Chapter 275

In the hallway of the broadcasting station, we ran into contestants even though we weren't appearing on the same program.

It was obvious.

'It's on purpose.'

The staff led them here to draw pictures for the broadcast.

If it was , this would be enough for them. They could make up for TeStar not appearing with this trick.

And if the contestants said hello here and we firmly refused for an image to not be drawn, our appearance would be ridiculous.

It was just that they were filming a video of , so wouldn't it seem unusual to ask for a mosaic of us who just happened to run into each other?

Ultimately, the problem with this situation was this.

'There's a camera.'

Cameras were all over the place.

Seon Ahyeon met Chae Seodam on the condition of broadcasting.

'Damn it.'

I winked at the other guys. Knowingly, sociable guys came out and greeted them first.

"Oh~ hello!"

"I'm cheering for you. Go for it!"

That was enough.

There were 7 people, and Seon Ahyeon could just nod.

I bowed and greeted the participants, conscious of two or three cameras turning toward us.

I was thinking of ending it like this.

But I guess they didn't think so.

"I'm a real fan of TeStar sunbaenim!"

"Oh my god… … Wow."

"Sunbaenim, I'm really really sorry, but can I get your autograph… …?"

Perhaps because of the value of the name TeStar, about half of the participants sneaked up on us.

I didn't think they received any special advice from the production team, it just seemed like they were excited to see a genuinely popular idol.

And the camera advanced accordingly.

"… …"

This would take a long time. That wouldn't be good.

I checked Seon Ahyeon's face.

Fortunately, the agitation was not revealed. He had a smiling face that wasn't as big as usual, so it looked a bit stiff, but it wasn't noticeable.

Perhaps it was because of the fact that no special contingency occurred.

Chae Seodam, who was on the other side, didn't even bother to say anything, because he was quietly moving behind them, buried in the flow.

'… …As expected, his head is calculating right now.'

It seemed that he knew that showing off his friendship by pretending to know Seon Ahyeon here was of no benefit, and only increased the risk.

'He didn't say a word about Seon Ahyeon even while appearing in .'

This was enough for him to not provoke Seon Ahyeon, and he must have thought that he would keep his mouth shut because it would be a loss for him anyway.

However, that was the judgment of that person alone.

The producers would be different.

"Come to think of it, aren't you two from the same school?"

Now that it was like this, it seemed like the broadcasting station guys wouldn't miss this prey.

Friendship with famous idols was always a concept that drew a lot of attention.

"Ah."

Chae Seodam, like a brainy guy, jumped in first and gave a calm and appropriate answer.

"Yes. Sometimes we'll say hello… Long time no see, sunbaenim!"

He acted a bit shy as if talking to 'someone he knew quite well'.

'This bastard is quite repulsive.'

Did he guess that if Seon Ahyeon hardened his face here, people would think that he 'changed because he got more famous'?

That was why he was trying to leave a video that proved that he was smiling and saying hello to Seon Ahyeon anyway.

Unfortunately, the industry didn't run that fair.

I looked at him carefully.

'If we have to, we can make a deal with the production team and delete the data.'

Because TeStar weren't contestants, but idols who had already signed a contract with the company. Also under the umbrella of T1

If it didn't work out, it was rather possible to get rid of it if we openly said something that would make them have to edit it out completely.

-Excuse me. I'd like you to return his stolen goods to him. There's more than one.

Like this. It was just something that was rumored.

It was better to be on this side than to see this bastard benefit and Seon Ahyeon going through a mental breakdown.

'Should I do it?'

It was a moment of contemplation.

"… … Yes. Hello."

"… … !"

Seon Ahyeon calmly responded.

A feeling of victory quickly crossed Chae Seodam's face.

And the production team quickly intervened and took care of the new broadcast.

"Can I ask for a word of encouragement?"

"Ah, … … That."

Seon Ahyeon seemed to be taking a deep breath. Chae Seodam smiled and waited for the situation.

"That… …"

"Wait a minute."

I heard the small whisper of Ryu Chungwoo who caught Bae Sejin getting angry from behind him.

And Seon Ahyeon, without any interruption, spoke slowly while looking at Chae Seodam.

"No matter what you do, believe in yourself more… … I hope you do."

Seon Ahyeon smiled faintly.

"Now that you've… … come this far, I think that's the most important thing. Instead of caring about others, focus on yourself… … Trust yourself."

"… …"

A wave of agitation passed across Chae Seodam's face.

Seon Ahyeon took a step forward. He made eye contact with Chae Seodam openly.

"We… … weren't very close. I hope you can go through the remaining time with a good heart."

"… …"

"I will pray for that."

It was a pep talk.

However, depending on the interpretation, it was a word that could sound meaningful.

And it must have sounded different to the person involved.

Well, in a way like this.

- Take care of yourself and live kindly when you have time to work on others because of your inferiority complex.

'He's stiff.'

I saw a look of bewilderment and tension in his eyes. It was quite pleasant.

Seon Ahyeon looked around and shouted a little embarrassed.

"And the others too. Go for it… … !"

"Yes! Go for it!"

Seeing the other participants copying his words, Seon Ahyeon raised his hand and made a fist gesture.

He looked comfortable.

Chae Seodam seemed to be laughing along, but he didn't look very comfortable.

Still, he obligingly held out his hand.

"… … Thank you for your kind words."

"Yes."

Seon Ahyeon shook his hand. And he waved casually.

"Oh, shall we leave a message too? It was fate that we met like this~"

"We are so grateful!"

As soon as there was a gap, Keun Sejin, who quickly intervened, turned the tide.

And with the enthusiastic support of the participants and the production team, a short cheering filming took place.

Taking advantage of that gap, Seon Ahyeon fell back.

"Are you okay?"

