Chapter 349
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 349
Kang Yi-chae’s pupils dilated as his gaze pierced through me, cold as ice.
“I had no idea you’d moved without telling us, Hyung.”
How the hell are you here?
Min Ji-heon’s apartment was famous for its tight security. External visitors couldn't even enter the complex without the resident's explicit permission.
I hadn't chosen this place for nothing.
My thoughts failed to connect, like a program stuck in a buffering loop. I could only stare as Kang Yi-chae brushed past me, walked over to the sofa, and sat down with his legs crossed.
“Why are you just standing there? Do you want me to come over and help you up myself?”
Hearing his strangely twisted voice, I squeezed my eyes shut and then forced them open.
…I’m fucked. Goddammit. Why is he here?
Ignoring my dizzy vision, I tried to act as composed as possible. I stood up and walked toward the kitchen. My hands were trembling as I opened the refrigerator and pulled out a water bottle. I gripped it tightly to steady myself and stole a glance at Kang Yi-chae.
He had his head tilted to the side, tapping his index finger against the armrest of the sofa as if he were counting down the seconds.
How did he find out where I was? Did he tail me?
But I was certain I’d seen the members leave the company first. Besides, Yi-chae was wearing different clothes now.
I took a sip of water, set the bottle down on the table, and asked flatly, “…How did you get the passcode?”
The movement of Yi-chae’s finger stopped.
He tilted his head, feigning innocence.
“Senior Min Ji-heon was kind enough to tell me.”
Of course. Who else would it be?
That bastard doesn't have a shred of loyalty.
Suppressing the anger boiling inside me, I tried to calmly move on to the next question.
“That’s surprising. How did you even get in touch with Senior Min Ji-heon—?”
“Is that really what’s important right now?”
Cutting me off, Yi-chae slowly turned his head, pointedly scanning the apartment.
“Nice place. You must’ve had a pretty comfortable few weeks here, Hyung.”
I decided to try playing dumb first.
“Kang Yi-chae, I think there’s a misunderstanding… I just stopped by for a moment because I had some business to take care of.”
“Senior Min Ji-heon told me everything. He said you’ve been staying at his place for weeks.”
“…….”
That total piece of shit!
Only now did I fully realize the meaning behind the text message I’d received from Min Ji-heon earlier. No wonder he said he was taking Puppy with him.
Dammit, let’s just deal with what’s in front of me first.
Recalling Yi-chae’s colorful track record, I began to mentally retrace everything I’d said today to see if I’d accidentally tripped any of his triggers.
“Yi-chae, look, that’s…”
As I was debating how to handle this, Yi-chae tilted his head. His red hair, which had grown quite long, fell against his cheek.
“Just be honest. I already know everything.”
As if this is the first time you’ve tried to bait me.
When I kept my mouth shut in the face of his obvious scheme, he shrugged and added, “When I heard that Ho-jin had collapsed, it didn't seem strange that you were going home.”
“…….”
“But if you were going to make up a story, you should have been more thorough. According to Ho-jin, you’ve been so busy that he hasn't even seen you since the hospital.”
Yi-chae’s eyes, which had been fixed on me with obsessive intensity, turned even colder.
“Why tell a lie that’s so easy to catch?”
Of course I couldn't go see Seo Ho-jin. I couldn't let him see me in this state.
I mostly checked in on him via text, only calling to hear his voice when my condition improved slightly.
I let out a small sigh.
I completely let my guard down.
I knew that Yi-chae and my brother occasionally stayed in touch as gaming buddies. I also knew it was only a matter of time before such a shallow lie was exposed.
But there was only so much I could do in front of Seo Ho-jin while he lay there with his eyes closed. Even if I went back in time, I would make the same choice.
…Fine, I’ll think about that later. The biggest problem right now is…
The problem was the possibility of Kang Yi-chae losing it and delaying our activities. It would be all over if he went on SNS or a B-Live right now and exposed that he or another member was sick. It wasn't like he couldn't fabricate evidence if he needed to.
Normally, someone wouldn't even dream of doing such a thing, but Kang Yi-chae was a guy who had long since transcended the boundaries of a normal person.
Let’s just talk him down and send him on his way.
Having reached that conclusion, I forced myself to ignore the throbbing headache and swallowed another mouthful of water.
“…Were you worried?”
I capped the water bottle and took a cautious step forward.
“Yi-chae, I’m sorry I didn't tell you.”
I sat down on the single-seater sofa diagonal to him. Naturally, his gaze followed.
“But this wasn't an easy decision for me either. I’ve already caused the members so much trouble; I didn't want to make you worry again over something minor.”
I meant that, at least to some extent.
Yi-chae remained silent, his eyes narrowed as if telling me to keep going.
“You know how vital this album is for us. So—”
It truly was a desperate matter for me.
At this crucial moment that would determine whether I could overcome this hurdle or not, I felt a sudden heat in my nose, followed by the sensation of a warm liquid sliding down. I quickly cupped my hand underneath, and droplets of blood pattered down into my palm.
Fuck.
Of all the goddamn times for a nosebleed to start.
I hurriedly looked for tissues, but ended up just lifting my T-shirt to block the flow as I finished my sentence.
“—…So, there can’t be any setbacks. That’s what matters to me.”
