By Zephyria “Ugh… I’m going crazy…!”
I opened my eyes, but it was dark in front of me.
I wanted to turn away from reality and rather lose my memory, but every time I felt the soft mattress like water, my mind snapped back. Just looking at the decorations hanging from the high ceiling and the sense of oppression felt from all sides, I couldn’t possibly not know. So, this is the bedroom of the Athena Room. Probably, definitely.
“Ah… what am I going to do….”
Why did I gulp down wine when it wasn’t even a comfortable setting? A groan burst out, and I covered myself with the blanket before jumping up.
“Wait, what time is it!”
I hurriedly got off the bed and looked around, but I couldn’t see my phone. This is a disaster! I fell asleep without contacting the members…. I was about to go out the door when I found my phone on the bedside table next to the bed. I quickly checked and saw messages from Manager Doo-hyun Hyung and Gun-woo Hyung.
[Tae-kyung, I got a call from Kang Robin. Don’t worry and contact me when you wake up.]
[Tae-kyung, did you drink a lot? Should I make you some hangover soup? Anyway, contact me when you wake up.]
“I’m really causing all sorts of trouble.”
Worrying the members, and acting drunk in front of Kang Robin Sunbae and Auntie. Every time I do something, it’s half-baked and clumsy, so there’s always a gap.
“Why am I really like this….”
It wasn’t something that would end just by saying it was a gap, irresponsibly, without any conscience.
Can I excuse myself for hugging Sung Se-han by blaming it on my confused mind? I can’t deceive myself, even if I can deceive others.
“No! That’s definitely not it…!”
It would be too cruel to say that I blatantly revealed my longing for Sung Se-han by using that moment as an excuse.
No matter how greedy I get, there’s no way I would deliberately do something that would put Sung Se-han in danger. I just made a mistake because I couldn’t handle the alcohol. I can’t help it if unavoidable circumstances arise.
“Hoo…!”
It was endlessly ridiculous to be defending myself because there was no one to tell me it wasn’t my fault. But I felt like I could endure without screaming if I made excuses like this.
“Good job.”
Unable to overcome my feeling of emptiness, I slumped down on the bed.
I couldn’t make any more pathetic excuses that Sung Se-han was confusing me. Because I’m the one who’s taking the initiative to confuse Sung Se-han and give him room.
“I shouldn’t put alcohol in my mouth.”
I had no words to excuse myself, and only a sigh came out of self-reproach.
“Are you awake?”
I was spacing out when I jumped up as if startled by the sudden voice.
“A, Auntie…!”
Auntie, who was only showing her face while opening the door, gave a refreshing smile.
“I knocked, but I guess you didn’t hear me? Can I come in?”
“Yes, yes! Of course…!”
Only then did I hurriedly check what my clothes looked like. Fortunately, the shirt and slacks I wore yesterday were still on and didn’t seem to be too wrinkled.
“I was going to change your clothes, but I thought Tae-kyung might be uncomfortable, so I just left them as they were. Did I do well?”
“Ah, yes! Thank you.”
Auntie’s appearance in a beige-toned office look felt somehow unfamiliar. I was newly amazed that Auntie, who was always warm and kind, was the CEO of the Century Hotel chain.
“Did you sleep well? Do you have a headache by any chance?”
“I’m fine. I slept well. Um, yesterday….”
“I sent Se-han home yesterday. I thought that would be better.”
Auntie gave a soft smile as she answered the part I couldn’t ask. Hoo… I felt like the strength was leaving my shoulders, and I lowered my gaze powerlessly. I guess I subconsciously thought that Sung Se-han hadn’t left here and was sleeping even on the upper floor.
“I’ve prepared clothes for Tae-kyung to change into. I’ve also prepared dried pollack soup, so hurry up and take a shower and come out.”
“Ah, no.”
I hurriedly raised my head and waved my hand. This wasn’t a situation where I could leisurely enjoy breakfast here.
“The members are worried, so I need to go back to the dorm quickly. It’ll be difficult if I’m late for practice. You’ve prepared clothes for me… so I’ll just take a shower.”
“Okay. Then I’ll have the car prepared, so come down slowly.”
