Chapter 24 |
I clutched the small recorder tightly in my hand and cleared my complicated mind.
“Haaa…..”
The things I collected in this way would never be used as legal evidence.
But even if I couldn’t use it in the courtroom, this kind of evidence was extremely valuable in breaking a scandal. By now, I had lost all faith in punishment through the legal system anyway.
What was needed was not a weapon with objective persuasiveness, but one that could provoke and shock the public. I deeply realized it in my previous life.
‘This isn’t enough. To confront Kang Hyukwoo, I need to gather more.’
This level of scandal probably wouldn’t even faze Kang Hyukwoo. This was nothing more than a small leaf.
But if I kept gathering small leaves, someday they would grow into a huge tree.
“…Let’s go back.”
“Leada.”
As I turned the corner, something tall popped out. It was Zen.
‘Crazy, that scared me!’
“….…Why are you still up?” I pressed a fist to my thumping heart and opened my mouth.
“I have something to say.”
“What is it?”
“…….” He hesitated, unable to easily respond to my question.
‘Ah.’
Zen was the only person who knew what Park Sangjoong was planning. He was probably waiting out of concern that Park Sangjoong would do something dangerous to me again.
“Why? Afraid I’ll be targeted again?”
I asked with a faint smile, and Zen nodded awkwardly, squeaking.
“I heard the phone call. He said he would do something bad to Leada. He didn’t suspect anything, he thought I wouldn’t understand Korean because I’m a foreigner.”
“So, every time Park Sangjoong tried to get me, you stopped him?”
“I’m disgusted that he’s pretending to be a colleague after doing something bad to Leada. A colleague is someone who protects.”
I finally understood the strangely dismissive attitude he had towards Park Sangjoong. After eavesdropping on the conversation between Kang Hyukwoo and Park Sangjoong, it seemed he had been on high alert, trying to prevent Park Sangjoong from doing anything the entire time.
“He’s living a mean life. Foolish Park Sangjoong-ssi. If you forget your humanity, you’ll become a wild dog.”
‘What’s with the way he talks.’
I couldn’t figure out what he had learned Korean with. His vocabulary was perfect, but his way of speaking was strange
First, I had to thank him. And apologize.
“Anyway, thank you. I’m fine now. Park Sangjoong even stole my clothes and did all sorts of things. I thought you took them..…”
“Oh, it was me who took the clothes.”
I was about to apologize for the misunderstanding when he cut me off and said something out of the blue.
“….You?”
“Yes.”
‘….No way.’
The coat that had been swapped with mine had a design that was quite sinister. So, I thought it was something someone had intentionally put there as a joke, and I mistook it for bullying.
I shouldn’t be thinking this way, but I couldn’t stop recalling Zen’s belongings in my mind. The tacky blond hair, the overly flashy accessories. The sneakers that sparkled with every step.
“A gift. My most fashionable clothes. I like colorful things.”
Nagi Zen, who looked proud, said with a thumbs up.
“I saw Park Sangjoong putting powder on your coat. Leada’s clothes had to be thrown away. You need to be careful with allergies.”
In short, he saw Park Sangjoong secretly smearing nut powder on my clothes, and in order to secretly dispose of it, he gave me the one he liked the most from the clothes he had.
“…….”
As I stood there at a loss for words, Zen shyly drew a heart with his fingers.
“I’m Leada’s guardian angel.”
“…..Come and get your clothes back.”
Now I knew why Hayato Yamada couldn’t get along with this guy.
He really has a peculiar personality.
***
“Then, from now on! Let’s start the Survive IDOL Mini Sports Day!”
The first competition had ended, and the next scheduled event was a mini sports day. It seemed they were planning to assign teams for the second mission while also promoting the sportswear brand’s PPL.
Jay was in charge of hosting the mini sports day.
“Good morning!”
“…….”
He waved his hand cheerfully, acting like he knew me, so I just pretended not to see him.
