Chapter 162: Chapter 162

“Yeonhu-hyung, have a great practice with your vocal unit!”

“Wow! You’re practicing with Seong Jiwon?? So jealous!! Tell him I’m a fan!”

“Ahaha, will do.”

In High Five, Kang Yeonhu was always calm yet reliable, gaining his fellow members’ respect and excelling in negotiations with the company.

It was only natural for him to become the leader of the group.

But it wasn’t always like that.

Kang Yeonhu’s calm demeanor was shaped by years of rigorous training at a major agency, where he was whittled down and molded into something different.

Those days were tough…

Even WH Entertainment, a company that claimed to prioritize character above all, was filled with individuals who had fought their way up.

They couldn’t all be gentle.

After moving from the countryside with dreams of becoming a singer, he saw all sorts of people.

Only after shedding his naïve innocence did he learn how to survive.

Talent was a given, and political maneuvering was a necessary evil.

“Let’s practice one more time~.”

“Wow, the WH practice rooms are really nice….”

Yeonhu was very adept at reading people.

Seong Jiwon, it’s a bit disappointing.

“Amazing, really.”

“How can someone sing like that?”

Yeonhu had heard he was originally from a major agency.

If he was in the same group as him, he could shine even brighter, and quicker.

Thinking this, Yeonhu shook his head.

No, he’s better off with that person.

Yeonhu thought of someone in the same group as Seong Jiwon, someone similar, or rather, more eccentric than him.

“Cough, cough!”

It was Seo Hoyun from The Dawn.

Because of the rule that only one member from each group could participate, High Five’s main vocal had been selected for the opposing team.

They gathered in WH Entertainment’s practice room under the pretext of wanting to explore one of the top three agencies as they prepared for the competition.

Each had been assigned different rooms, and with the soundproofing, they were unaware of what the others were practicing.

Still, they occasionally ran into each other in the hallway since they were located opposite each other.

“…Oh, hold on a second.”

After deciding to take a break, Bercy’s main vocal member opened the practice room door, and Seong Jiwon, who had been drinking water, stopped and ran out when he saw someone passing by.

“Hoyun, are you okay?”

On a sofa in the corner of the hallway, a pale-faced man was rubbing his neck, head bowed down.

Though he looked unwell, his well-proportioned features stood out even among the idols and trainees swarming around WH Entertainment.

He’s bound to make it big.

Seo Hoyun had many titles attached to him.

Joo Woosung’s close friend, the overwhelming favorite winner of Shining Star Season 1, the idol with stellar acting skills in dramas, and so on.

It’s a miracle such a mid-sized company has such talents.

Not just Seong Jiwon, who began to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry as a great singer, but also Kim Seonghyeon, who was recognized for his dancing, and Kang Ichae, who received love calls from agencies for his songwriting and composing skills.

They were all in one group.

Jiwon carefully sat down next to Hoyun.

“You were fine just now. Why are you suddenly feeling sick? Do you want to go to the hospital?”

“No, I’m okay.”

“Uhm, you look really unwell.”

Hoyun sighed as if he had swallowed a big breath, then rubbed his face with his hands.

“Cough, don’t tell Kang Ichae.”

“Huh? Why?”

“…He seems to worry a lot.”

“Got it. But even if I don’t say anything, won’t Ichae find out?”

“He’s been cooped up in the company lately, working on the final composition. He’ll be fine.”

While Hoyun coughed and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, Jeong Wonha, TEW’s main vocal, peeked out from the opposite practice room.

“Hyung, are you very sick?”

To Yeonhu, it seemed almost impossible that TEW’s main vocal, who had shown no warm feelings for The Dawn until the first round and had treated Jeong Dajun coldly in the second, could have changed his attitude so dramatically.

…How did they end up like this?

“Today I’m not feeling well…. Cough.”

“Shouldn’t you rest if you’re sick??”

Yeonhu was initially skeptical about this peculiar relationship.

…What’s going on?

Hoyun was acting too nonchalantly.

“No, I’m fine.”

The more Hoyun and Wonha looked friendly, the more uncomfortable Yeonhu felt.

Could he really not know?

That Wonha was the main reason behind their maknae’s mental breakdown.

Yet, Yeonhu vividly remembered Hoyun pressing the elevator close button and smiling brightly.

He knew it wasn’t possible, yet a tiny speck of doubt continuously nagged at him.

“Great job today!”

“Good work~!”

After the day’s practice ended and everyone was leaving, Yeonhu spotted Hoyun squatting in the hallway.

Jiwon was nowhere to be seen.

With no one around, in the familiar territory of WH Entertainment, and Hoyun alone…

Phew, alright.

Yeonhu hesitated for a moment before approaching him.

I should be able to say this much.

“Seo Hoyun.”

Feeling dizzy, Seo Hoyun, with his head buried in his arms, slightly lifted his eyes when called.

