Chapter 57

57

After wrapping up the variety show, I spent my days preparing for the comeback activities.

"Bro, let's have a general knowledge quiz showdown!"

"Go pack your stuff."

"Lee Chae? What are you taking?"

"I have to leave the game console... Yeah!"

"Hey! We need to go quickly! The manager is waiting."

...I was completely frazzled from morning.

Ding!

[Just like always!]

That's true.

After I finished all the preparations on my own, I sprawled on the sofa and checked the reaction to the YouTube video, yawning. As expected.

[Unexpected quest completed!

Appearing solo on a variety show and receiving good feedback.

Succeeded and earned 3,000 points.]

"Seo Hoon, let's go!"

"Ah, are you done?"

Kim Sung-hyun patted me. I took the pre-packed suitcase and went outside.

The spring breeze began to carry a hint of early summer. After leaving the dorm and putting the suitcase in the van, I sat down and heaved a sigh.

"Guys, are you ready? Where are your passports?"

"Huh?! I don't have a passport!"

"Ah, I forgot!"

Kang Eun-chae looked at the fussing member and the manager alternately.

"Why do we need a passport for Jeju Island?"

"Ah."

"Uh."

'Oh dear...'

Amidst the chaos, Kim Sung-hyun looked out the window with an excited face.

Well, he must be excited. It's his first location shoot.

To film the music video for the new song.

"I've never been to Jeju Island before!"

"Is that so?"

"Bro, have you been there before?"

"Um..."

I seemed to have gone a few times to help with some filming in the past. I said indifferently, and Seung Ji-won, who was beside me, spoke excitedly.

"Don't worry, Hoon!!"

Suddenly, Seung Ji-won leaned into the gap between the seats with a serious face and pulled out a tattered Jeju Island guidebook.

"Jeju Island is famous for black pork. Ah! And we should definitely try the Bokmal kalguksu. I want to go to Hallasan, but I don't know if it will fit into the music video shooting schedule..."

"Black pork... I wonder if it's delicious."

'...I'm excited.'

Kang Eun-chae, who seemed to be teasing Seung Ji-won, showed a completely opposite attitude and giggled. I'll leave this to him. Jung Da-jun whispered to the manager.

"Manager, is senior Min Ji-hun also shooting in Jeju Island?!"

"Ah, how did you know? It just happened to overlap with the same period."

"I heard it from the company. Ah, I really want to meet him! I haven't seen him because he's been shooting overseas."

"Senior Min Ji-hun? Why?"

Everyone's attention turned to Jung Da-jun. When Kim Sung-hyun asked, Jung Da-jun excitedly patted his knees.

"He's shooting 'Please Give Me a Soda' in Jeju Island! Ah, I've been a fan since forever~. I really, really enjoyed watching it this time."

"Ah, you mean the weekend show? He really acts well."

"Yeah. I heard he's very popular in Asia these days. It seems they're shooting in Jeju Island for promotional purposes."

Lately, I've been hearing a lot about Min Ji-hun.

And that also means the CEO is pushing him. I need to take action when the time is right, but this guy is really unresponsive.

I'll have to try to persuade him soon.

"Alright! Guys, we've arrived."

We had already reached the airport entrance. The manager, who had been worried about us, didn't let go of his concern.

"Absolutely, absolutely don't panic! Smile well, but don't get too caught up in the fans' energy! Follow the security guards!"

"Hey, manager. We're not that unpopular."

Jung Da-jun answered cheerfully. As the manager looked at each member worriedly through the rearview mirror and opened the door,

"Ah, there they are!"

A reporter at the entrance pointed at the van with a camera. As Jung Da-jun panicked, the reporters swarmed over.

"Jung Da-jun! Look this way once!"

"Smile once!"

I quickly grabbed the flustered Jung Da-jun and pulled him close to the other members.

"Surprised...! I thought it was a drama! But bro, you shouldn't grab like that. These days, even in dramas, grabbing wrists is a bit..."

