Chapter 379
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 379
“Uh, Hyung?”
Min Ji-heon stared at me with wide, startled eyes.
After hearing the acting teacher’s story, I had brushed it off as a misunderstanding with a stranger and stormed out of the practice room. I immediately messaged Min Ji-heon to ask where he was.
By the time I regained my composure, I was already punching the code into his front door. The snow-white puppy that usually greeted me first was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Min Ji-heon sat in the middle of a trashed living room, surrounded by scripts scattered like litter.
“Doorlocks are for people you expect. Barging in by pressing the passcode like this... you’d think this was your house. Your house, I say!”
I didn't bother responding and marched toward him. His gaunt, haggard face tilted slightly in confusion.
“Wait...?”
“...”
“...Why do you look so pissed?”
“Min Ji-heon.”
“Uuuugh, I haven’t done anything lately—ack!”
I grabbed Min Ji-heon by the collar with both hands and hauled him up. Despite his height, he dangled limply like a paper doll.
“Are you out of your mind?”
“What—what’s wrong with you?!”
He wasn't the type to listen to reason. As they say, the law is far, but a fist is close.
“No, are you the one who’s crazy, Hyung?! What’s with this sudden home invasion and assault?! You’ve been so well-behaved lately, so why are you acting like a thug again—?”
“Jeong Cheong-yeon.”
“...—and now I see why.”
Min Ji-heon, who had been squawking and trembling while clutching my fists, instantly deflated.
“I need an explanation.”
“A-alright, I get it, so just let go for a second.”
I gave him a dissatisfied once-over before practically throwing him back down. Sprawled on the floor, Min Ji-heon clutched his collar, dusting it off while stealing glances at me.
“...So... who did you hear it from...?”
“...”
“No, no, that’s not what’s important right now. My bad.”
Min Ji-heon grumbled, avoiding my gaze. He clearly had a guilty conscience.
After returning from Unknown Actor Tycoon, I had asked him over the phone about Jeong Cheong-yeon’s whereabouts.
At the time, his answer had been:
“Well, I’m not entirely sure... I was out of it back then, too. After I dropped you off at the hospital and went back to look for her, she was gone. It felt like I’d seen a ghost...”
The bastard lied as easily as he breathed.
“You said you didn't meet her. You said you looked for her and she wasn't there.”
“Haha, well, I... I forgot to tell you... W-wait! Okay! I’ll be honest!”
As I began looking around as if searching for something to hit him with, he raised his hands to stop me, his expression twisting with reluctance.
“Actually... I talked to her briefly after taking you to the hospital. She seemed really confused, so I just got her contact info, told her we’d talk later, comforted her, and sent her on her way. I didn't know anything back then either, so what else was I supposed to do?”
“And?”
“Just... well, I met her exactly once while you were unconscious...”
“And?”
“...She didn't remember a thing.”
Min Ji-heon let out a deep sigh and roughly swept back his long, drooping bangs.
“With a bewildered face, she said she had no idea why she was even there that day. She seemed to have absolutely no clue who you were.”
I hadn't ruled out the possibility that Jeong Cheong-yeon wouldn't remember me. The System had clearly orchestrated our encounter and sent me to Unknown Actor Tycoon for a reason.
“Why didn't you tell me until now?”
“What’s the point of bringing up someone who doesn't know anything?”
“...”
“Besides, getting further involved felt... uncomfortable. When I saw her again, she seemed a bit unstable—she was incredibly fierce. Even though it was me, she was shouting and snapping... and you weren't in a great place during that time either, Hyung. I thought it was better if you two didn't meet...”
I listened to his string of pathetic excuses for a moment before holding out my hand.
“...Huh?”
I tilted my head at the flinching Min Ji-heon.
“Phone.”
“...Why?”
“Give me Jeong Cheong-yeon’s number. You said you have it.”
Min Ji-heon hesitantly picked up his phone from the coffee table, unlocked it, and handed it over. The wallpaper was a photo of his younger sister, Kang Chae-yeon, with Fluffy Mallang-i. I went into his contacts and found the three characters of her name: Jeong Cheong-yeon.
“...Where did you meet her?”
“...The cafe where she works.”
“Where is it?”
“Near the company...”
The location he gave me wasn't far from the new WH Entertainment building. I memorized the number and tossed the phone back onto the sofa. Ignoring Min Ji-heon, who looked like he had a lot more to say, I headed straight for the front door. A loud question followed me from behind.
“Are you going to meet her?”
Seriously, who does this guy think he is, constantly trying to interfere?
I turned my head irritably to look at him.
“Hey.”
Min Ji-heon’s shoulders visibly flinched.
“You’ve been getting on my nerves for a while now. Don't cross the line.”
Whether Jeong Cheong-yeon was acting strange, or her memory was gone, or whatever.
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
I just had to see for myself.
*
“Uwaaaaaah.”
“Aaaagh...”
One by one, the members of The Dawn collapsed.
We still had at least five more year-end stages to coordinate. Trying to differentiate the fifteen-minute performances for each one was draining them rapidly.
“Is this even humanly possible?”
“Well, we’re doing it, so...”
“It reminds me of the hell from Second Chance... ugh...”
Since we were grinding like we were back in our trainee days, everyone looked half-dead.
Kang Yi-chae, who had been tormented by the tyrant of the practice room, Seong Ji-won, whined with a pale face.
“Ugh, my blood sugar is crashing...”
“Got anything sweet?”
“I haven't been able to leave the building lately because of the year-end prep. Every time I try to go out, Ji-won Hyung says 'one more time.'”
“Where are our human rights?”
