The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 135

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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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135

“Haaah~!”
“Ugh….”

Since this was the final year-end stage without any awards to be given, I could simply enjoy myself now.
I’d set the stage ablaze, and now every muscle in my body ached.
There was no worry about making mistakes, but during the dance break, I’d poured so much power into my movements that my joints were creaking audibly.

‘It’s just age….’

“…Give me some water.”
“Yeah, yeah, drink up. Drink.”

I took the water bottle offered to me and drained it in one go.

“Can I rest now….”
“Probably… I think it’s fine….”

Everyone had given their all as if today were their last, having barely slept, so the moment the stage ended, the tension shattered and my body went limp.
After returning to the waiting room and resting a bit while drinking some cold water, I felt my mind clearing.

‘…That seemed to go well, didn’t it?’

I hadn’t seen the reactions yet, but recalling the raw, vivid heat I’d felt from the audience, it hadn’t been half bad.
And watching the performances that followed in the waiting room, I realized something: they too had prepared with every ounce of passion, just like us.

‘Where will The Dun rank next year?’

Though The Dun had gained some traction, we still lacked seniority and recognition compared to other groups. Attending an event like this, where all the hottest idols of the year gathered, made that gap feel even more pronounced.

‘Two years at the fastest… four years at the longest to achieve the goal.’

Once we broke into the top tier—whether at the end or elsewhere—the Quest would be a success, so I had no intention of dragging this out any longer than necessary.
But….

“Wow, Black Call seniors are coming on!”

Watching this made me realize just how absurd the whole thing was.

“….”
“Wow….”

All the members sat with their mouths agape, their souls seemingly sucked right out of them as they stared at the screen.
I gazed at the close-up of Joo Woo-sung’s face and felt genuinely sick of it.

‘Ugh.’

[You can be my King,
Just one thing.
I can make it right]

Black Call had released only one title this year—Kings, a concept inspired by classical paintings.
Joo Woo-sung, draped in a luxurious black cape embroidered with gold leaf, was unmistakably the pinnacle of idol perfection.

‘Damn it, can I really surpass him through skill alone?’

The feeling was starkly different from a year ago.
That bastard who used to boast that you can’t defeat a genius who enjoys what they do had now proven it with his own body.
As I took another sip of water, I heard Jung Da-jun beside me muttering softly while watching intently.

“When do you think we’ll be able to stand at the top?”
“Three years.”
“Huh?”
“Four years at most.”
“…Why are you so certain about it?”

Because I have no intention of going any further than that.
I spoke without looking at Jung Da-jun.

“Trust me and follow along, maknae. I’ll take you on a roller coaster, not a bus ride.”
“…Don’t get my hopes up like that. I really believe what you say, hyung.”
“You can have all the hope you want.”

As always, I’m confident.
Jung Da-jun, moved by my words, rushed forward to embrace me, but I sidestepped with a subtle twist of my body. Behind Jung Da-jun, whose lips pouted in disappointment, I heard the Staff Member’s voice calling for us to prepare for the ending.
As always, the year-end broadcast on December 31st followed a standard format: a renowned veteran singer would begin with an uplifting song at the end, all the performers would take the stage one by one during the song, and then we’d conclude with a countdown.
We slowly climbed the staircase leading to the stage.

[This isn’t our ending
Now it’s a new beginning
Let’s sing with our hearts united—]

“Wow~. The year really flew by like this.”
“Aha, it’s nice being together like this.”

[Let’s sing with our hearts united
We’ve all lived through it
So it’s okay to love us]

Everyone swayed gently to the song’s rhythm, clapping and waving their hands in time with the beat.

“Brother.”

[So it’s okay to love us]

As the song ended, thunderous applause erupted.

“Ho-yoon, brother!”

Oh, it was me?
Holding a gentle smile, I tried to respond for the broadcast like the other idols, but Jung Da-jun poked me repeatedly from beside me.

“Um, you know…”
“What?”

After our eyes met briefly, Jung Da-jun lowered his gaze and only moved his lips silently.
I wanted to tell him to raise his head since the camera could catch us, but just then, something Sung Ji-won said made Jung Da-jun suddenly lift his face.

“Oh! The countdown’s about to start!”
“Ahhhhh!! Fifty-nine seconds until Jung Da-jun becomes an adult!!”
“Wow~.”
“Wow~.”
“Your reactions are so lukewarm!!”

[Everyone! This is a new beginning! Let’s all count down together!]

The moment the MC finished speaking, the countdown to the new year began.

[30! 29! 28!]

Wisps of white breath rose faintly from every performer participating in the countdown.
Joo Woo-sung, standing in the front row, was laughing and chatting with the Black Call members—the countdown had become routine after years of doing it.
My field of vision filled with light sticks in various colors from different fandoms. The most were naturally Black Call’s, followed by White Cherry, Lia Purple, and so many others.

‘How much longer do I need to hold back here?’

As I pondered this, I spotted our light stick in the distance—that distinctive inverted triangle shape in blue.
Perhaps they came with someone special, or maybe they came for the memories, or perhaps they came as fans.
But one thing remained unchanged: they came on this cold day to see us.

