Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 67

67.

Ki Jiseng enters his room. The moment he does, the monitor lights up, summarizing the situation so far beside him.

―…Lastly, Ji Dong-hwa showed psychological agitation once.

‘…Psychological agitation?’

Since observing Ji Dong-hwa, psychological agitation has only been reported in relation to the Mok-hwa incident and the observation of Chae Ha-min’s potential, excluding these two.

‘…Did someone die or something?’

If that’s the case, I’m willing to return the time, even if it means being confined for years.

With a few quick gestures, the chair, other monitors, and the cup of coffee he’s been addicted to since his time in Earth’s spacetime fly towards him.

After sitting for a while and reviewing the detailed records, Ki Jiseng curses inwardly.

‘…What a mess.’

Some are counting numbers in a place with nothing for ages just because they passed on a single piece of information to me, while others are achieving inner maturity, realizing that their position is not as a guardian but as a companion.

Ki Jiseng, blankly watching Ji Dong-hwa being pushed and falling by Chae Ha-min, thinks.

‘…Since he has matured, how should I give him a congratulatory gift?’

He slowly sits down and unfolds the Siun Hall management rules in his head.

The secrets of spacetime weren’t a problem since Ji Dong-hwa is a special case, but potential is another story.

‘…The loophole of reducing the burden on spacetime with a quest format to deceive the eyes doesn’t work anymore either.’

Constantly digging into the loopholes of the rulebook gives the Kairos and Siun Hall monitoring team headaches, but I can’t give up the only goal I have now.

‘…Since he’s trying to solve the side effects of spacetime alteration on his own, I should give him a gift related to that.’

Ki Jiseng takes a sip of coffee and manipulates the monitor.

‘Come to think of it, isn’t it about time for him to dabble in drugs?’

When Ji Dong-hwa was moved to another possibility and spacetime was rebooted, Ji Dong-hwa’s consciousness was not transferred for a bit of stabilization. Instead, an AI modeled after Ji Dong-hwa’s personality was made to live as a trainee for about two years.

I remember being amazed at how he was being ostracized among the trainees, much like he was isolated at school, wondering how he could not change at all.

‘Actually… it’s more accurate to say he distanced himself rather than being ostracized.’

Then, thinking it was the optimal time, the transfer of Ji Dong-hwa’s consciousness proceeded.

‘…I heard him badmouthing Chae Ha-min, looked at him contemptuously, and then an argument broke out.’

Then the argument escalated, and he was pushed down the stairs by Lee Ji-hyun’s mistake.

‘Probably a mistake. It’s not something I can’t understand.’

It’s just a small event in a small spacetime. Ki Jiseng himself is in a god-like position in this spacetime, but he’s not free enough to punish every single trivial human.

And above all, I don’t even know if I’m good enough to punish them… Even after an eternity, his origin is human.

And also, fortunately or unfortunately, the consciousness transfer was in progress at that time, so there were no major injuries thanks to the physical stabilization protocol.

So, at first, I just left it alone.

But this time it’s a bit different.

He was unlucky. To irritate the nerves of a being who has attained divinity.

Muttering like that, Ki Jiseng starts writing a new notification.

* * *

“Are you guys okay, hyungs [older brothers/male friends]?”

I heard Lee Hyun-jae’s voice while lying on the stage.

Judging by the laughter from the audience, it seems like nothing major happened.

“Ha-min-ah! You, again!”

Ryu Iden’s voice bursts out amidst a hollow laugh.

He had sped once during the survival show too. It was related to the Mok-hwa incident, so it wasn’t aired.

Chae Ha-min was escorted away by Seok-joon and Ryu Iden for a while.

The problem is…….

“Ha, Ha-min-ah, are you crying?”

The rabbit was crying.

Amazing. I didn’t know his tear ducts were as free-spirited as Seok-joon’s.

“Dong-hwa-ya! I’m touched, touched!”

Honestly, considering Chae Ha-min’s background in accepting my words, it’s understandable. From the rabbit’s point of view, the guy who seemed like he couldn’t trust the members said he wanted to be with them.

However, the Luminous [the group’s fanbase] might not know that, so wouldn’t it seem like excessive sentimentality?

I quickly got up, took out the handkerchief from my shirt, and handed it over.

It’s a stage costume, but it’s a more rational choice than having his makeup ruined by tears.

But at that moment, another problem arose.

Saying that Chae Ha-min’s tear ducts are as free as Seok-joon’s naturally means that Seok-joon’s tear ducts are also free.

“Hyung… hyung-nim [term of respect for an older brother or close male friend]!”