I looked him in the eye, my voice filled with desperation.
“You can understand that, right?”
“…….”
Yi-chae stroked his chin once and slowly stood up. He grabbed some tissues from beside the TV and handed them to me.
“Hyung, I think you’re misunderstanding something right now.”
My head snapped up at his suddenly gentle tone. The curve of his eyes felt strangely ominous.
“I didn't come here to scold you.”
“……What?”
“Mmm, I won’t say I’m not hurt, though.”
Sitting back down on the sofa, he tore off some tissues and pressed them into my hand as I just stared at him.
“I have no intention of telling Ho-jin or the other members that you’re lying and dying here all by yourself.”
What the hell is he up to…
As I frowned and clumsily wiped under my nose, Yi-chae added with a smirk, “I just came here to help.”
“…….”
“Aren't I such an obedient younger brother?”
What is wrong with this guy?
He clearly saw the state I was in, yet his gentle tone was beyond strange—it was alien.
When I failed to respond and just stared, Yi-chae gave a faint smile.
“You asked me for a favor before, remember?”
“…….”
“I’ll do it. I’ll clean up the mess.”
I remained tense, trying not to lose the thread of this conversation as it kept veering in unexpected directions.
As if he saw right through me, Yi-chae leaned back leisurely and propped his feet up on the table.
“But I’m not the type to just do charity work.”
“…Do you want me to co-sign a loan or something?”
“Hyung, do you even have more money than me?”
I didn't even need to do the math; I wasn't even in his league.
I kept my mouth shut while fuming internally, and he spoke as if he were asking for something very simple.
“It’s nothing much. Just promise to do me one favor later.”
A strange chill ran down my spine, and I broke into a sweat. I couldn't tell if it was from the pain or because of what he’d just said. Because of who I was dealing with, the words wouldn't come out easily.
“……That……”
“Yeah.”
“…….”
After several moments of hesitation, I finally managed to ask, “……What kind of favor?”
“Are you nervous? It’s okay, Hyung. If you really don’t like it when the time comes, you can refuse.”
Then can’t I just refuse right now? Why attach a condition like this?
The moment that doubt crossed my mind—
“Why?”
I realized it the second I saw the glint in Yi-chae’s eyes.
“Do you hate that, too?”
He was feigning calmness, but he wasn't sane.
I had experienced Kang Yi-chae losing his mind several times before, so I recognized that look in his eyes better than anyone.
Dammit.
If I ignored this proposal, he really would run wild.
I massaged my aching forehead and swept back my bangs, forcing out an answer.
“……Fine, for now. I’ll hear you out when the time comes.”
“Great.”
Yi-chae’s expression brightened instantly, and he looked like a satisfied cat. My sense of unease only intensified.
Satisfied that he’d gotten his answer, he changed the subject.
“Anyway, Hyung, will you be okay for the promotions? What do you think? Will you still be sick then?”
Normal people can’t exactly control their health schedules.
Was he saying this hoping I’d get caught in a trap?
“I don’t… know. But even if I’m sick, I have to get on stage.”
“How long will it take until you’re fine?”
“How should I know that?”
I responded calmly, being careful not to get swept up in his nonsensical, illogical chatter.
“Then when are you coming back to the dorm?”
“…Before the comeback show.”
I should be fine by then.
“Aha, is that so?”
Yi-chae took his feet off the table and sat up straight with a playful smile.
“Then I guess I’ll have to come here every day starting tomorrow.”
“What?!”
“Even if I tell you to go to the hospital, you’ll just dodge it again. But if you’re sick, you need someone by your side to take care of you.”
“……What….”
“Let’s eat well, take your medicine regularly, and find the strength to make a cool comeback together.”
“…No……”
“Wow, the view here is killer! Senior Min Ji-heon must be loaded.”
He rattled off whatever he wanted to say and then acted nonchalant as he looked out toward the balcony.
“Why would you come here…?”
With my brain feeling like it was being pounded by a hammer, I couldn't keep up with the rapidly shifting developments.
‘Even if I tell you to go to the hospital, you’ll just dodge it again’?
So he’s saying he won’t take me there? Truly? And this is coming from Kang Yi-chae?
I wanted to grab him by the collar and shake him, demanding to know what he was playing at.
But in reality, my lips just quivered. If Yi-chae changed his mind on a whim and decided to blow everything up now, I was the one who would lose.
“Anyway, I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“……Uh……”
“No goodbye?”
“…….”
Seeing me fail to respond, Yi-chae let out a chuckle.
“Bye, Hyung.”
He waved his hand cheerfully and headed for the door.
Soon, I heard the sound of the door lock engaging. All the strength drained out of my body at once.
I leaned back against the sofa, staring at the ceiling, and muttered, “Ah, fuck……”
Even with my brain barely functioning, I could tell something was suspicious about Kang Yi-chae. There was no way that bastard would let this go so easily.
“Fuck, what is this?”
He was definitely digging a pit for me.
Ding!
[I was so scared I could barely breathe…]
You don’t even have a physical form, shut up about breathing.
“This is all your fault.”
I grumbled and slumped over to the side. A beat late, the blood-stained tissue rolled out of my hand.
“God, this is annoying. Min Ji-heon, you son of a bitch….”