Chapter 414 |
The Prism members don’t actually dislike Choi Jeokhyeon as much as one might think. If anything, the closest way to describe it is that they ‘find him difficult’.
To begin with, those guys don’t really like anyone outside their own circle, even if that person hasn’t done anything wrong. They are incredibly shy around strangers, and since they’ve been hurt by people so many times, they tend to be very guarded toward others.
However, since Choi Jeokhyeon was my very first friend and I’d known him for so long—and because they’d seen him helping me with their own eyes—they seemed to view him more favorably than a total stranger.
But that didn’t mean they had let their guard down. Whenever they ran into Choi Jeokhyeon, they would stiffen like animals whose territory had been invaded, doing nothing until he disappeared from their sight.
Jo Inchan, by nature, is gentle as long as no one provokes him first, so he kept a clean, neutral attitude toward Choi Jeokhyeon. Nam Yihwon quickly realized that Choi Jeokhyeon wasn’t really his type and maintained a reasonable distance while staying professional. As for Lee Chise, he just seems to exchange casual greetings with him once in a while?
Cha Woon, on the other hand, was simply scared of him. He kept a smile on his face, so others might see it as a good business relationship, but to me, it was obvious how uncomfortable he felt.
There was even a time when Nam Yihwon, standing in front of Choi Jeokhyeon, became so awkward that he forced a stiff smile, and the camera caught me laughing at that sight.
[What is this? Why does Yutae look so happy? It’s been forever since I’ve seen him smile like that.]
But Yihwon’s clenching his teeth tight? This is the opposite of their usual dynamic. It’s so funny, but I really want to know what’s going on ㅠㅠㅠ
“Sthop laughing.” “Okay, okay. I’ll stop. Ahaha!” “You’re laughing right now!”
Honestly, it was kind of cute. A guy who was usually loud and bold was stiff with awkwardness in front of someone who didn’t bother me at all. How could that not be amusing?
He always says he’ll report it to the CEO, but he never actually has.
Maybe, at least in my opinion, it was only natural. Choi Jeokhyeon was older, and given his position, it made sense they would find him difficult.
Company CEOs are always uncomfortable to be around. If anything, the Pantheion members are the weird ones.
Back when Prism had just been formed, Choi Jeokhyeon didn’t have the soft demeanor he has now. In most companies, if the CEO is nearby, people just sit there with awkward smiles, thinking about when he’s going to leave.
“Woon-ah, I told you to eat before going on stage. Why are you still here?” “…Zen suddenly brought the CEO over, so I ate a bit and ran away.” “Why would you run away? Want me to go with you?” “No! That’s even worse! Then he’ll end up sitting at my table. I’m 100% going to have a stomachache after that meal…….”
To the Prism members, it was probably even more baffling that the Pantheion members would casually close the distance with the CEO.
“Zen is seriously … unique. The other day, he ran into a broadcasting station director while passing by, started talking, and even got his number. When I saw that, I was like, This guy is insane. I used to think Chise-hyung was the social butterfly, but the real madmen are Zen and Yuda.”
“Chise-hyung is just being professional. Those two just like people so much they latch onto anyone and ask them to hang out. Usually, Zen approaches strangers without thinking, and Yuda sticks right to them and gets friendly. Even Inchan-hyung got caught in that combo. He’s usually really shy, but he just let them do whatever they wanted?”
“…I just want to be nice to anyone hyung cares about. If they hadn’t approached me first, I would’ve gone to them.”
“……” “…Wow, look at Yutae-hyung’s expression. I should’ve recorded that.”
No, it’s not Pantheion. It’s just that idiotic duo that’s unusual.
Lee Danbi, like Lee Chise, maintains a proper business relationship with Choi Jeokhyeon, and Woo Kangwon, Baek Kiryang, and Han Seungbeom are even more intimidated by him than the Prism members are.
Ah, and Lee Hwayoung openly dislikes him.
However, that was probably partly because they had known each other for a long time thanks to being related by blood.
Anyone who showed hostility toward Choi Jeokhyeon without even that kind of history would have to be a complete lunatic.
“Oh, we have guests?”
Yeah. Someone like Yoo Jay…….
