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Chapter 332

What the hell is going on here?

I'm lying in bed. I have no intention of sleeping. I'm just reflecting.

About the situation that happened earlier, when I went to visit Keun SeJin's room after he came out of the hotel room where we made camp.

Beep

I rang the doorbell of the private hotel room, but there was no answer.

"..."

I wondered if he was in his room, but when Keun SeJin is in a difficult situation, is he the guy who comes out unannounced and makes a fuss?

He's definitely there.

"Lee SeJin."

I waited a moment and rang the doorbell again.

Then came the answer.

Deureureuk

Not at the door, but on the phone.

[Let's talk about it next time, MoonDae-ya. I'm tired now.]

That was it.

"..."

I took my hand off the pillow, checked the text message once and deleted it.

'Hyung, are you okay'

"Yes."

Ryu GunWoo's face appeared on the screen. I'm in the process of returning the video call I hung up earlier.

...Let him do what he was going to do.

"What was it that you tried to tell me before?"

"...Wait."

The guy on the screen moved. Then he raised both hands and pointed into the air.

"Can you see it?"

"No."

The guy on the screen lowered his hand carefully.

"You can't see it..."

"..."

"Actually, I did some research since the last time I logged in to download the "reward received" pop-up for you, hyung."

Is that so?

"A few days ago, I was able to open the status window by calling it from my side. So I was wondering if you could see it on the screen?"

"Okay."

It was something worth making a video call for. I got it.

And when I closed my mouth, the room went silent again.

"..."

A cautious voice was heard.

"Hey, hyung, what happened before?"

"Nothing."

Can't you stop asking me about it?

For a moment, I almost got annoyed, but I recognized that I didn't have to do that and restrained myself.

...From his point of view, I hung up the video call suddenly, so he has every right to ask.

"Someone you don't know came, so I cut off, but a misunderstanding happened."

"Ah..."

After a brief exclamation, he fell silent again. He seems to have grasped the situation in broad strokes.

'That's all you have to say?'

When I thought it would be okay to end the call and hang up.

"Uh...so, wouldn't it be okay to tell him the circumstances?"

"What?"

"It was Lee SeJin, wasn't it? He's your closest friend, that's why..."

"Shall I tell him that I went back to the past in someone else's body and became an idol because if I didn't, I'd die, so I leveled up and came all the way here?"

"..."

"It's something that doesn't make sense...No, I'm sorry."

At that moment, I realized why Keun SeJin stopped talking and left. He didn't want to shout unnecessarily.

I shook my head and continued.

"I will organize and analyze the status window problem you just mentioned, so you should rest today..."

"No, hyung."

He interrupted me.

"I think it's really the first time you didn't pay attention to the history of the system like this, hyung. Normally, you would have asked a lot of questions."

"...!"

"I think that shows how much you care about the current situation."

"..."

And I heard a little voice.

"Then just say it...so you'll feel more comfortable."

I clenched my fist without realizing it.

At that moment.

Then, because of those words, I started to remember something.

The mistakes this guy made every time I saw him.

"Hyung!"

"GunWoo hyung, uh, hmm...."

When he mistakenly called me "hyung" or called me by another name.

I thought he committed them because he was so bad at trying to fool others.

But now that I think about it, how come the guy who lived in Ryu GunWoo's body for several years made such a big mistake every time...?

Isn't it unnatural?

"Don't tell me that you made a mistake every time I was with the members..."

"..."

"Was it because you wanted me to be found out?"

After a moment of silence.

A voice came from the screen.

"Maybe..."

"...!"

"I wasn't conscious at the time, I think I did it unconsciously...I thought it would help you."

"What?"

"TeSTAR members are close people who have lived with you for several years. I wanted you to feel comfortable after revealing your secret, hyung..."

It was an act based on goodwill.

However, it reminds me of something in the sense that he does not consider the other person's intention and feelings at all.

And he said so himself.

"But that's what the system does."

Yes.

"Hyung, you just ignore their thoughts and feelings and do it."

It was an overly mechanical and inhumane impulse for this fragile individual.

I slowly opened my mouth.

"...So, you assumed that you were being affected by the system?"

I remember the last time we met, I was a guy who was afraid of the system.

"I can feel that the part that assimilates with the system is getting stronger. I think that even if I move to another body, the system affects me."

And a bitter voice came out of the screen, like he was a little intimidated.

"Yes. So, after realizing that, I'm trying not to make mistakes..."

"..."

"I really didn't mean that. I'm sorry you felt uncomfortable. I'll be very careful not to be influenced in the future..."

"...Okay."

I could hear a sigh of relief from the guy watching on the screen.

'He's having a hard time.'

Being influenced by something you don't know must be pretty unpleasant.

'I'll have to pay attention to his condition from now on.'

I looked at KeunDal with a little more awareness, as if I had been doused in cold water.

But he brought up the subject again.

"B-But hyung, that's another topic. I'm sure your friend will trust you, hyung."

I'm freaking out.

I said, holding back my urge to tell him to shut up.

"If he was the type of person who believed in sci-fi noises, this situation would be over by now."

However, Lee SeJin had the most realist personality in the group.

