Save a Failed Idol’s Life

Translator: MarcTempest

Editor: NicoleTempest

Chapter 12 Restart

The system only gave me six months.

If I didn’t succeed as an idol in six months, I didn’t know what the system would do to me…

But even if I kept the group for longer than that, it was a meaningless time for me.

“I know I’m reaching my limit too. Let’s just try for another six months. This time, I really want to challenge myself differently from before.”

To my surprise, Yi-jun, who had been talking about a comeback until a moment ago, immediately objected.

“Uh… What, did you get struck by lightning or something? I don’t know what’s going on, but your determination is touching… Six months, you mean that’s the contract period, right?”

I had no clue.

It was the first time I heard that.

“What?”

“I got a call from Black Bulls Label. They… What was it? I have to worry about the military soon too… I can’t keep holding on to something that’s not working.”

That was something I couldn’t deny.

Ah. So that’s what the test period was.

As if it read my mind, a status window that was invisible to the members appeared.

[Test period calculation reason confirmed]

[Time left until test end (contract expiration): 182 days]

It felt shorter when I saw it in numbers. I had to do something during this period…

“I think it wouldn’t be bad to work as a rapper instead of an idol. I was seriously thinking about where to go after the contract ends. Doing one more album together for the last time, well… I guess it’s okay for the sake of our old friendship…”

Before Yi-jun could finish his sentence, Seong-won, who had been listening quietly, cut in.

“Wow, this guy acts like he’s loyal to the group in front of us, but behind our backs he’s already thinking about not renewing the contract?”

“Isn’t that stupid not to think about it? And you, weren’t you thinking about going to another agency as soon as the contract ends? Or, is it because no one is calling you?”

Yi-jun wasn’t the type to stay still and pick a fight either, so the fight quickly escalated.

“Are you done talking?”

“No? I’m not done. You talk like you were thinking of others?”

I barely held back the ‘stop fighting, you trash’ that was about to come out of my throat.

Taking advantage of the gap when everyone’s attention was on the two guys, Na Seon-woo reached out for a snack again.

“Na Seon-woo, if you try to eat one more snack, I’ll really throw you out.”

“Huh, I’m, I’m sorry…”

“Enough, let’s all calm down for a bit.”

Even though the three guys were losing their minds, Ryu Kyunghwa calmly spoke.

“To sum up. Let’s just try one last time with all our might, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll go our separate ways.”

I nodded slowly in agreement.

I had to check the contract properly as soon as I had time.

It seemed like the best thing to do for now.

“Yeah. This is really the last time, so let’s do our best this time.”

I don’t know how the company would react if they heard this…

Well, anyway, the main investor was Cheon Soo Group, so I hoped they would push us a little if I agreed.

“It takes no time to prepare a song. So stop fighting and try to cooperate.”

Kyunghwa sighed and glared at the two guys alternately.

“What did I do!”

Yi-jun protested as if he was wronged, but it didn’t work.

Seong-won crossed his arms as if he didn’t want to get along.

“Then now… The most urgent problem is…”

As soon as Seong-won and Yi-jun’s quarrel subsided, the worst problem we faced now naturally drew our attention.

“Why… Why are you looking at me?”

Seon-woo looked at the rest of the members with trembling eyes and tried to sneak away.

But Seong-won’s long legs blocked him faster.

Seon-woo’s innocent eyes were filled with fear.

“I’m not eating anything right now?”

Eating wasn’t the problem.

We had to make him at least a little chubby but cute, so that he could go on stage and not be ridiculed.

“You’re on a strict diet from today!”

As I declared to Seon-woo, Yi-jun surprisingly cooperated.

“Oh, I’m going to work out right away. Can I take him with me and make him run?”

Why did he ask me for permission?

There was no reason to oppose it anyway.

“I’ll go with you, too. I have to watch him.”

“It’s not impossible, but surprising. You’re like a different person, hyung. You’re going to work out with me.”

I was just going to a normal gym and wasting my time back then.

I didn’t notice that Yi-jun’s expression was unusually happy.

***

“Huff, huff…! Yi-jun, how long have I been running?”

