Chapter 26

26

"Today's number one is... Today! Congratulations!"

The audience clapped mechanically. MC Joo Sung smiled and handed over the trophy. Today's gaze swept past but pretended not to notice.

"Thank you!"

"I really didn't expect it."

Regardless of whether Today was number one or not, I was busy looking at the fans who were waving only at us, ignoring the others. They really reminded me of someone, truly embodying the phrase 'f*ck my way.'

I greeted everyone properly and was about to leave the stage when Today's Yoo Hyuk gave me a lingering look. His face was openly mocking.

A look that said, 'You can't handle this, can you?'

I was used to such contempt and was about to let it go, but unexpectedly, Kim Sung-hyun got riled up. Seo Ji-won quickly pulled him down.

"Sung-hyun."

"..."

"Let's hold it in."

Kim Sung-hyun sighed and turned his head away from Seo Ji-won.

Yeah, that's right.

No matter how despicable and dirty it is, as long as the cameras are rolling, we can't show it.

"Today, Today!"

As the cheers of Today's fans echoed, an idol passing by grumbled.

"Why do they like such guys? Their character is terrible..."

"When the cameras are on, they just pretend to be good, so no one knows."

"Their fans are really pitiful. Their reputation is really dirty..."

I suddenly looked up and met their eyes. The idols who were gossiping quickly shut their mouths and walked away.

What was that group's name again? I memorized the words I overheard. With a look that said I hadn't heard anything, I greeted the people around me and got into the cramped van.

"Good job, everyone. Let's head back to the dorm."

"Okay."

The atmosphere was strangely heavy.

I sent a text to the representative with a brief summary of what Joo Sung had said and put my phone away.

What should I do? I put in my earphones and listened to our song, sorting out my thoughts.

'Pre-determined... '

How should I play this game? I kept pondering even after we arrived at the dorm. The manager subtly observed me and then left. Only then did Kang Eun-chae call out to me.

"Hyung."

"..."

"Ho-yun Hyung!"

"Huh?"

I sat dazed at the dining table, tapping it with my index finger, and looked at Kang Eun-chae in confusion. Strangely, all the members' gazes were on me.

"What's up?"

"What?"

"Are you that disappointed about not getting first place? Or did someone pick a fight with you?"

"What are you talking about, all of a sudden?"

"Or why do you look so angry? It's like a cold wind is blowing from you. Are you from the North Pole?"

Did I look like that? No, I wasn't particularly angry...

I just couldn't pay attention to others when I was focused, which led to this.

"No, nothing like that. I was just thinking about something."

"Really?"

"What did Senior Joo Sung say?"

Why is he suddenly here?

When Kim Sung-hyun asked, I furrowed my brows, and everyone let out a sigh of relief.

"Seems not. That's a relief. We thought you were called by Senior Joo Sung and scolded."

"Why, if you were picked, you could have gone to scold them, right?"

"...I'm a bit scared, but I'll try?"

To my surprise, Seo Ji-won gave a sharp response. I dismissed it as a joke.

"Then why are you like this? The manager was also subtly observing you."

"The manager is just too weak."

"Have you ever thought that you're too strong?"

"Never...?"

I'm already a person with a weak mental state. Even if they can't see my expression, everyone shrank back in fear.

"Is he serious?"

"Even if it's an act, it's scary. If it's real, it's even scarier."

Kim Sung-hyun hit the back of Jeong Da-jun and Kang Eun-chae, who were whispering in front of me, and turned to me.

"Then what is it? Is there something going on?"

"Um, well..."

I had previously warned the members about three important matters.

The last one, 'Trust me,' I didn't expect to use so soon.

"We won't get first place in the competition."

"What? Who said that?"

"It's because the pre-determined winner is already decided."

"What?!"

Jeong Da-jun was shocked and kicked the table, standing up.

"Damn, they're so despicable!"

"Are we just a prop?"

"How did you find out? Who are you, anyway?"

"Yep."

I tapped the table again.

"Today."

A cold silence fell. All the members' faces hardened, and then they started cursing.

"Those guys must be so talentless to do anything."

Kang Eun-chae muttered coldly.

"I always thought they were too lucky for their talent. I thought they just pushed their way into variety shows to gain popularity..."

"I didn't expect them to be so blatant about it."

