Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 57

#57.

Kim Seok-cheol, the team leader sitting in the passenger seat, answered Gyu-seong’s question with a nod.

Starting January 1st, MOST would have a fifteen-day vacation.

After that, they were scheduled to prepare for the February music shows and their next album.

“There really won’t be any other schedules until the 15th,” Kim Seok-cheol confirmed, perhaps a little concerned that he was interrupting their vacation, even if it was for the members’ benefit.

Gyu-seong nodded and asked again.

“Then, during that time, we’re free to do whatever we want, right?”

“What is it, Gyu-seong *hyung* [older brother or male friend]? What are you planning to do during the vacation that you’re being so insistent about?” Woo-cheol asked, voicing what Kim Seok-cheol was also thinking.

Gyu-seong hesitated at Woo-cheol’s question.

Although it was a vacation, it wasn’t a vacation where they were ‘free to do whatever they wanted’ as Gyu-seong put it.

As celebrities who had debuted and become known, they had to report to their manager, Jeong Gil-ju, about who they were meeting and where they were going, even for personal appointments.

This was to prepare for any possible mishaps.

Most celebrity incidents happened during rest periods, not during activity periods.

“As long as you report it… you’re free as long as it’s not illegal,” Kim Seok-cheol replied.

Gyu-seong nodded at the team leader’s answer.

Woo-cheol and Louis kept badgering Gyu-seong, asking what he was planning to do during the vacation.

Gyu-seong’s only real hobby was listening to music.

The other members were also curious about where Gyu-seong would spend his free time, so they let the younger ones continue to pester him.

However, Gyu-seong only repeated, “Later,” and in the meantime, the car had arrived at the restaurant.

***

Late evening.

Do-jae, who had returned after eating, spent time in his room.

It felt good to sit at his desk and read a book after so long.

Although he had ‘Kang Do-jae’s’ memories, there was nothing better than books to deeply understand the differences between the Korean Empire and South Korean society.

It was as Do-jae was turning the page that Gyu-seong, who had finished showering, came into the room.

“…Reading a book?”

Reading during break time.

Even though he saw it every day, Gyu-seong found it amazing.

Do-jae nodded slightly.

It had been three months since their debut.

During that time, they were so busy that Do-jae hadn’t had many conversations with Gyu-seong, even though they shared a room.

Do-jae was worried about Gyu-seong, who seemed to have accumulated a lot of stress without anyone knowing.

“That Ha-yul we met earlier, she was a cute kid,” Do-jae said, naturally starting the conversation with Ha-yul’s story.

Gyu-seong’s face immediately lit up with a smile as he thought of Ha-yul.

“She was. It’s amazing that even such a young child is our fan.”

“To be exact, she seemed to be your fan.”

“Ah. Is that… so?”

Gyu-seong’s lips curled up even more.

Then, as he remembered Ha-yul’s illness, his face immediately clouded over.

“She said she’s sick. That’s too bad.”

“She said she’s hospitalized for treatment. I hope she’ll be completely cured this time.”

“I hope so.”

Gyu-seong made a pitiful expression and moved his lips.

“Actually, I…….”

Do-jae waited for Gyu-seong’s next words without urging him.

“I’ve been having a hard time since winning the Rookie Award.”

It was unexpected that he had been having a hard time since winning the Rookie Award, not at any other time.

It was also quite recent.

“What exactly do you mean by having a hard time…….”

“I’ve been singing since I was young. Of course, I wasn’t trying to become a singer back then.”

“You said you were in a choir.”

“Yeah. And then I decided to become a singer and I wanted to sing better and better… so I worked really hard.”

It might have been embarrassing to say that he worked hard himself, but Gyu-seong spoke honestly.

“It might sound funny, but my goal was to become the best vocalist in Korea…….”

Do-jae shook his head.

It suited Gyu-seong, who was surprisingly ambitious, and dreaming of being the best wasn’t a bad thing.

Considering Gyu-seong’s skills and young age, it wasn’t an absurd thing either.

“But once I debuted… everyone tells me I’m good… but I don’t think that’s the case.”

“…….”

“Rather, after going on big stages, there are so many people who are much better than me. I knew it, but… I feel like I’m too lacking to be on the same stage.”

Do-jae felt like he understood what was stressing Gyu-seong out.

“But when I received the award… I was happy even though I knew I was lacking. Honestly, I was greedy without shame. Of course, you and our members all deserve to receive the award, but I…….”

It seemed that he was greedy for the results because he was doing better than expected, even though he felt he was still lacking, and at the same time, he felt burdened.

The burden seemed to have actively weighed on him since receiving the Rookie Award.

“Why do you think so? You deserve it too. We received it together, all six of us.”

“It’s just. My heart doesn’t feel that way.”

Gyu-seong smiled awkwardly at Do-jae’s heartfelt words.

He also thought that he had done well to confide in Do-jae.

The words that he also deserved it might have been obvious comfort, but it felt true because it came from Do-jae’s mouth.

That was probably because he knew Do-jae’s serious and sincere character well.

“But today, when Ha-yul said she wanted to sing like me, I felt good.”

Even his seemingly lacking song could be someone’s dream.

Gyu-seong realized.

Do-jae smiled slightly at Gyu-seong’s confession.

“You heard the best compliment.”

“That’s right. It was really the best.”

“I…… when I sing,” Do-jae began to tell his story.

“I sing hoping that someone will listen to my song and be happy, sad, and comforted together. Just like I was.”

In Do-jae’s opinion, what was more important than skill was whether it became a meaningful song for someone.

Vocal ability was a means to sing meaningful songs to more people, and what was really important was sincerity.

Gyu-seong nodded at Do-jae’s words.

