Chapter 76
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76
"Huh?"
Seo Ho-jin stood there with a toothbrush in his mouth, his eyes wide. The suddenly formed 'Housewarming Expedition Team' had finally descended upon my front door.
Even as I drove the van, I kept asking, "Seriously, what is there to see at my place?" but the members just gave me these unsettling, mischievous grins and refused to back down.
"What the—Hyung. Why so suddenly...?"
"You been good?"
Ho-jin squinted through the crack in the door, thinking I was alone. He swung the door wide as if to let me in, only for his face to be overtaken by a giant question mark when he saw the extra baggage trailing behind me.
"Hello!"
The members greeted him politely with beaming smiles, leaving Ho-jin’s eyes darting back and forth in confusion. I muttered, resigned to my fate.
"So, this happened."
"......??"
"Whoa! No way! They actually look alike."
Jeong Da-jun stared intently at Ho-jin’s face, looking shocked. I let out a deep, defeated sigh and pushed Ho-jin aside, leading the members into the house.
The members swirled around Ho-jin, who was still chewing on his toothbrush, unable to grasp the situation.
"Ah~, looking closely, he really is Ho-yun’s brother."
"He looks a bit softer?"
"Wha— (What in the world...)"
"Seo Ho-jin, go finish up in the bathroom."
"Uh, okay."
I rescued Ho-jin, who had suddenly become a zoo exhibit, and shoved him into the bathroom. When he emerged a moment later, he looked a little less like an idiot.
"Hello! Sorry for the sudden intrusion."
"No, no. It’s fine," Ho-jin said, waving his hands. Then he kept stealing glances at me with an expression of pure disbelief.
What. Why. What.
Ho-jin cleared his throat and averted his eyes.
"So... you’re my brother’s members, right?"
"Yup! That’s right. I’m Kang Yi-chae."
"I’m Seong Ji-won."
"Kim Seong-hyeon."
"Jeong Da-jun!"
They all smiled brightly, shamelessly introducing themselves. Ho-jin accepted the greetings, looking dazed.
"I’m... Seo Ho-jin. Ho-yun hyung’s younger brother."
"Aha, so you both have 'Ho' in your names!"
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-three... Ah."
Ho-jin snapped his mouth shut mid-answer.
Twenty-three. Right. He’s the same age as me now that I’ve been de-aged by ten years. Everyone tilted their heads, sensing something odd, so I stepped in to clear the air.
"I was born in January, he was born in December."
"Whoa, I see."
"But you call him 'Hyung'?"
"Are you crazy? Of course I’m the hyung."
Luckily, our birthdays were actually far apart. Following the classic Korean tradition of becoming one with the sofa the moment you enter a living room, I flopped down. Ho-jin glanced at the members and headed toward the kitchen.
"Would you like... something to drink?"
"Oh, yes please!"
It was a chaotic, noisy mess. Everyone found a spot to sit and started whispering among themselves.
"What’s the deal? Why does Ho-yun hyung’s brother look so gentle?"
"No way. He’s Seo Ho-yun’s brother... there’s no way he’s normal."
"Maybe the brother is gentle because Hyung is like that."
"Didn't you say I was soft-hearted earlier?"
"You actually believed that?"
These punks...
Ho-jin set out some juice and sat down beside us.
"Thank you!"
"Um, yeah."
I watched them in silence as they continued to stare at Ho-jin while sipping their juice. I told them there was nothing to see here. Once the last member finished his drink, I stood up.
"Done?"
"Huh? Yeah."
"Then get out."
"Wha—?!"
Stop being a nuisance. I wanted to relax now that I was home. But Jeong Da-jun resisted desperately.
"No! I want to look around more! I want to talk to your brother more!"
"Get out before I start swearing."
"You’re already doing it with your eyes!"
"Ho-jin-ssi, we’re the same age, so should we speak casually?"
"Huh? Oh, sure?"
While I was dealing with Da-jun, Seong Ji-won quickly charmed Ho-jin. Caught off guard, Ho-jin ended up agreeing to speak casually with Ji-won, his eyes darting around again.
"Are you a college student?"
"Uh, yeah."
"What’s your major?"
"Political Science and International Relations."
"If you’re Hyung’s brother, you must be smart, right? Whoa, is this your department jacket?"
Da-jun’s eyes went wide as he spotted the varsity jacket tucked in a corner. For the record, Ho-jin went to the same university as I did. He used to tease me for being a 'fossil' since we were ten years apart, and I’d usually hit him for it.
