Chapter 215
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 215
A few hours ago.
“Wow~, great work, everyone!”
“Yep, good job!”
Having finished all our schedules in Europe, we were all granted a few days of free time.
Before heading back, I figured I’d pick up a little something for my bratty younger brother, so I threw on whatever jacket was within reach.
I was ready to head out, but Jeong Da-jun was whining to the other members, saying it was Milan Fashion Week and that they should all go see it together.
In the end, everyone ended up out on the streets, looking around here and there.
“Ah~, okay, okay.”
While browsing a vintage shop, Kang Yi-chae seemed to exchange a few words in English with the shop owner. Suddenly, he threw an arm around Jeong Da-jun’s shoulders and pulled out his phone.
“The hamster has arrived.”
The black T-shirt Kang Yi-chae was wearing—featuring a pattern of a toasted hamster flying between various planets—fluttered noticeably.
“…What did you say?”
“Since it happens to be Fashion Week, why don’t we hold our own fashion show? Are you ready, maknae?”
“Yeap, two glasses of wine!”
As if he’d been waiting for this, Jeong Da-jun immediately snapped a photo of Kang Yi-chae posing and sent it to Pop-Pop.
Instantly, a flood of responses poured in, not just on Jeong Da-jun’s Pop-Pop but across social media as well.
[What are these cuties doing?]
[LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL seriously ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Kang Yi-chae, for real though ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[This is crazy ㅋㅋㅋㅋ so cute ㅋㅋㅋㅋ these guys really just live however they want, don’t they ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Jeong Da-jun snickered as he looked for captions to send to the Noeuls.
“How about this? Every time you give me a great compliment, I’ll let Yi-chae hyung pick out an outfit.”
“Good, good.”
I didn’t quite understand the logic of why Da-jun got the compliments while Yi-chae wore the clothes, but the maknaes were just having a blast, giggling away.
[Jeong Da-jun is the most super-duper handsome guy in the world!!!!!]
From the deluge of complimentary messages, Jeong Da-jun skillfully picked out only the ones calling him handsome.
[Looks like he only wants to hear that he’s handsome...]
[Our god-tier baby... smiles]
[Between the idol asking to be called the most handsome and the fans asking him to wear the rainbow fur hanging on the third rack from the right...]
As they say, like idol, like fan; the Noeuls certainly didn’t pick out anything normal.
However,
“Why!! This looks good too!”
Despite having asked for permission and changing through several outfits while touring the nearby shops, Kang Yi-chae looked good in everything—whether it was a monochromatic outfit in a jarring primary color or an ensemble decked out in all seven colors of the rainbow.
Even when he wore a T-shirt with a bizarre illustration paired with a hot pink fake-fur short jacket that looked like arm warmers, he stood tall and confident, looking like a model pulling off avant-garde fashion.
[Is The Dawn the king of fan communication?
They’ll wear whatever you ask them to.]
[Is this what they call the ‘Metaverse’...
└ You sure like that word lately.
└└ Yep, I just learned it yesterday...]
I thought they’d stop after a while, but now Yi-chae was strutting down the streets of Milan, casting fatal gazes while wearing a spotted leather jacket over a skin-tight spandex black T-shirt.
“Seong Ji-won, Kim Seong-hyeon.”
Since it had come to this, I tried to call Seong Ji-won and Kim Seong-hyeon so we could move elsewhere, but—
“Mr. Model! Please look over here just once!!”
Ding!
[I’ve been influenced….]
Tell me about it.
Seong Ji-won was also clearly enjoying himself, playing along and diligently taking photos of Kang Yi-chae.
And because they had bought every single piece of clothing Kang Yi-chae had tried on so far, Kim Seong-hyeon’s hands were gracefully occupied with a mountain of shopping bags.
“Wait, why are you holding those?”
“Kang Yi-chae is a model in a fashion show today.”
“The hardships of a leader are real.”
“Hey, wait. Seo Ho-yun, did you only just realize that?”
Ignoring Kim Seong-hyeon’s grumbling, I watched Kang Yi-chae as he blew hand kisses to passersby and greeted them with a “Ciao!”
Seeing this, several reporters swarmed him, their shutters clicking away. Then, some person I didn’t recognize—whom Jeong Da-jun was staring at while covering his mouth—approached him, chatted familiarly, and even took a photo together.
‘He’s really running wild.’
Is this the power of an S- Charm stat?
Even when surrounded by influencers approaching him for photos, Kang Yi-chae looked perfectly at ease.
It seemed the maknaes’ fashion show was nearing its end, so I was thinking of rounding up the members to go grab dinner when I locked eyes with Kang Yi-chae.