Seon-woo, who was flying his heavy body on the running machine and sweating profusely, closed his eyes tightly and cried.

“You’ve only been running for 20 minutes. I’ll slow down the speed, so walk fast and sweat some more.”

Yi-jun, who was wearing protective gear and sparring with the boss, answered without even looking at Seon-woo.

I couldn’t just sit there idly, so I got on the running machine next to Seon-woo.

I had some aftereffects from the accident, but I was fine with running normally.

‘Being young is really great.’

I felt lighter than when I was ‘Im Hyunseong’. I ran at my own pace and watched the two guys alternately.

Yi-jun, who was happy that he didn’t have to work out alone, brought us to a boxing gym.

I wondered what he was thinking, doing such a dangerous hobby as a face-based guy.

But when I saw him sparring, he was wearing proper protective gear.

‘His face is precious, even though it’s cheap.’

Even though we couldn’t fight together, he seemed very happy to come and work out with us.

“Hooong… It’s too, ha, hard…”

But for someone who was making such a groaning sound, Seon-woo was running in a steady form.

He had used his leg muscles quite a bit with the jump rope before.

He had just eaten a lot and gained weight quickly.

His body was originally lean, so there must have been some muscles left under that dull fat.

“Stop whining and run more. People don’t die easily from running that much.”

I was feeling good, sweating in my young body.

‘Rejuvenating is really tearful. A body that doesn’t get tired even after running for 30 minutes…’

I didn’t feel any pain in my back yet. I cautiously increased the speed and watched Seon-woo.

“Hic, okay…!”

We made Seon-woo run for almost an hour until Yi-jun’s sparring was completely over.

It had only been three months since he gained weight, so I hoped he could lose it as quickly as he gained it.

***

“Ugh~. I feel good after sweating!”

On the way back after finishing an hour and a half of exercise, Seon-woo kept whining that he wanted to eat dinner quickly. Do I have to feed him right away until dinner?

“I’m hungry…”

“Just hold on until we get home. I’ll make dinner for you.”

Seon-woo, who had just returned from the gym shower room, washed and fluffy, frowned at the unexpected situation.

In the meantime, Kyunghwa had discreetly cleared away the snacks that were scattered around the house.

‘Nice!’

“Where did all my snacks go?”

Seon-woo noticed the change right away and whimpered, but no one gave him any food.

“I don’t know, just eat dinner and go to sleep.”

Meanwhile, I quickly roasted some cabbage with olive oil and spices.

In the air fryer, I baked some soft tofu with oil sauce, which was trendy these days.

“Here, this has low calories, so you can eat as much as you want.”

I put it on the table along with the salad I had for lunch, minus the short pasta and with a different dressing. Seon-woo whined and picked up his spoon.

“There’s no meat at all…”

“Chicken breast is meat, isn’t it?”

Yi-jun, next to him, stabbed a piece of chicken breast with his fork and put it in his mouth, as if he couldn’t believe it.

He was surprisingly obedient in accepting the salad, considering he was at the peak of his bloodlust.

It was the start of the meal that ended the day, after many twists and turns.

“Wow, this is delicious. Kyunghwa, hurry up and come and try it!”

Of course, Seong-won ignored him completely, which was very Yi-jun-like.

“Where’s mine?”

Seong-won, who had come out of his room, demanded his share without blinking an eye.

“What, don’t sit next to me.”

Yi-jun protested immediately, but Seong-won didn’t care and pulled out the empty chair next to him and sat down.

“Give me mine too.”

“Wow… look at him ignoring me.”

That’s the same for you, bastard.

I scooped up Seong-won’s portion and put it in front of him before the fight escalated.

“Stop fighting and eat. Yi-jun, don’t pick a fight for no reason.”

“What did I do!”

Yi-jun pouted and complained.

We all ended up eating a diet meal, but it was tasty, so there was no complaint about the menu.

“Tomorrow, I’ll try grilling some beef. It’ll be lean and mostly muscle, so it won’t be greasy.”

“Hyung, are you coming tomorrow too?”

“Yeah. You can’t eat weird things again.”

“I, I don’t eat weird things…”

Seon-woo answered hesitantly and smiled brightly.