It was a natural course for Seok-joon to burst into tears.

Um, let’s rationally assess the current situation.

After thinking about it, I came to a conclusion.

…I’m screwed, very much so.

I seriously don’t know what to do.

There are still three songs left to perform, and if they keep doing that, their makeup will be ruined. Hmm… I have to appease them somehow.

“Stop.”

The moment I habitually picked up the microphone and spoke, the venue instantly became quiet. Seok-joon and Chae Ha-min’s eyes meet mine.

“…Today is Luminous Appreciation Day.”

After saying that, they seemed to realize that this was a stage, stopped crying, and pressed their faces with my handkerchief.

But this time, a sound echoes from the audience. Like… as if they were touched.

When I look straight ahead, everyone is looking with strange sounds, though I don’t want to use that word.

“Wow, I knew Dong-hwa hyung liked us, but was it this much?”

Ryu Iden skillfully changes the atmosphere. A staff member carefully comes up and hands over tissues before disappearing. Lee Hyun-jae looks at me with a helpless smile in between.

…Sometimes, I get the feeling that something is happening that only they know, and it’s the same now.

What’s even more surprising is that I don’t even want to know.

I just smiled, ignored everything, sat down, and patted the backs of Chae Ha-min and Seok-joon, who were still hiccuping on either side of me.

…Hurry up and stop, you bastards. It’s embarrassing.

* * *

After the venue was settled and the ‘Cloudy Blue’ stage continued, we sang ‘Cliff and Boy,’ arranged for five people, as a break.

However, even after being rearranged due to my strong insistence, it didn’t change the fact that Ryu Iden’s voice was still the focus.

Before singing the last part of the song, Ryu Iden looked around at all of us, smiled, and opened his mouth.

The moment we climb together in the distant future

So that we can be proud in the distant past

…Oh, dear. The original lyrics were ‘climbing now,’ but Ryu Iden changed it to ‘climbing together,’ probably reminded of what happened earlier.

It’s fortunate that the number of syllables was the same now, but it’s an easy mistake to make.

Since it was so natural, only a small portion of the Luminous seemed to notice right away, and it doesn’t seem like a big problem. At this point, it should be okay.

I quietly stared at Ryu Iden and just nodded once.

“Everyone! How was the arranged version of ‘Cliff and Boy’!”

A huge answer of ‘Good!’ is heard in response to Ryu Iden’s question. It’s definitely similar to religion.

“Every―one, sad―ly, only the last― stage is left―.”

A sigh of disappointment is heard.

“The last stage is prepared even more specially, Luminous!”

“It’s the last stage of the survival show that allowed us to be born…….”

“‘Horizon’ is prepared!”

Then an even bigger shout is heard than before. According to Lee Hyun-jae, the current luxurious feel is good, but there are many fans who want to see the refreshing atmosphere and youthful feel of ‘Horizon’ again, and it certainly seems to be the case.

“But ‘Horizon’ is a stage that can’t be completed with just the five of us, Dong-hwa-ssi [formal title, Mr./Ms.], is that okay?”

Ryu Iden skillfully acts and makes exaggerated gestures.

“That’s right, Iden-ssi. This is a big problem. What should we do?”

It’s really old-fashioned and childish to not want to read according to the script. Anyway, as I ask the question, I hear someone running from behind.

“So! I came! Blossem hyungs!”

Kim Hyun-jin runs in, shouting into the microphone. It was a guest that could have been expected from the flow of the conversation, but the fans pretend to be surprised and cheer.

We are startled according to the script. Among them, Lee Hyun-jae is especially surprised with exaggerated gestures.

I recite a line I don’t know, “Why are you coming out from there……?”

Thinking about it, it’s a ridiculous farce. In fact, after this stage, a video of the four idiots’ actions will be uploaded to Ryu Iden’s SNS [Social Networking Service], so it will be widely known that everyone already knew.

“I heard that Blossem hyungs are having an appreciation festival! I came to support you, but I heard you were singing ‘Horizon,’ so I came to help!”

Kim Hyun-jin giggles as if he finds it funny himself. He still lacks the qualities of an idol. His acting is awkward.

I put the microphone to my mouth.

“I see. Thank you.”

…As I said many times, if it’s awkward, it’s the script’s fault.

* * *

A familiar beat echoes. However, changes such as changed chords or added bird sounds were unknowingly mixed in.

It was because of Ji Dong-hwa’s intention to increase the completeness if we were going to do it anyway. The members had already stopped Ji Dong-hwa, who had collapsed once, saying it was good enough, but it was useless.

The stage begins in earnest.

