Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 348

The fox sat on the chair with a disgruntled expression.

“Let’s start.”

Everything that just happened will be forgotten because everyone refused to promise.

“You said you didn’t want to touch it.”

“…Will you promise?”

“No. Absolutely not.”

Just because I gave up doesn’t mean I abandoned everything. Even if it’s impossible, wouldn’t it be okay to be remembered? I ended up harboring such thoughts. It was the revived, worn-out emotions that tripped me up.

Thus began the experiment, one day when only a short sentence remained in the log: ‘Found a method, but it will be discarded.’

I surprisingly liked myself for leaving such a log without hesitation.

“We are nothing compared to you, Teacher.”

“I never taught you that.”

“Even if I want to?”

“Yes.”

A small idea that it might be possible to modify one of the kindergarteners. As soon as I ran the simulation, I discarded it all.

It works, damn it, why? What if the kids find out? At that time, the base-born [a term referring to someone or something of humble or artificial origin] didn’t even have such worries in their head. Only the thought that if the kids found out, they would surely carry out the plan without him knowing.

“I don’t want that.”

Maybe, if I had known before it was given the strange name of kindergarten, maybe then there would have been no hesitation.

“…We’ll figure it out ourselves.”

“By then, I’ll already be gone, so it doesn’t matter.”

“We’ll do it before then.”

“As much as you want, if you can avoid my eyes.”

Creating a creature of this level is not easy. Creating a creature with intelligence as great as a fox or a cat, as great as other managers, is even more so (in the first place, creating them is forbidden).

So I can’t make a confident statement. If these guys figure it out on their own, I’ll have to tamper with their memories again.

If I could just make a promise, I’d be relieved.

“Bullshit.”

A disgruntled meow was heard from the next seat.

“Would you do it if you were me?”

“Nya sound, cute. Cheer up!”

“Shut up, you son of a bitch. I get angry just looking at your face.”

Dogs and cats must always be enemies. And the dinosaur, seemingly in eternal sleep, and the rabbit flapping its hands trying to mediate their fight, even in this moment falling asleep.

This peaceful scene will continue endlessly even after I disappear.

“Then, let’s start.”

“Like the fox said, I’ll find it on my own.”

“…Then, will you sacrifice yourself?”

“Of course.”

“Shut up, I’ll do it.”

What’s so good about it, making a fuss with each other.

“Whoever finds it first gets to decide.”

“…Anyway, no one will remember, and no one will figure it out.”

As the base-born tried to get up, the fox grabbed his arm. He stroked his head, and the base-born slowly approached the animals’ data processing center.

Therefore, nothing happened.

Such absurd information as ‘I’m doing this for Teacher!’ never existed in the first place.

Just like it always was.

The scene of everyone closing their eyes as if they had fallen into a peaceful sleep, the base-born smiled.

How cute, you bastards. The best masterpiece of everything I’ve ever made.

His hand reached out on its own.

Then, as if sensing someone, the fox abruptly opened its eyes and went on alert. Soon realizing it was the teacher’s hand, it approached and rubbed its cheek against it.

“What’s wrong, Teacher?”

“Just because.”

“Why are we all gathered here… My memory is hazy.”

“Who knows.”

“…Are you feeling down?”

Yes.

“No.”

The base-born was, alright.

* * *

“Alright?”

I calmed Chae Ha-min’s shoulders. How could this state be that of someone who is alright?

“Uwoooo.”

“What.”

If you’re a person, use words, Ha-min.

“A strong… candidate…….”

“Who.”

“Prophet sunbaenim [a respectful Korean term for a senior or elder in a school, company, or organization]!”

I put my hand on my heart and breathed in and out roughly. The other members were in a similar state, with Lee Hyun-jae sitting next to Seok-jun and being patted on the back.

Ryu Iden was trying to calm down by banging his head against the wall.

“Are you that nervous?”

As if my short words had a widespread effect, all eyes were on me.

“Aren’t you nervous?”

“Well…….”

Everyone is saying that, so there’s no choice but to think, ‘I guess so.’ I’d rather not have known any predictions at all.

