Chapter 168

Ichae completed the song.

With a low synthesizer as the base, it had a pounding beat from the beginning and a rich melody that stimulated people.

"...It's really good."

Despite listening to it dozens of times while recording for the upcoming release a week earlier, all the members couldn't help but express admiration even while dancing in the practice room.

Usually, when this happened, Ichae would either respond playfully or laugh heartily, but lately, his reactions had been lackluster.

"...Is it good? I'm glad."

Whenever he tried to speak, it was just empty words without any soul.

Although the schedule was tight, from music composition to recording and submitting the song, Ichae still didn't seem satisfied.

'I wonder if I should curse at Hyeonsu or thank her.'

Although his condition was somewhat off, he had still managed to elevate someone of a high caliber to the celestial realm.

Eventually, everyone got caught up in the song and added more rehearsals, practicing until dawn, and leaving the practice room with pale faces around 6 PM.

"This is really on another level..."

"The song?"

"The song and the rehearsal too..."

Midway through, Joo Woosong and even Han chaeri, with a camera, came and went, and everyone's expressions were intriguing.

Whether it was a positive signal or not, they had to do their best for now.

"My brain isn't working right now..."

"...Let's just sleep for three hours first."

"Yeah..."

Pushing away a whining Jung Dajun, I took out my phone.

"...You guys go ahead."

"Why? What's going on?"

The members' surprised eyes were on me.

Realizing that it had been several months since I had a proper conversation with Seoho and I after sending messages back and forth, I felt a bit awkward.

"I'm going to pick up some clothes."

We didn't usually contact each other often.

Thinking of it, I felt like I should take action now rather than procrastinate.

Leaving the members who nodded in understanding behind, I adjusted my hat and headed home for the first time in a while.

'I wonder if my younger brother is eating well.'

Pressing the familiar door lock password,

Click, click, click... Ring.

As I opened the door and entered, the house seemed strangely quiet.

"Seoho."

Seeing no response, he must have gone out.

Glancing briefly at the parents' photo beside the TV, I took off my shoes and went inside.

"Seo-."

[How was last Friday?]

At that moment, I heard voices from the bedroom.

'Oh, he's here.'

I could hear the conversation clearly through the speakerphone.

Since there didn't seem to be a need to go in and greet them, I headed to the kitchen to see what was there, opening the refrigerator to check for food.

'It seems like he's eating well, that kid.'

There was rice in the rice cooker, and there were enough side dishes.

He's taking good care of himself.

"He eats quite well, this kid."

There's rice in the rice cooker, and there are enough side dishes.

He takes good care of himself.

I grabbed a drink and sat down at the dining table, sipping it. Seoho, who still didn't realize I was home, was still on the phone.

"[Did you go to the meeting? What did the fashion design major guy say? Didn't he say something about the orthopedics department being full of handsome seniors? Introduce me.]"

Seoho? Fashion design major? What's he up to? Why bother with such annoying stuff?

"[Don't be fooled by appearances. I cursed him out, saying he's a jerk with a bad personality, but he just looked at me pitifully. Damn it. It's good that victims are coming forward, but does he have to interfere with my dating business too??]"

"Cut it out... you're pissing me off."

"...??"

I almost spat out my drink as I accidentally overheard.

'...Why is he speaking like me?'

It wasn't just similar; it was exactly like my way of speaking.

The time for being careful about what I say in front of my child ended a long time ago. Seoho is an adult, so he should be able to manage his speech habits himself.

Continuing to eavesdrop on the conversation would be a bad move, so I set the can down on the table and kicked the door open with my foot.

"Hey."

"...?!"

Seoho, who had been lying on the bed like melted jelly, suddenly got up.

"Uh, Hyung, you're here??"

[Hyung?]

"..."

"What's going on, when did..."

[Oh, Seoho, your hyung's here too??]

His friend's surprised voice continued to ring.

"Hey, stop saying useless stuff and send an email or something."

