The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 313

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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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313

“…A guide?”

Joo Woo-sung retreated a step, as if pushed back by my momentum.
I advanced to close the distance and decided to press my advantage further.

“I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had time to travel, but since I happened to come to Japan, I was really excited, you know?”
“….”
“I helped the staff members and even did rehearsals, so I’m really hungry.”

I’d only carried some filming equipment and sung one song, yet somehow the sky had turned crimson. Dinner time had long since passed. The tinted car remained stubbornly in place.
The tinted car was still stubbornly parked in the same spot.

Joo Woo-sung, looking bewildered, brushed his hair back and spoke in a slightly softer tone.

“Seo Ho-yoon. I’m sorry, but I already have plans to eat with someone else….”
“Ah! I’m starving!!”
“….”

Joo Woo-sung stared at me with his mouth agape, unable to even blink. Then he let out a hollow laugh, sighed deeply, and pulled out his phone.
I wondered if he was calling security, but he just sent a brief text to someone before shoving the phone back into his pocket.

“…Fine, then. Let’s eat dinner. But I don’t know this area well either.”
“How about Korean food?”

When it comes to Joo Woo-sung, it’s always kimchi fried rice.
Sure enough, Joo Woo-sung hesitated slightly before nodding.
Having successfully hooked my prize, I suppressed my irritation inwardly while my hands quickly searched for nearby Korean restaurants.

“By the way, it’s nice to be able to move around freely when you’re overseas.”
“Yeah, well.”
“….”

Give me a longer answer, you bastard.
I tried steering the conversation a few more times, but it wouldn’t flow naturally. Either way, I’d already achieved the basic goal I was aiming for, so I shut my mouth too.
All I needed to do was keep him here until the Paparazzi naturally lost interest and left.

“This place is nice and quiet.”

The Store I’d barely managed to find, fortunately for us, had no customers at all.

“…Wow.”

I quickly strode to a corner table and sat down, then ordered food.
And then I understood. Why the place was so empty.

Thud.

“Wow….”

The food tasted worse than Jung Da-jun’s bizarre creations.
How was this even possible….
Despite the menu claiming to have kimchi fried rice, it didn’t actually exist on the physical menu, and the gomtang I’d reluctantly ordered instead was just greasy, flavorless broth.
The vegetables in the bibimbap I’d added on were so mushy they melted like cotton candy the moment they touched my tongue, and it was so salty I couldn’t taste anything else beneath the overwhelming salt.
Even I, who could eat most things without complaint, felt the urge to spit it back out.

‘Damn….’

If Joo Woo-sung suddenly got up and left, I wouldn’t have a word to say. I was tempted to march straight into the kitchen and make kimchi fried rice myself.
When I glanced over at him, he was quietly continuing to eat without saying anything, lost in thought.
I stirred my bibimbap, which was already cooling and hardening, and muttered.

“…The taste is quite unique.”
“Mm.”

If it were Joo Woo-sung, Seo Ho-yoon would’ve complained that I had no sense, asking why I’d brought him to a place like this,

But.
Munch, munch, munch.

The person in front of me was just mechanically chewing away.
I watched him for a moment, then shoved some bibimbap into my own mouth.

‘Let me look around the area first, then we’ll part ways….’

The meal, barely salvaged from silence, finally ended. After settling the bill, Joo Woo-sung stepped outside first, his fingers already dancing across his phone screen. He’d been checking it constantly even during the meal.

“Well then, shall we each go our separate ways? It’s getting late.”

‘Damn it, this won’t do.’

The shadowy figure lurking nearby had abandoned his vehicle and was now pursuing me on foot—the Paparazzi himself, clinging to me with stubborn persistence.

“Ha ha, Joo Woo-sung, now that you’ve eaten, shouldn’t we grab a coffee to cleanse the palate?”
“Not really….”
“Or perhaps some photos for SNS?”
“Do we have to…?”
“These photos would be perfect!”

I wrapped my arm around Joo Woo-sung’s shoulder—his face twisted in displeasure—and quickened my pace.

“While searching for that Korean restaurant earlier, I spotted a Beach Park nearby. The photos there are absolutely stunning, or so I’ve heard. I’m a bit embarrassed to say it myself, but I’m also a photographer, you see.”
“No, really, it’s fine….”
“Come on, we’re almost there. Right around the corner! Look, that spot over there is perfect. Let’s go.”

