Unaware of how pitifully I was looking at him, Joo Woosong spoke indifferently.
"We dated about 2 years ago...? It's been a while."
"Was it a short relationship?"
"No? It lasted quite a while. About six months?"
"....Broke up?"
He hadn't even started his activities in the U.S. yet, but seeing Joo Woosong already equipped with an American mindset made me want to run away.
As he was about to meet his ex-girlfriend soon, Joo Woosong felt even more Martian to me.
"How can you be so shameless in front of your ex?"
"Huh?"
But Joo woosung tilted his head as if he didn't understand my words.
"So what? We're already over, aren't we?"
"...."
"We're not going to meet again."
This guy's common sense was beyond Mars. It was a relief to send the kids away and not hear this nonsense.
I don't know if it's because I'm normal, but every time I meet Joo Woosung, I feel a sudden drop in morale.
Now, I was taking out the candies that had become a given in my pocket, but Joo woosung just took them away and started peeling off the wrapper.
"Hey, Hoyun, can I give you some advice?"
Not necessary, kid.
"People who are full of regrets about past relationships don't handle them well when they meet again."
"Uh-huh."
"You know? No matter what happens, if you can't do it yourself, you'll regret it later. That's why I'm really good at dating??"
So said the great sage of crap.
He handled himself so well that he even overturned a bucket of water onto Hanchaeri.
Ignoring Joo Woosung's useless advice, I tried to move away, but he blocked my path.
"But you're exactly that type, huh, yeah."
"What are you talking about?"
Joo Woosung chuckled as he tossed the candy into his mouth.
This guy, seriously...
'No, he couldn't possibly know.'
Unlike in the previous world, there was no connection between Kim Hee-young and him here.
Joo Woosung grumbled beside me.
"You've dated before, right? If you haven't, you wouldn't have that kind of attitude."
"...."
"But it all went horribly, didn't it?"
This guy is really...
"How did I know? Your expression says it all. So Hoyun, what's your deal with relationships? Guys like you always handle things smoothly in front of others, but behind the scenes, conflicts pile up, and eventually you end up getting slapped or kicked. Am I right?"
"Are you just telling me to fail?"
...But Joo Woosung was right about everything.
No matter how objectively I looked at it, I was the one who messed up with him.
Joo Woosung looked at me silently, at a loss for words, then deliberately sighed and patted my shoulder.
"So, Hoyuon."
"...."
"You..."
Gulp.
"Just fail already?"
...But Joo Woosung's words were all true.
"...That aside, that tone of yours... doesn't it give you chills?"
"Why? Does it give you chills?"
"Don't you turn into some kind of weirdo, dancing around and being all strange...."
Ding!
[Joo Woosung is right about everything!!]
[When did you become so shameless?!!]
I unconsciously glanced at the system window that popped up to echo Joo Woosung's words.
What more can I do when even I've gotten used to being called "rabbit"?
Besides, there's Kang Ichae, who keeps whining about being cute and pretty, and tells others not to touch his hands.
Looking at myself, who has become more brazen due to bad influences rather than more timid, Joo Woosung clicked his tongue and crossed his arms.
"I've never seen a human like you in my life."
Joo Woosung seemed indifferent, but I was slightly perplexed looking at him.
From the Black Call Christmas album to complaining during concerts, Joo Woosung has been bothering me subtly.
Should I give him a hard time?
"Yeah."
After a brief thought and decision, I deliberately tilted my head and adjusted the angle.
"Human?"
"....?"
Ju Woo-sung froze for a moment, realizing something eerie, but it was already too late.
"What are you talking about? I'm a baby rabbit."
"...."
"Tlqkf...."
Although the profanity in the system window was unintentionally expressed, I used profanity for the first time.
Even Joo Woosung in front of me muttered curses under his breath.
"Damn it...."
"Hahaha, what's up?"
"Crazy son of a...!"
"Am I... insane?"
"This guy's crazy. I can't stand him..."
"I can't even stand you...."
As Joo Woosung shook his head as if unable to contain himself, he suddenly widened his eyes, then quickly nudged me and glanced around nervously.
"Uh, hello."
"....?"
Suddenly, a sense of dread overwhelmed me.
It was similar to the chills I felt when Kang Ichae caught me practicing aegyo alone in the practice room or the shock I felt when she exposed the fact during a variety show.
As I turned my head to where Ju Woosung's gaze fell...
"Oh..."
...Kim Heeyoung was standing there.
"..."
"..."
"..."
An awkward and tense silence passed between us.
As I stood there frozen, Kim Heeyoung, with a cigarette dangling from her lips as if she had come to smoke, scratched her cheek.
Then, in an attempt to lighten the mood, she extended her thumb as if to offer a handshake.
"Indeed, an idol. Unable to accept being compared to animals, consuming oneself instead...."
"..."
"I've seen videos occasionally too. Your professionalism is impressive."
She then casually lit her cigarette with a lighter. After taking a deep drag and exhaling smoke, Kim Heeyoung, still maintaining a strong demeanor, threw another joke into the tense atmosphere.
"Baby rabbit, hoo-hoo~."
"..."
"..."
"...Well, good, good. Ahaha."
Despite her joke sense that wouldn't even appeal to a supporting actor, Kim Heeyoung, unsurprisingly, chuckled awkwardly and walked into the smoking room.
"..."
Ding!
Ding!!
