Chapter 25
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 25
“You’ve really slacked off, haven't you, Seong Ji-won?”
Who… who was that again?
Kim Seong-hyeon seemed to recognize him as well, his brow furrowing. Seong Ji-won gave a calm greeting.
“Hello, Senior Yoo Hyuk.”
“Hahaha, I’m just kidding, you punk! Why so stiff?”
The man called Yoo Hyuk threw an arm around Seong Ji-won’s shoulders.
Ah, now I remembered. He was from Today, a boy group that had debuted three years ago. Being from a major agency, they had decent recognition, and I recalled them winning first place on music shows a few times.
Come to think of it, was Today’s agency D.go? That was the major label Seong Ji-won used to be signed to.
“I might have debuted first, but we shared the same roof for years. I just wanted to say hi since it’s been a while. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about you lately.”
“…Yeah, thanks.”
It seemed they used to train together.
“I’m really glad things worked out. My heart honestly ached when your debut fell through. I worried a lot, thinking maybe I was the one who pushed you out. Like I’d basically stolen your spot.”
“……Me?”
“It feels good to see you doing well, even if it’s a bit late.”
Wait, is this guy seriously negging Seong Ji-won right now?
“I hope you keep doing well. Though… the ending of this game is already decided anyway.”
‘The ending is already decided?’
Before I could even parse the meaning of that, Yoo Hyuk glanced at Kim Seong-hyeon. Seeing his glare, I remembered where I’d seen him. He was the guy who had been staring way too long when that girl group member handed Seong-hyeon a note earlier.
“You should work hard too, Junior. If you start acting thirsty this early on, people are going to start talking.”
‘Ah.’
The situation clicked into place.
This Yoo Hyuk guy had a crush on that girl group member, and he was pissed because she showed interest in Kim Seong-hyeon.
Kim Seong-hyeon, who had never acted "thirsty" in his life, looked bewildered and was about to snap back when I intentionally let a piece of paper flutter to the floor.
“Oops!”
As I spoke loudly, everyone’s eyes snapped toward me. I hurried to pick up the paper and carefully tucked it into Kim Seong-hyeon’s pocket.
“Seong-hyeon, keep a better eye on your things.”
“…Seong-hyeon?”
“What’s with you dropping these everywhere, huh?”
Kim Seong-hyeon looked at me with confused eyes. He clearly had no idea what I was up to. Yoo Hyuk’s gaze was fixed on Seong-hyeon’s pocket.
“I know you get a lot of these, but you shouldn't just let them fall out like this.”
“What are you….”
“Oh, right. You said you weren't interested, didn't you?”
I smoothly pulled the paper back out of Kim Seong-hyeon’s pocket.
“I’ll just give this to our manager.”
“Hey, what is that?”
“Ah, sorry for interrupting. Kim Seong-hyeon is just so clumsy….”
Yoo Hyuk’s eyes wouldn't leave the note. I bowed my head with a good-natured smile.
“Thank you for the advice, Senior. We’ll keep working hard and won't let things like this distract us.”
I gave a sharp grin and waved the paper back and forth.
It was a blatant provocation. Realizing this, Yoo Hyuk’s expression twisted into a grimace.
Seong Ji-won let out a hollow laugh, and Kang Yi-chae, standing next to him, turned beet-red from trying to hold back his laughter.
“You… what’s your name?”
“I’m Seo Ho-yun, Senior.”
As I answered with a beaming smile, Yoo Hyuk stepped away from Seong Ji-won, marched over to me, and snatched the paper out of my hand.
“You little punk, you’ve already lost your mind, haven't you? You think you’re something special just because you got a few notes?”
I let him take it without a fight. From the side, I felt the horrified stares of my members.
‘Hey, you were the one who told us to watch our mouths at the station.’
‘Are you crazy? Giving away a note with a senior’s phone number on it?’
‘That’s private information!’
