Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 370

“Lee Hyunjae, come out here.”

“You’re being loud.”

The idiotic knock on the door, as if age is power, echoed from outside. No, it’s too violent to be a knock, so should I call it an impact?

Every time he hears that I decided to major in Korean Literature after graduating from science high school, he throws a tantrum like that.

So frivolous, really. To think that the department’s students have to put up with someone like that as a professor, how pitiful.

“What good is a Korean Literature degree on your resume!”

“The place where Father works as a professor isn’t much better……”

Ah, I want to become independent soon. This life of stimulating complexes and inciting anger is utterly boring.

If that was part of his concern… that would be nice, but it isn’t.

Lee Hyunjae tapped the stack of files on his desk. A list of his father and mother’s illegal activities.

Ah, it was hard collecting this, when should I use it? That *hyung* [older brother/male friend] doesn’t even bat an eye when stabbing someone with a knife. Is it rude to think like this?

‘Please, just drop out.’

But, he’s the type of person who can say those words out loud, to a stranger, right?

The commotion outside subsided.

I hit the nail on the head, huh. Come to think of it, he wanted to transfer to another school every time, and that’s why he even stole his student’s research, geez.

‘You insect-like things.’

How can he say such things with a smile so openly? Usually, people save face when they first meet.

Bang, the door opened with a loud noise. A tiresome, tiresome face. A disciplinary stick in one hand.

Ah, so tiresome, really. Isn’t this domestic abuse? My twisted personality is all thanks to these people.

…No, Lee Hyunjae, calm down. That’s just self-rationalization.

Lee Hyunjae skillfully suppressed the pained sounds and thought.

If that were the case, all humans suffering from abuse would have to grow up like dogs, but there should be enough exceptions.

It’s neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition.

F

What value is there in this act then? It’s not educational enough to be discipline, and there’s no reason to take it if it’s just that human venting his anger. What kind of bond do we have that I have to endure this?

…Ah, I hate it so much. I want to blow it all up. If the family relationship breaks down, there will be a lot of troublesome things. It’s better to properly grasp their weaknesses and use them. I wonder if that will be enough.

“Aren’t you listening when your father is talking!”

‘What father, you’re not even related to me by blood.’

Lee Hyunjae ignored him and moved his steps. Anyway, he’s already stronger than him.

* * *

Huh, I can’t go anywhere yet because I’m not legally an adult.

I sat down on a park bench for now. The other friends are now in their final year of high school, so I don’t want to oppose their exam life, and among those who have already passed, is there anyone I can ask for help…….

There isn’t. Then is it among the seniors?

Lee Hyunjae naturally recalled Ji Donghwa’s face.

Honestly, it was a mysterious thing. He had seen Iden senior and Hamin senior two or three times, but that person was a complete stranger. It’s also amazing.

‘…Maybe it’s because he lives without any regard for the future. It’s not that he has no manners, but he seems like someone who would retaliate fiercely if you act impolitely.’

It is difficult to say what is in your heart. The more antisocial it is, the more so.

The words that he wanted to cut ties with his parents were too subversive to say to anyone. He is aware that he has been mentally abused since he was young, and physically abused since he grew up.

I heard that there are children who are mentally abused to the point where they can’t even recognize it, so I’m in a better situation.

It is rational to just endure it and stay at home, but today it was hard to bear, so I impulsively ran out.

Huh, let’s just sleep outside. It’s troublesome to bother others. Thud, I lay down on the bench.

“…Maybe, one day will be okay.”

You’re young. How else would they have lived a hunter-gatherer lifestyle?

“No, you’ll die if you do that. You have to at least make a windbreak out of boxes.”

Wow, yeah, that *hyung* always talked like this. When I belatedly told him to drop the formalities, he refused several times, saying, ‘Then, yeah,’ before finally allowing it.

“If possible, it’s better to be at home, though.”

That’s right too. Donghwa *hyung* is different in personality from the other two, so he would rather rest at home than go out on this cold day.

“…Huh?”

I jumped up, what, why can I hear it out loud?

I got up from the bench where I was lying down, saying it out loud. Only then did I see Donghwa *hyung* holding several boxes in one hand.

“…Are you going to sleep outside?”

Is this a battle for the spot?

“No, I’m going to cover you.”

“…Huh?”

What crazy talk.

“If it’s here, setting it up like this…….”

Donghwa *hyung* sat down on the spot and started attaching duct tape and boxes here and there. His skill was surprisingly elaborate. In early childhood education, do they perhaps make play equipment themselves?

People passing by looked at this place, but he concentrated only on his work as if he didn’t care at all. Thanks to that attitude, even Lee Hyunjae could only watch without saying anything.

Surprisingly elaborately, a windbreak was set up that could block one side of the bench. A subtle smile, a craftsman-like satisfaction that showed he was admiring his skill.

“…This is.”

“A windbreak. Here’s one for a blanket. It’s made of cardboard, so it’s the foldable type.”

Ji Donghwa gestured for him to lie down.

Lee Hyunjae was dumbfounded and lay down as he was, and then he roughly estimated the size of his body and started folding the box.

Then, like a sleeping bag, it became a box that could be covered on top, even if it didn’t stick to his body.

“If you crumple up newspapers inside, it will be somewhat insulated. Do you have bad sleeping habits?”

“…No, I only wave my hands around at school trips.”

“Then, it would be better to wear gloves.”

Ah, I don’t know. I don’t know this *hyung* anymore. I can’t understand why he’s a specialist in sleeping outside, his growth process. Did he perhaps try it? No, even if he has such skills, is it right to do that at this point?