‘What now?’
He whispered something to the people around him and walked straight toward me.
“Hyung, want to do a fun social experiment?”
“No. It’s already been interesting enough. I’m good.”
I hurriedly rejected the proposal, sensing an ill omen, but Kang Yi-chae had no intention of listening. He slung an arm over my shoulder and raised his phone, pretending to take a selfie.
Naturally, the reporters who had been photographing Kang Yi-chae started snapping pictures of me too, and the attention of the influencers he’d been chatting with shifted toward us.
With a sour expression, I was swept along, going “uh, uh, uh,” until—
“Seo Ho-yun, I am so, so, so glad to see you I could just die.”
I found myself pushed alone into a private party for a luxury brand famous even back home, standing face-to-face with Ju Woo-seong.
‘Sigh….’
I shook off his hand and asked, “What are you doing here, Ju Woo-seong?”
“I’m the ambassador here. The real question is, what are you doing here?”
“…….”
Admittedly, my situation made less sense. No wonder Ju Woo-seong, whose face was already polished to a shine, looked even more dapper than usual today.
Ju Woo-seong finally took a good look at my appearance and stared at me, puzzled.
“Wait, hold on. How did you even get in here dressed in all black from head to toe?”
“I bluffed my way in with my face and my guts. Why?”
“…Ah, haha. Did you hear that?”
It was obvious he was trying to laugh it off because he was at a disadvantage.
“Hey, anyway. That’s not what’s important. Look over there.”
As my eyes narrowed, Ju Woo-seong quickly changed the subject and gestured with his chin over his shoulder.
Even with just a slight glance, I could clearly see the gazes of nearby designers, models, and industry professionals fixed on Ju Woo-seong.
Everyone seemed to be drinking, chatting, and enjoying the atmosphere, but in reality, it was cutthroat. I could feel their determination to snatch Ju Woo-seong up somehow today.
“……Oof.”
“Right!! See!”
“Where’s your manager?”
“If my manager were here, would I be worried? They said no entourages allowed.”
I clicked my tongue softly.
His situation was pitiful, but—
I picked at my ear.
“Don’t you have any seniority experience?”
I hoped he’d survive on his own.
“Just handle this much yourself. Fighting.”
“Hey, hey! Wait! I’m scared!”
“Stop exaggerating. I’m leaving.”
“The people here are too aggressive! They keep touching me under the guise of saying my clothes are pretty!”
“…….”
…What is wrong with this guy, seriously?
What exactly does he want me to do?
Where did all those dating skills he’s accumulated over the years go?
“Woo-seong, long time no see!”
Just then, a model approached Ju Woo-seong.
He was definitely smiling, but the vibe he was projecting toward me was clearly screaming, ‘See? Look at this!’
“Good luck.”
“Hey!”
Of course, I saw this as a good opportunity to make my escape. Or rather, I tried to.
Ju Woo-seong used me as an excuse, quickly rattled off an apology in English, and followed right behind me, so I failed.
“Do they think they’ll get something if they stick with me?”
“Obviously. You look so damn prickly that people find you difficult to approach.”
“That’s true.”
He had a point.
“Then do you just want to leave together?”
“I can’t. Contractually, I can’t leave yet.”
This won’t work, that won’t work.
As I was wondering how to shake off this annoying guy, Ju Woo-seong hurriedly added, “Hey, I’m not asking for much. Just talk with me for one hour before you go. I’ve helped you out so much!”
“…….”
“I’ll buy you dinner!!”
He was being so pathetic I was about to leave him behind, but then I scanned the surroundings again.
I had ended up here by accident, but looking at it from another perspective, this was a place I couldn’t have entered at my current level. In other words, it was a very good opportunity.
I spotted a few individuals who, like Ju Woo-seong, were drawing a lot of attention.
“Hey, do you know that woman over there?”
“Who?”
“The one in the dark navy two-piece suit.”
“…Uh……. What was her name. Ah! Designer Lee Seong-jin.”
“And the one next to her?”
“I think that’s Editor-in-Chief Riel.”
I’d heard of both of them.
Quickly forming a plan in my head, I said to Ju Woo-seong, “Fine. I’ll play along for exactly one hour, so you’d better do your part too, Ju Woo-seong.”
Ju Woo-seong’s eyes narrowed suspiciously when I suddenly agreed to stay, but I immediately donned a warm, friendly smile.
Then, patting Ju Woo-seong on the back, I slowly began to walk.
“Now, hurry up and say something interesting. And smile a bit.”
“……The model to your top right is staring at me so intensely it’s scary.”
