I’m sorry, but being the trash that I am, trusting you is the best compromise I can make.
I couldn’t just unconditionally accept Kim Seonghyeon’s words and say it was okay. That would only make things worse.
“Assuming everything you say is true.”
“…”
Instead of nodding hesitantly, Kim Seonghyeon asked me a question.
“What are you going to do?”
“Listen carefully.”
I told him all the plans I had in mind. Originally, I would never have told him.
The members who heard the whole story let out a sigh.
“This is unbelievable……”
“Hyung, are you still human after all this?”
“I am human.”
Everyone held their heads as they became dizzy from listening. Seong Jiwon spoke with a pale, sickened face,
“The risk is too high.”
“I have no choice.”
“What about the stress Seonghyeon will face during this time?”
“Turn off your phone. Don’t look at the internet. Cut off your connection to the outside world completely.”
“How can you say that? We have to go on stage.”
Everyone objected, but I was serious. I grabbed Kim Seonghyeon.
“Kim Seonghyeon, your opinion is important. If you say no, I won’t do it.”
“…”
“But if you say it’s okay, I’ll go all the way.”
Kim Seonghyeon hesitated for a moment and then let out a bitter laugh.
“It would be good for the team and me if it goes well.”
“What if it fails?”
“If it fails… we’ll fall without even hitting rock bottom.”
That’s true. Kim Seonghyeon was cautious, as his own fate was on the line. He hung his head and rubbed the back of his neck.
“I guess I should be grateful that you’re even telling me this. Originally, you wouldn’t have said anything and just carried on.”
He hit the nail on the head.
I thought I had wrapped it up well, but Kim Seonghyeon knew me better than I thought.
I don’t know what kind of face I made, but Kim Seonghyeon looked at me and smiled.
“Then I’ll make up my mind too.”
He nodded. It was decided.
At that moment, the manager kicked open the practice room door and ran in late.
“Guys! Did you see what’s happening right now?! Huh, S-Seonghyeon.”
“…”
“Seonghyeon, let’s send the others out first so we can just talk between us. It might be a bit uncomfortable…”
“No, it’s okay.”
Kim Seonghyeon gave a firm answer and took a roll of kimbap from the bag the manager was holding. He unwrapped it quickly and stuffed it into his mouth enthusiastically.
“We’ve already talked about everything.”
“Huh! Okay, I see. Um, can you explain a bit to me……”
“I’m not going to explain right now. It’s not true.”
“Whaaat?”
“We’re going to practice for now.”
“Whaaat?”
Kim Seonghyeon took out another roll of kimbap and threw it to Seong Jiwon. Jiwon caught it and unwrapped the kimbap with a venomous expression. Kang Ichae gently smiled and pushed the manager out of the room.
“Alright! So, manager, please talk to the CEO for us.”
“Guys!”
“Manager, if the company tries to make the announcement first, let me know. I’ll talk to the CEO.”
As I snatched some kimbap from Seong Jiwon, I spoke to the manager. The manager’s face turned blue, possibly recalling the previous incident with the CEO. The manager, who clearly didn’t want to get involved between the CEO and me, hurried towards the door.
“I’ll do my best to persuade him.”
“Please, I appreciate it.”
“Seonghyeon! Fighting! I believe in you!”
“Of course you should!”
The manager left noisily.
As Kim Seonghyeon ate his kimbap, I saw him choke up. I pretended not to notice.
***
[Oh, why would this lucky guy call me?]
“Kim Jaeyeon.”
I called Kim Jaeyeon as I headed toward tvK Broadcasting Station. Kim Jaeyeon’s whining voice came from the other side of the phone.
– “Wow, it’s a huge hit, really. I’m sure it’ll blow up Today, and then it’ll be a straight path to success. It’s definitely the right time now, isn’t it? If you’re worried about that, you don’t have to be.”
“Kim Jaeyeon, you didn’t listen to me, did you?”
– “…Yes?”
“What did I say about making contact with Joo Woosung?”
– “Huh? What are you talking about?”
Kim Jaeyeon stopped mumbling. I unconsciously scanned across the smoking room to see if Kim Heeyeon was there.
