Chapter 38

38

"Ah!"

"Seo Ho-yun, you piece of trash!"

"What? What did you just say?"

Just before the fan fight escalated into a physical altercation, security guards intervened.

An outcome that no one had anticipated, or at least thought was unlikely, erupted. The security guards who barely managed to stop the fight escorted some fans out, and a cold silence fell over the venue.

"…Sh…"

Today couldn't maintain his composure and blurted out a word, quickly covering his mouth.

"Today will receive negative points for the outburst! The total score will be immediately reduced…."

"Cancel the program! Get rid of it!"

As for me? I didn't bother to manage my expression. I felt incredibly relieved and satisfied; why would I need to manage my expression?

Looking around at the members, they all froze like meerkats, clearly not expecting me to call out Today.

"Hyung."

I quickly handed the microphone to the staff member who approached me. Then, I greeted some fans who looked incredibly relieved and retreated to where the other groups were.

The situation had escalated more than expected, and the staff were signaling us to wrap things up quickly.

Yoo Ji-a, holding the microphone, drove the point home.

"Today's score of 4,200 points will be deducted. Please show the current total."

Not only Today but everyone else was speechless. After being the least recognized, Today had dropped to fifth place, a sight worth seeing.

"I really look forward to seeing if Today can turn this around. Please stay tuned until the next competition."

After the final on-air greeting, Yoo Ji-a glanced at the idol groups on stage. The red light of the camera finally turned off, and everyone, without properly saying goodbye, quickly left the stage with their heads bowed.

"Get down, get down."

"Hurry up!"

No one dared to look at the audience.

Of course, I was the only one who approached the fans with a leisurely pace, greeted them, and observed the situation. The atmosphere was so tense that a real fistfight could break out at any moment.

As soon as we arrived at the waiting room backstage, Yoo Hyuk grabbed me by the collar.

"You little bastard!"

Even the VJ who had followed us was startled and was debating whether to turn off the camera.

"What are you doing?"

"Ugh."

"You really got what you deserved. I didn't know you were such an idiot."

The other members of Today also rushed over.

Surely, he wasn't planning to start a fight here.

At that moment, Kim Sung-hyun suddenly stepped in between us.

"Hey, let go."

"Hey? Did you just call me 'hey'?"

"Why not? You said it was fine last time."

When I mocked him with the same playful tone I used during the talent show, Yoo Hyuk's eyes widened in anger.

"You little bastard is really asking for it…!"

"Can't you see the situation? Don't you see the camera is still on?"

Kim Sung-hyun said coldly. I was relieved that his anger was directed at Yoo Hyuk.

Yoo Hyuk sneered, lifting one corner of his mouth.

"Anyway, they'll edit it all out, damn it. Do you think I care about that?"

"Is that so? Then, can I throw a carton of eggs at you right now?"

Kang Eui-chae mocked him with the same sneer, making Yoo Hyuk's face turn red and blue. As the stage cleanup was completed, staff members, Yoo Ji-a, and the PD started to gather, forcing Yoo Hyuk to suppress his anger.

"Seo Ho-yun, do you realize you dug your own grave?"

"..."

"If you had just kept quiet, you might have gotten a pass. Now, you're finished. You'll be torn to shreds and fail. You should have at least pretended to be pitiful."

That's true.

Most people wouldn't have chosen Today in that situation.

"You brought this upon yourself. You don't have anyone to cover for you. We just need to do well in the next competition. But what about you? What can you do?"

"Senior."

I straightened my wrinkled collar.

"You're unusually talkative today. Looks like you really got a taste of it."

"You little bastard…!"

Just as he was about to lunge at me again, Seong Ji-won stepped in.

"Stop it!"

"Seong Ji-won, shut up and get lost."

"You should be careful. You might end up in a worse situation if you keep this up."

"What…?"

"Do you think I know nothing?"

Seong Ji-won's words made Yoo Hyuk visibly flinch and fall silent.

