Chapter 276
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 276
“Seo Ho-yun! Makeup touch-up!”
Damn, I’m actually going to die at this rate.
I glanced briefly at my ankle, where pain continued to throb like a stabbing needle, before catching my breath and feigning composure.
Since it was currently Seong Ji-won’s solo stage, I was able to take a moment to rest backstage.
“Wow, Seo Ho-yun, you were practically flying out there!”
“…Ahaha, I wasn't too bad, right?”
After drinking some water, I hurried to change my clothes. The staff member checking my microphone again offered a compliment.
Fortunately, the staff didn't seem to notice a thing. The person checking my outfit and makeup was the same.
“But your expression seems a bit stiff. Are you okay?”
“I think I’m just a little nervous.”
Though I was smiling, I had my jaw clenched tight to keep my lips from trembling.
[Temporary: World Give Me Strength!
In the harsh entertainment industry where you never know what might strike, an idol’s body is their greatest asset!
By using this spray, you can restore a damaged body part to its original state.
Maintain a healthy body and enjoy a safe, fulfilling idol career!
※ Effect lasts for 15 minutes after spraying.
※ Can be used multiple times.
※ Caution: As this is a temporary item, it only heals external injuries; the pain remains.
Cost per use: 1,500 Points]
In a corner of my vision, a small system window indicated the item was in use.
I was only holding on because I was using this.
Honestly, I didn't just want to sit in a chair; I wanted to collapse onto the floor right this second.
The longer I stood on stage, the more I felt like I was going to die.
Balance the damn quests, you bastards…
The penalty for failure was a permanent stamina debuff; how could I just let that slide? Besides, whenever I let a quest fail, the system started glitching out….
Ding!
[…Are you okay?]
Even if I said I wasn't, what could I do? I had to do it.
I just had to push through.
[Why don't you use a Main Item instead of a temporary one to get rid of the pain now?]
“Are you crazy?”
The system window kept blathering, its alarms ringing noisily.
But I had already spent too many points.
The Main Item cost three times as many points as the temporary one, even though the duration was the same.
Even using the temporary item like this, I was on the verge of dumping all the points I’d earn from succeeding the quest right back into the items.
No, I’m the idiot for not being careful in the first place, damn it.
Just as I clicked my tongue and tried to stand up carefully, a shadow fell over my vision.
“Hyung.”
Kang Yi-chae, who had crouched down in front of me, shook a can of medicated spray up and down before dousing my ankle until the scent was overwhelming.
As the stinging, cold sensation hit my ankle, my body flinched involuntarily.
“…Are you spraying bug spray on me or something?”
“How’d you know?”
When our eyes met, Kang Yi-chae looked a bit on edge.
“I told you to keep spraying it every chance you get.”
After Seong Ji-won’s solo stage was Kim Seong-hyeon and Jeong Da-jun’s duet performance. While the two were busy checking their choreography, they kept glancing over at me.
“Your condition is beyond ‘perfect’; you’re just being stubborn now. You didn't listen to a word the members said yesterday, either.”
“Are you a doctor? I went to the hospital, and the doctor said I was fine.”
“Right, as always.”
Kang Yi-chae slammed the spray can onto the floor with a thud and pressed his finger firmly against my ankle.
The pain was so sudden I almost let out a scream.
“…You—you want to die?”
“We can’t change the blocking much now since the staging was pre-arranged, and you refused to sit in a chair. Then we told you to just sit this one out, and you hated that even more.”
When I first injured my ankle, not just Kang Yi-chae but all the members were horrified and tried to break my stubbornness about going through with the concert.
They suggested putting out an announcement and proceeding without me, or if I absolutely had to be on stage, to just sit in a chair and sing.
“Yi-chae. Hyung is very popular; people would lose their minds if I did that.”
It was nonsense.
This was a concert being held at the Gymnastics Stadium, of all places.
Quest aside, the moment I dropped out, people looking to tear me down would swarm just as much as those worrying about me.
How hard must it be for such a motivated kid to drop out? How long are you going to harp on about motivation? Isn't it his fault for failing to manage his condition as a professional? Shouldn't we get ticket refunds? And so on.
I didn't care what people said about me, but if it affected The Dawn, that was a different story.
Before I knew it, Jeong Da-jun and Kim Seong-hyeon’s duet ended, and a VCR began to play.
Next was the stage for me and Kang Yi-chae.
“Let’s go.”
I had checked in at the hospital early this morning, and the members had—albeit lukewarmly—accepted my participation in the concert.
Most importantly, since it was physically possible to dance, there was no need to hesitate or worry.
