Debut or Die - Chapter 245

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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A Fatal Illness if I Don’t Debut – Episode 245
It had been a long time since I had a proper conversation with Ryu Chung-woo.
‘Is this the first time since waking up?’
No, that’s not quite right. Before waking up, I’d been maintaining a proper distance thanks to that damned truth-checking. I could afford to extend that period a bit longer.
‘…Though it looks like I’ll end up doing that truth-checking again anyway.’
I briefly recalled the popup in my mind before erasing it. There was still time.
Anyway, after waking up, he seemed to be in such poor condition that I deliberately left him alone. From experience, scratching at things like this just pisses people off.
So I never expected Ryu Chung-woo to arrange something like this the moment the concert ended.
“Want some non-alcoholic beer?”
“…Yes, sure.”
I accepted the non-alcoholic beer can he offered me.
Crack. Gulp.
The sound of the can opening and the refreshing sensation going down my throat felt great.
“…You drink it well.”
“It’s decent enough.”
I’m not desperate to drink like a madman, but I can’t say I don’t think about alcohol from time to time.
Ryu Chung-woo, whether to match me or out of courtesy, cracked open a non-alcoholic beer for himself as well.
The conversation began in quite a pleasant atmosphere, and it wasn’t difficult to move toward the main topic.
“Have you thought about a lawsuit?”
Yeah, the sudden concert is over now, so it makes sense this topic would come back around. I answered honestly.
“I’ve thought about it… but honestly, I think more than half a year from now would be too much of a burden. It would destroy our momentum.”
“That’s a fair point.”
Ryu Chung-woo quietly drank his beer.
“The value of one year now versus one year ten years from now is different, isn’t it?”
Exactly.
It’s the dilemma of a profession where an uncertain prime ends briefly and early.
-Is this worth sacrificing one year of peak performance?
Ryu Chung-woo, having been an athlete originally, would be more familiar with this kind of value judgment.
He gave a bitter smile.
“Sae-jin doesn’t seem to have given up yet. He’s been looking into a lot of things. Meeting with lawyers and all.”
“…Lawyers?”
“Yeah. Looks like he’s consulting via text message.”
How the hell did he find time for that while practicing like his life depended on it?
I was both exasperated and my mood soured slightly.
He probably wanted to prepare for a lawsuit rather than a concert, but since I went crazy trying to survive and suddenly held a charity concert instead, he must have felt frustrated.
He’s been holding back a lot, like a man given a second chance at life.
“….”
Ryu Chung-woo and I drank our beer in silence. Then I spoke first.
“Should we call Big Sae-jin first?”
“Yeah.”
For the conversation to move forward, we need someone actively supporting the lawsuit.
I sent a message to Bae Sae-jin.
[Hyung, could you come to Chung-woo’s room? We’re discussing something]
He disappeared from his seat, and without even replying, I heard the sound of footsteps rushing over, followed by a cautious knock on the door.
“….”
He’s incredibly easy to read.
“Come in.”
“Y-yes!”
I opened the door for him, and just like that, our conversation shifted to a three-way discussion.
“We were just talking about the lawsuit.”
“…! Y-yes.”
“You still want the company to be sued, right?”
“…That’s right.”
Bae Sae-jin’s face grew tense, but his answer was surprisingly calm. He wasn’t about to blush and start shouting again….
“Even after the Human Rights Commission’s recommendation came, the company just cut off the tail and didn’t change the Director! At this rate, everything will go back to normal soon!”
“….”
“Right now they’re just waiting for things to quiet down!!”
No, he was already frustrated enough.
Well… the company is keeping its head down and lying low right now, but Bae Sae-jin had a point. The Director really didn’t change.
But actually, it’s better that he didn’t change.
“Hyung, I think it might actually be easier if that Director stays.”
“What?? Why!”
I spoke matter-of-factly.
“He’ll be terrified.”
“…??”
“He probably won’t be able to do anything and will just be watching our every move. The incident got too big for him to do otherwise.”
In other words, the hierarchy has shifted.
The moment our artists nearly died because of the company’s mistake and we have grounds to sue them, it’s over.
The headquarters probably gave him a thorough dressing-down, and to keep his position, he’ll have to work hard from now on.
