Translator: Marctempest
Editor: Rynfinity
Chapter 297
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**After the music video shoot ended without any issues.**
I turned on the live broadcast as usual today.
"―Hello, Bambi~!"
"―You're here again, my dear."
"―Our son is such a filial child."
As soon as I pressed the button, comments flooded in.
I wanted to speak immediately, but I held back and silently counted to ten.
'Now it should be okay.'
I checked the phone's position once more, then bowed towards the screen.
"Hello, this is Lee Yeon-jae."
Since the phone was fixed on a stand, I could avoid the mishap of a shaky screen like my first broadcast.
'Perfect.'
Both the timing and greeting were flawless.
Feeling satisfied, I checked the comments.
"―I guess we can't experience the free roller coaster anymore, what a shame."
'…….'
"―Who's with me to steal the stand?"
"―Someone, please get rid of that."
"―Yeah,ㅠㅠ give us back the chaotic Bambi live broadcast."
Why were they reacting like this?
'I thought they would like seeing me more composed.'
I was so baffled by their unexpected response that I could only roll my eyes.
I decided to ask Jin-bae hyung about it later and opened my mouth.
"Yes. This is Lee Yeon-jae... It's late, have you all had dinner?"
"―How many times are you going to introduce yourself?"
"―There's no one watching this who doesn't know your name, Bambi."
"―Leave him aloneㅋㅋㅋ It's cute how he introduces himself every time."
"―Whenever Bambi starts a live broadcast, I feel like I'm receiving a formal greeting."
"―Ah, this is what they call Korean K-manners."
"―The comment above sounds like a cultural thing."
The speed of the comments was exceptionally fast today.
'Everyone seems particularly excited today.'
I thought I had gotten used to broadcasting after several attempts, but today I couldn't even keep up with the comments.
I waited for Byeon to calm down and spoke calmly.
"I just ate with my manager hyung. He even cut some fruit for me to eat during the broadcast."
I lifted the bowl towards the camera.
Neatly sliced pears were arranged in the bowl.
Although it looked quite appetizing, my gaze towards the pears was anything but warm.
"Hyung bought more than four boxes of pears…."
Without realizing it, my voice trailed off.
I refrained from mentioning how I was diligently eating them whenever I had the chance, for fear of wasting them.
"―ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋLook at Bambi's eyes."
"―He must have eaten a lot of them, he looks so fed upㅋㅋㅋ"
"―Manager An, why do you buy so much?"
"―Didn't he also buy 5kg of corn last time?"
"―As expected, Captain Biyeon is different."
The comments quickly shifted from mentioning Jin-bae hyung to another topic.
Even though they hadn't coordinated, the comments were all about a common subject.
"―Bambi, did you finish the music video shoot?"
"―Can you give us a hint about the song… ㅎ"
"―Just one line of the lyrics or even a concept, please, I'm begging you."
Ah.
'So that's why.'
I finally realized why Byeon seemed so excited today.
On the first day of the music video shoot, singer Choi In-joon from Space sent a coffee truck.
Choi In-joon had asked if he could post a verification shot on his SNS, and I had given permission without much thought.
It seemed Byeon had seen that photo.
'If I had known, I wouldn't have allowed it.'
I awkwardly scratched my ear.
"Sorry, I can't say anything because of spoilers right now… I'm working really hard on it. I hope many of you will like it."
I gave a long explanation, promising to tell them as soon as I could.
Being kind-hearted people, they quickly relented, saying they understood.
"―So everything's okay now, right? Don't stress out and always be happy, Bambi♥♥♥"
'Problem, huh.'
As soon as I saw the comment, one thing immediately came to mind, but I smiled first.
"Yes. Biyeon, you should manage your stress well too. No matter how busy you are, don't skip meals. Take your supplements, and make sure to get at least seven hours of sleep. If you're feeling unwell, don't endure it and go to the hospital right away."
I said it so quickly, like rapping, since it was something I always mentioned during broadcasts.
"―Stop nagging, Bambi."
"―Even my mom doesn't worry about me this much;"
I continued the conversation with a smile.
'Ugh.'
However, 'that problem' had already consumed my thoughts.
Once I thought about it, I couldn't stop.
'I need to focus on the conversation for now.'
I ignored it as much as possible and continued the rest of the broadcast.
* * *
I discovered 'that problem' two days ago.
After finishing the music video shoot, I faced an endless series of meetings.
'Sigh.'
The day before yesterday, yesterday, and today.
The meetings continued and continued.
'Isn't there an end to this?'
From cover design, and merchandise components, to the schedule for performances after the music release.
The meeting topics changed every hour.
With the school exam period coinciding, my schedule became even more packed.
No matter how active I was as a celebrity, I was still a student and had to devote some time to studying.
'I wish I had ten bodies.'
Then I could manage studying, acting practice, and album preparations even better.
'And I could spend more time with Mist.'
I had so much to do that my sleep time had decreased recently.
As a result, the time I spent with Mist had also decreased, which upset me the most.
But there was a bigger problem than all the ones mentioned above.
"The next photo is this one...."
"......"
"Is this one no good either?"
"......"
The staff who looked at the photos I handed them collectively shook their heads.
