The Idol Who Returned from Hell Chapter 35

It wasn’t for nothing that this sponsorship item carried the brutal price of 1.2 million money.

“Si-hyeok, could you take the photo first?”

“Yes, Brother. Just trust me.”

We had to wait for a moment when not too many people would walk this way.

When this chaotic corridor became relatively quiet, I quickly lowered my mask.

Then I took the same pose as Ryu Si-hwan in the advertisement and left a verification shot.

“Done! Now we just need to go back up the way we came—”

“Hey, wait. Aren’t those 〈ISL 2〉 trainees over there?”

“I think so? Wow, amazing! It’s Ryu Si-hwan!”

“The kids are taking verification shots! So cute!”

But no matter how much we thought we were exploiting a gap, we couldn’t perfectly escape the surveillance network.

The moment one person noticed our presence, it was only a matter of time before the crowd would surge this way.

“I’m watching the show so well!”

“Kang Seon-woo is so handsome!”

“Wow, Chae Ha-ru’s real appearance is really amazing.”

“Si-hyeok, look this way just once!”

“I love you, Ha-woon!”

“Could we possibly take just one photo? I’m even voting in the All-Star voting every day!”

“Haha…”

Kang Seon-woo and I quickly exchanged glances.

For now, not enough people had gathered to completely block the entire corridor.

If we just greeted them and disappeared right away, we could get criticized on the internet for that.

Then the answer was to quickly provide ‘appropriate’ fan service to the people currently gathered in front of us and leave before we could be called a nuisance for blocking the way.

“If it’s just taking simple photos, I think that would be okay.”

So for a few minutes, photo time enthusiastically opened.

But in just 120 seconds, too many people started gathering and we had to close it.

“Thank you, everyone!”

“Thank you so much for supporting us so enthusiastically!”

“We’ll continue to do our best going forward.”

“Please don’t forget to watch today’s live broadcast!”

When all five of us bowed our heads while quickly moving toward the entrance, fortunately a path appeared through the crowd like Moses’ miracle.

A few fans who couldn’t contain their disappointment followed us for a few more meters, but eventually recognizing that it could interfere with traffic, they stopped and just waved their hands enthusiastically.

I continued sending hand greetings to them until the end while repeatedly bowing my head.

“Keep fighting for the next filming too, Si-hwan!”

“I’ll be cheering for you!”

“Don’t get hurt, sleep properly, and eat well!”

They were all warm words without exception.

If circumstances had allowed, I would have wanted to take photos with everyone.

‘I really hope I can debut and officially hold fan signing events later.’

“Wow, I didn’t know people would gather this quickly!”

Yu Ha-woon, who was out of breath from running up the stairs, shared his thoughts with sparkling eyes.

The other guys were also breathing heavily, but their expressions looked satisfied.

“Well, at least we got the verification shots properly, that’s fortunate. Did anyone leave anything behind?”

“We didn’t bring much anyway.”

“I newly felt how considerable Brother Si-hwan’s popularity is. To think fans would already send this kind of event…”

At Ma Si-hyeok’s words, the other guys couldn’t hide their slightly envious feelings.

“Come to think of it, we really have the ranking announcement ceremony soon…”

Perhaps swept up in that atmosphere, Yu Ha-woon quietly muttered to himself.

I looked at Yu Ha-woon, who was adjusting his hat while dropping his gaze to the ground.

‘Right, it wouldn’t be human not to feel anxiety in this situation.’

Moreover, in Yu Ha-woon’s case, since he said 〈ISL 2〉 was his last chance, his emotions would be even more disturbed.

I lightly patted the head of Yu Ha-woon, who was drooping like a deflated poodle, and said briefly.

“What are you worrying about so much, man. We did well enough. Don’t you remember how much our vote difference was?”

“179 to 21 votes!”

“Right. That means the audience members who came also felt we all did well. You can have a little confidence, Ha-woon. What did I always tell you? If you just think confidently, you’re more than halfway there.”

At my words, Yu Ha-woon seemed to regain his energy again.

