Holy Idol [EN]: Chapter 151

< 151. A Special Day>

The newly moved-in house had four rooms, and Jongwoo strongly urged Rembrandt and Jungseo to share the largest room. The remaining members each took one of the other three rooms.

“You need a supervisor.”

Rembrandt was unhappy that he couldn’t have a room to himself, but Jongwoo was firm.

Though reluctant, Rembrandt had no choice but to follow Jongwoo’s suggestion. Still, he felt somewhat fortunate that Jungseo was his roommate.

“If I had to share with Taein or Keshi, I would have been furious.”

“What, you little punk?”

“Is he starting a fight now?”

Ignoring the fuming Taein and Keshi, Rembrandt started to head into their room, but then-

“Not so fast.”

-Jongwoo grabbed him, dragging him back to the living room.

“What is it?”

*Was he going to nag again?* Rembrandt asked Jongwoo, not hiding his annoyance.

But Jongwoo had a very serious look on his face.

As Rembrandt straightened up, Jongwoo earnestly warned,

“You know the Big Master kids are next door, right?”

“What’s that?”

“Oh, you mean Jungshin Group!”

“Ah.”

Jongwoo looked at each of the other members, as if he wasn’t just talking to Rembrandt.

“Yeonwoo and Jungshin have been going to events together, so things have been quiet, but don’t fight, okay? Absolutely, absolutely do not fight.”

Taein frowned.

“What if they start it first?”

“They won’t. They just awkwardly greeted us earlier, right? Do you think they really want to fight with you guys?”

The members reluctantly nodded. Well, he wasn’t entirely wrong. When they ran into each other in the hallway earlier, they were very surprised, but they just awkwardly greeted them and left.

“Just be careful of Oh Jungshin and Yeonwoo.”

Keshi said firmly, and Jongwoo glared at Keshi, warning him.

“You better control your fists too. Huh?”

The worst-case scenario Jongwoo could imagine was Yeonwoo and Oh Jungshin getting into a fight, and Keshi, who was watching from the side, couldn’t hold back his anger and punched Oh Jungshin in the jaw.

“Understood.”

“Ah, unnecessary worry… I understand.”

Once it seemed like the two troublemakers were somewhat settled, Jongwoo waved his hand to tell them to finish unpacking.

Jongwoo watched the departing members, especially Rembrandt and Keshi, with a worried look.

But unlike Jongwoo’s concerns, the members didn’t immediately fight with the Oh Jungshin Group.

The next day, Shin Joowoon sent a box of pudding, causing a brief uproar over ‘How did he know the address?’, but Jongwoo revealed that he had told him, and the matter was settled smoothly.

The next few days passed quietly.

***

September 22nd was a special day for Jungseo.

“It’s your birthday?”

Hyegyeol looked at Rembrandt, who asked in surprise, even more dumbfounded.

“No way, Yeonwoo *hyung* [older brother or male friend]! Shocking! You’re his closest friend, and you didn’t even know?”

“I don’t have memories.”

“If it were me, I would have asked a long time ago.”

“I don’t even know my own birthday.”

“Ah. Then that’s different. Sorry.”

September 22nd was Jungseo’s birthday.

It was also the day Jungseo participated in his first movie script reading.

Jongwoo, who came early in the morning, even had an acting teacher from LLL [Likely referring to their entertainment agency] with him.

“Let’s practice once before we go! Practice!”

*Isn’t this too different from my time?*

Rembrandt was a bit dumbfounded to see the two so full of enthusiasm, but he understood when he thought about Jungseo’s image within the company.

Even acting teachers who dislike idol-turned-actors were willing to roll up their sleeves and help him. Jungseo had a strong image as a reliable eldest brother who took care of immature kids.

“I’m probably a gentle second child.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Our group, I mean.”

“?”

“If Jungseo is a reliable first child, I’ll be a gentle second child.”

“More like a poorly socialized dog?”

There was pudding Shin Joowoon sent in a box yesterday.

Rembrandt took out the pudding box from the refrigerator and a marker from the drawer. As he tried to write ‘Do Not Eat’ on it, Keshi chuckled and poked him in the side, saying it was a joke.

“You’re a precious *maknae* [youngest member], ah, Hyegyeol is the *maknae*, you’re a precious fourth child.”

Even as the two bickered, Jungseo read through the script one last time and checked it, and finally, when the time came, he left the dorm with Jongwoo.

“Those going to the office, ask Gamjae. Yeonwoo, don’t fight with Oh Jungshin. Keshi, control your fists. Taein, your new song is coming out soon, so take care of your voice. Don’t practice too much and mess up at an important time, and Jungseo, uh, Jungseo is here. Let’s go.”

With a bang, the door closed, and the living room suddenly became quiet.

Rembrandt crossed his arms and went to the sofa, crouching down.

*If today is Jungseo’s birthday, shouldn’t I get him a birthday present?*

“Hyegyeol.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you buy Jungseo a present?”

“I did.”

“Keshi.”

“Of course.”

“Taein?”

“I didn’t buy it, but I made something.”

“…Cold-hearted.”

How could none of the four people tell him it was Jungseo’s birthday?

Rembrandt became gloomy and hugged his knees.

Jungseo was the most cherished person among the members, and above all, he was his believer.

He was constantly receiving small help from him, so he really wanted to give him a present.

*What should I give him…*

He heard that the settlement was coming in soon, but it hadn’t come in yet.

In other words, he had no money. Even if he had money, he wouldn’t know what to buy, but anyway.

