Chapter 43

43

I'm sorry, but because I'm trash, the biggest compromise I can make is to say that I trust you.

I couldn't just unconditionally embrace Kim Sung-hyun and say everything was fine. That would only make things worse.

"Assuming everything you say is true."

"......"

Instead of nodding hesitantly, Kim Sung-hyun asked.

"What are you going to do?"

"Listen carefully."

I told him everything I was thinking about. It was something I would never have told him under normal circumstances.

The members sighed after hearing the story.

"That's unbelievable......"

"Bro, are you even human......?"

"I am human."

As they listened, they seemed to become more and more stunned, rubbing their heads. Seong Ji-won, with a pale face, said,

"The risk is too high."

"There's no choice."

"What about the stress Sung-hyun will have to endure during this time?"

"Turn off your phone. Don't go online. Just cut off all ties with the secular world."

"How can you do that, when you have to go on stage?"

Everyone tried to dissuade me, but I was serious. I grabbed Kim Sung-hyun and asked,

"Kim Sung-hyun, your decision is important. If you say not to do it, I won't."

"......"

"But if you say it's okay, I'll go all the way."

Kim Sung-hyun looked down for a moment, then laughed bitterly.

"If it goes well, it will be good for the team and for me."

"What if it fails?"

"If it fails... we'll fall to the bottom."

Of course. Kim Sung-hyun was cautious because it was his own matter. He bowed his head and rubbed the back of his neck.

"The fact that you're telling me this much means you've made a big decision. Normally, you would have just proceeded without saying anything."

That's the crux of it.

I thought I had packaged it well, but Kim Sung-hyun seemed to understand me better than I expected.

I don't know what kind of face I made, but Kim Sung-hyun smiled at me.

"Then I'll make a decision too."

He nodded. The decision was made.

At that moment, the manager burst into the practice room.

"Guys! Did you see what's happening right now?! Huh, Seo, Sung-hyun."

"......"

"Let's send the kids out and talk alone, just the two of us. It might be an uncomfortable conversation......"

"No, it's fine."

Kim Sung-hyun answered firmly and took a rice roll from the bag the manager was holding, then peeled it and put it in his mouth.

"We've already talked about it among ourselves."

"Huh! Oh, you did. Well, um, can you explain it to me a bit......"

"Really, I'm not going to explain right away."

"Eh?"

"We're just going to practice for now."

"Eeeh?"

Kim Sung-hyun took another rice roll and threw it to Seong Ji-won. Seong Ji-won caught it and peeled it with a face full of venom. Kang Yi-jae gently pushed the manager out of the room.

"Alright, since that's the case, Manager. Can you please talk to the CEO?"

"Guys!"

"Manager, if the company plans to make an announcement first, please let me know. I'll talk to the CEO."

While eating Seong Ji-won's rice roll, I said to the manager. The manager's face turned pale, probably remembering the last incident with the CEO. He clearly didn't want to get involved between the CEO and me, so he hurriedly headed for the door.

"I'll try my best to stop it."

"Yes, thank you."

"Sung-hyun! Fighting! I believe in you!"

"That's a given!"

The manager left noisily.

I noticed Kim Sung-hyun sniffle slightly while eating the rice roll. I pretended not to see it.

*** [Well, what's this? Why is this troublemaker calling me?]

"Mr. Kim Jae-yeon."

I called Kim Jae-yeon while heading to tvK. On the other end of the line, I could hear Kim Jae-yeon's smirking voice.

[Wow, you really hit the jackpot. If this breaks today, you're done for. Isn't it too early to break it now? If you're worried about that, don't be.]

"Mr. Kim Jae-yeon, you didn't listen to me."

[...What?]

"Who told you to contact Joo Sung?"

[...Eh? What are you talking about?]

Kim Jae-yeon put on a facade. I unconsciously scanned the smoking room to see if Kim Hee-young was there.

"You thought I was joking, didn't you? I was serious."

[Ha ha, I don't understand what you're saying. I'm starting to get annoyed.]

"Remember the time you pulled out of the XX Construction third-generation case?"

[...]

"They're still grinding their teeth over that. They might not know it's you."

[...Wow, ha.]

The other end was silent, as if stunned. Then Kim Jae-yeon groaned.

"How did you...?"

"Are you going to question me? Do you know who should be bowing right now?"

I deliberately spoke loudly. Kim Jae-yeon seemed scared, as he didn't answer for a long time before finally apologizing.

[...It seems I really messed up. I won't bother you anymore. I'm sorry.]

"Thank you. I accept your apology. But I need you to do something for me."

[I've never seen an idol like you before...]

I rubbed my ear. The apology was one thing, but I still needed to get what I wanted.

This time, it wasn't a deal. It was a threat.

"Find the whereabouts of Kim Sung-hyun's classmate, Hwang Jung-gyu, who graduated from XX High School. As soon as possible."

I could hear Kim Jae-yeon muttering something on the other end, but I ignored it. I thanked him and hung up, then walked into tvK. In the lobby, a huge poster of Shining Star was displayed.

"Isn't that Seo Ho-yun?"

"Yeah, that's him."

The whispers were unusually loud. I guess I had somewhat escaped the gossip circuit.

Ding!

[Not just gossip, now you're a rebel idol!]

Yeah, thanks a lot.

I took the elevator and walked to where PD Kim Hee-young of Shining Star was. When I asked a staff member, PD Kim Hee-young quickly came over. Seeing the dark circles under her eyes and her tired gaze, she must have been up all night editing.

She quietly closed the meeting room door and came in.

"Hello."

"Yes, Mr. Ho-yun."

PD Kim Hee-young sighed. It seems just seeing my face makes her sigh. I chuckled at the thought.

It seems nothing has changed from before.

"Are you here because you regret it?"

"Excuse me?"

"Did you find it thrilling to mess with Today once, but then got scared after a while? You don't seem like that type."

I just laughed without saying anything. Both PD Kim Hee-young and I knew it was a pointless joke.

PD Kim Hee-young shook her head and rubbed her face.

"Then what about Mr. Kim Sung-hyun?"

"You got it."

"Is the discussion about him leaving Shining Star still under internal review? I'd like to get it done as soon as possible."

"Are you not checking if it's true or not?"

"What difference would it make if I did? People will believe what they want to believe."

She was right. In this aspect, PD Kim Hee-young and I think exactly the same way.

"He's not leaving. I didn't come here to talk about that. You told me to ask for a favor, right?"

"Right."

I tapped the table.

I calculated the actual broadcast time and the stage.

"Episodes 1 and 2 have already aired. Starting from Episode 3, the Today stage and our first competition will be shown. That's when my pick for Today will also be revealed."

"Right."

"I came here to ask for an edit."

"An edit?"

PD Kim Hee-young laughed. Then, looking troubled, she ran her fingers through her hair.

"Mr. Ho-yun, I do owe you, but I can't do anything about this. If I edit that scene, the higher-ups will go crazy, and the viewer complaint board will be flooded."

"I'm not asking you to edit that part."

"Then what? Do you want me to edit it even better? Add support and narrative?"

"No."

That's not what I meant.

"Make it a bad edit."

"......A bad edit?"

"Yes, a devil's edit."

PD Kim Hee-young's eyes widened. Then she quickly composed herself.

"I didn't understand what you meant. You want a bad edit for Today? No, I can't do that. The agency's reaction will be severe. I said I would repay the debt within my limits."

"No, PD."

When did I say Today?

I spoke calmly.

"Sung-hyun."

"......"

"Kim Sung-hyun, can you make a bad edit for him?"

PD Kim Hee-young's face was worth seeing.