Chapter 262
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 262
Ju Woo-seong, now promoting as a soloist, was steadily sweeping up trophies from every music show.
As much as I was green with envy, fortunately, interest in Racing Me—the show I appeared on with him—was also skyrocketing.
Around that time, a teaser was pre-released on Nutube. It featured our performance during the missions on Racing Me, along with a short segment we filmed at the end where I got a taste of being a variety show PD.
[Seo Ho-yun is seriously insane at navigating social hierarchies.
└ A variety show machine prepared for this generation...
└└ It’s hilarious how the people around him are so baffled lol. They’re like, "How is he even good at picking out octopuses?" and just lose it.
└└ He probably studied up at the fish market beforehand...]
[Ju Woo-seong... as expected of a first-tier idol, he’s smart.
He called Seo Ho-yun because he didn't want to get his own hands wet.
└ Facts.
└└ lol they both work so hard without making excuses, it’s so likable ㅠ so cute ㅠㅠ]
[What’s this? Is Ho-yun editing right now?? What is he editing?! Why aren't you showing me, f*ck!]
[Wait, Jeong-hun PD, why are you the one experiencing a new career right now? lol]
[This is why I can’t let go of Kabu lol... Ah... do I look like I’m crying because I’m so happy..?]
[Full version ASAP please.]
“Hyung.”
I was checking the fan reactions in a reserved room at a restaurant when I heard the sliding door open, followed by the voice of the person I’d been waiting for.
“Sorry, am I late?”
It was Seo Ho-jin, huffing and puffing as if he’d run all the way here.
“Extremely.”
“…I’m sorry.”
I had called Ho-jin out during a brief gap in my schedule, despite having an afternoon appointment, thinking I should at least have a meal with my brother before the full album promotions began.
Watching Ho-jin gulp down water as soon as he sat, I pushed the pre-ordered food toward him.
Perhaps feeling guilty for being late, he started buttering me up with a grin.
“Hyung, you’re looking more and more like a celebrity every day.”
“I am a celebrity.”
We all do this to make a living, but why was it so hard to just have one meal with my brother? I had specifically chosen a private restaurant that only took reservations.
Ho-jin picked up his spoon and began to eat, pouring out updates on his life without me even having to ask.
“Since it’s still break, I meet up with Yi-chae in-game pretty often. That guy is seriously impressive. He’s younger than me, but he’s so quick-witted and polite…”
“Mhm, yeah. He’s pretty decent.”
“…Is he? Well, anyway.”
Since the guy in front of me was so clumsy, it was honestly still hard to believe that Kang Yi-chae was younger than Seo Ho-jin.
“And lately, I’ve been preparing for grad school.”
“Grad school?”
I perked up at the news, pausing mid-sip of my soup.
“Yeah, law school.”
Thank God.
Given his major, I had been nervous he’d say he wanted to go into media. I wouldn't stop him from doing what he wanted, but if I returned to being a PD later, it was obvious people would talk. Besides, I wanted to keep Ho-jin safely hidden away as much as possible.
Hiding these thoughts, I gave a smirk.
“Are we finally getting a ‘professional’ in the family?”
“Wow~, you really sound like an old man when you say stuff like that.”
Despite his grumbling, Ho-jin’s chopsticks moved busily. I watched my brother, his mouth stuffed with food, and asked, “So, domestic? Or are you going abroad?”
While I thought going abroad would be better if he wanted to study properly, I wasn't keen on sending him somewhere I couldn't look after him. I was worried about whether he’d even feed himself properly.
“Eh. Where would I get the money for that?” Ho-jin dismissed it lightly.
“F*ck, what do you mean you don't have money?”
“No… why are you getting mad…?”
Startled while putting a piece of galbi in his mouth, Ho-jin put down his chopsticks and gulped down some water.
“Hyung, I have money too. I’m planning to go using the money I saved up from tutoring.”
Since becoming a member of society, I had become a person who had nothing but wealth, but in the meantime, it seemed Ho-jin had developed the bad habit of trying to grow up too fast because we lost our parents so young.
