Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 41

After cleaning up the flour and sharing the tasteless weeds with the members, I’m currently bewildered by the quest window in front of me.

‘What is this again, you bastard system?’

However, the system only faithfully displays the quest window without answering.

[Emergency Quest! ‘Get a Little Closer!’

The last day off before your debut in 3 weeks! After this day off, only grueling practice awaits you. So, during this day off, fulfill all the members’ wishes and get closer!

Completion Condition: Fulfill what the members want from you at least once.

Reward: An important piece of future possibilities, a question ticket]

…The reward seems quite valuable.

…Ha, let’s think. Why is this system making such a fuss?

This system showing me a reward as bait definitely means it has some intention.

‘…I don’t know. I don’t know the necessity of granting wishes, nor what’s in the system’s head.’

[I only want you to do better!]

Ha, what on earth is the identity of this insane existence?

Once the idol activities are over, I’ll finish exploring space-time and go find the system.

The system’s advice has often been right in the end, so… I should do it for now.

‘Wishes, can I just ask?’

[Any method is fine!]

I sighed and said to Ryu Iden, who was handing out nutritional supplements to the members in front.

The favor that guy wants to ask me. Obviously, that damn puppy.

“…Iden hyung [older brother/male friend], want to go work out together tomorrow?”

Then Ryu Iden stops his hand and looks at me. He looks like a human who has discovered a cockroach solving a mathematical problem.

Not only Ryu Iden but all the other members are looking at me like that.

…What are you looking at, you animal farm guys.

“…Donghwa hyung, are you sick somewhere?”

“…Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“No, that’s right, but are you planning to leave the house? Even to work out?”

Lee Seokjun quietly whispers to Lee Hyunjae, who was watching.

“Jun hyung, I think Donghwa hyung was shocked after seeing hyung make a snowman.”

“Wasn’t it cute―?”

Quiet, research subject.

“Donghwa, you’ve finally decided to think about your health!”

Ryu Iden, who was worried, finds the reason why I’m trying to exercise himself and shouts with emotion.

Unfortunately, you’re wrong, Iden student. I’ve never cared about my health.

“I’ll really teach you how to exercise properly this time!”

‘Ha, system, I hope you choke on it.’

* * *

The gym with Ryu Iden. I told the manager and came with him during a time when there were few people.

After moving my body according to Ryu Iden’s instructions, I feel like I’m going to die.

“…Tell me the truth. Are you planning to kill me?”

“Our member is very talkative! You have to spread your arms a little more to properly stimulate your muscles!”

I laboriously lowered and raised my trembling arms and put the barbell on the hook.

Ryu Iden was moving his body, showing me the correct posture, and I was pretending to watch the posture and praying for the system’s death.

A person walked in, installed a phone holder, and started filming himself exercising.

Looking at the camera lens, I thought quietly.

‘…Human behavior patterns are really complex. What is that meaningful act?’

“Donghwa, did you see it well?”

No.

“…Yeah.”

“Let’s do one set first. I’ll watch your posture.”

Ha… I understand that exercising is good, but knowing doesn’t lead to action. Aristotle was right.

“No, that’s not the posture, Donghwa! You have to lie down a little higher.”

Everyone should have the freedom to lie down the way they want. You damn dictator.

“…The oppression of freedom is never right, leader.”

Then Ryu Iden smiles and answers.

“It’s your freedom to come here.”

…Damn it. That’s right.

* * *

After finishing about three hours of Ryu Iden’s self-care experience, I returned to the dorm with my body half-dead, curled up, and burrowed into the blanket.

…To be happy with this, the meaning of exercise might be in this moment.

Ryu Iden, who came into my room, hands me a few plasters.

“Your muscles might be surprised because you exercised after a long time, so keep them.”

“…Thank you.”

Then Lee Seokjun suddenly jumps in and shouts.

“Hyungnims [older brothers/male friends]!”

Ryu Iden blankly looks at Lee Seokjun, tilts his head as if wondering, and looks at the clock once.

Ah, that’s right. What about your school, and you’re here now?

“I left school early! I have a wish, please grant it!”

“Jun, why did you leave school early……”

Hmm, judging by how fast he’s talking, it’s Wizney-related.

“A Wizney exhibition is being held, and I didn’t know because of practice, but I found out today is the last day! Please go with me! If I go alone, I won’t be able to control myself, so I need someone to restrain me!”

…What kind of crazy things are you saying so casually?

“Please monitor me so that my entire bank account doesn’t get converted into related goods!”

When I look at Ryu Iden, Ryu Iden says seriously as if he’s sorry.

“I want to go too, but I promised to see my mother today.”

…Ha, I was just going to buy Lee Seokjun a Wizney product and call it a wish.

“…When?”

“I have to go now!”

“…Okay.”

Please don’t leave school early for this kind of thing next time.

* * *

…I am now standing in front of the exhibition hall.

A weekday, an ambiguous morning, a Wizney exhibition.

Of course, there were only children and their parents.

…Hmm, when you think about it, I came as a guardian, so am I in a similar situation?

Lee Seokjun was already halfway into the exhibition hall, so I slowly followed behind him.

…Oh, beautiful. Is that a dragon?

As soon as I entered, I saw a cute dragon statue roaring and a fantastic atmosphere next to it.

…There’s a reason why the entrance fee is expensive.

“Hyungnim! I’m so excited!”

Lee Seokjun started running around like a dog running in a snowfield.

“…Speak quietly, Jun.”

It’s embarrassing.

“That’s the actual ratio figure of Fruits World that hyungnim and I watched together!”

…That pancake that will save the world?

“Please take a picture of me!”

