Chapter 90

If I can't debut, I'll get a disease that will kill me - Chapter 090

I had never seen Kim Raebin's complexion change so drastically.

Even some of the members, who had scattered to do their own things, immediately noticed.

"Raebin, is something wrong? What's going on, bro?"

When Ryu Cheongwoo approached and asked quietly, the manager took Ryu Cheongwoo aside to somewhere.

"......"

When personal matters become complicated, it's often better not to pry.

Ryu Cheongwoo, as the leader, was fine, but it was uncertain how Kim Raebin would feel about the other members' involvement.

'I'll observe the situation first.'

Sure enough, a little later, the manager returned with Ryu Cheongwoo.

Kim Raebin was already gone.

"…Where's Kim Raebin?"

"Just a moment. We'll talk after the filming is wrapped up."

The manager seemed to be mindful of the surrounding staff. The members, having grasped the situation, closed their mouths and continued their work. After a while, they got into the car and only then heard the whole story after exchanging brief greetings with the production team.

"Your grandmother collapsed?"

"Yeah. So I went straight to the hospital."

"......"

The members' expressions changed because they already knew that Kim Raebin lived with his grandparents.

I clicked my tongue. …I felt bad.

'…But they still let him go.'

At least, when the activity was wrapping up and the day's schedule was almost over, they received a call and sent him off without any fuss. No unnecessary words.

…Wait.

Can bad news happen with such perfect timing?

"Bro, when did you get the call?"

"What, what?"

"When did you get the call about Kim Raebin's grandmother collapsing?"

"......"

The manager looked a bit solemn.

"…It came around the time you finished the rafting in the valley. Your phone was off, so I put it aside and only checked it after the filming ended."

"……!"

The atmosphere froze.

"Then… Raebin might have already gone."

"He, he might have been too late…"

"It won't be! We kept getting updates."

The manager hastily added an explanation.

"……Okay."

The atmosphere in the car eased a bit.

I observed the manager.

'Could he have known beforehand and not said anything?'

It was possible.

'With the filming about to end, he could have said he'd finish the last cut and send him off.'

After all, even if Kim Raebin went or didn't go, his grandmother wouldn't suddenly recover. If he rationalized it that way…

…No. I went too far. The manager or the company wouldn't be that ethically bankrupt.

Besides, if that were the case, he wouldn't have been so honest.

I sighed and leaned back.

"…What about the grandmother?"

A sniffle came from beside me.

Cha Yujin was huddled in a corner with a gloomy face.

'He must have met her before.'

Ryu Cheongwoo spoke with difficulty.

"She'll be fine. Let's… call Raebin later."

"Okay…"

The atmosphere in the car was heavy. Even Daesejin, who usually had a lot to say, met my eyes and shook his head.

"Hmm…"

Lee Sejin, feeling the tension, turned his head to look out the window.

The car drove in a gloomy atmosphere toward the accommodation.

The past two days of intense activity felt like a lie.

* * *

Kim Raebin returned to the accommodation past midnight.

"……!"

"You're back."

A few members were still awake and sitting in the living room.

Seon Ahhyun and Lee Sejin, who had a photoshoot schedule the next morning, were persuaded by the manager to go to bed.

'Given that we didn't know when Kim Raebin would return, it was wise.'

And it turned out to be the right decision. It was now 3:30 AM.

"Did you take a taxi?"

"……Yes."

Kim Raebin's face was swollen, as if he had been crying, but he didn't look particularly scolded.

'It must not have been a big deal.'

I opened my mouth.

"Is your grandmother okay?"

"Yes… She was taken to the hospital immediately, and they said she won't have any serious aftereffects."

It turned out that his grandmother had collapsed due to a brain hemorrhage. Fortunately, his sister found her quickly and she received treatment within the golden hour.

"That's a relief…"

"Really, it's a relief, Raebin."

"You must have been through a lot. It must have been tough. Good job."

"……Thank you."

Kim Raebin seemed to choke up again, rubbing his eyes as he entered the living room. A small welcome and comfort session followed.

"Did you eat dinner?"

"……No."

"Phew."

"Considering how much you've been through, it's better to eat something before going to bed."

That was true.

'…There's no choice.'

I sighed and volunteered. With this lineup, I would finish the fastest.

"…Sit down. I'll warm something up for you."

"No, it's fine!"

"It's the middle of the night. Lower your voice."

"Okay…"

The members, reassured that the situation was okay, stretched and got up with more relaxed faces.

"Then, Raebin, get some rest. Good job~"

"Okay…"

"Finish your meal and go to bed."

"Good job."

Finally, Cha Yujin patted Kim Raebin's shoulder and went in.

We had a group schedule starting in the afternoon the next day.

Since it wasn't a major issue, it would be more burdensome to sit together and watch him eat.

'I need to finish quickly and go to bed too.'

I warmed up some instant rice and stew. It was a wise decision to order an extra meal in the evening just in case.

"Here."

"Thank you…"

I confirmed that Kim Raebin was eating and turned to leave, but then realized something.

'…Would it look strange for him to eat alone in the middle of the night in this situation?'

