Chapter 384
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 384
Four pairs of eyes sparkled with anticipation, while one pair of peepers blazed with a fiery intensity. Along with them, countless other gazes filled with curiosity were fixed on me.
With a small sigh, I thrust my hand into my back pocket, pulled out my card, and slotted it into the payment terminal.
“…That will be 27,600 won.”
The members of Black Call wore expressions thick with bewilderment. Conscious of the camera, I flashed a bright smile.
“I just really wanted to treat my seniors.”
“…Aha…”
Chae Jeong-woo let out a cry of admiration a beat late.
“So the person you respect most is yourself? ‘Love Myself.’ That’s cool.”
“My, my. As expected of Seo Ho-yun.”
As if playing along, Jeon Sae-young put on a sly expression and even wagged his index finger back and forth.
I had expected Black Call to be mature, but that wasn't the case at all. Perhaps it was because they knew WH Entertainment would edit them favorably regardless, or maybe they were just experienced enough to be past caring, but their words and actions were incredibly unfiltered.
“Respect? Wait, weren't we picking the most handsome person just now?”
Ju Woo-seong held his head high, fuming as if he were someone who had come running just for a gacha draw. Hearing him, Lee Han-ju tilted his head.
“Huh? What are you talking about? We changed it to ‘the member you respect’ earlier, following Beom-hyun’s suggestion…”
“What? Hey! Then you should have picked me even more!”
Seeing Ju Woo-seong throwing such a fit, I could guess exactly what kind of bait had been used to lure him here.
No wonder Chae Jeong-woo had his phone in his hand the whole time, which was unlike him.
Lee Han-ju narrowed his eyes and asked Ju Woo-seong, “So, Woo-seong hyung, did you really run out of the practice room just because you wanted to hear that you’re handsome?”
“N-no, that’s not it…”
Flustered, Ju Woo-seong took a step back from the group. Instead, Lee Beom-hyun stepped forward and firmly grabbed his shoulder.
“…Hyung, has your self-esteem been low lately? To think you’d come running just to hear something like that… Do the fans not tell you you’re handsome anymore?”
“…Hyung, Woo-seong hyung, you’re handsome~.”
“You’re so handsome~.”
Jeon Sae-young and Lee Han-ju whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, pretending to comfort him. With a face flushed bright red, Ju Woo-seong shouted, trying to act nonchalant.
“O-of course I still hear it! Why are you guys looking at me with such pity?!”
“Ju Woo-seong.”
As if it were a routine, Chae Jeong-woo pressed his index finger against Ju Woo-seong’s lips to shut him up.
“Stop being noisy and let’s go. The more you open your mouth, the weirder you look.”
Chae Jeong-woo gave me a parting nod with a smile in his eyes, then grabbed Ju Woo-seong by the scruff of the neck and led the way out. The other Black Call members followed behind like ducklings.
A moment later, everyone except Ju Woo-seong received their drinks in disposable cups and headed back to the practice room. Only Ju Woo-seong, holding a mug, slunk over to a corner out of the camera’s blind spot and settled down.
Assuming he’d leave on his own, I ignored him and focused on my part-time job.
After taking orders from a dozen people in a row, Kim Seong-hyeon pulled espresso shots without a break. Kang Yi-chae, Jeong Da-jun, and Seong Ji-won were also busy running around the cafe.
Just as the line of customers finally began to thin, Lee Ji-hyeon informed us that the scheduled filming time was almost up.
A relaxed Kim Seong-hyeon, looking a bit excited, glanced at Ju Woo-seong while making a few more drinks. Only after the three members who had gone on deliveries returned were we able to record the closing remarks for this long and grueling self-produced content.
“Great job, everyone~.”
“Yes, good work~.”
The red lights on the cameras flickered off, and the staff busily began packing up.
There were still onlookers surrounding the area, but their numbers had dwindled significantly compared to the beginning.
I walked over to the corner of the cafe. Ju Woo-seong had fallen asleep facedown. I poked his back with my fingertip.
“Excuse me.”
He immediately lifted his eyelids and groggily sat up, swaying slightly.
“Aren’t you going back to practice?”
“Ugh… I don’t want to go back…”
Where does this crazy guy get off acting cute?
Brushing off the goosebumps on my arms, I brought up a topic that had been on my mind since I ran into Black Call.
“Are you guys having a comeback next year?”
“How did you know?”
“Of course I know. Who wouldn't, seeing you guys hanging out like that?”
These were people who had been scattered for individual schedules after announcing a temporary hiatus. If the sight of all Black Call members together was revealed through The Dawn’s self-produced content, rumors about a comeback next year were bound to spread instantly.
“Should I edit Black Call out of this video?”