Their eyes were screaming at me. They were probably worried that the note would get back to the girl and we’d be blacklisted. But I remained composed.
Yoo Hyuk huffed as he unfolded the paper.
“I’m going to hand this over to that senior myself. I’ll tell her how rude and arrogant you guys are being… already….”
“…….”
Yoo Hyuk checked the folded paper and went silent.
“Yes?”
“…….”
“Yes? What were you saying?”
That’s because it was a receipt.
The receipt for the salad we ate for breakfast.
I wasn't crazy enough to just leak someone’s private information.
“A receipt?”
I tilted my head innocently. Kang Yi-chae was practically crying next to me, on the verge of exploding.
“What is this?”
“Ah, it’s the receipt for the salad we had this morning. Our manager told us to always get a cash receipt whenever we buy something.”
“…….”
“But Kim Seong-hyeon doesn't really know about that stuff. I guess it’s because he only ever practices.”
“Then what you said earlier about not being distracted….”
“Oh, that? I thought you were talking about our diet, of course….”
As I answered nonchalantly, even Seong Ji-won’s face turned red as he fought back laughter.
On the contrary, I let out a sigh.
An idol losing his focus like this… this guy… getting jealous of a junior over a girl…
“Senior. I’m not sure why you’re so interested in our receipt, but if you want it that badly, feel free to keep it.”
“I guess he has a hobby of collecting cash receipts…. How unique.”
“Maybe he likes the smell of salad on the paper. …Wait, does salad even have a smell?”
“Hey, hey. You should keep those thoughts to yourself.”
Jeong Da-jun muttered seriously from the side. I chuckled and pretended to hold him back.
Jeong Da-jun, this kid is gold. He’s a great character for variety shows. I’ll definitely have to bring him along whenever I need to mess with people.
“You little shits….”
Yoo Hyuk’s face turned a mottled red. He lunged as if to grab my collar, but I lightly stepped out of the way.
Honestly, if Yoo Hyuk threw a punch here, I could make pretty good use of it. I was secretly looking forward to it.
I just hoped Kang Yi-chae was recording this. Just as Yoo Hyuk was about to grab me—
“Oh, Seo Ho-yun!”
I heard a familiar voice. Turning my head, I saw Ju Woo-seong approaching with a hand raised high.
Come to think of it, I heard he was here as a special MC.
Ju Woo-seong might be a pain, but his debut and recognition were top-tier. Every time he took a step down the hallway, everyone around him bowed ninety degrees. It was a truly bizarre sight.
Who do you think you are, a conglomerate heir?
“What are you doing? You should say hello when you see me.”
‘Hmm….’
It was similar to what Yoo Hyuk had said to Seong Ji-won, but coming from Ju Woo-seong, it felt strangely fine.
‘Looks like he’s going to help.’
Though his overly friendly tone gave me internal goosebumps, I put on a bright smile for now.
“Senior. I went by earlier, but you weren't there.”
“‘Senior’? That’s so awkward…. Just call me ‘Hyung’ like usual. Hey, Dawn kids, hello.”
“Hello!”
“Have you been practicing? Did you improve on the things I pointed out last time?”
Ju Woo-seong gave a smirk and nudged me. I thought he lacked social awareness, but…
‘He’s actually being helpful.’
In terms of years active and popularity, Yoo Hyuk was nothing compared to Ju Woo-seong.
Yoo Hyuk, seemingly caught up in the hierarchy, bowed ninety degrees to Ju Woo-seong.
“Hello, Senior Ju Woo-seong!”
“Uh… yeah.”
Ju Woo-seong gave him a brief glance. Yoo Hyuk immediately changed his expression, acting friendly and trying to show off a connection.
“Senior, I’ve been listening to the album you gave me last time. I was so excited when I heard you were coming as a special MC.”
Shouldn't this guy have been an actor instead of an idol?
“Mhm… right, right, thanks. Yoo….”
“Yes, Senior!”
“Was it Yoo-hyeong? Like a math problem type?”
