Four days after the accident, the media would have been talking about me with no sign of waking up.
I opened my mouth right away.
"It's okay. I will completely recover."
[D-dying, the news… …]
"I won't die."
I didn't know which lunatic used that word to describe the comatose state, but I'd like to sue them.
[Hyung, you're not really dead, are you… ? Didn't you die and come to help me now?]
"I told you, I'm not."
I went up to receive the grand prize. What was he talking about?
'He would disappear, not me.'
Hearing this from a guy who I didn't know what would happen to when this 'receive the reward' was over… It was disturbing.
I spoke with a sigh.
"I'm sorry. I should have said it beforehand, but I didn't think of it. I woke up fine and it worked out well."
[…]
Even if there were obstacles, I didn't think there was a problem that I had to tell him in particular because I smashed it well every time. Because it was going to be solved even if he didn't do anything.
But for those who didn't know how it was handled, it was well worth worrying about.
That too… It would have been more if he had lost someone close to him in an accident.
'I was complacent.'
I sat down on the bed and spoke calmly.
"You got a new abnormal status and tried to confirm it to make me appear, right?"
It was still June. He was supposed to wait a bit longer and then get a new status abnormality, but I guess he had already dealt with it to make sure I was showing up properly.
'Actually, he endured for four days.'
He was anxious because he kept hearing that I was dying on the news, so he couldn't have figured it out without checking.
The resonance seemed to subside, then it trembled again.
[Sorry, sorry. I was supposed to press it in September, but I…]
"No, good work."
It was a situation worth checking if I thought about it efficiently. Because his guide almost evaporated suddenly.
'It's much better than taking a test in this state and then failing.'
I sighed in relief and got up.
"Don't worry about it because you handled it well. Since it's a month before the exam, you can take another test, which is rather advantageous."
[Yes… …]
The resonance subsided as if in great relief. I was right that he was in a panicked state.
"Good job. Four days."
The resonance shook as if whimpering.
I checked my body just in case, and realized that my stomach was almost sore.
"Did you even eat?"
[… There were people who keep talking about hyung while I was trying to eat… Sometimes.]
People didn't talk about idols, but they talked about idol accidents. Originally, the disaster of others was an interesting law.
Anyway, it was painful to hear stories of people he knew dying while he was eating. I clicked my tongue inwardly.
"But next time, eat rice no matter what."
[Yes…]
The resonance faded. I didn't think he'd be able to speak properly because he was nervous, so I'd figure out the situation myself.
'First… Today is Monday.'
As this year's exams were just around the corner, I thought he would be in the academy during the weekend, but this was the officetel.
'He must have done it on purpose in accordance with the timing of my return.'
Looking at the schedule on the screen of my smartphone, it seemed that he went to the boarding school steadily.
Next, I got on the internet.
[TeStar's Park Moondae, unconscious for the fourth day… What does the agency's position statement 'recovery' mean?]
It was an article that came up on the social side and sucked up criticism like 'Why is the title like this?'. I read through the comments.
After four days, a lot of aggro was lost because of the perception that it had become 'really serious'. Most of them were fans.
Worry, panic, despair, nervousness… …
"… …"
Actually, at the time, it was the first time I saw something raw to this extent because I watched it after it was all over, but seeing it in person, it was complicated. I was going to be unconscious for the next 18 days.
But on one side… I was a bit happy.
'… Don't think about it.'
I sighed and turned down the news screen. Everyone else must have come to their senses by now and were in the hospital.
'I heard that most of them ended up with minor injuries, so there were no major problems… ….'
When he actually woke up, only Cha Eugene was recovering from a major visible injury. The rest were, at best, wearing guards.
'Hmm, then the company might cut me off and make a new plan.'
Looking at it now, I was a little puzzled.
At the point where I couldn't wake up went over two weeks, there must have been a gesture from the company.
Even if the subsidiaries refrained from manager problems, T1, the head office, would still be there.
'… Come to think of it.'
Suddenly, I remember what Seon Ahyeon said before.
-Wh-when we had that car accident, Sejin did a lot, worked hard…
- Speaking to the company… He kept coming to the hospital and talking about surgery… He worked really hard! He couldn't even eat well…
"… …"
After thinking about it for a while, I created a new anonymous email. And I put the agency mail format in the 'recipient'.
However, it was not a representative address.
I directly wrote down the e-mail address of the 'Management Office Manager'.