“I will, Brother!”

“That’s right. When I recall that memory, it’s bone-chilling, but if Ha-woon can be happy, I’ll sacrifice myself.”

“Ah, Brother Seon-woo—!”

“I’m joking.”

Kang Seon-woo, who had been thoroughly defeated by our team, flashed a sly smile and winked at me.

“The billboard is done, so now we just need to see the bus and go?”

“Yeah. What time is it now?”

“Isn’t it around 3 o’clock?”

At Kang Seon-woo’s words, I took out my phone.

It really was 3 PM.

Shoving the phone back into my pocket, I urgently ran toward the bus stop.

“The production team said the bus departs at 3 o’clock and told us to be there by then!”

“Didn’t it already leave?”

“Just run quickly for now! It might not have left yet!”

So without even time to catch our breath, we ran to the bus stop.

Like the devil’s prank, I spotted a large bus just leaving the stop.

On the back of the bus, the 〈Idol Stove League Season 2〉 logo was written in enormously large letters.

Anyone could see that departing bus was the advertising bus prepared for me.

I reached out my hand and shouted urgently.

“Driver! Driver! You can’t leave yet—!”

But there was no way my shout could be heard.

We could only pant and watch that bus disappear into the distance.

I sighed and prepared to call the 〈ISL 2〉 event director.

‘It suddenly became a Ryu Si-hwan advertising bus without Ryu Si-hwan.’

* * *

“Air conditioning! Air conditioniiiing.”

“Brother Si-hwan, can I use the bathroom first?”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

“Let’s all wash our hands first! We’re guests after all, so we should be neat.”

After various twists and turns, we returned to my house.

Fortunately, the 〈ISL 2〉 event management team immediately contacted the bus driver, so we could meet up at the next stop.

Since it was a regular local bus with my advertisement attached, I was worried we might have caused trouble, but there were no passengers on board yet.

Still, we apologized to the driver and quickly took only verification shots to avoid interfering with operations as much as possible.

Of course, the verification photos themselves weren’t taken particularly spectacularly.

Since our hair was already soaked with sweat and we even ran through the wind.

Still, having seen both the billboard and the bus meant we accomplished our primary goal.

Since operating personal SNS accounts during program participation was prohibited, I sent the photos we took today to the production team.

When verification shots are posted on the official website or something, I’ll check people’s reactions then.

We took turns getting cleaned up in the bathroom and gathered in the living room.

‘But doesn’t the homeowner usually wash up and come out first?’

Since it had been over 50 years since I invited someone to my house, my memory was hazy.

Being the last to shower, I grumbled internally while even cleaning the bathroom thoroughly before coming out.

Meanwhile, the guests had happily sprawled out as if this were their own home.

“This guy likes having his head scratched more than his belly.”

“They say if you give a dog one chew, it lasts a long time… but I think he already finished one.”

“Woof woof!”

“My, what good vocal cords.”

Kang Seon-woo and Ma Si-hyeok were playing enthusiastically with Cerberus, who had switched to pet dog mode.

On the other side, Chae Ha-ru and Yu Ha-woon were diligently choosing a menu.

“Brother Seon-woo, is it really okay to just order chicken?”

“Yeah, order whatever you want to eat. I said I’m buying today.”

“Um, is it really okay to order any expensive brand?”

When Chae Ha-ru asked in a surprised voice, Kang Seon-woo’s eyebrows raised.

“Then what kind of chicken were you thinking of eating?”

“I was just thinking of regular whole chicken sold in the neighborhood…”

“Hahaha! Ah, of course old-style whole chicken has its own appeal, but there probably isn’t anywhere that delivers it. Ha-ru, then let me introduce you to my favorite chickens. How about choosing the most delicious-looking one among them?”

“Sounds good!”

I watched Kang Seon-woo showing franchise chicken menus to Chae Ha-ru with a nonchalant expression.

Did that perceptive guy also subtly pick up on Chae Ha-ru’s unfortunate family circumstances?

