Survive! Foolish Bottom!

Episode 40

 

The sight of Lee Jaewoon’s face turning red and blue with anger was quite amusing. However, this time, he said something that at least sounded somewhat rational.

 

“Yah. You think I can’t get rid of you from this drama?”

 

For the first time, his words made Haeun flinch a little. He had barely escaped being cut earlier, and if he were to be fired now because of his righteous attitude, it would be incredibly frustrating and unfair. While he was still somewhat skeptical, Haeun remained outwardly calm and responded nonchalantly.

 

“In that case, I’ll just stick to Kim Gyowon sunbaenim. It would be okay to tell him about this then, right?”

 

He wasn’t sure if Kim Gyowon would even listen, but if he did, maybe he could save him from the laxative trap. While he couldn’t exactly help him in that moment, he might be able to point him in the right direction for revenge. Hoping for the best, Haeun was about to say something more when of Lee Jaewoon raised his finger again and cut him off.

 

“Hey, you little shit. Didn’t you see what Kim Gyowon’s been doing to me and you? That guy is just disgusted by idols acting like they’re actors. And you, some nobody, just because of the company, you get a lead or supporting role? You think he’s not pissed? Before you believe anything you’re saying, you think he’ll even listen to you properly?”

 

Each word hit like a punch. If Haeun had been even a little more mentally fragile, he might have collapsed from the emotional blow. And, since he was in the body of the weak-willed ‘Park Ha,’ he felt a slight sting in his chest from words that shouldn’t have bothered him at all. But he couldn’t let him see that.

 

“Well, maybe. But if you really did put poison in Kim Gyowon sunbaenim’s coffee…”

 

“Poison? What poison? Yout think I am trying to kill Gyowon? I just want him to get a taste of shit.”

 

Earlier, Jaewoon had been speaking cruelly when he was alone, but now, when he was confronted, he suddenly looked flustered and tried to correct his words. Haeun kindly helped him out.

 

“Got it. Not poison, but laxatives.”

 Ding!   

The sudden sound of the system’s notification made Haeun flinch for a moment. It had been silent up until now, so what made it decide to intervene at this point?

 『The word ‘laxative’ is a bit too vulgar. ㅠㅠ It might be better to avoid using it!』 

The system was really something else. Fortunately, it wasn’t threatening a warning or penalty, so Haeun decided to comply and change his words.

 

“If you really put that stuff in there, there should be some kind of reaction, right? After emptying everything he ate a week ago, Kim Gyowon sunbaenim will probably be ready to hear it. If it were me, I’d want to find out who put… that stuff in there and would probably listen to a nobody like me at least once.”

 

Just then, the system’s encouragement and Jaewoon’s curse words came in at the same time.

 『‘A nobody like me’?! (ﾟДﾟ;) That’s not true! Stay strong! ─ヽ(*´ｖ｀*)ﾉ─!!』 

“Shit! Hey, aren’t you pissed off being treated like that? You say it’s not urgent, so why the hell are you trying to suck up to Gyowon? That bastard… What the hell does he think he’s so good at, walking around with his shoulders all stiff, giving orders, and throwing his weight around…”

 

To be honest, Haeun had been really annoyed when Kim Gyowon had mocked him earlier. He would have loved to slap him right then. But now, he was glad he hadn’t shown that frustration. He realized that if he had, it would’ve looked really pathetic.

 

Haeun cautiously asked the senior who had given her a wake-up call, “But isn’t jealousy something that has to be on the same level? Aren’t you just being petty about Kim Gyowon sunbaenim?”

 

“Hey!”  

 

Jaewoon shouted, his face showing that he was about to clutch his neck and fall over in shock. Haeun didn’t even blink and continued speaking.  

“Honestly, it’s kind of ugly. It’s hard to watch with my eyes open.”

 

“You little…”  

 

Jaewoon’s face was red with rage, and he looked like he was about to lash out. Haeun didn’t back down and kept speaking.  

 

“I said it’s hard to watch with my eyes open. Are you going to take responsibility if I lose my eyesight?”

 

At this point, Haeun was just blurting out anything that came to mind. If he had been a little more eloquent, someone like him would have easily been able to dismantle what he said, but Jaewoon, being the type who only talks big when he’s alone or when people are around to support him, couldn’t form a proper counter-argument.  

 

“Honestly, what do you have over Kim Gyowon sunbaenim? Your looks are only praised by your fans, but do you think you could actually compete with an actor objectively?”  

 

“Hey, damn it! Have you ever seen a visual member of an idol group get outshined like this by an actor? It’s just a different kind of thing!”  

 

“But you’re not even a visual member, are you?”  

 

“……”  

 

It was just a random comment, but it seemed to hit a nerve. Haeun, trying to be extra annoying, shrugged her shoulders and continued.  

 

“You’re not even good-looking enough to compare with Kim Gyowon, you’re not tall enough… And as for acting, from what I saw earlier, you’re about on the same level as me. So what gives you the confidence?”  

 

“Have you said everything you wanted to, you little brat? Do you want to die? Do you want me to bury you forever?”  