“17! 16! 15!”

Jung Da-jun bounced excitedly beside me, and Sung Ji-won joined in enthusiastically.

“2!”

Kim Sung-hyun counted down in a small voice, and Kang Yi-chae turned around to look at me.

“1!!”

And he smiled.
The instant the final number appeared, brilliant fireworks exploded overhead.

“Happy New Year!!”

The MCs’ New Year greetings followed.

It was the beginning of a new year.

“Another year older!”

‘This is my second time turning twenty-four.’

At thirty-four in spirit but shamelessly insisting I was twenty-four, I rationalized it was legal and acceptable, then surveyed my surroundings. First, I acknowledged the audience seating.
Close friends exchanged New Year’s greetings and embraced one another.

“Sure….”

If you’re happy, that’s what matters.
I just wanted to wrap this up and head home.
Then,

“Seo Ho-yoon!!”

Kim Sung-hyun suddenly grabbed my arm.

“Happy New Year!”

The other members rushed over and piled on.

“See these fireworks, the lighting, the temperature? All prepared for us. Don’t get emotional and cry!”
“Haha, am I going to cry?”
“I won’t cry unless 7.1 billion won gets deposited in my account.”
“…Ho-yoon’s tears are expensive.”

Laughing amid the excited members, a song the staff had briefed us on earlier began playing—a signal that today’s schedule had ended.
Following everyone off the stage and back through the hallway to the waiting room, I felt a gaze fix on me from the side.

‘Ah.’

It was Yoon Hee-eon.
He couldn’t possibly know his inability was my doing.
I smiled and nodded at him as he glared at me, and his eyebrows twitched. Then I saw him walking toward me.

‘Is this a New Year’s greeting?’

I had already stuffed my hands into my pockets, ready to respond sharply to the first provocation of January 1st, when I felt a pulling force from behind.

“You’re crazy.”

It was Joo Woo-sung.

“Happy New Year.”

He draped his arm across my shoulder and glanced sideways at Yoon Hee-eon.
From the way he was reading the room, it seemed he’d wedged himself in because he sensed Yoon Hee-eon was about to jab at me.

‘This guy too…’

Seeing Joo Woo-sung cut in, Yoon Hee-eon quickly composed his expression, greeted only Joo Woo-sung, and passed us by.
Naturally, Joo Woo-sung ignored him.
Watching the whole thing unfold, I matched my pace with Joo Woo-sung’s and spoke.

“You’re still a pushover, just like last year?”
“That’s the most irritating thing I’ve heard all year.”

It hadn’t even been a few minutes since the year started.
Since the waiting room hallway was already bustling with noise anyway, I figured it wouldn’t carry far, so I exchanged some lighthearted banter with Joo Woo-sung.

“You know it’s actually amazing how many weird people gravitate toward you, right?”
“Including Joo Woo-sung?”
“…I take back what I just said. That’s the most irritating.”

Joo Woo-sung grumbled that he probably wouldn’t encounter anything more infuriating for the next three months, when the Black Call members waved at him from a distance.

“I’m heading out.”

Whether he’d really come just to cover for me or not, Joo Woo-sung patted my shoulder twice and began moving toward his members.
I called out to his retreating figure.

“Woo-sung.”

During the PD days, he’d avoided me like that, but now he was making an effort to look out for me in his own way.
Honestly, I didn’t quite understand it—.

“Happy New Year to you too.”

I could manage at least that much of a greeting.
Joo Woo-sung turned back with a slightly surprised expression, then burst into laughter, his eyes crinkling into crescents.

“Yeah.”
“….”
“But why are you speaking informally?”
“New Year’s privilege.”
“You’re really something, always pushing your luck….”

He complained while chuckling, then quickly moved away. He didn’t spare a glance at the other idol nearby and headed straight for the Black Call members. Talent, effort, and now even character. Watching this first-rate idol transform so completely, I—still lacking in basic courtesy—simply turned my head away.
Talent, effort, and now even character.
Watching this first-rate idol transform so completely, I—still lacking in basic courtesy—simply turned my head away.

“Ho-yoon! Come on!”
“I’m coming.”

New Year, fresh start, a new beginning.
Like magic that lifted everyone’s spirits, they all laughed and chattered.
I passed through the crowd and headed down to the parking lot to get back to the dormitory. It too was packed with people heading home.
Once we climbed into the van and the noise settled slightly, Kim Sung-hyun poked Jung Da-jun’s cheek repeatedly from the seat beside him.

“Jung Da-jun, congratulations on becoming an adult~.”
“Woo-hoo! Thanks~.”
“You got lucky. Starting next year, minors have to leave by 10 PM without exception.”
“…I almost had to count down alone in the waiting room?”
“Yeah.”

Jung Da-jun babbled on about how he would’ve been disappointed if that had happened, grateful he was born a year earlier, while Kang Yi-chae joked without paying attention.

“Now it’s finally time to show you the bitter taste of society.”
“What? You’re saying what I’ve experienced so far isn’t the end?”
“We’ve got a long way to go….”

