Chapter 334
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 334
After finally shaking off Seo Ho-yun and his relentless, silver-tongued badgering, Ju Woo-seong fled the scene and holed up in his hotel room, killing time by sleeping. With his face buried in the pillow, he habitually reached out his hand to find Nyang-nyang-i, only to suddenly remember he was in Hawaii.
Instead, he tapped his phone, which was charging nearby. It was still early morning.
Should I sleep more?
He vaguely recalled someone saying they were going to set up cameras in the living room today to capture more "realistic" daily life... Just as his consciousness began to drift again—
【Your body is crazy, HOO HOO】
—the lyrics of "Eye Color" drifted in from somewhere.
【Wherever you go, people only look at your body, Hoo
I’m sorry, but I don’t remember your eye color】
"Ugh, why, for the love of..."
Waking up to that nightmare of a song that dogged his every step, Ju Woo-seong ran a hand through his messy hair. Without even questioning why it was his ringtone, he sluggishly picked up the phone.
"Yeah, this is Ju Woo-seong..."
Since he usually set his phone to block unknown numbers, he answered with his guard down.
[…….]
"Hello?"
There was no response, so he asked again, but the other side remained silent. With his eyes half-closed, he pulled the phone away from his ear to check the screen. The name Seo Ho-yun was displayed. Woo-seong pressed his thumb and index finger against his eyelids and switched to speakerphone.
[I’m not your "honey," I’m Ho-yun.]
A familiar mid-to-low voice flowed through the device.
Spouting utter nonsense. It took a moment for Woo-seong’s brain to translate the pun.
"……Seo Ho-yun?"
[Did you sleep well?]
A chill raced down his spine and spread through his entire body, prompting Woo-seong to kick off his blankets and bolt upright. Even without seeing him, the situation was obvious; Ho-yun’s voice was thick with mischief.
[Wake up, sleepyhead~.]
"Wha—what?"
And then, the call simply cut off.
Ju Woo-seong stared at his phone for a moment before tossing it away in horror.
"Has he finally lost his mind?"
Every hair on his body—even the fine peach fuzz—stood on end. He rubbed his arms vigorously.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was going terribly wrong this morning. Muttering to himself like a mantra that the cameras were already set up, he suppressed the urge to curse, went into the bathroom to wash up, and came back out.
Was his pride that wounded yesterday?
Was not knowing how "broadcast" works really that big of an insult?
Towel-drying his damp hair, he stepped out to find several staff members and his manager already gathered near the veranda connected to the living room. As he drew closer, he saw Seo Ho-yun—who usually insisted on wearing all black like a child of darkness—wearing a white shirt for once. He was leaning his chin on a wooden table, sipping cocoa. In front of him were plates of fluffy scrambled eggs, a slice of golden-brown toast, and thick, glistening strips of delicious-looking bacon.
The brat offered a greeting while gazing at the beach through the window.
Woo-seong’s instincts flared instantly.
"You're here?"
Today is dangerous.
Forcing his feet to move despite the urge to retreat, he sat down tentatively. Ho-yun turned his head, his eyes crinkling into a smile.
"Good morning."
"……."
This bastard... he’s not on drugs, is he?
"Y-you’re up early…."
Conscious of the camera now pointed directly at him, Woo-seong managed to keep his expression from crumbling. He picked up a butter knife and spread fig jam on his toast while keeping a wary eye on Ho-yun.
Scrape, scrape, scrape— the knife sounded against the dry surface.
He took a bite, but before he could even taste the sweetness, he spoke.
"Where do you want to go today?"
"Oh, anywhere."
"…I’d like to go to the beach one more time."
He hated the very idea of a "workshop" so much he never wanted to be near one again, but the travel voucher he’d won there was certainly proving its worth.
The warm yet salty scent of the breeze, the unfamiliar yet beautiful emerald sea with its endless white foam, the freedom to roam—all of it began to loosen Woo-seong’s nerves.
