Chapter 25

25

"Wow, Seo Ji-won, you really made it, didn’t you?"

Who… who was that?

Kim Sung-hyun also seemed to know something, frowning. Seo Ji-won soon calmly greeted him.

"Hello, Yu Hyuk hyung."

"Hahaha, just kidding, kid! What’s with that creepy look?"

The man called Yu Hyuk put his arm around Seo Ji-won’s shoulder.

But now, I think I remember. Today, the boy group that debuted three years ago. They were quite well-known, being from a major agency, and I remember they even topped the charts a few times.

Come to think of it, didn’t Today belong to D.go? The large agency Seo Ji-won used to be affiliated with.

"I may have debuted earlier, but we’ve been eating from the same pot for years. I just felt like saying hello after a long time. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about you lately?"

"…Yeah, thanks."

It seemed they had practiced together before.

"Really, I’m glad for you. I was really heartbroken when your debut fell through. I thought maybe I was the reason, pushing you back. I felt like I was taking your place and it troubled me a lot."

"…Me?"

"Seeing you succeed even this late makes me feel good."

But this guy, he’s subtly putting Seo Ji-won down?

"I hope you keep doing well. Well… it’s a game with a predetermined ending, after all."

'Predetermined ending?'

Before I could deduce the meaning, Yu Hyuk glanced at Kim Sung-hyun. Seeing him glare, I remembered where I had seen him before. He was the one who stared at Kim Sung-hyun for too long when the girl group member passed him a note earlier.

"If your junior works hard, and if you start spreading rumors before even getting to know each other, it won’t look good."

'Ah.'

Now the situation was clear.

This Yu Hyuk guy had a crush on the girl group member, and he was getting angry because she showed interest in Kim Sung-hyun.

Kim Sung-hyun, who had never acted inappropriately, raised his eyebrows in confusion. At that moment, I deliberately dropped a piece of paper, making it flutter to the ground.

"Oh!"

Everyone’s attention turned to me. I quickly picked up the note and carefully placed it in Kim Sung-hyun’s pocket.

"Sung-hyun, take good care of it."

"…Sung-hyun?"

"What’s this, huh?"

Kim Sung-hyun looked at me with confusion, not understanding what I was up to. Yu Hyuk’s gaze shifted to Kim Sung-hyun’s pocket.

"Even if you received a lot, you shouldn’t be dropping them everywhere."

"What…"

"Ah, right, you said you weren’t interested?"

I pulled the paper out of Kim Sung-hyun’s pocket.

"I’ll pass this to the manager."

"Hey, what’s that?"

"Ah, sorry for interrupting. Kim Sung-hyun is just a bit clumsy…."

Yu Hyuk’s eyes couldn’t leave the note. I smiled and bowed.

"Hyung, thank you for your advice. We’ll work hard and not be swayed by such things."

I chuckled and waved the paper.

I was openly provoking him. Yu Hyuk’s expression turned nasty as he realized it.

Seo Ji-won let out a hollow laugh, and Kang Eun-jae, standing next to him, was trying hard not to laugh, his face turning red.

"Your… name is?"

"Seo Ho-yun, hyung."

Smiling, I answered, and Yu Hyuk moved from Seo Ji-won to me, snatching the paper.

"You little brat, you’re already losing it, aren’t you? Just because you got a note, you think you’re someone now?"

I handed it over without resistance. A look of shock came from the side.

'Hey, be careful with what you say in the broadcasting station.'

'Are you crazy? Even if it’s a note with a senior’s phone number?'

'It’s personal information.'

That was the look they were giving me.

They were probably worried that the note would be passed to the senior and we would get in trouble. But I was confident.

Yu Hyuk grumbled and unfolded the paper.

"I’ll tell this senior that you’re already acting so arrogantly and disrespectfully…."

"…."

Yu Hyuk checked the folded paper and closed his mouth.

"Huh?"

"…."

"What did you say?"

Because it was a receipt.

The receipt for the salad we had for breakfast.

I’m not crazy enough to leak personal information.

"Receipt?"

I tilted my head. Kang Eun-jae was almost crying from laughter.

"What is this?"

"Ah, it’s the receipt for the salad we had for breakfast. Our manager always tells us to get a receipt when we buy something."

"…."

"But Kim Sung-hyun doesn’t know about such things. He only practices."

"So when you said you wouldn’t be swayed…."

"Ah, I thought you were talking about dieting…."

I answered calmly, and even Seo Ji-won was trying hard not to laugh, his face turning red.

I sighed.

Idols are so childish, and this kid… is jealous of his junior for wanting to date….

