Chapter 394
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 394
Why is he here?
And it wasn’t even our dorm in Seoul. How did he find out about this pension we booked for our schedule?
“You’re looking at me like you’ve seen a ghost.”
While I stood there blinking in shock, Ju Woo-seong adjusted his hold on Nyang-nyang-i and made himself at home, plopping down on an outdoor chair on the terrace.
“…Did you follow me? Even bringing Nyang-nyang-i along?”
“What are you… Hey, do I look like I’ve lost my mind? Why would I come all the way here just to follow you?”
He must have completely forgotten about the time he followed me all the way to LA just because he was bored.
I glanced toward the living room. Since he had come straight onto the first-floor terrace, it seemed the other members didn’t realize Ju Woo-seong was here yet.
I took a seat in the chair opposite him. Nyang-nyang-i gave a long stretch and then approached me with slow, regal steps.
As I gently scratched the purring cat under the chin, Ju Woo-seong cleared his throat and finally began his explanation.
“Ahem. Well, with Black Call’s comeback preparations overlapping with rehearsals for the WH Concert, it’s been hard to get home. I don’t really like letting strangers into my house, and there’s only so much a pet sitter can do… so I came to Jeju to leave her with my cousin for a while. Nyang-nyang-i’s mother is there.”
I listened to his rambling excuses, but every sentence was riddled with holes.
For someone who claimed not to like letting people into his house, he had seemed perfectly fine when I visited. And it wasn't like this was the first time his schedule had been too packed to go home.
I scanned him with a suspicious gaze and poked at the fundamental question.
“Forget that. Why are you at this pension?”
“What, is this place off-limits? Besides, it’s a good chance to talk about the collaboration.”
Ju Woo-seong added with a smirk that the WH Entertainment staff would pluck the stars from the sky if he asked, so finding out where we were staying was child’s play.
In short, he had charmed a staff member into telling him.
“Right, Nyang-nyang-i? You want to see your mommy, don’t you~?”
I thought he’d have something to say about me hanging up on him earlier, but Ju Woo-seong was just grinning like an idiot.
“Ah, the air in Jeju is so fresh~.”
The wind was icy enough to make my teeth chatter, yet he swept back his messy brown hair and flashed a refreshing smile.
Does he like group activities that much? His face has completely brightened up.
If he was going to be this hungry for Black Call’s promotions, I wondered why he had gone through such a slump in the beginning.
His condition still seemed to fluctuate a bit, but since his relationship with his members appeared fine, I figured he’d be okay.
“What are you staring at? It’s making me uncomfortable.”
I was just thinking you’ve actually become a decent human being.
I pushed back the thoughts that didn’t need to be voiced and decided to change the subject.
“Since you say you came all the way to Jeju to see me, I have a favor. Go give Kim Seong-hyeon an autograph, take a photo with him, and give him some advice to get his head on straight. He’s a hardcore Ju Woo-seong fan.”
“I’ll say it again: I didn’t come here because of you.”
“Just do it, okay? He might even be a first-generation Bloy.”
“As if.”
Ju Woo-seong snorted at the absurdity, but I thought it was a fairly plausible theory.
“Anyway, since we’re collaborating, it would be nice if you could give him some counseling. He puts in the effort, but his skills aren't improving. You’d know more about that kind of thing than I would.”
“Are you his stage mom?”
“Stop being sarcastic.”
Come to think of it, this jerk had flatly refused my request to look at Kim Seong-hyeon’s dancing before, too.
Seeing whatever expression was on my face, Ju Woo-seong held up both hands as if telling me to calm down.
“Whoa, whoa. Just listen to me first. Do you know why I’m refusing your request?”
“Because you’re petty?”
“Why, you little…”
He clicked his tongue irritably and crossed his arms.
“Kim Seong-hyeon needs to break away from me.”
He turned his head and stared into the distance for a long moment before adding, “……In the past—no, until recently—I really hated how he had the perfect trifecta of talent, effort, and luck. Even if his recognition was much lower than mine, it still bothered me…….”
“So you are petty.”
“That’s not it! Didn’t you notice anything strange? You said it yourself just now. That Kim Seong-hyeon’s skills aren't improving despite his effort.”
When I just shrugged and pressured him for an answer, Ju Woo-seong let out a frustrated sigh. He scratched his cheek with his index finger and spoke flatly.
“At this point, nothing I say will matter. He needs to find his own dance now.”
I had been thinking something similar.
That he had reached a point where change was necessary.
“So, how is he supposed to do that? Should I send him to study abroad in California or something?”
