Chapter 43
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 43
"I'm sorry, but since I'm trash, telling you I trust you is the biggest compromise I can make."
I couldn't just unconditionally embrace Kim Seong-hyeon and tell him everything was fine. Doing that would only lead to a bigger disaster.
"I'm saying this under the assumption that everything you said is the truth."
"..."
Instead of nodding hesitantly, Kim Seong-hyeon asked, "What are you going to do?"
"Listen carefully."
I laid out the entire plan I had in mind. Normally, this was something I would never share.
As the members listened to the story, they began to groan.
"That’s insane..."
"Hyung, are you even human...?"
"Last I checked."
Everyone looked dizzy, clutching their heads as the details sank in. Seong Ji-won spoke up, his face pale with dread.
"The risk is too high."
"We don't have a choice."
"What about the stress Seong-hyeon-hyung will have to deal with in the meantime?"
"Turn off your phone. Don't look at the internet. Just cut all ties with the secular world entirely."
"How can he do that when we have to go on stage?"
They all tried to dissuade me, but I was serious. I looked Kim Seong-hyeon in the eye.
"Kim Seong-hyeon, your opinion is what matters most. If you tell me not to do it, I won't."
"..."
"But if you say you're okay with it, I'm seeing this through to the end."
Kim Seong-hyeon kept his eyes lowered in silence for a moment before letting out a hollow laugh.
"If it works out, it'll be good for the team and good for me."
"And if it fails?"
"If it fails... we'll plummet so far there won't even be a floor to hit."
That was certainly true. Since it was his own life on the line, Kim Seong-hyeon was cautious. He bowed his head and rubbed the back of his neck.
"The fact that you're even telling me this much means you've made a big decision. Normally, you're the kind of guy who would've just pushed ahead without saying a word."
He hit the nail on the head.
I thought I had packaged my intentions well enough, but it seemed Kim Seong-hyeon understood me better than I expected.
I don't know what kind of expression I was making, but Kim Seong-hyeon looked at me and smiled.
"Then I guess I should make up my mind, too."
I nodded. It was decided.
At that moment, the manager belatedly kicked open the practice room door and rushed in.
"Guys! Did you see what's happening right now?! Gasp, Se-Seong-hyeon."
"..."
"Should I send the others out so Seong-hyeon and I can talk privately? This might be an uncomfortable conversation..."
"No, it's fine."
Kim Seong-hyeon answered firmly. He took the bag from the manager's hand and pulled out a roll of kimbap. He unwrapped it with steady hands and began stuffing it into his mouth.
"We've already talked amongst ourselves."
"Oh! Right, I see. Um, could someone explain it to me as well...?"
"It's not true, and we're not going to release a clarification right away."
"Huh?"
"For now, we're just going to focus on practice."
"Hu-huh?"
Kim Seong-hyeon pulled out another roll of kimbap and tossed it to Seong Ji-won. Ji-won caught it and began unwrapping it with a look of grim determination. Kang Yi-chae gave a sly smile and gently pushed the manager toward the door.
"There you have it! So, Manager-nim, please relay that to the CEO."
"Guys!"
"Manager-nim, if the company tries to put out a notice first, please let me know separately. I'll talk to the CEO myself."
I spoke to the manager while stealing a bite of Seong Ji-won's kimbap. The manager's face turned pale, likely remembering my last encounter with the CEO. Clearly wanting no part of being caught between the CEO and me, the manager hesitated before scurrying toward the door.
"I'll do my best to stop them."
"Yes. We're counting on you."
"Seong-hyeon! Hang in there! I believe in you!"
"Well, that's a given!"
The manager made a noisy exit.
I noticed Kim Seong-hyeon sniffing slightly while eating his kimbap. I deliberately looked away.
* * *
[Well, well, what brings this lucky charm to call me?]
"Kim Jae-yeon-ssi."
I called Kim Jae-yeon while heading toward the tvK broadcasting station. I could hear his snickering voice over the receiver.
[I've caught something huge, absolutely huge. Once Today blows up, they're finished. It's definitely too early to let it burst now, right? If you're calling because you're worried about that, you don't need to be.]
"Kim Jae-yeon-ssi, it seems you didn't listen to me."
[...Pardon?]
"Who told you to contact Ju Woo-seong?"
