Chapter 284
Until now, the relationship Go Kyung-yoon pursued with me was an implicit business relationship where it wasn’t particularly important to show how close we were to outsiders.
It was a distant and dry relationship, where we only sought each other out when necessary.
But now.
Suddenly, acting friendly in front of so many people?
‘Did he eat something wrong?’
Seeing my expression, Go Kyung-yoon drooped his eyebrows as if he felt hurt.
“It’s a bit disappointing that you dislike it so much.”
“No, don’t you think it’s weird too? Why all of a sudden?”
Go Kyung-yoon, who had laughed slightly at my obviously displeased tone, became serious again and explained calmly.
Listening to his story.
A few months ago, when the True incident caused an uproar everywhere, even though Go Kyung-yoon had clearly stated he had nothing to do with it.
Some anti-fans of Rifftin were now bringing up the fact that Go Kyung-yoon had also been a trainee at True Entertainment around the same time as me.
They were subtly trying to paint Go Kyung-yoon as one of the bullies like Oh Hyun-jin.
“It’s not serious enough to be a big problem yet, but it’s not a misunderstanding I want to drag on, and I thought this might be a good opportunity.”
Having lived as On Hae-jae for 23 years.
Even though he had maintained his reputation and gained some additional benefits, it was never easy for someone like Go Kyung-yoon to step up and block the damage coming to ‘On Raon’ because it was against his principles.
So, while I did appreciate Go Kyung-yoon for helping in his way.
“…….”
Seeing my hesitation, Go Kyung-yoon asked.
“Senior, are you going to let me be vilified for something I didn’t do?”
“Is it fine for you to be overestimated for something you didn’t do?”
At my counter-question, the pitying expression Go Kyung-yoon had worn disappeared, replaced with a sly smile that suggested he was always prepared for such a situation.
If I were to testify not only that there was no problem between Go Kyung-yoon and me during our True trainee days but also to prove openly that we were quite close today.
The matter wouldn’t just end with quelling the rumors.
As a consequence.
It was inevitable that people would start praising Go Kyung-yoon as a good trainee who helped On Raon at True Entertainment.
Wouldn’t it be odd for me to correct that situation, saying it wasn’t true?
It’s not entirely a lie, but…
“Strictly speaking, it’s deceiving people, isn’t it? You’re not that good of a guy. And I’d be complicit in that deceit.”
Instead of arguing with my words, Go Kyung-yoon played along like a tongue in one’s mouth.
“I already deeply regret not treating you better back then.”
He could have felt offended by my words, but Go Kyung-yoon maintained his consistently smooth and sales-like demeanor, which was quite impressive.
“Aren’t you tired?”
Go Kyung-yoon understood well the underlying meaning of my truncated words.
“I don’t always bend this much. But you really dislike it when people interfere, don’t you, Senior?”
“I do?”
“Yes. So, even if my intentions are somewhat impure, I like to be straightforward and honest without hiding anything.”
“That sounds weird. Who likes hiding things? Even couples who are madly in love break up if they get caught hiding something.”
[You haven’t even had a proper relationship, yet you pretend to know… Larry pities you for not knowing the greatness of love. ??? Affection +1 Current Affection ???]
Hey, it’s not that I couldn’t have a relationship; I chose not to!
Before Go Kyung-yoon could respond and raise my blood pressure, the guy who knows nothing about the greatness of love due to his lack of human emotions opened his mouth again.
“You’re right, senior. But not only that.”
Each clearly enunciated sentence hit my ears.
“Above all, you don’t have the leisure or time to hide and conceal your true feelings from others. You’d rather the other person show their true colors, like you, with a ‘you die, I die’ kind of attitude.”
“What…”
“And even if you cross the line, aren’t you pretty lenient about things for which you’ve already tactfully sought consent in advance?”
Go Kyung-yoon smiled.
“Just like now.”
[You’ve been expertly observed by a human. Acting +2]
…Stats are enough.
‘Isn’t this guy completely nuts?’
Go Kyung-yoon silently watched my grimaced expression for a moment before displaying an affection notification window.
[Go Kyung-yoon, who would have become a specialist in the lobbying world if not an idol, is convinced that his guess was correct and feels satisfied. Go Kyung-yoon Affection +2 Current Affection +41]
Regardless of how highly Go Kyung-yoon was evaluating me at this point.