“It seems like my words were taken as a joke. But I was serious.”
– “Ha ha ha! I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s starting to get annoying.”
“Do you remember when you suddenly had to pull out of the third-generation chaebol’s case from XX Construction?”
– “…”
“They’re still grinding their teeth over there. And they don’t even know it’s you, Jaeyeon.”
– “Wow… seriously?”
The silence continued from the other side as if he was speechless. Then Kim Jaeyeon let out a groan.
– “How on earth could that have…?”
“Is this the time to question me? Don’t you know who you should be apologizing to right now?”
I purposely went hard on him. Kim Jaeyeon was startled, and after a while, he finally apologized.
– “I guess I really messed up. I won’t bother you anymore. I’m sorry.”
“Yes. Apology accepted, but you have to do me a favor.”
– “This is the first time I’ve seen an idol like this…”
I rubbed my ears. An apology is an apology, but I still had to get what I deserved.
This time, it wasn’t a deal. It was a threat.
“Look into the whereabouts of a friend named Hwang Jungkyu from XX High School, a classmate of Kim Seonghyeon. As soon as possible.”
I could hear Kim Jaeyeon grumbling over the phone, but I didn’t care. I just said “please” and hung up, then went striding into tvK Broadcasting Station. There was a massive poster of Shining Star plastered in the lobby.
“Isn’t that Seo Hoyun?”
“Yeah, that’s him.”
The murmuring sounded unusually loud. I guess I managed to escape the rumor mill for a while.
[Now, he’s a rising idol, even more so than just a face people know!]
Well, I was quite grateful.
I got on the elevator and walked towards where Shining Star‘s PD, Kim Heeyeon, was. I asked a staff member I recognized, and soon Kim Heeyeon came rushing over. Seeing her eyes full of dark circles, I could tell she had probably been editing all night.
She quietly closed the door to the meeting room and came in.
“Hello.”
“Yes, Hoyun.”
Kim Heeyeon sighed. It seemed that even just looking at my face made her sigh now. I couldn’t help but smirk at the thought.
It was like this before, and it seems nothing has changed this time either.
“Do you regret coming here?”
“Excuse me?”
“Weren’t you thrilled to get back at Today, but then got scared after a while? I didn’t think you were that type.”
I just smiled without saying anything. Both Kim Heeyeon and I knew it wasn’t a serious joke.
Kim Heeyeon shook her head and wiped her face.
“So, Kim Seonghyeon?”
“That’s right.”
“We would like to know if Seonghyeon will be leaving the show. I hope you guys make a decision quickly.”
“You don’t even check if it’s real or fake.”
“What difference would it make if I did? People only believe what they want to believe.”
She was right. In this aspect, Kim Heeyeon and I had the same way of thinking.
“Seonghyeon won’t leave the show. That’s not what I came to talk about. You said you owe me something, remember?”
“I did.”
I tapped on the table.
I calculated the actual broadcast time and stage performances.
“The second episode has already aired. Today’s stage and our first round of competition will be shown in the third episode. That’s when it will be revealed that I chose Today.”
“It seems so.”
“I came to ask for a favor with the editing.”
“Editing?”
Kim Heeyeon laughed bitterly and ruffled her hair, looking troubled.
“Hoyun, it’s true that I owe you a favor, but I can do nothing on my end. If I edit that scene, I’ll get complaints from my superiors, and the viewer’s forum will be filled with protests.”
“I’m not asking you to edit that part.”
“Then what? Do you want me to edit it more favorably? Like adding in cheers and narrative?”
“No.”
That wasn’t what I meant.
“Please edit it negatively.”
“Negatively?”
“Yes, the devil’s edit.”
Kim Heeyeon’s eyes wavered. Then she quickly composed herself.
“I must have misheard you. Do you want me to give Today the devil’s edit? No, I can’t do that. The backlash from their agency would be no joke. I said I would repay the favor within my capabilities.”
“No, PD.”
When did I say it was about Today?
I spoke calmly.
“It’s Seonghyeon.”
“…”
“Please give Kim Seonghyeon the devil’s edit.”
Kim Heeyeon’s expression was priceless.
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