"Shut up and smile."

I had a rough idea, but I didn't expect so many people to gather. The other members were similarly dazed, waving and bowing awkwardly.

"Ah, hello."

"Hello!"

"Sung-hyun! Eun-chae!"

A loud voice echoed as we entered the airport. Reporters, security guards, and fans crowded around, and the fans, who were experienced, took photos skillfully.

"Ji-won! Have a good trip!"

"Hoon—be careful on the plane!"

Not only the reporters but also the security guards and fans were there, and the fans, who were experienced, took photos skillfully.

It was really touching and grateful. I had been showing a mechanical smile to the reporters, but seeing the fans, I genuinely smiled.

"Hoon! Have a good trip!"

They must have come a long way, so I wanted to make sure the photos turned out well. I walked confidently to the camera and waved.

"I'll be back."

The fans screamed but didn't miss the moment, pressing the shutter.

With a strange feeling, I finally entered the gate, yawning. Everyone held their tickets tightly and didn't speak until they were inside the gate. When the fans were out of sight, they finally started talking in low voices.

"Wow, I was really surprised."

"Yeah... I thought this kind of thing only happened to other people."

Seung Ji-won scratched his cheek, embarrassed. Kang Eun-chae, walking beside him, giggled and whispered.

"Bro, did you know?"

"What?"

"Senior Joo Sung came to the airport, and it was completely packed. From here to there, it was full of people."

"Wow. But that's Senior Joo Sung... He's one of the leading K-pop idols both domestically and internationally."

So, it's even more surprising to see the fans I saw earlier.

'With guys like that...'

Why did they come to take photos of me?

"Hoon, what are you thinking?"

"...You'll be fine."

"Huh?"

Seung Ji-won tilted his head and smiled. Since he's been almost a cheat from the beginning...

We entered the gate.

It was a one-hour flight, but we were well prepared. I left the members, who were still excited about the fans, alone.

***

"Wow! Black pork! Black pork~!"

After a brief one-hour nap, we arrived just in time for dinner. We were told to rest at the accommodation and start shooting in the morning, so we had free time tonight. They said we would play at the beach later, which felt like a school trip.

'I don't want to go.'

'Ah!'

'Ah, bro.'

'Are you serious?'

'...Alright, I'll go.'

I said just one word, but it felt like I was about to be killed... I couldn't not go.

'I wanted to sleep more.'

I sighed deeply and put the well-cooked black pork belly in my mouth.

"Was I born to eat this?"

"Yeah..."

Since I'm going to eat, might as well have a drink...

Ding!

[Special trait: Doesn't take care of himself]

"Why are you saying that?"

"What?"

"Never mind."

I was about to ask the manager if I could drink, but the system window disappeared more urgently, perhaps out of fear of consequences. Then the restaurant door opened.

"Huh?"

A group of people in black padded jackets entered the restaurant.

They were clearly dressed for filming. The manager, who seemed to have noticed something, stood up, and one of the people in the padded jackets looked noticeably surprised.

"Huh, why is Kim Mae here?"

"We came to shoot the music video."

"Ah! Oh, my mind. Hello."

The man smiled brightly and bowed.

We also stood up and bowed deeply. Jung Da-jun's eyes sparkled with excitement.

'...Who is he?'

"I'm Min Ji-hun's road manager, Kim Sung-cheol."

"Ah, hello."

Kim Sung-cheol, a manager from the same agency, extended his hand warmly. He shook hands with each member of Deden and then turned to our manager.

"Wow! There are many black pork restaurants in Jeju Island, but we meet here."

"Right. What are you doing here?"

"We finished shooting and came for a quick after-party."

The managers seemed to know each other and were chatting. Then a man who looked like an actor, yawning widely, entered.

'Min Ji-hun.'

The guy the CEO adores so much.

"Bro... where is our table..."

"Ah!"