"Hyung. I don’t know why you’re coveting our receipt, but if you want it, take it."

"Maybe you collect receipts… That’s unique."

"The smell of the salad on the receipt might be good. …Wait, does salad have a smell?"

"Hey, hey. You should keep that to yourself."

Jung Da-jun, who was standing next to me, said it with a serious face. I chuckled and pretended to stop him.

Jung Da-jun, this guy is really funny. He’s a great character for variety shows. Especially when there’s a chance to mess with people, I should definitely bring him along.

"These kids…."

Yu Hyuk’s face turned red and then pale. He lunged at me as if to grab my collar, but I dodged.

If Yu Hyuk threw a punch here, it could be used to our advantage. I was secretly looking forward to it.

It would be great if someone was recording it. Just as Yu Hyuk was about to grab me,

"Hey, Seo Ho-yun!"

A familiar voice called out. I turned to see Joo Woo-sung waving and approaching.

I remember he was supposed to be a special MC.

Joo Woo-sung, despite being a top idol, was so well-known that everyone bowed 90 degrees as he walked down the hallway. It was a bizarre sight.

Are you the new king of the entertainment industry?

"You should have greeted me when you came."

'Hmm…'

It sounded similar to what Yu Hyuk said to Seo Ji-won, but it didn’t sound bad coming from Joo Woo-sung.

'He’s trying to help.'

Despite the overly friendly tone, which gave me goosebumps, I smiled widely.

"Hyung, I came earlier but you weren’t here."

"Hyung? That sounds awkward… Just call me oppa. Even the younger ones say hello."

"Hello!"

"Have you been practicing? The things I saw before have improved."

Joo Woo-sung chuckled and patted me. I thought he had lost his sense of judgment….

'He’s actually helping.'

Compared to Joo Woo-sung in terms of seniority and recognition, Yu Hyuk was just a speck of dirt.

Yu Hyuk, who seemed to have a sudden change of heart, bowed 90 degrees to Joo Woo-sung.

"Hello, Joo Woo-sung hyung!"

"Ah… yeah."

Joo Woo-sung glanced at him. Yu Hyuk’s face changed completely, and he clung to him, showing off their friendship.

"Hyung, I really enjoyed the album you gave me. I was so excited to hear you’re the special MC."

Shouldn’t this guy have been an actor instead of an idol?

"Um… yeah, thanks. Yu…."

"Hyung, hyung!"

"Yu… Yu-hyung? Math Yu-hyung?"

"…."

"Study book?"

Joo Woo-sung burst into laughter at his own joke. It was a manager’s joke.

"Sorry, I don’t remember the faces of those who aren’t distinct."

He was really putting him down.

Yu Hyuk’s expression twisted and then quickly relaxed.

"…Yu Hyuk."

"Ah."

Then Joo Woo-sung turned his gaze to me. As a top idol, he wouldn’t forget the name of a well-known junior, so he was deliberately ignoring him.

"Seo Ho-yun, you have some time before the recording, right? Come to my waiting room later."

"Why?"

"Why? I just want to catch up for a bit. I haven’t been able to contact you because you’ve been busy, jerk."

It seemed Joo Woo-sung’s acting skills had improved since the last time I saw him. I pretended to be awkward.

"Ah, I forgot. Sorry."

"It’s fine. See you later."

I gave him an okay sign and watched Joo Woo-sung walk away. Then I smiled and greeted Yu Hyuk, who was standing there with a dazed look.

Ignoring the guy who was just dismissed, his senior was treating him well?

A guy like that would definitely be furious.

"Hyung, you look really hungry. Take good care of yourself~."

Go practice, kid.

Everyone moved away from Yu Hyuk at that moment, trying hard not to laugh. After a while, Kim Sung-hyun quietly added,

"You’re really annoying, but when you’re on our side, you’re really reliable."

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

***

"Hey, you’re here."

"There’s a new king of the entertainment industry right here…."

"Come in, come in."

I walked into the waiting room Joo Woo-sung was using alone and asked,

"Was I okay?"

Joo Woo-sung looked up from his phone and smirked. I chuckled and plopped down on the sofa next to him.

"Why is the MC’s waiting room so big? Ours is like a chicken coop."

"I’m Joo Woo-sung."

True. He’s one of the top idols in Korea. At this level, can he complete the main scenario and escape this game?

I stared at him and checked his stats.

[Viewing Joo Woo-sung’s stats.]

[Song: A+ Dance: S+ Variety: A0 ???: ???

???: ???

Charisma: S-]

I was speechless for a moment.

"Wow…."

"What?"

"Not that, I just thought I still have a long way to go…."

