The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol

Chapter 135

Chapter 135

Urgh~!

Ughhh.

Since the final end-of-year stage had no awards to give out, it was now time to just enjoy ourselves.

Setting the stage on fire left my whole body aching.

I wasnt worried about making mistakes, but I put so much effort into my moves during the dance break that my bones creaked alarmingly.

Its because of my age

Give me some water.

Here, drink. Drink.

I grabbed the water bottle that was handed to me and emptied it in seconds.

Can I rest now?

Probably, it should be okay

Everyone had poured their hearts out as if it was their last, despite not having much sleep, so as soon as the stage was over, the tension was released, and we all melted into a sluggish state.

Returning to the dressing room and getting some rest and cold water seemed to bring us back to our senses.

It wasnt too bad, right?

Although I hadnt seen the audiences reaction yet, recalling the raw, vivid warmth from the audience, it didnt seem too bad.

And watching the subsequent performances from the dressing room, I realized that the other groups, much like us, had prepared with equal passion.

I wonder what our rank will be next year.

Even though we were a bit more known now, compared to other groups, we still lacked in years and recognition.

Attending such an event where all the top idols of the year gathered made that gap feel even larger.

Itll take two years at best Four at most to reach our goal.

As long as we made it to the top tier, whether at the end or wherever, the quest would be a success, so I had no plans to drag this on any longer.

But.

Wow, Black Call-seniors are coming out.

Seeing this kind of thing made you realize how absurdly ambitious our dreams were.

Wow

All the members watched the screen with their mouths agape as if their souls were being sucked out.

I looked at the close-up of Joo Woosungs face, feeling genuinely fed up.

Ugh.

You can be my King, just say the word and I can make it right.

Black Call released only one title this year, and it was Kings, a concept based on a masterpiece.

Joo Woosung, draped in a black cape embroidered with gold, was unmistakably at the pinnacle of idol-dom.

Shit, can I ever surpass him with my skills?

He felt drastically different from a year ago.

The brat who claimed it was impossible to beat a natural talent had, against all odds, personally proven it.

As I gulped down more water, I heard Jeong Dajun muttering next to me, his focus unwavering,

When will we ever get to close the show?

Three years.

Eh?

Four, if its long.

Why are you so definitive?

Because I had no intention of dragging this beyond that.

I said this without looking at Jeong Dajun,

Maknae, just trust this hyung and follow me. Ill give you a ride not on a bus but a roller coaster.

Dont get my hopes up. Or I will really take your word for it, you know.

You can have high fucking hopes.

As always, I was confident.

Jeong Dajun, moved by my words, tried to pounce on me, but I deftly avoided him.

He pouted, and behind him, a staff members voice announced it was time to get ready for the ending.

As usual, the December 31st end-of-year stage concluded with a famous veteran singer starting a hopeful song, then midway through, all performers would gradually join them on stage. It will then end with a countdown.

We slowly made our way up the stairs to the stage.

This isnt our last, its a new beginning

Lets sing together with all our hearts

Wow~. The year really is ending like this.

Ahaha, its nice to be all together.

Lets sing together with our hearts, that we all have lived

So its okay to love us.

Everyone moved gently to the song, clapping along or waving their hands to the beat.

Hyung.

So its okay to love us.

As the song ended, a thunderous applause erupted.

Hoyun-hyung!

Oh, was it me?

With a gentle smile, ready to respond like the other idols for the broadcast, Jeong Dajun poked me on the side.

Uh, you know.

What?

After locking eyes for a moment, Jeong Dajun looked down and barely moved his lips.

I wanted to tell him to lift his head as it might be caught on camera, but Seong Jiwon spoke up, making Jeong Dajun suddenly lift his face.

Oops! The countdowns about to start!

Ah!! 59 seconds until Jeong Dajun becomes an adult!!

Wow~.

Wow~.

Such a lukewarm reaction!!

Everyone! Its a new beginning! Lets do the countdown together!

As the MC finished, the countdown to the new year began.

30! 29! 28!

A little white breath could be seen coming from all the performers as they began the countdown.

Joo Woosung, accustomed to the countdown from years of participating in such events, stood at the front, chatting and laughing with his fellow Black Call members.

The view in front was filled with the various colors of fandom lightsticks.

The most numerous were, of course, Black Calls, followed by White Cherrys, Lea Purples etc., there were quite a lot.

How much longer do I have to be pushed aside here?

As I pondered, I caught sight of our lightstick, a blue triangle, in the distance.