In a hurry, Seoho turned off the speakerphone and blurted out his words before hanging up the call.

I leaned against the doorframe and watched the scene unfold.

"What's up, why did you come without saying anything?"

"This is my house. You're not even paying rent, are you?"

"...I know."

Seoho grumbled with a pout, and I slumped into the chair in front of the desk.

I glanced at the frame occupying one side of the desk. There was a picture of my parents, Seoho, and me.

"Is everything okay?"

"There's nothing wrong."

"Really?"

"Nothing."

Seeing my expression, Seoho laughed as if he couldn't believe it.

"Don't worry... Oh, Hyung. I heard you're filming something?"

"Yeah. It's the final soon."

His answer seemed a bit off.

Despite his seemingly normal appearance, Seoho was covered in sweat, and his breathing was erratic.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"I just overdid it a bit... There's a lot to do after the start of the semester."

No, if you're sick, you should rely on modern medicine. Why are you groaning alone like this?

"Don't you have anyone to take care of you after taking twenty-four tablets?"

"I'll manage on my own~."

Still, judging from how he keeps responding, he doesn't seem to be in that much pain.

"Do you want to go to the hospital?"

"The day before yesterday, I already went once."

He's better off than me.

Come to think of it, there were torn medicine packets and half-empty water bottles by the bedside.

I was tempted to pass it off as something he would handle on his own, but Seoho suddenly gasped for breath, his face red, and collapsed onto the bed, wrapping himself tightly in the blanket.

Should I take him to the hospital now? I searched my phone while considering.

There seemed to be places offering nighttime medical services.

Scrolling down the phone screen, I asked casually, "What did the doctor say? Is it a cold?"

"...Hmm."

And then Seoho hesitated for a moment.

"Well, the doctor said it's nothing serious."

As I was checking the name of the hospital... I blinked.

"...Nothing serious?"

"I'm fine. It's just stress or something like that. Who doesn't get stressed?"

Seoho raised his sweaty forehead and furrowed his brows.

"I was told to get some medicine, so I took it. I felt a bit better after that."

Thump, thump.

I felt my heart pounding faster and faster.

Somehow, I felt uneasy.

Because, his symptoms seem a bit...

"...Hyung?"

...similar to when I received penalties for abusing the system.

As Seoho, who sensed something strange about my frozen state, stood up from his seat, he suddenly turned pale and quickly covered his mouth.

"...Ugh."

"...!"

I braced myself as if he was about to vomit, but my spine tingled with anxiety.

"Move, get out of the way."

He pushed me aside and rushed to the bathroom.

I stared blankly at Seoho's retreating figure, standing there motionless in the chilling air.

"...Hyung."

A while later, Seoho, with the sound of water rinsing in the background, sat down heavily on the edge of the bed.

"...Did I do something wrong?"

He looked at me with a puzzled expression on his face.

I suppressed the words I wanted to say and quickly brushed off my emotions.

"Why? Are you feeling hurt? If so, just say it now."

"Well, um, your expression seemed weird-."

"Forget it. If you feel worse, go back to the hospital."

Seoho extended his lips in a faintly irritated manner, as if it was bothersome, and hesitantly picked up the words.

"It's not that painful, so..."

"I've found a hospital that offers nighttime medical services. I'll send you the map through text, so go there. I have to go because of my schedule. Here, take the taxi fare."

I took out my wallet from the back pocket and handed him all the bills I could find.

"Judging by your vomiting, it seems like you're sick. Don't just pick up and eat anything, kid."

"It's not like that."

"If you can't go to the hospital alone, I'll go with you."

"I said it's fine, just go."

"...Okay."

After scrutinizing his complexion once more, I headed for the front door.

As I put on my shoes and adjusted the laces, Seoho timidly followed me out, standing awkwardly by my side.

"Hyung, that... "

"Yeah?"

Listening to Seoho's hesitant voice, I untied the tightly knotted shoelaces deliberately.

"There's really nothing wrong, right?"