I didn’t understand what he was thinking by acting like that, he could get cursed at for showing favoritism.
“Trainees who rank in the top positions of all categories will have the priority to choose their group members. Participation is optional, and trainees who wish to participate, please come forward.”
With bruises all over my body from the live show on the stairs, I decided not to participate. Fans would watch the broadcast captures down to the pixel level, so if I waved my arms and legs around freely, rumors would definitely arise.
Bullying. Bullying. Bullying.
I had a designated PPL outfit to wear, so I was fully dressed for the occasion, from the wristband to the headband, but there was nothing I could do about it.
“Hyung, just looking at what you’re wearing today, you look like you’re ready to give your life for the sports day. Why are you not participating?”
“Silence.”
As Do Yuda kept acting obnoxious even though he knew it was because of the PPL, I pressed down hard on his head.
“Which trainee would you most like to bring along?”
Jay approached the trainees who had gathered to participate. Among them, he asked Woo Kangwon, who seemed likely to achieve the best results.
“Trainee Han Seungbeom.”
“Ah, as expected! That’s right. If it were me, I’d be tempted by trainee Han Seungbeom too. He’s a talented trainee who can do everything from arrangement to choreography!”
“Yes, I’m tempted. I’ll do my best and give it a shot.” Woo Kangwon waved at me and smiled.
‘Fighting.’ I nodded briefly and waved back at Woo Kangwon.
Meanwhile, Jay, who had moved again, held out the microphone to Lee Hwayoung, “What about you, Trainee Lee Hwayoung?”
“I’ll choose trainee Han Seungbeom.”
As expected, it was me. Lee Hwayoung had expressed his desire to team up with me throughout the program.
‘You too, fighting.’
“Oh, Trainee Han Seungbeom is quite popular. He’s getting a lot of love calls.”
Honestly, I didn’t care who got the first place. Even if I didn’t like it, I just mold it to fit my preferences.
“He doesn’t really seem like he’s interested. How can he look so uninterested? Let’s hear what he has to say.”
It seemed like Jay was about to interview me, as the corners of his mouth twitched. I stared at him without blinking.
‘If you called me over, you’re dead. You come.’
My whole body hurt, and I absolutely hated going back and forth like a stray dog just because I was called.
“I will! Go there!”
Right answer.
Jay came running at the speed of light and held out the microphone.
“More than half of the participating trainees chose Trainee Han Seungbeom. Is there anything you’d like to say?”
“…….”
I paused for a moment, then crossed my arms over my chest.
“Everyone, please don’t fight for me.”
“From the look on your face, I’m guessing you’re just going to follow whoever wins?”
“Hahaha!” The trainees burst into laughter at my awkward heroine acting and Jay’s tackle.
What can I do? All the participants are nothing but the serious types, so I might as well make them laugh.
The writer, judging that the required amount was already enough, showed us a sketchbook with the ‘start‘ written on it, signaling us to begin.
‘.…Speaking of which, where’s the main PD?’
The main PD was always present at important events like this, but he was nowhere to be seen.
‘Do I have to eavesdrop again today?’
Am I trying to become an idol, or a human listening device? I didn’t understand why they’re making me go through this hassle when all it would’ve taken was a simple status window.
It was quite frustrating because there were extremely few cases where meaningful information came through, even when I used the ability. It wasn’t like I was fishing in the ocean.
‘Go Minseok.’
“…Spin it.”
When I used the ability, the main PD seemed to be having a conversation with someone. I wondered why he was whispering so much, but when I listened, it was something that made sense.
As I was mulling over what I had overheard, I heard Jay’s shout, full of excitement.
“Then, let’s start! Ready! Go!”
.
.
.
As everyone had expected, the first place went to Woo Kangwon.
With most of the trainees losing motivation and slacking off due to the overwhelming score difference, the production team proceeded with a mission race, insisting that this was something they absolutely had to do.