“I’m happy though.”

This has symbolic meaning. A symbol that you are the most popular among those who have been active for a certain period.

It’s a day to get a sign of success and a result achieved through the efforts of the members, so I can’t help but be happy.

“Waawoo, Dong-hwa, this is, you know, something, like winning a Nobel Prize for a paper you wrote when you were studying? Aren’t you nervous?”

It’s different, from the scale to the prize money. And there’s no Nobel Prize in philosophy. What criteria do they use to select it?

I looked in the mirror while listening to Ryu Iden’s answer.

I’ve gotten old. When I first came to the awards ceremony, when I received the Rookie Award, I was younger than this.

On the other hand, the members have grown up so well. I guess this is my limit.

I got up from my seat and checked my suit once. I straightened my clothes and came out, leaving behind the members who were still trembling as if in great chaos.

I should buy something warm to eat…….

Thump.

As if it were a problem-solving office shoot, I was suddenly grabbed by the shoulder. Am I going to be dragged away and solve problems like this?

“Dong-hwa, where are you going!”

It was Yoon Sung-ho.

“I was wondering if there was something warm in the vending machine.”

“Ah, nervous?”

“Yeah.”

“Even if you’ve won a lot of awards, you still get nervous.”

Um, um, Yoon Sung-ho nodded. In the meantime, his impression has changed from a high school student who could be in church to a college student who could be.

A clergyman, it suits him well.

“Do you want to come with me?”

I nodded once and naturally moved my feet.

“How have you been?”

Ryu Iden’s social skills lecture is now a habit ingrained in my body.

“The same as you? Practicing, eating, and sleeping. Going to meetings sometimes?”

Ah, that damn gathering.

And after about three steps. I encountered the tiger cubs.

“Oh? Guys, what are you doing here.”

No, I encountered Jun-sung & Yaeon. The two of them almost never seem to be apart. Except when they have individual schedules, they’re always like that.

“Just going to the vending machine for a moment.”

I answered politely.

“Let’s go together too!”

“…Huh? We’re now.”

“It’s okay. I’ll take care of the aftermath.”

“…I, Yaeon-ah, your aftermath is harder to deal with.”

“Let’s go first!”

“I wonder if we’re causing trouble…….”

Yoon Sung-ho asked Yaeon hyung [another respectful Korean term for older brother or male friend] cautiously.

From the intonation to the tone, everything is so perfect that there is nothing to criticize. If Ryu Iden calculates and shows courtesy, then that would be his nature.

“No. I even brought chocolate again. Let’s eat together while drinking something!”

It started lightly, but somehow three more people got attached. What’s going on?

“…How have you been?”

“Wow, you’re so robotic.”

And after about three more steps.

“Found you.”

A boyish voice poured out.

What is it this time? I turned my head.

“It’s been a while, sunbaenim!”

A squirrel with eyes shining like stars sprinted as politely as possible.

If a child who grew up well in a Joseon Dynasty [Korean kingdom from approximately 1392 to 1897] noble family becomes impatient, they would look like that.

“Oh? Our maknae [Korean term for the youngest member of a group]!”

Yaeon ran and hugged Eun-gu and swung him around.

“…That expression ‘maknae’ is.”

“Yeah. Just like you think.”

Jun-sung hyung gave a troubled smile.

He’s the maknae of the gathering. I wonder what heinous tricks that priest bastard used on our Eun-gu.

“You go too. To eat chocolate.”

“Um, sunbaenim, I want to talk to Dong-hwa sunbaenim…….”

“We’re all going to Dong-hwa’s waiting room now!”

What are you saying without any consultation?

“…Yaeon-ah?”

Jun-sung hyung reached out his hand, but soon realized it was hopeless and just smiled.

There’s nothing I can do, I guess, seeing the expression that says, ‘What can I do?’ is absurd. They’re sunbaenims, so I can’t chase them away.

And after moving our feet again and reaching the vending machine.

“Oh, Dong-hwa hyung, it’s been a while.”

