Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 296

Ryubyeonggyu found me after I’d climbed to the rank of cosmic god in the question board’s intellectual rankings.

He said he became interested in me after that day and started frequenting the library and pavilion.

It felt ridiculous to stay silent, so I only talked about easily predictable things.

“I was always reading books.”

“That’s right.”

A lukewarm agreement. Apparently, I did more than just read books.

If I stayed quiet, Ryubyeonggyu would explain what happened himself.

“But then, out of nowhere, he pulled out a ‘Jidonghwa Free Tutoring’ sign – looked like he made it himself – and told me he’d donate his talent, so I should get my book out.”

Um.

“The sign’s design was like a piece of modern art… Anyway, I was overwhelmed, so I just took out my book, and suddenly, math tutoring began.”

He’s a crazy person. Why would you pull that out, Byeonggyu? You should have called the hospital to report him immediately.

“The top student, who never answered my questions before, suddenly starts tutoring me? It was a very mysterious experience. Donghwa was always like that in high school. He’d suddenly start some bizarre behavior, and I’d just watch from the sidelines.”

A distant look. A face that seemed to be recalling fond memories.

“He was taciturn, so even if I talked, he wouldn’t give me much of an answer, but he would listen quietly. So, I got tutoring, had my concerns addressed, and there were many things I was truly grateful for.”

“Can I ask you a little more about that, the bizarre behavior?”

“Ah! There’s a lot. Can I talk about it, Senior?”

Ryubyeonggyu asked, looking at me. Yes, tell me everything. I’m starting to worry about what state that crazy AI [Artificial Intelligence] was in when it briefly inhabited my body.

When I nodded, Byeonggyu nonchalantly spilled my dark history.

“One day, summaries of the exam range were placed on each class’s desk. They even had practice questions, right? And mysteriously, the entire school received them. There was a rumor that the teachers collectively wrote letters of apology because the average score was a disaster.”

Why did you do that, Jidonghwa?

“…Could it be?”

“Yes! Only I know this, but Donghwa made it and distributed it. I helped him print it. He just gave away what he had compiled for three years.”

The writer’s face showed shock as she looked at me.

It was the kind of expression that said, ‘I knew he was a strange person, but was he *that* bad?’ I don’t know where to begin addressing the problem.

“At first, I didn’t understand it at all. It seems like a crazy person, right? Why bother when no one appreciates it?”

Don’t nod, Writer.

And Byeonggyu, you have no right to say that. You should have questioned him when he suddenly came and offered to tutor you.

“So, one day I asked him… um, Senior should answer this!”

Sparkling eyes. An expectation that I wouldn’t have forgotten. A conviction that the answer he wants will come from my mouth soon.

Base Commander, calling. Emergency call.

However, for some reason, Base Commander didn’t send a reply. I guess they are having a minor dispute while reviving the AI.

I have to find the answer on my own.

How did a human become like that?

After pondering for a very brief moment, I came to the conclusion that the root of all evil was Base Commander.

‘…This bastard, wasn’t he negligent in managing the AI?’

Originally, those kinds of people don’t care about minor problems that don’t affect the experiment.

Since it’s an artificial intelligence he created, he can control it anyway, so he probably stopped caring and just focused on research, and then it caused a mess.

Especially, there are things that can be learned from Byeonggyu’s words.

He didn’t form close relationships, but he showed a willingness to serve others, and although he didn’t give good answers, he always listened intently with a persistent gaze.

It’s as if there was something he shouldn’t do, so he sought other methods.

So, this AI tried to imprint itself on Byeonggyu while adhering to the rules set by Base Commander as much as possible.

All this in 2 seconds.

I’m pretending to recall my memories, but if I delay any longer, I’ll inevitably be exposed for not remembering. The best inference.

“Because someone remembers me.”

I placed a bet. If I’m wrong, I’ll beg Team Leader Jang Haejin to edit it out.

“…That’s right. That’s what he said. I was really worried that Senior had a terminal illness back then, you know?”

Byeonggyu shouted, moved.

“No, it’s weirder *not* to remember, Senior! Where else would you find someone who provides free tutoring, free intellectual assistance, free summaries, and free practice questions?”

Even I became emotional.

What are you going to do if you let the AI recognize that it’s an AI, you crazy life form?

[I made it!]

If you made it with advanced technology, you should have at least made it happy in its fantasy.

If it has this much free will, it becomes subject to moral judgment.

[I agree! However, I hope you understand that morality relies heavily on emotions! I was emotionally exhausted at the time! And this is just a side note, but since we are the foundation, how could it be happy!]

…Um, I’m a little persuaded.

[I’m begging for forgiveness now, so please wait a little longer. If I persuade you a little more, I can transplant it and use it as a secretary! I’m giving it to you as a gift!]

So, my future is…….

Some movies can be exciting to watch even if they are spoiled, but I guess my future isn’t that kind of movie.

* * *

What is absolutely necessary to live in this place? Base Commander pondered.

In the end, he prepares a gift for himself, but it’s strange that the beneficiary isn’t himself.

“…Who are you?”

The guy transplanted into the square monitor grabbed Base Commander by the collar as soon as he woke up.

“Ah, cute. Right, guys?”