He talked as if he knew me well, which annoyed me a bit, but…
‘He’s right, so I can’t argue…’
Liking honesty and being lenient sounded like plausible words dressed up in Go Kyung-yoon’s slick language, but it felt like taking an eerily accurate psychological test.
“Aren’t you tired? Well, trying to please a senior who has become much more difficult than before, this is the only way.”
“I’m not sure if it’s worth it.”
“That’s for me to judge, so don’t worry about it.”
“Even if you do this, I don’t know if I’m worth it to you.”
For a moment, Go Kyung-yoon had a slightly stunned look, but he quickly continued nonchalantly.
“For reference, it’s true that I put more effort into you than others, but it’s not particularly hard for me, so don’t worry about me dying of stress. Although it’s unlikely, if you’re really concerned, consider my efforts and look at me favorably.”
Towards the end, his tone sharpened slightly, indicating that his real personality might have surfaced due to my persistent probing.
“…”
In fact, I had recently realized that I reacted particularly sensitively and exhaustively to human relationships.
Maybe it’s because I tried to thoroughly uncover what the person in front of me wanted, their objectives, and how they viewed me, in order not to become a pushover. Maybe I wasn’t used to it yet, or maybe it’s just that I, being an introvert, had no knack for such things.
Whatever the reason, mentally scrutinizing everything that didn’t need such scrutiny took its toll.
If only there were a quest providing direction on how to handle it, that would be great.
‘It’s a problem because that can’t happen…’
At that moment, Go Kyung-yoon called out to me, who was silent.
“Senior?”
“Oh, I was just thinking about something.”
Checking the time, it was about time to return to the waiting room.
“Will you grant my request?”
“Yeah. Just for a while.”
From what I saw, he was definitely going to be big in some way.
It wouldn’t be bad to let him owe me.
“I think it wouldn’t be bad to genuinely become friends this time. What do you think?”
“Um, no.”
“Oh dear. Then let’s not think about that for now.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever think about it in the future either.”
“By the way, how about refraining from showing that our groups are friendly for a while?”
It was clear he had been waiting to bring this up from the start, yet his “by the way” sounded somewhat disingenuous.
“Why should you and I decide whether our members get along?”
“Regardless of what your members think, we plan to prevent our members from going to Orca’s side for now.”
“Why?”
“There’s concern within our company that if the two groups seem too friendly during this intense back-and-forth competition, it might dampen the fans’ enthusiasm.”
It was true that when groups competed, metrics like voting rates and music video views soared.
Even so.
“How absurd…”
“I don’t know about Seed, but over here, since it’s all temporary, the company atmosphere is a bit strict.”
“Ah…”
It did seem a bit strict from before.
“And even if we become friends later, it’s better to show a light camaraderie between a couple of members now so that fans don’t feel awkward or out of place. Among our members, I think I’m the most suitable for that, and from Orca, I think you are, senior.”
“What about Xiao, Jun-woo Hyung, or Ritsu, who are already close to me?”
“I know that, but it goes along with the request I made today.”
I had a sense of déjà vu.
It felt like there had been a similar situation before…
At that moment, Go Kyung-yoon’s phone rang.
Checking the caller, Go Kyung-yoon spoke regretfully.
“Then, the manager is calling, so I’ll go first.”
“Sure.”
“Please relay what we talked about to the Orca members, and see you later. Don’t get hurt by overdoing it in the competition.”
* * *
The venue was bustling with various announcements to the fans gathered in teams, as well as instructions directed at the production crew and participants.
Fans seated in the cheering section, decorated with the catchphrases and logos of each team, were diligently reading the handouts they received upon entering.
The handouts contained various guidelines, including the cheer slogans for their favorite idols’ teams, which they would be shouting all day today.
With the idols’ entrance and the start of filming, the formal proceedings such as the opening ceremony of the sports day and the group warm-up exercises passed by.
The Chuseok Idol Sports Day kicked off in earnest with the preliminary rounds of the men’s and women’s short-distance races amidst the cheers of the fans.
The morning schedule consisted of various preliminary matches, including men’s basketball, women’s dodgeball, and strategic tug-of-war, excluding the group cheer competition.
Based on the results of these morning games, the teams that would be running around in the afternoon and those that would be left licking their fingers would be determined.
“Don’t get hurt and do well.”
“Go, Blue Team!”
“Raon, just don’t fall!”
And to participate in the first game, On Raon was retying his shoelaces.