Chapter 99

Let's go on a trip (1)

Seohoon's family home is in Yeosu. What was initially meant to be a short trip to enjoy the sea breeze turned into a 2-night, 3-day journey thanks to Cheoluk's suggestion. Although Yeosu is quite far from Seoul, a 4-hour trip didn't seem like much when you think of it as a vacation. Even though it was a short break, the idea of traveling to Yeosu with the members by KTX seemed like it would definitely give us the feeling of a trip.

“Can we go?”

“My house isn’t very big, so we’ll need to find a separate place to stay, but I can show you around.”

“Wow! Free guide! Local food recommendations!”

“That sounds appealing.”

Cheoluk was easily swayed by the word ‘local food’ and agreed right away. With everyone on board, the Yeosu trip plan was set.

Seohoon, who was on summer break, planned to go down to the family home in advance when his vacation started and meet us in Yeosu four days later. It was a perfect time since it fell on the weekend, and it felt like I was being pushed to go on a trip with the members.

It was a bit awkward to miss school since the final exams were just around the corner, but it was just right.

“Then, let’s all have a healthy and enjoyable vacation. If anything happens, contact each other immediately. Got it?”

With the leader’s final words, we officially entered our vacation.

* * *

During the vacation, I went to school every day. Even though my idol activities are recognized as attendance, I often went to school whenever my schedule allowed, so the students' gazes, which had changed since my debut, didn’t feel strange.

I remembered the first day I returned to school after debuting as an idol. It was really awkward back then….

Our school focuses on classical music, so it was rare to see current actors or singers on TV, and being an idol was even more unusual.

After Cheoluk graduated, all the attention turned to me.

I had always been the center of attention, so I thought our school students were just very curious about others.

But the attention I received was much more intense and obvious.

“…Lee Won. Could you sign this for me?”

One of my classmates hesitated for a while before asking for a signature, which I gladly accepted.

From that day on, Theora albums started piling up next to my desk, forming a tower as tall as me.

Even though it was my schoolmate, there was no need to buy albums, but I had to sign them all out of courtesy.

There were also requests for photos, but I couldn’t take many due to the lack of break time.

In the end, I had to pretend to be busy by plugging in my earphones during breaks.

I wish I could fulfill all the requests for signatures and photos, but I needed to catch up on the studies I had missed.

Not only for graduation, but I also decided to take the college entrance exam.

Although my studies had been neglected due to my idol activities, I wanted to show my fans that I was giving my best.

I also hoped to support my fellow members who were taking the exam.

“Teacher, I would like to have a career consultation.”

My homeroom teacher for the third year was coincidentally the same as my second year.

When I asked for a career consultation, the teacher was quite surprised.

It was ironic to want a career consultation after deciding to become an idol, so the teacher’s reaction was understandable.

“Career consultation…? Lee Won, shall we go to the counseling room and talk?”

We moved to the counseling room and had a detailed conversation.

“You’re not planning to quit being an idol, right…? I didn’t think you needed a career consultation since you had already decided on your career as an idol.”

“I haven’t decided on a university yet, but I plan to take the college entrance exam first.”

“Well, your grades are a bit disappointing, but you can still get into any university. Do you have a specific university in mind?”

The teacher seemed to be referring to music universities, but I had no intention of going to one.

What I needed as an idol was not performance skills or musical knowledge, but experience in popular music.

Learning through real-world experiences was more efficient.

“What about law school?”

“…Law school? Really? You, Lee Won?”

“Yes.”

“With your mock exam scores, you could get into any law school, but why law school all of a sudden?”

“I don’t necessarily need to go to university, but I thought I could provide legal help to aspiring idols, current idols, and former idols.”

“Lee Won, is there any legal issue you’re facing…?”

“No.”

Did the teacher imagine something harsh, like being a victim of the agency’s unfair actions or getting involved in a lawsuit?

From the teacher’s relieved expression, it seemed so.

This idea came from my meeting with Hyun, a former idol.

If Hyun had a colleague who could give legal advice, things might have been a bit better.

“It’s not grand. I just thought that having legal knowledge could help people who have had unpleasant experiences.”

It would be difficult to provide professional help as a law student, but at least I could offer advice to those who once dreamed of being idols.

“Our Lee Won is deep-thinking. If that’s your intention, I fully support it. Let’s start with the university brochures….”

“Thank you.”

“As a teacher, I should help you since you’re determined to study despite your busy idol activities.”

It was just a photo, but the teacher’s smile was ear-to-ear. The teacher had always been supportive, and now it seemed like everything I did was seen in a positive light.