The members, still buzzing with excitement, were equally rowdy.
Jung Da-jun, who’d been grinning ear to ear despite the teasing from his hyungs about becoming an adult, suddenly turned his head to look at me in the back seat.

“Hyung, look at this!”

And I pulled out a candy that had been stuffed in my pocket.

“It’s a gift so your lungs don’t turn black!!”
“Wow, how considerate.”
“Our little rabbit! Ring in the new year with fierce determination to quit smoking!”
“Thanks for the well-wishes. But now get away from Kang Yi-chae.”

Stop matching rhymes with him.
Yet Jung Da-jun still had more to say after his first verse, his body still turned toward me.

“Hyung, and also. I couldn’t finish what I was saying earlier because the countdown timing was off.”

I could see Jung Da-jun’s sheepish grin.

“I don’t need to take the stage for my final performance within three years.”
“Huh?”
“We can take our time, right? What does it matter if it takes longer? We’re going to keep going anyway.”
“…Yeah.”

I hesitated slightly.

“Uh….”

As I faltered and lost my moment to respond, Jung Da-jun actually looked flustered.

“Why, why are you like that?”

…I unwrapped the candy Jung Da-jun had given me, popped it into my mouth, rolled it around a few times, and completely changed my expression.

“―Take your time? Are you insane? You’re not planning to debut before military service?”
“But Hyung Ho-yoon already completed his service.”
“Sorry, but unlike you, Sung Ji-won and Kim Sung-hyun will be old enough by then.”
“Seo Ho-yoon, you’re going to talk like that starting January 1st??”

Kim Sung-hyun let out a deep sigh.

“This emotionally parched realist….”
“Someone’s got to teach a fresh twenty-year-old the bitter taste of reality.”

Jung Da-jun, tilting his head slightly, fortunately didn’t notice anything amiss and continued bantering with Sung Ji-won.
Just then, the Manager’s voice came from beside the Road Manager who was driving, organizing the schedule.

“You guys! At least send a call or text to your families.”
“Oh, yes!”

Jung Da-jun immediately pulled out his phone. Kim Sung-hyun simply nodded, apparently having already sent a message.

‘Starting from the new year.’

Instead of texting Seo Ho-jin, I simply turned my gaze out the window.

‘It’s hitting me hard right from the new year….’

Click!

As the flash went off and I turned my head with a squint, Kang Yi-chae sitting beside me lowered his Polaroid camera with a bright smile.

“What are you doing?”
“Haha.”

While everyone else was texting their families, he’d apparently dug out the Polaroid camera that had been sitting in the back seat.

“Taking boyfriend shots~. Going to post them on the official account.”
“Am I your boyfriend?”
“Ugh~, you’d be a bit much as a romantic partner~.”

Kang Yi-chae giggled and waved the photo as he asked.

“But Seo Ho-yoon, why are you sitting there all alone looking so blank? It’s the new year—you should be enjoying it and looking happy.”
“It’s late-night sentimentality. Please don’t interrupt.”
“Oh my~.”

Kang Yi-chae, playfully returning my lighthearted response, checked the photo and held it out toward me.
The image was gradually becoming clearer.

“How is it? Pretty, right?”
“You captured it well.”
“I’ll take more next year.”

Kang Yi-chae let out a chuckle.

“Don’t you think it’d be nice to take a photo of each member around New Year’s? I think it’d be great to collect them all and look back on them later.”

Considering that there were two or four years left until the scenario progressed.

‘At minimum, I’d probably take three or four of these.’

“Knowing him, he’ll stuff it in a drawer and forget about it?”
“That’s why I thought about putting it in Hyun-sung’s drawer. Please take good care of it~.”
“…So in the end, I’m the one managing it.”
“Oh, I want to see it too!”

I handed the Polaroid photo to Sung Ji-won.
Watching Sung Ji-won chat away with Kang Yi-chae, I rested my chin in my hand.

“It’s so pretty! I’ll take one of you too.”
“Oh, sure~.”
“Really, it’d be amazing to collect them one by one like this.”

‘Sung Ji-won.’

“Even if he reads the room, lies, and hides things—he does all that because there’s something he desperately wants to know.”

He stumbles sometimes, but I couldn’t deny that he was a wise one.

“Everyone’s like that, isn’t it? Everyone has something they desperately want.”

The thing is, I didn’t understand it at his age, but Sung Ji-won already knew it all.

‘He’s right.’

“Anyway, what do you think, hyung? Pretty solid plan, right?”

I too had something I desperately wanted to know.

“Yeah, well.”

I gazed at Kang Yi-chae—someone I would never see again after leaving this world, or someone who wouldn’t remember me at all even if we met in the original world—and I smiled.
If he knew what I was truly thinking, he might feel disappointed.

“We’ll film again next year.”

I hadn’t made any promises I couldn’t keep, so it was fine.

“Brother, so how does it feel turning twenty-four?”
“Incredibly moving.”
“…Huh? I get it for me becoming an adult, but why you?”
“You’re still young.”
“Isn’t it usually the opposite??”

What would you know.
I’ve been reborn.

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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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