Chapter 92


    What do you want?


    You adapt quickly, huh?


    As Min Jiheonughed awkwardly, his manager suddenly rushed over. His manager always seemed toe running in simr situations with a simr expression.


    Min Jiheon! Hey, you!


    Ah, hyung!


    Min Jiheon greeted him with a big smile and a wave, but Kim Seongcheol, the manager, looked restless as he approached.


    Hey! Do you know how scared I was? I thought you disappeared again! You should tell me if youre going somewhere!


    Come on, like I would do that?


    Your history is quite shy, you know?!


    I felt a little guilty since Id forcibly brought Min Jiheon to the coffee shop. Come to think of it, I hadnt mentioned anything to my manager either.


    Anyway, why are you with Seo Hoyun again? About that incidentst time?


    Its okay.


    Although he tried to whisper quietly, I could hear it clearly. The two seemed to have talked about what happened at the restaurantst time.


    Ah, how can he survive in this world being so nave


    <em>Nave? Really??</em>


    Why were all the managers of Daepaseong like this?


    Did Daepaseong have a technique for only hiring people who were either dense or too kind during the interview process?


    Kim Seongcheol, the manager, nced at me after hitting his chest a few times as if frustrated, then cleared his throat.


    Ahem, hello, Seo Hoyun.


    <em>Are you crazy?</em>


    What part of Min Jiheon was nave? He was someone who didnt even flinch at the evil aura of Seo Hoyun!


    I bowed my head to the manager while inwardly fuming. Min Jiheon, being himself, was not paying attention to his managers words and just kept smiling and speaking as he pleased.


    Im d you came, hyung. I wanted to ask you something.


    Huh What is it?


    Did I want something recently?


    What nonsense is that? Why are you asking me?


    His manager grumbled but thought about it for a moment, then tilted his head.


    Eating a lot? Going on a food tour across Paldo?


    No matter how much I do that, its never enough I want to eat all the food in the world before I die. They say even the ghosts who die eating have a fairplexion.


    That seems to be true.


    As Min Jiheon mumbled his chilling joke, his manager suddenly pped his hands.


    Ah! Getting rid of people who make you ufortable? Didnt you sayst time that you found that actor annoying? That they were too clingy.


    An actor?


    Who?


    Dont you remember?


    As I slightly furrowed my brows, his manager nced at me, seemingly trying to gauge my reaction.


    That person originally had Seo Hoyuns role I mean, the role of PD Lee Jeonghun. The one who kept following you around saying they admired you.


    Ah, that that person.


    Min Jiheon scratched his head and pped his hands. I could bet that he hadpletely forgotten about that persons existence.


    Just then, a gleam shed across Min Jiheons eyes.


    <em>What?</em>


    Min Jiheon smiled as if he had a great idea in mind.


    Hmm~, does hyung know that person?


    Who?


    Why are you like this again? Are you already immersed in your role?!


    Although Kim Seongcheol spoke while stealing a nce at me, he seemed to want to let it pass for now. If he didnt bring it up, I would pretend I didnt know and act ordingly as well.


    Whether the manager said it or not, Min Jiheon didnt care and just kept smiling brightly.


    That actor, Lee Kangseok, said the script was so good that he wanted the role. He really appealed to me about it But hes a bit burdensome, so I rmended hyung to the writer instead.


    Did you sell me out because you didnt want to work with someone you hated and not for my sake?


    Haha, he ended up doing some supporting role in a drama that will air at the same time as ours.


    How could he act like that? I think I might need some practice before going to the audition


    I then remembered the man who suddenly picked a fight with me in the waiting room when I first auditioned for the drama. A sigh escaped from me.


    <em>It was because of Min Jiheon.</em>


    I red at Min Jiheon for unexpectedly providing the cause of the fight at that time, but he just shrugged his shoulders. Then he rubbed his mouth and thought seriously.


    Hmm, should I really help you out?


    What do you mean?


    Well, since I like you


    Min Jiheon smiled mischievously and mumbled the words scenario and quest I mentioned earlier.


    So, its like that, right?


    Then, he suddenly raised his head.


    Hyung, do you want to try a quest with me?


    A quest?


    I can also call it a bet.


    Staring at him with my mouth slightly open, I couldnt believe what he was saying.


