Chapter 371
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 371
“Alright, everyone! It’s time for The Dawn’s ‘Binary Choice’ game!”
The fan meeting, held at one of Yokohama’s major arenas, was massive—a testament to the popularity the group had built.
‘Binary Choice’ was a mini-game where members moved to a specific side of the stage based on which of the two options displayed on the screens they preferred.
“Here is the first question!”
〔 If you had to deal with one person’s antics for the rest of your life, which would it be? 〕
〔 Seo Ho-yun, who calls you ‘Baby’ at the end of every sentence vs. Kang Yi-chae, an unstoppable runaway train of aegyo. 〕
“Isn’t this just our daily life already…?”
“I’ll take Ho-yun!!”
“I’d rather do it to someone else than receive it, so I’m going with Ho-yun hyung!”
Seong Ji-won and Kang Yi-chae immediately dashed toward the Seo Ho-yun side and gave a big thumbs up, drawing a roar of cheers from the audience.
Amidst the excitement, The Dawn’s youngest member, Jeong Da-jun, couldn't shake a sense of unease. He quietly walked toward the Kang Yi-chae option, stealing glances at Seo Ho-yun.
Something is weird…
However, he couldn't quite put his finger on what was bothering him.
Da-jun smiled brightly at the fans, careful not to let his inner turmoil show on his face.
“Now, for the second one!”
〔 If you had to spend the rest of your life with one of them, which would it be? 〕
〔 Seong Ji-won, a practice-obsessed workaholic who is permanently stuck in ‘one week before comeback’ mode vs. Jeong Da-jun, who affectionately feeds you three creative home-cooked meals every day (No right of refusal). 〕
“I’m going with Seong Ji-won.”
Everyone stood up and swarmed in one direction. Even Kim Seong-hyeon, who had been avoiding Seo Ho-yun just like Da-jun had, quickly turned his back and joined Ji-won’s side.
Watching his older members, Da-jun pouted inwardly.
But then—
“I’ll take the maknae.”
“…?!”
Seo Ho-yun alone strolled leisurely toward him.
Da-jun stared at Ho-yun, his face a mask of horror. In reality, Ho-yun was the one who criticized Da-jun’s cooking the most out of everyone in The Dawn.
“If he keeps at it, he’ll eventually serve something edible.”
“Wow, is this true brotherly love?! How heartwarming!”
Da-jun’s pupils shook violently.
After a few more questions, the game ended, and they moved on to a Q&A session with Noeul fans in Japan who were watching the fan meeting via live stream.
〔 Q: Ja-don!! Thank you for coming. What is the most memorable thing about your current roommate? 〕
One by one, the members shared small anecdotes until it was Da-jun’s turn.
“I share a room with Ho-yun hyung, but I usually fall asleep the moment my head hits the pillow, so there isn't much to tell. Oh! But I really like rooming with him! …Though Hyung might find it a bit uncomforta—”
“No, I don’t.”
Da-jun, who had been babbling away, suddenly stopped and slowly turned his head. He saw Seo Ho-yun looking at him with a soft smile.
“I like it too.”
As a deafening cheer erupted from the fans, a scream of pure terror erupted inside Da-jun.
Seo Ho-yun was being frighteningly kind.
Da-jun clenched his fists, constantly reminding himself that this was being broadcast live.
Ho-yun hyung definitely noticed something.
Did Jeong Won-ha contact him?
Or was his lie too obvious?
Da-jun was incredibly anxious, his mind racing through every possible scenario.
He couldn't even remember how the rest of the fan meeting went. By the time he snapped out of it, they had finished filming a group video and returned to the hotel.
I guess not just anyone can pull off a ‘Han Chae-hyeok’…
Han Chae-hyeok was the ultimate master manipulator played by Min Ji-heon in the drama Campus Thrill Love. In the show, he always pulled everyone’s strings to get what he wanted.
Da-jun had aimed to act like Han Chae-hyeok when planning this whole thing, but it seemed he couldn't even manage a fraction of that character’s skill.
Dragging his exhausted body, he showered and threw on a yellow hoodie that was sitting at the top of his suitcase. Then, he turned on his phone.
[Senior Jeong Won-ha: Mr. Jeong Da-jun, if you really want to wrap this up, you should at least offer a word of apology…]
Jeong Won-ha’s message was at the very top.
Since this had been repeating for the past few days, Da-jun could guess the contents without even looking. He ignored it and opened a portal app, only for a news headline to catch his eye.
【 Min Ji-heon cast as lead in ultra-luxurious Letflix Original Drama ‘Before the Moon Wanes’… Filming to begin soon! 】
“Gasp!!!”
He covered his mouth with both hands before frantically checking the article.
After reading the description—‘A Korean-style fantasy drama solving mysterious cases based on exorcism’—Da-jun’s fingertips began to tremble. He dropped his phone on the floor, jumped onto the bed, punched a cushion repeatedly, then hopped back down and started jumping up and down.
After a moment, he managed to calm down with some deep breaths and fell into thought.
Should I… text him?
Unable to contain his joy, he picked up his phone and searched his contacts.
