Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 156

156.

Having finished the exchange of grades with Chae Hamin, some time passed, and I found myself bowing deeply before the students of the Department of Philosophy.

“…Dong-hwa, say it again.”

“…They ripped up all my A+ grade reports.”

I replied with a heartbroken voice, turning my back towards Gyeong-woo. There was only one grade report attached there, and Gyeong-woo quickly tore it off, his hands trembling as he held up the report marked ‘B-’.

There were unavoidable circumstances.

“The HeeHee siblings forcibly started a game and stole my grades.”

“I swear, Dong-hwa. You really! Ugh! Do you have to prove you’re not a cheater like this!”

“Hey, Gyeong-woo. I just got caught by those HeeHee guys.”

Indeed, he knows what forgiveness is, a learned man.

“Ah, that’s why you shouldn’t associate with those Hee guys. Remember that, Dong-hwa.”

“Then does that mean the Department of Dance has one less A+ than us?”

As Gyeong-woo nodded, Han-ho smiled and turned his shoulders.

“Then I’ll have to go and cut off the HeeHee guys’ heads~ I found a grade-stealing game.”

Han-ho said, patting me on the back.

“You should find some games too, you need to get your grade report.”

That’s what I’m saying. I need an A+.

“Come with me. I’ll help you. We should divide the gold 1:1:1.”

I nodded at Gyeong-woo’s words. Ah, what a relief.

* * *

“We’re giving out A- grade reports to those who win at 6×6 Othello! There are three in total!”

The moment I entered a lecture hall with Gyeong-woo, I heard that sound. There was a sign that said ‘Othello Club’. Ryu Iden, who seemed to be in the middle of a game, was screaming.

What kind of club distributes grades? Where in the world is there such a crazy school?

“Ah! Ah! Aaaah! I could have won!”

“…No, did the production team run out of content? Why would they put something so static in a variety show.”

Gyeong-woo whispered, listening to Ryu Iden’s screams. I kind of… know why they put it in though. Maybe it’s a game for cheaters.

“Iden, unfortunately, you’ve used up all three of your basic chances! If you do more, you’ll get a deduction for exceeding the time!”

“Ugh, I’ll give up. Really, Dong-hwa should be doing this…….”

Ryu Iden, who hadn’t yet confirmed that we were there, got up from his seat and had a fit when he saw us.

“Ah! My cat is preparing to backstab me again.”

He must have been on high alert because he had been getting played by me all day.

“Quiet, dog.”

You’re so loud, it’s killing me.

I pushed Ryu Iden aside, sat down, and humbly faced the Othello board.

“Student Ji Dong-hwa! Challenging?”

“Please take care of me.”

“Please decide who goes first.”

“I’ll go second.”

“Oh no, you don’t know the importance of the first move!”

Gyeong-woo shouted from behind. If it’s a game with a set number of possibilities, statistics always explores the winning strategy.

6×6 Othello. A modified version of regular Othello, the board is narrower, reducing the number of possibilities, and thanks to the narrowing.

“…Ah, I knew it. That damn cat. He’s cheating again, again.”

As I placed my stones one by one, Ryu Iden sighed deeply and turned away.

“Dong-hwa, you’ve won. Here’s your A- grade report! It’s not as good as an A+, but please cherish it! Would you like to play another round?”

“Yes.”

“Who goes first?”

The staff member sitting in front of me asked as if they had already noticed, as if there was no need to ask.

“I’ll go second.”

And my answer is also predetermined.

Statistically, in 6×6 Othello, if you don’t mess up the order of moves, the second player can always win.

* * *

Watching Ji Dong-hwa confiscate grades from the production team right before his eyes, Gyeong-woo felt a great suspicion welling up in his heart.

‘Something’s strange…….’

It’s suspicious no matter who looks at it. That’s why it’s even more suspicious. He didn’t waste his broadcasting experience. How should he accept this kid who seems to be declaring himself a cheater? If it’s not an intention to ruin their show, then, what is it?

Maybe there’s a winning strategy for Othello hidden somewhere? Then it didn’t make sense why he was solving it in front of his eyes.