Jung Da-jun screamed, and Min Ji-hun's gaze turned to us. Our youngest member, who is a celebrity, was making a huge fuss as he approached Min Ji-hun. My eyebrows raised involuntarily.

"Senior Min Ji-hun!"

How annoying.

"Senior Min Ji-hun! I'm a real, real, real fan!!!"

"Um... Ah."

Min Ji-hun bowed slightly.

He's a famous actor who keeps a low profile, so it's rare to see him in person, but I'm already annoyed because the CEO adores him so much. Min Ji-hun looked at Jung Da-jun thoughtfully and then clapped his hands.

"Jung Da-jun, hello."

"Ah, you even know my name...!!"

"......Ha ha."

But Min Ji-hun wasn't the cool and intelligent image I saw on TV. He seemed a bit slow and a half-beat late.

Jung Da-jun, looking touched, covered his mouth with both hands and then, with a red face, stammered excitedly.

"I've been following 'Please Give Me a Soda' really well! I, I want a signature, but I don't have any paper... Can I get it on the back of my T-shirt?"

"Um. Sure?"

"Then, can I get it on my forehead?"

"Um...?"

"Hey, what do you mean by 'um'!"

Min Ji-hun nodded obediently, and Manager Kim Sung-cheol put Min Ji-hun in a headlock and ruffled his hair, saying, "You, you." It seemed the manager cared for him a lot.

However, Min Ji-hun's face slowly turned into a frown.

"...It hurts."

"Hey, give Jung Da-jun a proper signature on paper later."

What's wrong with this guy?

'Hey, when are we sitting?'

'Let's wait a bit.'

While Jung Da-jun was going crazy, the other members couldn't sit or join the conversation, just watching the scene.

Of course, I was calculating.

If we get closer, maybe there's something I can use, or maybe not.

'...There isn't.'

I received the trait, but I don't need to act.

Just as I was about to turn my attention to the newly cooked pork belly, my eyes met Min Ji-hun's.

"......?"

The slow Min Ji-hun suddenly frowned and looked me up and down.

"......This is a first."

"......Huh?"

Is he picking a fight? I revved up my thug self, ready to counter if he said anything more, but Min Ji-hun's manager pulled his arm.

"Hey, Ji-hun. Don't bother us while we're eating."

"Okay... Brother Sung-cheol, I'm hungry."

"Sure, kid. I know you're a big eater, so let's go eat."

"Can I eat about ten servings?"

"Ah, do as you please."

"Yay."

Min Ji-hun grinned and left without any hesitation.

"Then I'll be going... Senior!"

"Sure... Senior!"

He mingled with the staff and soon the sound of laughter came from the other room.

"Hoon, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

After that, while eating, I wondered if it was my overactive self-awareness or the accumulated coolness data from over thirty years. My neck felt strangely tense.

I stuffed the pork belly into my mouth, and the dejected Jung Da-jun returned to his seat and chewed on lettuce.

"I wanted a signature on my forehead..."

"Da-jun... please pull yourself together."

"Ji-won, if you're saying this, you really need to reflect. This is serious."

Following Seung Ji-won, Kim Sung-hyun similarly calmed (or rather, criticized) Jung Da-jun.

Kang Eun-chae, who seemed to be enjoying the role of a PD, held a camera and conducted a heart-to-heart interview with Jung Da-jun, who didn't get the signature on his forehead.

"'Please Give Me a Soda' is my life drama, and Senior Min Ji-hun is just a shining star..."

"Who is your favorite, Da-jun?"

"Of course, it's our Deden!"

"Yay~!!"

'No one seems to have noticed.'

Except for Jung Da-jun, the others are incredibly perceptive. These guys can immediately sense and exchange glances with anyone cool just by looking at their face.

But no one, not even Kang Eun-chae, said anything...

'Maybe it was just my imagination?'

And that assumption was shattered exactly one hour later when we stepped out of the restaurant.

"Ah."

Min Ji-hun was there.