Despite his hair sticking to his forehead with cold sweat, his eyes remained clear and sharp.

“Seong Jiwon?”

“…At the convenience store.”

“Ah, I see.”

Kang Yeonhu crossed his arms and looked down.

It was perfect timing.

“Can we talk for a sec—”

But Kang Yeonhu couldn’t finish his question to the end.

“Ugh.”

Because Seo Hoyun suddenly started to gag.

Having held it in until now, the moment Seo Hoyun faced Kang Yeonhu, it was unclear whether he was genuinely sick or if it was a dig at him, saying something along the lines of “seeing you makes me feel worse.”

“Wow, I almost threw up for real.”

“…Still, I’m not that bad, am I??”

Indeed, Seo Hoyun had picked the timing perfectly.

Feeling irritated, Kang Yeonhu thought about just turning around and leaving but sighed instead.

“…I have something to say.”

“Go ahead.”

“Are you close to TEW’s main vocal?”

Seo Hoyun looked at him as if he was asking about something absurd, then turned away and took out his phone.

“What if I am?”

Despite Seo Hoyun’s dismissive answer, Kang Yeonhu, determined to convey his message, brushed his hair back and continued.

“I saw the main vocal picking on your maknae last time. Seemed like he was intentionally provoking him.”

“…”

“I wonder if Jeong Dajun’s mistake in the second round wasn’t just a coincidence….”

He muttered, kicking the ground with his heel.

“So, getting too cozy with them might be a bit—”

“I know.”

…He knew?

It took Kang Yeonhu a moment to process his answer, and as he stared blankly, Seo Hoyun frowned and rubbed his forehead.

Did this mean that it was okay for their maknae to be mentally broken down by TEW?

“…You knew?”

“Yes.”

“But why?”

“That’s not for you to worry about.”

Kang Yeonhu shut his mouth.

Knowing that a fellow group member was aware, he thought it was overstepping to meddle further.

“Did you come here to tell me that? You’re kinder than I thought.”

“…Was I being nosy?”

“Maybe. Or is it a trait of your company?”

Just as Kang Yeonhu was about to leave, possibly to keep Hoyun from seeing his displeased faced…

“Kang Yeonhu.”

“Yes?”

“Why did you join the program?”

This time, Seo Hoyun threw the question.

“I’ve been thinking about it. Of all groups, why would High Five swallow their pride and appear in this program… I’ve been curious.”

“Did you think I’d answer if you asked?”

“It seemed like you would.”

Kang Yeonhu rolled his eyes.

Well, it wasn’t exactly a secret.

“We need new fans. Shining Star Season 1 proved that, didn’t it? Not only did it boost The Dawn, but it also skyrocketed the popularity of all the participating groups.”

“High Five is already popular enough.”

“Hey, we can always climb higher.”

“…”

However, Seo Hoyun kept staring intently.

Umm…

It was a penetrating gaze.

Honestly, it wasn’t just about gaining new fans.

WH Entertainment, being one of the top three agencies, had always dreamt of success in the American market with each new group they debut.

The desire to penetrate a broader market, the so-called “American fever,” kept pushing Kang Yeonhu’s group to the edge.

Even if they debuted in America and failed, it wasn’t like they couldn’t continue activities.

However, the labels that would follow haunted Kang Yeonhu.

From accusations of chasing the American dream without recognizing their own capabilities to being mocked for attempting what even Black Call didn’t, all these were vivid in his mind.

Despite countless objections, to the company, he was just one among many idol groups.

Eventually, Kang Yeonhu resigned himself to adapt obediently.

Of course, they were still not quite ready.

But there was no reason, nor the luxury, to explain all this to Seo Hoyun in detail, so Kang Yeonhu chose to smile rather than answer.

“Anyway, that’s why the company also pushed Joo Woosung-sunbae. To gain even a bit more popularity. Joo Woosung-sunbae is really popular, you know.”

“…Yeah.”

Seo Hoyun seemed unimpressed by Kang Yeonhu’s words or even by the mention of Joo Woosung.

Suddenly, Kang Yeonhu remembered the first time he met Joo Woosung.

In fact, having joined the company before Joo Woosung, he remembered that moment vividly.

It was then he realized.

That all the grueling practice, self-discipline, charm, all that shit he had dedicated tens of thousands of hours to, was utterly unnecessary.

That fresh shock was indescribable.

“Hello.”

From the very beginning, Joo Woosung was already shining.

He thought to himself, “So this is the kind of person who becomes a celebrity.”

“Honestly, it would be weirder if he wasn’t popular.”

“…”

“With that face, that talent, that personality. Even luck is on his side.”

That’s when he was hit with a harsh reality.

He also thought he felt the emptiness of all the effort he had poured in.

He was always desperate.

During his long trainee life, he couldn’t even count the number of failed debut attempts on one hand.

When he was dropped from the debut lineup of Black Call, he wanted to give up on everything.

Back then, living didn’t feel like living at all.