Kim Sung-hyun's face twisted. He seemed more irritated, probably because he was swayed by Yoo Hyuk earlier. While everyone was grumbling, Jeong Da-jun asked.

"Hyung, why are you so calm?! Aren't you angry?"

"Um, I'm not really angry."

"Are you a pushover?!"

"..."

Who is calling who a pushover?

I was taken aback, and Jeong Da-jun flinched.

Actually, there was one reason I wasn't particularly angry. Seo Ji-won seemed to have noticed and asked me.

"You have something, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do."

A brilliant scenario was forming amidst the members' chaos. Seo Ji-won laughed helplessly.

"What is it? You're not giving up, are you? Saying something like, 'It's fine not to be number one'?"

"Of course not."

"Then what's your plan?"

Hmm, I've finished thinking. I weighed a few factors and understood their value. I said with confidence.

"We have to be number one."

"..."

A heavier silence fell in the living room than when I mentioned Today as the pre-determined winner.

"Hyung, didn't you hear what was said just now? Or, you're the one who told us, so what are you saying now?"

"Ho-yun, this is a difficult situation involving the agency. We can't do anything about it with just our skills. Such things are common in the entertainment industry."

I know, I know. It's not the first time I've been pushed back because of this. I once had a year-long project snatched away by another PD. Back then, I drank at least five bottles of soju.

But maybe because I've been pushed back so many times...

"We can be number one."

I know this industry well.

My words made the members' faces turn pale. My image seems to be set here.

Crazy guy. That's not bad either.

"But there's a condition."

"What is it?"

"Do you remember what I said last time? The three things I warned you about."

Kang Eun-chae's eyes lit up. Everyone had a 'I hope not' look.

"You're not talking about love here, are you? Trust me?"

"Yep. No matter what happens, you must trust me. Even if I commit a crime, trust me. Even if I say the sun is the moon, believe it."

"Are you joking?"

"I'm not."

"..."

"Many things will happen. When they do, you must trust me, no matter what I do. Don't believe what others say."

It was a statement that could make people think, 'What nonsense is he talking?' or 'Did he eat something wrong?'

But they didn't say it easily because of my track record.

I'll take any risk to achieve my goal.

It might be scary for them, but still...

Kim Sung-hyun asked cautiously.

"Why are you saying this?"

"..."

"Is it because you have something in mind?"

His attitude was clearly different from when he told me to leave to avoid ruining the mood.

I slowly looked around at the members.

"I don't care about the means or methods."

They were once considered hopeless. But now, they're quite capable. Star quality can be created.

"I'll do whatever it takes to make us famous."

"..."

"Even if you lose respect for me... it's okay, but you must trust me."

I said honestly. If I don't gain their trust, all my plans will fall apart. I waited calmly for their response.

I expected them to dismiss it as a joke.

Suddenly, Jeong Da-jun jumped up and rummaged through Seo Ji-won's luggage, eating ginseng juice.

"..."

"I suddenly feel drained... It's hard to deal with Ho-yun Hyung, who always acts like a crazy person. I won't think about it."

"Me too. Me too."

Kang Eun-chae chuckled. Raising an eyebrow, Seo Ji-won spoke carefully.

"Ho-yun, I don't know about the others, but I've trusted you for a long time. I knew you had a bad personality early on..."

"Yeah, there have been many times I've lost respect for you, especially when you talked about our parents."

"To be honest... Seo Ho-yun's personality is really bad."

...These guys?

Kang Eun-chae added his thoughts.

"Let's see how it goes. Honestly, I find it fun to work with you. It goes in unexpected directions."

Kang Eun-chae didn't say he would trust me completely. But this was enough. The rest can be filled in over time. He smiled.

"Let's do it, all of us. Trust Ho-yun Hyung and push out the pre-determined winner to be number one."

The decision was made.

***

Time passed quickly, and it was already time for the planning meeting.

The representative laughed heartily and said, 'Be satisfied with second place,' even after hearing about the pre-determined winner. The manager, who was usually mild, gritted his teeth, but I remained calm.

Why?

"Hey! Your position is wrong!"

"Aah, Hyung, this is different by millimeters!"

"Fix it again!"

Because Seo Ji-won's switch was back on.