True to his reputation as a practice machine, Seong Ji-won smiled without showing a single sign of fatigue.
“Haha, well, shall we take a break then?”
“Yes!”
“Please!! Look, Ho-yun Hyung is literally dead over there!”
“Shut up. My head is throbbing because I’m tired...”
While the others clamored, I lay in the corner with my head buried in my sports bag. Jeong Da-jun crept over and poked my arm.
“Hyung, Hyung, are you really not going to show us the script?”
“If I show you, they said I’ll go to jail for spoilers.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?!”
Da-jun’s cheeks puffed out.
In truth, I was hiding it because I knew they’d freak out if they found out one of the scenes involved a funeral. The moment the maknae found out, it would be impossible to keep it a secret from the rest of the members.
Fortunately, WH Entertainment seemed to view it as my private activity and hadn't shared the details with the boys.
I forced my sweat-soaked body up and moved my trembling legs. I figured this was the best time.
“I can't take it. I’m going to get some fresh air.”
“Can you even stand?”
I kicked Kim Seong-hyeon’s thigh as he snarked at me. Seong Ji-won sat halfway up and asked, “Ho-yun, want me to go with you?”
“No, it’s fine. You’re tired, just rest.”
Calculating that they wouldn't find it suspicious if I disappeared for thirty minutes after dropping a hint like that, I headed out. Through the crack in the door, I heard Da-jun’s whining.
“Why does Ho-yun Hyung get special treatment? I want to put some cold air in my nostrils, too.”
I heard Seong Ji-won’s amused voice telling him that if he was going to leave, he should just leave for good. I pulled my ball cap down low and headed up the stairs.
‘That cafe...’
I was glad it was close.
The System Window, which had been pestering me lately, had been quiet ever since I saw Min Ji-heon.
‘Well, there shouldn't be a problem.’
If seeing Jeong Cheong-yeon was dangerous, the System Window would have popped up to warn me, just like it did when it told me not to meet Min Ji-heon before.
The place Min Ji-heon told me about was a cozy private cafe located not far from the company. Perhaps because it was the awkward afternoon hour, it was quite empty.
No one spared a glance at me in my drab tracksuit and mask. I slowly scanned the shop, wondering what my first words should be.
‘Even if her memory is gone, maybe seeing me will trigger something.’
I planned to persuade her somehow and dig into what she had experienced.
As I organized my thoughts and turned toward the menu, Jeong Cheong-yeon emerged from a side door carrying small boxes.
“Oh, a customer!”
Spotting me, she set the boxes down on an empty seat and hurried over.
“Sorry to keep you waiting! I’ll take your order.”
Standing face-to-face with her, all the words I had rehearsed vanished.
Her hair, which she used to wear in a high ponytail, was now cut short around her neck, and her face, which had always been heavily made up, was now bare and smooth.
I took in her unfamiliar appearance before quietly pointing at the menu.
“...One citron tea, please.”
“Sure! Would you like that hot? Is it to go?”
“Yes.”
Jeong Cheong-yeon handled the POS system with practiced ease.
After a moment’s hesitation, I reached for my mask.
At that moment, she asked another question.
“Would you like to start a coupon? If you collect ten stamps, you get a free Americano.”
“No...”
“Pardon?”
I stopped myself from reflexively saying no. I saw her look at me with a puzzled expression.
With a faint sigh, I pulled down my mask. At the same time, I took off my hat with one hand and ruffled my hair with the other.
“Uh... Uh-oh! Ack!”
As expected, she recognized me.
‘I knew it.’
What do you mean, she doesn't remember?
“Listen, Jeong—”
“Oh my god, oh my god! Seo Ho-yun!!”
Just as I opened my mouth to calm her down while inwardly grinding my teeth, she covered her mouth with both hands and started hopping up and down in excitement.
“No way! My friend is a huge fan of yours! I can't believe I’m seeing Seo Ho-yun here!! Wow, I thought you looked familiar the moment I saw you! Oh my god, what do I do?!”
“...”
“Oh, oh, I’m sorry! Was I... was I too loud?!”
Jeong Cheong-yeon glanced around quickly, stamped the coupon several times with a series of thuds, and then lowered her voice significantly.
“I heard the WH building was nearby, but I guess it’s true! I never expected to see such a famous idol, though! You have to come back to use your stamps. This one’s on the house! Since this is a private cafe, we use really good beans and the taste is great! I’d love to brag that you’re a regular, but... Oh, right! I’ll get that citron tea ready for you right away. Just a moment~!”
In her bright and cheerful demeanor, there was no trace of the wounded, sharp-edged trainee Jeong Cheong-yeon.
“...Right.”
I felt there was no need to continue the conversation, but my feet wouldn't move easily.
“...The atmosphere here is very nice. Do you run this place yourself?”
I asked as she transferred what looked like homemade citron preserve into a disposable cup.
“Oh, where would I get that kind of money? It’s one of my aunt’s cafes. But I’ve been the manager here for five years straight, so I guess you could say I’m the one in charge.”
Five years. Even excluding the time I spent active as an idol, it was a long time.
On the wall where the clock hung, Min Ji-heon’s autograph was displayed.
“Thank you! Please come again~!”
I took the warm citron tea from her and left the shop.
I felt like she was hoping for my autograph, but I didn't have the mental energy to be that sociable.
I pulled my cap back on and walked down the street until I reached a secluded alley, where I took a deep breath.
No matter how good an actor Min Ji-heon was, he couldn't turn someone else into an acting genius overnight. In other words, everything he told me was the truth.
Jeong Cheong-yeon had truly lost her memory.