As far as I could remember, there had never been a single time when Choi Jeokhyeon and Yoo Jay met and things ended well. I had no idea why, but the worse my situation got, the more intense their arguments became, to the point where it was hard to even step in and stop them.
‘Put the camera down. No, lift the camera. No, put it down.’
How could you see Han Seungbeom in a cat-ear maid outfit and a seaweed butler and not mention it at all? From start to finish, he just stared at Choi Jeokhyeon with eyes devoid of light. It was seriously insane.
‘And then there’s Baek Kiryang, who can’t even look him in the eye.’
From Seo Yuseong to Yoo Jay, no one made any remarks, so Zen seemed a little disappointed. As for Han Seungbeom, he looked like he’d completely checked out and found inner peace.
“What brings you here, CEO-nim?”
That guy … his mouth was smiling, but his eyes weren’t.
“Haha, I didn’t expect you to suddenly come all the way to the dorm like this. You should’ve contacted us beforehand. What should we do? I already bought just enough donuts for everyone.”
Don’t lie.
With the donuts in your hands right now, you could practically build a tower. Is that five per person?
“It’s not like we only meet when there’s a special occasion. I also wanted to check how the smoking cessation is going, while I was at it.”
“Ah, I see. But we’re all grown adults, so I don’t think you need to worry more than necessary. You’re a very busy person too, CEO-nim, and you must be tired, so I’d feel really bad if you had to trouble yourself over our leader.”
How does he lie so effortlessly with such a nonchalant expression?
Just yesterday, he was practically singing about how I should just cut ties with him.
‘Even in that situation, he can’t bring himself to tell me to quit smoking because he can’t quit either.’
There were countless things to pick at, but I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. The atmosphere was way too tense.
“Managing an artist’s condition is something the company should take care of as well. It’s also a bit of a hobby of mine, so you don’t need to feel that apologetic.”
Even though he knew Yoo Jay was being sharp, Choi Jeokhyeon calmly took a sip of coffee and replied with a relaxed expression.
‘…What kind of hobby is that?’
It felt like invisible attacks and defenses were being exchanged at a terrifying speed.
Yoo Jay, apparently displeased again, kept his mouth shut for a moment with a bright smile, then fired back.
“All the other artists seem to be doing whatever they want. Don’t you think you’re paying a bit too much attention to just one person? CEO-nim, our Hwon-hyung might feel hurt.”
It basically meant, ‘You don’t even care about the other artists, so don’t give me that excuse.’
Poor Nam Yihwon, getting dragged into this out of nowhere.
That guy doesn’t even want anyone’s care.
“I’m simply trusting that our wonderful artists will take good care of themselves on their own.”
“Ah, so does that mean Yutae-hyung can’t take care of himself? Hahahaha.”
“Yutae has been on his own without a guardian since he was very young, so he tends to be careless with his own body. Since I’m the only one who can nag him about it, it can’t be helped.”
“…I see. I’ll pay more attention from now on, so you won’t have to go through the trouble of coming here like this, CEO-nim.”
“Leaving things to others just doesn’t sit well with my nature. And Yoo Jay-ssi, with how busy your personal schedule is, I think this is a time when you should focus more on your own work.”
It meant, ‘I don’t expect much from you, so just take care of your own business’. Maybe he was also taking a jab at Yoo Jay being a smoker.
“Come on, how could I possibly be as busy as you, CEO-nim? I’m well aware that you’re not in a position where you can focus solely on YT Entertainment.”
It was a pointed attack, essentially saying, ‘You’ve got a lot of nerve saying that when your mind is clearly on other businesses besides YT Entertainment.’
“Oh my, it seems Yoo Jay-ssi worries a lot too. The company is running just fine because I can handle everything well enough.”
It was his way of saying, ‘I’m capable enough to manage it all, so don’t concern yourself.’
“Well, that’s true, haha. After all, you have such a capable Director. Honestly, my Hyung needs to stop being so good at his job. It’s rare to find someone who can handle everything from composing and choreography to styling, so CEO-nim, you really are lucky with people.”
Meaning, ‘It’s not you who’s making this company successful.’
