Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 320

The Dessert Cafe of Prophecy is said to have good reviews.

Firstly, the owner is rich and operates it more like a charity than a business. Since Prophecy often uses this place to meet friends, it has earned the nickname among idol fans as a place to disprove ‘dukke-mot’ [the idea that fans can’t successfully meet their idols].

Rumor has it that some people occasionally express regret that their favorite idol isn’t close to Prophecy.

But do they know? The person in question is actually quite troubled by it.

Prophecy ruffled his hair and loosened his tie. It seems the concept play is over.

He’s been doing that nonsense for a full 20 minutes since arriving, so it’s about time to stop.

“This is a temple.”

“It’s a cafe.”

“I’ve decided it’s a temple.”

Just because language is arbitrary doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want.

“This is Bishop here.”

*Thump*, Prophecy proudly tapped Jun-sung’s shoulder. Jun-sung looked at me with eyes of resignation and despair.

“Dong-hwa, I’m sorry.”

He apologized like he did last time. It’s not like that *hyung* [older brother/male friend] did anything wrong; Prophecy *sunbae* [senior] is just crazy.

“This is a place to worship Ji Dong-hwa, our spiritual pillar.”

*It’s a cult, you crazy bastard.*

“Just kidding. I can only say this because it’s just us, but this place was created thanks to you, right?”

Jun-sung *hyung* desperately tried to explain. It’s a tearful effort to somehow salvage the cult-like statement.

“Prophecy learned how to make chocolate, and I saved up money with him to start this place.”

“I told you, you didn’t have to.”

“You always have to keep some spare money. Doesn’t running a cafe cost a penny or two?”

So, there was such a backstory.

I took a sip of my Americano. …Damn it, why is it so good? Why is the coffee quality like this?

“I have a friend who’s into coffee, so I contacted him.”

Jun-sung *hyung* was pleased.

This quality at this price is unbelievable. Seeing the principles of capitalism being defied before my eyes is just depressing.

“I heard that *hoobae-nim* [junior] doesn’t like things too sweet or too bitter, so I made a special recipe.”

This time, Prophecy thumped his chest.

Why is this so good too? If the owner wasn’t Prophecy, I would have brought Mok-hwa to eat with me.

I recalled the price tag I saw when I came in. No matter how I look at it, there’s no way they’re making a profit.

If it weren’t for the no-takeout rule, this place would be packed with people.

“…A bottomless pit.”

At best, maintaining the status quo is the best they can hope for.

A price set by someone who has no desire to make money and is purely doing this because they enjoy it.

“It’s not a bottomless pit, *hoobae-nim*.”

“That’s right. I stopped him from lowering the prices even more.”

“Our fans are the ones coming to eat and drink, how can I raise the prices? I’m a little disappointed in you, *hyung*.”

“If we keep losing money, it’ll be dangerous later. It’s better to see the Timers for a long time.”

Tick-tock.

I quietly observed the two of them arguing while finishing my coffee. It’s strange to see Prophecy looking so happy.

As if sensing my gaze, Prophecy, who was arguing with Jun-sung, suddenly met my eyes.

“It must be delicious.”

I was eating with it all over my face, embarrassingly.

“I wish it were even more delicious, *hoobae-nim*. I can’t thank you enough.”

“…Has Mok-hwa been here again?”

“Yeah. He’s decided to come to our gatherings!”

No wonder, even when my younger brother asked, he wouldn’t tell me. I had a vague idea, but to show his face here while ignoring my calls. How cute, Mok-hwa.

I’m displeased. These guys, with my brother.

“First of all, Mok-hwa.”

He’s already dropping honorifics. Jun-sung’s sociability is infuriating.

“He said he was a little surprised when he came. Because everyone in the gathering said they received help from his *hyung*.”

“They have, conversations.”

How awful. Even eating with cockroaches and feeding each other spoonfuls of rice would be better than this.

At least reading a philosophy book with inconsistent logic ten times would be more enjoyable.

“No, it’s not usually like that. But now they’re asking what the purpose of this gathering is, what can I do?”

“So everyone said it. What kind of help they received.”

Prophecy said that much and chuckled.

“But Sung-ho doesn’t even know about half of the help he received.”

“That’s right, it was something bigger.”

“Eun-gu was originally someone who was going to be dropped, but he’s debuting just fine, so I was a little surprised? No matter how I look at it, Dong-hwa-*ssi* [term of endearment] did something, but he probably doesn’t know that either, right?”

Prophecy tapped the table.

Consciously adjusting the intervals subtly, at a speed that was irritating but not uncomfortable.

“I’m so frustrated. How can you do a favor and pretend you don’t know? It’s so hard to hold back from telling them everything.”

He really looks frustrated, which is the problem.

“They’re in that position because of their own efforts.”

“I really don’t understand why you deny it so much.”

Prophecy sighed deeply and reached for the chocolate in front of him, then slapped his own hand.

He must be on a diet. I’m only allowed to eat one piece, so it’s not much different.

“Let’s just admit it coolly, *hoobae-nim*. They’re all in that position because of me!”

“I refuse.”

“Actually, it doesn’t matter.”

A sinister smile.

Prophecy nodded as if he really didn’t care.

“Whether you do or not, Sung-ho will try to persuade any idols around him who are badmouthing others. And he’ll help anyone in trouble.”

A smile that brightens even more.

“Eun-gu is also genuinely dedicated to helping the people around him, taking after *hoobae-nim*.”

Finally, a full bloom.

“I’m going to expose the secrets of anyone who messes with *hoobae-nim*. As a side note, Eun-gu also took after me!”

“You were doing so well until the end!”

Jun-sung *hyung* slapped Prophecy on the back.

