Chapter 47

47

Billboard?

"Wow, you really don't know? Look it up on the internet while we go."

"......Okay."

"I'm going!"

Kim Hee-young said this, waved her hand lightly, and left the room. I stood there dazed for a moment, then grabbed Seong Ji-won, who was staring blankly from a distance.

"Seong Ji-won."

"Uh-huh?"

"Did we get a billboard or something?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Seong Ji-won, who seemed to be hearing this for the first time, tilted his head. I immediately took out my phone and searched. As soon as I entered SNS, the information appeared. While searching, a good idea came to mind.

I turned to the members with a smile.

"Guys."

"Yes."

"Do you want to do something fun?"

Everyone frowned, not understanding.

I shook my phone and hummed a tune. Everyone's eyes widened at this unfamiliar sight.

***

"Don't go out alone for a while."

The car, which had been noisy, instantly fell silent at the manager's words.

"Absolutely! Go in pairs and always stay close to me. Got it? Hey, got it?"

The manager, who confirmed the members nodding their heads in the rearview mirror, I leaned in slightly.

"Manager."

"Uh-huh?"

"There's a high-speed terminal station, right?"

"Whoa!"

At that, the manager jumped and fidgeted. Then he cleared his throat.

"Whoa. Ha. Ha. Guys, aren't you hungry?"

'The manager knows.'

He's intentionally keeping it quiet from the company.

The Kim Sung-hyun controversy had grown too big, and the public's view of Deden wasn't very favorable, so they were trying to let it pass quietly.

They seemed to want to gather the billboard news and show it all at once later.

It was certainly not a bad decision...

I slowly started the engine.

"I'm hungry, Manager."

"Oh, really? Should I buy some kimbap?"

"Can I ask you to?"

I smiled more softly than usual. I could feel the guys around me stiffen.

Our manager, who is good but a bit slow, didn't seem to notice and laughed heartily, stopping the car.

"Alright, guys! Wait a moment!"

"Yes."

I nodded quietly.

As soon as the manager got out of the car and entered the kimbap shop, I got out of the passenger seat and immediately moved to the driver's seat.

Escape.

A full-scale escape.

I hummed a tune as I gripped the steering wheel.

"Really going?"

"Of course."

"Really taking the van?"

"There's a perfectly good car here, why bother with a taxi?"

Everyone's eyes widened. I gave Seong Ji-won a subtle hint.

"Ji-won, send a gift card to the manager. A fancy one. Call him and tell him to take a good hour-long break at a café."

"Sure! We can pick him up later, right?"

Seong Ji-won seemed unexpectedly excited.

I thought he would try to stop us, but he was the most excited and was already calling the manager. The manager's flustered voice came through the phone.

"Manager, take a good break! I'll be back in an hour!"

He looked like a child who had just done something naughty. Jung Da-jun glanced at me.

"Hyun, do you have a driver's license...?"

"Class 1, full marks in theory, full marks in practice."

"Good."

"Let's go."

And so we escaped.

A grand escape of rookie idols.

With the van in tow.

By the time the manager, who had received the call, hurriedly bought kimbap and came out of the shop, the van was already gone.

'Is this real...?'

***

I led the members to the high-speed terminal. Even the members who were initially anxious seemed to suddenly gain momentum.

Seong Ji-won kept checking his phone and looking for the way.

"This way? Oh, not this way?"

"Hey, that seems right."

Everyone had their hoods and caps pulled down, but they still looked like 'I'm a celebrity.'

Despite only appearing on TV for a short time, they were already so recognizable...

I looked at them fondly for a moment, then pulled Seong Ji-won back when he tried to go the wrong way.

"This way!"

"Hey, isn't it over there?"

"Right, that way."

Everyone seemed excited, chatting and whistling. I slowly followed behind, looking around the chaotic subway station.

'I used to come to work like this all the time.'

Now I can hardly take the subway. The company is always whispering to be careful.

After only riding in vans for so long, it felt like returning to a normal life. I paused to look at the familiar scenery, then turned to the members.

"......"

"Hyun! Hyun!"

Jung Da-jun excitedly pulled me. I faced the advertisement on the subway wall.

A large advertisement with a group photo of the members and smaller individual photos scattered in front of it.

[Cheering for your shining days]

"Wow......"

I thought I would first think, 'Wow, that must have cost a lot.'

"It's here too!"

No, it wasn't.

[More Deden, please vote for the precious one.]

It was just... overwhelming.

Seong Ji-won, with an excited face, poked me. The members, with bright smiles, were waving at something.

I stared at the photos blankly for a moment, then moved on.

"Guys, there are post-it notes here?"

"Where?"

"Personal billboards."

"Oh, really."

"Did the fans put them up?"

The members murmured, still not believing that fans had put up advertisements and notes for them.

Kim Sung-hyun looked at the billboard, his face filled with emotion.

A billboard covered in post-it notes.

[Seung-hyun, we support you]

[Always believing in you, I fell in love with your kindness]

[Seung-hyun, you're my source of energy. Stay strong today!]

"......"

The notes considered the recent controversy.

Kim Sung-hyun lowered his head and stood still for a long time. His hands trembled.

"Must be nice, Kim Sung-hyun."

I patted Kim Sung-hyun's shoulder and moved away, thinking he might want to be alone.

Not far from there, a billboard with my face was displayed.

It was also covered in post-it notes. I approached it as if in a trance.

"......"

A calm smile. It seemed to be from a guerrilla event. My hair was neat, so it must have been before the egg incident.

'Did I smile like this?'

I slowly touched the photo with my hand. A phrase was written under my face.

[Hyun, you're my light]

"......Wow."

I was never that kind of person.

'Sorry.'

My heart felt a little heavy. I read the post-it notes next to it.

[Hyun, I was about to quit K-pop, but I couldn't. I fell in love with you. Take responsibility.]

[Let's go to the registry office]

A smile involuntarily spread across my face.

I read the next note, which was a bit more serious.

[Always calm Hyun, I like that, but I wish you didn't carry everything alone]

[I hope you have only happy and joyful things!!]

[Bro, if you have any troubles, please tell me anytime 😢]

It seemed to have been a tumultuous time. Seeing the fans' concerns made me feel that way.

The more I read, the stranger I felt.

It was strange to receive only kind words from so many people, not criticism.

I had always faced criticism and responsibility in my main job, but here, the more I worked, the more unconditional love I received, which was quite amazing.

I caressed the post-it notes as if in a trance. The content, authors, and handwriting were diverse, but they all shared the same heart.

Wishing for my happiness.

'Ah, this...'

It... felt like my heart was being squeezed.

I slowly read through all the post-it notes, from top to bottom.

[Hyun, I love you so much.]

"......"

I quietly pondered the words and slowly peeled off the post-it notes, one by one, neatly stacking them.

It was the first time I did something without any plan.

*** [Guys???