If he really noticed, then Kang Seon-woo’s judgment and humanity weren’t artificially created but came from genuine sincerity.

‘I might feel a little sorry for initially concluding he was a guy deliberately pretending to be friendly.’

Yu Ha-woon, who had also heard Chae Ha-ru’s background story, was looking at Kang Seon-woo with a similar expression to mine.

Then suddenly he got down from the sofa and put both arms around Kang Seon-woo’s shoulders.

“Brother Seon-woo, the more I see you, the cooler you are!”

“Huh? Ha-woon, don’t tell me.”

“Yes?”

“Are you acting cute like this because I’m buying chicken? The kid who’s usually devoted to Si-hwan with single-minded determination?”

“No, no! Absolutely not!”

“This guy, caught red-handed!”

“No, Brother! Ow ow, don’t pinch my cheeks!”

Unlike the three playing like real brothers, Ma Si-hyeok was radiating a tense atmosphere.

Looking ahead motionlessly like that, he looked exactly like a delinquent.

“Si-hyeok.”

“Huh, what—? Ah, I was thinking about something else for a moment.”

I still can’t get used to how he gets flustered when his name is called.

I looked at his tightly clenched mouth and chuckled.

“Are you worried your team’s practice process will come out strangely in episode 4?”

“How did you know?”

“It’s written all over your expression, man. It’s okay, relax.”

“But… considering Seong-hwi’s image created in previous episodes, he’ll definitely receive strange editing today too.”

I thought he was worried about his own screen time hardly appearing.

But was he worrying about poor Seong-hwi?

“Well, avoiding giving KNet room for what they’d like is the best strategy in this program. If Seong-hwi personally stepped forward and said those things, there’s nothing you can do about it, right?”

“Still, if we hadn’t gone strong then, our team probably would have gone completely off track.”

Ma Si-hyeok seemed to place meaning in having finished the overall stage well.

So the stories involved in that process felt even more important, making him worry about Seong-hwi, who made invisible efforts, being disparaged.

When I heard Ma Si-hyeok’s story before and hearing it now, I had the same thought.

Objectively speaking, Seong-hwi’s team this time also has a very high possibility of being seen as the so-called ‘controversial team.’ This is a predictable fact just from looking at KNet’s editing direction.

The most important point to note here is which character will emerge as the main ‘villain’ in that controversy.

Whether Seong-hwi, who used his leader position to maintain a tough attitude, will become the villain.

Or whether other team members who criticized Seong-hwi’s unilateral actions will become the villain.

There’s no choice but to find out by checking the actual broadcast.

I turned on the TV and offered Ma Si-hyeok a brief comment.

“Whatever the result, I hope you don’t feel strange guilt, Si-hyeok.”

“Guilt…”

“Whether Seong-hwi comes out strange or other team members come out strange, it has nothing to do with you. Frankly speaking, what responsibility could a guy who couldn’t even properly claim his own parts feel?”

“Actually, I’m worried about that too. I think my screen time won’t appear much…”

“What can you do about what’s already passed?”

I handed Ma Si-hyeok a can of beer I bought from the convenience store.

“Just quickly forget it and only think about the next stage. Got it?”

“…Yes.”

“I hope we can be on the same team next round, so you should also pray before sleeping every night.”

“I understand.”

Fortunately, Ma Si-hyeok’s face brightened slightly at my hopeful words.

When Ma Si-hyeok and I opened our beer cans, Yu Ha-woon, who heard the sound, quickly turned his head.

“Oh, the Brothers are drinking beer!”

“Minors can go to the refrigerator and get cola.”

“I, I never said I wanted to drink beer in the first place!”

“Ha-woon, I’ll bring it for you.”

“Thank you, Brother Ha-ru!”

The chicken was delivered just right before episode 4’s live broadcast started.

With steaming hot chicken and cool air conditioning, it felt like heaven.

I sent a look of awe watching the guys literally devouring the chicken without any conversation.

“You’re all breathing while eating, right?”