As we descended the long staircase, the entrance to the Beach Park appeared before us.
A few pedestrians dotted the landscape, though not many—it was a weekday evening, after all.
At the spot I indicated, a massive tree with long, drooping branches stood silhouetted against the blue waves beyond. Joo Woo-sung remained motionless, his expression sour. I snatched the phone from his hand and pushed him toward the tree. Despite his reluctant stance, his handsome features made him photogenic even in displeasure.
Standing there with that disgruntled expression, he looked like he belonged in a photograph.

Click.

“Once you see the photo, Joo Woo-sung, you’ll thank me for this….”

But what appeared on the phone screen was Joo Woo-sung with a cold, expressionless face, standing beneath an eerie tree whose branches swayed as if beckoning, all shrouded in the dark night sky.
It resembled a horror movie poster.

“….”

I’d forgotten to use the flash.
While I struggled to maintain my composure, Joo Woo-sung ambled over and examined the photo.

“…Thanks?”
“….”
“You’re quite the Photographer.”

Damn it….
Even as I acknowledged my mistake, an inexplicable sense of ingratitude made my fingertips tremble.
When did he tell me to become a Photographer instead of an Idol….

“Take it.”

I clicked my tongue softly and returned the phone to Joo Woo-sung. Then the guy, who had been indifferent all along, seemed bothered by something and opened his mouth while gauging my reaction.

“…Um, should I take a photo of Seo Ho-yoon too?”
“That’s not necessary.”

I cut off Joo Woo-sung’s words sharply.
It was because the shadow of hesitation that had been lingering around him had finally dissipated.
If I had to endure another hour or two like this, I might have lost control and knocked the bastard unconscious.

‘That’s enough. Let’s just head back to the Dormitory.’

Even if an article came out, it would only say something about him being friendly with a rookie Actor. Well, maybe some gossip would circulate about how the unknown Actor clung pathetically to Joo Woo-sung’s popularity.
I’d blocked it at least once, so I figured I’d done my part.
The sticky air, even more humid than Korea, suddenly felt vivid against my skin. I brushed back my damp bangs and called out his name.

“…Joo Woo-sung.”
“What? What now?”
“Go on and get some rest.”
“…Huh?”

Joo Woo-sung, who had been responding irritably, suddenly fell silent.
I waved my hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly.

“Go on inside and rest.”

I turned away without waiting for Joo Woo-sung’s response.
As I walked along, cursing under my breath, I spotted a Convenience Store and went straight in, buying a six-pack of beer.

“I really overstepped today, didn’t I?”

Ding!

[ㅠㅠㅠㅠJust touched…ㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
[Everyone! Seo Ho-yoon has finally become human!]

He was always human, you bastard.
Too exhausted to respond to the endless barrage of reality checks, I pressed my fingers against my temples and trudged forward.
The moment I reached the door at the back of the hotel,

“…—why are you still here—— ? ——and —fast?”

A pleasant, deep voice reached my ears.
Yes, just like Joo Woo-sung’s.

‘…No way.’

I cautiously craned my neck and scanned the source of the voice, and sure enough, Joo Woo-sung was conversing with someone.

‘No, seriously, no way.’

A woman who appeared to be in her early twenties with long, black hair…

[…Oh?]

“They say she’s incredibly pure and pretty.”

[…Oh no~?!]

My fury exploded like a firecracker. Boom!

“Ha ha, ha ha ha.”

That reckless Idol!

“She didn’t come with me. Mom wanted to see my face.”
“Send her a text saying you met up.”
“Got it—. Can you just go— now? It’s annoying——, getting—….”

I grabbed a rustling plastic bag of beer cans like an accessory and made a beeline straight for Joo Woo-sung.

“You? You again? Your words are so pretty… Ugh!”

I grabbed the back of his neck and yanked.
Our eyes met directly as he widened in shock.

“Hello there.”
“What is this…?”
“…Huh?”

I released my grip on his clothes and smiled as innocently as possible.

“I apologize for the sudden intrusion. I’m Seo Ho-yoon, Joo Woo-sung’s close younger brother.”
“…Huh? Huh…? Seo Ho-yoon…?”

