Chapter 70

70

[Oh! Jung Dajun has fallen!]

Although Jung Dajun was far away, all the members were in a panic and started running towards him. I made eye contact with Jung Dajun, who slowly lifted his head.

"Jung Dajun, stay still!"

"……."

It would be a big problem if he got hurt.

There are other things to consider, like future activities, but if he ends up with any aftereffects, who will be responsible for Jung Dajun?

"……!"

But, as expected, it was Jung Dajun.

Even though he clearly heard me, his eyes wavered, alternating between the finish line and us, before he abruptly stood up. He only answered when he felt like it, and he never listens when it matters.

[Player Jung Dajun! The player has stood up!]

He picked up the baton that had fallen to the ground and started running.

[Oh! Player Jung Dajun isn't stopping! He's immediately getting up and running!]

[Is this the spirit of a professional?]

'What spirit of a professional!'

Although he was temporarily overtaken due to the fall, he stubbornly secured first place. Crossing the finish line, Jung Dajun smiled brightly.

"Senpais!"

[The Deden 1st place! Despite Deden falling, he didn't give up and secured first place!]

"Jung Dajun!!!"

But I was angry.

In the noisy venue, I shouted loudly. Almost everyone there would have heard me, but it didn't matter.

I walked over to the finish line and grabbed Jung Dajun, who was still catching his breath.

"Senpai! We're in first place…!"

"I told you to stay still!"

For some reason, I felt uneasy. I turned my gaze from Jung Dajun, who was wide-eyed with surprise, and took off his sneaker from the injured leg.

"Ouch…."

Sure enough, it was swollen and red. It was already turning blue, confirming the injury.

'Shit…!'

I had a feeling something was off. He must have ignored the pain and just kept running. Another member who had run over also looked at Jung Dajun and pressed his forehead.

"Where's the medical team?"

"I called them. They're on their way."

"But why aren't they here yet?"

I couldn't hide my frustration with the broadcasting station. Jung Dajun urgently grabbed my arm.

"Hyun! What medical team? I'm fine."

"……."

"I'm really fine, Hyun. I said I wanted to be in first place, didn't I?"

As I listened to him, a surge of anger rose in my chest.

There were many things I wanted to say. I wanted to tell him to run slowly if it was slippery, that it was okay not to be in first place, and to take it easy.

"Um, that…."

I suppressed the words that were about to spill out. Jung Dajun, despite being in pain, smiled nervously.

"Hehe, really, I'm really fine."

"……."

"It's not that serious…."

Jung Dajun slumped his shoulders dejectedly. The medical team was still hesitating, and when they finally came over and gave him a cursory check, they just threw a spray at him.

"It just seems to be a bit swollen. Just spray this and go."

'…Huh.'

"What do you mean?"

It wasn't just me who was speechless; Seo Jiwon and Kim Sung-hyun's faces hardened. Kang I-jae spoke firmly.

"You're saying just spray it? The kid can't even walk properly?"

"He's fine. It's just his muscles reacting."

"Huh."

Kim Sung-hyun sighed, clearly exasperated.

"If someone is hurt, they should come immediately. Just staring and saying it's fine doesn't mean the treatment is over. If that's the case, why are you even here?"

"Ugh, Sung-hyun Hyun."

Jung Dajun quickly tried to stop Kim Sung-hyun. He pulled him back and said,

"I'm fine, really. Just stop…."

"……."

Kim Sung-hyun's neck veins were bulging, but he turned his head and closed his mouth when he saw Jung Dajun.

Is he really fine? Really?

I bent my knees and met Jung Dajun's eyes.

"Jung Dajun."

"…Yes."

"Let's go to the hospital."

"Hyun, then we won't be able to film the ending of our competition…."

He meant to stop me from saying anything more. If even the clueless Jung Dajun could say such a thing, it meant we were indeed agitated. We were.

"If we leave without filming the ending, we'll get criticized… for not finishing."

"……."

Every year, injuries occur and news articles are published, yet the floor remains slippery.

People roll and fall, and getting up is praised as the 'spirit of a professional.'

The emergency medical team just stares and dismisses it, telling them to go.

Jung Dajun, who has to endure all this, made my anger rise to the top of my head.

"You…."

"……."

"You don't have to worry about that."

I bent over to Jung Dajun.

"Get on my back quickly."

"Hyun, really, I'm fine…!"

"Enough."

"……."

"I'll take responsibility, so just come."

I nodded to Seo Jiwon, who helped Jung Dajun onto my back without touching his ankle. I stood up with Jung Dajun on my back.

"Tell the manager to prepare the car."

"It's already done, Hyun."

"Good. Where's the nearest hospital?"

"I'm looking it up now, just a moment."

The venue became noisy as the situation became more serious. Someone had to carry him and shout before they realized it wasn't a normal situation. Jung Dajun, a bit scared, whispered to me.

"Hyun, if it's nothing, what will we do?"

"Then it's a relief."

"……."

With that, Jung Dajun fell silent. At least he wasn't making more noise, which was a relief.

"Seo Jiwon, I'll go talk to the fans for a moment."

"Sure, I'll handle it."

Everyone knew their roles, which was fortunate. I lifted Jung Dajun and was about to leave when Kim Hee-young came over.

"Seo Ho-yun!"

"…Ah, PD."

"Not that way, the nearest exit is over there. Follow me."

"……Yes."

"Go quickly. I'll take care of the aftermath."

PD Kim Hee-young, who had been urgently brought in, looked apologetic as if it was her fault. I bowed slightly and thanked her.

As we left the venue and headed to where the van was parked, the system automatically displayed a quest completion message.

['Victory is Mine' quest completed.

You have secured first place in 'Victory is Mine' three times.

(First place by a group member is also recognized.)

