The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 276

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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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276

“Seo Ho-yoon! Let me touch up your makeup.”

‘I’m seriously going to die like this, damn it.’

I glanced down at my ankle, where a persistent throbbing pain kept surging upward, then forced myself to breathe steadily as if nothing were wrong.
Since this was Sung Ji-won’s solo stage, I could steal a few moments of rest backstage.

“Wow, Seo Ho-yoon, you were really flying out there!”
“…Haha, it went okay?”

After drinking water and hurriedly changing clothes, a staff member fitting my microphone offered praise while double-checking everything.
Fortunately, none of the staff seemed to have noticed. The one inspecting my outfit and makeup hadn’t either.

“But your expression looks a bit stiff—are you alright?”
“I think I’m just a little nervous.”

My face wore a smile, but my jaw was clenched so tight my lips trembled.

[Temporary: World, Grant Me Strength!
In the unpredictable entertainment industry where anything can happen, an idol’s body is their greatest asset!
Spray this product on any injured body part to restore it to its original condition.
Maintain a healthy physique and enjoy a smooth, fulfilling idol career!
※Effect duration: 15 minutes after application.
※Can be used multiple times
※Warning: As a temporary item, only visible wounds are healed; pain remains unchanged.
Points per use: 1,500]

A small System Window notification appeared in the corner, indicating the item was in use.
I was only managing to push through because I was using this at all.
Honestly, I wanted nothing more than to lie flat on the floor instead of sitting in this chair.
The longer I stood on that stage, the more I felt like I was actually dying.

‘Balance out the quest difficulty, for crying out loud….’

A permanent stamina debuff as a failure penalty—how could I just let it slide? And if I fail the Quest, the System Window itself glitches out….

Ding!

[…Are you sure you’re okay?]

What difference would it make if I said I wasn’t? I have to do this anyway.
I just have to push through.

[Why don’t you use a permanent item instead of a temporary one right now to eliminate the pain?]

“Are you insane?”

The System Window kept blaring alarms relentlessly, spouting its incessant warnings.
But my point consumption was already severe.
Permanent items cost three times more points than temporary ones. The duration was identical, though.
Even if I used a temporary item like this, all the Quest success points would just get funneled into the item cost anyway.

‘No, it’s my own stupidity for not being careful in the first place, damn it.’

Just as I clicked my tongue and tried to carefully get up, a shadow fell across my vision.

“Hyung.”

Kang Yi-chae crouched in front of me, shaking a spray can of pain relief back and forth with a click-clack sound before spraying it liberally, the pungent odor practically vibrating through the air.
The cool sensation touched my ankle, and my body flinched involuntarily.

“…What are you doing, spraying insect repellent on me?”
“How did you know?”

Kang Yi-chae’s gaze met mine, and he looked slightly on edge.

“They told me to spray it whenever I get the chance.”

After Sung Ji-won’s solo stage came the duet performance by Kim Sung-hyun and Jung Da-jun. The two kept checking their choreography while alternately glancing over at me.

“Your condition is not just fine—it’s downright stubborn. Even yesterday you wouldn’t listen to what the members said.”
“Are you a doctor? The doctor at the hospital said I was fine.”
“Right, just like always.”

Kang Yi-chae set the pain relief patch down on the floor with a sharp tap, then pressed his fingers firmly into my ankle.
The pain was so intense I nearly cried out.

“…Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“There’s choreography that was already discussed, so I can’t drastically change my movements now. When they told me to sit in a chair, I refused. Then when they said I should drop out, I refused even more.”

When I first injured my ankle, not just Kang Yi-chae but all the members had panicked and tried to break my stubborn insistence on performing the concert.
They suggested just posting an announcement and proceeding without me, or if I really wanted to take the stage, I could sit in a chair and sing.

“Yi-chae. If I drop out because I’m so popular, it’ll cause chaos.”

It was absurd reasoning.
Especially since this concert was being held at the Gymnastics Stadium.
Quest aside, the moment I dropped out, those ready to criticize would swarm just as much as those worried about me.
They’d say how hard could it be for someone so eager to perform that he’d drop out, how long would he keep making excuses about motivation, wasn’t it his fault as a professional for not managing his condition, shouldn’t ticket refunds be issued, and so on.
I didn’t care what people said about me, but if it affected The Dun, that was a different story.

By then, Jung Da-jun and Kim Sung-hyun’s duet performance had ended, and the VCR was playing.
Next was my stage with Kang Yi-chae.

“Let’s go.”

I’d gone to the hospital early this morning to get checked, and the members had at least lukewarmly approved my participation in the concert.
Most importantly, since I was physically capable of dancing, there was no need to hesitate or worry.