[Me: Senior Min Ji-heon! Congratulations on being cast in the drama. As a fan, I’m so hapy.]
“Ah, a typo!!!”
In his haste, he had hit send before noticing the mistake. He tried to delete it and resend, but the ‘1’ next to the message had already disappeared.
Immediately, his phone rang. It was Min Ji-heon.
Da-jun checked the caller ID several times, took a deep breath, and answered with reverence.
“Yes, Senior!”
[Da-jun-ssi. How have you been?]
The voice he had heard countless times through various media felt surprisingly familiar.
“Yes!! I’ve been doing great!”
[I see.]
“I’m in Japan right now—”
Min Ji-heon listened to his updates, offering occasional responses.
Then, a name they both knew suddenly popped up.
[Is Seo Ho-yun-ssi doing well too?]
Da-jun’s mood, which had been soaring, plummeted instantly.
“Yes, well… probably.”
[What? Why the lack of confidence?]
He didn't know what to say.
As Da-jun hesitated, Min Ji-heon didn't press him but waited quietly for an answer.
“……Senior Min Ji-heon, do you… talk to Ho-yun hyung often?”
[Hmm?]
“Um, has Hyung said anything specific to you? How does he seem lately?”
[What? How would I know that?]
There was a hint of bewilderment in Min Ji-heon’s voice.
[Aren't you in Japan with him anyway? You should check for yourself.]
“Oh… ah… yes, you’re right……”
Instantly discouraged, Da-jun sat on the edge of the bed, his shoulders slumped.
[From your voice, it sounds like you caused some trouble.]
“…I think I did.”
[Ahaha.]
Min Ji-heon’s laughter rippled through the phone as if he found the situation amusing.
[I don’t know what it is, but Seo Ho-yun-ssi hasn't mentioned anything to me. And if you’re curious, asking him directly will be much more effective.]
“…Pardon?”
[Seo Ho-yun-ssi likes honest people. Just like you, Da-jun-ssi.]
…Like me?
Da-jun blinked, repeating the words as if he couldn't understand them, when Min Ji-heon added in a small mumble.
[I’m incredibly honest too, so I don’t know why he dislikes me.]
However, Da-jun was thinking too hard to catch Min Ji-heon’s last remark.
“Oh, yes! Have a good night! Good luck with the filmi…ng……”
After a few more light exchanges, the call ended.
Da-jun stared at his phone for a moment before setting it aside and lying back on the bed.
An honest person…
He was right.
Setting traps and waiting for the other person to react didn't suit him. Honestly, he didn't regret talking back to Jeong Won-ha.
—However,
At the very least, I shouldn't have lied to Hyung!
Shaking his head, Da-jun bolted upright.
He headed to Kim Seong-hyeon’s room, where the rest of The Dawn was likely gathered. Whenever they stayed at hotels for regional or overseas schedules, they always ended up congregating in the leader’s room, even without a plan.
Sure enough, the members were sitting snugly around the living room sofa, with Kang Yi-chae occupying the center, strumming guitar strings.
“Hyung!”
There were no cameras set up, and they didn't seem to be doing a live stream.
Da-jun’s eyes darted around as he rushed inside and called out to Seo Ho-yun.
“Ho-yun hyung! Hyung! I have something to say!”
Seo Ho-yun, who was half-lounging on the sofa eating snacks Da-jun had bought the day before, raised an eyebrow.
“Sure, go ahead.”
But now that he had permission, the words wouldn't come out.
Now that the moment was here, he was scared.
“I mean, could you and I… over there for a second…”
“Say it here.”
Fidgeting and mumbling, Da-jun met Ho-yun’s gaze and quickly revised his plan. Rather than facing the cold-looking Ho-yun alone to confess the truth, he figured it would be better to speak in front of everyone and seek their help.
“Um, Hyung… everyone… remember when I said I just endured it when Senior Jeong Won-ha said those things to me…?”
“Yeah.”
Da-jun squeezed his eyes shut, avoiding Ho-yun’s pitch-black pupils.
“…Actually, I didn't. I told him that if he wanted to be an MC, he should just appeal for it himself! I told him that a cloud fluffier or a cotton candy sweeter than me couldn't possibly exist!”
“Wh-what… cough…”
Startled by the sudden, 100% pure confession, Kim Seong-hyeon began to choke and cough. Seong Ji-won looked at Da-jun with a worried expression while handing Seong-hyeon some water, and Kang Yi-chae simply looked intrigued, waiting for what would happen next.
Feeling a bit burdened by the focused attention, Da-jun bowed his head for a final apology.
“I’m sorry for lying…”
“I see.”
“……Huh?”
Da-jun awkwardly straightened his upper body, wondering if he had misheard.
“You did well. In the future, don't just let people look down on you. Just make sure you handle it within reason so they can't use it against you.”
He’s not scolding me…?
I mean, that’s a relief, but…
Hesitating, Da-jun gathered his courage to ask.
“……Um, you’re not going to say anything else?”
“Why would I?”
Seo Ho-yun, licking snack crumbs off his fingers, shrugged and added.
“It’s about time you started handling things on your own.”
