translation by mourningmoor
I followed Hanjoon out as well.
Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed that the troll post had finally surfaced.
Gyuhyung’s shoulders, walking ahead of us, felt unusually heavy.
Gyuhyung led us not to the CEO’s office but to a conference room.
It seemed like all the key figures in the company had gathered, just like last time.
The difference from last time was that everyone’s faces were grim.
I activated my mind-reading ability. Immediately, the thoughts of about a dozen people flooded in.
《What are we going to do now? It feels like just yesterday we popped champagne after getting invited to K-KON. Is K-KON going to be canceled?》
《Damn it, we’ve ruined everything at the last minute. I thought things were going so well.》
《It’s too early to jump to conclusions. It’s not true. It can’t be.》
《What do we do? We’ve invested so much in these kids.》
《It’s absolutely, absolutely not true. Not Hanjoon, of all people.》
It was chaos.
If even the company staff was like this, what about the fans?
“Sorry for pulling you out of practice. Please, sit down.”
PD Pyo broke the awkward silence.
As soon as we sat down, PD Pyo pulled up a video.
What appeared on the white wall was an anonymous post from an idol fan community.
“I am accusing L.I.T’s Hanjoon (real name Han Junyoung).”
Accusing?
They really went for a provocative title from the start.
As if he’s a criminal.
A few days ago, because of the post I made, some people were unfairly targeted, so I have no choice but to reveal the truth.
So, they’re saying they’re revealing the truth for the sake of those who were unfairly accused alongside Hanjoon? Trying to justify their actions like this?
As if this act is some kind of justice?
Yes, the devil who ruined my life is L.I.T’s Hanjoon (Han Junyoung). As I mentioned before, I attended the same high school as Han Junyoung, and we were classmates in our second year.
The talented Han Junyoung might not even remember me. But for me, the year I spent in the same class as him was like hell.
Hanjoon, who was the class president, wasn’t particularly good at studying. He became class president just because he was tall, handsome, and good at rapping.
And he was a dictator as class president, all because he was popular. I was one of his victims.
Han Junyoung. Why did you do that? You were just the class president, not a judge. So why did you judge me, push me around, and condemn me?
Even before that, why did you hate me so much? Was it because I was good at studying? Because I was closer to your brother? Or was it because of that bastard? The one you were obsessed with for a year?
So you just pushed all the blame on me without even listening to my side?
Your arrogant judgment, twisted affection, and petty complexes ruined my life. Because of your words, I couldn’t get into the university I wanted and fell into despair.
Seeing you laughing and showing off on TV after what you did to me makes my insides twist.
So, if you have any conscience, could you just disappear?
It was a long post.
After quickly reading through it, I glanced at Hanjoon. He was frozen, not moving a muscle.
PD Pyo, who had been watching Hanjoon, pressed a few more buttons to display multiple screens simultaneously.
“This isn’t just posted here. It’s been spread across anti-fan cafes and even mom cafes. They’re really determined to spread this.”
PD Pyo turned off the screens and approached Hanjoon with a serious expression.
“Hanjoon, answer me. Is this true or not?”
But Hanjoon remained silent, his lips tightly sealed. No, it wasn’t that he wasn’t answering—he couldn’t. His mind was completely scrambled right now.
When no answer came, PD Pyo sighed and continued.
“Honestly, whether this is true or not isn’t the important part. What matters is that it’s being brought up like this.”
He was right.
In the wild savannah of the idol world, the truth isn’t that important. This is a place where people will pounce on even the most absurd accusations and tear them apart.
“The truth will come out eventually. The problem is that we don’t have time.”
At PD Pyo’s words, Hanjoon’s lips trembled slightly.
“If this is all nonsense, then it’s just a matter of time before someone comes forward to defend you. But Hanjoon, we don’t have much time.”
The grim faces of everyone in the room were because of this. We didn’t have much time.
“The K-KON tour is right around the corner. We have a comeback to prepare for too.”
He wasn’t wrong.
Usually, when a celebrity causes a social uproar, they’re put on a “self-reflection” hiatus. If it’s more serious, they’re pressured to leave the group.
Kim Wooyoung from Mute Seven was a case like that.
The problem is that it doesn’t just affect the individual.
If this issue isn’t resolved quickly, K-KON might cancel our appearance. Or, even before that, the company might cancel our appearance and put us on “self-reflection.”
Then L.I.T’s activities would be in serious trouble.
“So tell me. Is all of this true?”
PD Pyo, leaning on the edge of the conference table, asked with a desperate look.
“Your answer will determine the company’s next steps.”
As a company that needs to issue a statement immediately, they have no choice but to pressure Hanjoon. But I don’t think this will solve the problem.