"Yeah. I’m in the same department as Hyung... Ack!"
"Ho-jin."
I slammed my fist right onto the crown of Ho-jin’s head. He clearly still hadn't come to his senses. Ho-jin looked at me with a wronged expression and grumbled.
"That temper, seriously..."
"You feel wronged? If you feel that way, you shouldn't have installed that damn game."
Tring!
[What’s wrong with me!]
You shut up.
"Hyung is... the same at home, I see?"
"Huh?"
Kang Yi-chae looked at Ho-jin with a pitying expression. Ho-jin grumbled under his breath before whipping around to face Yi-chae.
"Does he bully the members every day too?"
"How did you know?"
"Wow, he really is the same everywhere."
Happy to have found a fellow sufferer, Ho-jin started spilling TMI that no one asked for.
"He’s always asking me to turn off the lights, and staying up all night is a given."
"Gasp, exactly. And he nags so much if we eat instant food."
"He tells me not to do anything, then he just goes and does all the dangerous stuff himself without a word!"
"Exactly!! You’re so right!!"
Suddenly, the conversation took off. I watched to see how far they’d go, and a full-blown 'Seo Ho-yun Trash-Talking (to his face) Contest' unfolded in my living room.
It was a sight to behold.
Every time Ho-jin said something, the members vented all their pent-up frustrations.
"He’s such a tyrant!! He just does whatever he wants without saying anything!"
"I agree! Totally agree!!"
"But then he gets on my case!"
"Right!! Even though he’s worse!!"
"Did you guys come here just to talk behind my back?"
I muttered, dumbfounded. Even Ho-jin, who was usually so shy, seemed fired up. He was talking a mile a minute when his eyes met the members'.
Wait, you too?
Yeah, me too.
In the end, they all shared a passionate handshake.
"You’ve really suffered..."
"No, Ho-jin-ssi, you’ve endured this for twenty-three years..."
"It’s been a long road..."
"Ugh..."
I clicked my tongue and stood up. Ho-jin looked up, his eyes wide.
"Cigarette?"
"I quit a long time ago."
"...That chain smoker?"
Ho-jin was horrified. The members watched with interest, wondering if something fun was about to happen, but I was just bored of being ignored, so I decided to raid the fridge.
I rummaged through the freezer and pulled out some ice cream.
Unfortunately, there was no Babam-O. No sense of taste in this house.
"Ah, but were you two living together? Just the two of you?"
"Pardon?"
"Are your parents in the countryside?"
I walked back with a few strawberry ice cream bars, and the atmosphere was practically like they were ten-year-old best friends. But I stopped in my tracks at the question.
Ah, did I not tell them?
Ho-jin glanced at me tentatively, and I shoved an ice cream bar down the back of his neck. I naturally ignored his scream.
"Both our parents passed away."
"......Huh?"
"Car accident."
It happened so long ago that I could answer nonchalantly. I sat on the sofa and bit into my ice cream, but the atmosphere had turned ice-cold.
The expressions on the members' faces were indescribable. Jeong Da-jun hung his head, looking like he didn't know what to do with himself.
"I-I’m sorry."
"Oh, no. It’s fine. It was a long time ago..."
Ho-jin hurriedly waved it off. Then he nudged me.
"You still hadn't told them?"
"I forgot."
"...It’s awkward when you just drop it like that."
"Oh, look at you, Seo Ho-jin-ssi. When did you grow up to be so considerate?"
"Your sarcasm is so annoying... Seriously, if you weren't my brother..."
"If I weren't? What were you going to say?"
"...I'd say you're so handsome."
Since this was a common occurrence for us, I bickered with Ho-jin as if it were nothing, but dark clouds seemed to be looming over the members' heads. I tossed the extra ice cream bars at them.
"Hey, hey, fix your faces. Did I commit a felony or something?"
"......I didn't know... Sorry."
Seong Ji-won’s gaze swept over my left arm. He was probably looking at the scar.
That’s right. That car accident was the one where I lost my parents. Ji-won’s face went pale, and he asked hesitantly, carefully.
"Is it... okay for you to be in a car?"
"I literally drove you guys here in the van."
"...Oh, right."
"And I only came because you guys begged so much."
"......Hyung drove us himself?"
Riding in a car is fine. It’s been fine for a long time. Probably. Ho-jin looked at me with a strange expression, then scratched his head.
"It’s okay, really. It happened so long ago we barely remember. Um... and since you’ve come all this way..."