Lee Seokjun hands me his phone, shouts brightly, and runs to Alfredo.

Even the kid next to him is walking around calmly, Jun.

…Ha, I want to run away, wish or no wish.

Lee Seokjun is standing next to Alfredo, who is about half his size, smiling brightly. He’s over 180cm tall and has a good build, so it looks like he’s threatening him.

“…Smile.”

“Yes!”

While walking around various places, mainly taking pictures, we finally went around the exhibition and entered the last goods shop.

And Lee Seokjun opened his already big eyes even wider and ran.

“Jun, inside the building… Ha.”

Yeah, do as you please.

“Hyungnim! Should I buy this?”

“…You have that in the dorm too, that.”

“Ah! That’s right! What about this?”

I forcefully suppressed the pathetic expression that was about to bloom on my face.

“…You have that too, Jun.”

He seems to be surrounded by Wizney and his brain is half destroyed.

Wizney’s designation as a harmful medium is urgent.

While following Lee Seokjun, repeating ‘I want to buy it!’ and ‘No,’ a woman suddenly grabbed me as I was passing by.

Smiling kindly and implying that she wouldn’t harm me, but some desire is visible in her eyes. And…….

“Do you have some time?”

…Is she a proselytizer?

“…I don’t believe in the Tao, and I can refute it empirically.”

Then she suddenly smiles and answers.

“Ah, not that! Can I interview you for a moment? I’m from ‘Life is Good’!”

…What is that?

“It’s the last day of the Wizney exhibition, so I came for coverage and want to do an interview.”

Only then did I realize there was a camera behind her.

…Hmm, can I go on this? I’ve never heard of an idol appearing in a street interview.

As I was worrying, I discovered the desire to get off work quickly in the eyes of the woman in front of me.

Well, what, it’s not a big problem to go on a short interview on a small program anyway. It’s not even confirmed that I’m going on.

“…If it’s short, I’ll do it.”

Then her face brightens and she greets me, thanking me profusely.

“First of all, who did you come with?”

…Hmm, what should I say?

It’s ambiguous to say friend.

I want to use vocabulary that reveals Lee Seokjun’s mental age and that I’m a guardian.

“Um, I came with a child.”

It was an appropriate word choice. I was satisfied and smiled slightly.

Then the woman is momentarily embarrassed and answers.

“With a child… Yes, how was today…….”

Before the woman could finish speaking, Lee Seokjun ran to me, held out the things he was holding in both hands, and shouted.

“I want to buy this!”

Hmm, I don’t have any of them, but there are too many items.

“…No. Pick just two out of those, Jun.”

“That’s! Cruel! Cruel tyrant Ji Donghwa!”

…Dare to use that title.

“…What are you going to do if you want to buy something else later? Pick just two things you really want.”

Then Lee Seokjun makes a tearful face, nods, and turns around.

I bowed my head slightly, looking at the woman, and said.

“…I’m sorry. What question were you going to ask?”

“…Is that person a child?”

I was momentarily puzzled by the obvious question, but I nodded.

“Yes.”

“…Kids these days grow up so fast.”

I can see a woman muttering blankly for a moment and a cameraman holding back laughter.

Hmm, no matter how I think about it, only facts are listed.

“…Why did you come?”

“…Um, I came to stop that child from spending his bank account recklessly.”

“…What is your relationship?”

Ah, I understand now. The word ‘child’ is a word that can be understood as a child [young person].

“…We are members who will debut together.”

Then, startled again, she stared blankly and shouted.

“Yes! Can you tell me the name of the team you will debut with?”

What, the reaction is strange.

“…Blossence.”

“Yes! Thank you. Thank you for the interview, and you may be on TV!”

Hmm, can this boring conversation be on TV?

* * *

I forcibly dragged Lee Seokjun, who was shouting that he didn’t want to leave even though the exhibition hall’s closing announcement was made, and returned to the dorm.

‘…Damn it, it’s more tiring than during the survival show.’

“Donghwa hyung, where did you go?”

Child protection volunteer work.

“…Wizney exhibition with Jun.”

Then Lee Hyunjae, who was resting in his school uniform, was startled and asked.

“Hyung went out again?”

…What kind of being is the you guys’ imaginary country?

Hmm, by the way, what is Lee Hyunjae’s wish?

“…Hyunjae, is there anything you want to ask me?”

Then Lee Hyunjae trembles as if he has read something and looks at me.

“…Actually, there is something I want to ask, but hyung, you look too tired.”

…It’s damn tiring, but if you guys want to shine brighter, I think you have to suffer a little first.

“…It’s okay.”

Lee Hyunjae hesitates and says.

“That’s… actually, I wish you could reduce my tutoring homework a little…….”

“Rejected.”

I shook my head firmly. It’s a request that crossed the line.

…The reason why me being tired is a problem is because you think I won’t listen if you say it when I’m in a bad mood. It’s a smart judgment, but even if I was in a good mood, I would never reduce it.

“…Hyung, I’m really going to die like this.”

“…Hyunjae, from experience, to observe the threshold of death from studying, you need more labor than now.”

“…Then, how much do I have to do to go right before death?”

Hmm, it was when I was twenty-four years old, but.

“…I was so interested in a paper written by Merleau-Ponty that I read it for four days in a row and fell asleep as if collapsing.”

Then Lee Hyunjae has a seizure and shouts softly.

“…Hyung is cruel.”

…I’ve heard that pattern.

“…Cruel tyrant Donghwa hyung.”

“…Instead, other than that.”

Then Lee Hyunjae ponders and answers with difficulty.

“Hyung, then, it’s a sorry request, but…….”