Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 147

147.

“So, what was it about?”

Ryue Eden, who returned from the bathroom, asked with a worried voice and a naturally smiling face. Just looking at the way he put his arm around my shoulder, he seemed friendly, but I could see that he was deeply worried about Lee Hyun-jae. Seriously, an entertainer.

“…I’m not sure if I can talk about it.”

Because it’s a problem to go around talking about these things carelessly.

“Really? It seems a little sensitive.”

Ryue Eden briefly showed worry on his face, as if he had failed to manage his expression for a moment.

“I’m really worried about him.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah, his mental state is a little weak.”

I nodded, naturally agreeing. Lee Hyun-jae is surprisingly mentally vulnerable. It seems like he’s only gotten a little stronger recently.

“Ugh, anyway, I’ll talk to Hyun-jae.”

Ryue Eden, who left like that, whispered to me again just before boarding the plane. He got Lee Hyun-jae to open his mouth in that short amount of time—what a great skill.

“I’m wondering if I should tell the company about this or not. I’d like to ask for your opinion, hyung [older brother or male friend].”

“…That’s a difficult problem.”

The company definitely needs to understand Lee Hyun-jae’s situation. They also need to manage the situation so that it doesn’t get worse. Of course, it could be a temporary phenomenon, but if it’s not, that’s a big problem.

“I know it’s right to tell them, right? As a leader, I think that’s right. But… Hyun-jae doesn’t seem to like it very much.”

Difficult, damn it. I can’t answer easily. It’s an ethical dilemma from the start. If I don’t speak according to Lee Hyun-jae’s wishes, it’s wrong in retrospect if the situation worsens later. The opposite can also be wrong depending on the situation. If a dilemma arises when considering the results like this, it would be appropriate to review whether the previous process was moral….

“…I don’t know.”

Ryue Eden flinches slightly.

“Why does it sound so awkward when you say you don’t know from your mouth?”

I used to say it often when I didn’t know idol culture.

“…Then, for now, let’s take turns staying by Hyun-jae’s side, both you and I. Let’s think about whether to tell him or not together with Hyun-jae.”

“Okay. Accepted.”

Since tonight is free time to commemorate going to another country, we’ll have plenty of time to talk.

* * *

In the aisle leading to the plane, I stood right next to Lee Hyun-jae. I was going to grab him if I saw him collapsing even a little.

“Hyung, overprotective.”

“Quiet.”

Lee Hyun-jae said that, but he didn’t seem to dislike it. We were walking quietly for a while, but Lee Hyun-jae suddenly stopped and his eyes were fixed on one place.

“…There, there’s someone with a camera over there too.”

At the end of Lee Hyun-jae’s vision, there was someone who looked like an ordinary traveler holding a camera and looking around. Oh no, of all times.

“Slowly, look at something else. The plane runway is good, and my face is okay too.”

Lee Hyun-jae tries to concentrate on what I say and breathes slowly.

“…Ha. This is so frustrating.”

Lee Hyun-jae conveys his thoughts in a whisper. Very honest, and a thought that doesn’t seem like a student I taught, Hyun-jae.

“Seriously. It feels like my body isn’t moving according to my will.”

“Yeah.”

I put strength into the hand holding Lee Hyun-jae’s shoulder without saying anything. In my experience, words of support don’t help much.

“No, why is it me…….”

Oh no, his language is getting rougher. I can’t put him next to Nesquik.

“In my opinion, I don’t want you to blame yourself.”

“…But.”

“When you think about it, it’s my fault for causing the problem. It’s because of me that that happened, and that’s why this happened.”

Lee Hyun-jae tilted his head after hearing what I said and hurriedly waved his hand.

“Why are you blaming yourself, hyung! It’s the person who secretly took that picture who did wrong.”

“I know. Why are you blaming yourself, Hyun-jae.”

Only the noise of people and the sound of footsteps echoed in the aisle.