“…….”
“We were interrupted because Da-jun came in, right? So, earlier—”
Just as Ho-yun started to speak and everyone’s attention was about to shift back,
“Wait a minute, Hyung.”
Da-jun spoke up again.
“Why are you saying it like that? It’s hurtful.”
As he stepped closer to the sofa, Da-jun’s voice grew louder.
“Hyung… are you really okay with this? It’s a fact that I was criticized by Senior Jeong Won-ha…”
“…….”
“So why aren't you getting angry even once?!”
Seo Ho-yun slowly scanned Da-jun, whose skin was turning red as he trembled, his voice breaking with emotion.
“Sigh…”
Then, he let out a deep sigh as if he were annoyed.
That sound hit Da-jun’s ears with particular force.
“Jeong Da-jun, how old are you?”
“…What?”
“If you’re an adult, handle that much on your own.”
Da-jun detected the irritation deep within his tone.
“…I……”
Where was the person who had carried him on his back all the way to the hospital when he fell during ‘Victory is Mine’?
“I did it for you, Hyung……”
Where was the person who had warmly comforted him, saying everyone makes mistakes, when he had fallen for Jeong Won-ha’s trickery and cried after ruining a performance…?
Something surged up to the top of his head. He felt like he would go crazy from frustration if he didn't do something. His face grew hot, and his breathing became shallow and heavy.
And so, in that moment, Da-jun blurted out the truth he had been keeping inside.
“—I picked a fight with Jeong Won-ha for your sake!!!”
A sudden silence fell over the members.
While everyone was stunned by the completely unexpected truth, Da-jun clenched his fists and glared at Seo Ho-yun with burning eyes.
“……For me?”
A beat late, a bewildered Seo Ho-yun pointed a finger at himself and asked.
“Yes! For you! You’ve seemed different lately, and I wanted you to go back to the way you were, so I picked a fight with Jeong Won-ha!!!”
“—Wait, wait. Jeong Da-jun.”
Kim Seong-hyeon pressed a hand to his forehead, stopping Da-jun as he ranted with his hands raised.
“What does Seo Ho-yun going back to normal have to do with picking a fight?”
“Because if I get into trouble!”
Da-jun puffed out his chest proudly.
“Ho-yun hyung gets happy!!!”
“…….”
“…….”
Even though it was a reason valid enough to deserve praise, the atmosphere became strangely more solemn than before—or so Da-jun thought at that moment.
“……Ha.”
Seo Ho-yun’s face, which had been calm until now, contorted. But Da-jun had nowhere left to retreat, so he didn't shrink back. Or rather, he tried not to. The fact that his fingertips were trembling was a secret.
“…Heh, haha…. Ha……”
Suddenly bursting into laughter, Seo Ho-yun swept his hair back, then turned serious and looked Da-jun straight in the eye.
“Jeong Da-jun. Sit back down.”
“Hmph! Are you pretending to care now? I saw you sighing earlier!”
“Don't talk back. Shut up and sit down.”
“No! You told me to handle things on my own! Don't tell me what to do!!!”
Even as he backed away from Seo Ho-yun’s increasingly fierce aura, Da-jun gritted his teeth and screamed.
“I’m sorry for lying! But I don't regret it! I’m not reflecting on it either! Even if you tell me to go die, I won't! I’m not dying! And you were wrong too, so I’m leaving with my head held high!!”
After spitting out those words in a rapid-fire burst, Da-jun bolted out of the room before Seo Ho-yun could move.
“Ahahahahaha! Pwahahahaha!”
Kim Seong-hyeon was in shock, staring blankly at the front door with a hand over his heart, while Kang Yi-chae pounded the sofa armrest with his fist, laughing so hard he couldn't breathe. Seong Ji-won, wearing a troubled smile, stood up.
“Ho-yun, I’ll go check on Da-jun.”
“……Seong Ji-won, I’m coming with you.”
“Oh, you want to?”
Seong Ji-won gently patted and led out Kim Seong-hyeon, who was moving unsteadily as if all his energy had been drained.
Only then did Kang Yi-chae, who had been giggling to himself for a while longer, wipe the tears from the corners of his eyes and stagger to his feet.
“Ah, my jaw hurts from laughing so much… whew.”
“…….”
“Isn't the maknae just the cutest?”
Kang Yi-chae smirked as he watched Seo Ho-yun, who was holding his forehead and exhaling sharply.
“Should I go get into a fight somewhere to cheer you up too, Hyung?”
“Get out.”
“Actually, maybe it’s better if I just do it myself?”
Seo Ho-yun’s expression soured. Finding that delightful, Kang Yi-chae cackled even louder and disappeared out the door with a light step.
“Ah, fuck……”
Left alone in the silence, Seo Ho-yun tilted his head back and stared at the ceiling.
“I never would have guessed that was the reason.”
By the time the second hand on the wristwatch on the table had made a couple of rotations, Seo Ho-yun let out a long sigh, buried his face in his hands, rubbed his face roughly, and sat up straight.
“Fine. I’ll do exactly what my puppy wants.”
Seo Ho-yun’s eyes gleamed intensely.