I'll admit it.

'That's why...I was putting it off.'

Since we have to work, it's not the right time yet.

By making such an excuse, I was rationalizing the situation where I kept quiet and procrastinated.

I was drunk with the atmosphere and said, "I'll tell you when the time is right," when I should have said..."It seems like there's a good chance you won't believe it no matter what I say."

I sighed.

Then, the guy's voice on the screen said something that sounded a bit ridiculous...What, not ridiculous?

"Hyung, I'll tell you in case you forgot...Wasn't I your status window, hyung?"

I do know that.

"I know how you and Lee SeJin-nim have been doing, hyung!"

"...!!"

"I've even seen the hyungs fight and stuff...Anyway, I'm saying this from the perspective of a third party who knows all the information. Please believe me...!!"

"..."

It's quite embarrassing that he had seen everything.

But even though KeunDal made me feel embarrassed, he was now almost sobbing.

"As realistic as that friend is, you know each other very well...! And you trust each other very much."

And as funny as it sounds, I'm listening to him.

"Hyung, if you explain to him seriously and honestly, he'll believe you."

"..."

I lay down on one arm.

"Hyung..."

I don't know.

"I don't even know how to say it. In the end, this is what happened."

"Ah..."

"First...I'll observe the situation."

I'm going to tell him the truth, but I don't know what that guy will do tomorrow.

It's because he's too emotional now, but there was a possibility that tomorrow it would not be a big deal. If his head calms down a bit, I may end up explaining the misunderstanding and making us a bit uncomfortable.

"Hyung, so..."

The guy on the screen seemed to be trying to give his own words of encouragement, but he didn't really hit the mark.

"Yes."

I soon ended the call, and after feeling conflicted, I answered Keun SeJin's text message.

[Sorry. Rest well.]

It was ridiculous, but it really didn't matter.

The next day, the overtime camp for the album went smoothly.

* * *

"I added an explosive sound to the rhythm. What do you think?"

"I like it. But how about putting it in the chorus part and replacing it with a different sound in the verse? You might get tired of hearing it quickly."

"That's okay!"

Keun SeJin gave his opinion and coordinated the situation well, just like the previous day. He supported the good opinions and eliminated the inappropriate ones.

"I want to choose a song based on demo number 4, what do you think?"

"...It sounds good, but I think number 3 is better."

"Okay."

It's not like before when I was angry and the relationship was awkward, because I laughed and acted well.

It's just...the feeling of distance has deepened.

'Damn.'

He doesn't give me time to have a private conversation.

Well, the apology was ambiguous. Whether it's "I'm sorry" or "it's okay," it's impossible to develop a conversation.

"Let's take a break."

"Yes, let's take a break."

And the break time came. I got up, chasing after the guys who were scattering around the suite more freely than yesterday.

'I'm going to splash myself with cold water.'

Not being able to concentrate because I'm frustrated is stupid. I'll go wash myself with cold water to clear my head and concentrate on the album.

I was on my way back after using the sink by the front door.

"...Lee SeJin."

"Yes?"

I heard a voice in the kitchen next to the hallway.

It was Bae Sejin calling Keun SeJin.

It was strange. I remembered the conversation I had with Bae Sejin yesterday after Keun SeJin came out of my room.

"I...did I say something strange?"

"...No, it's just that there was a little misunderstanding with me. I'm sorry to involve you."

"No, no."

It's a situation where anyone who hears it will bring it up.

The voices of two people with the same name continued to be heard from across the corner of the hallway.

"About...yesterday. If I made a mistake, I'm sorry."

"What? No, you didn't. I was the one who made a fuss."

"...It's not about a problem?"

"Oh, it's just my problem. I spoke in a rude way at that time, didn't I? I'm sorry, hyung."

"No, don't worry about it..."

After a moment of silence.

"Hmm, hyung. I have something else to do, can we stop here?"

"...Wait."

I heard Bae Sejin swallowing saliva.

"...You know, yesterday, about the person Park MoonDae was looking for, it's not because he told me. I knew about it because I happened to be there."

"..."

"I shouldn't have told..."

"Hyung."

Keun SeJin interrupted him.

"I don't think I should hear about this from you."

"...!"

"I really don't think it's your fault, so you don't have to worry. Rather, thanks to you, I heard about the situation."

I listened to Bae Sejin suffer. The feeling of wanting to talk about what the situation was and the idea of meddling seemed to cross.

And in the end, he said.

"Okay. I...I hope you have a good conversation with Park MoonDae."

"..."

The guy who normally would have said "yes" ended up spitting out his words in a rather tired and high-pitched tone.

"...I don't know what to do."

"...!"

"Anyway...Yeah. It's okay."

Then I knew.

Obviously, this guy was paying more attention to the current situation.

And even though he was fucking pissed off, he was also looking forward to hearing the story.

'Then...'

I suddenly remembered KeunDal's last words yesterday, when he responded to my words, "I don't know what will happen after this."

He said something I couldn't make sense of at the time.

"Now that the situation is like this, wouldn't he believe you more if you told him? You're not the type to talk nonsense to an angry person."

"...!"