I fiddled with the ends of the shoelaces for a moment before tying them tightly again.

"...hojin."

Then I suddenly stood up and turned around.

"Why are you so persistent? Do you want something to happen to me?"

"I didn't mean it like that."

Seoho, with a stupid expression on his face.

Who does he resemble? A quick-witted kid who notices everything unnecessarily.

"You're going to the finals, and your little brother has nothing to say?"

"...Hmm."

With his arms crossed, Seoho looked at me.

"Don't push yourself too hard."

"It's not that, you brat."

I gently ruffled Seoho's hair, which was covered in sweat, and smiled.

"come back after winning first place, hyung."

Then I left without hesitation.

Thud.

As the door closed, I walked to where the elevator was, pressed the button, and waited with my hand on my forehead. Unable to bear it any longer, I went down the stairs.

"...."

My face, which was fine a moment ago, suddenly sank.

Why do I feel so bad?

No matter how much I think about it, there doesn't seem to be a big problem, but it feels like I'm walking through a muddy swamp with each step.

I tapped the railing with my fingers and then called up the system window.

"What did you do to my little brother?"

Expecting it to pop up right away with a complaint or perhaps to escape, the system window, buzzing with noise, slowly appeared.

["What are you talking about??"]

Is it really that he doesn't know? Can I trust him?

Leaning against the wall, I let out a sigh.

"Ugh... If you mess with that kid, I won't let you off the hook."

I sat down on the floor and ran my hands through my hair in frustration.

Seeing my younger brother for the first time in a while, sick and lying in bed, made me feel like the moments we spent together on stage, eating together, joking around, and talking had suddenly become distant.

'Yeah, why have I come this far?'

I will successfully complete all the quests and return to how things were before.

The feeling of sinking deep within me, I turned on my phone and searched for "Shining Star Season 2," "High Five," and "The Dawn," among others.

Even though the song is good and the stage performance will likely be great, no matter how much I calculate the probabilities and adjust my plans, the outcome seems inevitable.

To everyone, it's clear that we're going to lose this game.

Although The Dawn has gained momentum, the fandom and resources have always been in favor of High Five. Moreover, the final competition will be based on both pre-released song scores and live voting, putting The Dawn at a further disadvantage.

Next to me, the quest window appeared.

[Achieve 1st place in Shining Star Season 2!

The long-awaited survival program is back!

Win 1st place in Shining Star Season 2.

Success: Vocal stat greatly increases. Failure: Seo Hoyun's confidential information leaked]

"...Unscrupulous bastards."

It was truly a penalty where conscience had gone AWOL.

'...I really didn't want to resort to this method.'

Mom came to mind first, and then Seoho's face, so reminiscent of him. Whenever my parents' story came up, I also thought of the young Seoho who used to cry whenever it was mentioned.

I weighed the future scenarios and my actions on one side of the scale and the other side on the other, pondering over them.

"Ugh... Damn it...."

When have I ever concealed my feelings?

Despite thinking that if necessary, I should do it, I couldn't bring myself to make up my mind easily.

"...Ah...."

I rubbed my face with my hands and licked my parched lips.

Yeah.

"Sorry, Mom."

Let's do it.

With a firm decision in mind, I picked up my phone. Shortly after, a signal sounded indicating that the other party had answered the call.

"...Uh? Hello?"

"Yes, PD-nim. It's me."

"What's up? What's going on?"

"Do you have some time?"

"...Why?"

Looking at the suspicious Kim Hee-young, I scratched my nose.

As a PD, he wouldn't be able to ignore my story. A little manipulation might be necessary, though.

"It's-"

I paused for a moment before speaking.

'...It's not me, anyway.'

It's better to just deceive him.

Quickly adjusting my plans, I smiled softly.

"Can we meet for a moment to talk?"

With a hint of guilt and self-loathing rising in my throat, it wasn't difficult to continue speaking with an air of nonchalance.

That's how it should be.

"It's about boosting the ratings."

Conscience had long been sold to hell.

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