“But I’m glad I can see Ise hyung again tomorrow. Make me something delicious tomorrow too, hyung.”

He was definitely a kind and innocent kid…

But in this cold and ruthless modern society, being ‘kind and’ followed by ‘innocent’ was never a compliment.

He probably didn’t even know if that was a bad thing.

The only thing he could do was to take good care of him.

Then, as soon as Seon-woo finished speaking, Seong-won threw a jab at him.

“Stop eating. Aren’t elephants herbivores too? You’re going to eat the whole thing by yourself?”

Seon-woo’s expression darkened noticeably as he chewed on the cabbage.

But no one paid attention to him.

‘It’s kind of… bullying, but…’

Seeing him think about eating even in the middle of that fight… He looked like a glutton who would eat anything, whether he was bullied or not.

After finishing the meal, Seon-woo started doing the dishes, saying he would move his body a little.

Meanwhile, I went out and called Vice President Ahn Jung-hee.

I told her about arriving at the dorm and meeting the members.

I also told her about deciding to try preparing for the last album.

She listened to my story and cautiously brought up a topic.

-Do you want me to find you a place near the dorm so you can move around easily?

As soon as I heard that, I gasped.

Why didn’t I think of that?

It would be easier to pay more attention if I was closer to them.

But I didn’t think I needed to find a separate house.

“No, thank you. There are plenty of rooms left in the dorm, so I think I can live there.”

-Oh, are you sure? You said it was uncomfortable to share a room with the members.

“This is the last time. I want to do my best and not regret it.”

-Well, then do as you please. I’m glad our son is getting along well with the members for once. If you need anything else, just ask me anytime.

This person was definitely proactive when it came to anything related to c.

After the conversation about the members was over, I had nothing more to say.

‘Did you have a good meal?’

The Korean all-purpose greeting. I asked about the meal and continued the conversation briefly before ending the call.

I suddenly felt strange.

Taking for granted the parents who gave me unconditional support, encouragement, and love…

‘What does that feel like?’

As the random thoughts invaded my head, I opened the front door and went back inside.

As soon as I entered the living room, I saw Seon-woo wandering around looking for snacks.

“I think it would be better for me to stay here for the next six months.”

The dorm was quite spacious for five people to use.

It must have been prepared to accommodate all seven members who were originally supposed to debut.

Seon-woo blinked and asked.

“Huh…? Are you moving in too?”

If we lived together, the chances of being treated strangely again would increase…

I was an old man who only knew that idols were ‘singing and dancing’ until then.

I thought I should at least watch what they were doing and living next to them to fit in with the atmosphere.

‘Of course. I only knew how to watch other people’s stages until now. How could I have imagined that I would do it?’

“Yeah. I’m going to get my stuff for a while. There’s only six months left, so I think it would be better to live together and unite.”

My main goal was to watch what the other guys were doing and benchmark them.

“Really! It’s a bit surprising… But you said you had a lot on your mind, too…”

I walked to Seon-woo’s room, which he used alone.

The bed on the opposite side of the one he didn’t use was empty on both the first and second floors.

“Is this the spare bed?”

I glared at the mattress that was piled up with clothes and stuff, with no room to step on.

“Yeah, are you using it?”

“Yeah. Clear it up by the time I come back tomorrow.”

Then Seon-woo crept up and picked up his clothes one by one.

I wondered how long they had been piled up.

There were a lot of clothes that didn’t seem to fit his round body.

“There are some things that aren’t mine, so I’ll ask the other hyungs to clear them up too.”

Then I realized that this guy was just a chick who had just turned 20.

The rest of them were either younger than c or the same age as him.

A twenty-one-year-old calling twenty-two-year-olds hyung…

They were all young enough to be my children if I had married in my early twenties.

I was conscious of Seon-woo staring at me intently and ran a suspicious circuit.

‘This guy… He seems to be watching me too closely…’

“Yeah. I’m going to talk to the next room for a bit, so you don’t have to tell them that.”

At Seon-woo’s continued anxious gaze, I walked briskly to the bed.

He couldn’t be.

“Ah, no, don’t!”

I realized that my intuition was right on the money as Seon-woo screamed.