank you."
"Really, great job! You were amazing, Ho-yun!"
"Yes, thank you for your hard work."
I maintained my smile as I headed toward the van.
Since I was going straight to the dorm, I hadn't even changed out of my stage outfit.
The manager was going to attend the after-party with the other members, so I was with the road manager.
"You were truly cool today!"
"Haha, you worked hard too, Manager Ji. Get home safe."
I offered my greetings as I got out of the car at the dorm.
"……."
After entering the passcode and opening the front door, I was met with a living room shrouded in silence.
"…Hmm."
I carefully took off my costume and hung it up. After showering, I paced around aimlessly for a bit, slumped onto the sofa, and then turned on the TV.
After flipping through a few channels, I turned it off and picked up my phone.
Vrrr, vrrr.
I intended to check the reactions to today's win.
As soon as I turned on the phone, a flood of missed calls, unread texts, and messages poured in like crazy.
The name recorded most frequently was Seo Ho-jin.
[Seo Ho-jin]
I flopped onto the bed, drying my hair with one hand. I skimmed the texts first, then checked the chat app, and looking at my conversation history with Seo Ho-jin, a realization suddenly hit me.
[Seo Ho-jin: Happy New Year]
[Me: K]
On New Year's.
[Seo Ho-jin: Hyung]
[Seo Ho-jin: Happy Birthday]
[Me: Thx]
…And on my birthday.
"……Hmm."
Since becoming an idol, my communication with my brother had consisted of Seo Ho-jin reaching out and me giving short, blunt replies much later. At least on Seo Ho-jin’s birthday, we had met in person, so I had the excuse of not needing to text.
'Was I… a bit much?'
After hesitating, I sent a message.
[Me: Hey]
I declined the call that came in immediately as if he’d been waiting, and with eyes blurring from fatigue, I typed out another message.
[Me: Your brother won]
But even after a long while, no reply came.
I stared at the phone, thinking I should just go to sleep, when it vibrated.
[Seo Ho-jin: Just pick up the phone]
"Idot…"
I think I knew why he was acting like this.
[Me: See you tomorrow]
[Me: Bring a big bouquet of flowers too]
I added a line as a joke to keep things light.
If he actually brought them, I could laugh and tease him.
I didn't have any schedules tomorrow anyway, and I wanted to see for myself if Seo Ho-jin was doing okay.
'I guess everything turned out well.'
Perhaps because the nerves that had been wound tight lately had finally loosened, sleep came crashing down on me.
'Now I just have to handle the aftermath well.'
I’d taken a bit of a risk, but it wasn't a bad conclusion.
Getting hate is unavoidable in the entertainment industry.
Through this incident, I had become an idol with a story—someone who could be utilized at least once more for variety shows or whatever else.
The public always chooses the person who appears before the camera most often, anyway—
Just as my thoughts reached that point, my eyelids felt incredibly heavy. My eyes drifted shut, and the moment I fell into a deep sleep…
"…Gasp!"
I bolted upright, gasping for breath.
"Hah, haa…"
With trembling hands, I fumbled to touch my shoulders and arms. Cold sweat was pouring down my back.
"Ah, damn it…"
My left arm was throbbing with pain.