Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 245

“I can’t imagine what it will be like after disbandment.”

I spoke the simple truth. I’m the kind of person who’s more used to stating facts or hiding them than embellishing words, so I can’t help it.

“I’ve gotten too close to the members.”

“You’re definitely full of affection.”

I originally heard that I seemed to lack affection all the time, so I’m a little embarrassed because the nuance is as expected. I guess that’s how I look in that person’s eyes.

“Come to think of it, Eden said something like that too.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. He said he wants to keep going until he’s in his forties.”

“Hmm, that’s shorter than I expected.”

“If you do more than that, it’s hard to see it as an idol group, right? It’s just some kind of group.”

Senior Junseong said and then smiled.

When I think about it, that makes sense. Statistically, there are only a handful of idol groups that last until their forties.

“Why don’t you just start a ‘Ggoae-moim’ [a gathering of old people]? Do it until you’re forty, like Eden said. Should we start one too? We’re discussing it now.”

“…A relationship tied together by money is a bit…”

“Or cast a curse like Liu Bei in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. To die together on the same day at the same time. Then you’ll be forced to be friends.”

“…Already.”

Senior Junseong burst out laughing this time when I trailed off.

“Already, cursed, you’ve done it?”

“Not a curse, a promise that won’t be broken.”

“That’s not it, that’s a promise you’re going to make sure isn’t broken.”

Senior Junseong laughed for a long time and clapped his hands. Of course, it was true that it was a promise to make sure it wouldn’t be broken, so I had nothing to say and remained silent.

Gradually, the laughter subsided, and the sight of the Han River sparkling in the lights outside the car was coldly reflected through the window.

Junseong felt sentimental for some reason and said a word.

“Don’t you want to be more successful?”

“Success is only meaningful when there are people to enjoy it with.”

“Oh, that’s difficult. As expected of a philosophy major.”

The senior leaned back in his chair and stared blankly at the ceiling of the car.

“Still, think about it. I imagined things like that when I was your age.”

He was still looking at the ceiling.

“What to do besides group activities. What kind of image to show the fans. What kind of image I want to be for people. Group activities aren’t everything, so if you don’t have personal goals, you get a little tired. I had a lot of goals too.”

Senior Junseong’s voice was filled with both joy and regret as he said that.

Everyone has memories, so there must be some moment that is beautified in my mind like a painting that I don’t know about.

A memory that is different from reality, weathered in the flow of time and not accurate, but therefore reliable.

“…Did you achieve a lot?”

I asked carefully.

A human who has already walked the path I will walk, the leader of a group who has successfully passed the first contract renewal, whether with or without someone’s help.

I suddenly realized that I had asked for a lot of advice so far, but I had never asked what path this person had walked.

“I don’t think I’ve achieved even half of it.”

The corner of his mouth, smiling slightly, showed the maturity of an old man at twilight. One way or another, he seems to be the leader of a seasoned idol group who has experienced all kinds of hardships.

“May I ask you something?”

“What, do you have a hobby of listening to old stories, our junior! You used to control people with just one word, but you have a cute side.”

*Kkondae* [older people who talk about their past experiences without being asked] are people who talk about their past without being asked.

Even if I don’t say anything and just stay still, Senior Junseong reads my request in the atmosphere. Soon, a confident voice followed.

“Okay, today I’ll tell you all the stories I had in my idol life!”

That day, I listened to Junseong’s idol life story for about two hours.

To be honest, it was more of a time to understand a person’s life than to get help.

* * *

Officially scheduled time for the first episode of ‘Troubleshooter Office’. The camera was following me as soon as I got to work.

“We’re closely covering the private life of the youngest employee of the Troubleshooter Office. Do you have anything to say?”

“I’m excited because it’s my first time going to a private investigation agency.”

Even if it’s not illegal, it’s a name that doesn’t seem very honorable.

“It’s not a private investigation agency, it’s a troubleshooter, Donghwa.”

“…Yes.”

Just because the gangsters in the back alleys call themselves alley order managers doesn’t mean that what they do changes.

“Do you not like the name?”

“Not at all.”

It’s definitely not because I’m wearing a floral Hawaiian shirt and ripped jeans in several places right now.

It’s not because it’s funny to say that it’s not a private investigation agency in this outfit.

I smiled and chatted with the cameraman, and finally arrived in front of the container box that was the filming set.

Hmm, if I compare this building to a private investigation agency, people in the industry might be offended, so I should cancel it.

“Is this the company I’ll be working at in the future?”

“Yes.”

“Where can I apply for resignation?”

I want to get my resignation accepted as soon as possible.

The cameraman just smiled without saying anything. It was when I was about to say one more word.

Bang.

The door opened and Senior Gyeongwoo shouted.

“No way! You know you can’t leave once you’ve set foot in the company! Our youngest!”

That’s employment corruption, boss.

Next to him, a head popped out and Senior Junseong shouted with a bright face.

“That’s right! What if you leave when I only have one direct junior? You have to make me coffee!”