“What kind of nonsense is that? It’s not like that…….”
Ju Woo-seong pondered my question for a moment, then suddenly furrowed his brows and looked at me with a look of pure disgust.
“…Never mind, Klutz. Don’t even bother trying to understand. I could explain it for a hundred days and someone like you still wouldn't get it.”
“You sure know how to get on my nerves for someone I haven't seen in a while.”
“And who do you think I learned that from?”
Watching him snicker, I felt a wave of exhaustion hit me. I was about to get up, thinking I’d just dump Ju Woo-seong on Kim Seong-hyeon and go to sleep, when he suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“…But you know—.”
He asked in a much lower voice.
“—Ho-yun, aren’t you worried about anyone else? It looks to me like there’s someone else in a truly serious situation….”
The way the corners of his mouth twitched was clearly a sign he was mocking me.
I watched my anger evaporate into the air like white mist with a deep breath, suppressing my boiling temper. Eventually, Ju Woo-seong couldn't hold back and burst into laughter. He then picked up Nyang-nyang-i, who had been purring on my lap, and pressed her front paws against me. Nyang-nyang-i, extra sensitive in a strange place, sprang up like a coil, scratched Ju Woo-seong all over, and landed on the ground.
“Ack! Hey, watch the attitude!”
Ignoring Ju Woo-seong’s scream, Nyang-nyang-i circled my feet and rubbed against me.
“Ugh, I wonder who she takes after to be so hot-tempered and prickly….”
“Good girl, good girl.”
I didn't hold back on the praise as I stroked the cat’s back. Ju Woo-seong, tidying up his knit sweater that was now full of snags from sharp claws, pouted and grumbled.
“Let’s see if you can act like that during practice.”
I pretended not to hear him as I picked my ear with my pinky. He tucked Nyang-nyang-i back into his arms and waved toward someone. I turned around to see the members recognizing Ju Woo-seong and greeting him. Kim Seong-hyeon was already grabbing his coat, looking ready to run out.
“Well, I’ll at least do a decent job of playing the cool senior.”
The way the corners of his mouth curled up made me feel strangely uneasy.
* * *
At Ju Woo-seong’s insistence—insistence that we must, absolutely, right now go over the choreography—we left Nyang-nyang-i with the other members. Only the three of us, including Kim Seong-hyeon, moved to the largest room in the pension.
Even without any music, as Ju Woo-seong demonstrated the moves, I had to admit it despite my rising annoyance.
He was the most elegant and beautiful dancer I had ever known.
“Hey! Seo Klutz! Get it together!!”
Of course, that sentiment didn't even last a minute.
If only this jerk would stop acting like such a brat.
Even though I was trying my best to follow along, being nagged by both Ju Woo-seong and Kim Seong-hyeon made me raise my voice.
“Hey, take it easy! I’m good enough that people in other groups would ask if I’m the main dancer, you know?!”
“Are you sure you’re an idol who debuted on Earth?!”
He said he’d play the cool senior, but this just looked like a scheme to work me to the bone.
“Fine, whatever. I’ll show you once we get to Seoul.”
Exhausted and unable to even wipe the sweat pouring off me, I collapsed onto the floor. Ju Woo-seong slinked over and nudged my leg with his toe.
“Done already? Phew, you should be glad you’re in The Dawn. If you were in Black Call, I would’ve forced you back up to do it again.”
You should be the one feeling glad.
I mentally flipped him the bird.
I was a perfectly fine PD who got kidnapped and forced into a career change as an idol; this was plenty. Besides, if he were a member of my group, I wouldn't have let him off at this level either.
Instead of replying, I just waved my hand dismissively. Ju Woo-seong’s gaze shifted strangely toward Kim Seong-hyeon.
“…Hmm. Hey, Seo Ho-yun.”
“Yeah?”
“If it’s that hard, why don’t you go out and get some fresh air?”
It was a polite way of telling me to get lost.
When I just narrowed my eyes and stared, he kicked my leg again. It was a signal that he had something to say to Kim Seong-hyeon.
…Is he going to give him advice now?
“……Yeah, yeah. The Klutz is leaving~.”
“Good, hurry up and beat it.”
Moving slowly, I stepped outside, grabbed a water bottle from the kitchen, and walked along the veranda toward the terrace. When I reached the far corner, light spilled out through the window.
I hid behind a chair and peered inside to see Ju Woo-seong and Kim Seong-hyeon.
I opened the sash just a crack and listened in.
“—Senior, I accidentally spoiled the WH Concert collaboration on a live stream. I’m so sorry…….”