    If you have enough acting skills to surpass that actor and our drama gets higher ratings-if you can fulfill these two conditions


    Min Jiheon grinned.


    Ill tell you what I know.


    <em>Is he crazy?</em>


    How could I surpass an actor with my acting skills?


    Besides, the ratings werent something I could control. Even if the script was good and the actors acted well, luck somewhat influenced the ratings.


    I red at him, but Min Jiheon didnt care as expected.


    Lets say the ratings are like that. How can you tell that my acting surpassed that person?


    Ill be the judge. It wouldve been nice if you could win a rookie award, but unfortunately, theres no suitable awards ceremony now.


    With such an ambiguous standard? What if you, Min Jiheon-sunbae, change your mindter?


    Hey, thats a bit disappointing, isnt it?


    His lips that had been slightly upturned throughout the conversation dropped in an instant, and in the most serious tone he had used so far, Min Jiheon said,


    I dont joke around when ites to acting.


    There was a unique arrogance and confidence in Min Jiheons eyes that was only seen when he was acting. I tapped the table with my finger, weighing the conditions I had at the moment.


    <em>Imat a disadvantage.</em>


    First, did I have any leverage over Min Jiheon?


    The answer was no.


    Secondly, what if Min Jiheon changed his words?


    It wasnt certain, but my instincts told me Min Jiheon wasnt lying. Slightly crazy artists didnt lie about their areas of expertise.


    Except for Lim Hyeonsu.


    Thirdly, was it worth taking on this ridiculous quest to get the answer from Min Jiheon?


    What are you going to do?


    I raised my gaze and looked at Min Jiheon.


    The system window was still quiet. Before, it had warned me not to act and not to meet Min Jiheon, but now it was silent as if it waspletely dead.


    It must mean that there was really something to hide.


    Therefore, the answer was


    You.


    Of course, I had to get something from this guy.


    If you dont keep this ambiguous promise, youre dead.


    I was prepared to strangle Min Jiheons neck if he didnt keep his promise.


    When he heard my answer, Min Jiheon got up as if his work was done.


    I dont want to die, so I wont go back on my word.


    Call me if you need anything?


    Ugh


    Min Jiheon signaled his manager, who was observing both of us with a peculiar expression, indicating that they should depart.


    Lets work well together with Yu Jia in our drama.


    Yes, Im looking forward to working with you.


    Manager Kim Seongcheol, whose gaze had subtly dropped then lifted, trailed behind Min Jiheon as he departed.


    Finding myself alone, I subconsciously tightened my grip on the stic cup to the point it crumpled.


    ***


    Oh! Hoyun is here. Why didnt you answer your phone?


    <em>Min Jiheons aggro removal</em>


    When I returned to the practice room, Seong Jiwon was practicing again, drenched in sweat and smiling brightly as he greeted me. I casually put down my bag and replied,


    Did you call me?


    Yeah, others too, and the kids were really worried.


    Did he have anything to say?


    When I asked with my eyes, Seong Jiwon awkwardly changed the topic.


    Lets talk about thatter. How was the script reading today?


    It was fine.


    Hmm


    Seong Jiwon squinted at me. So much had happenedtely that all the members intuition was on par with ghosts. Ignoring his gaze on purpose, I took the script out of my bag and asked,


    So, why did you contact me?


    Well I was going to tell you when we were all together.


    Where are the kids now?


    Practicing in the recording studio! We need to prepare for our nexteback song~.


    They were so diligent.


    Actually, I wasnt really curious about Kang Ichae. That kid had already recovered mentally, so without even looking, I knew hed be holed up in his dorm or Lim Hyeonsus studio, praising each other as the best, the greatest, and the most genius while working.


    Ive already asked the manager about acting lessons. Since thepanys finances have improved quite a bit, theyd be more than happy to provide them.


    <em>Acting skills</em>


    No matter how I thought about it, the criterion for better acting skills than Lee Kangseok was too vague.


    <em>I need something that Min Jiheon cant change. Something like that.</em>


    As I pondered on a more certain method, Seong Jiwon kept fidgeting beside me.


    Hoyun, Hoyun You know


    Why? You look happy?


    Haha, does it show?


    Seong Jiwon smiled shyly and plopped down beside me.


    Todays our settlement day.


    !


    <em>Damn!</em>


    I hadpletely forgotten about such important news. As a small citizen of capitalist South Korea, I quickly pulled out my phone.


