translation by mourningmoor
The Filaments pouring out of the concert venue all had happy faces.
They held slogans and light sticks in their hands, and their bags were filled with merchandise.
Unable to easily shake off the lingering excitement of the concert, they chattered excitedly about today’s performance.
“Wow. Kang Leader didn’t cry until the end.”
“In fact, he smiled even more beautifully than yesterday.”
“And what’s with Hanjoon not crying either? It’s so frustrating.”
They were all lamenting their failure to make Kang Ichan cry today.
“But the stage was really good, right?”
“It was the best. I almost cried the moment I heard his live voice.”
One fan who had come up from the provinces was moved to tears, saying it was her first time seeing the members in person.
“I wish I lived in Seoul. I could go to music shows and follow them to the airport.”
“What, do you think living in Seoul means you get to see them all the time? It’s like picking stars from the sky even here.”
Even though it was their first time meeting, they quickly became friends, naturally calling each other “unnie” and “dongsaeng”.
“Unnie, do you think that place is open now?”
“Where?”
“Halmae Bunsik. I want to go on a pilgrimage.”
“Hmm. It’s a bit late, but do you want to try?”
“Yes. I want to visit all the places before I go back to Busan tomorrow.”
“Alright. Let’s go. This unnie will treat you to tteokbokki.”
With that, the group cheered and rushed off.
As they passed by me, they didn’t forget to glance back a few times.
“Is it obvious?”
Wondering why they were staring, I quickly peeked into their thoughts and got the answer.
《Wow. That person is so cool. What’s with that vibe?》
《At first, I thought it was Kang Ichan.》
《Me too, but looking again, it’s not him. Is he a trainee? Not a singer, right? I’ve never seen him before.》
《Maybe he's a staff member? He’s wearing the official concert merch. The one the members wore on stage earlier.》
《He’s too good-looking to be a staff member. It’s like he’s glowing.》
In the end, no matter how I look, I’m still me.
I can’t handle the overflowing light.
A smile naturally spread across my face.
Still, just in case someone recognized me, I pulled my hat low and slipped through the crowded corridors.
It was worth staying up all night thinking of a solution.
It’s a kind of polymorph magic that slightly alters my appearance.
Maintaining almost the same look, but just enough to resemble Kang Ichan in case of emergencies.
And just like that, the fans were completely fooled.
The piercing, the ring, even the clothes are the same. But the face is similar yet different. It’s like gaining experience points for situations like yesterday.
And there are also useful ways to use it.
“Excuse me!”
I reached out and stopped Kang Ichan’s mom, who was just leaving the concert venue.
Startled, she turned around.
“You’re Ichan’s mom, right?”
“Yes? Who are you…?”
Perhaps surprised by how much I resembled her son, Ichan’s mom tilted her head.
“I’m a trainee from the same company. I’m also Ichan’s friend.”
After a quick greeting, I handed her an envelope.
Her eyes landed on the envelope.
“What’s this?”
“Ichan asked me to deliver this to you. He can’t come out right now.”
His mom nodded.
“I know. That’s why I was trying to sneak away.”
Yeah, that’s why I’m going through all this trouble.
PD Pyo said he’d take the members’ parents to the waiting room and handle the after-party, but you’re sneaking away?
So I had no choice but to say I was going to the restroom, teleport outside, change my appearance, and chase after her.
To deliver this.
“Ichan sent me because he knew you were sneaking away.”
As I handed her the envelope, her brow furrowed deeply.
It was obvious she was about to refuse.
So I preempted her.
“He said, ‘Doesn’t my son have any pride? What kind of mom sneaks away after coming all this way?’”
About to say something, she was caught off guard and her lips moved like a fish’s.
“I’ll deliver Ichan’s message exactly as he said. I need to get back quickly.”
Not giving her a chance to speak, I quickly continued.
“You came all the way from Samcheok, and with Younghee imo (T.N.: imo = aunt), and you’re just sneaking away? I don’t know how you’ve lived until now, but don’t live like that anymore. Inside the envelope, there’s a hotel voucher, meal tickets, and some money. Stay the night and leave tomorrow. Don’t drive at night, it’s dangerous.”
After quickly saying what I needed to, I smiled with relief.
“That’s all.”
Then I bowed deeply.
“Have a safe trip.”
With that, I turned on my heel. I needed to quickly slip into the shadows and return to the restroom.
After walking a few steps, I glanced back.
Ichan’s mom was looking at me with a bewildered expression.
Perhaps because I suddenly turned around, she coughed as if startled.
I saw Younghee imo patting her back.
I gave them a slight smile and added one more thing.
“Ah. Make sure to go to the hotel. It’s a really expensive room.”
* * *
At the end of the hallway, I returned to the restroom, quickly washed my face, and went back to the waiting room.
The waiting room was bustling with the members’ families.