I crushed the beer can lightly and tossed it into the recycling bin.
“So even if this company feels like garbage, our position will be incredibly comfortable from now on.”
“G-garbage is a bit much….”
“Fine, I’ll revise that to immoral.”
“….”
Bae Sae-jin fell silent for a moment. Whether his words were stuck or his spirit was broken, I couldn’t tell.
But soon he answered in a somewhat deflated voice.
“Yeah… if everyone thinks that way.”
Is this the same pattern repeating—like back in the hospital room when we postponed the lawsuit, where Bae Sae-jin gets outvoted and has to give up?
Bae Sae-jin hesitated for a moment, then continued.
“Actually, I had a thought. If we sued and won this time, it would set a good precedent….”
“….”
That’s as far as my thoughts had gone.
“But you know what, you’re right. If I have time to think about things like that, I should be doing my part properly for the team.”
Bae Sae-jin lowered his head.
“I’ll drop the lawsuit.”
“No….”
I hadn’t meant to pressure him like this.
I’d just wanted to try convincing him amicably, or if we did pursue the lawsuit, to wrap it up as quickly as possible.
I paused, searching for words. But Ryu Chung-woo spoke first, his tone gentle.
“Not everyone thinks that way, Sae-jin.”
“Huh?”
“I’m fine with the lawsuit.”
“…!”
What?
Bae Sae-jin’s head snapped up.
“…Really??”
“Yeah.”
Wait—didn’t you just agree with me earlier when I said the lawsuit felt burdensome?
…Hold on.
I recalled the exact words Ryu Chung-woo had said.
-That’s a fair point too.
…It was “too.”
I suppressed a dry laugh. He’d been neutral all along.
‘Now that I think about it, he was like that in the hospital room too.’
Ryu Chung-woo continued in his characteristically calm tone.
“And I think you’re already doing a great job as the eldest brother in the team, Sae-jin.”
“….”
Maybe I should add a bit more.
“I agree as well. I just have doubts about the lawsuit myself, so please don’t worry.”
“You two….”
Bae Sae-jin seemed momentarily moved, but he quickly collected himself and cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Ahem, so… should I ask the others too? Just to make sure their minds haven’t changed!”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
“Alright.”
And shortly after.
“A lawsuit? Oh… didn’t we decide not to do that? Haha.”
“If we file a lawsuit, will the next album be indefinitely postponed…?”
“I want to do activities! I love activities!”
“….”
It was a knockout.
Even Cha Yu-jin, who had supported the lawsuit, switched sides after getting a taste of the concert.
Bae Sae-jin sat on the floor with a forlorn expression, beginning to ruminate on his defeat. Somewhat pitiful.
Sun Ah-hyun, who had remained neutral until now, fidgeted restlessly, but soon raised one hand and spoke carefully.
“Um… if we, we file a lawsuit, do we get a break…?”
“That’s right, Ah-hyun.”
Ryu Chung-woo answered in my stead. At that, Sun Ah-hyun glanced around nervously before responding quietly.
“Then, if it’s not too long… I’m, in favor.”
“…!!”
What was he saying?
I asked immediately.
“Sun Ah-hyun, did you want a break?”
“Huh? Um…”
Sun Ah-hyun avoided my gaze. This guy…?
“Wait, wait—so Ah-hyun wants to file a lawsuit because he wants a break~?”
“Yeah, the concert went well and, the, the response was good too. If I, if I rest a bit… and manage my body and stuff, it seems like it would be good…!”
Big Sae-jin quickly seized on his words.
“Come on, then just take a break~ Before we prepare the new album, let’s clear two or three weeks of schedules and go on a recuperation trip somewhere!”
“Ooh~”
“What’s recuperation?”
“Eating delicious food and having fun~”
“I like it!”
Affirmative votes poured in. Bae Sae-jin looked like he wanted to glare at Big Sae-jin but held back. Even if Sun Ah-hyun had supported the lawsuit, he would have lost the majority vote anyway.
The question was me.
I deliberated briefly, then took a sip from a fresh can of beer and answered.
“Recuperation sounds good.”
“Oh!”