“If it’s not your fault, it’s okay to be misunderstood.”

Lee Hyun-jae was walking with his head down without saying a word. Ha, I’m so emotionally weak to such a young person.

“…Should I?”

“Because it’s impossible to be loved by everyone in the first place. If you’ve committed a crime, I or other members will tell you, so you can ignore everything else.”

This time, Lee Hyun-jae just grabbed my sleeve tightly without saying anything.

“…Can I call you dad?”

What nonsense are you talking about, Hyun-jae. Why are you becoming like Ryue Eden?

“…No.”

“Too bad.”

Lee Hyun-jae’s face, smiling as he said that, seemed to have a little bit of composure. That’s a relief.

* * *

Bangkok. It has a formal name of Krung Thep (the original name is much longer, but there is not enough space to say it all like Perma [a reference to a long name]), but it is said that the name Bangkok, which other countries used to call the original capital, has been used as is. There is also a historical reason….

“…That’s what happened.”

Lee Hyun-jae nodded, holding onto my arm and following me. I’m glad I studied in advance. It’s my first time traveling to Bangkok, so I didn’t have any prior information, but I’m satisfied that I can give him this field trip.

“Then, what kind of place is Asiatique here?”

“…The mecca of the religion of capitalism?”

“Wow, I’m sure that if I hear more, my faith in society will collapse.”

“I know, right. Our Dong-hwa can say anything! In this street of youth!”

Ryue Eden, who was listening quietly, was grabbed by Lee Hyun-jae on the other arm and answered. Lee Hyun-jae said that he would overcome his fear by going outside, so Ryue Eden and I followed him. Chae Ha-min is currently resting in the room due to jet lag, and Seok-jun is practicing dubbing.

“Wow, hyung, hyungs, can I try eating that?”

“Here’s money.”

“I have money too.”

“Eat when I buy it for you.”

“Dong-hwa hyung, maybe one for me too?”

“It’s obvious that you won’t eat it.”

“Oh my god, Dong-hwa hyung, you finally recognized me as your younger brother. Thank you.”

Get a grip, you crazy dog.

Lee Hyun-jae carefully looked around with the money I gave him in his hand and bought a chicken skewer. Oh no, cute. Ryue Eden naturally didn’t buy anything. He won’t eat it for his health, just words.

…But with that level of diet control, I’m not sure if it’s good for his health or not.

Weeing.

My phone vibrated.

‘…Why is this person calling.’

“Hello.”

― Will you accept if I propose?

You crazy senior. With such a cheesy line.

“……No.”

I frowned at the voice of Prophecy.

― Hey, no frowning, junior.

Can you see me? I put Lee Hyun-jae, who is eating chicken skewers, between Ryue Eden and me and look around.

― What’s the reason for being like an emperor penguin protecting your child like that? I’m hurt.

“…What’s going on.”

― Aaaani, that’s not it! Oh my god, oh my gosh, a traffic accident will happen in 10 seconds! Caution!

That’s another Ryue Eden-like sound.

And the countdown of the prophecy continues. Damn it, it’s definitely irrational.

I put Ryue Eden and Lee Hyun-jae behind me. I don’t know the direction, but it’s normal for the direction the car is coming from to be the road. I stood in the most likely place.

“Uh, uh, why, Dong-hwa, is there something?”

Before I could answer Ryue Eden’s words, the countdown was coming to an end.

― Two, one. Bbam!

With that sound, someone ran up and gave me a shoulder tackle, cough.

“Do, Dong-hwa hyung!”

I curled up at the sudden shock. What is it, damn it.

“Tada! It’s me who appeared like a traffic accident!”

“I came too!”

The voices of Prophecy and Jun-seong. Those crazy bastards.

I wanted to get up and grab Prophecy by the collar, but I wondered if we were that close, so I grabbed Ryue Eden, who was next to me, by the collar.

“Ah, no, why? Why me! It was Prophecy hyung who played the prank!”