"Shall we do that, then?"
Woo-seong’s eyebrows twitched.
What is up with this guy?
Woo-seong’s internal danger signals were flashing bright red, yet the Seo Ho-yun before him looked strangely normal.
Just as he was about to stab a piece of bacon, feeling suspicious, it happened.
"Why are you such a messy eater?"
"……."
Ho-yun’s finger brushed against the corner of Woo-seong’s mouth and then pulled away.
Screeeeeak—
The sound of Woo-seong’s chair dragging against the floor echoed across the veranda. If he hadn't been careful, he might have seen his half-swallowed breakfast again in a very "live" way.
"…Are you insane?"
"Hmm?"
Ho-yun tilted his head innocently, as if he had truly just wanted to help.
To Woo-seong’s eyes, that sight looked like a grim omen of the hardships to come.
*
"Phew, let's go."
After a relaxing morning at the beach, the two headed to a street lined with shopping malls to buy gifts for their members. Even though they were mostly hidden by hats, people occasionally recognized them. In particular, fans frequently asked Ju Woo-seong for photos.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Woo-seong pulled his hat lower and led Ho-yun away.
"Hey, sorry. That was uncomfortable, wasn't it?"
"No, not really."
Ho-yun shrugged as if it were nothing.
"It’s nice to see."
"……."
Seriously, what is wrong with him?
In LA, he had been nothing but annoying and cranky, but now it was "nice to see"?
"I like seeing you being loved, Hyung."
"……."
Woo-seong clutched his head, entertaining a perfectly logical suspicion that there might have been something wrong with the maple syrup on the bacon.
Vroom!
The roar of an engine sounded in the distance. Before he could even turn around, a force grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and yanked him back.
"It’s dangerous!"
No, what the hell? What was dangerous?
After being practically thrown to the ground, he saw a motorcycle passing by, strictly following the rules of the road and driving in a straight line.
"You should watch where you're going."
The motorcycle was at least three meters away from the sidewalk.
"Are your eyes in your feet?"
"I know, right?"
No, I’m talking about you! You!
But that wasn't the end of it.
From then on, Ho-yun made Woo-seong walk on the inside of the sidewalk. He thought it was a coincidence at first, but whenever they swapped places, Ho-yun would subtly move back to the outside. He kept up the cheesy banter in between, too. Finally, Woo-seong’s patience reached its limit.
While the microphones were briefly turned off to change tapes, Woo-seong grabbed Ho-yun and hissed.
"Hey. Are you actually crazy?"
"About what?"
"Why are you acting like this since this morning? It’s giving me heartburn! Are you out of your mind? And how did you even change my ringtone?"
"Pardon?"
Ho-yun looked genuinely surprised, his brows drooping.
"Hyung, did I do something wrong...?"
"Wha—?"
"…I’m hurt."
"Wow, holy—! Argh! I’m the one who’s hurt! Me!"
Woo-seong spat out the curses he’d been holding back, frustratedly thumping his chest. But when he saw the staff returning with the microphones, he had no choice but to shut his mouth.
I can't let myself get caught in Seo Ho-yun’s bait.
He firmly resolved not to react, no matter what the guy did.
After enjoying the rest of their trip and carrying shopping bags in both hands, the two entered a small pub for their final stop in the early evening. The place had a small stage in the right corner and was filled with foreign patrons, creating a unique atmosphere accompanied by the gentle sound of a guitar.
Woo-seong ordered a beer and whispered to a nearby staff member.
"By any chance, is there a secret mission I don't know about? Like 'Make Ju Woo-seong swear' or something?"
"No, there isn't..."
"……."
"But you two are so close! This vlog is going to be so much fun. It’s so good to see!!"
Woo-seong gave a strained smile, picked up his glass, and returned to Ho-yun’s side.