“Ah, forget it. That’s no big deal. That’s not what I wanted to talk about….”
Ju Woo-seong looked around awkwardly before getting to the point.
“…I heard you’ve been worried lately? That your dancing isn't improving.”
“Ah, ah…… Yes, I guess you heard… To be honest, I am a bit concerned….”
Kim Seong-hyeon looked even more dejected than when he was apologizing.
“I thought I’d grow if I just kept putting in the effort like I always have… but lately, I feel like I’ve stalled, and that belief is starting to crumble.”
His voice sounded as if it were being swallowed by anxiety.
To be honest, I didn't believe that a few words from Ju Woo-seong would suddenly make Kim Seong-hyeon’s skills skyrocket. I was just curious about the conversation between the two.
Ju Woo-seong, who had been listening quietly, stroked his chin and answered flatly.
“Seong-hyeon, that’s a slump.”
“Ah! I see!!”
“Mmm, and if it were up to me….”
Kim Seong-hyeon looked like he’d believe Ju Woo-seong even if he said he could make soy milk out of red beans. He nodded immediately and leaned forward, not wanting to miss a single word.
“I hope you experience a very severe, painful, and agonizing slump.”
“……Pardon?”
I was drinking water at that moment and had to quickly cover my mouth to keep from spitting it out.
I hurriedly checked on them to see if I’d been caught, but fortunately, they seemed too focused on the conversation to notice.
“Talking to that Klutz who just left wouldn't work, but you, Kim Seong-hyeon, you have to understand. There’s such a thing as 'feel,' right?”
“……Feel?”
“Yeah. For example, it’s not just about extending your arm; it’s how you handle your fingertips. When you lift your head, where should your gaze be? It’s not just a simple motion, but a fluid movement. Not just exhaling, but a continuous breath.”
Oh, brother.
I yawned at the sudden, boring lecture and waited for something useful to come out.
“You’re still in a period where you need to agonize more.”
“…….”
“So, I hope you experience and endure a very long, scary, dark, and heavy slump. Just like I did. Do you understand?”
Ju Woo-seong added in an uncharacteristically soft tone.
“Gain some depth.”
I sent him in to help, and instead, he’s just raining on the parade. This jerk.
Ugh, he’s useless.
I sighed and headed back to the living room. Kim Seong-hyeon and the other members were nowhere to be seen. Ju Woo-seong was sitting on the sofa with a refreshed look on his face, stroking Nyang-nyang-i as if he owned the place.
“Why are you coming from over there? Anyway, you should thank me. I gave Kim Seong-hyeon some kick-ass advice that’ll snap him out of it.”
“…You’re really pathetic, you know that?”
Ju Woo-seong flinched and his eyes darted around.
“…Did you eavesdrop?”
“It was very educational.”
“Dammit…. Don’t get me wrong. Nothing I said was incorrect. I don’t even know why I’m explaining this to you…!!”
I covered my ears and made a loud “Ahhh” noise.
Forget it, Ju Woo-seong. I didn't expect much anyway.
Now I just wanted him to disappear.
After a moment, Ju Woo-seong gave up on his excuses, ruffled his hair, and poked me in the side.
“Seo Ho-yun, so what are you going to do? I’m not joking, you’re in a serious state. Want me to stay and help you practice?”
“No.”
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and showed him a video.
“WH really is a major company, isn't it?”
We hadn't even started official rehearsals yet, but the camera angles were already fully mapped out based on the dancers’ drafts.
Ju Woo-seong tilted his head as he checked it.
“So what? It’s just blocking——.”
“…….”
“—…Wait, don’t tell me.”
Bingo.
Exactly what you’re thinking.
“Are you only going to practice the parts where you’re caught on camera?”
The corners of my mouth curled up.
Even with mediocre dance lines, if you nailed the angles and blocking, you could be transformed into someone like Ju Woo-seong. There was a reason people said camera work was everything.
No matter how hard I practiced, my time was too limited. This was the best way to achieve good results.
“Hey, you lunatic! You’ll get busted the moment the fancams come out!”
“You think I don’t know that? Unfortunately—or fortunately—there are no fancams for this WH Concert.”
“Is this guy a total psycho?”
If I didn't do this, how was I supposed to survive among these dance gods?
I was unashamed.
“Your brain only works for cutting corners,” he said, shaking his head and letting out a long sigh.
“Ugh, seeing you act like this actually makes me feel sad and sorry for you….”
“…….”
You bastard…….
And so, the mid-December recording for WH Entertainment’s no-audience concert drew near.