The Idol Who Returned from Hell Chapter 182

“Ugh, my head……”

After finishing a warm shower and coming out, some groaning greeted me.

Chae Ha-ru, who had just woken up on the bed across from me, was pressing his temples while letting out moans.

“Brother Si-hwan, my stomach feels so queasy.”

“Well, who told you to drink that much soju and beer yesterday?”

“I’m sorry. But there was no way to avoid it. Brother Seon-woo kept pouring drinks nonstop beside me, and there was no way to refuse……”

“Right, the source of all evil was somewhere else.”

The after-party prepared for the fan meeting was really…… well, it was an after-party.

Literally a scene where everything inside was completely emptied out.

I shook my head thinking of the two walking corpses I had barely dragged into the dorm last night.

‘Si-hyeok had a hard time too.’

While I carried Chae Ha-ru on my back, Ma Si-hyeok had shouldered Kang Seon-woo.

That big guy was also the type who drank well, but he had gotten a bit dangerous after picking up various drinks from people around.

I was really forced into conscription for the transport team because there were two members whose minds had flown all the way to Andromeda.

Come to think of it, while we were one thing, I was a bit worried about the company people who had to handle urgent work today.

They had even dropped a major bomb declaration while drunk about preparing a full first album for the next comeback.

I guess I need to solve the problem of the younger brother in front of me first.

“Ha-ru, wash up and come down. I’ll make something to settle your stomach.”

“Thank you……”

I threw on a hoodie and went down to the kitchen.

I was thinking about what kind of soup to make when there was already someone busily moving around in the kitchen.

“Oh, Brother Si-hwan. Did you sleep well?”

“Si-hyeok, you’re already up? Doesn’t your stomach hurt?”

“I seem to have faster recovery than expected. I’m totally fine.”

Steam was rising from the pot Ma Si-hyeok was stirring.

When I smelled it, I could feel a sweet and spicy flavor.

“This smells familiar?”

“Nothing beats ramen for hangovers. Plus I’m adding some seafood to make it feel like spicy seafood stew.”

No wonder it was familiar—it smelled very similar to the spicy seafood stew from the reality show.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“It’s almost finished already, hmm…… It would be great if you could set the table in advance.”

“Okay.”

While I was diligently setting the table, Cerberus, who had been lying around lazily, yawned.

{Master, it looked really hectic yesterday.}

‘Just know that it was extremely tough.’

{I’ve never seen people who looked like corpses since coming to this world yesterday! It was really fascinating. They weren’t actually dead, right?}

‘……Linguistically, we do say they’re dead. But they’re not really dead.’

{Hmmm. That aside, Master. You have to keep the promise you made with me today.}

The promise I made with Cerberus.

What was it? I was thinking about it when Cerberus clicked his tongue and grumbled, unable to watch anymore.

{Right, Master is too busy to remember the promise to play outside with me. I’m so disappointed, Master.}

‘Ah, ah. Of course I remembered.’

{I can tell you’re lying!}

‘No, I really remembered. Of course…… well, I was a bit out of it preparing for the fan meeting.’

{That’s mean!}

I quickly put down my chopsticks and thought again.

Then a new person entered the kitchen, ruffling his hair.

“I wondered what that delicious smell was, and it’s ramen as expected.”

“It’s almost ready, so wait a little.”

“Got it, Chef Ma.”

Seong-hwi, who had confidently called himself a strong soju drinker, had really maintained his dignity by drinking 3 bottles of soju yesterday without a problem.

Even now, seeing him grinning like that, he didn’t seem to have any hangover at all.

Amazing constitution.

Looking at him, a good idea immediately came to mind.

“Hwi.”

“Oh, Brother Si-hwan calling my name so sweetly first thing in the morning is 100% sign that you have some scheme, right?”

“……Stop acting like you’re so sharp.”

“What can I do when being sharp is the truth?”

If I let my guard down even a little, I’d quickly get swept up in that crazy guy’s pace.

I cleared my throat and got straight to the point.

“You know our NeoTube vlog?”

“Yeah.”

“We haven’t filmed the follow-up episode yet, right?”

“We were too busy with the fan meeting to film. Why?”

“Want to film while walking Cer today? A daily vlog.”

“Aha.”

Seong-hwi narrowed his eyes and smiled.

“You figured it out too, right? That Cer was way more popular than us on the reality show.”

“I didn’t know that much.”

“Oh really? I thought you knew that and were suggesting we take Cer for a walk on purpose.”

I had unintentionally hit one of MILLENNIUM’s needs for the day.

“I’m fine with it. We don’t have any schedule until next week anyway.”

“Then let’s head to the park around 2 o’clock.”

{Yes! Finally I can walk around outside fully without using invisibility!}

Cerberus, who had been eavesdropping on our conversation, let out a big cheer.

When I think about it, he really had a hard time following me around in stealth mode since filming 〈Idol Stove League Season 2〉.

I should have paid attention sooner—that thought came belatedly.

When Ma Si-hyeok’s seafood ramen was completed, CENTIX gradually gathered to the kitchen attracted by the fantastic smell.

……Chae Ha-ru and Kang Seon-woo still looked pale and felt like zombies though.

“Whoa! Ah, the broth is so good.”

“Brother, I really thought you went crazy yesterday!”

“I, I don’t even remember what I did.”

“You really don’t remember? You were blowing into a bottle like a horn and trying to run around linking arms with the managers while Brother Si-hwan was trying to stop you—”

“Stop! Don’t remind me of any more of my dark history!”