“Hehe, I got caught like this.”

I pushed Ryue Eden’s face, who was laughing playfully, to the side and turned my head towards Prophecy and Jun-seong. The two flinched.

“…S, sorry, Dong-hwa ssi [Mr. Dong-hwa]?”

“It’s okay….”

Ha, embarrassing. Why did I believe such irrational sounds? I swept my face. When I get back to the dorm, I’ll have to study basic logic again.

“Oh, as expected, our junior is generous! I know a delicious Bangkok restaurant, let’s go together, Dong-hwa nim [Mr. Dong-hwa]!”

Jun-seong grabbed us with an exaggerated voice.

“Dong-hwa, I asked Jun-seong hyung to introduce me to a Bangkok restaurant. But Prophecy hyung said he wanted to play a prank just once!”

Shut up, Eden. Don’t explain, you damn human. It seems like I did something more irrational.

“…Hyun-jae, did you know too?”

I neatly ignored Ryue Eden’s words and turned my head towards Lee Hyun-jae.

“……Yes.”

My distrust of the world is filling up. Now there’s really no one to trust but Chae Ha-min. If I do business later, I’ll have to do it with Chae Ha-min.

“Actually, I didn’t think hyung would believe it… I wanted to hear you swear at Prophecy hyung for talking nonsense… I’m sorry, hyung.”

I think it’s strange now that I think about it, but maybe it’s because I thought your lives were at stake, you damn things.

I tried to calm down as much as possible and took a breath.

“It’s not your fault, Hyun-jae.”

“…Wait, Dong-hwa hyung. What about me? Why is ‘you’ not to blame!”

“Let’s go quickly, I’m hungry, I’m hungry.”

Jun-seong smiled and pushed my shoulder. Lee Hyun-jae carefully tapped Ryue Eden’s shoulder, who was naturally ignored. A great disciple.

Yes, it’s my fault for believing nonsense. I accepted the fact that the cause was with me.

* * *

We entered the restaurant and ordered the menu under Jun-seong’s lead. Tom Yum Goong, I’ve never eaten it in my life, will it be okay?

“I heard from a friend who lives here that it’s the best restaurant,”

That’s why I didn’t see any tourists around. When you come on a trip, you should go to a restaurant that is popular with locals rather than tourists, I guess that’s it.

I drank a glass of water. The water tastes… different. For some reason, I felt like I was on a trip from such trivial things.

“I was surprised to hear that TOT is also appearing in this special episode, hyungs.”

“Ah, for the last time before our tour.”

Oh, tour. Even I, who am ignorant of idol culture, know what it is. A fancy expression for a tour.

“Wouldn’t you guys hold a concert if you grow a little more?”

“Hey, Prophecy hyung is being too hasty again. We’re not that level.”

Prophecy made a strange sound of heu― and turned his eyes towards me.

“What do you think, Dong-hwa ssi, does it seem like he’s being hasty?”

I guess this is what they call banjondae [a situation where you are asked for your opinion to create a fun atmosphere].

“…Wouldn’t it be possible.”

The scale of the concert may not be large, but if you ‘grow more’, it’s natural to hold a concert, so it’s not even hasty.

Prophecy seemed embarrassed and flinched for a moment, then smiled and looked at Jun-seong. On the other hand, Jun-seong was looking at me with a slightly shocked expression.

What is it, something I don’t know is going on.

At that time, the food came out just in time. Tom Yum Goong, Poo Pat Pong Curry, and some other dishes representing Thailand were served.

Oh my god, what kind of scent is this. All kinds of spices were showing off their presence.

“…Dong-hwa hyung, I’m getting a little scared, will it be okay?”

I nodded with difficulty at Lee Hyun-jae’s words.

“…I won’t die.”

I took courage and picked up a spoon. I took a sip of the red soup of Tom Yum Goong.

Oh my god, what kind of taste is this.