Chapter 267

Chapter 267. The Day of the Decisive Battle (5)

In the waiting room where the PD and writer had left, the only sound that filled the room was my fingers drumming on the armrest of the sofa. The noise outside the waiting room seemed irrelevant as I sat there, lips tightly sealed, lost in thought.

There was no need to ponder for long what that ‘something’ could be.

‘What else could make a PD act like that in a survival program that’s already over? If it’s big, it’s manipulation, if it’s small, they probably just played around with the editing.’

‘Audition manipulation’ was a big issue even in the previous timeline.

However, that was something that happened five years from now, and the PD who took responsibility back then and left was the same CP Yoon who was brought down during *MirroMaze*. The nationwide audition program that caused the problem hadn’t even entered the planning stage yet.

‘Although various audition programs produced by the same broadcasting station as CP Yoon were scrutinized one after another, there was no particular issue with *The Boy’s Empire*…’

So, was it just simple editing manipulation?

Feeling a sudden drop in my sugar levels, I rummaged through my bag and took out a chocolate bar. It had been squashed from rolling around in my bag, but it was still edible.

Honestly, as long as we ignore the ethical aspects, what kind of corruption might have occurred in *The Boy’s Empire* back then wasn’t really my concern.

*The Boy’s Empire* had ended three years ago, there was no follow-up despite its success, and the group that debuted through it had already ended their contract and even gone through re-debut as spin-off groups.

Unless the broadcasting station had scammed the viewers out of billions of won in paid votes, it wouldn’t be beneficial for either Seo Taehyun or our group if something from back then was revealed now.

However…

‘What if Seo Taehyun finds out about it…’

And what if that incident had been subtly influencing us until now?

“……”

The endless chain of thoughts swirling in my head came to an abrupt halt when the door to the quiet waiting room suddenly burst open.

“Hey, Kang Hajin―!”

“…Now he’s just calling me ‘hey’ like it’s nothing…. Did I teach you to talk to me like that!?”

The one who broke the silence in the waiting room was none other than Seo Taehyun, the source of all this anguish.

Behind Seo Taehyun, who was glaring at me while making his navy duffle coat flutter dramatically, stood Lee Yugeon, looking equally menacing with his eyes widened in fury.

The two of them quickly stormed toward me.

“Wh-what! Why! You guys, after I packed you lunch and saw you off this morning, now you’re glaring at me like…! Ugh!”

My collar was grabbed without hesitation.

Lee Yugeon and Seo Taehyun pushed me into the corner of the sofa, shaking my collar vigorously while shooting daggers at me with their eyes.

Hey, what? Why? What did I do wrong?

Feeling both wronged and frustrated, I pushed the two away with all my strength and shouted back.

“Hey, why! What! What did I do!?”

“Don’t you know your crime?”

“I don’t know!”

Seo Taehyun countered in a voice full of murderous intent.

“Is there another crazy person who would call the CEO to pick them up because they don’t have a ride!? Couldn’t you have at least given us a heads-up!!”

Ah. So that’s what this was about.

They were talking about the other helper I called last night.

For reference, the CEO mentioned here is our agency’s CEO, Han Sewon. Last night, I had asked him—no more, no less—to simply pick up Seo Taehyun and Lee Yugeon from the broadcasting station. To my surprise, he agreed readily.

Realizing it was a less significant issue than I thought, I regained my composure.

“So what? Wasn’t it nice to ride in a foreign car? The CEO’s car is so expensive that the roads from your school to the broadcasting station must have been clear. That’s why you weren’t late.”

“Hyung, you’re really insane, aren’t you?”

“Have you still not given up hope that this hyung isn’t crazy, even after experiencing him for four seasons?”

At my shameless response, Seo Taehyun grabbed his head, looking defeated.

‘I believed in that madman again…. I believed again…!’ Seo Taehyun muttered to himself as he turned away, while Lee Yugeon, who had taken off his coat and hung it on the hanger, plopped down next to me. I naturally draped my arm over Lee Yugeon’s shoulder and asked.

“So, did you do well on your test? Was the lunch tasty?”

“I just did okay, and Seo Taehyun said he did fine. …The lunch was good.”

“Make sure to thank my mom later. Seo Taehyun already did it this morning.”

Without much hesitation, Lee Yugeon nodded.

I was about to ask if anything interesting had happened when the waiting room door opened again, and a burst of noise flooded in. Among the commotion, the most urgent and loudest voice belonged to Ji Suho.

“Kang Hajin! This, this lunatic…!”

“Ch-Chief, we’re at the broadcasting station! Please calm down!”

“He took the Morning car in the morning, and then he sent the CEO to the exam site in the afternoon―!?”

“Oh dear, this….”

Maybe I caused a bigger issue than I thought…

Seeing Ji Suho approaching, fuming with incredulity, I instinctively raised my guard. But even in the midst of that, I didn’t forget to defend myself.

“No, but the CEO was the only one available! These guys couldn’t take a taxi back and forth…! So, isn’t it possible for the CEO to give them a ride…?”

“You, get over here!”

“Ahh! But the CEO agreed! He said, ‘Of course, I’ll go!’ He really said that…!”

Why is it my fault!? What did I do so wrong!?

As I played an unexpected game of tag with Ji Suho, Jung Siwoo and Lee Doha, who had returned from an overseas location shoot, entered the waiting room after changing into today’s music show outfits. The staff who had traveled with them also filed in, and soon our waiting room returned to its usual state.

I quickly hid behind Lee Doha, who looked somewhat weary, and changed the subject.

“W-Where’s Haru? When are they arriving? Why aren’t they here yet?”

