Chapter 360
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 360
I shoved a straw into Kang Yi-chae’s mouth and started walking.
“It’s too sweet.”
Kids these days. Coffee is supposed to be sweet.
Tsk-tsking inwardly, I headed toward the practice room where the other members would be. Just then, the elevator stopped on our floor. Through the glass, the view outside was clear.
Leaning his upper body to the side to press the button, Kang Yi-chae asked, “Hyung, do you have a schedule tonight?”
“I have to check the unreleased tracks for the concert and then head to the radio station.”
The hectic period—where sleep was something I only got in brief snatches in the car—had passed, and I could finally catch my breath.
This promotion period was longer than the last one, which made it grueling, but thanks to that, the trophies were piling up nicely.
“It sounds like they’ll even play the B-sides on the radio.”
“Mm. But I’d like to try changing up the genre a bit more.”
Even in the midst of all this, Kang Yi-chae hadn't stopped working on music. He’d even registered a few nearly finished songs on the Copyright Association website.
“For next year’s comeback, I want to increase the public appeal while trying out different things. Raising the artistic quality, too…”
“……”
Ding—.
The elevator stopped with a chime. Kang Yi-chae, who had stepped out first, suddenly turned back to look at me. I caught the closing door with my hand and stepped out, giving him a belated response.
“……Right, next year’s songs will be great.”
Because even if I’m gone, The Dawn will still exist.
Regardless, just as I’d planned from the start, I was going to make sure these kids were well-provided for.
“Hey, Kang Yi-chae. How about composing the next title track so we can really show off some sharp choreography?”
“Huh? I’m down. But what’s brought this on?”
Because I won't be here anyway.
As I rubbed the back of my neck and gave a shrug, the door to a nearby training room swung open violently.
“Aaaaaagh!”
Jeon Sae-young, Black Call’s lead dancer, came flying out with a scream.
“Waaaaah! This dance is way too intense!”
“Tell me about it.”
…Following behind him were rapper Lee Han-ju and Chae Jeong-woo.
“No, Hyung. I think Sae-young Hyung has lost his touch?! He’s totally gone soft, I’m telling you.”
“Gone soft? My ass. Hey, I’ll be fine if I just practice for one more week, okay?”
It was the appearance of Black Call, whose online mentions hadn't decreased at all despite not having any major promotions recently.
Even though they were all bare-faced and dressed in simple clothes, they each radiated a brilliant aura that proved they were top idols.
“Anyway, Woo-seong Hyung is seriously something else. He said he was going to some remote mountain for a variety show, but did he go there for dance training or something? How is his form still that sharp?”
“Actually, I think his lines have become even more fluid… Oh…”
Chae Jeong-woo, who had been chiming in to soothe the complaining members, stopped talking when he finally noticed us. When Kang Yi-chae and I bowed in greeting, his face brightened as he approached.
“It’s been a while!”
It had been a while, as we hadn't seen each other since the workshop. Though I saw their main dancer unnecessarily often.
“Hello.”
“I heard you’ve been busy lately. Is today a practice day?”
Behind Chae Jeong-woo, who asked kindly with a dazzling smile that reflected his good character, curious gazes were fixed on us.
“Ohhh! The Dawn!”
Since Ju Woo-seong was the biggest troublemaker in the group, the rest of the members were flawless—not just in skill, but in personality as well.
Jeon Sae-young, sporting a ponytail, gave a mischievous grin and a big thumbs up.
“Your new song is a total hit. Congratulations.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“That was composed by Kang Yi-chae, right?”
Lee Han-ju, peeking out from behind Chae Jeong-woo’s back, directed his question at Yi-chae. Yi-chae, who usually looked indifferent even when seeing senior groups, finally showed a change in expression.
“Ah, yes.”
“Could you maybe tell me what equipment you use?”
“Equipment?”
“Well, they say a master doesn't blame his tools, but I’d at least like to get a boost from the gear…”
“Our maknae has been really interested in composing lately.”
Jeon Sae-young laughed heartily while ruffling the hair of the slightly embarrassed Lee Han-ju.
Seeing that, Kang Yi-chae unexpectedly and cooperatively began to pour out the information he knew. It was far more detailed and professional than I expected.
‘He’ll probably turn around and ask who they are later, though…’
While the conversation was in full swing, Jeon Sae-young stared at me and said, “By the way, I really like ‘Level S2.’ I listen to it a lot while driving. I honestly think The Dawn might take the Daesang this year.”
