Debuting by Riding the Returnee’s Bus Chapter 67

“…So.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…You’re saying Unha was acting out a death scene, and you all thought he actually died and panicked?”

 

“Yes…”

 

“We’re sorry.”

 

“We’re sorry…”

 

“We’re sorry.”

 

“No, it’s fine. It’s actually a relief since nothing actually happened.”

 

I saw PD Park adjusting his glasses. Contrary to my expectations, the atmosphere was quite gentle.

 

‘He’s really kind. It wouldn’t be easy to act like that….’

 

This incident happened after office hours. Since it essentially forced him to come back to work after clocking out, it wouldn’t have been strange if he had handed down a severe punishment to the slaves like a Master would… but the young man in front of us was listening to the team members’ explanation with an expression of genuine relief.

 

He didn’t even seem to wonder why he had to be here. Even though it turned out to be a false alarm, he accepted that it was something he had to personally address because the scale of the issue was so large. The staff stationed at the dormitory had probably briefed him before he rushed over, so he must have already known just how serious things had initially appeared.

 

Perhaps part of that kindness came from relief that, contrary to what he’d been told, nothing terrible had actually happened.

 

‘Well… it really was absolute chaos.’

 

Yeah. It felt a little awkward saying it myself, but it truly had been complete chaos. Even I had been startled by how loudly my teammates screamed, as though they were trying to wake the entire neighborhood.

 

Even after I’d jumped up in surprise, the Elder Duo had sprinted outside, hollering that Unha had collapsed. Jung Taehee was practically screaming. Even now, his entire face was a mess of tears. Actually, he still hadn’t calmed down and hadn’t stopped crying, so what more needed to be said?

 

Kim Haejun was no different. Since he already had the trauma of losing JH, he seemed to find it harder than the others to accept Lee Unha’s ‘death’. He couldn’t breathe properly, and his face was pale. Tears were welling in his eyes, and he was still struggling to catch his breath even after the situation had been settled.

 

Since they had been screaming for help in that state, it was only natural that the on-site staff nearly had a heart attack. And it wasn’t just the staff. The sudden commotion brought every other trainee outside to scream along, and even the cafeteria staff, who had been preparing breakfast for the next morning, had started screaming as well.

 

It had gotten to the point where an ambulance had nearly been called instead of just the producer. To put it bluntly, it was a huge relief that it ended like this. As I thought earlier, the PD in front of me was likely thinking the same thing. He probably wasn’t happy about being called back to work, but he seemed relieved that no major accident had occurred.

 

On top of that…

 

‘He’s curious.’

 

He looked curious about what on earth Lee Unha had done to cause such an uproar. To accept it as something that could just be brushed off, the incident itself must have made no sense to him. To be honest, I didn’t even understand it myself, so I could only imagine how he felt. 

 

Who would have known that my attempt to mimic Graham’s final moments would lead to this? Sure enough, unable to contain his growing curiosity, he hurriedly opened his mouth.

 

“But… why were you suddenly acting dead…?”

 

“Well… you might not believe us… but we weren’t trying to pull a prank. We were planning to use it for our performance. While we were having a meeting, Unha stood up to demonstrate… and it looked so real… we’re truly sorry.”

 

“No, no. I’m not looking for an apology. I’m just personally curious… anyway, since I understand the gist of what happened… you should all go back to your rooms and rest. And….”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Unha, do you want to stay behind for a second?”

 

“Ah. Yes.”

 

Jung Taehee made a slightly uncomfortable face, but the team members began to leave the room with somewhat reluctant expressions. 

 

And then….

 

Just as I’d expected, the producer asked as though he’d been waiting for this chance.

 

“Unha.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“This is a bit sudden… but could you show me once?”

 

“…….”

 

“I’m not trying to scold you or doubting you; I’m really just personally curious… don’t feel pressured and just try it once….”

 

“It’s not a difficult task, but….”

 

“Yeah. Just be comfortable. Take it easy.”

 

It felt oddly like I was at an audition. The producer sitting back in his chair with an air of authority only made it feel even more that way. I agonized for a split second over what the right answer would be, but….

 

‘Well, there’s no harm in making a good impression to him.’

 

I was curious too whether my teammates had reacted that way simply because they were young or because I’d genuinely looked like I had died, so I had nothing to lose.

 

Although he occupied an ambiguous position—too many years of experience to be the maknae line, yet not enough to be a veteran—if this PD actually responded to it positively, our team might get some unexpected benefits.

 

“Um… then I’ll start now, PD-nim.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Immediately after, I collapsed without warning. I didn’t remember exactly how I did it the first time, but I focused as much as possible on the sensations I felt back then. Since I’d already done it once, it wasn’t particularly difficult.

 

A short while later.

 

‘Can I get up now?’

 

Silence hung heavy in the small room. I hadn’t expected a dramatic reaction, but…. I didn’t hear a scream like before. 

 

Thinking I had done something embarrassing for nothing, I lifted my head….

 

“Um… PD-nim, I’m finished?”

 

I saw the PD, his hands trembling violently.

 

“PD-nim?”

 

“Um….”

 

“PD-nim….”

 

“…….”

 

Was it just my imagination that he looked a bit traumatized?

 

‘Wow… it actually worked…’

 

After collecting himself, he spoke again.

 

“Unha.”

 

“Ye… yes?”

 

“Don’t take this the wrong way and listen carefully.”

 

“Pardon? Ah… yes.”

 

“Do you have any interest in acting?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Quit this idol stuff and let’s do acting.”

 

“Pardon…?”

 

‘What is this guy talking about?’

