The Malicious Member is Back! - Chapter 21
“Bang Yu Chan…right?”
As I mentioned his name, the person in front of me widened his eyes in surprise.
“Huh? Do you know who I am? I’m just an ordinary person. How could you know?”
Of course.
Bang Yu Chan, the top-ranking student who entered a prestigious Korean university’s Department of Practical Music with a competition ratio of 89:1 in the year 201X.
…The main vocalist of Arrows.
‘You know, you were the main vocalist in our team. You hit all the high notes that I couldn’t. Haha, I remember him yelling at me to pull myself together and screaming in the 8th octave.’
But I can’t say things like that.
For a moment, I rolled my head, recalling that Yu Chan performed on stage before me.
“Oh, you performed on stage earlier. You sang well. You’re two years older than me, and… feel free to speak comfortably, hyung.”
“Oh, then I’ll speak comfortably. I was so embarrassed because I sang worse than usual. You’re very nice, huh.”
With his words flowing, Yu Chan sat down in the chair next to me and started talking about various things.
Whether my recent stage was impressive, or that he took a break from university to come out today, or that he felt very nervous because he didn’t know anyone and wanted to be friends with me.
As I nodded my head in appreciation that I was talking to a former member, I thought back to Yu Chan’s last words and was stunned.
“…With me? You want to be friends with me?”
“Huh? Is that such a surprise?”
“Oh, no. I mean, I like you, it’s just that….”
I couldn’t find the right words to respond and had to keep my mouth shut for a moment.
Getting close to Yu Chan hyung in the survival program <Targeting Star>…
“I’m very, very grateful for this precious opportunity… and I hope to repay this love even after debuting.”
As Yu Chan hyung climbed the ranks with growing skills and a cheerful personality, he became a popular trainee, securing the fourth spot in the debut group without any trouble.
Getting close to such a hyung would undoubtedly be an invaluable help in achieving the current goal of ‘Targeting Star’—making it to the final six contestants.
But…
Can I really do it?
I’ve only been a burden to Yu Chan hyung and other members so far. I’ve never been helpful. Is it audacious to think about getting on the same bus again?
“Uh, well, you see…”
The sentence spun around in my mind, unorganized. I pounded my chest, trying to find the right words.
“Uh, what’s wrong? Did you get sick after drinking the beverage?”
Watching me with wide eyes due to my strange behavior, Yu Chan hyung finally seemed to realize something. He suddenly draped his arm around my shoulders, whispering.
“Is it because you got called out by Mentor Min Si young? Are you worried about getting penalized?”
At his words, I looked up at him, my eyes darting around.
No, that’s not it.
I feel sorry for the members who I made suffer in the past.
It has nothing to do with being caught by Min Si Young Seonbae!
But Yu Chan hyung, perhaps interpreting my actions as an affirmation, patted my back with a sympathetic expression and continued to whisper.
“Hey, it’s okay, it’s not like we’re seventeen or eighteen years old. And if we get in trouble on set for being so close to you, we can just post it on the internet. It’s the way the world is these days.”
I listened to Yu Chan hyung’s words and my mouth hung open.
Oh, right.
It’s been so long since I had a conversation with him; I almost forgot.
Yuchan hyung was originally this kind of person.
“Chunyong-ah, why are you putting up with these words? Let’s sue!”
Unlike other members whose social skills were ruined by long trainee life, Yu Chan hyung, who smoothly finished his schooling from elementary to high school and successfully completed university entrance exams, quickly handled external issues.
In the early days of our debut, when there were articles framing me and malicious comments surfaced, Hyung helped me handle them.
Yuchan hyung grabbed my shoulder and shook me playfully, laughing melodically.
“Hey, why are you so timid? On stage, you act like you’re going to devour everyone! You’re really funny. You’re gonna teach me a lot of dances, right?”
Same as always.
Suppressing my overwhelming emotions, I nonchalantly responded,
“Then, hyung, teach me singing too.”
“Oh, of course. I’m good at giving and taking.”
As Hyung continued his usual banter, I was about to smile when I heard the youngest writer’s announcement from the stage.
“We will proceed with the reshoot! Everyone, please gather!”
I headed towards the side of the stage with Yu Chan hyung, smiling with the familiar face of laughter.
I clenched my teeth in determination.
This time, I will not become an obstacle for the members.
No matter what happens, I will debut with ‘Arrows’ and we’ll reach the top of the world.