After much deliberation, Rembrandt sent a text message to people, asking what would be a good gift for the leader.

[Just take him out and buy him a meal. Or some drinks.]

[We can’t drink with just the members. And I don’t have money, so I’m borrowing Jungseo’s card.]

Sunwoo-sil, who replied first, was no help at all.

[Between friends, the best thing is to put money in an envelope and tie it with a ribbon.]

Im Yuhan, who replied second, was also no help at all.

[A car? Is that too much? How about a computer? Kids your age like electronic devices, don’t they?]

Jang Taeri, who replied third, was not very helpful either.

It seemed that none of them were aware that Rembrandt was broke.

[What can a penniless bastard do? Just give him your heart.]

Meng Wooshin, who sent a reply knowing Rembrandt’s financial situation, was also not helpful.

*Is the only one left Golae?*

But Shin Joowoon didn’t reply right away, so Rembrandt ended up waiting, grabbing his phone, going into his room, and taking a nap.

When he woke up after about 20 minutes, he finally had a reply.

[What does he like?]

[His mom.]

[Something that can be given and received.]

[Tomatoes?]

[Then give him that.]

[Tomatoes?]

[Something with tomatoes in it.]

Golae was surprisingly helpful. Rembrandt had a big realization and jumped up.

*Something with tomatoes in it. Isn’t that pizza!*

But… to buy pizza, you need money.

[I don’t have money to buy pizza.]

Rembrandt sent a text message, and the connection was lost for about 10 minutes before he got a reply.

[Pig, do you want to eat pizza?]

[I’m not talking about eating it, I’m talking about a gift.]

[Why are you suddenly talking about pizza?]

[Pizza has tomatoes on it.]

*Did he think he was an idiot…* Rembrandt clicked his tongue and asked Shin Joowoon.

[Can you lend me three pizzas?]

[Are you going to give that as a gift? *ㅋㅋㅋ* [Korean laughter]]

[I’ll pay you back later.]

[How will you pay me back?]

[If Golae-*ssi* [honorific title] is sick, I’ll sing you a song.]

If it were someone from where Rembrandt lived, they would have bowed and thanked him if they could offer three flat pieces of dough and listen to a song mixed with divine power.

But this wasn’t Rembrandt’s world, so Shin Joowoon just thought Rembrandt’s song was just a song and sent a text message laughing.

[*ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ* [Korean laughter]]

He was clearly laughing, but Rembrandt still asked for the deal again.

[Can’t you?]

[What time should I send it?]

[Jungseo isn’t here now… around 9 PM?]

[So, I can say Yeonwoo is sending a gift to Jungseo?]

[Yes >ㅅ< [Korean emoticon]] [Okay] He solved it! Rembrandt was so excited that he danced on his shoulders and jumped on the bed. He could imagine how happy Jungseo would be to receive the gift. "I'm so proud." *** Jungseo came back later than he thought, so he was worried that he might have to postpone sending it at 9 PM, but fortunately, Jungseo came back at 8:50 PM. Rembrandt, of course, and the members who were preparing and waiting for the gift all rushed to the front door when they heard the door open. But Jungseo's expression wasn't very good. He usually had a blank expression, but today his expression was particularly stiff. As the members looked at each other, Jongwoo, who followed behind, closed the door. Jongwoo was holding a cake box in one hand, but his expression was as bad as Jungseo's. *Something must have happened when he went to the script reading.* "What happened?" Rembrandt was worried and approached Jungseo and asked. "Huh? No. I'm just a little tired." Jungseo answered casually, but if he was just tired, Jongwoo wouldn't have such an expression. Just as Rembrandt was about to ask what was wrong again. The doorbell rang behind the front door. Jongwoo, who had just closed the door, opened the door again, and a person wearing a doll mask came in and blew a strange thing that made a bizarre sound, '*삐이이이* [onomatopoeia for a squeaking sound].' *What is that in the middle of all this...* *So clueless. Who ordered it?* Looking around at the embarrassed members, the person wearing the doll mask raised his voice and asked, "Who is the main character today?" Rembrandt hadn't realized what it was yet. Keshi pointed at Jungseo, and the person wearing the doll mask danced flutteringly, approached Jungseo, put his arm around his shoulder, and shouted, "*Heeheeheehee* [Korean laughter]! Today is the happiest day ever, right? I am a gift from Woo Yeonwoo-*ssi* [honorific title] to Jungseo-*ssi* [honorific title]!" Only then did Rembrandt realize that it was the event host Shin Joowoon had sent. *What a clueless bastard...* The members had similar thoughts and looked at Rembrandt at the same time. Rembrandt didn't order it knowing this would happen, but the timing was just a bit off. Rembrandt felt wronged. What he asked Shin Joowoon for was three pizzas, not such a clueless doll mask. But the doll mask really couldn't read the atmosphere. Not even feeling this awkward atmosphere, the doll mask danced around the main character Jungseo, even sang a song, and only then did he put down the pizza from a large bag and leave. There were ten pizzas, but no one was happy. Everyone was looking at Jungseo's face. Jungseo smiled faintly and said, "Thank you," patted Rembrandt on the back a few times, and ran into the bathroom. The members' eyes turned to Jongwoo at the same time. "What's going on, *hyung* [older brother or male friend]?" "*Hyung* [older brother or male friend], why is Jungseo *hyung* [older brother or male friend] like that?" "Did something happen?" "What bad thing happened?" As the four poured out questions at the same time, Jongwoo sighed. "Well. Something happened at the script reading." < 151. A Special Day > End