"… … Yes "

Seon Ahyeon answered quietly and calmly. His voice sounded somewhat relieved.

"Our manager said we really have to move now."

"Yes, thank you."

"Ayy, what? Then, we'll see you on stage next time~"

The other members resumed their movement only after filming short words of support for each participant.

And the moment we parted in the hallway, I saw Chae Seodam turn his head.

"… … !"

Perhaps he was trying to glare at Seon Ahyeon, but when our eyes met, he flinched.

'The shock must have been great.'

1st place in the current season, he must have been confident that this was a weight class he could compete against.

Originally, when I participated, the program was all the same.

'Does he have a sense of superiority because his grades in the program are better than Seon Ahyeon's when he participated?'

That was why he thought that Seon Ahyeon would be pushed back again, so it was probably driving him crazy that he was the one being threatened now.

I laughed at the guy.

And I mouthed the words.

'Lucky bastard.'

"… … !"

There was no need to make enemies, but after seeing him, he was more emotional than I thought, so I don't think he'd go far.

It was nice not to be burdened.

I rubbed the back of my neck and turned my head. I wondered how long that bastard could endure in front of the camera.

Not long after, TeStar walked through the corridors and arrived at the waiting room.

"I'II be back after checking for lunch."

"Okay, manager~"

Click.

After the door closed like that, only the members remained.

"Wow… …!"

As if the tension had eased, Seon Ahyeon sighed and sat down on the sofa.

Then, cool reactions poured in.

"Hey, Ahyeon~"

"WOW!!"

"You did well to stay calm."

Seon Ahyeon seemed embarrassed, but he had a good face, probably proud inside.

Even Bae Sejin spoke with an excited face.

"… … You did a good job with him."

"Yes? I didn't mean to say anything intentionally, but… D-did that sound like that?"

Seon Ahyeon lowered his head as his face flushed as if it were about to explode. Bae Sejin was a little taken aback.

"Uh, really?"

"Yes… … ! It was just an honest thought… Still I… I didn't know that I would say that myself…"

Seon Ahyeon let out a small sigh with a relaxed face.

"… … It was great. I-I thought it would be scary."

I asked.

"How was it?"

"More than I thought… … It was fine. Yes."

Seon Ahyeon held his hands together and murmured softly.

"Now that I've actually met him, it really felt like nothing…"

"… …"

Contrary to my concerns, this meeting seemed to have been a kind of awakening for Seon Ahyeon.

He experienced firsthand that it was no longer difficult.

"I am… … I'm okay"

Seon Ahyeon finished speaking as if he were sure.

"… … Okay."

"That's it!"

Keun Sejin tapped him on the shoulder. The other members also surrounded Seon Ahyeon with happy faces.

Then, Ryu Chungwoo spoke with a smile.

"Come to think of it, didn't Ahyeon speak comfortably and barely stutter?"

"… …!"

"I know!"

Did some of his trauma go away?

Seon Ahyeon turned bright red.

"R-really? I-I think so…"

.. … As soon as he thought about it, it seemed that he was reminded of it again.

Then, the members who were looking at each other started shouting in a hurry.

"No, what is it, Ahyeon-ah~ You can stutter while talking comfortably!"

"It's between us, so let's just relax."

"You are right. Cha Eugene just picks out his own vocabulary roughly and lives by speaking well."

"I speak very well!"

"Yes, yes."

Although the point was strangely blurred in the middle, Seon Ahyeon bowed his head, as if the intention was conveyed well anyway.

"… … Yes."

The voice sounded a bit hoarse. But right after that, he raised his head and spoke steadfastly.

"Still… … I'll practice more! S-so that I can speak better even when I'm doing it comfortably, I will do it!"

"Okay. We'll cheer you on."

The atmosphere in the waiting room had improved to the point where it couldn't warmer.

'That's good.'

I patted Seon Ahyeon on the back. He was certainly a commendable guy.

"Th-thank you, thank you… …!"

Seon Ahyeon smiled with a more comfortable face.

• * *

The funny thing was, after that, Seon Ahyeon really started to speak more comfortably and without stuttering at public events.

It seemed that the relief of pressure and tension had helped.

"Th-the teacher also said that I would improve in a cascading fashion, but I feel like I've gone up a step...!"

"Yes, congratulations."

And this week, was watched by everyone, including Seon Ahyeon, who was active. It was the ranking announcement ceremony.

[Rank 1 is… … Chae Seodam!]

"Oh my."

Not surprising. I thought so.

I looked at the screen with a glum face.

Thanks to the amount of 'Seodam suffering from team members' in the last episode, he won because of the momentum he gained. If not, he would've fallen off.

[Chae Seodam: Really….. … thank you. I will work harder… … !]

However, the atmosphere in the living room was not so bad.

"D-do you want to eat?"

"Yes."

"Thank you, Ahyeon~"

Seon Ahyeon's face was clear as he handed out dried apple chips to the members.

It probably wouldn't matter too much if Chae Seodam succeeded as an idol by winning first place.

'Well, it's a good thing.'

I shrugged.

However, I didn't want to move on like this.

And, it was that night that the pre-laid bait caught a fish.

- Hello, sunbaenim!

I told her in advance.

I entered the room and quickly brought the story to the point.

"Hello. Did you call me about what I told you last time?"

-Yep! That… … I participated in the team battle today and just got home now!

Since the ranking announcement was coming out now, it seemed like the shooting period would be just a few days.

And this phone call… … It must mean that there was something on her mind.

It seemed to be such a case that she called without hesitation.

"Did you see something?"

Rank 2 over the phone... So, Park Minha caught her breath.

-That… … Hoo. That's right.

"Yes. Please speak."

-That, the one we talked about last time. I think he was naturally trying to find our phone numbers.

"… … !"

I heard the sound of a jackpot popping.