The Malicious Member is Back! - Chapter 89
Why is he here at this hour?
Since I had already been deeply troubled about Logan’s impending departure, seeing his face in 3D surround sound left me feeling utterly perplexed. Because…
“He’s not a regular person.”
“Then who is he? A staff member? Or just another trainee?”
“Uh, he’s a trainee roommate who shares a room with me….”
“What? Then introduce us. We came all this way, are you just going to let this sister go without meeting him?”
Knowing my sister, a teacher at a Confucian Korean high school, she would definitely be like this.
Normally, she would just let it pass, but given her heightened interest in <Targeting Star> right now, it was only natural for her to be curious about a trainee who shared a room with me.
Normally, I would introduce him without a second thought…
Before I came back, troubled guys who always drank with me during my problematic days used to have faces like that.
However, I couldn’t ignore the expectant looks from my sister and dad.
“…Hey, Logan?”
“―Oh? Chunyong hyung?”
Hearing my voice, Logan slowly approached us, cautiously looking between me and my family before opening his mouth.
“Oh, the people behind you are…?”
“Oh, yeah. My sister and my father. I just thought it would be nice to introduce you since we ran into each other….”
“Huh.”
Logan paused for a moment at my words, then wiped his hands on his pants and extended his right hand towards my sister and dad.
“Hello, I’m Logan Lee! Meeting Chunyong hyung’s family, it seems like today’s jogging was meant for this moment!”
‘…Oh.’
I sighed softly as I looked at Logan’s bright smile.
Logan’s attitude towards my family couldn’t have been more perfect.
“Wow, Chunyong hyung must resemble his father. Just by looking, one would think that you’re his brother, not his father.”
“I-is that so? Haha, I feel good hearing that I look young….”
Maintaining a smile throughout the conversation, using words that make others feel good, and speaking in a pleasant voice.
But, I’ve been watching Logan for almost two months now.
“Wow, your sister is a teacher, Chunyong hyung. That’s amazing. I don’t particularly enjoy studying, so I always find it impressive when I see someone who teaches.”
“Oh my, he’s handsome and speaks so nicely….”
On the surface, Logan looks like a friendly dog, a happy retriever….
“Thanks to Chunyong hyung taking care of me, I’m really happy. I’m glad I could express my gratitude like this.”
…I could tell that it wasn’t out of genuine happiness and joy.
As if to prove my point, Logan’s mouth and eyes were smiling brightly, but his gaze was cold.
Unlike usual, it was as if he was wearing a mask.
“I hope we can meet again. Take care, see ya!”
“Sure, trainee. Come visit our house sometime!”
“Anytime a handsome trainee visits, he’s always welcome….”
After the brief conversation and farewell between Logan and my family, as we walked towards the dormitory.
Logan, who would usually strike up a conversation, kept his mouth shut.
“Hey, Logan.”
“…Huh? What is it, Chunyong hyung?”
“Is something wrong? You’ve been looking off since earlier.”
I had some clues about the situation.
The two-day break, his expression suddenly darkened. Plus, the conversation I overheard between Liu Wei and Gao Yan, and my past memories.
However, until I heard it directly from Logan, it was not something I could bring up rashly.
“Um….”
In response to my question, Logan seemed to be choosing his words carefully, then he answered with a slightly defeated smile.
“Chunyong hyung seems to have a good relationship with his family.”
“What, Logan?”
“No, no. It’s just… something….”
Did I hear that wrong?
…It sounded like Logan ended his sentence with something like envy.
Moreover, why is he suddenly bringing up my family? What’s going on?
But before I could question my hearing any further, Logan spoke with a visibly confused expression.
“Right, I’m only telling this to you, Chunyong hyung. It’s a secret from the other flatmates and trainees.”
I-I might have to go back to England soon.
“Probably the next filming will be my last. I’ll do my best for the remaining shoots, but….”
“…….”
“That’s how it is. Jesus. This feels really strange, you know? It was decided during the short holiday….”
He indirectly said he had to go back, but essentially, it meant he was leaving the show.
Not just before the next competition, but since the second competition’s break, talks about Logan’s departure had already started.
“…Suddenly? Why do you have to go back?”
I had already anticipated this, so I tried to act as naturally surprised as possible and subtly inquired about the reason.
The earlier mention of family was unexpected, but this was something I could probe further.
But, as expected, Logan didn’t give a straightforward answer.
“God, well. It’s a bit hard to say.”
“Are you going back because you want to? It doesn’t seem like that. If it’s something like that, maybe I can help.”
“It’s that, but bloody… it’s beyond what you can help with.”
This was a different side of Logan than what I had seen before.
Colder, perhaps. Or more distant.
Or maybe this was his true personality, just masked by the survival show environment making him appear more lively.
Logan, tapping his foot and rubbing his forehead, quickly added with a flustered expression, noticing my puzzled look.
“Holy! Chunyong hyung, you must. You must keep this to yourself. God, I didn’t even plan to talk about this.”
“…Okay, but first―”
“Whatever, anyway! I have to go. Gao Yan asked me to wake him up, but I forgot! Take your time, Bro.“
As I watched Logan quickly retreat after saying his piece, I licked my lips.
Yeah. Maybe this approach was wrong.
“…But it can’t be helped.”
I didn’t want to pry too much, but given the situation.
I silently apologized to Logan as he hurried away.
What Logan didn’t know was that I knew what we were going to film next and,
“In my problematic days, I’ve heard confessions from at least a hundred troubled guys…”
Don’t worry, Logan.
Unlike then, this time, I’m genuinely trying to help you, man.