“…Dong-hwa, is this basic knowledge?”

Gyeong-woo asked cautiously. It’s nonsense, but it would be more ‘broadcast-friendly’ if it were basic knowledge.

“…Um, it is.”

Ji Dong-hwa, who took the last A- grade report, smiled at me.

“I’ll use a stealing ticket.”

“…What’s a stealing ticket, Dong-hwa.”

Even though he had dropped the honorifics during the shoot today, he automatically raised his tone at that subtle word.

‘Ooh, I’m getting a little nervous.’

“You can choose and take one of the opponent’s grades.”

He looked around once.

“Dong-hwa, it’s me, Gyeong-woo. We had fun together all day, didn’t we?”

“Gold is more precious than friendship.”

Well, in an economic crisis, nothing beats gold, no, that’s not it…….

“No! You capitalist pig! Friendship is much more precious than gold! Why are you using the stealing ticket on me! We’re one! The Department of Philosophy knows what justice is!”

“I don’t really know philosophy. I’ll take the A+.”

“…Dong-hwa! Are you really going to do this? I won’t let you get away with this! I’ll follow you to the ends of hell!”

Gyeong-woo shouted as if possessed by evil at Ji Dong-hwa, who was taking an A+. Of course, it was acting for the sake of the variety show.

“Stealing rule. When stolen from, you cannot move for 1 minute. Goodbye then.”

Watching Ji Dong-hwa run out after saying goodbye like that, Gyeong-woo had no idea what that human was doing, but he had a small wish to somehow get back at him.

* * *

Evil screams echoed from everywhere. Ji Dong-hwa somehow found a lot of strange things and tormented everyone. He strangely swept away all the games and used bizarre means to snatch away A+s.

“What is he! Why is he working so hard! Dong-hwa! You’re not that kind of person! You used to believe that a beautiful defeat is better than an ugly victory!”

Ryu Iden shouted after being robbed of the A+ he had struggled to get and was secretly hiding. Ji Dong-hwa just smiled and disappeared leisurely.

“That person is strange. This passage is all messed up, but it seems like he’s memorized it all. You can’t predict where he’ll pop out from.”

So-young, who was sitting next to him in a daze, just said blankly.

And the target of Ji Dong-hwa’s attacks was not only the opposing team. Han-ho and Gyeong-woo, running wild like a madman, also had to be careful when Ji Dong-hwa appeared.

“…Is he crazy about money?”

“You could say that. He’s blinded by gold.”

The Department of Philosophy team and the Department of Physical Education team had a candid conversation, each having only Cs and Bs, in a friendly atmosphere. An exchange beyond groups created by Ji Dong-hwa. It’s amicable.

“Wasn’t Dong-hwa composing?”

Gyeong-woo uses honorifics again for Ji Dong-hwa. He was subtly petty.

“And our Blossoms is thriving! Why do you need money! Ah, I can’t even label him as a cheater.”

“Why, oppa [older brother/male friend]? Isn’t it just confirmed that he’s a cheater?”

“He’s not stupid. If he was a cheater, would he do it so openly?”

“Or is that a psychological warfare tactic?”

Kang-hee, who had joined in at some point, listened quietly before grabbing his head and shouting.

“Ah, ah! Why can’t I be sure of anything because I’ve been to college for so long! Did he calculate this too?”

“…No, you even got scammed by Dong-hwa once.”

“Huh? What nonsense are you talking about, hyung [older brother/male friend]. I only got scammed.”

“…Ah, what is it, nothing matches up.”

Everyone forgot the situation and started giggling at Gyeong-woo’s genuinely annoyed words.

“We have to decide. Are we voting for Dong-hwa as a cheater?”

“Shouldn’t we? If he’s not, there’s nothing we can do, but if he is, we can take all the gold.”

Ryu Iden, who was listening to the conversation, felt something strange.

‘……Something feels off.’

He’s used to being manipulated by Ji Dong-hwa, and he can be manipulated as much as he wants. But now the feeling was strange. It felt like things weren’t supposed to be like this. It felt like something was thoroughly hidden.