The grandson of the Hwayang elder was awkwardly waving his hand.

……Pied Piper? I don’t want it, such an ability. The ability to attract people just by walking is Ryu Iden’s original ability.

Jin-han tilted his head for a moment, seeing the size of the crowd lined up behind me.

“Have you finally become sociable?”

“Never.”

There’s no way that will ever change. To me, sociability is only about sagyo (師敎, teacher’s teachings). ……By the way, the replies have really decreased, Giji-saeng [a reference to a character or situation]. Even after saying this, you don’t even say it makes you want to throw up.

“Oh, Yaeon sunbaenim is here too, ……Come to think of it, everyone is close to Mok-hwa!”

“Jin-han ssi.”

“Yes?”

“Didn’t you teach your younger sibling how to manage their connections?”

I trusted you and left it to you, but why are there only such things around my younger sibling? An explanation is definitely needed.

“I, if you suddenly use honorifics, I’m very scared!”

There’s no need to respond. I put my card on the vending machine according to my original purpose and picked out warm drinks to suit the members’ tastes.

“By the way, haven’t you seen Mok-hwa? I’m looking for him now.”

“…Mok-hwa?”

Holding drinks in both hands, I walked first. I didn’t walk that long, but I don’t know when so many people gathered around me, it’s a mystery.

“Yes. Our rehearsal is soon.”

“Contact?”

“…Actually, Mok-hwa is in puberty these days, so he doesn’t listen to me well.”

“Don’t lie, Mok-hwa knows what will happen if he doesn’t listen to the leader, so he listens well, right?”

Whether it’s extreme sociability or low-level rudeness, I don’t know well, but Yaeon immediately intervened.

As far as I know, the two of them haven’t had much interaction except when they did a collaboration stage last time, but Yaeon is really amazing. Living life once, living as you please.

“…I’m very aware of Mok-hwa? I’m upset about this!”

Well, even I wouldn’t want to touch Mok-hwa, who the elder cherishes.

“Why?”

“He’s Dong-hwa hyung’s younger sibling!”

“Don’t talk as if you’re a power broker in the entertainment industry.”

I answered Eun-gu ssi [Korean honorific] , who was next to me and talking to me, Jun-sung was managing Yaeon’s mouth, Sung-ho was just walking, whether he found all of this interesting, and finally arrived in front of the waiting room.

“…More than that, are you coming in?”

“Yeah. We walked all the way here together, isn’t that okay?”

Shaking the chocolate in his hand, Yaeon ssi is making an expression that says he prepared a bribe too.

“…For a moment.”

Anyway, except for me, there aren’t many who care about the territory, and Hyun-jae likes Yaeon hyung now, so it’ll be okay.

I opened the door.

The members were there as if it were natural, and Mok-hwa was sitting and smiling as if it were natural in between.

“Hyung, you’re late.”

“…I guess so.”

And as soon as I moved one step inside, Yaeon and Eun-gu ssi, and Han Jin ssi caused a collision trying to come in.

It’s not something I can do anything about, so I just walked. I walked one step at a time and sat next to Mok-hwa, handing over the chocolate that Yaeon hyung brought while he was falling.

“Would you like to eat it if you’re okay with it?”

What I brought! To use it like that! That’s a typical example of a corrupt boss!

Like a professor stealing a thesis, Yaeon shouted, Yaeon hyung, the person who really steals doesn’t look that good, Lee Hyun-jae replied.

Jin-han ssi came behind Mok-hwa and shouted, ‘Why don’t you answer my calls?’ and cleverly brushed it off, saying, ‘Sorry, I was talking to my hyungs.’

Eun-gu ssi sat across from me and quietly took out a chocolate and handed it to me, and the members chatted with Yoon Sung-ho.

“Congratulations on the Grand Prize!”

Yoon Sung-ho shouted, and everyone clapped and cheered.

In the festive atmosphere, the members naturally smiled as their slight trembling stopped.

“I haven’t received it yet, but it feels like I’ve already received it.”

Perhaps, in that gap, I muttered to myself like this.