I ignored the searing pain in my ankle and stood up straight. Kang Yi-chae, who had been staring at me silently, stood up as well and spoke.
“Hyung. Just trust me and follow my lead.”
“What are you talking about?”
“This group has a handsome, pretty, genius rapper, doesn't it? I’ll give you a signal at the right time.”
Then, still with that sensitive look on his face, he gave a smirk.
“So when we go up, just look at me.”
Kang Yi-chae spoke with such confidence that before I could even react, he strode toward the stage. Seong Ji-won, who was resting, gave Kang Yi-chae a thumbs up and made a fighting gesture toward me.
“Ho-yun, fighting!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I gave a half-hearted reply, but a sense of unease began to creep up on me.
“Hey, Kang Yi-chae—”
Had there ever been a time when things went smoothly when Kang Yi-chae acted like that?
However, he pretended not to hear me calling and ran up onto the stage.
Damn it….
Following him, I saw the space, now dark with the lights dimmed, decorated like the aisles of a foreign grocery store.
I climbed up to the top of the steel structure, being as careful as possible with my right foot, and took my seat.
As I waited for the music to start, I saw waves of blue light shimmering in the audience. For a moment, it looked like the Milky Way reflected on a dark sea.
It’s pretty.
Then, thump, thump, thump, the song began.
It was a track titled “Symphony,” specially produced by Kang Yi-chae for this concert duet.
Colorful lights illuminated the stage, and cheers erupted.
【Call me gently
When the universe grows quiet】
My voice alone filled the Gymnastics Stadium over the gentle melody.
【Sing me slowly
When your heart beats】
Mindful of my expression, I used my left arm to support myself as I stood up. Then, I flashed a playful smile.
【Because you are my everything】
Boom! Boom-boom!
At that moment, the atmosphere of the song shifted instantly.
Based on hip-hop with an R&B twist, it was a fast, upbeat track with a hint of sexiness.
Kang Yi-chae, who had been crossing the stage while scattering neatly arranged products with his hands, stepped onto the steel structure and blew a kiss to the fans.
【But you have to be careful
I’m a bit high maintenance】
While he spat out the addictive chorus, I had to move down according to the blocking.
Pair choreography with Kang Yi-chae, then gather again to pose after dispersing.
Putting as much weight as possible on my left foot, I barely reached the floor, only to find Kang Yi-chae already standing where I was supposed to be.
【I’ll hold your hand
So even the burning meteors won't be envious】
Then he curled his lips into a smirk at me.
【I will show you how to dive】
You little…!
I immediately realized what he was doing. He told me to trust him and follow his lead; it seemed he intended to support me by slightly altering the blocking.
【Call my name
Umm Umm, just like that
You and I, a perfect Symphony】
Without moving further, I took over the song from my spot.
Kang Yi-chae filled the empty space by adding extra choreography or gestures.
He made it look natural even though we weren't doing the pair moves.
The kid’s all grown up.
Maybe it was because the pain was making me lose my mind, but I had never found Kang Yi-chae so endearing.
Still, I couldn't just stay still like this.
I took a step toward the cart filled with bundles of prop cash, as planned.
Just then, Kang Yi-chae reached out his hand to me.
【Can you trust me?】
Originally, Kang Yi-chae was supposed to get into the cart.
As his playfully grinning face appeared on the digital billboard, screams erupted.
Even then, Kang Yi-chae’s gaze remained fixed on the cart.
Me? You want me to ride it instead of you?
Yeah.
In a situation like this, we could communicate roughly through eye contact alone.
When I looked at him in disbelief, he pulled my hand and forced me toward the cart.
【Kick it up!】
I struggled to maintain my expression, but internally, curses were surging.
【The moment a comet races by is always beautiful】
However, sitting down definitely relieved the tension in my legs and made it easier to perform.
Looking back at Kang Yi-chae behind me, he sang while blowing me a finger heart.
【Forgive me even if I play a prank
Repeat after me (what?)】
…Crazy bastard.
Since it had come to this, I shamelessly stretched my legs out of the cart and shook them, matching the movements with only my upper body.
【Call my name
Umm Umm, just like that
You and I, a perfect Symphony】
Kang Yi-chae danced where I was originally supposed to stand. As the pair work fell into place quite nicely, the cheers grew even louder.
He really is something else.
But as the older one, I couldn't just quietly accept help from my younger brother.
Taking his hand as he approached, I stepped out of the cart and lightly perched my hip on a nearby low structure.
【But you have to be careful】
A memorable concert?
