Chapter 293
I had come to discover Go Kyung-yoon’s weaknesses, not to listen to compliments about his abilities, so I was disappointed by the praises from the Liftin members.
‘Well, I suppose it’s to be expected.’
Even if someone asked about our members, I wouldn’t outright say that Ban Yo-han only does what he wants, or that Gyeon Seong-ha sulks and locks himself in the vocal practice room to cry every chance he gets.
…Probably not.
Then, Bina, who also came from Pick Heart and didn’t have much of a relationship with me, seemed dissatisfied with our chatter and spoke up.
“Gio? He’s an old geezer.”
“What?”
I was flustered by the raw criticism, and the shocked Yoon Myung-soo looked around to see if anyone else had heard before scolding Bina.
“Bina!”
“What? It’s the truth.”
Yoon Myung-soo couldn’t entirely deny it, but as a leader, he pointed out that Bina’s attitude of speaking ill about a member was wrong.
“You shouldn’t talk about a member like that. Sorry, Raon. Please pretend you didn’t hear that.”
Apologizing to me, Yoon Myung-soo took Bina a bit farther away, probably to reprimand him privately.
Fortunately, Bina didn’t act completely disrespectfully even to the leader, Yoon Myung-soo.
I felt like I understood why Go Kyung-yoon had warned me not to get too close to Bina.
‘They must have a really bad relationship.’
Ok Do-yoon, noticing my unease, laughed awkwardly and said,
“You were surprised, right? Kyung-yoon doesn’t exactly lack those kinds of qualities, so it’s not entirely wrong. But calling him an old geezer is a bit much.”
“He’s always had a sharp tongue.”
“Still, calling him an old geezer suits Gio better than calling him a wrestler.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Of course not.”
“Wow, you guys are really close.”
> [Ok Do-yoon is impressed by your ability to get close to Go Kyung-yoon! Ok Do-yoon Favorability +1. Current Favorability +31]
What?
“We’re not close.”
Does Liftin consider rough words a sign of friendship?
“It’s fine. I also never say I’m close to Xiao anywhere.”
“Do-yoon hyung?!”
Maybe not, but I felt like I just heard the sound of Jing Xiao and Ok Do-yoon’s friendship cracking.
“Thanks for the quick and clear explanation. Please convey the same to Bina hyung.”
“Huh? Sure.”
People like Na Yoon-jae and Ban Yo-han both enjoy light thrills from unexpected or interesting situations, but otherwise, they just watch indifferently as if such boring matters are for others to handle.
“Gio is a typical person?”
“Exactly.”
> [As expected of the person Xiao considers a rival… Ok Do-yoon is impressed by your keen understanding of subtle nuances in Korean. Ok Do-yoon Favorability +1. Current Favorability +32]
Wait, who’s rivaling whom?
“Do-yoon hyung, what does ‘typical’ mean?”
With that guy?
“Someone like Kyung-yoon.”
“Oh, I see.”
Me?
I felt that thinking about it deeply would only make me feel uncomfortable, so I changed the subject.
“By the way, are you still in touch with Yoon-jae hyung?”
“Yeah. We talked a few days ago.”
“I heard Yoon-jae hyung is going to debut as a web drama actor this year.”
“That’s unexpected. I thought he would continue as an idol.”
“Me too.”
“He did want to continue his music career, but it seems things didn’t go well within the company.”
Ok Do-yoon said with a hint of regret.
“Ah…”
“Still, I think he’ll eventually pursue a solo music career.”
“It would be nice to see him on a music show.”
The unexpected news about an old acquaintance came out more detailed than I intended with a casual comment.
No wonder rumors spread quickly in the entertainment industry.
“Xiao, boring?”
Yoon Myung-soo, who had returned unnoticed and received a harsh review from the youngest member of the group for being boring, tried to timidly protest again, but no one responded.
“Myung-soo hyung, are you boring?”
“That’s a misunderstanding, Raon.”
“It’s okay. We’re singers, not comedians.”
“You shouldn’t be saying that.”
Why not?
Yoon Myung-soo, noticing my gaze, cleared his throat and said, “And about Kyung-yoon, he’s not that bad, heartless, or arrogant.”
Although Bine had only called him an old-fashioned jerk, no one had spoken about Go Kyung-yoon in such extreme terms.
I silently listened to Yoon Myung-soo’s story.
“Kyung-yoon might seem cold because of his image, but when you get to know him, he’s not like that.”
As Yoon Myung-soo shared some anecdotes about experiencing Go Kyung-yoon’s warmth in daily life, other members of the group, including Nagase Ritsu, nodded in agreement.
Yoon Myung-soo, perhaps interpreting my expression in his own way, patted my shoulder and said, “Of course, as Kyung-yoon’s close friend, you already know this well! I’m sure you’ll handle it well, so sorry for meddling.”
“No…”
I had no idea about the warmth of that prickly guy at all.
* * *
Go Kyung-yoon, who had disappeared somewhere during the intense women’s dodgeball tournament finals, returned to the stadium.