I was surprised. The usually mild-mannered Seong Ji-won was threatening someone.

'It must be about the sponsorship…'

However, mentioning the sponsorship could ruin Seong Ji-won as well. It was a risky move to bring up.

"Stupid bastards…"

"..."

"Enjoy yourselves, you fools."

Yoo Hyuk gritted his teeth and walked away.

I met PD Kim Hee-young's eyes but passed by him without a word. When I returned to the waiting room to gather my things, Kim Sung-hyun turned me around.

"Seo Ho-yun."

"Yeah."

"Why did you do that? You didn't really get angry and just lash out, did you?"

"Kim Sung-hyun."

"I need to know. I stood up for you in front of everyone, but this isn't something that can be easily overlooked."

I can understand their frustration. It's a reasonable reaction.

Kim Sung-hyun looked at me with a troubled expression.

"Already, people are calling it a fixed show. After the guerrilla concert, public opinion turned against Today. If you choose Today here, it's the same as asking for more hate."

"Hyung, you're the biggest victim here."

"I know, that's why I'm even more frustrated. Why do you keep doing this on your own?"

Kim Sung-hyun is considerate. He looks after each member and tries his best as a leader and senior.

But I'm not that type.

"I told you to trust me."

"Hey, Seo Ho-yun!"

"What if you start wavering now? Even if I do something really annoying, you said you'd trust me."

"Why are you like this?"

No matter how I explain myself, you won't understand.

"I do feel sorry for you guys. I know it affects the team. So, act like victims, guys. Say that Seo Ho-yun did something crazy and you suffered. I'll take full responsibility."

"Hey!"

"Hyung, Hyung."

Kim Sung-hyun clenched his teeth, and Kang Eui-chae held him back.

"Hyung, Seo Ho-yun must have his reasons."

"..."

"Thought it would be fun, but I didn't expect this much."

Kang Eui-chae let out a sigh and laughed, sounding a bit disappointed. He looked at me.

"Seo Ho-yun, I won't tell you to take responsibility. That would be selfish. But think about what Kim Sung-hyun said."

He raised an eyebrow, and Kang Eui-chae shrugged.

"You're smart, you'll figure it out."

***

"Hey, guys. Want to grab some tteokbokki?"

"..."

"You guys liked that tteokbokki place last time. I'll buy it, how about it?"

"It's okay, Manager… I'm not hungry."

Jeong Da-jun hesitantly replied.

The car ride back to the dorm was so quiet that you could hear an ant walking. It was as cold as the Arctic.

Despite the manager's efforts, the atmosphere didn't change until we returned to the dorm, and he finally let us off with a worried face.

Kim Sung-hyun didn't say a word even after we arrived at the dorm. I took out my phone in the room but felt it might be uncomfortable for Kang Eui-chae, so I went outside.

"It's cold."

The weather was getting colder. I squatted on the steps in front of the alley and checked my phone.

This time, it was a firestorm. I read the messages from Im Hyun-su.

[Im Hyun-su: Hey]

[Im Hyun-su: Heard the news. You want to retire?]

[Im Hyun-su: No place to go? Want to work at our studio? But you have to be my slave]

[Me: Sure]

I sent a casual reply. Next was Seo Ho-jin.

[Seo Ho-jin: Hyung, anything wrong today?]

[Seo Ho-jin: Hyung]

[Seo Ho-jin: Never mind]

[Seo Ho-jin: Just turn off your phone]

"Damn."

[Me: Seo Ho-jin]

[Seo Ho-jin: What?]

[Me: Did you eat?]

[Seo Ho-jin: Not yet]

[Seo Ho-jin: What about you?]

[Me: Internet addict, go eat]

[Seo Ho-jin: -_-]

I ended the chat there.

Seo Ho-jin was clearly trying to show concern.

Thinking of it, I checked the internet reactions. People were furious and talking a lot.