And just as he was feeling that sense of unease, the overall announcement popped up.

“Everyone, the last game is over! Please take good care of your grade reports and gather in the center.”

Ryu Iden swept his empty back once. Among the Department of Physical Education team, Ji Dong-hwa only tormented him, so he’s sure to fail.

‘Ah, that damn bastard.’

He smiled and followed the others, thinking in Ji Dong-hwa’s style. For some reason, a smile leaked out.

* * *

I tried to catch my rough breath. Damn, it’s hard. I think I sweated more than on stage.

“Everyone! We’ll start the cheater vote! Please go into the polling place and vote!”

The important point of this game. The cheater vote ends before the game results are announced.

“Please let Dong-hwa be a cheater. Let’s divide up all the gold and have a happy ending for the first time in a while, everyone.”

“That doesn’t suit you.”

“No, it does. It’s a moment where you can prove that humans are alive in capitalism!”

“Down with Ji Dong-hwa! Please be a cheater!”

“Yes! Let’s destroy the symbol of capitalism, and we’ll win!”

…What dangerous remarks are they making so casually. I dabbed the sweat with a handkerchief and smiled. It’s like a proletarian revolution.

“If you don’t vote for Ji Dong-hwa! Everyone! Is a collaborator! They’ll all be executed! Put them on the guillotine!”

Kang-hee expressed madness with his whole body and shouted. Crazy person.

And just as I was smiling and everyone was shouting down with capitalism with one heart, the PD [Production Director] opened his mouth.

“Yes, the results are out! First, I’ll tell you about the cheater vote!”

“There’s no reason to listen! Ji Dong-hwa!”

“Woo!”

The PD nodded, wiggling his butt as if he was having fun.

“Yes, that’s right. Ji Dong-hwa was elected in a landslide vote. Dong-hwa, are you a cheater?”

I nodded with a troubled expression. My acting skills haven’t died yet.

Everyone cheered like crazy. The voices of people shouting that it was a human victory. Capitalism is also a human invention.

“Did you see that, Dong-hwa? This is human affection, revolution, the development of history, and welfare!”

Gyeong-woo cheered the loudest in the middle. On the other hand, Han-ho next to him frowned as if he was suspicious.

“…Landslide?”

How sharp. As expected, Han-ho is a great person.

“Next is the announcement of the winning team!”

Everyone had an expression that there was nothing to listen to, an expression that the game was already over. I smiled. An ugly victory is quite enjoyable.

“The Department of Dance!”

A chilling silence descended. In that silence, only Gyeong-woo opened his mouth.

“…Huh?”

The HeeHee siblings also looked at each other and tilted their heads. An expression as if asking ‘It’s not me, is it you?’

“And, I’ll also tell you the gold distribution rate. Today’s gold! Because the remaining two members of the Department of Dance had such poor grades that they failed! Hamin, the representative of the department, will take it all!”

Chae Hamin bowed her head deeply. After enduring the embarrassment and shame for a moment, Chae Hamin bowed deeply to the HeeHee siblings once and ran cheerfully towards me.

“Dong-hwa! We won!”

Chae Hamin shouted and jumped as if to pounce.

I expected it, I must not fall.

“Uh.”

I used too much strength today. Damn it.

I fell naturally. Ha, the Excessive Speeding Rabbit Regulation Act still hasn’t been created. I hope it will be enacted based on this broadcast.

“Why! Why!”

As Kang-hee shouted, Han-ho muttered.

“…There was no rule that transfers were not allowed.”

Everything that wasn’t said was a rule that you could do. I’ll make good use of it.

“…Then from the beginning, you weren’t on our team?”

The HeeHee siblings, who had struggled to take care of Chae Hamin all day, muttered in vain. Chae Hamin twisted her body and bowed her head deeply once again.

“I’m sorry! Dong-hwa seduced me!”

Crazy.

“You, you, you bad guy! How dare you seduce our Hamin! And lead her down the wrong path!”

“I told you that you have to meet good friends! Huh?”

…No, what, they’ve become Hamin’s parents.

I just smiled at the HeeHee siblings’ last words.