LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 203
Chapter 203
Oh Hyun-jin, Lee Eun-kyu, Han Do-kyung…
And the other bastards I don’t want to deal with.
Maybe it was because of old memories, but my body wanted to shrink away on its own. However, not wanting to look intimidated by those bastards, I consciously straightened my shoulders and back.
“Hello.”
As soon as we recognized each other’s faces, we stopped in place, maintaining a distance that was more far than close. The leader on the Huntred side was the first to greet me with a forced smile.
“Hi.”
There was no point in staring at their faces for too long, as it would only ruin my mood. So, I didn’t say much and continued on my way.
[Most people here think you’re a rude jerk.]
I suddenly had a curiosity. They must know the biggest issue in the entertainment industry these days.
What could they be thinking?
If they remembered what they did, wouldn’t they be scared? Right?
I hoped they were having sleepless nights, fearing the karma that would catch up with them someday.
As I passed through the narrow hallway, my shoulder brushed against Oh Hyun-jin, who was on the outer edge of the group.
Oh Hyun-jin, who had been slouching as if he were unwell, turned his head to look at me.
“!”
For a moment, our eyes met, and I was startled.
‘What kind of lenses is he wearing…?’
If I wasn’t mistaken, Oh Hyun-jin’s pupils were white, as if they were burnt to ashes.
Maybe it was because the normally black pupils were covered with a whitish, translucent film, or perhaps it was because of his somehow haggard complexion.
He had an eerie face that was more sinister than that of Lee Young-min, who often got complaints from staff to go recharge his energy.
‘Was their concept this time supposed to be horror or something? I don’t think their title track was like that.’
It felt unsettling, as if it might appear in my dreams.
Just then, messages from Juan arrived one after another.
Juan [Is it true that one of your members was a bully?]
Juan [It’s not true, right?]
He was the type who would be the first to take an interest and reach out if something like this happened, so I thought it was strange he had been quiet.
He must have held back at first, thinking it was a sensitive issue, but as soon as he saw our statement today, he contacted me right away.
I stopped and wrote a reply to Juan.
Me [It’s not trueㅠㅠ]
Me [I swear on my life it’s absolutely not true!]
Juan [Why are you swearing on my lifeㅡㅡ]
Me [It means I care enough about you to stake my life instead]
Me [(Emoji of a cat shooting a powerful heart beam)]
Juan [ㅋㅋ]
Juan [Anyway, it’s a relief it’s not true]
Juan [Hang in there]
Me [Yes, thank you]
Engaging in some idle chat had unexpectedly cleared my mind, which had been feeling stifled.
As I straightened my previously bent knee, I continued toward my intended destination.
The place I had in mind was near the green painting where I had briefly met Go Kyung-yoon before.
To be precise, behind the pillar in that area.
The problem was that there were already people there.
‘Wow… I’ve heard about people dating in these spots, but it’s my first time actually seeing it.’
Although I could only see one male idol who wasn’t that famous from a distance, there was probably someone else behind that pillar.
I had planned to kill some time there, but that wouldn’t be possible now.
Curious about who they were, I had no choice but to act like I hadn’t seen anything. I turned my body towards the stairs I had never been to before.
As I got closer to their area, the male idol, who had been nervously glancing at me, seemed relieved when he realized I wasn’t paying them any attention and started chatting happily with his lover.
‘It’s a bit dark here, but at least there’s no one around…’
* * *
On Raon, who had opened the closed stairway door, wrinkled his nose slightly.
‘Who on earth smokes here?’
Judging by the continuous smell, someone was probably smoking down there at that moment.
Feeling his blood pressure spike from having to endure polluted air in a place meant for relaxation, On Raon’s quick footsteps echoed clearly in the quiet stairway.
On Raon, determined to find the source of the cigarette smell, strode down the stairs and soon spotted someone squatting and smoking.
“Are you a ghost?”
Because of the figure’s build and hair length, he thought it was a man, but the voice revealed it was a woman.
“No.”
Sensing someone nearby, the woman turned to look at On Raon standing above her.
“……”
On Raon wordlessly directed his gaze at the cigarette between her fingers.
Though his intent should have been clear from his eyes alone, the woman nonchalantly pulled out her pack of cigarettes and showed it to him.
“Want one?”
“I can’t smoke because the company monitors my vocal cords.”
“Really? I thought we could be partners in crime.”
With that, the woman put the pack back in her pocket and extinguished her cigarette on the ground.
Fortunately, instead of tossing the cigarette butt on the landing, she placed it into a portable ashtray she had with her.
“Did you know there’s a rumor that this staircase is haunted?”
“No… It’s my first time hearing that.”
Now that he heard it, the already gloomy and eerie staircase felt even more sinister to On Raon.
‘No wonder hardly anyone comes this way.’
“Then have you heard the rumor that seeing a ghost in the broadcast industry brings good luck?”