“Ah, forget it. Seeing how Chae Jeong-woo walked right in with the members even though there were cameras, he probably did it on purpose because he wants to drop hints.”
Chae Jeong-woo was certainly more skilled at fan management than Ju Woo-seong—and even me.
I felt a fresh sense of surprise realizing he had calculated everything in a split second and acted with that intention from the start.
Rubbing the area under his nose with his index finger, Ju Woo-seong looked down and muttered, “He’s just itching to get back on stage. He should focus on taking care of his own health first.”
“…How is practice going?”
“A total mess. It’s been so long that nothing’s in sync. I’m driving them hard, but… Ah, but Lee Han-ju, that kid is hilarious. He tripped during the choreography and asked if he could just rest since he was already down.”
Despite his grumbling tone, Ju Woo-seong’s face was flushed with excitement.
Is he some kind of prickly teenager?
He couldn't hide his affection even while complaining.
He wasn't bad during his solo activities, but now, preparing an album with his members, he looked more natural and radiant.
“We’re coming out next year, okay? You guys won't even see the shadow of a Grand Prize.”
“…….”
“If you miss it this time, it’s really over for good. Oh my, I feel soooooo sorry for you, what ever shall you do!”
…Dammit, he’d look much better if he just stopped talking nonsense.
I’ll let it slide this once. It’s not like his antics are anything new.
Just as I was about to show some mercy, Ju Woo-seong grinned and covered my eyes with his palm.
“Ho-yun. Now, what do you see?”
“…I don’t see anything.”
“Exactly. That’s your future.”
Since there were still people milling around, I maintained my smile but gritted my teeth, speaking through a ventriloquist act.
“I hope a discord rumor breaks out between you and the Black Call members.”
“Sorry, but that already happened.”
Cackling with an expression similar to Chae Jeong-woo’s, as if he found this incredibly amusing, he patted my shoulder and left the cafe.
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I decided I should head to the practice room with the kids. The year-end stages weren't far off. Thinking I should grab a drink for everyone, I headed toward the counter, only to see Kang Yeon-hu walking down the hallway from the elevators.
Is he okay now?
I hadn't run into him even at the company since the K-POP concert in Japan. I didn't really have any business with him and considered just passing by, but a sudden surge of playfulness made me call out to him.
“Yeon-hu hyung!”
Kang Yeon-hu’s fast-moving feet came to an abrupt halt.
Even from a distance, I could clearly see his pupils trembling violently.
I raised my voice even more.
“Hyung, it’s been a while!!”
Seeing familiar staff members scattered about packing equipment, Kang Yeon-hu, assuming we were filming, trudged over with the eyes of a cow being led to slaughter.
The Dawn members, who had already realized Kang Yeon-hu was nearby because of my voice, bowed in greeting. It looked as if ‘Seo Ho-yun is at it again’ was written all over their faces, but I ignored them and curled my lips into a smile.
“I missed you.”
“…Hello…… Haha, what are you doing here……?”
Kang Yeon-hu replied, trying his best to remain calm while his eyes darted around busily.
“We’re filming.”
“Ah, I see… W-what kind of filming? The Dawn’s self-produced content? A recording?”
“Oh? Does it look like a recording?”
Kang Yeon-hu’s fair skin turned ashen in an instant. Even in his confusion, he tried to quickly assess the surroundings.
I crossed my arms and leisurely waited for him to reach a conclusion.
A small number of staff for a livestream, folded tripods, and most importantly, cameras without red lights.
“…It’s a recording, right? Is it already over?”
“It’s been over for a while. But I’ll still accept you as a customer, Kang Yeon-hu-ssi.”
“Ah, seriously…”
Perhaps because he had been so tense, Kang Yeon-hu grumbled as his shoulders slumped.
“Stop teasing me… I thought it was a live broadcast and my heart almost dropped.”
“K.”
“‘K’…?”
“What do you want to drink?”
When I acted nonchalant with a bright smile, Kang Yeon-hu let out a sigh, hesitated for a moment, and then murmured softly.
“Chamomile tea, please.”
He drinks the same thing as Chae Jeong-woo.
I tore open a tea bag—the one I’d called expensive—threw it into a disposable cup, filled it with hot water, and handed it to him. I expected him to disappear immediately, but he just fidgeted with the cup in his hand.
“……Seo Ho-yun-ssi… but. How did you do it back then?”
“Pardon?”
“No, I mean… at the K-POP concert. When I hurt my ankle.”
He lifted his gaze from his fingertips and looked me straight in the eye.
It was in moments like these that his unnecessarily upright and firm character revealed itself.
“I was at the point where I’d scream if I moved even slightly, but after you used that spray, I suddenly became fine enough to dance as if nothing happened…”
I know. I saw it too.