[...Uh? What are you talking about?]
Kim Jae-yeon feigned ignorance. I instinctively scanned the area across from the smoking room to see if Kim Hee-yeong was there.
"I guess you thought I was joking. I was being serious."
[Haha, I really don't know what you mean. I'm starting to get a bit offended here.]
"You once dug into a case involving a third-generation chaebol from XX Construction and had to pull out in a hurry, didn't you?"
[...]
"They're still grinding their teeth over that. They just don't know it was you yet."
[...Wow, ha.]
A stunned silence followed. Then, Kim Jae-yeon let out a pained groan.
[How on earth did you...]
"Is this the time to be questioning me? Don't you know who should be bowing their head right now?"
I intentionally took a hard line. Kim Jae-yeon seemed intimidated; after another long silence, he finally apologized.
[...I guess I really crossed the line. I won't touch him again. I'm sorry.]
"Fine. Apology accepted. Do something for me in return."
[I've never seen an idol like this before...]
I picked at my ear. An apology was an apology, but business was business.
This wasn't a trade this time. It was blackmail.
"Find the whereabouts of a guy named Hwang Jeong-gyu, a high school classmate of Kim Seong-hyeon from XX High School. As fast as possible."
I heard Kim Jae-yeon grumbling something over the phone, but I didn't care. I told him I was counting on him and hung up, then strode into the tvK building. A massive poster for Shining Star was plastered in the lobby.
"Isn't that Seo Ho-yun?"
"Yeah, it is."
The whispering felt unusually loud. I suppose I've escaped being a complete 'unknown' now.
Ding!
[Rather than an unknown, you're now an insubordinate idol!]
Yeah, thanks a lot.
I took the elevator and walked to where PD Kim Hee-yeong of Shining Star was. I asked a staff member I recognized, and Kim Hee-yeong PD came running out shortly after. Seeing the deep dark circles under her eyes and her lifeless gaze, she had clearly been editing all night.
She quietly closed the door to the meeting room and stepped inside.
"Hello."
"Yes, Ho-yun-ssi."
Kim Hee-yeong sighed. I smirked, thinking that now she sighed just at the sight of my face.
It was the same in the past, and it seemed nothing had changed.
"Are you here because you have regrets?"
"Pardon?"
"Did it feel thrilling to screw over Today once, but now that some time has passed, you're getting scared? You didn't seem like the type."
I just smiled without a word. Both PD Kim Hee-yeong and I knew it was a pointless joke.
PD Kim Hee-yeong shook her head and rubbed her face.
"Then, is it about Kim Seong-hyeon-ssi?"
"That's right."
"Is the internal review about him leaving Shining Star still ongoing? I'd like an answer as soon as possible."
"You're not even going to check if the rumors are true or false."
"What difference does it make if I do? People only believe what they want to believe."
She was right. In this regard, my way of thinking aligned perfectly with PD Kim Hee-yeong's.
"He's not leaving. That's not why I'm here. You told me to put it on your tab, didn't you?"
"I did."
I tapped my fingers on the table.
I calculated the actual broadcast time and the performances.
"Episodes 1 and 2 have already aired. From Episode 3, Today's performance and our 1st Competition will be shown. That's also when the part where I picked Today will come out."
"Probably."
"I'm here to ask for a specific edit."
"An edit?"
Kim Hee-yeong let out a dry laugh. She ruffled her hair, looking stressed.
"Ho-yun-ssi, it's true that I owe you, but I can't help you with this. If I edit that scene out, I'll get hell from above, and the viewer boards will be flooded with complaints."
"I'm not asking you to edit that part out."
"Then what? You want me to edit The Dawn favorably? Give you guys a supportive narrative and all that?"
"No."
That wasn't it at all.
"Give us the Devil's Editing."
"...Devil's Editing?"
"Yes. Malicious editing."
Kim Hee-yeong's eyes wavered. She quickly composed herself.
"I must have misunderstood. You want me to give Today the Devil's Editing? No, I can't do that. The agency's backlash would be insane. I said I'd pay you back within the realm of what I can do."
"No, PD-nim."
I never said anything about Today.
I spoke calmly.
"Seong-hyeon."
"..."
"Please give Kim Seong-hyeon the Devil's Editing."
The look on Kim Hee-yeong's face was a sight to behold.