“Ahaha, thank you.”
Is it okay for you guys to just throw around talk like that, even if we are inside the company?
“Sae-young Hyung, what about Yeon-hu? How can you say that?!”
“Hey, we’re all under the same roof. What’s good is good.”
I guess not everyone at WH Entertainment cherished Kang Yeon-hu like a precious grandson.
When I glanced toward Chae Jeong-woo, he was just smiling gently.
“Right, what’s good is good.”
Though I had no idea what he was actually thinking.
Just as I was wondering if one had to be that disciplined in hiding their true feelings even from their own members to reach the top—
“—Right, Seo Ho-yun.”
A calm yet charming bass voice rang out, and a heavy weight settled on my shoulder.
It was a person I knew so well I could identify him with my eyes closed.
“We graciously left the spot vacant this year, so it shouldn't be that hard.”
Ju Woo-seong, who had emerged from the training room a step late, wiped his chin with a towel draped around his neck. He gave a squinty-eyed smile and whispered softly.
“If you can't take it now, you’re a total dumbass.”
This bastard.
I shook off his arm and brushed off my clothes.
“Yes, yes.”
I did agree that this year, with Black Call absent, was indeed the perfect chance to seize the Daesang.
Ju Woo-seong chuckled and then started whining to his members.
“Ha, guys, let’s do better, okay? My body isn't what it used to be. My joints ache just watching each of you.”
“You were literally flying around the practice room like you were using teleportation. What kind of nonsense is that?”
Seeing Black Call gathered to practice again, it seemed they were slowly preparing for a comeback next year. Chae Jeong-woo’s condition seemed to have improved quite a bit as well.
Witnessing this firsthand made me even more greedy for this year’s Daesang.
‘There won't be another chance next year.’
Ju Woo-seong, who snatched an ionic drink from Chae Jeong-woo’s hand and gulped it down, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and casually changed the subject.
“Well… anyway. Oh, come to think of it, I heard we might be filming a variety show together.”
“Pardon?”
“PD Kim Hee-yeong brought a great format. She wants to film a program with all the WH artists, like a retreat. It’s not confirmed yet, but you guys, other junior groups, and even the actors might all go on it.”
The first thing that came to mind was awe at Kim Hee-yeong’s planning and casting abilities. Then, the question ‘Why?’ followed.
Why would a massive, successful agency like WH Entertainment do this right now?
“Seriously, I’ve been so bored lately. I don't care who it is, I just want to hang out. Seo Ho-yun is too busy with promotions to meet me, and Nyang-nyang-i finds me annoying. There’s no point to life, no point.”
“Hyung, you’re not supposed to fill an empty soul with people.”
“Wow, the maknae is dropping pearls of wisdom.”
Lee Han-ju, who had become quite comfortable with Ju Woo-seong, gave him a light scolding. Just as Ju Woo-seong wrapped his arm around Lee Han-ju’s neck and prepared to give him a light flick on the forehead—
“…Huh?”
Chae Jeong-woo’s eyes widened slightly as he checked his phone, and a gasp escaped him.
“Hey, Ju Woo-seong. What is this?”
“What’s what.”
A sharp edge hid within Chae Jeong-woo’s soft, questioning voice. But Ju Woo-seong remained nonchalant.
When Chae Jeong-woo thrust his phone forward, Ju Woo-seong took it with a disgruntled look.
“…Ju Woo-seong… in a rosy relationship with actress Shim Jeong-yun……”
“……”
“……”
“……”
“……I’m dating?”
Except for Chae Jeong-woo, the Black Call members all had expressions that said, ‘Ah… here we go again.’ I’m sure Kang Yi-chae and I looked much the same.
“What, what… what is this?!”
Instead, Ju Woo-seong looked even more horrified, his mouth agape as he pulled out his own phone to check.
“Sigh… you said you were bored lately……”
“Good grief……”
I guess this was the ‘vibe born from experience.’
Since they’d all had dating rumors at least once, no one was panicking or making a scene about needing to fix it immediately.
However, the gaze Black Call directed at Ju Woo-seong had turned colder than the Antarctic.
“…Hyung, when did you start dating this person?”
“Hey! I’m not!!”
Ju Woo-seong jumped up and down, shaking his head desperately.
“I’ve never, ever dated this person!”