“How many futures have I seen! Even if only half of them are the same, it’s still something!”

And Prophecy wasn’t fazed by that much.

“…Can’t you just focus on living happily?”

I quietly drank my coffee.

No matter how much coffee I drink, it doesn’t affect my diet. I honestly don’t know how it is for my health.

“Um, but I can understand Prophecy’s feelings to some extent.”

I naturally expected Prophecy to answer, but unexpectedly, Jun-sung *hyung* answered.

“You cut off the leash he’d been wearing his whole life. But don’t do things that would make the person himself uncomfortable. At least do it secretly.”

*’Let’s do it’* implies that the speaker is also participating in the action.

Jun-sung *hyung* was doing it too, damn it.

“I guess I can’t be as great a person as *hoobae-nim* or Sung-ho. I can’t hide that I’m helping. I really want them to know.”

Prophecy spat out as if he was sulking.

“How else can I let them know how big a gift I received?”

Ha, seriously. It’s true that he did something big, but I’m also grateful that he tried to repay it.

“Please, enjoy your own life.”

I’m not in so much trouble that I need someone else’s help. If you’re trying to repay me out of a sense of obligation, that’s a debt. I didn’t plan to become a loan shark.

Prophecy stared at me as if trying to gauge my inner thoughts, then tightly grasped Jun-sung *hyung*’s hand. It’s a way to prevent violence before he says anything.

“For me, this is life.”

Um.

“It’s not out of a sense of obligation, and I’ll stop if you tell me to.”

I quietly took another sip of coffee.

“I just want you to know how much of a benefactor *hoobae-nim* is to me. Saying you succeeded through your own efforts, or that you didn’t intend to help, you.”

Um, it’s different. Prophecy *sunbae* calling me ‘you’.

“Someone pathologically hates being thanked. I feel strangely sad!”

It’s still unfamiliar unless it’s Mok-hwa or our members. Raw emotions like other people’s gratitude are overwhelming.

“…Then please give me coffee for free when I come here.”

The main purpose of coming to this place today.

Please stop creating strange cartels in the entertainment industry, and how about we just chat?

Rather than meddling to help me, it would be more helpful to me if you occasionally met me and bought me coffee.

Silence filled the meeting room.

There’s no one here stupid enough or oblivious enough not to notice the hidden meaning in my words.

“Wow, the strangest person I knew has become.”

Prophecy carelessly spouted rude words.

*I don’t want to hear you say that I’m the craziest, Prophecy.*

“It takes too long to open up.”

Jun-sung chuckled in disbelief.

“*Hoobae-nim*, when I heard the news that *hoobae-nim* and Jun-sung *hyung* were dropping honorifics, I cried while making chocolate.”

“It’s true.”

“Some people only get formal replies even when they contact their benefactor. It’s like a wild cat, why do you run away even when I approach you while you’re eating?”

Comparing people to animals. It’s very inhumane.

I finished my coffee and put down the cup. Um, I want to ask for another cup.

“Just to talk about it since we’ve gotten a little closer, *hoobae-nim* claims that he’s normal, right?”

“…Could I have one more cup?”

Prophecy burst out laughing. He seemed relieved.

I recalled the future of Prophecy that I had heard one day.

At that time, Prophecy clearly said that he would meet me and drink coffee at a cafe run by someone else.

But it’s not like that anymore. Because he’s drinking coffee at a cafe he started himself.

“Lee-deun says that *hoobae-nim* is the strangest guy.”

Prophecy continued the words he had deliberately cut off while pouring coffee.

I didn’t say anything while he was pouring the coffee, waiting according to etiquette.

And when the cup was finally filled, I took a sip of coffee and asked.

“Do you agree?”

“Of course.”

Prophecy chuckled.

“I can agree any number of times.”

In this meeting room, there was no one so oblivious that they couldn’t understand the hidden meaning in those words.

It contained the new sense of distance that Prophecy had discovered.

“I also think Prophecy *hyung* is strange.”

This too, is the same.

* * *

Lee Hyun-jae got into the car with a leave of absence form in one hand.

Since his overseas schedule was scheduled to start before the new semester, he decided to submit it together on the way back after Dong-hwa *hyung* met his seniors.

When he had morning classes, he always got in the car like this and went together.

Lee Hyun-jae left the humming as it was and took in the scenery heading to Prophecy’s cafe.

What he realized while living as Ryu Lee-deun for a day was that that *hyung* is an amazing human being.

Like the other *hyungs*, Lee Hyun-jae also played several games to ‘prove he was Ryu Lee-deun,’ one of which was habit matching.

It was a game that could only be passed if he knew all the members’ minor habits, quirks, and jinxes that he had to be careful of on stage or on broadcasts.

Lee Hyun-jae sometimes got goosebumps thinking about how he lives thinking about us like that on a regular basis.

Even more so when he thinks about why there are so many good people around him.

Hence the question that arose.

What does the world look like from the perspective of the other members?

“Hyun-jae-*ssi*, we’re here. Could you give Dong-hwa-*ssi* a call over there?”

“Yes.”

Not long after, the car stopped in front of a refined cafe.

And outside, there was the scene of Prophecy, who doesn’t know shame, standing next to Ji Dong-hwa again in a butler’s outfit, politely opening the door.

“Then, have a good time, Master.”

Prophecy bowed politely and respectfully.

“Okay, Butler Ye.”

And Ji Dong-hwa, like an arrogant aristocrat, answered as if it were natural.

Lee Hyun-jae held the leave of absence form tightly and sat a little further inside.

Because he didn’t want to create a story of being part of that scenery.

…What on earth is the world like from Ji Dong-hwa’s perspective? Lee Hyun-jae became even more curious.