After returning to Korea, I had checked High Five’s performance while monitoring the stages.
The movements Kang Yeon-hu must have repeated endlessly were clean and elegant.
“…Maybe the medicine was just really effective?”
A crease formed on the bridge of Kang Yeon-hu’s nose, as if he was dissatisfied with my answer.
“Do you think I’m an idiot? I’ve tried everything myself, but nothing worked…… What was it, really?”
I stared at Kang Yeon-hu for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“This is a bit embarrassing.”
“……Excuse me?”
“Is this that new type of confession that’s trending lately?”
Kang Yeon-hu looked bewildered, as if he didn't understand what I was saying.
“‘A precious junior used a spray on me and the pain vanished’… Well, it’s certainly more creative than the cliché ‘I’m grateful for your help, so please make some time for me this evening.’”
“W-w-what?”
His face instantly turned beet red from embarrassment and fluster.
“No, no, no! It’s not like that! It was just strange. It looked like a normal spray, but I couldn't find the brand anywhere…”
“Sure, sure.”
“…Fine! It’s my fault for asking Seo Ho-yun-ssi!”
Scratching the back of his head, Kang Yeon-hu couldn't hide his lingering suspicion.
He was certainly smart and quite quick-witted. However, he was too rational.
That was why, even though he could easily reach an approximation of the truth, he couldn't approach the problem once it stepped outside the bounds of common sense.
Besides, he was easy to handle because he’d get embarrassed and shut his mouth the moment I started acting cheeky.
“…Anyway, um… thanks.”
He scratched his flushed cheek.
“I finished well thanks to you. Whether it was the placebo effect or whatever. Anyway, the result was good.”
After bowing and turning to leave with his chamomile tea, Kang Yeon-hu turned back and asked.
“By the way, none of our members passed through here, right? You know it’s dangerous to mention High Five in The Dawn’s content during times like these, right?”
“Well. I think my mind might change depending on your attitude, Kang Yeon-hu-ssi.”
“…….”
* * *
Around mid-November, Part 1 of ‘Let’s Go on a School Trip’ finally aired.
Even under WH Entertainment’s strict censorship, Kim Hee-yeong produced a masterpiece of a variety show with her brilliant editing skills.
Thanks to that, reviews and reactions to the program poured in across various communities and social media.
[Title: Hey, did you guys see Let’s Go on a School Trip?
The much-talked-about Let’s Go on a School Trip.
I’ve been out of the K-pop loop for a long time, so I was just like, “Oh boy, a clash of boy groups! My heart is pounding!” lol.
I watched it with the feeling of watching a house on fire from across the street...
But wait.
It’s more wholesome and freaking cute than I thought.
└ My thoughts exactly.
└ I love that there’s a next episode. PD Kim is really milking WH for all they’re worth, lmao.
└ The kids are seriously cute, lol.]
[Title: A lot of people might hate on this show, but
I like it because it’s cute...
I’m so excited for the second half next week...
└ Me too... I was going to talk so much trash when it came out, but it was surprisingly not bad...
└ There are a lot of people calling the boy groups tactless for giggling there, lol. Then what, are they supposed to just sit there like stone statues? lol. Hey, idols are people too.
└└ They’re just working hard at the jobs their company gave them...
└ I’m just tired of this... The noise is only minimal because the kids don't show it, but how long do we have to keep being so defensive? T_T lol.
└└ That’s the fate of popular idols...
└└ Actually, sometimes it’s thrilling...
└└ Lmao.]
[Title: I think they used Black Call well.
They didn't just edit High Five + The Dawn together, they focused a lot on Black Call + each group.
Since there’s such a huge gap in their status...
They captured it well so it didn't feel jarring, making them look like juniors who like and respect Black Call, lol.
└ I haven't seen many Bloys hating on this, lol.
└ Yeah, and Black Call fans are so starved for content right now that they’re grateful for anything. T_T I want to grab them by the collar and tell them to get on stage, but this is because Jeong-woo is sick...
└└ Chae Jeong-woo has managed his image so well that there are very few people who hate on him, lol. They’re basically resting for a year because of him.
└└ What kind of nonsense is that? When did WH ever confirm it? No, right? You’re talking about your headcanon as if it’s a fact, lol.
└ The editing was good... for real...]
In the midst of all this, there was one team that received the most spotlight from the public.
[Title: I don't know much about idols, but I watched Let’s Go on a School Trip.
The Seo-Min-Kang-Ju team is killing me.
└ Lmao.
└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋ My thoughts exactly.
└ Ah, I laugh just looking at their team name.]
It was the Seo-Min-Kang-Ju—Seo Ho-yun, Min Ji-heon, Kang Yeon-hu, and Ju Woo-seong—team.