“Re, really…?”
“Yeah.”
The major hurdle was already over anyway.
There was still a grace period remaining until the truth verification was pressed, so I could afford to spend that time more leisurely.
It was a significant incident, after all.
‘…I did push them too hard as well.’
Not me, but these guys.
Right after discharge, I had pushed through the plan for a charity concert, and even one featuring the most successful senior in this industry as a guest.
‘I was desperate, but for them it was basically just indulging an unreasonable demand.’
Though the logic I had constructed during persuasion did prove effective.
I briefly recalled that conversation from back then.
-I think we need buzz.
-Buzz?
-Yes. Not the kind from accidents or company chaos, but the way idols are normally consumed. And it’ll be even hotter if conflict accompanies it.
—
There were few methods that worked as effectively as rival positioning.
And this seemed to have motivated the members well enough. That was fortunate. The results had been good, after all.
‘The concert went well, and the follow-up measures were executed smoothly.’
Since I’d sent the donation and photos to the press, public opinion should remain favorable for a while.
VTIC seemed to have benefited somewhat, which left a bitter taste, but the champion-versus-challenger dynamic appeared to have been established acceptably within limits the public and those involved could tolerate.
‘It’s just accelerating a dynamic that would naturally form once Testa grows larger anyway.’
Now that I’d extracted everything this concert had to offer, if I had any conscience left, I should make some concessions.
Even if I couldn’t pursue legal action, they wanted rest—I should stop interfering with that.
‘The lawsuit too… I’ll consider it, and I think I can still achieve the effect Bae Sae-jin wants.’
I turned my thoughts over slowly. Ryu Chung-woo across from me smiled faintly.
“I’m good with it. We need a recovery period. What about you, Sae-jin?”
“…That’s fine.”
“Great, everyone’s in agreement.”
The atmosphere became harmonious. Big Sae-jin reached over and grabbed the beer in front of me, cracking it open. I’d let it slide.
“Ah~ Chuseok’s coming up soon anyway, so how about we all gather and rest properly before heading to our hometowns?”
“Y-yeah…!”
Among the guys excitedly chattering about where to go, Kim Rae-bin’s hand quietly rose this time.
“Huh, Rae-bin, what’s up?”
“Ah, well… does this mean we’re telling the company to halt all schedules and preparations for our next activities?”
That was fine.
“We barely have any schedules for a while anyway. As far as I know, we’re just filming a few videos to show the fans.”
“I see! So we’re canceling just the videos the fans will see… hmm.”
Yeah, phrasing it that way did make the sentence meaning rather ambiguous.
Fortunately, a reasonable suggestion came up.
“Then how about we show them us resting? Something comfortable~ we could ask them to set up unmanned cameras!”
“…I’m not sure if they’d want to watch that.”
“Well, it might be a bit boring, but… what does it matter! That’s how all healing travel variety shows go~ and we’ve already pulled off the charity concert, so it should be fine, right?”
That was a fair point. It wouldn’t be bad content for a rest period.
Similar words of agreement came from various directions.
But we’d need to change the theme a bit. I finished my can and opened my mouth.
“But doesn’t a travel concept overlap with what we did? We traveled in our previous reality show anyway.”
“Ah, that’s true.”
“An excellent point.”
Idol Walking Holiday. Everyone had an odd expression thinking back to those memories of making and selling hotteok.
I crossed my arms.
‘Besides that, what’s a typical healing variety show. Something that fits with recuperation.’
Something other than travel, something easy to pull off… ah, that one.
Chicken feet.
“How about we make eating shows the theme.”
“A mukbang?”
It was proven content, wasn’t it? I recalled the days of Ajusa.
And I wasn’t the only one remembering it. Big Sae-jin burst out laughing.
“Of course it’s chicken feet Tibet Moon-dae~ Ah, Tibet? Right, let’s throw in some animals there too! What other keywords do we have??”
“Well, natural scenery…?”
“…That’s good.”
And so, through sheer coincidence, all sorts of healing keywords were combined together, and a hastily assembled variety show was rushed into production.
【Testa Goes to the Rural Area for Recuperation】
…And up until now, I had no idea how far this impromptu variety show would go.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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