"Huh? Why?"

To become like Joo Woo-sung, I need to build up my stats to his level? When will I leave this game? Can I leave before I’m eighty?

Seeing my dejected attitude, Joo Woo-sung narrowed his eyes.

"Are you mocking me?"

"No, I’m not."

"It seems like it…."

I was admiring your stats, jerk.

He wouldn’t believe me if I said it, so I ignored it.

"What’s up? Why did you call me?"

"It’s a bit awkward to talk about it outside, and I don’t want to run into the White Cherry members."

"White Cherry?"

I raised an eyebrow. Joo Woo-sung laughed awkwardly.

"I’m a notorious bastard in White Cherry."

Ah, right. They were dating.

"Did you break up?"

"I got dumped?"

One person finally escaped.

Of course, he’s talking about the White Cherry side.

"Kids these days are really scary? Just spraying water doesn’t work. They filled a bucket in the bathroom and threw it at me. I was drenched."

Well, that’s understandable.

I crossed my arms and looked at the notorious jerk.

"…I am a bastard."

What’s going on?

Is he finally being nice to his fans? Or is he being cautious after being threatened?

"Anyway, I called you for a different reason, not to talk about that."

"What’s up?"

"You guys are participating in a competition, right?"

I was about to dismiss it as nothing and let it slide, but my ears perked up.

"How did you know?"

"I heard from someone I know. It seems the variety department is pushing this program. The lineup isn’t bad."

Joo Woo-sung tapped on his phone.

Shining Star seemed to be a program for idols with moderate recognition. I didn’t know the lineup was good.

"Did you hear who’s participating?"

"The ones I know are Today, Re:Fine, and Mars."

"Hmm…."

Today, Re:Fine, Mars. They all debuted between 1-4 years ago. The competition is more intense than I thought. Among them, Today has the highest recognition. It might be tough to stand out.

"But don’t expect to win first place."

I looked up suddenly.

I thought he was saying that because of the recognition difference, but Joo Woo-sung calmly added,

"There’s already a predetermined winner."

"Really?"

"Shining Star and Today’s agency have a close relationship. They’ve already decided everything and are running the program."

"…."

A program with a predetermined winner. That’s a tough one. So that’s why Yu Hyuk said what he did.

'He said it was a predetermined ending.'

It seems Today’s side already knows.

I considered whether Kang Eun-jae had recorded it but decided against it. Yu Hyuk’s words weren’t strong enough to turn the tables. They were too vague, and he could easily deny any intention.

As I pondered what to do, Joo Woo-sung said casually,

"This kind of thing happens often. I’m just telling you not to get too disappointed if you work hard."

"…."

"Still, as far as I know, second and third places aren’t decided yet. Even if you don’t win first place and can’t participate in the competition with other groups, it could still be useful for raising recognition."

I must have looked disappointed, so Joo Woo-sung continued.

"Thanks."

"Huh?"

"Thanks for letting me know. Can I tell the members and the company?"

"…Yeah, everyone already knows. Just don’t say I’m the source."

"Got it."

Seeing that I wasn’t discouraged, Joo Woo-sung raised an eyebrow. 'What’s this?'

But there was something more important.

"Who’s the PD?"

"Suddenly?"

"Yes. Do you know who the PD for Shining Star is?"

The representative said they were still looking for one. Joo Woo-sung frowned, surprised by the question.

"I don’t remember. Why?"

"It’s important. Can you find out for me?"

"Sure, I can find out… Hey."

Joo Woo-sung suddenly warned me.

"Seo Ho-yun, you’re not planning to go and threaten the PD, are you?"

"No way."

"I can’t trust you because of your history."

If PDs were as easy to criticize as entertainers, I wouldn’t have to look for other ways.

'Something more tempting than threats…'

As I thought, Joo Woo-sung shrugged.

"Anyway, I’ll find out and let you know. If I get more information about the program, I’ll tell you."

"Why… are you being so nice?"

Joo Woo-sung was being so nice to a nobody that he could be called a pushover. Not understanding, I asked him directly, and he just grumbled.

"Even if I’m nice, you still suspect me, this jerk…."

"I’m just joking. I’m grateful, so I owe you one."

"What can I do with a debt from a nobody like you?"

"Well, who knows how things will turn out."

I’m happy to have someone like Joo Woo-sung or Im Hyun-soo on my side.

My focus was already on Shining Star. After all, a new quest window had appeared.

[Quest arrived!

Win first place in 'Shining Star'.

Success: Gain hidden trait, all abilities +50

Failure: No album release for 3 years]

A new game needed to be played.