Chapter 187
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 187
What is it with him now?
I took a step outside and crossed my arms, staring at Ju Woo-seong.
"What brings you here?"
"An apology? Aren't you going to apologize?!"
"Oh, my bad?"
I gave him what he asked for, but it seemed to annoy him even more. Ju Woo-seong rubbed his forehead aggressively before giving my shoulder a light shove.
"No, really, why are you here? You could have just called."
"To get my watch."
"I offered to give it back, but you said you were too busy."
Why now, of all times?
I thought it, but I didn't say it out loud. I knew that, in his own way, he was trying to be good to me. Instead, I just looked back and forth between the dark night sky and Ju Woo-seong’s smug, handsome face.
"You have 'Why now, of all times?' written all over your face."
"Ahaha?"
"You’re not even denying it, you punk! Move!"
Ju Woo-seong grabbed me, pulled me out of the way, and strode into the dorm as if he owned the place.
Jeong Da-jun peeked his head out, and upon making eye contact with Ju Woo-seong, he bowed deeply.
"Hello, Senior...?"
"......??"
"Uh, well...?"
Da-jun looked around as if searching for something, appearing slightly flustered. I caught his expression as I locked the door and walked in behind Ju Woo-seong, my eyebrow twitching in curiosity.
It was then that Kim Seong-hyeon finally noticed Ju Woo-seong. He practically threw the chicken he was eating and scrambled to his feet.
"Gasp!! Senior!!"
"Hey, Seong-hyeon."
Ju Woo-seong sat down in the middle of the living room with shameless ease. Seeing him flash a bright smile and exchange pleasantries with the members made me realize anew that he did, in fact, possess basic social skills. It was almost impressive.
Jeong Da-jun, still standing awkwardly, tentatively asked Ju Woo-seong a question.
"...Senior, by the way. Did you come alone today?"
"Da-jun, why are you using a pick-up line on me?"
"Hey. Do you think our maknae is like you?"
Does he think our youngest is that easy?
Even if he were given a mission on a variety show to seduce someone with his charms, the most the innocent Jeong Da-jun could manage would be a clumsy 'kabedon' against a wall. I couldn't believe the nonsense coming out of Woo-seong's mouth.
I covered Ju Woo-seong’s mouth with one hand and handed him the drink I’d mixed earlier with the other. Drink this and shut up.
Jeong Da-jun’s eyes kept darting around before he buried his face in his phone.
I sipped my drink while watching him, only for Ju Woo-seong to poke me in the ribs.
"What."
He leaned toward me, the faint scent of alcohol wafting off him.
"Actually, I just came from a first round of drinks with the noonas from the 'Seo Ho-yun Bashing Group.' They were making a huge fuss, telling me to check on you. They said they couldn't bring themselves to come to your dorm personally."
"Why don't you just say you wanted to see me?"
"Hey! That’s freaking creepy."
If it’s not that, then whatever. Why get so worked up?
As a sign for him to shut up again, I personally shoved a freshly made, potent drink toward his mouth. Despite scowling, he licked his lips and drained the glass. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he spoke up.
"Ah~, you had a concert today?"
"Yes!! It would’ve been great if you came too, Woo-seong Hyung. It was so much fun!"
"What did you do?"
Kim Seong-hyeon, already tipsy and flushed, sat close to Ju Woo-seong and acted quite charming. It seemed he didn't even notice the other members.
"Senior! We covered Black Call’s 'Get Over'!"
"Oh, really? Thanks."
"You have no idea how much Seo Ho-yun complained about it being hard! But he did a decent job in the end."
"......Ah, Seo Ho-yun?"
Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but sitting on the floor to drink was making my back and tailbone ache. Deciding that drinking while lying down is the superior method, I sprawled out on the sofa and started sipping a carton of soju through a straw. Ju Woo-seong glanced at me and shook his head.
"Is it even possible for him to do a 'decent job'? I mean... Seong-hyeon, you’re one thing, but Seo Ho-yun is a total ttukttak-i."
"I managed to at least get him up to the level of a rhythmic exercise."
"Hey, I wasn't that bad!"
No one listened to my protest.
Jeong Da-jun, who had been buried in his phone, suddenly looked up and chimed in.
"Oh! Then Senior, do you know what 'Mang-Mang-Mang' is?!"
"What's 'Mang-Mang-Mang'?"
"Try to guess, Hyung. It’s related to Ho-yun Hyung."
"What, is it an acrostic poem or something?"
"An acrostic? Wahaha! Okay, then. Mang!"
Kang Yi-chae suddenly set the beat, and Ju Woo-seong furrowed his brows slightly.
"Wait, so sudden? Mang, mang..."
He tapped his glass with his fingertip, thinking for a moment, then shifted his eyes to look at me. I signaled him frantically with my hands and feet, telling him not to influence the members with nonsense, but he suddenly smirked and opened his mouth.
"Mang: I barely saved you from becoming a Mang-dol..."
"Do you want to die?"