He had seen countless friends pack up and leave.

Being known as “the longest-serving trainee” was not an honor.

There were many who sneered at him from behind.

In those moments, Kang Yeonhu clenched his teeth.

Promising himself that one day, he would sing his song under those shining lights, receiving everyone’s cheers.

Phew.

When Joo Woosung suddenly said he wanted to improve his dancing skills and went to America, no one in the company opposed it.

To be able to speak so definitively, and to have the confidence that it’s okay to take a long break. I was envious to death.

“I have something I want to ask too.”

“…”

“I wonder if Seo Hoyun knows why Joo Woosung is helping you, or not.”

How Seo Hoyun, who wasn’t even a Black Call member or from a famous group, managed to involve that Joo Woosung was beyond Kang Yeonhu no matter how much he thought about it.

So, he wanted to see for himself at Shining Star.

Seo Hoyun, whom he met in person, was a strategist.

But that alone wouldn’t have caught Joo Woosung’s attention.

Kang Yeonhu tilted his head.

“Is it because Seo Hoyun is nicer than expected? More affectionate? … I definitely don’t think that’s it.”

“…”

“If that were the case, Joo Woosung would have liked us a long time ago.”

Seo Hoyun’s expression soured, but he said nothing.

“Do you know what was different about you?”

Seo Hoyun was a strange guy.

At first, Kang Yeonhu thought Seo Hoyun just had a sharp mind, but with his bold moves in Shining Star Season 1, his straightforward speech in the elevator, and recently getting along with TEW’s main vocal who bullied his group’s maknae.

Seo Hoyun was hard to categorize.

Hmm.

However, as Kang Yeonhu got to know Seo Hoyun, he faintly felt something.

That through all this, he was running straight toward some goal.

The entertainment industry was a kind of swamp.

The more you tried to walk forward, the deeper you sank into the mire.

To be always followed by cameras, judged every second, and criticized for trivial things.

How many could there be who wouldn’t go mad, repeating moments when those who adored you just a moment ago turn their backs coldly, and those who embraced you change overnight?

Only a very few who endured all that could bloom lotuses in this swamp.

But that’s not the end.

Even then, many hastily faded away or fell ill.

I think Joo Woosung almost did too.

As Kang Yeonhu continued his thoughts, he locked eyes with Seo Hoyun.

“If it were me, I’d be curious.”

Seo Hoyun wasn’t the type to care about public opinion.

He only looked at the results he wanted.

That might have been what drew Joo Woosung to him.

Lost without his dreams and goals, Joo Woosung might have seen Seo Hoyun as a guide.

“Sigh, *cough*, *cough*….”

Seo Hoyun sighed at Kang Yeonhu’s question and coughed for a while.

“Kang Yeonhu.”

And then slowly parted his lips.

“But I’m not curious.”

“…”

Seo Hoyun used the “I’m not asking, so I’m not interested” tactic.

“Seriously, what do you want from me since earlier…?”

At the blunt reply, Kang Yeonhu was at a loss for words.

Seo Hoyun looked at him pitifully with eyes reddened with anger.

“Why are you harassing a sick person with nonsense?”

“…Your rudeness isn’t just an image, it’s your real personality?”

“Shouldn’t you have realized that when we were in the elevator?”

As Seo Hoyun added that Kang Yeonhu was too slow, Kang Yeonhu awkwardly scratched his head.

“Really a unique person…”

“Yeah.”

“Anyway, good luck. It seems like our vocal unit will probably take first place.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

“…”

Kang Yeonhu sighed and walked away.

Still crouched, Seo Hoyun coughed out more and rubbed his forehead.

“Acting like he knows everything, damn….”

In fact, Seo Hoyun wanted to correct Kang Yeonhu while listening to his meddling.

Joo Woosung is human too; how could all of that be easy?

But he held himself back from saying it.

“…My goodness.”

After all, to Seo Hoyun and Kang Yeonhu, Joo Woosung was just another person.

Seo Hoyun, wiping the sweat trickling down his temple, glanced at the blinking system window on one side.

[Vocal Suppression Item!

Temporarily lowers vocal ability by two levels.

Duration: One week.

However, your ability increases 1.5 times faster than usual.

※Warning: Use may cause vomiting, gastritis, cold symptoms, and other adverse effects.]

[Congratulations!

You’ve achieved Vocal A+!

Your ability is still limited because you are wearing the Vocal Suppression Item. Symptoms will continue.]

[Seo Hoyun, do you need an explanation?

A stubborn mule who doesn’t listen.

Singing: B- (A+)

Dance: B+

Variety: A-

Acting: B+

Charm: A0

???: ???]

Pleased for a moment, Seo Hoyun’s phone suddenly buzzed.

– Kang Ichae: ㅋㅋ

Seeing that, Seo Hoyun paused for a moment.

– Kang Ichae: Come out

“…”

A few days later.

The performance and vocal unit stage began.