It could be that they were here with someone special, for the memories, or simply as fans.

But regardless, it was clear that these people had come out on this cold day to see us.

17! 16! 15!

Jeong Dajun was jumping excitedly next to me, and Seong Jiwon joined in.

2!

Its a gift to prevent your lungs from getting black!!

Wow~, such consideration.

Our bunny! Lets vigorously quit smoking in the New Year too!

Thanks for the good wishes. But now, stay away from Kang Ichae.

And stop rhyming.

Yet Dajun seemed to have more to say as remained facing me even after finishing his verse.

Hyung, also, because the timing didnt match up during the countdown earlier, I couldnt finish saying this.

Dajuns giggly face came into view.

I dont need to stand on the final stage within three years.

Huh?

Isnt it okay to take it slow? Whats wrong with it taking a long time, were going to keep going anyway.

Ah.

I stuttered a bit.

Uhm.

Missing the timing to respond, Dajun looked more embarrassed.

Why, whats wrong?

I first unwrapped the candy Dajun gave me and rolled it in my mouth a few times before changing my expression completely.

Taking it slow, are you crazy? You dont plan to make it before you enlist?

Hoyun-hyung is already discharged from the military.

Sorry, but unlike you, Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon will be quite old by then.

Seo Hoyun, do you want to start the new year with that kind of talk?

Kim Seonghyeon sighed deeply.

This emotionless realist.

Gotta teach the twenty-year-old the bitterness of society.

Dajun, tilting his head slightly, luckily didnt catch any hints and chatted away with Seong Jiwon.

At that moment, I heard the voice of the manager organizing the schedule, who was seated next to the driving road manager.

Guys! At least make a call or send a text to your families.

Ah, yes!

Dajun immediately took out his phone.

Judging by his nod, Kim Seonghyeon already seemed to have sent a text.

From the New Year.

Instead of texting Seo Hojin, I just turned my head out the window.

Hits right from the New Year

Click!

A flash went off, causing me to squint and turn my head.

Kang Ichae, seated next to me, was smiling brightly as he lowered the Polaroid camera.

What are you doing?

Ahaha.

While everyone else was texting their families, it seemed he had dug out the Polaroid camera from the back seat.

Taking a boyfriend shot~. Im planning to post it on the official account.

Im the boyfriend?

Kyaa~, Id rather not have you as my love interest~.

Kang Ichae laughed and then, waving the photo back and forth, asked,

But Seo Hoyun, why are you spacing out alone? Its New Years; you should be happy and enjoying yourself.

Its my early morning sentimentality, please dont disturb it.

Aiyo~.

Kang Yichae, who had been playfully bantering in response to my light retort, checked the photo and then held it out for me to see.

It was slowly becoming clear.

How is it? Pretty, right?

You took it well.

Ill take one for you next year too.

Kang Ichae smirked.

Wouldnt it be nice to take one of each member on New Year? It would be good to collect and look at them later.

Considering the scenario progress for the next two, or maybe four years.

Ill probably take at least three or four.

Knowing him, wouldnt he just shove it in a drawer and forget about it?

So, I thought about keeping it in Seonghyeon-hyungs drawer. Please take care of it~.

So, it ends up being my responsibility.

Ah, I want to see too!

I handed the Polaroid photo to Seong Jiwon.

Watching Seong Jiwon chat cozily with Kang Ichae, I rested my chin on my hand.

Pretty! Ill take one for you too.

Oh, sounds good~.

Really, collecting them one by one would be so nice.

Seong Jiwon.

Being cautious, lying, hiding. I did all that because theres something I wanted to know.

He may have stumbled, but I couldnt deny that he was a wise guy.

Everyone has something theyre desperate for.[2]

That was true.

I didnt know at his age, but Seong Jiwon already did.

Hes right.

So, what do you think, hyung? A good plan, isnt it?

I, too, was desperately curious.

Yeah, whatever.

I smiled at Kang Ichae.

Once I leave this world, I might never see him again, or he may not remember me even if we met in the original world.

He would probably be sad if he knew my true feelings.

Maybe take more next year.

Its okay since I didnt make a promise I couldnt keep.

Hyung, so how does it feel to be twenty-four?

Damn touching.

Eh? I get it for me becoming an adult, but why you?

Youre young.

Isnt it usually the opposite??

What would you guys know?

After all, Ive regressed.

[1] About 5.3 million USD.

[2] See Episode 118.