“…Usually, don’t people ask why you’re sleeping outside?”

Then Donghwa *hyung* answered with an indifferent face. As always, as if the words he said were so natural.

“It’s probably what you want to do.”

Wow, I think I know. This *hyung* is a complicated human being who doesn’t like to get deeply involved in other people’s lives, but wants to help them not die.

He makes me want to act spoiled. If he offered to help first, I would be reluctant, but he only helps with what is needed, so I want to ask him to help me more.

“So, you’re helping me sleep outside?”

“Yeah, you can die if you just sleep. I’ve seen it a few times.”

“…Crazy, what kind of life have you been living?”

“That was a slip of the tongue. Forget it.”

Then he stood up with a thud. After dusting off his butt a few times, he looked at Lee Hyunjae.

“Um, should I buy you some newspapers?”

That much, you don’t feel like you’re being interfered with, right? He slowly continued his words.

Warm but shabby clothes. There were worn places here and there. He really dressed up last time.

“…Wow, this is the first time in my life. Awesome, *hyung*.”

“If that’s a compliment, thank you.”

“Hey, can you let me sleep over for a day?”

Bewilderment flows across his face. Well, I guess so. It’s almost the first time we’ve met, but what’s the point of asking to sleep over?

I felt a little bitter. I have no manners. It looks like I’m asking for his luggage after he saved me from the river, and I’m even feeling upset. I should go die.

“You don’t have to sleep outside?”

Ah, is that the problem? What is that.

Then he looked at the box he made with a slightly regretful look. ‘I worked hard, it’s a little disappointing.’

“*Hyung*, do you have a mental illness?”

“Um, maybe. If you live in modern times, don’t you have at least one?”

Nod, usually it’s a question that would be rude to ask, but he blurted it out as if it were nothing.

No, it’s not ‘as if’, it’s probably genuine.

“I think *hyung* has gone beyond that level, though.”

“Um, that too, maybe.”

Nod. Don’t take it seriously.

Lee Hyunjae burst out laughing. Ah, I should act spoiled.

If it’s this *hyung*, even if I act like a crazy person, he’ll say, ‘If you chose it, whatever.’ Unlike someone who forcibly opens the door and beats me up for suddenly applying to the Department of Korean Language and Literature.

“Are all smart people like *hyung* crazy?”

“The crazy people I know were all smart.”

You too, he didn’t say it, but I felt like I could read the answer in his quietly gazing eyes.

A clear look like someone witnessing the truth. Even though I’m sure I’m still normal, looking at those eyes made me think, ‘I’m like that too.’

“Anyway, let’s get up then. We have to disassemble that and put it in a recycling place. To go home.”

When Lee Hyunjae got up, the box collapsed with a crash. When I stacked and organized them one by one, they were quite heavy.

“What did you come here for?”

“To tutor.”

“Ah, you’re doing it in Gangnam. Then where is your house?”

“Near Mokdong.”

“That’s a bit far.”

“Yeah.”

Then he took out his cell phone. Tuktuk, after pressing something.

“Let’s take care of it quickly. The taxi is coming soon.”

“Oh, you’re rich, is that it?”

“You, your body is frozen.”

Ah, really, I don’t know.

He doesn’t even buy new padding or clothes, so he must be saving money. Is he going to take a taxi because of me?

* * *

I didn’t know, Lee Hyunjae has a habit of sleeping outside. Or, maybe he had a fight with his parents.

It seemed like the traffic jam wasn’t over yet. Whatever, it’s a shame. It was a chance to use my engineering knowledge for the first time in a while.

“Come in.”

“A detached house…….”

Lee Hyunjae awkwardly stroked the back of his neck and walked in.

“Do you live alone……?”

Shouldn’t you usually ask that before coming, Hyunjae? You’re a little out of it too.

“No.”

“Wow…, this is a big deal. What should I tell your parents?”

“They’re not here, so it’s okay.”

And I shouted without giving Lee Hyunjae a chance to answer.

“Mokwha.”

Since we’re going to share the same roof, I should introduce you. As soon as Mokwha, who was in the room in comfortable clothes (sleeveless shirt and shorts), came out, he stopped walking.

“…This person, is it perhaps Hyunjae?”

“Yeah.”

Thump, thump, he approached with intense steps, punched me in the solar plexus once, and then went back inside.

What, crazy. Is punching the solar plexus the guy’s rule if someone he knew from a previous life shows up?

He did that when I first came to my senses too.

Cough, I collapsed with a short groan.

“…Are, are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

Smile, it’s time to smile.

Carnegie, I believe in you. I haven’t received social skills training from Ryu Iden yet.

“Who is that……?”

“She’s my younger sister.”

“Ah, ah, I see.”

Maybe he was shocked by the fact that his parents weren’t there.

He was older when we first met, so there was nothing to be shocked about, but this is a new experience.

Bang, Mokwha, who had changed into neat clothes, opened the door and greeted him with a bright smile.

“Hello, I’m Ji Mokwha, Donghwa *hyung’s* younger sister!”

“…Ah, yes! I’m Lee Hyunjae. I’m eighteen years old!”

“Coincidentally, we’re the same age! Should we drop the formalities!”

Mokwha approached friendly at KTX [Korean Train Express]-like speed.

Maybe because we were friends in the past, that’s why he’s approaching like this.

Or is that his nature? Mokwha is originally good at making friends with others.

“Uh, is, is that so?”

Ah, I’m seeing that expression for the first time too. Such embarrassment.