 

Lee Jaewoon, who had been threatening with no real conviction, suddenly paused. Did he stop because he was curious about what point he was going to make next?  

 

“There’s still one thing left. It’s actually one thing you have over Gyowon.”  

 

For the first time, Jaewoon seemed to hesitate. Haeun took advantage of the moment, speaking with deliberate sarcasm.  

 

“But the one thing you have over him is your age. You’re only a year or two younger than Gyowon sunabenim, but you still haven’t even gone to the military yet, have you?”  

 

For men, the military issue was like a cheat code. Lee Jaewoon, who had been getting more and more worked up, suddenly froze, like a statue. It was a cheap shot, but Haeun couldn’t help feeling a little proud of himself for winning this round.  

 

“This little brat hasn’t even gone to the military yet, and he’s acting like this…”  

 

…But then, Lee Jaewoon turned the tables.

 

Suddenly, Haeun felt anger rising within him. Originally, he had been assured an exemption from the military. His father had promised that, no matter what happened, he would either receive an exemption or at least serve in a public service role.

 

The old notion that a man had to serve in the military to truly become one was outdated and nonsense. His father and older brother both encouraged him to just grow up healthy and strong.  

 

But now, things were different. Haeun, who had once been a carefree, well-off youth with a bright future ahead of him, was now an entertainer with no dreams or prospects. At least, that was how it felt from Haeun’s perspective, and it was enough to make him feel deeply saddened.  

 

Once he became an idol, avoiding the military service became impossible. He would face nationwide scorn. The only way to avoid it was to become the best idol, to rise quickly and escape the draft entirely.  

 

This constant pessimism started to make him more and more frustrated. Why had he even ended up in this miserable situation? He quickly spiraled into the thought that everything, all his troubles, were because of this guy standing in front of him.  

 

Haeun, now with a serious expression, responded.  

 

“Hey. Do you think you can compare with me, someone who can delay the military for eight years, and you, who’s about to turn thirty and barely hanging on?”  

 

The words came out cold and harsh, no trace of the sweet, cute idol “Park Ha” left in his tone.  

 『Professional idols shouldn’t speak so disrespectfully to their seniors!

ヽ(´Д`;ゞ= Warning 1!』   

For the first time today, the system issued a proper warning. Still, it seemed like he could push it a bit more. The system wasn’t enforcing an immediate penalty, so it felt like there was a bit of leniency.  

 

Jaewoon, who had been looking at Haeun in disbelief, suddenly snapped.  

 

“This bastard… Now you’re talking back!?”

 

“You’re the one putting laxatives in your senior’s coffee, but I can’t even talk back to you? How am I supposed to live in a world that’s this unfair?”

 

Haeun’s retort was so casual that it made him seem like a pro, surpassing even Kim Soohyung’s acting in the script. At least when he was acting, he had to think about how others might perceive him. But now, with no one watching, there was no difference—he could speak freely.

 

“Got a problem? If you do, then go ahead and try to hit me. Stop throwing around those weak insults. Is that the only thing you’re good at saying?”

 『Professional idols are supposed to find peaceful solutions! ｡ﾟ(｡ﾉωヽ｡)ﾟ｡ Please stop now!』 

Haeun’s image, which still wore Park Ha’s face, wasn’t all that threatening. But compared to earlier, when he hadn’t crossed the line of total personality breakdown, things were different now. His voice carried the unmistakable tone of a street tough—something his body couldn’t hide no matter how much it had changed.

 

“You think I won’t be able to bury you properly?”

 

“Fuck this. How am I supposed to live with my temper in check? Now everyone’s just out here threatening to bury me.”

 『Professional idols do NOT use foul language toward their seniors!!!

Σ ﾟДﾟ≡(　/)/』 

The system was clearly flustered, like a first-time teacher trying to handle a misbehaving student. Ignoring the system’s warnings entirely, Haeun raised his face toward Lee Jaewoon, who was taller than him, and gave the most spiteful expression he could muster.

 

“Go ahead and grab your boss’s pant leg and tell them you got cursed out by me. Think I didn’t record it?”

 

“…What?”

 

“I recorded you telling everyone in the neighborhood that you put laxatives in Kim Gyowon’s coffee, you idiot.”

 『Professional idols do not threaten their se…』 『…‘Gyowon’’s favorability has increased by 7!』 

The system’s voice, which had been nagging non-stop, suddenly cut off, replaced by a new notification as if the previous one had been forcibly canceled.

 

Haeun, who had been ignoring every warning from the system like it was nothing, froze at that particular message. 

 

“……”

 

Even from a distance, favorability can increase. 

 

…But in those cases, you can’t receive a favorability notification.

 

Haeun, moving like a robot, looked around the bathroom. The cleaning supplies were locked outside. First stall—empty. Second stall—empty. Third stall. 

 

Shit.

 

Why didn’t I see that?

 

The door to the locked third stall creaked open. It felt like the door was opening in slow motion, adding dramatic effect. 

 

And then, as if it were some kind of joke, Kim Gyowon walked out, smiling widely, holding an Americano cup that hadn’t even gotten smaller.

That freaking bastard! No fcking way!!!!