The teacher promised to provide a summary of the university entrance requirements and related materials.

The teacher also mentioned that this was the first time handling a student who aspired to study law in the humanities.

It seems I often surprise the teacher, both when I announced my intention to become an idol and now.

Am I seen as a strange student? I’m just very ordinary….

* * *

When I got home, no one was there. A note on the front door said that Ji-on and my dad had gone shopping while I was at school.

Shopping with my dad…? I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion.

When I entered the empty house, two cats greeted me.

One was obviously Hamhyun, and the other was Cheesetabby, a female cat that my parents had temporarily fostered from an animal shelter.

Unlike Hyun, Cheesetabby, a female cat, was still in the foster period but had already been adopted.

Dad had even given her the name ‘Yeonjuhwang’ with my mom’s surname.

Tap tap?

I sat on the sofa and tapped my opposite shoulder twice, and Hyun flew over and perched on my shoulder.

“Juhwang, do you want to come over too?”

Since it was too early for her to climb up to my thigh, I tapped the seat next to me, and Juhwang hesitantly approached. I waited patiently without moving.

Juhwang curled up at my feet. She didn’t seem to want to climb onto the sofa yet.

This time, I learned a new fact about myself: I’m popular with cats.

Even excluding the unique case of Hyun, Juhwang also seemed to like me a lot. This made my dad feel left out, and my mom found it amusing.

Do I have a scent that cats like?

After a brief nap on the sofa with the two cats, I woke up to find Ji-on and my dad had returned.

The living room was filled with shopping bags.

“Did you have a good time, Ji-on? Dad, did you have fun together?”

“You said you were going on a trip, so I bought clothes, rash guards, and other things.”

Why did they buy more things when we already have them at home?

Ji-on’s skin looked even smoother after the shopping trip.

Was it that enjoyable? I thought Ji-on would hate shopping, but this was a surprise.

“Shopping with Dad was fun. He’s very open-minded.”

They seemed to get along very well, which made me feel a bit envious.

It seems the members are better at being sons than I am. The smile on Dad’s face never faded.

“Hyun and Juhwang both like our son so much… Dad also likes you. I need to get closer to Won while he’s away on the trip.”

While I was napping, the two cats stuck close to me.

Juhwang, who seemed to understand Dad’s sincerity, allowed me to pet her, but she didn’t approach me first.

We decided to leave Hyun at home during the trip, and Dad seemed to be taking advantage of this opportunity.

I was grateful to the cats for showing me such one-sided affection despite my lack of contribution.

I decided to show them more affection in return.

“Maybe they recognize their own kind.”

Dad laughed, gasping for breath, after hearing Ji-on’s interpretation.

‘Recognize their own kind’…? It seems Ji-on is still not fluent in Korean.

But why did Dad laugh so hard? It was a mystery.

We had dinner and a casual conversation with Mom, who had just come home from work.

As the conversation wound down, Mom looked at Ji-on with a honey-dripping gaze.

“Let’s make Ji-on an honorary Ham. Hamji-on, doesn’t it sound good?”

“An honorary Yeon would be better. Yeonji-on.”

Dad joined in. I knew Ji-on could unintentionally make people swoon, but I didn’t expect him to do it so quickly.

When talking about the daily life with Theora members, his expressions were factual yet witty, making the conversation engaging.

Each word he said to our parents was like a famous quote, as if he was trying to charm them.

This is what it takes to be a rapper, I thought. He seemed to have a natural talent.

His style was the opposite of Seohoon, who packed deep meanings into each word.

Ji-on should use his abilities for rapping and fans… Otherwise, I have a bad feeling that chaos might ensue.

“Dad will go to the garage to get the car. Come out slowly, our superstars.”

Since I was often the topic of conversation, I suggested going for a drive first. Of course, they could still talk about me in the car.

But at least we wouldn’t have to watch the repeated recordings or look at the scrapbook Dad made!

“Can’t be helped. Dad is so versatile, it’s embarrassing.”

“Is there any reason to be embarrassed about deep love? It’s cool.”

“Oh.”

Before leaving, I petted both cats with both hands and listened to their conversation.

To say such things unconsciously… It was scary.

“Both of you are my role models.”

“Oh, role models. Even if it’s a compliment, I appreciate it, Ji-on.”

“It’s not a compliment. I want a family like yours. My parents are very busy.”

“Ji-on, you must have felt lonely.”

Mom patted Ji-on’s back as they walked out together.

When Ji-on’s head tilted towards Mom, she raised her arm and gently stroked his head.

Ji-on feeling lonely? That’s strange. Where did the person who said loneliness was good go?

Is it really Ji-on…?