And I titled it.
-The company will announce its plan to push ahead with TeStar's activities in the fourth quarter.
It was written as if it were a whistleblower disguised as anonymity, what kind of backlash would come from the outside if the six-member system activities were enforced?
'This works when we're in the middle of a faction fight with the general manager.'
If this was the case, even if the general manager talked to the head office and brought out this plan, the management chief would immediately protest. Because he already knew the weaknesses. Then it wouldn't proceed properly because the two of them would be biting each other…
'… There will be fewer things for the members to consider.'
Keun Sejin.
At this point, he was the only person in the group who could properly communicate with the company, but imagine that the company even came up with a shitty proposal.
I didn't know what would happen to this guy's head under extreme stress.
'Still, until I woke up, it seemed like he did well.'
Well, it would be nice if this little bit of effort had an impact. I clicked the send mail button.
I felt a little lighter.
Only then did the resonance ring again faintly.
[Hey hyung, may I ask where you are sending it… ?]
"Ah, the company…"
Wait a minute.
Talking to this guy reminded me of one more thing.
-Actually, the article was about to go out last year, but the company blocked it.
This guy's parents' plane crash.
By the time I was discharged from the hospital, the company said that the article had been blocked, but I doubted that these bastards properly prevented it in this hectic situation.
"… Park Moondae."
[Yes!]
"Just one thing… I want to ask for your understanding."
I explained the situation to this guy.
If I didn't do it, the media could bite the prey of family affairs.
It was annoying enough that it was already been revealed to the public, but I couldn't pass it on.
So, I thought to alert the agency by sending an e-mail like a reporter who wanted an 'exclusive' title in advance.
… It wasn't a very desirable method, but it was the most effective because of the limitations of time and space.
"So I have to write the contents in the mail first, but I'm sorry if it's uncomfortable to see."
[No… Uh, I'm really fine… ?]
"… ? Is that so?"
[Yes.]
The resonance rang dully.
[Actually, I don't even think it's me… We look very different… … It's just, I don't know what to say… It's like watching my real hyung appear on TV.]
"… Okay, I got it."
[It may be my own thoughts, but maybe that's why I feel a sense of familiarity…]
"Thank you for that."
The resonance rang as if he was laughing involuntarily.
"I wake up on July 6th, so don't watch the news for no reason until then."
[Yes!]
"Watch the donation concert after the second exam is over."
[Yes… …]
And one more emphasis.
After the 2nd round, the 3rd exam, the interview, remained, but the next status abnormality must be the 3rd round.
So here was what to do.
"First of all, you should go through the interview and receive the next status abnormality right away only when it seems like you've made it."
Once he received a status abnormality, he only had one chance to clear it.
He was someone who had never done anything like an interview in his life, so he couldn't help but think about the odds of getting rejected.
[I will definitely do that!]
However, I did think that this guy could do it.
And when I woke up in the morning again…
[… Hyung.]
"Yes."
I realized that I only woke up the following spring.
This guy failed his interview.
• * *
'Park Moondae' was eliminated in the third round.
Of course, it wasn't because he didn't get through the interview.
[Sorry, my score was more than one times higher, and I was so bad at the interview…]
In the first place, the score in the 1.5 multiple selection was intermittent.
"Good job. If you have a second one, you're almost there. You just have to suffer for one more year."
If he won this year, it was enough. But the resonance shook uneasily.
[I… What if I can't make it this year?]
Once he slipped off the target, he seemed scared.
But he didn't have to be.
"No, you can do it. I'm not trying to encourage you, I'm serious."
He got fed up with the questions, so he was eliminated because he uselessly tried to beat the interviewer. This guy just needed to score a little bit.
And he would be able to raise it.
"You raised your score to the pass mark in two years, honestly, which is ridiculous."
[Ughhhhh.]
"And if you work hard for the first three years of this class, your score will inevitably rise to some extent."
I spoke without hesitation.
"So, if you're already qualified, if you work hard for a few more months, you'll be accepted."
[… Yes!]
Power returned to the resonance that responded.
'Good.'
His motivation was back. I nodded and started my day.
Now that he had to run to his death for the last test opportunity, I spent this time cooperating with this guy's rest as much as possible.
Resting while doing what he wanted to do, and answering his questions.
In this way, for example.
[Hyung, by any chance, the next comeback…]
"July 12th. So don't for anything else, just listen to the song on that day."
[Yes!]