[Title: I'm tired of defending you. All the time I spent defending you was wasted - Damn, I only defended you for a day?

└What? Is this about that incident?

└└Yeah, that one

└└What happened?

└└Check the popular post, but it might blow up soon]

[Title: The group Nightmare is benefiting from this. They looked almost desperate, but Seo Ho-yun is a real idiot, so he saved them lol - Did you see Today's faces? They were cursing under their breath

└I would too lol. PD picked on them, and they got eggs thrown at them. The fanbase was really toxic

└Only Today is pitiful 22

└└They got cursed at]

[Title: Am I the only one who likes Seo Ho-yun? Honestly, Today's members were laughing and mocking him, and Seo Ho-yun chose Today instead of Nightmare lol - Really satisfying

└Lol, it's like a lower-rank beating up a higher-rank. Really funny

└It's a character we've never seen before lol]

[Title: But the members of The Den didn't seem to expect this. Was this Seo Ho-yun's solo act?

The members of The Den are really pitiful, but Seo Ho-yun isn't. He's crazy

└Yeah, they're probably rigged

└Lol, but it seems true. Everyone looked shocked except Seo Ho-yun. He's a sociopath

└└Yeah, if they knew, they wouldn't have been so surprised

└No, Seo Ho-yun is pitiful. The producers made him do it

└└If you saw his face, you wouldn't think he's pitiful. He's just crazy]

Well, okay. I'm getting all the hate.

The members of The Den weren't getting as much hate as I thought. That's a relief.

'Episode 1 is already aired, and Episode 2 is in a week. The next competition is in ten days.'

Not much time left. The heat of the reaction should last that long.

Just as I was about to put my phone away, a message came in from the top.

It was from Kim Hee-young.

[Kim Hee-young PD: I'm sorry]

No need to apologize.

I was debating whether to reply when I heard a voice.

"What are you doing here?"

It was Seong Ji-won.

"Aren't you cold?"

"Ah, I'm fine."

"Wait a moment."

Seong Ji-won pulled out a can of yuja tea from his pocket. It was warm. I wondered when he bought it.

Seong Ji-won scratched his cheek awkwardly.

"Actually, I saw you here. So, I bought two."

"Thanks."

Seong Ji-won sat down next to me on the steps. I wiped my hands on the can and took a sip. It was subtly sweet.

After a few more sips, I asked casually.

"…What about Kim Sung-hyun?"

"Haha, he's sulking. He has a certain look when he's upset."

Seong Ji-won imitated Kim Sung-hyun. Narrowing his eyebrows and raising his eyes, he looked similar to Kim Sung-hyun. I couldn't help but laugh.

"I don't know how you'll take it, but… understand why Kim Sung-hyun is angry. He's very responsible."

"He has a right to be angry. It's bad for the team."

"No, it's not that."

Seong Ji-won said firmly.

"He's angry because you're trying to shoulder everything alone, Kim Sung-hyun is."

"..."

"Since the guerrilla concert, you've been doing everything on your own. Actually, from the beginning, you've been trying to do everything alone."

Seong Ji-won played with his can of yuja tea.

"You told us to trust you, but you don't trust us. That's why he's disappointed."

"..."

I was caught off guard. I couldn't say anything, so Seong Ji-won chuckled softly.

"I'm not doing anything, but I have something to say."

"Seong Ji-won."

"Yup?"

"Did you really try to take the microphone back then?"

Seong Ji-won nodded without hesitation.

It wasn't an easy thing to do.

"Who were you going to call out?"

"Who else? Obviously, Today."

Seong Ji-won chuckled.

"Anyway, the result would have been the same. I just feel bad that you're getting more hate."

Seong Ji-won's mental state had improved to the point of being too solid. I rested my chin and thought quietly.

To be disappointed in me, it's been a long time since I heard that. Everyone usually just says they hate me or dislike me.

Are the kids being naive and forgiving me, or am I just worn out?

I spoke impulsively.

"Were you Today's center?"