“…….”
“Like a workbook?”
Ju Woo-seong burst out laughing at his own joke. It was a total ‘dad joke.’
“Sorry, I don't really recognize kids with such plain faces.”
A total shutdown.
Yoo Hyuk’s expression crumpled for a split second before smoothing out.
“…It’s Yoo Hyuk.”
“Aha.”
And with that, Ju Woo-seong turned his gaze back to me. He was a top idol; there was no way he didn't know the name of a fairly famous junior. He was ignoring him on purpose.
“Seo Ho-yun, you have some time before recording, right? Come to my waiting room in a bit.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why? I want to catch up. You’re so busy I can't even get a hold of you, you punk.”
Ju Woo-seong’s acting had improved since I last saw him. I feigned a bit of awkwardness.
“Ah, I forgot. Sorry.”
“Whatever. See you in a bit.”
I gave him an ‘okay’ sign and watched Ju Woo-seong walk away. Then, I smiled and waved goodbye to Yoo Hyuk, who stood there dazed after taking that counter-hit.
To be treated well by a top senior in front of the very person he was trying to suck up to, after that person had just dismissed him as a nobody?
A guy like that is bound to be fuming.
“Senior, you seem really hungry, so make sure you eat well~.”
Go practice, you prick.
The Dawn members took that as their cue to hurry away from Yoo Hyuk. Everyone was clenching their teeth to keep from laughing. After a while, Kim Seong-hyeon quietly added a comment.
“You’re really annoying, but you’re incredibly reliable when you’re on our side.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
* * *
“Oh, you’re here.”
“Behold, the Great Conglomerate Heir is here….”
“Get in here, get in.”
I walked into the waiting room Ju Woo-seong was using alone and asked, “I was pretty good, wasn't I?”
Ju Woo-seong looked up from his phone and preened. I chuckled and flopped onto the sofa next to him.
“Why is an MC waiting room so big? Ours is like a chicken coop.”
“I’m Ju Woo-seong.”
True. He was undeniably one of South Korea’s top idols. If I reached that level, would I be able to complete the main scenario and escape this ‘Unknown’ game?
I stared at him and opened his stats.
[Viewing Ju Woo-seong’s stats.]
[Singing: A+
Dancing: S+
Variety: A0
???: ???
???: ???
Charm: S-]
I was momentarily speechless.
“Wow….”
“What?”
“No, I just realized… I still have a long way to go.”
“Huh? Why?”
To be like this guy, I’d have to stack up stats like that? When am I ever going to leave this game? Will I be out before I’m eighty?
As I sat there grumbling with a pout, having lost my fighting spirit, Ju Woo-seong narrowed his eyes.
“Are you being sarcastic right now?”
“No.”
“I’m pretty sure you are….”
I was admiring your stats, you idiot.
I ignored him, knowing he wouldn't believe me anyway.
“So what is it? Why did you call me?”
“It’s a bit awkward to talk outside, and I’d rather not run into the White Cherry girls.”
“White Cherry?”
I raised an eyebrow. Ju Woo-seong gave an awkward laugh.
“I’ve become the ultimate scumbag within White Cherry.”
Ah, right. He was dating one of them.
“Did you break up?”
“I got dumped, okay?”
One of them finally escaped. The White Cherry member, I mean.
“Kids these days are terrifying, you know? Just splashing water isn't enough for them. She brought a whole basin from the bathroom and just… whoosh. I was soaking wet.”
Well, you deserved it.
I crossed my arms as I looked at the ultimate ‘trash car’ of a boyfriend.
“Well… I guess I am a scumbag.”
What’s gotten into him?
Is he finally being nice to his fans? Or is he just laying low after being blackmailed?
“Half the girls out there are probably going to be my exes anyway….”
“Hey, I’m not that bad. …Am I?”
Ju Woo-seong seriously pondered this. I ignored him.
“Anyway, that’s not why I called you. It’s something else.”