I ignored my ankle, which continued to throb, and stood up straight. Kang Yi-chae, who had been watching me intently in silence, got up as well and opened his mouth.

“Hyung. Just trust me and follow my lead.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Our group has this one handsome, beautiful, and talented rapper. I’ll give you a signal when the time is right.”

Then he flashed a confident smile, though his expression remained tense.

“So once we’re up there, just watch me.”

Kang Yi-chae said this with absolute confidence, then strode toward the stage before I could even respond. Sung Ji-won, who had been resting, gave Kang Yi-chae a thumbs up and struck a fighting pose toward me.

“Ho-yoon, fighting!”
“Yeah.”

I gave a vague response, but unease crept up on me.

“Hey, Kang Yi-chae—.”

Had there ever been a time when Kang Yi-chae showed such behavior and I let it slide?
But he pretended not to hear me calling and bounded onto the stage.

‘Damn it….’

Following after him, I saw the darkened space decorated like the display shelves of a foreign mart.
I carefully favored my left foot as I climbed to the end of the steel frame and took my position.
Waiting for the music to start, I noticed a rippling blue light undulating through the audience seating—it looked like the Milky Way reflected across a dark ocean.

‘Beautiful.’

Then, with a soft thrum, the song began.
A track called “Symphony,” specially produced by Kang Yi-chae for the concert duet.
Colorful lights illuminated the stage, and cheers erupted.

【Call me gently
When the universe falls silent】

My voice alone filled the gymnastics stadium with the gentle melody.

【Sing me slowly
When your heart beats】

I supported myself with my left arm as I rose, mindful of my expression. Then I flashed a playful smile.

【You are everything to me】

Boom! Boom-boom!

Simultaneously, the song’s atmosphere shifted in an instant.
Built on a hip-hop foundation with an R&B genre, it was a fast, upbeat track with a hint of sensuality woven through.
Kang Yi-chae swept his hand across the neatly arranged products as he crossed the stage, then climbed onto the steel frame and blew kisses to the fans.

【But you need to be careful
I’m naturally quite demanding】

While that guy spewed out an addictive chorus, I had to move downward in sync with the choreography.

‘The pair dance with Kang Yi-chae, and then scatter before regrouping to strike a pose.’

The moment I barely reached the floor by putting all my weight on my left foot, Kang Yi-chae was already standing in the spot where I needed to be.

【I’ll hold your hand
Even the falling meteor won’t compare】

And he flashed me a grin.

【I will show you how to dive】

‘You bastard…!’

I immediately understood what he meant by that. He’d told me to trust only him and follow along, but it seemed he’d slightly altered the choreography to support me instead.

【Call out my name
Umm Umm like that
You and I, a perfect Symphony】

I picked up the song without moving from my spot.
Kang Yi-chae added extra choreography or filled the empty space with gestures.
Making sure it didn’t look awkward even without the pair dance.

‘That kid’s really grown up.’

Perhaps because the pain had left me delirious, I’d never seen Kang Yi-chae look so beautiful.
Still, I couldn’t just stay still like this.
I stepped toward the cart overflowing with bundles of mock bills as planned.
That’s when Kang Yi-chae extended his hand to me.

【Can you trust me?】

Originally, Kang Yi-chae was supposed to be the one climbing onto the cart.
As his playful face appeared on the large screen, cheers erupted from the crowd.
Throughout it all, Kang Yi-chae’s gaze remained fixed on the cart.

‘Me? Perform in your place?’
‘Yeah.’

In a situation like this, a mere glance conveyed everything.
When I stared at him in disbelief, he grabbed my hand and forcibly pulled me toward the cart.

【Kick it up!】

I tried to maintain my composure, but internally, a string of curses bubbled up.

【The moment Hyun-sung dashes is always beautiful】

But sitting down certainly eased the tension that had gripped my legs, making the choreography far more manageable.
When I glanced back to where Kang Yi-chae was, he sang while blowing me a finger heart.

【Even if I play a prank on you, forgive me
Repeat after me(what?)】

…Crazy bastard.
Since we’d come this far, I shamelessly stretched my legs out of the cart and swayed them while matching the movements with just my upper body.

【Call out my name
Umm Umm like that
You and I, a perfect Symphony】

Kang Yi-chae danced in the spot where I should have been standing. As the pair’s chemistry clicked into place quite beautifully, the cheers from the crowd grew even louder.

‘I’m really an idiot.’

But now that I’d become the older member, I couldn’t just sit back and accept help from my younger brother.
I took the hand of the one who’d drawn near and, slipping out of the cart, perched my backside lightly on a nearby low structure.