Go Kyung-yoon approached me, where I was gathered with several idols from different teams, including Ju-an from the black team.
For reference, I wanted to just chat idly with the Aeris in my seat, but Ju-an, the social king, dragged me to introduce me to his acquaintances, so I had no choice.
I thought about bringing one of our members to suffer with me among these unfamiliar people.
But they also fundamentally disliked these artificial meetings and were visibly tired from the ongoing activities, so I decided to let them rest.
They needed to know about this brother’s tearful sacrifice…
“Hello.”
“Ji-oh, did you rest well?”
“Yes. Thanks to you.”
Go Kyung-yoon’s demeanor as he mingled with Ju-an and some other idols from the black team was incredibly natural, indicating he had already established a rapport with them.
As we chatted amicably for a while, the other seniors gradually disappeared, either preparing for the game or handling personal matters, leaving only Go Kyung-yoon and me.
“Why did it take you so long to treat a scratch?”
“I was tired, so I went to rest somewhere with no people.”
Cunning bastard. Resting alone.
Seeing my expression, Go Kyung-yoon asked, “Do you want me to tell you where it is?”
“You’re quite a free-thinking old man, aren’t you?”
I praised him with a benevolent smile.
No wonder I hadn’t seen some of the other senior team members around for a while. There must be a place somewhere in this large stadium where idols can rest comfortably out of sight.
“…”
From the intense smile on Go Kyung-yoon’s face, I figured that if I were Jing Xiao, I might have been punched by now.
[Excellent deduction. Intuition +1]
Fortunately, Go Kyung-yoon, instead of hitting me with the strength he used to endure Gyeon Seong-ha, brought up another topic.
“You’re calling me an old man again, I guess Bine said something.”
“That’s right.”
“Don’t listen to him. He’s just that kind of person.”
“No, don’t be too discouraged. I think you fit the role of an old man more than a wrestler.”
For the record, I’m the kind of person who believes that if you can’t say something to someone’s face, you shouldn’t say it behind their back either.
Go Kyung-yoon sighed and asked, “What were you talking about with the kids?”
“Stuff you don’t know about.”
“If you tell me, I might understand.”
“Even if I tell you, you won’t get it.”
“Preten—”
“I’d rather chat in Japanese rap with Xiao while sipping bubble tea in Hong Kong than talk to you.”
[Fantastic provocation!]
[Sigh… Go Kyung-yoon’s affinity -1. Current affinity +40]
“I can guess what you were talking about.”
“Really?”
“You wanted to get closer to me, right? That’s great.”
Despite having just lost affinity, he nonchalantly claimed it was great, indicating an extraordinary mental fortitude.
I watched him babble on, and then asked meaningfully, “Do you really think so?”
“Why do you ask?”
I looked straight at Go Kyung-yoon, who calmly questioned back.
Is it time?
“…”
After finishing my calculations in my head, I spoke.
“When you left the company.”
“…”
For the first time, I brought up True Entertainment, and Go Kyung-yoon’s usually calm demeanor shifted slightly despite all the nonsense I had spouted before.
I continued in a subdued voice.
“Even though I should only feel grateful for all the help you’ve given me, I’m not such a good person that I didn’t resent you a little. It was obvious what kind of situation I would be left in if you just up and left.”
That was a lie.
He might have genuinely felt thankful to Go Kyung-yoon for giving him some breathing room, but he probably didn’t resent him for leaving like that.
I didn’t particularly resent him either.
However, from the anecdotes Yoon Myung-soo shared, it was clear that even someone as seemingly cold as Go Kyung-yoon could feel pity, guilt, and compassion.
If this guy had a conscience as they said, he would probably feel some guilt over what happened with ‘On Raon.’
“So what?”
Go Kyung-yoon asked, pretending to be unaffected.
If it weren’t for the faint tremor in his voice that had never been there before, it would have been flawless acting.
“I’m sorry to bring this up now, but it’s honestly uncomfortable for me to continue like this, pretending nothing happened. I admit you’re a decent person.”
“…”
“Don’t look away.”
I warned quietly.
“This isn’t a game that ends just because you avoid my gaze.”
Through the clear lenses of his glasses, Go Kyung-yoon’s eyes, which were about to avert, refocused on mine.
“I understand what you’re trying to say.”
“Good. Next time you come to see me, come prepared. If what you said before about wanting to be real friends with me wasn’t a lie, then it’s not like I have no interest in being friends with you.”
“Alright.”
I didn’t bear any ill will towards Go Kyung-yoon.
I was just annoyed.
He seemed to have forgotten the burden he should carry because I appeared (and actually was) too fine. I hoped today would remind him to carry it properly.
If he planned to use me perpetually on the pretext of having helped me once, he had to endure this much.
If he felt some burden towards me, he might show me more kindness without expecting anything in return in the future.
After a while, Go Kyung-yoon returned to the Liften members, explaining that he had completely fallen for my act, and my acting skills had greatly improved. I bowed my head slightly and smiled.