It would be a perfect time for a sob story. So, a couple of us should stay.

And I ended up supporting that.

'…But this is right.'

I sat opposite him.

Kim Raebin was quietly eating.

Then, he put down his chopsticks before finishing half of his meal.

"…Is it not good?"

"No…"

Kim Raebin bowed his head and mumbled.

"I confirmed that my grandmother is okay, but… I still feel strange."

"…Why?"

"W, what if this situation happens again, and I see it too late, and… and it's really… really serious."

"…Hmm"

"Even if I didn't see it late, if I leave during a performance or filming… is it the right thing to do? But then… it seems like a lack of professional ethics."

"…"

"I keep having these thoughts."

…It was understandable to have such worries.

And it was a concern that anyone whose life revolves around their job might have.

What would you do if you received a very critical call while doing something important?

The problem was that Kim Raebin was not even an adult yet.

To make someone of an age where they can't legally drink have such worries… I'm not sure if that's normal, frankly.

'If you say it's a professional job because he earns money, there's no argument, but…'

Such a call is a situation that people who haven't experienced it wouldn't understand.

"…"

It's difficult. I didn't expect to have this conversation in the middle of the night.

After pondering, I spoke.

"When I received the call, I was at a cram school."

"…!"

"I had my phone on silent during class… so I saw it quite a while later. The exam was coming up soon."

"…"

There were 24 missed calls.

I still think about it sometimes. What if I hadn't gone to the cram school…?

What if I hadn't gone to that meaningless family event…? Pointless thoughts.

"At that time, I was less busy than you and just a student. So I think… the timing of such things is a matter of luck."

"…Oh."

"Besides, you won't be on this schedule for your whole life. Schedules can be adjusted as you gain more experience."

I continued, running my hand through the back of my neck.

"Still, if you're worried, tell your manager to check any family calls immediately. And it's fine to leave in the middle of work."

"…!"

"Everyone does it. If someone complains, they're a psychopath, so sue them."

"…"

After a long silence, Kim Raebin finally nodded.

"…Okay."

"Feeling better?"

"…Yes!"

Kim Raebin answered with a bit more strength and picked up his chopsticks again. …It was a relief to see him regain some energy.

'Judging by his speed, he should be done in 5 minutes.'

I checked the time, feeling a bit relieved. …Hmm, it will be morning when I get to bed.

'My circadian rhythm is going to be messed up again…'

I heard the sound of my biological clock breaking. When I take a break, I'll start by going to bed at 9 PM and waking up at 9 AM.

"Bro."

"What."

"Can I ask one more thing?"

"…Go ahead."

Kim Raebin, while clearing the table, spoke cautiously.

"You mentioned memory loss… I can't understand how you remember the events back then…"

"…I suddenly remembered it in my sleep."

"Ah, I see."

He was always consistent.

* * *

The news of Testa's reality travel episode immediately sparked cheers from the fans.

- Yay! Travel!

- Testa's reality show was so fun at the beginning, but it became boring lately. I only watched clips, but finally, the production team has come to their senses.

- There's a rumor about a valley. It seems like a healing content where they play in the countryside. I'm looking forward to it.

And when the trailer was released, the reactions doubled.

- Hahaha, insane extreme sports!

- Skydiving, haunted house, and water play? Wow, they've gathered all the best parts! Hahaha

- Moon Dae and the haunted house? This is a winning stock. Everyone, invest!

- Wow… They even made a fan song at that time. Even a short clip of the kids making it is so cute.

- As expected, Raebin led it. I'm glad they all participated. The ones who tried to sabotage Raebin are dead.

- It's reassuring to see they ate well.

└ Hahaha, this is exactly my reaction. Hahaha

└ Really, I was worried they might not have enough food, but I saw a whole pig. Hahaha

Fans eagerly counted down the days to the first episode of the reality travel show, which was only a few days away. At the same time, they searched for any other variety show teasers with a hint of disappointment.

They also saw an anonymous post without any verification.

=========================

: The next guest on 'Let's Get Acquainted' is BNT and TST. They were invited, and BNT directly nominated TST. Everyone is whispering that the ratings will be good.

=========================

It was a claim that VTIC's Cheongrye and Testa's Park Moondae were going to appear on a variety show.

Under this absurd claim, of course, there were many sarcastic comments.

-? What nonsense is this?

-Fan delusions are so entertaining.

-This kid must have seen Cheongrye and Park Moondae greet each other and made up a rumor about them being close.

-Oh, nowadays, even such low-level trolling gets a reaction. The world has improved.

Fans, of course, didn't believe it and moved on.

But a few days later.

An official article was released.

=========================

[‘Let’s Get Acquainted,’ Next Guests are VTIC and Testa? (Exclusive)]

: According to an MBS official on the 21st, ‘Let’s Get Acquainted’ recently announced that VTIC’s Cheongrye and Testa’s Park Moondae are scheduled to appear as guests…

=========================

-???

-What is this?

-Is it true?

It was true.

Soon after, a trailer produced by ‘Let’s Get Acquainted’ was released.