I felt bad, so I refused the meal, but I couldn’t refuse to ride in the car. Until now, I’ve been comfortably taking taxis with plenty of pocket money, but from now on, I had to think about my financial situation. I decided to accept the favor with gratitude, even if it was a bit shameless.
“But, Tae-kyung.”
Auntie, who was walking towards the door, turned back to me. I was holding the shirt prepared on the table and looking at Auntie.
“Yes, Auntie.”
“I was wrong, as Tae-kyung said. I took the initiative to attach someone to Tae-kyung to take pictures. Se-han didn’t do anything wrong, so I hope you don’t feel unpleasant.”
Um. I only fiddled with the back of my head, feeling troubled about what to say. I don’t know what Sung Se-han was thinking when he started collecting my photos at the age of twelve, but anyway, I just feel fond of him. I wish Auntie would realize my hidden feelings.
“You can rest assured that there will be no more secretly taking pictures.”
“Ah… thank you.”
I don’t think it’s something I should be thankful for… but I still bowed my head. The moment I saw Auntie turning around with a satisfied face, a feeling of injustice welled up.
Is that it? No, shouldn’t you explain at least the process of watching me all this time?
Since I’m keeping my mouth shut, it seems like you’re really not going to make any excuses.
“Hah… frustrating.”
Yeah. Let’s just forget it and not think about it. I roughly washed my face and headed to the bathroom. I have to be faithful to the present reality. Only then can I barely escape from complicated thoughts.
Certainly, sweating with the members in the practice room had the effect of lightening my head. This time when I sweat until I’m exhausted may be the most comfortable time.
It was good that I learned the choreography of the survival competition song without even realizing that lunchtime was passing. But the situation where I ended up eating lunch with the company’s trainees because of that wasn’t good.
“Hyungs, the choreography is really amazing, isn’t it? I think Hyungs are more suited to powerful group dances than Perfect Puzzle!”
The reason why the food wasn’t going down well was because Kim Hyuk-soo had been spouting out flattery that didn’t even make sense since earlier.
“Isn’t Tae-kyung Hyung cooler than Sung Se-han? All of our trainees think so, you know?”
I didn’t even want to answer, so I opened my phone with one hand. Gun-woo Hyung accepted my opinion this time as well and excluded Kim Hyuk-soo from the debut members, but still having to see that face was subtly stressful.
“I think Sky Blue will win first place in the survival show!”
“Hyuk-soo Hyung, say something that makes sense.”
In the end, Jeong-min narrowed his eyes and raised his voice.
“Have you even seen Perfect Puzzle in person before saying that! All the members have amazing physiques! They’re really huge! Don’t you know that other teams don’t even go near Perfect Puzzle because they’re afraid of being compared? How can we win when they’re slamming down a group dance with those physiques?”
I couldn’t help but be surprised by Jeong-min’s appearance, who was red in the face and panting. I thought he hadn’t shown it at all, but it seemed like our youngest was under a lot of stress while participating in the survival show.
“Kang Jung-min, if you participate in the survival show with that mindset, you’ll be a nuisance to the team, you know? If you don’t have the confidence that you can beat any team….”
“Kim Hyuk-soo, stop it.”
I didn’t even want to talk to Kim Hyuk-soo, but I couldn’t listen anymore.
“Jeong-min is doing well, so don’t worry and focus on your own practice.”
I don’t know why that guy, who only believes in his talent and doesn’t put in any effort, who’s already hanging out with gangsters and using violence, dares to give advice to anyone.
I know that I look cold when I erase my smile, but I couldn’t possibly make a good expression. Seeing the junior trainees eating while looking at my face, Gun-woo Hyung cleared his throat and changed the atmosphere.
“Anyway, we’re working hard, so don’t forget to vote hard, you guys. Got it?”
“Yes! I understand.”
“Hyung, I’ll vote hard every day!”
Kim Hyuk-soo cut in again amidst the boisterous atmosphere that Gun-woo Hyung had changed.
“But Hyungs, you know Perfect Puzzle’s Vice Manager, right? Jang Joong-seop, have you ever seen that person in person?”