That wasn't so hard.
I just had to finish the concert without a hitch, as prepared.
Of course, a little extra impact wouldn't hurt.
【I’m a bit high maintenance
So even the burning meteors won't be envious】
I curled one side of my mouth into a smirk and did a body wave while slightly tugging at my shirt.
As the screen filled with a close-up of my upper body, a roar loud enough to blow up the Gymnastics Stadium erupted.
【I will show you how to love】
I had been so preoccupied with getting through each song that only now did I feel my mood starting to soar. It was because, thanks to Kang Yi-chae’s consideration, I was finishing another song safely without putting too much strain on my ankle.
【Call me gently
Sing me slowly
When our hearts beat to the same rhythm】
Approaching from the right, Kang Yi-chae pretended to put his arm around my shoulder in excitement, letting me lean my weight on him.
【Because you are my song】
Then, singing the final line, he winked at me.
I looked at him and laughed.
Kang Yi-chae, I really raised him well.
*
“Great job, everyone!!”
“Phew, good work.”
After successfully finishing the first day of the concert.
“Thank you so much for coming today.”
【You guys did such a great job ♡♡♡】
We even finished the B-Live broadcast safely.
Cold sweat trickled down because the pain wouldn't subside, but fortunately, it was indistinguishable from actual sweat.
“Ho-yun, is your ankle okay?”
Just as I was thinking it might feel better after going back to the dorm, icing it, and getting some sleep, Seong Ji-won approached and checked my ankle.
Fortunately, the item’s effect was still active, so it looked fine on the outside.
“Hyung!! Is it really feeling better?”
“Yeah, yeah. It was fine.”
“Don't lie. We don't have any more schedules today, so let’s go back to the hospital.”
“Did you even hear a word I said?”
Well, honestly, I did want to go to the hospital and get some painkillers.
I waved one hand dismissively while wiping sweat with the back of my other hand, when Kang Yi-chae suddenly shoved his face in front of me.
“Yi-chae did well, didn't he~?”
“Yeah, you’re a damn proud kid.”
“Let’s go to the hospital together~!”
For some reason, his eyes were gleaming.
Instead of answering, I just turned my head away.
Regardless, everyone took a turn looking at my ankle before they started changing clothes.
Saying I needed to catch my breath a bit more, I stayed still and searched for today’s concert reactions on my phone.
[Today’s Seo Ho-yun and Kang Yi-chae duet was insane
I want to see it again, aaaaaaaagh]
[Why is Ho-yun’s dancing so good lately???
└ I know, right... I was in a spot where I could see a bit of the backstage, and he was catching his breath for a second, but the moment he stepped on stage, he was literally flying ㅋㅋㅋㅋ It was amazing
└└ I’m so glad I’m going to both days of the concert... I really am... I hope Ho-yun does that performance one more time..]
[Seo Ho-yun is the boss..... He’s the real deal....]
For now, there didn't seem to be anything particularly concerning on the surface. It seemed the fact that I changed the choreography with Kang Yi-chae didn't stand out much either.
I breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, thinking I had hidden it surprisingly well.
Let’s do just as well for one more day.
As I steeled my resolve and swiped down on the screen, a text from Ju Woo-seong popped up.
[Ju Woo-seong: You reckless idiot]
Seeing that, I chuckled.
“Sucker.”
He’s surprisingly sensitive.
A very strong nuance that he had noticed my injury wafted from the text.
After replying with a brief thanks for coming, I was about to put on my ankle brace and change when Jeong Da-jun, who had stepped out of the waiting room to get more water, came rushing back in with a loud clatter.
The members’ gazes naturally turned toward the maknae.
“Hyung, hyung! Hyungs!!! Ugh!”
“What is it?”
“I, I-I just heard from the manager! You know how there were all those rumors about us being acquired! About expanding Min Ji-heon sunbae-nim’s—no, the actor management!”
So, what?
When I raised an eyebrow, Jeong Da-jun whipped his head around to check our surroundings, then gestured for the members to gather close.
“Don’t—don’t be shocked.”
Jeong Da-jun’s mouth hung open for a few moments before he whispered to the members in a tiny voice.
“…Our label is being acquired by WH!”
WH Entertainment.
The agency that housed Black Call and High Five.
In an instant, Kim Hee-yeong’s words flashed through my mind.
At the time, she had said there was a high possibility of being acquired by LV Entertainment, where Yoo Ji-ah and White Cherry were signed.
I reflexively pressed my hand to my forehead and let out a sigh.
Ha…….
Excuse me.
You were wrong.