“Ahaha, that’s not scary. Isn’t that your specialty, Ju Woo-seong?”
I felt Ju Woo-seong glaring at me.
I poked him in the ribs, signaling him to fix his expression.
“It was never my specialty, and I’ve quit all that now. I’ve decided to devote my entire life to being an idol.”
To the guy muttering about how he was going to live happily with Nyang-nyang-i, I whispered quietly, “Half the people passing by are your exes.”
“Seo Ho-yun, do you really want to die?”
Unable to raise his voice, Ju Woo-seong ground his teeth instead.
At this point, although we were both smiling, the words being exchanged were quite vicious.
“Ho-yun, as your senior, I’m genuinely worried. How do you plan to live your life with a temper like that?”
“Oh, dear. Can’t you see I’m living just fine? Fine enough for Ju Woo-seong to ask for my help.”
“Ha…….”
Having been served a blow for every one he gave, he immediately started round two.
“This is why you don’t have any friends!”
“Just me?”
“…No. Me too.”
While he fell silent, having meekly admitted the truth, I sipped a cocktail I’d taken from a waiter and scanned the party hall. I was still a bit far from my intended targets.
At that moment, Ju Woo-seong muttered, “Fashion terrorist. A guy who only knows the color black. Designers would do nothing but sigh if they saw the clothes you wear.”
“Your insults are almost cute.”
“…Muse? Please. You’re a guy who won’t even be able to get a single business card.”
He called that an insult?
As I let out a hollow laugh of disbelief, Ju Woo-seong glanced at me and spoke again.
“So… that Shadow guy, Yun Hee-eon or whatever. Was that your doing too?”
It was an abrupt timing.
I wondered if he had intentionally started this conversation and set the stage just to ask this, but then I recalled Ju Woo-seong’s attitude toward me so far and deleted that hypothesis.
Even though the surroundings were noisy because we were overseas and at a party, he had lowered his voice significantly.
‘It’s a bit late to be asking so honestly now.’
As someone who knew well that I would use any means necessary to rise, it wasn’t something Ju Woo-seong couldn’t have figured out.
I neither confirmed nor denied it, simply shrugging my shoulders.
“Between that and you suddenly showing up at my house last time, I really can’t figure you out.”
“…….”
“Honestly, things have been going well for you so far. Why are you being so cutthroat?”
I downed the rest of my cocktail in one go.
Then, I swapped my empty glass for a fresh one from a waiter walking around with a tray full of drinks. My target was now close by.
“Woo-seong hyung, you’re really interested in me.”
Ju Woo-seong’s brow furrowed slightly.
I brushed some imaginary dust off his shoulder and laughed playfully.
“Come to think of it, you said earlier that I’m a guy who wouldn’t even be able to get a single business card.”
I leaned in close to Ju Woo-seong’s ear and whispered softly.
“Watch closely.”
“……?”
I brushed past his shoulder and intentionally bumped into the person who was approaching.
“Ah!”
Since I had reflexively pulled back the hand holding the glass, only my right sleeve got a little wet. The timing was so perfect that it looked as if the other person had crashed into me.
The other person looked startled and apologized.
“I’m so sorry!”
“…Ah, okay, okay. Woo-seong hyung, do you have a handkerchief?”
“…Oh, are you Korean?”
The person’s eyes widened at the Korean I had pointedly used.
And I noticed their gaze naturally shifting behind me.
“…Oh, Woo-seong… the, the idol….”
It seemed they didn’t know my name.
After a moment of hesitation, the person looked apologetic.
“Your clothes are wet, what should I do? I’m so sorry, I should have been looking where I was going.”
“Ahaha, it’s fine. I’m just glad I didn’t spill it on Designer Seong-jin.”
“……You know me?”
“Of course.”
Ju Woo-seong had told me about twenty minutes ago.
I answered smoothly and extended my left hand for a handshake.
“I’m Seo Ho-yun. Seo Ho-yun from The Dawn.”
“Ah!”
I had recognized her immediately, but she seemed embarrassed that she hadn’t known my name, so her reaction was more enthusiastic than a typical greeting.
People like this were easy to keep a conversation going with.
Because they felt they had been rude, they were very receptive even to trivial topics.
“Were you originally on the guest list, Ho-yun?”
“The opportunity came up by chance. I was very lucky. Thanks to that, I even got the chance to meet Designer Seong-jin.”
“Oh my~, you certainly have a way with words.”
The conversation flowed smoothly, and Editor-in-Chief Riel, my second target, joined in as well.
Ten minutes later.