“I think I’ve heard that somewhere.”
“That’s why I’m here doing this.”
“Huh?”
On Raon’s eyes widened in confusion at the unpredictable turn of the conversation.
What is this person talking about?
I can’t follow this conversation at all…
“If I hit it big, our country will develop in a better direction. I was slightly hoping you were a ghost…”
“Ah, yes.”
As if I would be a ghost.
‘For someone who got caught smoking indoors, you sure talk a lot…’
“So why are you here?”
“Pardon?”
“There are usually two types of people who come here. Those desperate enough to believe in superstitions and come looking for ghosts, or those who would rather welcome ghosts than people and want to be alone. Which are you?”
The woman added with a hearty laugh.
“For reference, I’m here every Saturday at noon for 13 weeks straight, hoping that the ghost somewhere around here will get used to me and show its face.”
Ah, I see.
“I’m…”
“You’re?”
“Disappointed to find a smoking PD here… And, I mean, do ghosts even exist…? Do they?”
Relaxed by the woman’s absurd statements, On Raon responded with a slightly pouty face, making the woman burst out laughing.
“How did you know I’m a PD?”
“I just guessed. Am I right?”
“Yeah, you’re right. Should I leave now?”
“The cigarette smell is too strong, so I was just about to go. And you shouldn’t be smoking here.”
True to his word, On Raon scurried back up the stairs to escape the cigarette smell.
Left alone again, the woman fell into deep thought.
‘He looks young, but he’s quick-witted, handsome, and charismatic. He’ll do well.’
Then, suddenly remembering something, she lifted her head.
‘Oh, come to think of it, wasn’t he from that agency?’
Meanwhile, before the broadcast started, the PD of Music Pang Pang had to call On Raon, who had been stuck in the waiting room, back separately.
“Raon, there’s a crazy PD in the current affairs and educational segment.”
Expecting the PD to talk about the Gyeon siblings like other staff members, On Raon prepared to ignore it but widened his eyes at the somewhat unexpected remark.
“Yes…?”
“Well, they’re all weird in that segment, but there’s one particularly insane person. Cheon Hae-kyung. Famous for almost dying after being stabbed while reporting.”
Cheon Hae-kyung. On Raon made a mental note of the name.
“So, why are you suddenly bringing this up…?”
“I’m not sure why, but lately, that person has been looking for young celebrities. Be careful not to get involved with him. He’s not a bad person, but if you get tangled up with him, it’ll be a headache. If you see a big woman PD, go the other way.”
“Okay. I’ll be careful. Thanks for letting me know.”
Though I feel like I’ve already met them…
“It’ll be tough without Haram, but let’s do our best.”
“Yes.”
* * *
Somehow, without Gyeon Ha-ram, Lee Se-jun and I managed to finish filming Music Pang Pang and were on our way back to the dorm.
“Please drop me off at the entrance. I need to stop by the convenience store.”
“Convenience store? Got it. I’m heading straight to the office, so watch out for reporters and stalkers.”
“Well, not much we can do about either…”
“That’s true.”
After getting off at the entrance, I stopped by the convenience store to buy the milk and some snacks that Kang Ji-woo had asked for.
“……”
“……”
Ah, why is nothing going right today?
As I suddenly stopped walking, I felt the person who had been following me also come to a halt.
“……”
“……”
This happened a few more times.
“Excuse me. Why are you following me?”
When I finally turned around and asked, the person, who looked like a high school student, seemed more surprised than me and asked in return.
“Don’t you know me?”
“Who are you?”
“I’m Moon-gyeol hyung’s younger brother.”
“Oh, you’re Moon-gyeol hyung’s younger brother… Wait, whose younger brother?!”
Seo Moon-gyeol has a younger brother?
And why does he call him Moon-gyeol hyung instead of hyung?
Finding out this fact for the first time after knowing him for about a year, I stood there with my mouth agape like a fool.
Now that I looked closely, he was wearing a name tag that read ‘Seo Joo-won.’
“Oh, don’t you know my hyung? Seo Moon-gyeol. Aren’t you in the same group? If you didn’t even know that, I guess you’re not that close with my hyung?”
What’s with this guy?
His subtly irritating words almost got on my nerves.
“No, I’m close with Moon-gyeol hyung.”
Having opened the likability window and confirmed that Seo Moon-gyeol’s likability was close to 90, I confidently replied.
Then, the self-proclaimed younger brother of Seo Moon-gyeol’s expression.
“……”
Soured.
His likability dropped by 5 points.
One thing I could tell was that the brothers had vastly different personalities.
“So, why are you here?”
“Oh, I was curious about how my hyung was doing.”
“He’s doing well.”
“You’d know if you were close with him, but my hyung tends to live at a disadvantage.”
He might not have the best personality, but he seemed to care a lot about his brother.
“But then I started worrying, thinking he might be living with someone who might have been a bully…”
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“What’s your problem?”