Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 153

153.

Arriving about an hour before the scheduled filming time allowed us to relax by Jaha Pond with coffee.

Ah, so peaceful.

“Dong-hwa, look, there are ducks over there. Ducks.”

A pair of ducks had somehow naturally settled in the pond. Their names are Aristoteles and Kierkegaard. I have no idea who named them, but it’s quite a name.

“It’s scenic and nice.”

“Why are there ducks? They wouldn’t have just shown up on their own.”

“Maybe they’re ornamental? It does look nice.”

You’re too focused on aesthetics, Eden.

“…The carp population is out of control, so they’re here for a tasty meal.”

Humans are much more practical and skilled at utilizing nature. Of course, when the ducks first arrived, there were all sorts of theories, including a ridiculous one from the Chinese language department claiming they were for making Peking duck. I can’t forget the feeling of losing faith in humanity when I first heard that.

My blunt words made Ryu Eden and Chae Ha-min’s expressions falter. Oh dear, another childhood dream shattered.

Chae Ha-min’s lips twitched as he made ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ sounds, unsure what to say. Yes, the realities of adulthood can be cruel.

“But, is that even marked on the map?”

Ryu Eden asked a reasonable question. It must seem strange that I know this. But I’m good at making excuses for our members.

“I looked it up and memorized it.”

Usually, they let it go at that. I don’t know if they see me as some kind of walking encyclopedia or what. Anyway, my members aren’t exactly normal.

* * *

In front of Jaha Pond, the opening scene was in full swing. This area is also known for religious groups spontaneously singing hymns, but today, the broadcasting crew has taken over.

“Okay, we’ve got some real hotties with us today.”

“How old-fashioned… ‘hotties,’ he says.”

“You, keep your mouth shut; it’s cold.”

While the main MC, Mr. Gyeong-woo, known for his polite demeanor, and the ever-interfering Jin-hwa bantered, we waited on standby.

Seeing Ryu Eden take a deep breath made me chuckle. He seems like he’d never be nervous, but when he’s not performing for a crowd, or even just a few people, he gets so anxious.

“Yes, we have Bloosence here!”

As I walked out to the sound of applause, I scanned the people standing there. Ms. Do-hee, a former idol, and Mr. Kang-hee, primarily a singer but with a strong entertainer persona. They’re known as the Heehee siblings on ‘Run Away!’ (Nesquik’s real name is Chun-hee, so if they get together, it’ll be Heeheehee – a play on their names).

‘Those two are okay. At least they haven’t been caught up in any scandals before I kick the bucket. From what I can tell, even though I only met them about three months ago, they seem to have good personalities.’

Passing by Mr. Gyeong-woo and Jin-hwa, there’s Mr. Han-ho, who seems to carry a lot of regrets. He’s so thin; I feel like I should cook him a meal.

‘He’s someone you could take as a mentor for living a long and lean life. He’s incredibly cautious. He said he started keeping his distance from Jin-hwa about two years ago.’

Lastly, there’s actress Park So-young. I don’t know her well. I only memorized the names of her works just in case.

‘…She’s good at her job, but her personality is a bit… the opposite of Jane noona [older sister/female friend]. She’s the type to only care about things that benefit her, so take advantage of her when she’s being nice. Life advice from your hyung [older brother/male friend].’

The information I had memorized floated around in my head each time I looked at each person.

“Oh, being at Korea University makes you all look like such warm-hearted students.”

“Then are we late bloomers?”

As I listened to the welcoming greetings, I forced a smile. Please, let me not mess up my facial expressions today.

After some trivial introductions and mutual praise, we had a short free talk session.

“Stepping onto the Korea University campus brings back old memories. I actually studied quite a bit back in my school days.”

I smiled easily at Jin-hwa’s words.

“Hyung, you were never good at studying. What was that during our common sense quiz?”

“Right. That’s right. Actually, he’s one of the biggest airheads among us.”

The Heehee siblings accurately targeted Jin-hwa’s forehead with the truth. Mr. Gyeong-woo, who was listening, naturally passed the ball to our side.

“On the other hand, I heard that the three members of Bloosence all did well in their studies.”

However, the ball he threw was a bit awkward. I don’t actually know my members’ grades, so I can’t say anything carelessly.

“Of course. We actually debuted through a survival show, and the criteria for the survival pre-audition were grades.”

Yes, eighty percent of entertainment is instigation and fabrication. Chae Ha-min was flustered by Ryu Eden’s blatant lie, which didn’t even give him time to breathe, but he nodded knowingly.

“Oh, Ha-min seems a little flustered.”

Mr. Han-ho continued immediately, perhaps because he knew that being perceptive is essential for living a long but thin life. Chae Ha-min immediately put on a bright smile.

“Oh, no way. I’m actually about the second or third smartest in the team?”

“Oh, then who’s first?”

“Of course, it’s me!”

Ryu Eden also immediately jumped in. …Then I’m at least third. Okay.

“Oh, then what place is Dong-hwa?”

“I’m fifth.”

In fact, we had talked about it in advance, so everyone knew I was a Korea University student. Perhaps that’s why the Heehee siblings couldn’t join the conversation, but they were trying to hold back their laughter, twitching their lips as if they wanted to say something.

“Why?”

Mr. Gyeong-woo asked in disbelief. His exaggerated expression of not being able to accept it was funny.