“Hey, Kang Ichan. Where did you go?”
Hanjoon called out to me with a stern face.
It seemed he was trying to show off in front of his younger sister and her friend, bossing the members around.
Seeing me, Yeonwoo bowed her head with a pale face.
Next to her, a girl with a red face seemed to be Yeonwoo’s friend.
After briefly greeting them, Hanjoon grabbed my sleeve.
“Let’s take some pictures first.”
After taking a few photos in a daze, I turned my head from the intense gazes.
Jaewon’s mom and aunt, sitting on the waiting room sofa, were looking at me.
When our eyes met, they both waved at me.
This popularity.
“You’re here?”
As I approached with a smile, Jaewon’s mom smiled gently and extended her hand.
Before her cancer surgery, I held that hand and infused it with magic.
“How’s your health?”
Gently holding her hand, I slowly pushed in some magic.
Her thyroid is fine, and the lymph node metastasis isn’t something to worry too much about.
Of course, there’s still a tumor, so she’ll live with the label of a cancer patient, but it won’t grow anymore, so it should be fine.
“Much better. I’m eating well and exercising regularly. It’s all thanks to you, Ichan.”
Then Jaewon, who had plopped down next to his mom, grumbled.
“Hyung, say something. Mom got a part-time job.”
A part-time job?
“That’s not a good idea.”
Jaewon’s mom’s thoughts were obvious.
It’s uncomfortable for her to live off her young son’s earnings. From a mom’s perspective, it’s like taking money from a child.
“If you work, Jaewon won’t be able to practice properly.”
We’re just getting started.
For the next year, we’ll be racing towards the top.
But if our main vocalist and core member, Jaewon, can’t focus? That’s a problem.
“Jaewon will earn a lot. You know that.”
Recently, even the youngest started receiving royalties.
“He’s getting pretty good at composing. His self-composed song made it onto this album, right?”
It was a bit rough, so I touched it up, but it’s the first time his name is on the composer list. And not long ago, he sang an OST, so he’s earning quite a bit.
As I calmly explained Jaewon’s abilities, his mom smiled brightly.
“I know. Jaewon always brags about it. He says you help him a lot, Ichan.”
As she said this, she gently patted the back of my hand.
“I’m always grateful to you, Ichan.”
My eyes are getting moist again.
Peeking into her thoughts, I found out Jaewon had told her everything about the Junhee incident, including how I went and dealt with him.
Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, Jaewon’s mom couldn’t continue speaking.
Why is everyone so emotional? People’s hearts are strange.
So I quickly moved to resolve it.
“If you’re grateful, consider helping me and don’t take the part-time job.”
I don’t have the skill to beat around the bush.
“I need to work Jaewon even harder from now on, but if you’re working, he won’t be able to focus, and then I’ll have to work even harder.”
After plainly stating the facts, I let Jaewon’s mom dream of her son’s future.
“This year is really important for us. It’s only our first concert, but how many teams get to go on a world tour?”
She’s a passionate mom who’s been supporting her son to become an idol since he was young. She knows better than anyone the path of a successful idol.
“It’s a huge opportunity, and Jaewon’s role is really important. He’s the main vocalist, after all. And the lead dancer.”
Jaewon’s mom nodded.
“If we keep doing well, I think our team will really make it big next year.”
At the mention of making it big, her eyes widened.
“Are you aiming for a Daesang (T.N.: Grand Prize)?”
As if a Daesang would satisfy us.
But I nodded anyway and concluded firmly.
“What you need to do is recover your health with the money Jaewon earns. That’s the best thing right now. Not a part-time job.”
It wasn’t just Jaewon’s mom who was excited.
Roa’s parents and Siu’s family were also listening with bright faces.
“So, ma’am. Consider it helping me and just stay put.”
Jaewon’s mom, swallowing hard, nodded.
“Alright. My son’s dream comes first.”
Then, with a loud clap, PD Pyo approached.
“Wow. Good. That’s settled.”
Judging by his expression, PD Pyo was also in high spirits.
The reaction to today’s performance was better than yesterday’s, so it’s natural.
But there’s something more.
“I’m in a good mood, and today, with all the parents and grandparents here, I’ll treat everyone to a big after-party.”
I wasn’t the only one who sensed something was up with PD Pyo.
Jaewon immediately narrowed his eyes and pressed him.
“Uh, when our stingy producer says he’ll treat us, it’s suspicious. What’s going on?”
Roa also sided with the youngest.
“Right. Producer-nim, it’s written all over your face. Spill it.”
After a few fake coughs, PD Pyo excitedly revealed some big news.
“An American agency that watched your performance wants to expand the tour. Not just five cities in North America, but two in South America, two in Europe. It’s a huge hit.”
A huge hit… it is.
But it’s not good news.
This will hurt the fans.