The woman tilted her head in confusion, then suddenly clapped her hands.

“Oh~!! An actor! You’re an actor, right!?”
“…”
“Wow! No way! I really enjoyed Dead After Hope! And wow, with the styling change you look just like an idol! You’re so handsome! Could you give me an autograph!?”
“…An autograph?”

Does someone usually ask another person for an autograph while their boyfriend is right there?
The atmosphere felt slightly awkward. But since fan service had become second nature to me, I could respond smoothly.

“Of course. I’d be happy to sign something for you.”
“Oh! Thank you! Man, Joo Woo-sung actually has his uses!”
“…Excuse me?”

Just then, Joo Woo-sung stepped forward to block my view, his jaw clenching.

“Hey, you. Get going.”

The atmosphere froze instantly.
But the woman simply pouted and grumbled that she needed to get the autograph.

“You’re not leaving?”
“Fine, fine! I’m going, I’m going!”

Only after Joo Woo-sung’s expression turned menacing did she finally move.

“Seo Ho-yoon, I’ll watch your drama hard! Fighting!”
“…Fighting~.”

Without losing my composure, I left a cheerful greeting.
I waved my hand gently until her figure disappeared from view, then my expression hardened as I turned to look at Joo Woo-sung.

“Joo Woo-sung.”
“….”
“Let’s talk frankly about this.”
“Now?”

Joo Woo-sung crossed his arms and smirked with a crooked smile.

“What are you doing?”

Honestly, I had no desire to meddle in his personal life.
He was still young, and it made sense that he was interested in romance.

“Aren’t you being careful?”

But if being an idol is your profession, that changes everything.
In fact, I’d made it absolutely clear to The Dun members that dating was strictly forbidden.

“I understand that it’s easier to meet the opposite sex overseas than domestically, but if you get caught, how are you planning to cover it up? Did the Agency promise to handle it?”
“….”
“Didn’t you see the paparazzi following you earlier?”
“I saw them.”
“…What?”

He saw them and still met up boldly?
My exasperation didn’t just disappear—it evaporated entirely.
Yet Joo Woo-sung seemed so confident about it, he answered readily.

“It doesn’t matter if there’s paparazzi or not.”

How could it possibly not matter—

“She’s my younger sister.”

—isn’t there?
While I remained rigid, Joo Woo-sung turned his head and exhaled a long, measured breath.

“Dating her… I feel like I’m going to throw up… Well, I suppose I understand since you two don’t really look alike.”

When I stared at him with disbelieving eyes, he shrugged his shoulders.

“My younger brother contacted me saying he was going on a trip, and it just happened to be Japan. In a situation like this, my parents get incredibly upset if I don’t see him even once, so I was planning to have dinner with him. Though someone prevented that from happening.”
“…Younger brother?”
“You don’t believe me? Do you want me to bring a family registry certificate?”

Now that he mentioned it, I recalled a text message Joo Woo-sung had sent me—something I’d buried and forgotten as unimportant.
When Seo Ho-jin’s personal information spread widely, he’d offered to teach me how to handle having a younger sister with a three-year age gap….

Ding!

[Oh!! Now that I think about it, they do look alike on a nano scale!!]

“Besides, my solo comeback teaser drops next week. There’s no way I’d be careless with my image at a time like this.”

As I listened to his calm rebuttal, I closed and opened my eyes.
…Right.

“I see.”

Dragging Joo Woo-sung around all day….
Eating meals….
Taking photos….
Evading paparazzi….
Lecturing him….
It all amounted to one foolish, pointless act.

“…How embarrassing.”

After collecting my thoughts, I lifted the corners of my mouth.

“I was mistaken.”
“….”
“I apologize for the trouble, Joo Woo-sung. Please enjoy the rest of your time with your family.”

I rushed past Joo Woo-sung, but he raised his arm to block my path.

“Seo Ho-yoon.”
“What?”

Joo Woo-sung’s gaze traveled slowly upward from my feet.

“How did you know about the green tea latte?”

…What was he talking about?

“…What do you mean?”
“I gave it to you back then.”

Joo Woo-sung lowered his raised arm and tilted his head slightly. His smile wasn’t the smooth one he showed to others.
His face held only wariness, and

“How did you know I like that?”

a hint of curiosity.

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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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