    Did you see it?


    Haha, not yet. I dont know how much I havent received the statement yet.


    Do the kids know?


    Yeah. We were going to check it together when everyones here Oh.


    Just then, my phone rang. The manager posted a message in the group chat: Settlement has been processed, please check!!


    As soon as Seong Jiwon and I exchanged nces, the practice room door mmed open.


    Hyungs!!


    The first one to rush in was Jeong Dajun. Kim Seonghyeon followed him, wearing a hat pulled low and staggering in with a pale, ghostly face.


    Did you guys look at the settlement money?


    Hey, we said wed look at it together when everyones here!


    Ugh, Im sorry. My fingers were just too itchy! But thats not the problem!


    Jeong Dajun slid on his knees and performed a ceremony of blowing a hand kiss.


    Im happy to be an idol! Ill dance until my bones wear out, thank you!!


    Jeong Dajun, how much did you get to be this excited?


    Even the kind Seong Jiwon ignored Jeong Dajun.


    <em>Why is he making such a fuss</em>


    As I sighed and opened the bank app, Seong Jiwon took out his phone.


    It had been a while since Ist checked my tearful, empty ount. Checking it always made me angry and want to smoke


    Anyway, I wondered how much we had earned from our activities in thest six months. I had heard that we had passed the break-even point by a lot, but I thought maybe around 2,000.


    After I opened my ount, I doubted my eyes for a moment. It seemed Seong Jiwon had the same reaction. I quickly counted the digits.


    One, ten, hundred,.


    Hyung!!


    While I was startled and blinking after checking the amount, Jeong Dajun clung to me. His pure delight at encountering such arge sum for the first time was evident on his still-young face.


    Hyung, its awesome! Awesome!!


    Uh, yeah it is.


    I couldnt believe it, so I checked my phone again. We had passed the break-even point, and since they didnt charge us for training costs, it was an incredible amount.


    <em>Wow even so.</em>


    It was far from the guarantee we had been offered back when we were doing well, but this amount in just six months


    Its crazy. Were gonna earn even more in the future.


    Kim Seonghyeon had been quiet the whole time. He then walked over weakly and slumped against the wall. He rubbed his face with both hands and buried his face in his knees, speaking in a trembling voice.


    Seo Hoyun


    Why are you crying?


    Ah, please


    Annoyed by the joke, Kim Seonghyeon finally asked,


    Can I stop feeling sorry for my parents now?


    <em>Ah.</em>


    About six months ago, when I first entered this practice room, he asked me about the words Id thrown out full of spirit.


    <em>Other kids go to college or work part-time jobs to make money, whereas we rely on our family andpany for financial support.</em>


    I chuckled.


    You have a lot to be sorry for.


    You said it yourself.


    Back then, it was so hopeless Ouch!


    Kim Seonghyeon yfully hit me with the hat he was holding. But it really hurt.


    As the two of us argued, Seong Jiwon suddenly stood up and called somewhere.


    Hello, Grandma! Yes its Jiwon. Yeah, Im eating well.


    I wanna call too!


    Oh, right me too.


    Seeing that, everyone got up, grabbed their phones, and went outside. I stared nkly at the closed door, and a system window appeared.


    <em>Ding!</em>


    [Not gonna call?]


    Whats the point?


    [To your brother.]


    Pfft, no thanks.


    I knew that even if I bragged about making a lot of money, he would just worry first.


    The door opened again as Iy down on the practice room floor. Kang Ichae, chewing a piece of gum as always, came in. Today, he was chewing it very intensely.


    Hyung, whats up?


    Did you check your settlement?


    <em>He seems too calm about it.</em>


    Kang Ichae was the member who earned the most among us. He had written several songs. I thought the amount he received might be different when he just nodded his head.


    Oh, I saw it.


    <em>Oh, you saw it?</em>


    What the hell?


    So, everyones excited like puppies seeing snow for the first time?


    Kang Ichae was too indifferent.


    Wasnt it an incredible amount for a first settlement? No, even normally, it wasnt an amount you could easily touch.


    But Kang Ichae didnt seem to care much about the settlement. Hey down beside me and started ying a rhythm game on his phone.


    Did you do well in script reading?


    Of course.


    Yeah


    And after a long silence, Kang Ichae added nonchntly.


    So thats what happened.<hr>


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