“The point of the mission race is 30 points for first place. The rankings could change with this! Let’s show some enthusiasm, everyone!”
’30 points is ridiculous.’
It was a score that could instantly flip the rankings that had been accumulated until now. In fact, the mission race was the main focus, and the rest was more like a waste of effort.
‘Thank goodness Woo Kangwon is so mild-mannered.’
When it came to fandom business, nothing beat the mission race. Fans were always curious about who their child was close to and what kind of image they had among their peers.
“Ready, go!”
As soon as Jay gave the signal, the trainees at the starting line, full of enthusiasm, dashed off.
“Aaaah! Get out of the way!”
“The one wearing a hat!”
“Who’s the youngest? Danbi?”
‘It’s noisy.’
The trainees, having checked the mission, shouted at the top of their lungs. Woo Kangwon seemed to have gotten stuck with a difficult mission, as he just wandered around like a bear.
“Ah, Trainee Woo Kangwon! Is he really going to lose first place like this? He’s not moving at all!”
The next highest ranked participant after Woo Kangwon was Lee Hwayoung. If Lee Hwayoung took first place in this event and Woo Kangwon finished in third place or lower, the overall first place would have changed.
‘Lee Hwayoung is…..’
When I turned my gaze away from Woo Kangwon, I saw Lee Hwayoung with an unusual flushed look on his face. The guy who opened the note immediately looked around, as if he had an idea of who it might be.
“Oh, hyung! Nicholas-hyung looked at me. I think it’s me! The one who can hit the highest note!”
Do Yuda, who was standing next to me, jumped up and down. Seeing him so excited, even though he couldn’t participate in the sports event because of his sprained ankle, made me feel sick.
“If he comes, reject him.”
“Uh, then I’ll feel sorry.”
I had forgotten something. Do Yuda was a fool, so he couldn’t refuse.
I sighed and stood in front of Do Yuda to stop Lee Hwayoung, who was running toward us.
“Do Yuda is now…….”
“Come with me.”
“Huh?”
Before I could even say the words to refuse, Lee Hwayoung’s hand grabbed my arm tightly.
“Ugh.”
And then, leaving nothing but a pathetic sound, I was dragged away.
‘Was it me?’
“Trainee Lee Hwayoung is taking Trainee Han Seungbeom! I wonder if it’s even appropriate to say he’s taking him?”
If you’re going to drag someone along, shouldn’t you make sure they’re following properly?
This crazy guy just ran off, looking straight ahead and doing whatever he wanted.
‘This rude bastard.’
Thanks to him, I couldn’t even get my posture right and was dragged along, fluttering like a flag in the wind.
“Trainee Lee Hwayoung is the first to cross the finish line!”
“I’ll check your note.”
As soon as we crossed the finish line, one of the staffs standing next to Jay took his note.
“…….”
“…….”
As the staff unfolded the note, an awkward silence filled the space between Lee Hwayoung and me.
I was helplessly caught, unable to push him away in front of the camera.
“Hmpf.”
‘Let’s kill.’
Jay was the only one laughing.
“I will announce the content of the note. Trainee Lee Hwayoung’s mission is!” Jay, who was handed the note, spoke loudly.
‘It’s either the most handsome or the most skilled one.’
I could easily predict that Lee Hwayoung’s assigned task would be one of those two. I had to think of the reaction I should have when the mission was revealed.
“It was ‘Bring your best friend‘!”
‘What?’
I was frozen like a stone, not able to react at all.
With a mischievous grin, Jay came closer and placed the note in my hand.
“I support your shining friendship, huh?”
I slowly looked down and read the note.
[Bring Your Best Friend].
It was true.
Lee Hwayoung looked at me with a face that seemed to ask what the problem was, blinking his eyes nonchalantly as if nothing was wrong.
I stood there, dumbfounded, unable to say anything.
…..You little brat, don’t you have any friends?
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Translator’s Corner:
Nicholas, you can’t be a bff with someone without their consent…..