Following Seo Ji-won, I didn't even think about the representative or Yoo Hyuk's annoying words.

As I collapsed in a corner, Kang Eun-chae sat down.

"From what I see, Ji-won Hyung is crazy."

"Hey, he's really determined. I think a dead trainee possessed him in the practice room."

"He didn't act like this in the past year... It's true that he was famous for being a practice fiend."

While everyone was gossiping about Seo Ji-won, Kim Sung-hyun joined in.

"Was Seo Ji-won famous?"

"Really, you didn't know? Hyung was originally a big rookie and part of the debut group, so he had some recognition. Most of our few fans are because of Ji-won Hyung."

"Is that where Today is?"

"Yeah, D.go agency."

Kim Sung-hyun answered quietly.

"There was a lot of favoritism. He slipped from the debut group due to bad luck."

"Ah."

"His practice was half-hearted, but after you joined, he flipped. You were like fanning a burning house, no, pouring oil on it."

Kang Eun-chae said, finishing a bottle of water.

Why did Seo Ji-won dislike Today's Yoo Hyuk?

Or, why did he fall in the first place?

As I've said many times, Seo Ji-won was the best in terms of skill and balance in our group.

"Well, it's for the best."

Seo Ji-won's response surprised Kang Eun-chae. He probably heard our conversation. He walked over and fanned the flames.

"I didn't want to debut with Today's members."

"Even now that you're number one? Don't you feel bad?"

"Rather than suffocating to death there, it's better to feel bad here."

Seo Ji-won said bluntly, which was unusual for him. Something must have really happened. I'll have to gently prod him later.

"Ji-won Hyung!"

"Uh, uh?"

Jeong Da-jun, who I thought had fainted, jumped up and asked.

"Is it about loyalty over popularity?"

"Huh? Does it sound like that?"

"Please, put that in your autobiography later."

"Do idols usually write autobiographies?"

Seo Ji-won was flustered by Jeong Da-jun's nonsense.

In the middle of this, my phone rang. I checked it, and Kang Eun-chae's head snapped up.

"Hyung, is it the composer?"

"No."

"Damn, what a shame."

Kang Eun-chae smacked his lips. Lately, Kang Eun-chae has been acting strange. He seems detached from everything, but when Im Hyun-soo is mentioned, he flips.

"Are you...?"

"Uh?"

"Um, never mind."

Could it be... Could it be that he likes Im Hyun-soo?

I subtly glanced at him, and Kang Eun-chae laughed awkwardly.

"Hyung, what dirty thoughts are you having?"

"Ah, sorry."

"You never thought like that before, but your thoughts are really narrow..."

"I said I'm sorry."

Kang Eun-chae gave a long speech about how the composer is in a different realm and almost a deity. I half-covered my ears and checked the text.

[Joo Sung: Hey]

It was Joo Sung.

[Joo Sung: I checked what I mentioned last time. I also know what the first mission is, lol]

[Joo Sung: Curious? If you say 'Joo Sung is the best, I respect and thank him,' I'll tell you]

"Okay."

I carefully typed the text.

[Me: Best]

[Me: Respect]

[Me: Thank]

[Joo Sung: I'm really^^]

[Joo Sung: Sometimes I wonder if I'm a pushover for treating you well despite such treatment, lol]

I'm not a pushover, I am a pushover.

Joo Sung grumbled but told me. I slowly read the detailed mission.

I've been getting a lot of help from Joo Sung lately.

[Joo Sung: And I checked the PD.]

[Me: Who is it?]

[Joo Sung: It seems the PD has been replaced a lot since D.go started interfering... The final PD is this person.]

I knew most of the PDs at the broadcasting station. I imagined the names that came to mind. The person in charge of such a competition wouldn't be far off from my expectations.

But my heart sank as I read the text.

[Joo Sung: PD Kim Hee-young.]

"..."

"Hyung?"

I lost my words. Kang Eun-chae, who was still talking about Im Hyun-soo, tilted his head.

"Hyung, what's wrong?"

"Ah..."

I pressed my eyes and lay flat on the floor.

"Eun-chae."

"..."

"Life isn't easy."

Kim Hee-young, beautiful, smart, and famous as the 'crazy woman' of the cable channel.

"It's not easy..."

My ex-girlfriend.