“…They took a wrong turn, so they’re on their way back. They said they’ll arrive before the music show starts. Stop running around, Hajin, or you’ll start sweating. We’re going live soon.”

“Oh, right. I need to look handsome today. I can’t afford to sweat.”

Quickly regaining my composure, I checked my face in the mirror. Fortunately, my hair and makeup were still intact.

“Kang Hajin-nim, we’re ready to go~”

“Yes.”

“Hajin, let’s go. Guys, you should get dressed and get your makeup done quickly too. Our turn is coming up soon.”

Just in time, Ji Suho calmed down and returned to his usual self as the assistant director signaled for us to get ready. Along with two stylists who would fix my hair and makeup, and Ji Suho, I headed to the studio for today’s music broadcast.

As I checked the script one more time, Ji Suho asked me quietly.

“So, was everything okay today? Nothing unusual?”

“Isn’t it a bit late to be asking me that?”

“…Wouldn’t you be surprised too if you heard that the CEO was called to pick someone up?”

“It’s good for stirring up some buzz. People might think, ‘The company must really value him if the CEO personally drives him around,’ so no one will say anything about us taking the Morning car this morning.”

“…You really know how to talk.”

Ji Suho clicked his tongue and chuckled in disbelief. Then, as if it were the most natural thing, he handed me a water bottle. After taking a sip, I borrowed a mirror from a makeup staff member and checked my appearance one more time.

“Nuna, do I look handsome today?”

“Our Hajin is always handsome.”

“If you say that with such a soulless voice, I’ll get hurt. I’m serious right now.”

“No, really, you look great today. You have a mature vibe.”

“Do I look a bit more composed?”

“Yeah. After all, a suit makes the man.”

“Okay.”

After receiving the stylist nuna’s acknowledgment, who once famously said during the filming of *Touch High!* that my good looks were her breadwinner, I confidently stepped into the studio.

Today, I would become the first mortal man to surpass the Greek gods.

* * *

Yoon Jae-hee, a former rookie development team employee at Rene and current unemployed individual on N-days, was feeling a little excited.

Finally, today!

She had won the lottery to attend A-Countdown and had come to the broadcasting station to see Kairos in person. It was her first time seeing them in person since the last Utopia concert, so she was even more nervous.

‘There weren’t any photos of Hajin’s arrival today…. The other members seem to be arriving now. I wonder if they’ve made it yet.’

The fact that Kairos members were stuck overseas and in the provinces due to sudden weather changes had been quietly circulating among the fans. So, she had been worried that today’s music show appearance might be canceled

, but there was no such announcement before the broadcast, so she was relieved.

‘I wonder what Hajin is wearing as an MC today. The red cape last time was truly legendary….’

As she waited, staring endlessly at the MC section, a sign that the broadcast was about to start appeared, and Hajin finally showed up. As Yoon Jae-hee instinctively joined the cheers with those around her, she looked at Hajin under the lights and was genuinely amazed.

“What the heck, insane, he killed it….”

His black hair, neatly combed down, thin-rimmed black glasses like the ones she saw in the morning, a crisp white shirt, black tie, and black suit all perfectly complemented Hajin’s cold demeanor. The silver pin tucked into his tie added an extra touch of sophistication.

The long coat he wore in the article photos from the morning was, of course, stylish, but his perfectly fitted suit that highlighted his broad shoulders, along with his understated, actor-like makeup that emphasized his natural features, were perfect.

He looked like he should be at an award ceremony rather than a flashy music show, and the Destis, including Yoon Jae-hee, quickly began to murmur excitedly.

“Kang Hajin is insane. So handsome.”

“He’s wearing glasses. Glasses. Ah, he’s wearing glasses…!”

“Hurry up and bring on the awards season, please…. I need to see Kairos in suits, seriously.”

Yoon Jae-hee clasped her hands together, agreeing wholeheartedly with every comment.

‘Please let today’s music show outfit be suits for all of them….’

She had completely forgotten that today, her former project, Rene’s next rookie group, *Lanion,* was making their debut performance on the same stage.

Yoon Jae-hee was 1000% enjoying the joys of being off-duty, reaffirming that her resignation had been the right choice.

* * *

‘No matter how much you Greek gods try, you’re still just rookie idols.’

The method I chose to combat those godly kids of *Lanion* was ‘minimalism.’

No matter how handsome they might be, rookie idols have one fatal flaw they can’t avoid: embarrassing debut stages, often characterized by awkward choreography and outrageous styling.

Especially with Rene, who insists on the most unique and flashy concepts for every idol debut. The goal is to highlight each member’s visual appeal, for example, by giving each member a different hair color or styling them in a distinctive way that emphasizes their features.

When I caught a glimpse earlier at the shop, it looked like *Lanion* had been dressed up quite similarly, in a very elaborate fashion.

So rather than trying to outshine them by flaunting the same idol vibe, I decided that taking a step back and emphasizing my natural seniority would be a more effective strategy.

‘Judging by the fans’ reactions, it seems to be working.’

Conscious of the Destis watching from the audience, I made sure to maintain the most flattering angles as I checked the script. Since there was no pre-recording, they had to make the most of seeing my face live to make their attendance worthwhile.

As I stood at the MC’s stand, quietly going over today’s lines one more time, the female actor who was the regular music show MC smiled lightly and asked me.

“Hajin, did you prepare your acceptance speech?”

“…Pardon?”

What speech?

“Oh, didn’t you hear from the PD? You’re up for first place today.”

“…We are?”

Are we winning an award today?

The news of our potential win, which I hadn’t even known about, almost made me drop the script I was holding.