Chapter 73


    The staff members cautiously nced in our direction, sensing the unusual atmosphere, but fortunately, they didnt seem to have heard the conversation.


    I gathered my thoughts and stopped the manager.


    Let mee with you.


    Hoyun, I understand your feelings, but donte now.


    No, Ill go.


    After all, this whole situation was a matter concerning my life.


    Jeong Dajuns potential withdrawal and the inability to proceed with the main scenario meant one thing:


    The Dawn was on the verge ofplete failure.


    I saw Jeong Dajuns pale face as he leaned on me slightly.


    I then looked at the other members.


    Then Ill go too.


    Kim Seonghyeon stepped forward.


    Judging by his gaze directed at me, he seemed to feel sorry for always relying on me.


    They must be flustered too.


    Never mind, you guys go home first. Didnt you have a V-Live scheduled for today?


    That is


    Its important to keep it a secret from people. In that sense, its better for me to go than for the leader to be absent. Manager, the news hasnt been released yet, right?


    Were desperately trying to stop it.


    Did you hear that? Its important to keep it hushed. Cover for us at todays V-Live. Ill follow Jeong Dajun and talk to the CEO.


    Jeong Dajun is a minor, only 19 years old. I couldnt leave him alone with that snake-like CEO.


    Ugh


    Turning to the groaning manager, whom I couldnt fully trust, he tightly closed his eyes.


    Fine, its not the first time Seo Hoyun doesnt listen.


    He habitually rubbed his stomach as if it hurt.


    I should be the one with the stomachache in this situation.


    I bid farewell to the filming crew with a bright smile, pretending that everything was fine, and quickly got into the van with Jeong Dajun.


    Hyung, ah shit Im sorry.


    It seemed that Jeong Dajun only realized the reality of the situation after getting into the van.


    He was clueless and panicked.


    What should I do? Will I get caught up in awsuit? No, I definitely settled things with that agency, so why now!


    Jeong Dajun.


    I clearly said I would terminate the exclusive contract. They agreed and let me go. Why now!


    Jeong Dajun!


    I ced my palm on Jeong Dajuns shoulder.


    A loud p was heard, and the manager nced at us through the rearview mirror.


    Regardless, I lifted Jeong Dajuns face and looked him straight in the eyes.


    Exin it properly so I can understand.


    Hoyun-hyung


    I need to know whats going on to cover for you.


    Honestly, I wasnt sure if I could resolve the exclusive contract issue.


    Thats why I vaguely used the term cover, but Jeong Dajun seemed relieved by my words.


    I understand.


    Throughout the drive to thepany, Jeong Dajun nervously recounted his story.


    In summary, this was what happened:


    Before joining Daepaseong Entertainment, he had an exclusive contract with a sketchy agency. Although he had signed a contract, he felt suspicious and requested its termination. The other agency agreed and let Jeong Dajun go, and then he proceeded with an exclusive contract with Daepaseong Entertainment.


    <em>I can see the scheme.</em>


    What came to mind was a ghostpany.


    These con artists would target young and naive individuals, sign contracts with them, and then let them terminate the contracts, only toter take advantage of the signed contracts to ckmail them.


    Hyung, what should I do


    First, tell them everything as is. Just like you told me.


    And after that?


    Jeong Dajun looked at me with anxious eyes.


    Just as I was about to respond, the van stopped.


    We were in front of Daepaseong Entertainment.


    I sighed and unbuckled my seat belt.


    Leave it to me.


    What more could I do at this point?


    ***


    The manager tried not to show his frustration as we entered the CEOs office, but the CEOs gaze seemed to say, This guy didnt do his job well, and Why did you bring Seo Hoyun?


    <em>As if I wanted to bring him!</em>


    Although teary-eyed inside, he kept his mouth shut for now.


    Seo Hoyun had an odd ability.


    No matter how ridiculous his ims were, things always turned out as he wished.


    Thats what happened.


    Jeong Dajun seemed to have regained someposure with Hoyun by his side as he exined his situation much more logically than when he had told them in the van.


    Upon hearing the whole story, the CEO looked annoyed.


    You got yed.


    Sigh, they just want to extort the penalty fee, including trying to silence the news.