I answered and realized. The song that would make a comeback on July 12th was the newest song 'Promise'.
In other words, it was the year I returned before I knew it.
'I've caught up a lot.'
I didn't know anything specific about the system in particular.
'This guy himself doesn't seem to know anything about it.'
I crossed my arms.
Still, if I were to point out one by one, the 'conversation with Park Moondae' itself was well done. I think I had gotten a little closer to this guy than I thought.
Besides, I thought that 'Park Moondae' would successfully end the status abnormality better than my first expectations.
'It's strangely rewarding.'
Well, I was seeing some gains too.
[Hyung, what is that?]
"I have something to deal with."
It was because it reminded me of the 'good timing' revelation that I sent the most annoying guy at this time.
Chae Seodam's secret dating account.
Of course, I didn't do anything. I was a public official, so I shouldn't be sued.
Just… I just posted this on an anonymous site.
[It seems that Chae Seodam wants to start rumors]
This account ID creation method is very similar to Chae Seodam's previous account, but it was recently created.
It's amazing that he wants to curse himself like this
Regarding Chae Seodam's private dating account, it was posted in the tone of 'an account intentionally created by a hater'.
If this was the case, those who want to claim it to be real would stick around… Well, then, as I saw before, even bastards who would hack him might come out.
It was just a possibility. Well… Although I did see the results.
'If this wasn't really me, I could have used it as a card to silence the anti-speakers.'
Unfortunately, it was true that Chae Seodam himself was careless.
After I noticed the number of comments growing, I waited 5 minutes before deleting the post.
'Neat and clean.'
[Hyung… Did you help that person get falsely accused?]
"It's the opposite."
[… ??]
I did not bother to explain in detail to the resonance, who was ringing blankly. He just needed to study and work hard.
After that, I spent time just resting as planned, and the day passed in an instant.
The resonance hummed gloomily.
[It's already 11 o'clock…]
"Yes."
In other words, it meant that it was time for a decisive battle.
If my hypothesis and calculations were correct, it was the section where he had to clear the last 5th status abnormality.
I didn't explain in detail, but this guy also believed my words that the 'status abnormality' would end with him passing the test itself.
But I was curious about what happened after that.
It was because I asked this right before the end of today.
[Hyung, when this is all over… What will happen?]
It was something I had always cared about, but for now, I answered plainly. There was no need to make him anxious.
"For me, nothing special happened, only the status abnormalities disappeared, but it was over."
[Is that so?]
"Yes. And well… Even if it wasn't, I wouldn't suddenly die anymore."
The resonance trembled like laughter.
[I guess so!]
Okay.
And just in case, even if I went back to the time I was receiving the grand prize, I had prepared an alternative.
"Well then, see you in half a year this time."
[Yes!!]
"If I don't come back, call me on the number I gave you in December."
The resonance wavered with tension and anticipation. It seemed like an affirmation.
'I can control it either way.'
As long as this guy passed.
So, I fell asleep considering the possible outcomes.
• * *
When I opened my eyes again, I realized that I was lying on the bed in the officetel this time too.
"… …"
It was also the body of Ryu Gunwoo. Nothing in particular had changed.
And looking at the season outside the window… It was late autumn.
The season when the results of passing the exam would be announced. I got it right away.
'He passed.'
The fact that I came back at this timing.
That was all. I smiled and got up. And I called out.
"Park Moondae."
Well done.
But no answer came back.
"… Ryu Gunwoo?"
No resonance was heard.
There was no trace of a strange vibration that resonated somewhere inside.
"… …"
This… What was this situation?
I waited a little longer just in case this bastard was playing a prank to commemorate passing the exam.
But for more than five minutes, the surroundings were silent.
I was the only one in the officetel.
I swallowed.
"… Status window."
[Receiving the reward.]
It meant that it was not over yet. I was still receiving the 'Conversation with Park Moondae' reward.
Therefore… Obviously, it was not the worst-case scenario I was considering.
'But why did my conversation partner disappear?'
What was the situation?
I held back my swearing and immediately got up from the bed. First of all, I was thinking of finding out and reasoning about something through the surrounding clues.
It was then.
Jiying.
A phone call came in. It was a smartphone by the bedside.
'An unsaved number.'
I picked up right away. With the intention of extracting information to combine anything.
Then, a voice was immediately heard on the smartphone.
However, it was a familiar voice.
-I found you.
… Cheongryeo.