Just looking at this, annihilation is certain. How can a Jidonghwa-based AI be cute?

It’s too far to synchronize.

I need to leave all my knowledge behind so that Jidonghwa can adapt when he comes here, and I need a secretary to help with the work. It’s the device (a device with only a monitor and hands) that I used when I met Jidonghwa, so the performance is guaranteed.

Four robots ran up behind Base Commander and bit the monitor.

With fierce momentum, the monitor retreated, but soon it seemed to have figured out how to operate and displayed a face on the screen.

Wow, young. He’s still a high school student, so he hasn’t lost all his baby fat yet.

“First of all, I apologize. I didn’t know it would be made so well.”

Base Commander immediately knelt down. It’s been a long time since he cared about his pride.

He’s sincerely sorry.

He wouldn’t have been able to stabilize his relationship with the human Ryubyeonggyu either. The moment he knew that he was someone who couldn’t share eternal friendship with him, he would have distanced himself psychologically again.

He just wanted to leave a small trace that he existed, so Base Commander felt a little sad.

On the other hand, the monitor’s brow is furrowed. Ah, cute.

“I expected it.”

Then the monitor turned its head and looked at the screen that filled the wall.

In the screen, Jidonghwa was meeting his homeroom teacher and going through hardship.

He seemed to understand what was going on just by glancing at it, and complained, ‘That bastard is the original body owner.’

How can he figure it out so quickly? He’s made too well.

Created memories, created memories, maybe it would be more moral to just discard them.

But sometimes it’s okay to ignore morality.

“…Damn it.”

Even the quick recognition and acceptance of reality is like Jidonghwa.

Moreover, the fact that he’s thinking about how to grab the guy in front of him by the collar is like the wild Jidonghwa from high school.

Of course, the most Jidonghwa-like thing is that he’s confident that he can do it even though he doesn’t know much about it.

What do you mean grab him by the collar? He’s very cunning.

“I want you to decide. Will you be discarded, or will you live as friends with these guys? I’ll do whatever you want.”

The monitor, still angry, was sullen as he looked at the four snarling beasts. They seem too stupid to be friends.

“If you choose to live as friends, I’ll update them too.”

Base Commander smiled brightly.

He said that Jidonghwa should make him happy, so he will use the proven method as it is.

He can’t make Mokwha (Base Commander also has an inviolable area), but he already knows that these four are the necessary and sufficient conditions for happiness. If there is only a certainty of eternity, he can gain stability from it.

The monitor blankly stroked Eden’s (robot) chin and muttered.

“…Time to think.”

The answer is already decided.

He’s still afraid to die. Base Commander also experienced that time in the distant past.

“Tell me when you decide.”

You’re a cat. Base Commander engraved a secret in his heart that he couldn’t say out loud.

In the twilight of his life (strictly speaking, it’s not life), it’s not bad to educate five young children.

Base Commander Kindergarten, Flower Class, the name isn’t bad either. I have to make kindergarten uniforms too. In blue.

Yeah, this isn’t bad either. Leaving behind an educational book like Emile [Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s treatise on the nature of education].

Let’s teach everything here, from how to screw over superiors and juniors to the few amusements that exist, and then leave.

Turning five beasts into humans, Hwanung [a figure in Korean mythology] would take a step back.

* * *

I’m exhausted. I feel like blood is coming out of my throat. Considering the PD’s [Production Director’s] broadcasting sense, frankly, this is healing, but because of the situation I’m in.

During the break, I sat in the pavilion for a while and admired the scenery of the playground. It wasn’t bleak because the grass was laid.

After hearing about my school days through Byeonggyu and confirming my bizarre behavior once again after meeting my homeroom teacher, I felt regret.

I thought of a mechanical AI because it would act according to my personality, but it thinks and judges so freely.

Base Commander said he wouldn’t discard it, so let’s atone directly. I honestly don’t know how to atone.

Ding—!

[I will make this child happy.]

I blankly looked at the floating text and sighed deeply.

Why doesn’t this child seek a way to be happy himself?

Why are all of Base Commander’s choices like that?

[That one thing is the same as you, so I don’t feel bad.]

I know. Base Commander’s deep distrust.

The only comfort is that hope always has distrust like a shadow. On the one hand of distrust, there is always a place for ‘maybe’.

Um, if I start studying slowly from now on, I’ll be able to make room for ‘maybe’.

[It’s a long way off. So, enjoy everything you want to enjoy! There’s plenty of time here, and I can make time flow extremely slowly.]

“…Oh dear.”

I don’t want to. No matter how much time there is, it’s never enough.

I have to buy a book as soon as I get home today. It’s uncertain whether there will be time left if I do my best to prepare for the concert, but I can just cut back on sleep.

As the break comes to an end, I wonder what the other members are doing.

Especially, I wonder what Ryueedeun, who has the PD attached to him, is doing.

To greet the other teacher who is coming here from afar, I got up from my seat.

What kind of bizarre behavior will be revealed this time? All of this is my karma.

* * *

Meanwhile, Ryueedeun was locked in the school.

Surrounded by zombies, he locked the door alone in the classroom and grabbed his head.

“Save me!”

As Jidonghwa expected, the PD was a human who wanted to see the biggest prank he had prepared being eaten firsthand.