I won’t do it if making coffee isn’t in my work contract, you damn senior.

“No, *maknae* [youngest member], the floral pattern is a bit tacky.”

This time, a head popped out on the opposite side and Senior Hanho shouted.

What is this Cerberus, three faces in one body. It’s like a monster in mythology.

“…You told me to dress like a playboy.”

“That’s the most playboy-like you could think of. It doesn’t suit our company.”

Oh my god, how could you say that.

“Thank you. I’m going to resign.”

At the same time, Senior Gyeongwoo spread his legs wide. Senior Kanghee’s face popped out between his legs.

What, what kind of creature is this. I involuntarily took a step back.

Senior Kanghee raised his head with his hands making a flower shape. A little, just a little, I don’t like seeing you like that, senior.

“Hey, I’ll teach you well. Don’t say too much, Hanho *hyung* [older brother/male senior].”

“That’s right! Don’t even think about quitting. How hard did we work to get a student from a prestigious university to be fraudulently employed?”

That’s the concept. I, I was a person who was fraudulently employed.

I laughed a few times as a hollow laugh rose from my lungs.

The four seniors who were laughing together realized that they had to move out of the way and turned around, starting with Senior Gyeongwoo… Senior Gyeongwoo?

Crash, the senior at the front turned around first, and the seniors who were intertwined fell down as one mass.

“Wow! Waaah! Wait! It’s heavy!”

Senior Kanghee’s scream, Senior Gyeongwoo, who was lying on top, naturally put his hands behind his head and whistled comfortably before opening his mouth.

“Our *maknae* [youngest member], welcome to work.”

…Amazing.

* * *

When I entered the container, I saw a simple set of furniture consisting of a sofa and a long table.

The interior, which combined comic books, magazines, and baseball bats, was particularly eye-catching.

“Employment fraud……”

Who would come to work if they were called to a company like this? I came to work right away.

“Sit down quickly, *maknae* [youngest member]. Our company is horizontal, so there are no separate seats.”

“Isn’t it a lack of budget?”

When I sat on the sofa, fortunately, the sofa was soft and in good condition.

“Uh-huh, when your senior says that, you say yes and nod.”

When Senior Kanghee said that, Senior Junseong frowned and waved his hand in front of his nose as if it smelled.

“And, our company is like a family. So there are no separate positions, and we use titles like first to fifth like brothers.”

Oh my god, what kind of company management is that from the 1980s?

“There was no such thing in the proposal, maybe.”

“Yeah, we just decided among ourselves.”

They weren’t told to do that by the production team, but they called themselves that on their own.

I was shocked by Senior Gyeongwoo’s words and looked around.

“Okay, second *hyung* [older brother/male senior].”

“You’re adapting well! Our *maknae* [youngest member] came in well. An elite from a prestigious university. Our company’s brain!”

Then Senior Junseong sat next to me and put his arm around my shoulder in a friendly manner. I was surprised because I didn’t feel any distance at all.

“He’s my junior. *Hyungs* [older brothers/male seniors].”

“No, he’s our junior now, so shh.”

Senior Hanho naturally sat down after Senior Junseong was cut off, and everyone sat on the sofa, and there was a moment of silence for 1 second.

“What kind of company do we work for?”

“That’s a very good question. The timing is also artistic.”

Senior Gyeongwoo naturally took over the conversation so that the silence didn’t last long. Then he took out a letter from his arms.

“Solution.”

Hmm, so what.

“This morning, a man came and asked us for a request.”

“It’s only been 3 months.”

Close the business. Why are you open?

Besides, as I watched Senior Hanho’s expression as he spoke proudly, I began to get confused about the foundation of this broadcast.

“We specialize in solving these dangerous and unwanted tasks.”

So you’re saying that you’re a messenger with a high probability of dying.

“Today’s request is.”

Senior Gyeongwoo carefully and slowly took out the letter as if to create tension. A piece of paper popped out from his fingertips.

He widened his eyes as if he was surprised that he was reading it for the first time now. He confidently smiled and unfolded the paper as if to inform the newly arrived victim of employment fraud of the greatness of the company.

“It’s finding a cat. Sebastian.”

“Wow, what is it. A big deal came in today. Can we finally eat Mupama? Not Jin Ramen mild flavor? Last time it was plucking grandma’s white hair! It was 10 won per strand, so only you ate ramen!”

Senior Hanho naturally cheered and came in.

Senior Junseong also got into the mood, looking at Senior Kanghee and opening his mouth wide as if he couldn’t believe it.

“How is it, finding a cat after graduating from Korea University! Does a sense of pride spring up a little?”

Senior Junseong whispered, putting strength into his arm around my shoulder.

I responded to him by drawing a curve with my lips and nodding. And I said right away.

“So where can I get my resignation accepted?”

“You can submit your resignation after you die.”

“…Is it possible to do it without pain?”

This damn program. I don’t understand what the concept is.

* * *

And five hours later, we couldn’t understand what the concept of this broadcast was, so we gathered for a while and muttered.

“…Is this, is this a variety show?”