Leaning back in my chair, I let out some needlessly thorny words.
“Fine, how impressive. I guess I don't have to worry about my retirement then.”
“Yeah, don't. I’ll eat well and live well on my own.”
I kept my mouth shut.
My brother, who had been eating heartily while grumbling, glanced at me during the long silence and slid the bill toward me.
“…Buy me dinner, though.”
“Of course.”
After confirming Ho-jin was almost finished, I stood up first and settled the bill.
I’d fed him and heard how he was doing.
I was about to send Ho-jin home after we stepped out, but he hesitated for a moment before asking, “Hyung, why don't you stop by the house lately?”
“Why?”
“I mean… you haven't come once this year.”
His lingering hesitation made it seem like the question about coming home wasn't what he actually wanted to say.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“If you have a girlfriend, you can bring her home.”
“It’s not that?!”
“Why are you jumping like that? Like it’s true?”
I chuckled and ruffled Ho-jin’s hair, then pulled a random card from my wallet and shoved it into his hand.
“Take this and go buy some bread or something.”
“I’m going to go to the department store and swipe this.”
“Go ahead.”
“I’m gonna act like a sucker and buy my friends drinks too.”
“Good for you, you’ll make lots of friends.”
“……”
He wouldn't be able to do it even if I dragged him there.
I grabbed both cheeks of the speechless Ho-jin, who was hovering with the card, and stretched them wide.
“Aack!”
“Haha.”
They weren't as soft or downy as when he was a kid, but the texture was still satisfyingly stretchy.
Ho-jin rubbed his sore cheeks and barked, “How can you be an idol with a personality that bad?!” I gave him a playful kick.
“Get lost, moron.”
“I’m going!”
I hummed to myself as I turned away from my foolish brother, who was practically running away.
I’m in a good mood today.
He’d grown physically, but his innocence was exactly the same as when he was little.
I made my way back to the company. It seemed the other members had also used the short break to meet family or run errands. Jeong Da-jun and Kang Yi-chae seemed to have gone out together, as they were in high spirits.
“Oh, Seo Ho-yun, you’re back?”
“Yeah.”
Kim Seong-hyeon handed me a chocolate frappuccino.
“You look like you’re in a good mood.”
“Do I?”
I replied after taking a sip through the straw.
Soon, the manager came down to lead us to our scheduled event. The afternoon schedule was a joint charity concert held every year around the end of February.
After arriving and doing a quick rehearsal, we were heading back backstage when Seong Ji-won stood in the center of the stage, looking out in awe.
“Wow, this concert hall… I really wanted to stand here…”
We had received an offer last year too, but we had to drop out of the lineup because of our Japanese debut.
“We almost couldn't make it this time either!”
“Ah, because of the overseas tour?”
“Yes!”
Daepasung had been planning an overseas tour for February this year as well.
“I have no intention of going on a world tour in the first half of the year.”
And I had shut it down.
I understood that the CEO wanted to profit from concerts now that our awareness was high enough, but my goal was higher than that. The CEO had tried to coax me, saying it would be good to see international fans while on a world tour.
“Why on earth not?”
“I don't want to go.”
“……”
Usually, I would speak indirectly out of respect for the CEO’s position, but this time I threw a direct fastball.
“……Ahem, ahem. Fine.”
The CEO was flustered but backed down for now. Lately, rumors of a merger and acquisition had been circulating within Daepasung. Because of that, they couldn't push too hard, not knowing what kind of chaos one crazy person might cause.
At least he knows how to read the room.
“Oh, Seo Ho-yun-ssi! It’s been a long time!”
“Hello. Have you been well, Director?”
“Haha, of course! Still as polite as ever~.”
I responded with a smile to several familiar staff members who greeted me warmly, then moved toward the van.
After checking our outfits and makeup and going through one more rehearsal, we watched the other singers' performances until it was finally our turn to go up.
“Ho-yun! It’s our time now.”
Seong Ji-won said with a bright face. The Seong Ji-won who used to turn pale with nerves before a showcase was now a distant memory.
“Waaaaaaaah!”