I tried to grab him by the scruff of the neck and cover his mouth, but the guy was surprisingly strong. He held his ground and gestured for Kang Yi-chae to give him the next syllable.
"Mang!"
"Mang: This mangy brat Seo Ho-yun,"
"Mang!"
"Mang: Is destined to be a mangled klutz for the rest of his life..."
Don't you ever do an acrostic poem on a broadcast.
I watched the members burst into laughter, praising Ju Woo-seong as the best. I sighed, got up, and headed to the kitchen. I guess seniority really is everything. He can say stuff like that and still get cheered on.
"Senior, that was a perfect acrostic!!"
"You could really feel the pent-up frustration, right?!"
"Ahaha~. Yes! I think you’d be a great rapper too~."
I took some ice cream out of the fridge, sat at the dining table, and downed it with some tequila. That’s when I caught Seong Ji-won and Kang Yi-chae exchanging looks.
"Hyung, you know I really like you, right??"
"......Huh?? Yeah??"
Right after that, Kang Yi-chae started spouting nonsense to Ju Woo-seong. Regardless of whether the senior was flustered or not, Yi-chae just kept grinning and refilling his glass—even though he wasn't drinking himself.
"So please take good care of us in the future, Senior! Please, just one more drink~."
"...This is only the second time I've met a junior this shameless."
"Is the first one Ho-yun Hyung??"
"Do you even have to ask?"
The night grew deeper, but the noise didn't stop. Ju Woo-seong seemed to be trying to drink at his own pace, but he was quickly swept up by Kang Yi-chae, who never let his glass stay empty, and the heavy drinker Seong Ji-won. Before long, he looked completely wasted.
Woo-seong, how do you even survive being so easily led...
I checked the time on my phone. It had been barely thirty-five minutes since he entered the dorm.
"Wow..."
The great Ju Woo-seong, who had nothing to show for himself tonight but a 'Mang-dol' acrostic poem, sat there silently with his hand on his forehead, staring blankly. Unable to watch any longer, I put down my glass and stood up.
"Stop making him drink. I'll go drop this guy... I mean, Senior, off."
"Okay~."
I almost called Ju Woo-seong "this guy," but Kim Seong-hyeon gave me such a fierce glare that I quickly corrected myself and helped Woo-seong up. Kang Yi-chae waved his hand with a mysterious smile.
I’m pretty sure Kang Yi-chae messed with Ju Woo-seong on purpose.
But why?
I pondered the behavior of Kang Yi-chae, Seong Ji-won, and Jeong Da-jun as I led the drunken nuisance outside. He stumbled and almost tripped over his own feet.
"Hey!"
I quickly grabbed his arm. His eyes were half-closed, and he didn't even seem to realize what had almost happened.
"Was hitting your forehead on the door earlier not enough? You want to hit it again?"
"Aww, man..."
Come to think of it, I still didn't know why he really came. He claimed it was to get his watch and because Kim Hee-yeong and Im Hyeon-su told him to check on me, but he spent more time chatting with the members than worrying about the watch, and he didn't seem interested in my well-being at all.
"But seriously, why did you come?"
"Because I don't have any friends..."
I know, you idiot.
It seemed Ju Woo-seong was the type whose tongue loosened after a few drinks, just like Kang Yi-chae.
"Just... I was a bit worried..."
"About what."
"You know, just... if you were okay..."
"Oh, please."
I treated him like a pushover, and now he’s actually become one. It’s a miracle he hasn't been scammed yet. Of all the people in the world to worry about, he worries about me.
"Ah, why?! What now!"
Ju Woo-seong barked at me, noticing the pathetic look I was giving him. Since it was late, I covered the rascal's mouth and spoke.
"Thanks to you, I didn't become a Mang-dol, and I'm perfectly healthy in both body and mind. So stop worrying now."
"......"
I led him toward the main road where taxis were likely to pass. I ignored the muffled grumbling coming from behind me. Then, a certain reward came to mind.
"Mr. Ju Woo-seong, are you busy lately?"
"Yeah, busy as hell."
"Do you have time to help me out?"
"No."
"You do? Thanks in advance."
"I said I don't!!"
I didn't plan on using the reward right away, but from what I’d seen of Ju Woo-seong, he was a top-tier idol who had already passed his peak transition period. His schedule was actually quite flexible outside of active promotion periods.
Well, I'll use him later.
I saw a taxi with the red "Empty" sign in the distance and hailed it. Just to be sure, I asked him if he had his phone and wallet.
"...I think I left them at your dorm."
"Sigh......"
Ju Woo-seong clumsily patted his chest, butt, and thighs—anywhere with a pocket. He pulled out only his phone and gave an embarrassed laugh.
I let the taxi go and was debating whether to head back to the dorm to find his wallet when I turned my head.
"......Huh?"
My eyes met a figure standing under a nearby streetlight.
"......Seo Ho-jin?"
"...Hey, Hyung."
Seo Ho-jin walked toward me as I stood there frozen. My brother glanced at the drunkard leaning on me and looked a bit troubled. It was likely because he recognized the famous face.