Success, 3,000 points awarded.]

Usually, the system window would have a celebratory effect, but now it was quiet except for the notification.

"……."

It started with a light heart, but ended with a proper… frustrating conclusion.

***

"Conclusion!"

Jung Dajun was smiling too brightly.

"I'm absolutely fine."

I instinctively wanted to hit his forehead for showing off but held back.

Hold back. He's a patient.

"It's not a bone issue, but a ligament injury."

"Pfft, it's just a little stretched."

Seo Jiwon quietly stuffed an apple into Jung Dajun's mouth.

"Jung Dajun, just be quiet."

"……Yes."

The doctor said there was no bone issue, but he needed a cast for about two weeks. Jung Dajun complained about the cast, but it was better than having aftereffects later.

"Hyun, I'm getting a lot of calls."

"I'll take them later."

Calls were coming in from all directions. The representative, manager, Joo Sung, and others… Jung Dajun, who had been nervous since getting hurt, asked,

"What did the representative say?"

"He said to rest."

Actually, it was a lie. Seo Jiwon signaled to me.

"Hyun. I'll take the calls."

"Sure, Hyun. The phone is ringing non-stop, it's distracting."

"…Got it."

With Seo Jiwon and Kang I-jae nearby, it seemed okay to step out for a moment, knowing he wasn't seriously hurt.

I sighed and stood up, heading to the hallway to make calls. Not to the representative, but to PD Kim Hee-young, who was on site.

[Hello?]

"PD, it's me."

[Oh, Seo Ho-yun. Wait a moment, I'm still cleaning up.]

"…I'll call back later, sorry."

[I'm more sorry. I always have to apologize. I'll call you back.]

It wasn't PD Kim Hee-young's fault, but her voice was filled with genuine regret. I hung up, feeling helpless, and checked a message from Joo Sung.

[Joo Sung: Is Dajun okay?]

[Joo Sung: Everything went well here, the atmosphere is great~]

Joo Sung was probably trying to reassure me, but the follow-up was inevitable.

'If we leave without filming the ending, we'll get criticized… for not finishing.'

I knew this would happen, and maybe it was the right thing to do, but seeing Jung Dajun's swollen ankle and his nervous demeanor made me irrationally angry.

'Enough, it's water under the bridge.'

Thinking about it more won't change the outcome.

I ran my hand through my hair and was about to go back into the room when I heard murmurs inside.

"Hyun, you've changed, haven't you?"

"……?"

What's this? Why are they suddenly talking about me?

I leaned against the wall next to the door and raised my eyebrows. Kang I-jae's comment was echoed by Seo Jiwon and Jung Dajun.

"…Yeah, that's true. It's a bit strange."

"Yeah, I think so too."

I didn't need to hear more and walked in, crossing my arms.

"What about me?"

"Ah?"

"Ah!"

The three in the room visibly tensed. Seo Jiwon and Kang I-jae turned to look at me and laughed awkwardly.

"I'll go get more vitamin drinks!"

"Hyun! Hyun! What's going on, are you leaving me behind?"

"Be right back~!"

Seo Jiwon and Kang I-jae quickly left without looking back, clearly trying to escape from being caught gossiping. Jung Dajun, unable to run due to the cast, looked miserable.

"Hyun…."

I sighed and pulled a chair over to sit down.

"Are you gossiping about me now?"

"Hyun, we've always been gossiping!"

Jung Dajun shouted cheerfully. When I raised my hand, he quickly waved his hands in defense.

"Just kidding, just kidding!"

What can I expect from these guys? Seo Jiwon, holding a knife he had thrown aside, started peeling an apple. I decided to let it slide this time, but Jung Dajun's satisfied gaze made me uncomfortable.

"What's with that look?"

"Uhaha. I wasn't gossiping, really. …We were just saying you've changed."

"What have I changed?"

"Just… you seem to prioritize the members over work, that's the feeling I get."

He scratched his red cheeks, looking embarrassed.

"So I was a bit happy. You're thinking about us."

"……."

How badly did I act like a jerk?

Honestly, if Jung Dajun was just another person, I might have let it go.

But he's a member who has worked and struggled with us over the past few months.

'No, that's not it.'

More than anything, Jung Dajun is too young and reminds me of someone.

"……."

Without anything to say, I closed my mouth. Suddenly, Jung Dajun cleared his throat and mimicked my earlier words.

"Don't worry, just get on my back. No matter what people say, I'll take responsibility. Kyaa~, I was really moved at that moment."

"When did I say that?"

No matter how much I tried to remember, I never acted that cool. Besides, it was a bit exaggerated.

When did Jung Dajun ever worry me? But Jung Dajun never leaves things at just one line.

"Isn't that a drama line? 'I'm worried, Jung Dajun.'"

"Jung Dajun, you're making up a script…."

"Hehehe!"

"Eat the apple. Hey, eat the apple."

"Wow, it's a rabbit apple??"

Seo Jiwon, as he did, stuffed an apple into his chattering mouth. When will the food arrive? The kid must be hungry.

Despite his silly jokes, Jung Dajun seemed a bit anxious.

Sure enough, his light comment was this.

"We'll get a lot of criticism."

"……."

He must be prepared for the criticism.

I took a deep breath and stroked Jung Dajun's head. He can't just take the blame.

"The food will come later. Eat it well."

"Instead of the criticism?"

Jung Dajun grinned and asked.

'Idiot.'

Jung Dajun will indeed get criticized… a lot.

I can't stop all the criticism that will come from this mess.

But the one who's wrong is someone else, and we can't just take all the blame and get criticized.

I tapped the hospital bed's armrest and looked down.

"Sure."

Let's see how this goes….

"Instead of the criticism."

I'm really good at rolling in the mud.