But Lee Han-ju didn't believe him.
In fact, it seemed no one from Black Call in this room believed him.
They’d been burned too many times.
“What dating rumor! Argh, I’ve never even met this Shim Jeong-yun person. TV? I saw her on TV! That’s it!”
“…Sure, I bet you’d say the same about the previous ones now.”
“No, I’m telling you, we’re just fellow celebrities!”
“Understood, Hyung.”
Frustrated by the cold, repetitive responses, Ju Woo-seong thumped his chest with his fist. Meanwhile, Jeon Sae-young and Lee Han-ju leaned in to whisper to each other.
“Yeah, things never change…”
“People don't change that easily, do they?”
“Argh! I said I’m not!”
Honestly, putting aside my lack of interest, Ju Woo-seong’s dating rumor didn't sound very credible to me.
Despite having dated many people and being easily caught by me, Ju Woo-seong was actually quite meticulous about managing his private life. Furthermore, WH Entertainment was ironclad when it came to defending against things like this.
Ju Woo-seong, reading the article in detail, ground his teeth.
“Look at this, it’s a total work of fiction! I’m telling you guys this so you don't misunderstand—I’m not that kind of person. You know that!”
As if.
Just as I was about to dismiss this as Ju Woo-seong’s karma, Chae Jeong-woo put an arm around Jeon Sae-young’s shoulder and said with a troubled smile, “I think what was bound to happen, happened.”
“It was only a matter of time.”
“Accept it with humility, Hyung. I’ll clear my mind and proceed with the upcoming schedule. Let’s all be extra careful today.”
“Ah, fuck! You guys don't believe me?! I’ve never even seen her!!”
Ju Woo-seong was fuming.
“If it were someone I actually dated, I wouldn't even feel this wronged. It’s because it’s a complete stranger that this is so ridiculous!”
“……”
“……”
“What, why are you all looking at me like that!”
Is that the problem?
Even Kang Yi-chae, who was looking at the content next to Ju Woo-seong, looked slightly appalled. He soon pointed at a spot and asked me.
“…Hyung, didn't you meet Ju Woo-seong Sunbae on this day?”
At that, everyone’s attention shifted to me.
I, who hadn't properly read the content until now, craned my neck to look where Kang Yi-chae’s index finger was pointing.
“You’re right. That’s the day I went to see Nyang-nyang-i.”
I remembered struggling a bit because white fur had gotten stuck all over my black hoodie and wouldn't come off.
At my testimony, Ju Woo-seong’s confidence surged again, and he raised his voice.
“See! Look! When would I have time for a date? You guys didn't even believe my innocent self, I’m seriously so wronged—”
“Ju Woo-seong, be quiet. Let’s look a little closer first.”
Chae Jeong-woo silenced Ju Woo-seong and scanned the text.
“Early morning on June 28th… isn't that when you were preparing for the workshop with Seo Ho-yun-ssi?”
“Whoa, damn! You’re right!”
Jeon Sae-young, making a fuss and covering his mouth with both hands, looked back and forth between me and Ju Woo-seong. Then, as luck would have it, he used two fingers like pincers to lift the black T-shirt with palm trees that Ju Woo-seong was wearing.
“This nuisance T-shirt! The one Woo-seong Hyung bought in Los Angeles!”
“That’s right! I wondered why he was wearing black when it doesn't suit him, and he said he bought it to match with a junior…”
A nuisance T-shirt? That’s a bit harsh.
The misunderstanding among Black Call seemed more or less resolved, but they didn't seem particularly sorry toward Ju Woo-seong. They clearly felt he had it coming.
Not wanting to waste any more time, I nudged Kang Yi-chae in the ribs.
‘Hey, let’s go.’
‘Got it.’
After seeing Yi-chae’s nod, I threw a casual closing remark at Ju Woo-seong.
“Anyway, Sunbae, I get it. Good luck with the dating rumor—”
“Hey, hey!”
Ju Woo-seong hurriedly grabbed my arm.
“Seo Ho-yun!”
I looked down at where he was holding me and frowned, but Ju Woo-seong stared back with the eyes of a wronged cat.
“I even squeezed juice for you and made you soup when you were sick. You’re not seriously thinking of ignoring me and feigning ignorance like this, are you?”
I was exactly thinking of ignoring you and feigning ignorance.
“We’ve built up so much affection between us… right?!”
What exactly are you expecting from a junior right now?