[Ouch]
[ㅠ]
[Aaaaaaaah]
[Kiiiiiiill me]
The system window poured out nonsensical responses.
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Why of all times ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ??? ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
After the consecutive alarms, I finally snapped out of the shock and turned my gaze in the direction Kim Heeyoung had moved, then quickly lowered my head.
[Ahahahaha]
Life, damn it...
"...I'll go ahead."
"Huh?"
As I quickly walked away, I could hear Joo Woosung's footsteps following behind.
"Crazy rabbit, little rabbit, where are you going?"
Still unable to grasp the situation, Joo Woosung muttered and backed away, meeting my eyes with confusion.
"....Excuse me."
It was natural. Even without looking, I could feel that my expression wasn't normal.
My clenched jaw trembled.
"Joo Woosung..."
"Huh?"
"Don't call me that way, seriously, before I snap, my damn temper, before it explodes..."
"But you just said it yourself earlier."
"No! When did I?!"
"What??"
He looked confused as to why I was reacting this way.
Joo Woosung called himself a baby rabbit (damn it) in front of his ex-girlfriend?
Did he just want to die?
"Why the hell did I have to be dragged into this, damn it..."
"...What's wrong?"
Ju Woo-sung muttered as if he really didn't understand, but I was too overwhelmed by my own embarrassment to hear him.
[Ha, deep breath]
[Phew, phew]
[Ahahahaha]
[Thinking back, I must have been insane, hahaha]
Should I bite my tongue now?
***
"Isn't this really cool?"
"Wow...."
Jlo Woosung also had a meeting scheduled for his mentorship, so we parted ways, and he was waiting at the designated meeting place.
There were several cameras already set up there.
The members were gathered together, watching the video of the Black Call concert, specifically the cover of the famous pop singer's "Verxche On The Floor," covered up by Joo Woosung.
"Damn it..."
I continued to feel embarrassed and squirmed in discomfort.
"Wow, the lyrics are a bit risky... But how do you sing such a sexy song so innocently?"
"That's right, it's because Senior Joo Woosung is immersed in dancing, he sings really well too."
"The emotional depth is no joke!"
It's messy because it reflects his actual experience...
I collapsed among the kind and innocent guys, burying my face in my arms.
'Should we just scrap Season 2 altogether?'
"Why, hyung?"
"Life is just too hard..."
Kang Yi-chae looked puzzled, but I was grappling with how to avoid Kim Hee-young's face, even though I knew it would be difficult.
"Hello~."
"Oh! Hello."
As we exchanged greetings, Kim Heeyoung entered. The staff who followed in behind only turned on the cameras and quickly left.
I quickly managed my expression and greeted the members together.
"It's been a while. Oh, don't worry about the cameras. It's just a preliminary meeting, so they're filming just in case, but it won't be much footage."
"Got it!"
"Today, as I mentioned on the phone, I'll brief you lightly on the program's progress. First, before the first round of competition, there will be a preliminary meeting to explain how it will work."
"Yes, understood!"
The tension that was present until we entered the broadcasting station seemed to dissipate, and everyone responded confidently.
Kim Heeyoung shuffled through some documents and began her explanation. She seemed to have forgotten about the earlier incident.
"So, first of all, the program will be scheduled as a 6-part series, just like last time. After it's over, there will also be a special bonus concert solely for the winner."
"…!"
"Are you all looking forward to it? Aim for the first place."
Everyone's eyes lit up at the mention of the bonus concert.
Perhaps because they haven't had the chance to perform in a concert yet, everyone's eyes sparkled with ambition.
My wavering mind was suddenly sharpened.
Yes, let's aim for the first place in Shining Star.
Once we secure the first place, let's quickly wrap up the scenario.
"The first competition will be... Oh, just a moment."
Kim Heeyoung, who was smiling as she watched The Dawn's reactions, raised her hand slightly as her phone rang in the middle of speaking.
'...?'
Kim Heeyoung seemed a bit more lively today. Sensing something strange since then, I furrowed my eyebrows slightly.
"I'll take this call and be right back. Please wait for a moment."
"Okay!"
The four young men nodded eagerly, and Kim Hee-young chuckled again before leaving the room.
"A concert...??"
"We can do it. If we get first place."
Kim Sung-hyun scratched his head and expressed his desire to perform on stage if they were to hold a concert. Other members also added their thoughts one by one.
But I just rubbed my forehead and pondered.
'Why is Kim Heeyoung so energetic?'
A PD worn out from overtime work couldn't possibly be like that. While observing the surroundings like that, I suddenly felt a sense of discomfort.
'Hmm?'
It was something I had been puzzled about since stepping foot in this place.
Why were there so many cameras installed for a preliminary meeting?
"...Can I review the opening sequence now?"
"How should we do the opening?"
Several unmanned cameras moved around, capturing the members' actions.
I carefully scanned the walls and the ceiling to avoid making a grimace.
'It doesn't match the pattern.'
It felt like hastily adding a partition.
The makeshift set, multiple cameras, few staff, and Kim Heeyoung's actions seemed oddly timed.
"…Ah."
Is that it?
Sung Ji-won, who found my reaction curious, turned his head.
"Why?"
At that moment, the lights went out.
"Why did the lights go out...?"
"Is it a power outage?"
Right on cue, screams that sounded like they were being torn apart echoed from outside.
"Aaaahhh!"
---