"Since he knows you, no matter if it sounds strange, he's unlikely to think that you're giving him an excuse or a joke!"

"..."

Fuck. Yes.

I picked up the phone and contacted the manager.

There's no other way. I'll do it.

* * *

Lee SeJin liked concerts.

If you are familiar with him, it would be easy to misunderstand that someone like Lee SeJin would prefer to appear on variety shows or famous WeTube channels.

But originally, what you think in your head is different from what you feel in your heart.

Being in the concert was clear proof that he was an idol.

It was the result of his dream and ambition.

'That's why I like it...'

But he could not fully enjoy the good concert today.

At a concert, it is normal for members to meet, greet, and enjoy together at encore time.

And if not that, by coordinating well the dancing and singing together with the members in the middle of the stage, it would foster immersion and a sense of belonging.

But today that was not possible.

'Hah...'

This is because after the uproar a few days ago, he was on stage with Park MoonDae without having a proper conversation.

He is aware of it as if it was a stone in his shoe and he feels depressed all the time.

'Why...?'

In fact, he already knew that Park MoonDae did not look at him as "kindly" as the other members.

In fact, that made him quite happy.

Because it felt like a kind of establishing a relationship.

'Equal friends.'

TL/N: "대등한" (equal, on par) comes from "대등하다," an adjective that qualifies two things or people that are similar and one is no better or worse than the other in terms of power or ability.

He was a little proud.

Even if the group disappears, he is confident that he and Park MoonDae will remain friends and work together, even if no one else knows about it.

He was sure of that.

But once he knew it was just an illusion, now he was certain...he felt betrayed.

'It's so ridiculous.'

No, Park MoonDae hadn't even told him at any point that he trusted him the most, so what kind of betrayal is that?

Lee SeJin laughed in vain.

He knew that people easily changed their positions depending on the environment. And there was nothing particularly annoying about it.

'This industry is more like that.'

However, he couldn't understand why he was disappointed with Park MoonDae, as if he had become a great friend.

But, come to think of it, isn't that understandable?

'It's not like we're just a group.'

They had spent a lot of time talking about everything from incidents and concerns, to their own personal history.

And yet...

Lee SeJin clenched his fists.

'He apologized by text message and that was it.'

That means Park MoonDae has nothing to be sorry about right now.

What's even funnier is that he was thinking whether to talk to him first to resolve the situation.

"WOOOOOOOOW!"

Seeing the confetti rain burst from the side of the stage, Lee SeJin took a deep breath.

He wasn't just out of breath.

'It's annoying.'

On this good day, it was absurd that he was in a bad state in front of a large crowd of spectators because he had a fight with one of the members.

It's because he had tried everything he could with the most idiotic one that he couldn't distinguish what kind of personal relationship they had.

So he paid more attention to the live performance. If he lacked immersion, he had to do it in a more elaborate way.

"Thank you for your hard work~"

"You did a great job!"

Then, when he stepped off the stage at the end of the concert, he felt a sense of desolation greater than his usual utter joy.

He felt as if the energy that overflowed on stage had disappeared.

"..."

"Oh, what about MoonDae?"

"Why did he leave so early!!!!"

Meanwhile, he was somehow more angry that the other person simply left.

'Why am I the only one being consumed by my emotions?'

Lee Se-jin struggled between anger and fatigue and finally left after he heaved a sigh.

He was thinking about getting in the car to go back to the hotel and go to sleep.

Ttirik

However, when he opened the hotel room and walked in...

"You came."

"...?!"

Someone was already sitting in the room.

"I received the key from the manager."

The person who had his hands on the table...was Park MoonDae.

Lee SeJin doubted his eyes for a moment.

'Is this...?'

What was going on?

Why is the guy here who they said had left first?

At that instant, a glimmer of hope flashed through his head.

'Aren't you...?'

He's trying to apologize...

"Sorry for the intrusion."

"Ah, you're sorry about that?"

'Fuck, fuck.'

Keun SeJin felt like hitting his mouth. He didn't even know why he was talking like that.

In the first place, it seemed like he would lose if he showed signs of displeasure.

If he kept it up...he feared that the relationship they had would become stranger.

"I regret that, I regret it for other things as well."

But Park MoonDae replied calmly, without giving any other answer.

Somehow, he didn't like it because he looked so calm.

"What?"

'No, is he really...calm?'

He almost choked, but at that moment, he checked Park MoonDae's face and posture.

His expression was still serious, but his hands were touching his fingers and he was slightly moving his shoulders.

"...!"

Park MoonDae...was very nervous.

"The fact that I couldn't properly explain it yesterday..."

"..."

"It's because the hyungs don't know my situation well. They only found out part of it."

"Found out?"

"Yes, that means it's the first time I'll tell it myself."

"..."

For a moment, Lee SeJin forgot all the complexity and irritation he felt and concentrated on the conversation.

What on earth was he trying to tell him?

"First...I think it would be appropriate to start by saying this."

Park MoonDae's eyes sparkled.

"I am not Park MoonDae."

"...??"

"I'm someone who has gone back in time."

Lee SeJin began to suspect that he had actually fallen asleep in the car.

>