A Failed Idol’s Rise to Bottom

“It’s all right, Hyung. That’s possible.”

Yoo Chan patted Su-Gyeom on the back. Su-Gyeom felt the touch and looked up at Yoo-Chan with drooping eyes.

“Really? But the supervisor says this is the first time.”

“You’ll have a lot of other experiences.”

Su-Gyeom felt relief from Yoo-Chan’s comfort.

“That’s a relief. Yoo-Chan, what was your score?”

“I… 100 points.”

“……Oh, right… Go away.”

Yoo Chan’s efforts to comfort depressed Su-Gyeom quickly went to nothing; rather, it was counterproductive. Su-Gyeom briefly overlooked the fact that Yoo-Chan passed the test with a perfect score and soon became more depressed.

Not only the members but also the production crew burst into laughter.

***

After the filming was completed, the car carrying the members headed to the beef restaurant where Seo-Wook was waiting. It is a place where beef is grilled partly, and it was famous for its high price.

Su-Gyeom had been in a low mood as a result of his license test and was feeling better as the restaurant approached.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Huh? What?”

“I mean your feelings.”

Su-Gyeom was surprised, wondering how Tae-Won was able to tell. Tae-Won, who was watching, burst into extreme laughter.

“It would be weirder not to know your feelings. It looks so transparent.”

“Really…?”

“Yes, indeed.”

Su-Gyeom became embarrassed and scratched the back of his hand. Meanwhile, the van stopped in front of the restaurant.

“Get off first. I’ll put park the van.”

“Yes! Enjoy!”

The members got out of the car quickly. Su-Gyeom greeted Min-Seung, recalling what he had heard earlier. Min-Seung said they would eat in a room reserved separately from other staff members. Only the U-PITE members and Seo-Wook would eat in a different room.

Su-Gyeom headed to the room where Seo-Wook was waiting under the guidance of the staff and took a deep breath in front of the door. It was because he was nervous thinking he would meet Seo-Wook again.

He was nervous because the person who liked him was the company’s director.

Han-Sol whispered in a low voice in Su-Gyeom’s ear.

“Hyung, don’t be so nervous. I’m jealous.”

“What?”

It was ridiculous that he was jealous because Su-Gyeom was nervous, but on the other hand, Su-Gyeom’s cheeks heated up as he felt like his heart was being conveyed without filtration.

While Su-Gyeom was cooling off his hot cheeks, Han-Sol opened the door, wrapped his shoulder in one arm, and entered the room.

“Uh, uh….”

It happened without any time to stop.

Su-Gyeom belatedly thought something was wrong but didn’t hate it enough to hit Han-Sol’s arm. Su-Gyeom was used to the other member’s touch.

Seo-Wook slightly peeked his eyes at the two and slightly tilted his head to the side. As soon as Seo-Wook tried to open his mouth, Han-Sol said faster.

“Hyung, sit down here.”

Han-Sol is already leading him while holding his shoulder, so he had no choice when he said to sit. Su-Gyeom sat next to him. Thanks to this, Su-Gyeom sat with Han-Sol on the right and a wall on the left.

In addition, he sat at the end of the diagonal line with Seo-Wook.

Seo-Wook snorted as if he was dumbfounded, but Su-Gyeom, who was far from him, did not see it.

The members then entered the room, wondering where they would take a seat for a while, and then stared at Han-Sol with dissatisfied eyes. However, Han-Sol smiled pleasantly with a proud face, pretending to be fine.

Yoo-Chan quickly sat across from Su-Gyeom.

Then it was Lee-Gyeom who settled down to the seat next to Yoo-Chan. Two tables were connected so three people could sit in each chair, but Lee-Gyeom casually brought the tableware from Seon-Wook’s side and moved it to Su-Gyeom’s table. Thanks to this, Tae-Won was left alone with Seo-Wook.

The director was the one who the members kept in check the most. If the public enemy director could be separated from Su-Gyeom as far as possible, it would have been an acceptance to take a step back now.

“……you guys are so cute.”

“Thank you!”

Tae-Won smiled back at Seo-Wook’s remark, which was ridiculous and clearly ironic.

Seo-Wook closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. It was embarrassing to think he would compete with these young children, but it bothered him on the one hand.

The members lived with Su-Gyeom for 24 hours, and nobody knew what could happen. Precisely because of this reason, he felt restless.

“I’m thinking of moving your accommodation. What do you think?”

“What? Suddenly?”

Su-Gyeom was eating potato salad as a side dish and asked back. Coincidentally, Han-Sol and Tae-Won covered Su-Gyeom with their bodies, so he could barely see his face.

Seo-Wook smiled as if nothing had happened, but he slowly became irritated. What a bunch of cute kids. He smiled slowly and decided to carry out the plan he had been thinking about.

“You’ve grown up enough now, and I think it’ll be inconvenient to share a room.”

“It’s not particularly uncomfortable.”

Lee-Gyeom replied in a firm tone. Regardless of whether he did or not, Seo-Wook continued.

“I just found a sale in the building I live in. It’s just downstairs from my house, and there are six rooms. There are three bathrooms. We can each use a room, and one for clothes. There are three bathrooms, so preparing will be much easier than now.”

“Wow, that’s awesome.”

At Seo-Wook’s words, Su-Gyeom’s eyes sparkled. The darkening of the other members’ faces was not something that Su-Gyeom, fascinated by the story of the new house, could notice.

“It’s really good. Oh, of course, the accommodation is good now, but I like the fact that there are three bathrooms!”

“Right? I prepared it because I thought so.”

“Uh……but wouldn’t it be too expensive? I think it’s too much for us.”

“Are you worried that I don’t have money?”

“Well, that’s not the case…….”

At Seo-Wook’s words, Su-Gyeom blurred the end of his words.

If Seo-Wook put forward his wealth, Su-Gyeom had nothing to say. He has a vague idea of how rich he is. He heard that his house has been running steel companies for generations and has factories in Korea but worldwide.

When Su-Gyeom recalled that fact, he wondered how useless it was to worry about money. Su-Gyeom just wanted to enjoy the comfort he was given.

Then Su-Gyeom looked at him with a sudden thought.

“Then does the director live there alone? In a house with six rooms and three bathrooms?”

“No.”

“Are you living with someone else?”

Su-Gyeom was surprised and asked back, and Seo-Wook’s answer came back at once.

“Why are you disappointed?”

“No, no. I was surprised you don’t like a person who would live with someone.”

Seo-Wook smiled and squinted his eyes. He looked like he was going to die because Su-Gyeom was so cute. Su-Gyeom felt like his face was heating up at the smile, so he swept the back of his nose.

“My house is on the top floor, so it has two floors, so there are more rooms and bathrooms.”

“The penthouse that I’ve only heard about!”

In response to an unexpected answer, Su-Gyeom covered his mouth with both hands. It’s amazing to live in a six-bedroom house alone, you know.

In his head, the penthouse that he saw in the drama unfolded. Su-Gyeom’s heart was pounding, just imagining what a luxurious house it was.

“There are a lot of rooms, so if you’re frustrated there, come to my house.”

“Really?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Oh, no.”

Su-Gyeom was delighted with Seo-Wook’s words but soon recalled the fact that he liked him and hurriedly withdrew his words. Then Seo-Wook stretched his lips again and laughed.

“By the way, I heard Su-Gyeom took a driver’s license test today.”

“.…….”

“What’s wrong with the reaction? Did you fail?”

“.…….”

There was silence in the room at Seo-Wook’s question. Su-Gyeom put down his chopsticks and bowed his head. The other members bit their lower lips to close their smudging laughter.