In other words, Seo Ho-yun was doing this "crap" voluntarily. He had been playing the role of the "picture-perfect, considerate junior" all day, and it was nauseating. What irritated him most was that his pale, handsome face actually made the performance look convincing.
Just then, a foreigner who had been singing on the small stage approached them and spoke in English.
"Are you filming right now? Some people over there showed me a consent form earlier, so I signed it."
"Ah, yes, that's right."
When Ho-yun answered in English, the singer got a bit excited and asked another question.
"You're celebrities, right? Actors? Or models?"
"We're singers."
"Oh! Then, since we're here, would it be okay if we heard a song?"
It was a great element for the broadcast, but clearly a burdensome spot to step into. While the staff looked a bit troubled, Ho-yun glanced at Ju Woo-seong.
Memories of the workshop immediately flashed through Woo-seong’s mind.
"Woo-seong Hyung is so shy at times like this."
As if he could tell just by looking at his face, Ho-yun chuckled and walked out alone. He picked up a guitar leaning against the side of the stage and stood before the standing mic.
【No regret
Even if it’s far, blurry, or scary
If I just smile, it’s the end】
Soon, a low, husky voice filled the small pub. Everyone’s attention was instantly drawn to one spot.
Woo-seong couldn't deny the guy’s mysterious, magnetic charm; he’d known it since the first time they met.
【When I try to picture a future with you
Why do I feel so lonely?】
With his eyes slightly downcast, gripping the mic with both hands and hitting the high notes with a raw, gravelly tone, he looked uncharacteristically sorrowful and desperate.
Strum—
After finishing the last verse, Ho-yun gently plucked the guitar strings and looked directly at Ju Woo-seong.
"Hyung……."
"……."
At that moment, a powerful sense of dread struck Woo-seong.
"I think the only reason I was able to make it this far is because of you, Hyung."
Did he really have to say that? On stage, and in Korean, no less? It was as if he were intentionally creating an atmosphere that said, This story is only for you to understand.
Ju Woo-seong wanted to bolt out of the pub right then and there.
"Thank you, always."
The staff, not knowing the context, just looked back and forth between the two in bewilderment. Meanwhile, Ho-yun went out of his way to translate what he’d just said into English.
"Everyone, this song—..."
"Hey, stop! Whatever it is, don't do it!"
"—was for my precious person sitting over there. Please give him a round of applause."
"No! It’s not!"
"Thank you. Woo-seong Hyung, let's have fun for the rest of the trip."
"Hey! HEY!!!"
Woo-seong’s desperate cries were buried under the cheers and applause of the crowd.
"Nice! Nice, man!"
"Woo-hoo! Yeah!"
"No! I’m telling you, it’s not like that! I don't even know him!!"
He desperately denied their friendship, but even that denial was taken as proof of a close bond. Everyone just nodded and patted Woo-seong on the shoulder.
"Have a great trip!"
In front of the staff, who were happily filming because the footage was turning out "beautiful," a despondent Ju Woo-seong could do nothing but chug his beer.
"Wow, the narrative is perfect!"
"Should we wrap it up here? We’ll probably get a bonus again, right? The view count is definitely going to be high!"
Watching Ho-yun return the guitar and saunter over, Woo-seong slammed his empty glass onto the table.
"Ju Woo-seong-ssi."
The brat approached leisurely, leaned an arm on the table, and spoke in a sweet tone.
"This is what 'broadcast' is."
"You're a real piece of work..."
"Shh, my little kitten. You have to use pretty words on camera."
Dammit... what... did I... even do...!
Resentment flared, and he lifted his chin to retort, but upon seeing that Seo Ho-yun’s eyes looked about 270 degrees past the point of sanity, Ju Woo-seong tightly clamped his mouth shut.
He knew this guy was capable of acting even crazier right here if he wanted to.
"Answer me."
"…Yeah."
Ju Woo-seong decided never to mention "broadcast" in front of Seo Ho-yun ever again and quietly ordered another beer.