    CEO


    Jeong Dajun stuttered at the CEOs words.


    However, the manager tilted his head, not understanding.


    Dajun is still a minor. Isnt it possible to cancel a minors exclusive contract?


    Sigh If only it were that simple.


    At those words, Seo Hoyuns eyebrows twitched.


    The man who had been quiet except for the greetings finally opened his mouth.


    Did they stamp their seal?


    The CEO nced at Seo Hoyun and clicked his tongue.


    Yeah, they did.


    Do we have the seal certificate and family rtionship certificate?


    Who takes care of such things in actual practice? But they said they have the phone records. Theyre scary. They also sent a recorded call by email.


    Confirmed.


    If it had gone to awsuit, they would have imed that the exclusive contract was established, raising all sorts of fuss.


    The call with Jeong Dajuns parents at the time of the contract would be used as evidence.


    Hmm.


    Seo Hoyun sank deep into thought.


    Jeong Dajun, unable to follow along, just rolled his eyes.


    The CEO sighed heavily but exined for Jeong Dajuns sake.


    Dajun, a contract with a minor without parental consent can be voided. But in your case, theres consent. Theres a contract with a stamped seal. You got your parents consent and stamped the seal. Your parents werent physically there, but they agreed while on speakerphone.


    No! They called several times back then. Theyre iming that was the recording during the contract. Even during the consultation my parents worked and couldnt make the time.


    Dajun, dont lie because youre scared. A contract made through a minors deception cannot be canceled.


    I didnt lie!


    .


    As Jeong Dajuns voice grew louder with injustice, Seo Hoyun nced at him.


    With trembling hands, the CEO swallowed back a sigh that threatened to escape as he watched Jeong Dajun aggressively shake his head, adamant in his denial.


    They said they didnt give you a contract termination notice. They just pretended to terminate it and discarded it. Crazy bastards.


    The CEO seemed to regret swearing before Jeong Dajun, but his energy seemed drained as he rubbed his forehead.


    So, they im that you knowingly signed an exclusive contract with us even though they treated you unfairly. They just stabbed us in the back.


    .


    Jeong Dajun cringed, his face contorted.


    Seo Hoyun carefully examined the contract on the table and asked.


    What are the conditions theyre proposing?


    Ho-Hoyun.


    They cant really be nning to take Dajun and have him do activities, and if they were going to sue, they would have already sent the notice. Theyre just trying to milk us for a penalty fee.


    Seo Hoyun calmly deduced the situation.


    The CEO let out a hollowugh.


    They havent told us yet.


    Buying time to raise the conditions?


    Yeah. We fell for it big time.


    Money would solve the problem.


    However, knowing that Dajun was a potential rookie from Daepaseong Entertainment, they were dragging it out, and it was unclear how much money would have to be poured in.


    Jeong Dajuns fist, partly hidden by the table, was clenched so tight it looked white.


    Then the fans will get tired too.


    The next activity will be dyed, at least.


    Just as the CEO and the manager worriedly discussed what to do with the scheduled ns, Seo Hoyun, who had finished organizing his thoughts, nonchntly threw another bomb.


    Well proceed as scheduled.


    What?


    Seo Hoyun patted Jeong Dajuns hunched shoulders as if to say there was no need to hunch if there was nothing to mope about.


    Three days.


    <em>Hmm</em>


    The CEO, although dumbfounded, felt a subtle expectation that if it was Seo Hoyun, he would somehow resolve the situation.


    This rookie idol, who always spouted nonsense, had always managed to produce astounding results in the end.


    Ill get Dajun out in three days.


    It was still a crazy statement.


    ***


    Damn, who the hell dyed their debut for their own sake?


    Some fans would wait patiently, like azaleas[1].


    But who would remain if there were onlywsuits without any activities during that long period?


    And how could they turn back time when he was at his prime age?


    It was inevitable that the size of the fandom would shrink.


    We need to catch it now.


    A noisy mosquito must be caught right away. Immediately.


    Its better than grinding your teeth while looking at your swollen red skin the next day.


    In that sense, mosquitoes and fraudsters had something inmon: they must be dealt with immediately when found.