"Hello, Mr. Ju Woo-seong."
"Oh... wow."
"It's our first time meeting. Nice to meet you, even though you seem quite drunk."
"Waaaah, yeah."
I blocked Ju Woo-seong’s view as he stared wide-eyed at Seo Ho-jin’s face and opened the door of another taxi that had pulled up.
"Wait, wha—?"
"Get in."
I practically crumpled him into the backseat. I slammed the door shut, shoved two fifty-thousand won bills into the driver's hand, and urged him to leave quickly. Ju Woo-seong tried to open the window to say something, but fortunately, the taxi took off.
"You... what are you doing here? How do you even know where this is?"
"Da-jun called me, so I came, but, uh..."
I quickly turned around to face Seo Ho-jin.
"Why would Jeong Da-jun..."
Then, the sequence of events clicked into place.
Jeong Da-jun looking around when Ju Woo-seong arrived, the glances between Seong Ji-won and Kang Yi-chae. And Kim Seong—no, Kim Seong-hyeon, who was just genuinely happy to see him.
In other words, they knew that if a situation arose where Ju Woo-seong had to be fed drinks and sent home, I would be the one to handle the aftermath rather than the lightweight Kim Seong-hyeon. They had planned to make me run into Seo Ho-jin, who was waiting outside.
That brat, Kang Yi-chae...!
Feeling strangely outplayed, I ran a hand through my hair in annoyance and scanned the surroundings. I couldn't let my guard down just because we’d moved dorms. I hurriedly led Seo Ho-jin into the dorm's parking lot.
"What if someone sees you? Aren't you supposed to be busy with school?"
"What are you talking about? It's summer break."
"Ah..."
Come to think of it, it was already summer. I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
"Have you been here long? You should have called."
"I didn't wait that long. I was just thinking about how serious global warming has become lately."
He tried to play it cool with a joke, but my brother was drenched in sweat. I placed a hand on his forehead and turned him around, checking him over. I looked to see if he was sick or hurt anywhere.
Seo Ho-jin, scowling at the attention, made an awkward joke.
"Why are you staring so long? Did I grow up that well?"
"No. I was just thinking you’re as dopey as ever."
Come to think of it, Seo Ho-jin was the number one dopiest person I knew.
"Let's not spit on our own faces. I look like you, Hyung."
"Whatever."
I smacked his forehead with my palm.
Unlike mine, his eyes slanted slightly downward, giving him a gentle impression. He winced and groaned, "Ouch," but then he burst into a chuckle. He seemed to be in a much better mood than the last time I saw him.
"Do you want to come up to the dorm?"
It felt wrong to keep talking like this, and since Jeong Da-jun had invited him anyway, I thought it would be better to move inside. But Seo Ho-jin shook his head.
"No, it's fine."
"......"
"I'm still sulking."
He’s so petty.
"Then at least say hi before you go. You said Jeong Da-jun was cute."
"I did. He kind of looks like me."
He shamelessly insisted he was handsome and cute until I gave him a deadpan look. Only then did he chuckle and pull his wallet out of his pocket.
"Well, jokes aside. I actually came to give you this."
When he pulled something out of his wallet, I thought I was finally getting a filial cash envelope. But what he held out was a tiny scrap, about the size of two fingernails put together.
"Take this."
When I took it, I saw it was a lumpy family photo, carefully taped together.
"......Oh."
Since I had become ten years younger, my traces had been erased from almost every photo except for those I took alone. I couldn't find a single photo of the four of us together, no matter how hard I looked.
"It was hard work finding those photos, Hyung."
Inside that small rectangular frame, the 20-year-old me, my parents from that time, and a 10-year-old Seo Ho-jin were taped together somewhat awkwardly. In this world, we couldn't exist in these forms at the same time.
He must have been bothered by the way I was fiddling with the family photos when I visited home.
"It's a gift. I was going to give it to you with some flowers when your program ended, then I thought about not giving it to you because I was annoyed, but..."
"......"
"It felt like a waste not to."
Damn it.
"It would have been a waste," I muttered.
"Right?"
"Yeah. It would be a waste not to see our little dummy’s chubby 10-year-old cheeks."
"Wait, they’re gone now, okay?!"
For a moment, I felt a surge of emotion. I spoke bluntly on purpose so Seo Ho-jin wouldn't notice. I thought I had kept everything bottled up well, but it almost overflowed.
I tucked the family photo into the innermost slot of my wallet.
"...Thanks."
When I spoke hesitantly, Seo Ho-jin gave a small smile.
"Then give me a ride home in an expensive deluxe taxi or something."
"...Fine, you brat. Just say the word. I'll even give you a piggyback ride, giddy-up and all."
"Oh, really? Then give me a piggyback ride all the way to campus. I want to maintain the dignity befitting a class president."
"Wow, being a class president in Korea is tough as hell."
"Sorry, but that's a tradition at our school."
Hey, there was no such tradition back when I went to that school.