The same single-line formation as before, Chae Ha-min looks ahead with the same telescope as before, hesitates, and points with his finger. While Chae Ha-min sings, the members also put their hands on their foreheads and look, just like before.

Come on, let’s leave, beyond that horizon

You and I, let’s find the place we’ve been searching for

Ryu Iden comes out through the gap.

Overflowing anxiety, my lacking self

How long can we be together?

So, let’s go through the thick bushes in front of us

Ryu Iden confidently folds one arm up and pats his shoulder with the other arm, smiling. For the same performance as before, Lee Hyun-jae has to hang on this arm, but because the youngest has grown up, he can’t hang on and just slaps his forearm once.

Found it, over there, the horizon

Then the accompaniment fades away for a moment, and a sensual piano melody flows out.

Ji Dong-hwa walks out and puts the microphone to his mouth. The remaining members gather on the left, make flower 받침s [flower pedestals, a gesture of support], and watch him. Memories flash in Ji Dong-hwa’s eyes as he watches them.

I don’t wanna go upsta―ir―irs

I just want to move forward with you

I don’t wanna beat ya yeah―e―yeah

I just want to dream with you

After that, Ji Dong-hwa runs towards the other members, throws himself, and lies down backwards. Then comes the tossing in the air.

And Lee Hyun-jae and Kim Hyun-jin slide out from under it and come to the center.

If we can only go beyond (over there, the horizon)

If you and I hold hands (Oh, the horizon)

Then the two hold hands and lift them up, and Lee Hyun-jae lifts the microphone and belts out a refreshing high note. Compared to before, his skills have improved, so the coolness is even more emphasized.

Come on, let’s leave, over there, beyond the horizon

The chorus is a tropical house melody. It was still a cool melody that felt like driving on an open highway at maximum volume.

In line with this beat, the formation is Kim Hyun-jin, Ryu Iden, and Chae Ha-min. They come to the center, and the dance that fans named the control panel choreography after the last stage continues.

At the end of the song, when Ryu Iden gestures, a photo appears on the large screen behind him.

A photo of six people together against the backdrop of a sunset sea, a photo of six people sitting on the stage and looking at that photo. A photo capturing the scene of everyone looking at the photo together during the last survival show.

In that photo, it feels like the last recreation of a past moment, like the last moment of a couple leaving on a farewell trip.

And as the song gradually comes to an end, when everyone is sitting and looking at the screen, Ji Dong-hwa finally holds the microphone.

Come on, let’s leave, over there, beyond the horizon

Even if this is our last

Yes, you and I, remain in memories together

Now it will be remembered forever

The moment Ji Dong-hwa sits down and looks at the screen like the old stage for the last time, silence is followed by cheers.

With this, Blossem’s first appreciation festival came to an end.

* * *

As we came down the stage, Kim Hyun-jin ran around like crazy and hugged us.

“Wow, really, thank you so much, hyungs!”

I don’t know what he’s so grateful for, but maybe he’s just so happy that he showed his face at our appreciation festival. Thinking about it coldly, he was mobilized for another group’s event, but rather, we were grateful that he helped us without showing any signs of dislike.

Ryu Iden, who knows that, also laughs, grabs Kim Hyun-jin, messes up his hair, and shouts.

“We should be thankful. It could have been a burden and an unpleasant request, but you helped us.”

Even in the frustrating situation of having his head grabbed by his arm, Kim Hyun-jin smiles kindly and turns his gangster-like face into a gentle sheep.

“Hey! Anyway, it’s only a matter of time before I catch up when I debut, hyung?”

He was a tiger cub, huh.

“Yeah, so debut quickly. The debut team selection is coming up soon, right?”

“Yes, I don’t know if it will work out, but I’m going to do my best.”

Lee Hyun-jae runs to Kim Hyun-jin, speaks quietly and slowly, and brainwashes him. He can do it, he must debut and stand on the same stage again.

Kim Hyun-jin slowly repeats each word, and suddenly, tears fall―. The tears that he didn’t shed even on the last stage of the survival show now burst out, and he continues to cry as he says he can do it.

“Ha, damn. Embarrassing.”

Wiping away his tears, Kim Hyun-jin sobbed. The anxious feeling of whether he could stand on the stage again seemed to burst out only after standing on the stage.

Ki Jiseng, are you there?

[I’m back.]

You said Kim Hyun-jin turned to a better possibility, can you definitely take responsibility for that?

And after a long time…….

[I don’t want to go back to jail, but yes, that’s right.]

Hmm, that’s a relief… wait, jail?

[I can tell you the details later!]