【But you have to be careful】

‘A concert worth remembering?’

That wasn’t so difficult.
All I had to do was finish the concert without incident, exactly as planned.
Of course, adding a bit more impact would be even better.

【I’ve always been prone to getting hurt
So I won’t envy even the falling stars】

I lifted one corner of my mouth slightly and waved while tugging my top down a bit.
As the upper half of my body filled the screen, a deafening roar erupted from the Gymnastics Stadium as if it might explode.

【I will show you how to love】

I had been frantically pushing through song after song, but now I finally felt my energy building. It was because, thanks to Kang Yi-chae’s consideration, my ankle wasn’t under too much strain, and I was managing to complete another song without incident.

【Call me gently
Sing me slowly
When our hearts beat in the same rhythm】

Kang Yi-chae approached from the right, and pretending to link arms in his excitement, he leaned my body against his.

【Because you are my song】

And as he sang the final verse, he winked at me.
I laughed back at him.

That guy Kang Yi-chae—I’ve raised him really well.

***

“Thank you for your hard work!!”
“Phew, thank you for your hard work.”

We successfully wrapped the first day of the concert.

“Thank you so much for coming today.”

【You guys worked so hard♡♡♡】

We even finished the live performance safely.
Though the pain hadn’t subsided and cold sweat was dripping down, I was grateful it was indistinguishable from the physical sweat.

“Ho-yoon, is your ankle okay?”

I was thinking that if I returned to the dormitory, got some ice therapy, slept, and woke up, things might improve a bit when Sung Ji-won approached and examined my ankle.
Fortunately, the item’s effect was still active, so outwardly everything looked fine.

“Brother!! Are you really feeling better?”
“Yeah. I’m doing okay.”
“Don’t lie. We don’t have any more schedules today, so let’s go back to the hospital.”
“Were you even listening to what I said?”

To be honest, I really wanted to go to the hospital and get some painkillers.
I was waving one hand dismissively while wiping sweat from the back of my other hand when Kang Yi-chae suddenly thrust his face in front of me.

“I did well, right~?”
“Yeah, you’re one hell of a useful bastard.”
“Let’s go to the hospital together~!”

For some reason, his eyes were gleaming.
Instead of answering, I simply turned my head away.
In any case, everyone took turns examining my ankle before starting to change clothes.
I stayed put, saying I needed to catch my breath a bit longer, and searched my phone for reactions to today’s concert.

[Today’s Seo Ho-yoon and Kang Yi-chae duet was insane
I want to see it again aaaaaaaaaah]

[Ho-yoon’s dancing is so good these days???

└I’m saying… I had a spot where I could see a bit behind the stage, and he was catching his breath back there for a moment, but the moment he came out on stage he just flew around lolololol it was insane
└└I’m so glad the concert was two days… so glad it really was… I wish Ho-yoon would do that performance one more time..]

[Seo Ho-yoon is the best… he’s the real deal…]

At first glance, there didn’t seem to be anything particularly concerning. The choreography change with Kang Yi-chae didn’t seem to stand out much either.
Surprisingly, it seemed I’d hidden it well, and I let out a relieved sigh internally.

‘Just one more day. I can do this.’

As I steeled my resolve and swiped up on the screen with my thumb, a text from Joo Woo-sung appeared above.

[Joo Woo-sung: Foolish bastard]

Seeing him, I let out a snort of laughter.

“You gullible fool.”

The guy was surprisingly thoughtful, wasn’t he?
The nuance in his text made it abundantly clear that he’d noticed my injury.
After thanking him for coming at the right time, I strapped on an ankle brace and was changing clothes when Jung Da-jun, who’d stepped outside the waiting room to grab more water, came back in with a thunderous clatter.
The members’ eyes naturally turned toward our youngest.

“Hyung, hyung! Hyungs!!! Oh my god!”
“What?”
“I-I-I just heard from the manager! That thing, you know how there was all that talk about us being acquired! Min Ji-heon sunbae, no wait, about expanding the actor management division!”

So what?
When I raised one eyebrow, Jung Da-jun whipped his head around to check our surroundings, then gestured for the members to huddle closer.

“D-don’t be shocked.”

Jung Da-jun opened and closed his mouth several times before leaning in and whispering to us in the smallest voice possible.

“…—Our label got acquired by WH!”

WH Entertainment.
The entertainment agency that houses Black Call and High Five.

Kim Hee-young’s words flashed through my mind.
Back then, she’d said there was a high probability that LV Entertainment—where Yoo Ji-a and White Cherry belonged—would acquire us.
Without thinking, I pressed my palm to my forehead and exhaled slowly.

‘Damn….’

Wait.
That’s wrong.

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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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