Ho-jin glanced at me, then suddenly became incredibly welcoming to the members, his face breaking into a goofy grin.
"Is there anything you want to know?"
"Me!"
Kang Yi-chae raised his hand high, as if trying to lighten the mood.
"Tell us about Ho-yun hyung’s first love!"
"Ooh~!"
"I want to hear that."
Laughter broke out among the members.
What are you, a middle schooler teasing a new student teacher?
But what was even funnier was that Ho-jin actually fell into deep thought, carefully choosing his answer.
"First love... I’m not sure I really need to know that. But he was pretty popular in high school. A lot of people used to ask me if I was Seo Ho-yun’s brother."
"Oooooh."
"Though that stopped immediately once they found out what his personality was like..."
"Ah, as expected~."
I was disgusted.
"Hey, stop it."
That only made the members more excited.
"Then I want to hear about his dark past."
"Has Ho-yun hyung ever been dumped?"
"As far as I know... I don't think Hyung has ever been the one to confess first?"
I probably have.
"Whoa! How annoying!"
"But he’s been dumped plenty of times after they started dating."
"Hahaha, why?"
"Why are you asking something so obvious?"
"Ah, so it really was because of his personality..."
"Hey, where else are you going to find someone as nice as me?"
"Where did you throw away your conscience, Hyung?"
I smacked Ho-jin on the forehead as he looked around mockingly. Ho-jin looked wronged, but he continued to answer the members' questions steadfastly.
Everyone burst into laughter when he told the story of the day I came home with a swollen cheek after getting slapped somewhere.
They definitely came here with a grudge just to hear about my embarrassing past.
* * *
"I’m sleeping over!"
"Even if I say no, you won't listen, will you?"
"How did you know~?"
In the end, the members showed no intention of leaving, insisting they were staying the night. Apparently, Ho-jin’s bag of stories was just too entertaining.
Having had all my dark secrets exposed in an instant, I gave up and went out to buy some candy, feeling a sugar crash coming on.
Even when I returned, the 'Seo Ho-yun Roast Party' was still going strong.
"Aren't you tired? Let’s just sleep, please."
"Ah~, Warden~, this is too much fun~!"
"Hyung! Ho-jin hyung, give me your number. Let’s talk more later."
"Sure, Yi-chae... if life gets hard, call me. I’ll tell you plenty of funny stories."
"Give it to me too."
Despite their grumbling, everyone eventually lay down to sleep.
I guess they’re full of energy because they’re young. I gave each of them a light flick on the forehead and urged them to sleep, and they finally shut up.
"I feel like I’ve just looked after five kids."
I felt like I was going to pass out from exhaustion.
Since there wasn't enough room in the living room, I took Jeong Da-jun to my room. Da-jun, lying on the floor, spoke up softly.
"Hyung, Hyung."
"Go to sleep."
"Ah, Hyung."
"What now..."
"Wahaha. Are you tired already?"
What do you mean 'already'? I have to sleep if I want to work tomorrow. Da-jun’s laughter filled the pitch-black room.
"Today was really funny. Ho-jin hyung is fun."
"Is he..."
I gave a half-hearted answer and tried to close my eyes, but Da-jun kept chattering.
"Ho-jin hyung said it’s really rare for you to bring someone home, so he was surprised."
"......"
"He said it seems like you trust the members."
Did Ho-jin say that? Come to think of it, I had rarely brought anyone home since my parents passed away.
Questions like 'Where are your parents?' always came up, and I hated seeing a young Ho-jin tearing up in the corner whenever I answered nonchalantly.
"I... I’ve always felt sorry toward you, but also... We trust you, Hyung, but it didn't feel like you trusted us. Especially me."
"...Why you?"
"I’m the most unremarkable one. I’m not good at composing like Yi-chae hyung, I don't have incredible convictions like Seong-hyeon hyung, and I can't sing as well as Ji-won hyung."
Da-jun brought up something unexpected. I never knew this healthy puppy was harboring such thoughts since he was always smiling. When I remained silent, Da-jun continued.
"So I thought I’d never be of any help to you, Ho-yun hyung. I wanted to be a member who pulls his own weight... but I felt like I couldn't, so I was anxious."
"......"
"But hearing that today made me feel a bit relieved. It made me feel like you’ve let me into your inner circle to some extent."
I let out a sigh after hearing that.
"Jeong Da-jun... are you an idiot?"
"......Pardon?"
"Why are you unremarkable?"
Of course, there was a time when I thought that way at first.