 

“When this program ends, I’m changing departments. This time, I’m definitely… planning to go to the drama department… If you say you’ll act, I’ll get you in and push you no matter what you do. I’ll look for a suitable agency for you, too… Since you’re the age you are, it might take some time to land a lead role, but definitely… no, absolutely… Unha, you… you have to act. You shouldn’t be dancing and singing; you need to act.”

 

‘What is wrong with this ahjussi, seriously?’

 

“Unha. You really need to think about this seriously. This is….”

 

‘No, ahjussi.’

 

It looked like he was going to ramble on, so I had to cut him off.

 

‘Actually….’

 

I did think acting might suit me better. I’d spent years doing all kinds of things just to keep my masters pleased, and judging from the reaction this guy was showing now, it seemed entirely possible. Especially considering that despite dreaming of being an idol, my singing and dancing were weak… The option was undeniably appealing.

 

But….

 

‘The problem is being separated from Joo Wooyoung.’

 

If Joo Wooyoung had planned to become an actor too, I probably would have considered it. If that emergency quest hadn’t popped up, I might have actually thought about it seriously.

 

Perhaps noticing my lack of enthusiasm, the strange ahjussi in front of me suddenly stopped talking and stared at me.

 

“I….”

 

“No. Never mind.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I brought up something completely unnecessary all of a sudden. R-Right… Acting… You could always do that after you debut…”

 

‘No, I don’t plan on becoming an actor. This ahjussi….’

 

“Where did you learn? Which academy?”

 

‘The other world.’

 

“No. As for acting… I’ve never specifically learned it….”

 

“Ha… haha… right. Well… ha… I suppose so.”

 

“Yes….”

 

“Anyway… please forget what I said today. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone else. And if you ever change your mind, feel free to contact me anytime. Let’s exchange numbers first… ah… and if you ever do act later, you have to tell hyung first, okay?”

 

‘We’ve barely met. Since when are you my hyung?’

 

He was even touching my shoulder. He had a very friendly face loaded up….

 

‘Why does it feel like I’m the one in the position of power here?’

 

I felt like I had the power in this dynamic. No, in fact, I did. From the way he blurted out that he was going to the drama department without hesitation, it felt like this ahjussi was working in a place that didn’t suit him. 

 

I didn’t even have to guess. He became a PD because he wanted to make dramas, but somehow he ended up in the variety department. With his ambition set on the drama department, he started thinking that Lee Unha’s acting could be his lifeline.

 

I naturally realized I’d found someone who would unconditionally be on my side.

 

‘In that case, being as friendly as possible is the obvious choice.’

 

He said he’d stay until the end of this program, so he’d help in some way. After switching back to my professional smile, I continued.

 

“Yes, PD-nim. Right now, um… I think I need to focus on this… so I can’t give you a positive answer, but if, by any chance, I ever end up acting much later, I’ll definitely contact you, PD-nim.”

 

“Y-yeah.”

 

“Thank you for the kind words.”

 

“No, it’s not just kind words… I’m the one who should apologize. Anyway, you should head in and rest, Unha. And why are you calling me PD-nim so formally? When it’s just the two of us, just call me hyung.”

 

“Ah… yes… Hyung.”

 

“Right, right. Ah! And this… you said you were using this for the performance?”

 

“Yes. Probably.”

 

“Mmm….”

 

“Why? Is it… not allowed?”

 

“No. I don’t think there’s any particular problem with it. But if you’re really going to use it on stage… hmm… I think I can put in a good word for you. Just so you know, don’t feel pressured. It’s not like it’d be cheating or anything. So Unha, as I said before… if you ever really think about acting….”

 

“Ah, yes. Of course.”

 

“Right, right. It’s a promise, then?”

 

“Yes, hyung.”

 

‘You’re practically looking at me with hearts in your eyes, ahjussi.’

 

Apparently patting my shoulder wasn’t enough, because this time he ruffled my hair. He even opened the door and stepped backward, but my eyes caught his beaming, satisfied smile right until he left.

 

‘Is this a good thing? I suppose it is.’

 

There was no way it wasn’t. It felt a little like we’d just made some under-the-table deal, but considering he’d promised to support our team… this ridiculous commotion was worth enduring. Realistically, the most he could probably do was increase our production budget a little or give us better support, but that wouldn’t be meaningless.

 

Just as I let out a quiet sigh…

 

“Unha… hic….”

 

‘Oh, come on.’

 

The commotion wasn’t over yet. I turned my head to see a teary-eyed Jung Taehee, as expected. The Elder Duo were also waiting for me without heading back to their rooms.

 

“Um… sorry. We overreacted for no reason….”

 

“…….”

 

“Did you get scolded a lot?”

 

“No. I didn’t get scolded.”

 

“Then?”

 

“He asked me to show him what happened. I guess he was worried. After all, the whole commotion started because we were planning to use it in our performance.”

 

“Ah… by any chance… did he tell you not to do it?”

 

“No?”

 

“Ah… what a relief.”

 

‘These hyungs are so transparent…’

 

It was a stark contrast to Jung Taehee’s reaction, who was more worried about Lee Unha’s well-being. Naturally, I realized there was no need to convince them to go through with this performance. They’d already accepted the idea of building a Citizens’ Revolution performance around the theme of death.

 

And….

 

“Where’s Haejun hyung?”

 

“Ah. He went back first. He suddenly said he needed to work on something.”

 

Kim Haejun also seemed to have agreed.

 

‘At this hour?’

 

I had no idea exactly what had struck him, but whatever it was, he’d definitely found some inspiration.