How does he hide blades in his words so well while wearing such a pretty, smiling face?
Feeling exhausted by the endless loop of “It’s fine“, “No, I’m more fine“, “No, no, no, I’m telling you I’m way more fine“, I rubbed my eyes vigorously, only for both of my hands to be grabbed and pulled down.
“Don’t rub your eyes.”
I’m Seo Yutae.
I’m over thirty.
“……”
“After all, it’s my job is to create an environment where my artists can freely demonstrate their full potential.”
“Of course. Yutae-hyung is the kind of person who would do well no matter where he goes, but it seems like he’s doing even better because you’re supporting him properly, CEO-nim. No wonder YT Entertainment is bound to succeed like this.”
‘What are you two even doing…….’’
Our production staff just laughed it off like it was nothing more than some playful back-and-forth for variety between a close CEO and his artist. It felt like I was the only one suffering, since I knew their personalities well enough to understand what they really meant.
Seo Yuseong didn’t care at all whether they were fighting right in front of him or not.
Just look at him. He won’t even glance at Choi Jeokhyeon because he dislikes him that much.
Is he treating Yoo Jay like some kind of proxy fighting machine?
“Did you gain a bit of weight?”
“Yes, the wafers you sent last time were really good…….”
“The green tea flavor.”
“Yes,that one. The other members loved them too.”
“I’ll buy you more.”
“…Hehe.”
Han Seungbeom was happily bonding with Seo Yuseong.
‘Turn off the background noise ……. Though I’m glad he put on some weight.’
“In that case, I, Nagi Zen shall step in.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Ehh…….”
Zen, as always, was just a fool.
“You still haven’t dried your hair, hyung. You’ll get cold if you stay like that with it wet. Well, you’ve been filming since morning, so I guess you didn’t have time to dry it.”
“It’s fine, it’s a hass…….”
“Since it’s become a habit for you to put a cigarette in your mouth the moment you wake up, of course I have to check on you first thing in the morning. Still, you usually don’t eat breakfast properly, but it looks like you did today, so that’s a relief.”
“No, if I eat too much in the morning, my digestion…….”
“You just got back from an overseas schedule. If I had left you alone, you would’ve gone straight to work without even resting.”
It felt like I was sitting on a bed of thorns.
You lunatics, please. Argue about something other than me.
There’s the Prism comeback coming up, overseas schedules—there are plenty of productive things you could talk about. Why are you spending minutes tearing each other down over just me?
‘Actually, if I weren’t around, would these guys even have anything to fight about? They’re both good at their jobs.’
My head was throbbing, and if anything, those two were just making me want to smoke more.
Can’t they all just leave?
‘I’m too tired to even stop them.’
Maybe because the cameras were there, or because my situation had stabilized, they weren’t fighting that harshly, so I figured there was no need to step in.
…I should just eat some peppermint candy.
Crunch. Crunch.
“Ah-choo!”
As I was chewing the candy, a chill ran through me and I sneezed, and suddenly, everyone in the dorm turned to look at me. Some of the staff were even smiling brightly.
‘…You’re all paying this much attention over a single sneeze?’
I’m human too.
If it’s cold, of course I’ll sneeze.
“Alright, Director-nim, please dry your hair, and we’ll resume filming after the staff have their lunch break!”
The staff quickly wrapped up filming and left the dorm.
At the same time, Seo Yuseong brought over a towel and started firmly patting the moisture out of my hair.
And as Yoo Jay took out a hair dryer, the war resumed.
“Why was his schedule packed that tightly in the first place, when he already has so much work?”
“Because Yutae said he wanted to make time for overseas fans since they don’t get many chances to see him. I guess the people closest to him don’t really talk to him much?”
“…Haha!”
Huh?
Now that the cameras are gone, it feels like the atmosphere is getting even worse……
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Translator’s Corner:
Hi. I’m still alive … crazy how it felt like we just entered 2026 but now it’s already April
I’m too busy with work lately to keep up with internet, but I was still baffled that Mark actually left NCT … I really never saw that coming. Biggest plot twist in modern kpop.
Hope you all well
Thank you Tsukkichii for supporting the wishlist! ♡