“What is it?”
“I heard you guys are going on a competition show?”
I was going to brush it off as nothing, but my ears perked up.
“How do you know?”
“I heard it from someone I know. It seems the entertainment bureau is really pushing that program this time. The lineup isn't bad.”
Ju Woo-seong said, tapping on his phone.
I thought Shining Star was just a gathering of idols with mediocre recognition. I didn't know the lineup was actually decent.
“Did you hear who else is appearing?”
“From what I know, there’s Today—the guys who were picking a fight with you earlier—Refined, and Mars?”
“Hmm….”
Today, Refined, and Mars. They were all between one and four years into their careers. The competition was fiercer than I thought. Among them, Today had overwhelmingly higher recognition. It might be tough to break through.
“But don't expect to win first place.”
I snapped my head up.
I thought he was saying that because of the gap in recognition, but Ju Woo-seong added calmly:
“I heard there’s already a pre-selected winner.”
“What?”
“Apparently, the Shining Star team and Today’s agency have deep ties. They’re running the program with everything already decided on that side.”
“…….”
A program where the winner is already chosen, the stage already set. There were plenty of shows like that. Is that why Yoo Hyuk said those things earlier?
‘He said the ending was already decided.’
So Today already knows.
I briefly wondered if Kang Yi-chae had recorded that, but dismissed the thought. Yoo Hyuk’s comment alone wasn't enough firepower to flip the board. It was too vague; he could just claim he didn't mean it that way.
As I pondered what to do, Ju Woo-seong spoke up softly.
“This kind of thing is common. I’m just telling you so you don't work too hard and end up disappointed.”
“…….”
“But from what I know, second and third place haven't been decided yet. You won't be able to go on the winner’s spin-off show to compete with other groups, but it’ll be pretty useful for raising your recognition.”
Ju Woo-seong kept talking, assuming I was disappointed.
“Thanks.”
“Huh?”
“I’m saying thanks for letting me know. I can tell my members and the company, right?”
“…Sure, everyone seems to know through the grapevine anyway. Just don't say the source was me.”
“Got it.”
Seeing that I wasn't discouraged at all, Ju Woo-seong raised an eyebrow. His face said, ‘Look at this guy.’
But there was something more important.
“Who’s the PD?”
“Suddenly?”
“Yes. Did you hear who the PD for Shining Star is?”
The CEO said they were still looking. Ju Woo-seong frowned at the unexpected question.
“I don't remember that much. Why?”
“Because it’s important. Can you find out for me?”
“Well, finding out isn't a problem, but…. Wait.”
Ju Woo-seong trailed off and suddenly warned me.
“Seo Ho-yun, you… you’re not planning on suddenly going to the PD and blackmailing them, are you?”
“Of course not.”
“You have a track record, so I can't exactly trust you.”
Celebrities were easy to tear down since they were constantly under fire, but PDs were harder to scratch no matter what flaws you found. I had to look for another way.
‘Rather than blackmail, something more… enticing….’
As I plotted internally, Ju Woo-seong shrugged.
“Anyway, I’ll look into it and let you know. I’ll bring you more info on the program if I find any.”
“Why… are you being so nice?”
Ju Woo-seong was being so helpful he could almost be called a pushover for a blackmailer. When I asked him honestly because I didn't understand, he just grumbled.
“Even when I’m nice, this punk is suspicious….”
“I’m joking. Since I’m grateful, I’ll let you put a debt on my tab.”
“What am I going to do with a debt from a nobody like you?”
“Well, who knows how things will turn out in life.”
It was fine by me if he was nice. Both Ju Woo-seong and Im Hyeon-su were softer than I expected.
My mind was already focused on Shining Star. And for good reason—a new quest window had appeared.
[A Quest has arrived!
Take 1st place in ‘Shining Star.’
Success: Obtain a Hidden Trait, +50 to all stats.
Failure: Unable to release the next album for 3 years.]
I needed to set a new stage.