“Brother Si-hwan, if you’re not going to keep eating that drumstick, Brother Seon-woo says he’ll take it.”

“Hey, Chae Ha-ru, how could you say that so openly!”

“Take it. I don’t like drumsticks that much.”

“A benefactor has appeared, a benefactor!”

I vaguely remembered hearing similar things from my Black Hash Entertainment colleagues in the past.

Since I personally liked dry chicken breast, I always gave up the popular drumsticks.

I would receive such praise every time.

I leisurely drank beer while taking the opportunity to check community reactions in advance.

Since chaos would obviously break out once the live broadcast started, it was better to gauge public opinion when it was relatively less chaotic.

As soon as I accessed IdolNet, the title of the first best post I saw was quite something.

[BEST: Life B-cuts appeared at Samseong Station (photos and videos all available) + 568]

I almost screamed, seriously! I got off work early today for once and was walking on the way home when Si-hwan’s billboards were hanging everywhere at the station, so I was happily walking while looking at Si-hwan’s face when I saw five people who looked like idols standing in the distance! So T_T I really ran like a storm and barely managed to see the kids’ real appearances from the very front. They’re seriously indescribably handsome, guys. Even with masks covering half their faces, you could see that aura. Really, this can’t be explained in text, you have to see it directly to know what I mean (photo) (photo) (photo)

The kids were completely kind, taking photos and greeting us, but people gathered so quickly that they left soon T_T I know it couldn’t be helped but it was still so disappointing. Si-hwan kept waving his hand until the end when leaving, so my heart was completely shattered (video)

—That billboard goes out as that sponsorship item, right?

└Yeah, that costs 1.2 million money

└Wow shit, someone already exists who collected that much? Aren’t they using a money duplication bug?

└Roughly calculating, if you hit all the real-time predictions, you could earn over a million

└Only I have bad luck~

—LOL writer, you’re breathing while writing, right? I can feel the shortness of breath in the text lol

—Even if you collapse from shortness of breath, it’s legal. That’s seriously… I mean, Ryu Si-hwan is supposedly 180cm tall, but how tall is Ma Si-hyeok exactly? He’s too big

└Si-hyeok is 185 with killer shoulders

└But what’s funnier is Si-hyeok took photos for Si-hwan LOL the kid must be very delicate despite his size

—Looking at the video, Si-hwan really made eye contact with people from start to finish, greeting them, holding hands, and taking photos. His fan service spirit could really pierce through Earth and go to space

└I was here too LOL it really felt like being at a press conference with cameras being pointed from all directions. I was worried our babies might be uncomfortable, but they didn’t show any sign of that… They were so admirable

└Ha-woon is so small and precious, look how he’s completely trapped among those people T_T T_T Why was everyone pushing and making such a fuss? They could have just waited in line

└I thought the same thing, you know? But when my bias was breathing and moving right in front of my eyes, my mind just disappeared

—Looking closely, Ha-ru got a center part perm??

└That’s right, Ha-ru!! You have to properly utilize that handsome face! What have you been doing until now!! T_T

—Seon-woo definitely bleached too. I’m holding my breath until silver-haired Kang Seon-woo appears on the broadcast

└Just keep holding your breath and LUV DIE

└Crazy LMAO not dive but die LOL

‘Taking one photo together got us the nickname Life B-cuts.’

I had thought that as we continued the program, close friends would naturally get nicknames ending in ‘-z,’ but Life B-cuts… fan imagination really is unpredictable.

‘Looking at how witness accounts are immediately trending, today’s broadcast reaction will really explode.’

I checked the live comments coming up in real-time while watching the advertisement announcing 5 minutes until broadcast start.

Everyone seemed angry about the previous episode 3’s aggro-style editing, unanimously shouting things like “Bring out the Volt team!” or “Stop the ads quickly and show us Ryu Si-hwan.”

Interest was at its peak, and today’s content had no weak points.

Amid everyone’s expectations, the long-awaited 〈ISL 2〉 episode 4 powerfully started with 〈HIT〉’s melody and hit the airwaves.