Their faces, pale and expressionless, only moved to nod.
No way, is it that bad?
"I took almost three hundred photos, can't we salvage at least one?"
"Yeon-jae, um...."
At my desperate question, one of the staff members grabbed my hand.
Then, they said firmly,
"Let's just give up on the selfie version."
"......Is it really that bad?"
The staff member patted me with a pitying look.
"It's okay. It's strange for a person to be good at everything. Yeon-jae, you did your best."
No way, is it really that bad?
The staff, avoiding my gaze, cleverly sidestepped the question.
Other staff members at the table whispered among themselves.
"Wow, how can the photos turn out like this?"
"Right? With such good looks, you'd think even taking photos with your feet would be fine, but it's weird."
They were trying to be considerate by speaking softly, but.
'I can hear everything.'
Feeling sad, I turned my gaze back to my phone.
Displayed on the phone were selfies I had taken over the past few days.
These photos were meant for photo cards to be included with the album merchandise.
Every single one of these numerous photos had been rejected.
'I worked so hard on them....'
This experience taught me that I was terribly bad at taking selfies.
'Are they really that bad?'
Not a single one salvageable out of so many?
I looked at the photos on my phone as objectively as possible.
'They do look a bit weird.'
Though it was clearly my face, it didn't look like my face.
When the eyes came out well, the nose was distorted, and when the facial features were clear, they were reflected in the sunlight.
'……I see why they were rejected.'
After examining each photo, I understood why the staff had refused them.
However, understanding didn't prevent me from feeling down.
"Then what do we include instead of the selfie version? Let's hear everyone's ideas one by one."
Regardless of my sulking in the corner, the staff enthusiastically began the meeting.
"Ah, removing the selfies seems too much. Isn't there a way to make it work?"
"Mi-hyun, do you still think that after seeing these?"
"Well, you're right."
"Manager, how about asking Jung-hyun to take the photos? He usually takes nice pictures of Yeon-jae."
"Oh, that's a good idea."
As expected from talented people, the staff quickly found an alternative solution.
But I also had my pride.
"Can you give me just three days?"
I stood up, clenching my fists.
"I'll practice and take new photos in three days. If they still don't work, we'll go with the alternative."
Nothing is impossible in this world.
'I can do it if I give it my all.'
Seeing my determined expression, the staff reluctantly nodded.
"Okay. Three days it is…."
"Then let's discuss this again in three days."
"But just in case, Mi-hyun, check Jung-hyun's schedule."
"Sure, I'll do that."
The staff's response, which seemed to lack any expectations, only fueled my determination.
I'll definitely make it work.
* * *
"Oh, this softness. It's been so long. I missed it."
Noh Bi-hyuk lay down on my bed as soon as he entered my room.
I looked at him, completely sprawled out.
"Is the bed at the dorm stiff?"
"No, the president got me an expensive one because I'm still growing. But for some reason, your bed is just so much softer."
"Do you want to take this one?"
Anyway, there's another mattress in the guest room.
Noh Bi-hyuk seriously contemplated my question, then shook his head.
"No, it's okay. I'll just come here more often. I love debuting, but it's getting busier and tougher. It feels like it was years ago when I used to eat and sleep here."
"The busier you get, the better you need to manage your condition. Wear warmer clothes, especially since colds last longer during the change of seasons."
"Yes, Mom."
Noh Bi-hyuk chuckled.
As always, his face was bright with laughter, but he looked thinner than before.
'Making money isn't easy.'
Fortunately, his career was going well.
More people were buying Nade, and the song he released in the summer did quite well.
Perhaps because of this, although he looked a bit tired, his smile seemed genuine.
'Maybe I should talk to him next time.'
I had called him over for a reason, but seeing his tired face made it hard to bring it up.
I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should just let him sleep.
Noh Bi-hyuk suddenly lifted his head and looked at me.
"So, what's the problem?"
"Huh?"
"It's written all over your face. You've got something on your mind."
Noh Bi-hyuk adjusted his posture to sit upright.
"Okay, I'm ready to listen. Tell me quickly. Is it a problem with Mist?"
"No, there's nothing wrong with him."
"Really? Don't lie."
Noh Bi-hyuk had brought up Mist enough times before, so I spoke freely.
"Really. It's just that I've had less time to talk with him because my sleep hours have decreased lately. But he understands that I'm busy, so he doesn't feel neglected."
"Instead, you seem to be the one feeling neglected."
"......"
Without answering, I touched my face.
'Am I that easy to read?'
People used to say they couldn't tell what I was thinking.
As I awkwardly scratched my neck, Noh Bi-hyuk impatiently urged me on.
"So what is it? Is it something I can help with?"
"Yeah. I thought you'd be the expert on this, so I called you for help."
"Oh. What is it?"
He leaned in with a noticeably brighter expression.
I hesitated before speaking slowly.
"I need help taking selfies."
"What?"
"Can you give me some tips on how to take them like you do?"
Why is my face getting so hot?
I couldn't help but let my gaze wander.
But no matter how long I waited, there was no response.
When I finally looked up, I was met with Noh Bi-hyuk's face, which clearly said, 'What did I just hear?'
"......"
"......"
It was humiliating.