As we climbed the stairs to the stage one by one, the blue inverted triangle lightsticks gradually came into view.
【THE DAWN】
Our name appeared on the VCR, and—
【I keep poking at you out of curiosity
You make me wonder about you】
The melody of "Falling" began to play.
We were given a total of four songs today. However, the time was so short it was practically three. "Falling," the RIX Cup opening "Connected," "Stardust," and "23:59."
The early darkness settled around us, and the swaying lights in the audience grew even brighter.
【Stardust, stars are embroidered on the night sea
I’ve fought through the darkness for this moment】
While singing "Stardust," my gaze was stolen by the twinkling lights that were blue like the dawn and then turned red like the sunset.
【Toward the light
All the way to the end
Even if I don't know what lies ahead】
And the moment "23:59" started, the voices coming from the audience grew even louder.
【This brilliant light I share with you
This warm heat as we press our cheeks together】
“…Hmm.”
I looked out at the audience beyond the paper petals fluttering like snowflakes. Fans of other idols were also waving their lightsticks and singing along to the song. I knew "23:59" had achieved a certain level of mainstream success, but since it was our first time performing it at a concert, it felt strange.
【The white fluttering snowflakes
The warm gaze looking at me】
While Jeong Da-jun, who was at the front, was pulling off the choreography perfectly, a paper petal got stuck right on his nose, making the members struggle to hold back their laughter. Since it was a bright and warm song, the spreading smiles blended well with the atmosphere.
【I hope you’re always by my side
Because I’m too shy to say I love you】
I waved toward the section where the sunset-colored lights were until the very end before stepping off the stage.
Jeong Da-jun, who was the only one covered in paper petals, shook his head vigorously. I leaned my arm on his shoulder, peeling a petal off his cheek as I joked.
“Puppy. Did you stick these all over yourself to eat later?”
“He said this is his dinner.”
Seong Ji-won chimed in, teasing Da-jun along with me.
“This isn't dinner! But when that got stuck on my nose earlier, I seriously thought I was going to die from trying not to sneeze!”
The youngest, who was now unfazed by this level of teasing, looked back at the stage where the cheers were still echoing and said to me, “Ho-yun hyung, wasn't that really, really great?”
I saw the members smiling behind Jeong Da-jun.
Yeah. In life, there were moments when you felt an unexpected happiness. Those times when, even while running forward as if being chased, you suddenly slowed down, saw the scenery around you, and could finally breathe.
And those moments would be remembered as the good days of my life.
“Yeah.”
Like today.
I ruffled the hair of Jeong Da-jun, who was waiting for my answer with wide eyes, and smiled.
“I feel good too.”
We headed toward the van boisterously, bowing politely to the staff. Since all the performers had to go back on stage at the end of the concert, we had about thirty minutes to rest.
“……What? Really?”
Just then, a voice pierced through the noise and caught my ear.
“I hadn't heard anything specific……. Hmm.”
It was the manager.
I was the only one who stopped walking to look at him.
“No, is there… a need to hide that? Why bother?”
I had a bad feeling.
Kang Yi-chae, noticing my reaction, looked back at me.
“Hyung?”
“…….”
Thump, thump.
Strangely, my heart began to beat violently as if it were excited. Yet, my body conversely turned cold. Anxiety consumed me.
There was no way. I had been so careful.
I couldn't stop the unpleasant imagination.
“What’s wrong?”
I walked right past Kang Yi-chae, who had stepped closer, and headed toward the manager. The manager was continuing the call with a confused expression.
Don't tell me.
“Manager.”
Don't tell me, after I was so careful.
“Is something wrong?”
I asked, deliberately forcing a gentle smile.
“Uh… that is……”
The manager’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw me, and he quickly hung up the phone. However, the community board post he had been looking at right before the call was still open.
“Ho-yun, you—”
On the screen was a photo of me leaving the restaurant this morning.
Fck.*
The moment I snatched the manager’s phone and scrolled down a bit further, my fingertips froze.
Fck, fck, f*ck.
“—Did you have a younger brother?”
In the following photo was Seo Ho-jin.