“Ho-yun, your visuals are really great. You have a certain aura, and you’re easy to talk to. How about next time, we have a meeting? Ah! It would be great if Woo-seong joined too.”
“The honor would be all mine.”
I easily obtained the two business cards I wanted.
Ju Woo-seong, who had been suddenly pulled into the mix, forced his trembling lips into a smile.
After wrapping up the conversation cordially, I led Ju Woo-seong to a corner of the party hall.
To Ju Woo-seong, who was looking at me with a fed-up expression, I flashed a fresh smile while showing him the business cards tucked between my index and middle fingers.
“Oopsie.”
“…….”
The ‘oopsie’ was meant to say: Who was it that said I wouldn’t even be able to get a business card?
“……I take back what I said earlier. I’m glad you’re working hard as an idol. Otherwise, you would’ve become a con artist.”
“ I’ll take that as a compliment. Now, I’ve finished my business, so let’s get out of here.”
A crisis is the best moment to turn into an opportunity, and accumulated opportunities become the solid stepping stones to success.
“Excuse me, Seo Ho-yun, it hasn’t been an hour yet!”
Ju Woo-seong grumbled about how I got the business cards in ten minutes and asked if it was ‘Just One 10 Minutes,’ but he quickly followed behind me anyway.
* * *
[Guys, looks like The Dawn got a schedule with Riel]
[WTF? Riel out of nowhere?]
After finishing all their European schedules and taking a break, The Dawn safely returned to Korea not long ago.
The Noeuls had been keeping a close eye on the overseas tour every day, but a schedule that was completely unrelated, entirely unexpected, and originally non-existent suddenly popped up.
There were even rumors that Lee Seong-jin, who works as a head designer for a famous global brand, had sent a gift to Seo Ho-yun.
[It’s good but..... why....?]
[Seriously... why.....?]
[Was there... like... any hint of this??]
The confusion over things proceeding without context before they had even officially attempted a global expansion was short-lived; since it was a good thing for The Dawn anyway, the Noeuls were delighted.
On Nutube, a paparazzi shot of Seo Ho-yun and Ju Woo-seong walking and talking on the street was edited and uploaded with a heartwarming vibe.
The comments were flooded with English.
[I love the way they talk while smiling! So sweet :)]
[Both look incredibly like models!]
[Hahaha Ho-yun and Woo-seong’s friendship continues even in Milan]
Though they appeared to be smiling at each other, they had actually been having a childish argument over the dinner menu.
[Wasn’t that the day Kang Yi-chae was doing his fashion show? Seo Ho-yun’s clothes are the same??
└ Our Ho-yun’s clothes are all black and almost the same every day...
└└ Ah! Understood immediately
└└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Ju-seong is seriously hilarious, even abroad he’s showing off that he has no friends
└ Why??
└└ (Photo) He’s hanging out with Seo Ho-yun even in Milan
└└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ These guys are seriously besties ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
But the one who became even more of a hot topic than those two was undoubtedly Kang Yi-chae.
[How an idol plays at Fashion Week pretending to be a civilian.jpg]
As if his star power was shining through, he pulled off even random rags as if they were new F/W arrivals.
[There are so many photos of Kang Yi-chae’s street fashion from Fashion Week, it’s hilarious
└ It’s literally street fashion lol
The fact that these are all clothes he bought and wore on the street
lfmao]
[Wait, what’s with Seong Ji-won taking photos so diligently next to him lololol]
[Kim Seong-hyeon is hilarious, for real. He’s the type who doesn’t understand his partner’s department store shopping at all but will wait for everything without a word
└ Ugh, damn, I want to snatch Kim Seong-hyeon up while he doesn’t know anything and marry him
└└ lmfaooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Impossible because of Seo Ho-yun, who hates dating......]
Furthermore, as the scene of him playing the piano while drunk went viral once more, Kang Yi-chae’s name heated up various communities and social media for an entire week.
[Wow, Yi-chae really, really seems like a genius....]
[I love him so much ㅠㅠㅠ our boy is good at composing, handsome, and even dresses well... ㅠㅠㅠ what do I do?]
[And he even released a fan song while abroad... sigh..... these guys whose default is taking care of Noeuls... I love it......]
[This fan song is so, so good and well-made too ㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜ Kang Yi-chae is a literal genius]
At the moment when the Noeuls’ pride was soaring to the heavens, it was suddenly plunged back down to the ground.
[Title: Isn’t this song by Kang Yi-chae a plagiarism?]
It was because of a single suspicion that suddenly flared up.
*
1) Lyrics from the song "10 Minutes" released by singer Lee Hyori on August 13, 2003.