“It’s because I know that I don’t know much.”

So I’m the wisest, you damn members.

Mr. Han-ho, who knows the depth of life, burst into laughter. Ryu Eden and Chae Ha-min were staring intently at me with betrayed expressions, but I easily ignored them.

“He’s throwing us under the bus like this. He’s quite something?”

“Actually, Dong-hwa here is a Korea University student.”

“But, this is ‘Run Away!’ We’re more skilled at dirty tricks.”

Actress Park So-young playfully warned with sparkling eyes. …But, is it right to be proud of that? It feels like ranking based on crimes committed in prison.

“Yeah, so what if you’re the only one with a good education? Me too, huh? I’m a high school graduate! Just wait. I’ll cover you, a Korea University student, with my high school education.”

Mr. Kang-hee’s confident shout made Mr. Han-ho, who was watching from across the room, chuckle.

“Don’t look down on middle school graduates. I’m quite intellectual too.”

“…Hyung, you just have oily skin…”

Oh my god, Mr. Kang-hee, what a joke.

“Yes, then where should we run away to today?”

Mr. Gyeong-woo, unable to bear it any longer, interrupted Mr. Kang-hee and proceeded immediately. Good. The PD [production director] also felt that this direction was better and responded immediately.

“Today, we asked the ‘Run Away!’ cast to dress in student-like attire, right?”

So that’s why I’m wearing these ridiculous suspenders today. I wonder what era of student our stylists are aiming for.

“Today’s escape drama, set against the backdrop of Korea University, is ‘Run Away! Final Exams!'”

* * *

The core of ‘Run Away!’ is that ‘anything is fine as long as it’s not explicitly prohibited in the rules.’

“Like cheating?”

“Cheating is the basic foundation. You can also interpret the rules in a strange way to make it disadvantageous for the other party, or do any other dirty tricks. If you do it, I’ll give you any excuse.”

I listened attentively to Mr. Han-ho’s words while wearing a baseball jacket with the philosophy department logo on it. I’m from the philosophy department, Ryu Eden is from the physical education department, and Chae Ha-min is supposed to be the representative of the dance department.

And the people assigned to the philosophy department with me are Mr. Han-ho and,

“The Heehee siblings are the biggest problem. They’re a little too sharp with their quick thinking. They say they’re empty-headed, but I don’t believe it at all.”

Mr. Gyeong-woo. This is exactly like the prophecy. Eden, Jin-hwa, and actress Park So-young went to the physical education department too. Ha, damn it, it’s like leaving a child near the water. I don’t even know what will happen.

The moment I finished putting on my clothes and entered room 207 of building 1, Eden, wearing a training suit and a baseball jacket, greeted me in a nonchalant pose.

“I smell books from somewhere.”

Don’t look down on the physical education department, you crazy human. They’ve read a lot of books too.

“I can’t associate with people who aren’t in arts and sports, right?”

Ms. Do-hee, wearing a dance department jacket, joined in.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear you over the smell of sweat.”

As I answered politely, Mr. Gyeong-woo and Mr. Han-ho rushed in from behind.

“I know, right. Do they even know what deodorant is? Rude people?”

“I wonder if they even know the definition of etiquette. No, do they even know what justice is? Justice.”

That’s not the justice I meant, Mr. Han-ho. As expected of the philosophy department, you’re very interested in that justice.

“Eden, let’s crush those philosophy department guys together today?”

“Oh, I’ve wanted to be on the same side as the dance department since I was born.”

…Wait, is this really a good setup? This 2-on-1 situation. The basis of the game is politics, so you can’t divide sides so early.

I put on a straight face and offered a handshake to Chae Ha-min, who was the easiest to target in the dance department.

“Ha-min, I enjoyed your performance last time. Your dance lines were beautiful.”

I heard Mr. Gyeong-woo shouting ‘Good job, president!’ from behind, but I pretended not to hear it out of embarrassment.

“Huh? Th, thank you, Dong-hwa. I’m touched.”

Chae Ha-min’s expression seemed to soften as if he was genuinely touched. What are you doing, rabbit? This is entertainment. Where did everything you learned from Ryu Eden’s entertainment lecture yesterday go?

“Don’t try to get in line! Don’t be fooled, Ha-min! Once you enter Run Away, everyone is an enemy. Don’t trust those who only know exercise either!”

Oh dear, what a shame. Chae Ha-min’s eyes widened at Mr. Kang-hee’s words, and he nodded. It was exactly the feeling I had when teaching Mok-hwa not to follow strangers.

“Okay, everyone, are you all here? Then let’s watch the video message sent by the professor together?”

Which professor would give a final exam notice with a video message? I’d be happy if they didn’t cough.

On the giant monitor in front, instead:

― Ah, ah, this is the notice for the ‘Runaway Theory’ final exam.

…Which professor would make that video message wearing a mask and cloth, and even using voice modulation?

― We have scattered hint tickets that you can use during the exam near the College of Natural Sciences.

Right, it’s easier to just accept it. So it’s an open-book test, but you have to find the book you can bring through a game.

― May A+ be with you.

Crazy professor.

And the video cuts off abruptly. Everyone distorted their expressions in a slightly dumbfounded state.

“…Where is the College of Natural Sciences?”

Hearing Ryu Eden’s muttering, I quickly slipped out from behind.