Yu Ha-woon was reciting Kang Seon-woo’s antics in detail with the most innocent smile, causing quite a commotion.

It was essentially Yu Ha-woon’s final victory after only drinking cola at the after-party.

The youngest, who emptied two bowls of ramen in perfect condition, immediately reacted when he heard that Seong-hwi and I were going outside.

“I want to go too, Brother!”

“Your condition is okay…… ah, you’re the most fine among us.”

“I know Cer’s favorite snacks well too, so I’ll pick them out in advance.”

That’s how the walk & vlog expedition team was finalized.

As usual, we put on black hats and masks and went down to the company building’s basement to meet with our manager.

“In one way, you guys are amazing.”

“Yes?”

“I gave you some rest time saying you worked hard during the intense schedule, but on the first day of vacation, you’re going out to film a NeoTube video. I never could have imagined this situation.”

“Ahaha, when you put it that way, you’re also working by accepting our request, right? We’re in the same boat.”

“……When you put it like that, I guess so?”

Manager quickly agreed with Seong-hwi’s logical point.

Today’s destination was Olympic Park.

Apparently there’s a spacious pet park established within the park. It’s supposedly a popular spot that many dog owners visit.

I was petting Cerberus’s small body when I suddenly got lost in thought.

‘Cerberus was originally big in size, but now that he’s small, won’t he get bullied by other dogs?’

{Hey, Master! What do you take me for? My body might be small and insignificant, but my mind is still the same, you know? I can crush those big dogs with my aura!}

‘Ah, is that so? Then that’s good.’

{What’s with that doubtful tone?}

He might have strong spirit, but it’s questionable whether he can overcome the size difference, but whatever. Since Cerberus says so, I’ll let it pass for now.

When Seoul’s iconic landmark tower started becoming visible, Yu Ha-woon wiggled excitedly.

“Brothers, we’re almost there! Ah, it feels so good to leisurely walk around Seoul like this.”

“It might not be entirely leisurely. Wearing masks is mandatory at all times.”

“I, I suddenly remembered something.”

Yu Ha-woon stuttered after hearing my words.

It seems like some bad memory resurfaced.

“When we all went to see Brother Si-hwan’s subway advertisement special benefit, we got surrounded by fans in like 5 seconds. Even then it was before debut, but if our faces get exposed now……”

That’s quite a valid point.

I still have that crowd that swarmed us deeply etched in my mind too.

But Seong-hwi deployed logic again.

“Still, parks have a lot of families, so it might be relatively okay. Plus the space is open, so if we’re just careful, there shouldn’t be problems.”

Looking at the portable tripod stand and selfie stick in his hand, he definitely looked like a vlogger.

Since it was a weekday afternoon, there were relatively few cars even in the parking lot.

No matter how much Cerberus is a super dog who can even talk to me, to ordinary people he looks like a regular Yorkshire Terrier.

Even if it’s frustrating, a leash is essential.

Cerberus had requested in advance that he wanted a cute and lively pink color.

After properly attaching the leash to his collar and letting it hang down, the result was unanimous reactions.

“……Cer stands out more than us, doesn’t he?”

“Right. There’s no other dog around with such a hot pink leash.”

“He enjoys that kind of attention.”

“As expected, a dog raised by an idol is somehow different.”

The walk was surprisingly smooth.

It was a time when there weren’t many people, and most visitors were families.

Even I, who had been constantly adjusting my hat, relaxed a bit and looked at the scenery.

{Wow, Master! This grass field is huge!}

‘It is.’

{It’s like the old Asphodel plains! Memories are flooding back!}

Looking at the vast grass field immediately brought back memories of old hell for Cerberus.

The sight of him running excitedly on short legs was really cute.

I could see why MILLENNIUM wanted more of Cerberus’s screen time.

“Was Cer’s butt always this plump?”

Seong-hwi, who was filming, suddenly asked a question.

I checked the phone screen and indeed saw a plump butt boasting the visual of toasted bread.

“Ehehe! I did feed Cer quite a lot of snacks.”

“He just eats and lies around all day, so of course he’d gain weight.”

“Ha-woon, you need to control Cer’s snacks. If you keep giving them recklessly, he’ll develop bad habits.”

“His habits seem to have gone bad already—”

“Such irresponsible statements are prohibited.”

Yu Ha-woon promised to control the snacks while pulling out a treat from his pocket.

Cerberus, who had amazingly caught that scent, quickly rushed over to us.

{Snacks are the best thing in the world!}

‘If you eat that, you’ll have to run around this field three more times.’

{I don’t mind! Master, you’ll have to run together too, are you okay with that?}

‘That’s why I brought two other workers.’

{I, I’ve been tricked!}

I spread out a mat and sat down comfortably.

Yu Ha-woon, who became the first walking worker, was giggling for some unknown reason.

“Today’s lunch is sandwiches personally made by Chef Ma. They’ll be delicious, right?”

Seong-hwi held his phone up to the sandwiches.

Watching him use an unusually soft tone compared to usual made me feel cognitive dissonance.

While Seong-hwi was decorating the vlog with firm professional spirit, I checked if any special messages had come.

There wasn’t any particular news, but……

[Senior Joo Han-ul: That’s what I know]

“……”

The 4 messages from Joo Han-ul were very concerning.

The last conversation we had was definitely around Chuseok about PDs preparing some program.

And it was about Baek Joo-won making contact with those PDs.

I held my breath and quietly clicked on the message.

Let me check what the content is first.