    Seo Hoyun, what are you saying right now! Youre not thinking of stepping in yourself, are you?


    Its not about whats important right now. Its about whether we can cover this quickly or not.


    I brushed off the managers shock lightly.


    We have to deal with this before the fans all leave. Everyone still doesnt know the situation, and the news hasnte out yet. We need to handle it.


    CEO, we had no choice but to wait anyway, right?


    The CEO hesitated and then nodded his head.


    Why do I have to go this far for this agency? It pisses me off, but I have to do it if no one else can handle it.


    CEO, you can just keep waiting.


    Do you have any connections on their side?


    The CEO seemed to think I had some sort of reliable backing, as if I would have any connections in the entertainment industry.


    I dont have any, but


    <em>Since theyre misunderstanding it on their own, I dont need to deny it.</em>


    Ill contact them again.


    I patted Jeong Dajun, who was sitting silently and gloomily on the back.


    Lets go.


    Quickly.


    Somehow, the situation was exactly the same as a few days ago.


    Jeong Dajun gazed at me from afar. He bit his lip as he suddenly stood up.


    He bowed politely to the CEO but still looked upset.


    <em>Ugh.</em>


    I turned my head just before leaving the door.


    Dont forget to renew the contract.


    The door closed with a bang.


    As I walked briskly ahead, Jeong Dajun hurriedly followed me.


    Then, he lingered a step behind me, looking around nervously.


    Hoyun-hyung, I-Im sorry


    Its fine.


    He was really down.


    Jeong Dajun thought it was all his fault.


    Thats why I hated scams.


    The victim was the one who got scammed, but people just kept repeating, You shouldve been more careful, and pointing fingers.


    Since we needed to do some work behind the scenes again, I tried to contact Kim Jaeyeon, but I heard Jeong Dajun calling me with a trembling voice.


    Hyung.


    What.


    Hyung, do you do you believe me?


    What?


    <em>What kind of nonsense is this?</em>


    I was in a hurry because I thought I had a lot to do, so I couldnt ignore it and stopped walking to look back at him.


    Jeong Dajun stared straight at me with a face that seemed like he was about to cry.


    Even if I were you or the CEO, I wouldve thought the same that Jeong Dajun lied because he couldnt handle the aftermath.


    But its really not true, hyung.


    Jeong Dajuns still clenched fists trembled.


    Really I didnt lie.


    Seeing the disheartened Jeong Dajun, my past self came to mind.


    Its tough not having anyone on your side. With no backing or abilities, the me fell solely on me, who cried out without proof. How much I struggled alone in that situation.


    I sighed.


    Jeong Dajun, do you feel wronged?


    Yes.


    I browsed the item shop while clicking my tongue. Some points were saved from thest quests, so I just needed to find something useful with them.


    If you feel you have been wronged, just ignore peoples nonsense and live more boldly as you deserve. Then, eventually, people will forget, or the real issue will be resolved.


    But when you still feel upset about being deceived, when you cant help but remember it every time you lie down even after enough time has passed, theres only one way to resolve it quickly.


    I quickly scanned the item shop.


    Then, I found exactly what I needed.


    [Lets Get Closer


    A chance to know peoples true feelings!


    Tea leaves that make people answer as honestly as if they were drunk.


    Points: 10,000


    Note: The user may not function properly like they are drunk.]


    <em>This should do.</em>


    What is it?


    Jeong Dajun asked hesitantly.


    I immediately purchased the item and went to him, putting my arm around his shoulder.


    All you have to do is prove that youre right.


    ?


    Simple, right?


    Jeong Dajun seemed dumbfounded, and the tears hanging from the corner of his eyes disappeared.


    Anyway, I looked at my reflection in the lobby door and brushed my bangs up.


    Dajun.


    I nced through it, and it looked a bit edgy. Doing this kind of thing made meugh.


    What do you think? Does hyung look lighter and dumber with his bangs up?


    Yes?


    Jeong Dajun, who couldnt understand what was happening, furrowed his eyebrows.


    Whether he understood or not, I tried to smile lightly.


    Hmm, good.


    I looked like a punk.


    [1] A type of flower known for its resilience<hr>


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