“We need to minimize the damage no matter what…”
“Stop. Can’t you see?”
The more they pressured him, the more Hanjoon’s mind fell apart.
This guy, who’s usually so unshakable, had his mental state shattered in an instant. That’s what hurts the most.
“The answer is obvious.”
Hanjoon, in this state, won’t be able to give any answer. The company won’t find a suitable solution either.
Even if someone comes forward to clear Hanjoon’s name, by then, we’ll have already lost all our opportunities.
“I can guarantee it. Hanjoon hyung isn’t that kind of person.”
“How can you guarantee that when he’s not even saying anything?”
PD Pyo was frustrated, tapping his foot, and Hanjoon would probably blame himself.
Thinking that because of him, L.I.T lost their chance.
Do I really have to deal with this too?
“He needs to speak up so we can fix this.”
“I’ll fix it.”
I stood up, shoving my hands deep into the pockets of my anorak. PD Pyo’s brow furrowed.
“What?”
Even without him saying it, I could tell what his expression meant. It was a look of disbelief, as if he was saying, “What kind of nonsense are you spouting?”
It wasn’t just PD Pyo’s expression. Gyuhyung, Director Gong Seokho, PR Manager Jang Yujin, and even Hanjoon were all looking at me like that.
As if asking, “What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”
The dog… is you.
I met Hanjoon’s gaze and repeated my promise in a cold voice.
“I’ll fix it.”
* * *
I got on the elevator and pressed the close button. But Hanjoon, who had followed me, held the door open, and it slid open again.
Hanjoon, it seems like his brain is finally starting to work again.
But his face was still pale, devoid of any color.
“Are you going down too? If you’re going down, get on.”
“What are you planning to do?”
As Hanjoon stepped into the elevator, I closed the door.
“What do you mean, what am I planning to do? I’m going to fix it.”
“How are you going to fix it?”
“How?”
I pressed the button for the 3rd floor, where the practice room was, and slowly turned to look at Hanjoon.
“Like this.”
Then, I cast a time expansion spell over the entire elevator.
A blue light enveloped the space, and time froze.
“Han Junyoung, let’s cooperate from now on.”
Hanjoon’s eyes widened in shock. I smiled faintly and pressed my index finger against his forehead.
“Mind Reading, Level 6.”
I hate this the most. Peering into someone’s life.
But at least I only need to go back about three years in his memories.
I really didn’t want to do this to the members, but what can you do? I can’t help but resent the gods who allowed this situation to happen.
“You, you, what are you…”
“Shut up. Let me focus.”
“Hey, Kang Ichan!”
“Just a little more. Let me see that bastard’s face.”
Han Junyoung. You’ve lived so stubbornly.
What did you even do to cause such a mess?
“I’ve seen enough now, so stay quiet.”
After quickly scanning Hanjoon’s memories, I removed my finger.
Hanjoon, still confused, rubbed his forehead and glared at me, his face bright red.
“What kind of weird thing are you doing?”
I smiled faintly at him.
“A little weird, right?”
Yeah, it must’ve been a little weird. But I have no choice if I want to fix this. You’re not the type to just spill the truth easily. You’re the kind of guy who would sacrifice yourself to protect others, so I had to do this.
I don’t like doing this either. It consumes too much mana. I need more mana.
That’s why I tried to avoid it as much as possible.
“But I guess I really care about you. To go this far.”
I stepped closer to Hanjoon, who was still panicking, and placed my right hand on his head.
“So, baby. How about you just sleep for now? I’ll erase all the unnecessary memories.”
Hanjoon’s eyelids drooped heavily. At the same time, I released the time dilation spell.
Hanjoon’s head slumped onto my shoulder as he fell asleep.
“Yeah, you just sleep. I’ll be back.”
By then, the elevator had reached the 3rd floor, and the doors opened.
“Hyung.”
Jaewon was standing in front of the elevator, tears welling up in his eyes. Behind him were Roa and Siu. Seeing them holding their phones, it seemed they had already figured out the situation.
“Jaewon.”
Out of all of them, the youngest is the strongest.
“Yes.”
“Take care of Hanjoon hyung.”
As I handed Hanjoon over, Jaewon quickly rushed to support him. Then Siu grabbed Hanjoon’s other arm.
“No practice today. Everyone, go back to the dorm, lock the doors, and turn off your phones. Keep a close eye on Hanjoon hyung so he doesn’t do anything stupid, and don’t post anything on SNS without my permission.”
“Got it.”
“No matter what kind of provocation comes, don’t react. Understood?”
Roa nodded with a determined expression.
“Yes, hyungnim.”
I pressed the close button again.