I thought about it slowly. Da-jun was a fool. Just when I thought he knew me somewhat well, he goes and acts like an idiot.
"Don't you remember you were the center starting from Glow? An image like yours is incredibly important."
"Me?"
"Yeah. And the fact that you trust people and follow them so well—that’s a great talent."
"...That’s a talent?"
In the 21st century, it is.
Da-jun asked again in a skeptical tone.
"But I trusted too easily and got into trouble with the contract this time."
"The problem is the person who deceived you."
"......I thought I had disappointed you."
I turned onto my side toward Da-jun.
"Hey. ...If I didn't like you, would I have gone that far to take care of you in the first place?"
It had been that way since the athletic meet. Honestly, if it had been anyone else, I would have just ignored them. But it was Da-jun, whom I’d grown fond of, and seeing him being ignored by others made me snap.
Even with the double contract issue, I could have just slowly coaxed the CEO into paying the penalty even if things dragged on. I didn't have to step in that much.
But I was just concerned.
Damn, it’s easier once I admit it.
"If you’re done talking, let’s sleep."
"......You know."
A question drifted over the sound of rustling blankets.
"The reason I canceled the contract with Weisu Enter in less than two days."
"Yeah."
"I said it was because someone stopped me. Do you remember?"
I remembered. He said that during the first MV shoot; there was no way I could forget.
The reason I had watched Da-jun so closely several times after Kim Seong-hyeon’s scenario was completed was because of those words.
Da-jun hesitated for a moment, then carefully brought up the question he had been hiding.
"...Was that you, Hyung?"
I was silent for a long time. In that moment, the system window floated above my head.
Tring!
[Partial memories are being unlocked.]
'Why would you go to a place like that?'
'...Pardon?'
'If I were your older brother, I’d drag you out of there by force.'
Words I had overheard by chance while sitting in a cafe near the broadcasting station. I hadn't heard the name of the entertainment agency, but no matter how I thought about it, their contracting method was that of scammers.
I had said those words while looking at the face of a much younger Da-jun, who must have been around middle school age.
'So, think about it again, carefully.'
"...I..."
Just as I opened my mouth to answer, the now-older Da-jun let out a hollow laugh.
"...Even as I say it, it sounds ridiculous. That person was a broadcasting station official. He was even wearing a staff ID... I don't remember his face well, though."
"......"
"Eh, just forget it, Hyung."
It was too late to say it was me. Da-jun grinned and pulled the blanket up to his neck. Then, just before falling asleep, he forced out his final words through the overwhelming drowsiness.
"Ho-yun hyung."
"...What."
"Anyway... you basically saved me, Hyung. I’ll definitely repay the favor. I’ll do really well. Practice, promotions, everything."
In my vision, now adjusted to the darkness, I could see Da-jun.
I thought he was just bright and cheerful, but he had his own worries, and he wanted to repay me. He was relying on me a lot.
"I’ll do my best."
Tring!
[You have gained the 'Complete Trust' of Jeong Da-jun.]
[Notoriety Points decrease.]
[You have heard all of 'Jeong Da-jun's' past. Private status is lifted.]
"Jeong Da-jun."
"......"
"Da-jun-ah."
I tossed and turned before sitting up on the edge of the bed. I had lost my words for a moment and couldn't answer, but Da-jun had already fallen asleep.
"You sleeping?"
No answer came back. A hollow laugh escaped me. Not even a minute after pulling up the covers, Da-jun was already in a deep sleep, even snoring a little.
"Is it because he’s a kid...?"
He falls asleep fast. Above him, the system window appeared.
[Jeong Da-jun, The Dawn’s Maknae and Sub-dancer]
Tring!
[Note: With the help of the player 'Seo Ho-yun' in the past, he left a predatory agency and successfully became a member of The Dawn. Through the influence of 'Seo Ho-yun,' 'Jeong Da-jun' will cut ties with predatory agencies and work hard to be a source of strength for the members.]
[Main Scenario 33% complete!]
[Proceeding to the next main chapter.]
I felt... conflicted. Strangely, the words about proceeding to the next main chapter weren't as welcome as before. Perhaps a warning light had turned on in my head. I realized I had grown fond of these guys, more than I had thought.
"Da-jun-ah, don't trust me too much."
But I won't change.
This is a place I’ll eventually leave anyway. As if I never existed in this world, as if I never had anything to do with these guys from the start.
Unaware of that fact, I looked down at Da-jun, who had made his resolution while innocently trusting only me, and muttered.
"Your hyung is a bit of a piece of trash."