“There were also the words the doctor said at the hospital today… so I’m going to think more about what message to convey with the song rather than singing well,” Do-jae said with an expression that showed he thought he had made a good decision.

“So, about that.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m thinking of volunteering. I don’t know if the company will allow it.”

It seemed that the thing he wanted to do during the vacation, which he had almost told Kim Seok-cheol, the team leader, a little while ago, was volunteering.

“When I saw it at the hospital earlier… they were looking for volunteers in the pediatric ward. Including music volunteering.”

“Are you going to sing there?”

“Yeah!”

It was definitely a good idea.

It would be more important to convey your heart to the listeners than to sing well there.

“It’s a good thing, so I think the company will allow it…….”

Do-jae was newly moved by Gyu-seong’s heart.

‘He’s a good friend after all.’

Even the worries he had and the way he solved them felt like a kind and pure heart.

Even his competitive spirit and the fiery aspect of not being able to stand injustice.

It was possible because he was kind.

“Since you’re singing in a place with many people, you definitely need to get permission from Kim, the team leader.”

“Is that so? Sigh…. I’m worried that I’m just making trouble and tiring the company people.”

Gyu-seong seemed worried that what he was trying to do would be a nuisance.

‘It’s a good idea… I hope he doesn’t give up.’

Do-jae thought for a moment and asked.

“If you happen to perform, can I join you?”

Gyu-seong’s face immediately lit up.

“Of course! Honestly, I feel more comfortable with you than doing it alone. But is it okay to use your vacation like that…….”

“I like it. Instead, I’ll be in charge of the accompaniment.”

That way, Gyu-seong would be able to focus on his own song as he intended.

Do-jae was going to support Gyu-seong to the best of his ability from behind.

Gyu-seong, who was sitting on the bed, stared up at Do-jae.

“You’re going to accompany my song?”

“Um. I think I can do it with a piano accompaniment.”

Of course, it was good.

The atmosphere would be much better and more meaningful than playing an MR [music recorded].

Watching Do-jae readily offer to accompany him, Gyu-seong nodded blankly.

***

Of course, no company would stop an idol from volunteering during their vacation.

However, Jeong Gil-ju decided to accompany them on the day of the performance.

Among the staff, there was even talk of whether they should promote this, but Do-jae and Gyu-seong didn’t want that.

“I also asked the hospital not to announce it in advance. We’re not that famous, but… if people come to see us, it’ll be a bit…….”

Team Leader Jeong Hee-young nodded at Gyu-seong’s explanation.

“That’s right. We were short-sighted. Besides, it’s not just a performance, it’s a performance for the patients.”

After saying that, Team Leader Jeong Hee-young praised them, saying that their thoughts were so admirable.

“I’m just going to help Gyu-seong,” Do-jae said modestly.

Gyu-seong waved his hand at Do-jae’s humility.

Team Leader Jeong Hee-young was even more proud, saying that they were heartwarming peers.

That day, Do-jae and Gyu-seong started practicing, even if it was just a simple run-through.

“You’re going to the practice room even during your vacation?!” Woo-cheol exclaimed.

Woo-cheol joked that there must be a strange ley line flowing in that room whenever Do-jae and Gyu-seong went to the practice room.

***

A week later.

It was finally the day of the hospital performance.

The volunteer performance was held in the auditorium inside the pediatric ward.

It was an auditorium where various volunteer performances such as children’s plays, classical music, and vocal music were regularly held.

Today, in addition to Do-jae and Gyu-seong, there were performances by music college students.

The children and families who would come as the audience only knew that music college students were coming.

The mouths of some of the children entering the auditorium were pouting.

“This is no fun…….”

“Na Jin-ah. Listening to good music is good for your health.”

“Heeing…….”

Of course, there were also children who liked it.

Even classical performances were better than the silence of the hospital room, and it felt like they were getting closer to everyday life even for a moment.

“Na Jin, are you still young? How good is it to listen to classical music.”

“Eh…. You’re a know-it-all?”

The child named Cheol-woo was angry at the word know-it-all.

Na Jin’s mother gave Cheol-woo’s mother an apologetic expression.

Cheol-woo’s mother shook her head and just smiled.

It was for the children, but the performance was also for the parents who were tired of caregiving.

“I heard that violin major students are coming today?”

“Yes. When would I ever get to hear Korea University students play? It’s good to have even this kind of performance.”

“That’s right. I get restless if I’m in the hospital room all day…….”

Those who entered the auditorium talked to each other while waiting for the performance.

Ha-yul and Ha-yul’s parents, who led Gyu-seong and Do-jae here, were also in the auditorium.

Ha-yul yawned loudly and waited for the performance.

Rather than watching this, he wanted to watch the performances of the MOST *hyungs* on his pad at this time.

However, Ha-yul was also frustrated with being in the hospital room.

The auditorium was an outing to meet friends of the same age.

The surroundings darkened and a hospital official who came out as the host opened his mouth.

“Hello. Thank you for coming to the regular performance of the pediatric ward today. Please set your cell phones to vibrate during the performance.”

There was movement to mute cell phones here and there.

“Today, in addition to the violin major students from Korea University’s College of Music, there is a special performance scheduled.”

People stirred at the word special performance.

“Then let’s bring them out right away.”

After the host’s introduction.

Do-jae and Gyu-seong came up onto the stage.

“Uh-oh! MO…. MOST!” The first to recognize the two was Ha-yul.

The auditorium was instantly abuzz with the sudden appearance of celebrities.

Thanks to Ha-yul’s shout, quite a few people recognized Do-jae and Gyu-seong.

The children’s mouths widened.

Gyu-seong smiled at the audience, adjusted the microphone, and bowed.

Do-jae went to the piano and sat down.

And after a while.

The closed door opened and someone unexpected appeared in the auditorium.

It was Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol and the members.