Debuting by Riding the Returnee’s Bus Chapter 73

To put it with a bit of exaggeration, it was enough to remind me of the day I first returned to this world.

 

No, in some ways, it was even harder to adjust than that.

 

‘When I first returned, at least….’

 

I had completely excluded my surroundings.

 

It would be more accurate to say that I didn’t have to think about how Lee Unha appeared to those around me. Back then, on the first day of my return, I focused solely on myself. Of course, I remembered that time being more emotionally taxing.

 

I had wailed at the fact that I was back, and I had laughed like a madman. I trembled in fear that it might all be a dream or that I might be sent back, and I was even afraid to step outside my room. The sudden onset of modern civilization was something I just couldn’t get used to.

 

Of course, I had always been confident in my ability to adapt, so it didn’t actually take me very long to start going outside, but…

 

‘This is something else entirely….’

 

I never imagined I would experience this kind of situation again. It was a sensation I had never felt before.

 

I felt self-conscious. People’s gazes bothered me.

 

‘Should I have avoided the subway?’

 

I had heard how popular Lee Unha was right now, but I didn’t think people would recognize me even before my official debut.

 

‘I mean… shouldn’t someone have warned me? I wasn’t expecting anyone to escort me home… but seriously how can they just leave me like this?’

 

Thanks to my hearing, which was slightly better than an average person’s, I could hear whispers coming from everywhere.

 

“I’m telling you, it’s Lee Unha!”

 

“No, it’s not.”

 

“Want to bet?”

 

And even worse….

 

‘Why… why are guys recognizing me too?’

 

The fact that men were recognizing me was particularly bothersome. Wasn’t the primary audience of Idol Classism women? I was certain that was the case…. Based on my research of various online communities, I was sure of it….

 

Yet, unbelievably, a group of guys who looked like high schoolers were definitely staring this way.

 

‘Th-that’s a bit dangerous.’

 

Surely, there must be others besides them who recognize me. No, some of them might even be completely certain it was me. The reason they weren’t approaching me yet was probably that they wanted to respect Lee Unha’s private time, or they were just too shy to make the first move.

 

Usually, when people were hesitating like that…

 

‘Once someone makes the first move….’

 

It was highly likely to turn into a total chaotic scene.

 

Curious about how Joo Wooyoung was getting home, I fiddled with my phone and opened the app. To my surprise, my eyes were met with a flood of messages.

 

The group chat for the team from the Slave Auction stage, the group chat with the Hopeless Trio including No. 98, the chat with Haejun hyung and the Elder Duo….

 

The chat rooms for every trainee I had formed a bond with were glowing red with notifications. By far, the one who sent the most messages was that guy—he sent 21 messages as if he had so much to say, even though we had only just parted ways.

 

[Unha, are you getting home safely?] [3:10 PM]

— [Yeah, I am on my wayㅋㅋㅋ] [3:34 PM]

[Are people recognizing you or anything?] [3:34 PM]

— [Well… it kind of feels that way] [3:34 PM]

[Are you okay? Should I come there right now?] [3:34 PM]

 

‘How are you even going to get here?’

 

[Do you want to wait there for a bit? What station are you at?] [3:34 PM]

[Unha, are you okay?] [3:34 PM]

[Unha!!] [3:34 PM]

[(Crying emoji)] [3:34 PM]

[I just got off the subway. If it seems like people recognize you, get off and wait in the bathroom. Got it?] [3:34 PM]

 

‘Seriously, and what do you exactly plan to do if you come?’

 

Why couldn’t he realize that the two of us being together would attract even more attention? After sending back a quick reply saying I was fine, I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

 

And.

 

The moment I turned my head.

 

“Excuse me.”

 

“…….”

 

I saw five or six guys looking at me.

 

“You’re Lee Unha, right?”

 

‘Wow, these guys really….’

 

“It’s definitely Lee Unha. Right?”

 

‘No tact at all. Can’t they see I want to be alone?’

 

Now that I got a closer look, they seemed more like middle schoolers than high schoolers.

 

“Why are you here? Did you get eliminated?”

 

“Just leave him alone. What’s wrong with you?”

 

“No, I’m telling you, it really is Lee Unha!”

 

“Could we get an autograph? Or maybe a photo together?”

 

“Let’s just go. That’s not Lee Unha.”

 

“You are Lee Unha, right?! It’s you.”

 

I was flustered.

 

‘How am I supposed to handle this?’

 

It was a situation where I had to think fast. Should I just run away? A random worry crossed my mind: What if a controversy about Lee Unha’s poor fan service broke out?

 

I lowered my head, hoping they would leave if I pulled my hat down low, but these guys had no intention of moving. Eventually, I had no choice but to quietly look up. As I lowered my mask slightly, the faces of the middle schoolers filled with shock.

 

“See…! It’s Lee Un…!!”

 

Immediately, I raised my index finger to my lips. It was a clear signal for them not to say anything.

 

“…….”

 

“…….”

 

Realizing they shouldn’t make a scene, the boys shut their mouths. Perhaps the effect of the Succubus’ Eye played a part as well.

 

“Follow me quietly. I’ll take a photo and give you autographs.”

 

“Ah… yes.”

 

“But you have to be quiet, okay?”

 

“Ye… yes sir.”

 

I immediately stood up and moved to the very corner of the subway car. As I leaned my back against the wall, the middle schoolers surrounded me. Their faces looked young, but their physiques were impressive—maybe they were in a sports club.

 

Once I realized I was completely hidden from view, I nodded. This was exactly the position I wanted.

 

“Does everyone have a notebook and a pen?”

 

“A-ah, no!”

 

“Wait! I have one! I….”

 

At least they were obedient. Realizing I had been holding onto my usual prejudices, I immediately equipped a smile and spoke.

 

“Have you been enjoying Idol Classism?”

 

“Ah… yes! We’re rooting for you.”

 

“For who?”

 

“Well… that is….”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Lee… Unha.”

 

“Oh?! Really?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Voting might start soon, you know?”

 

“We’ll definitely vote for you.”

 

“Aw, thank you. Come here one by one, I’ll take photos. But you have to make sure to block me from view, okay?”

 

“Yes….”

 

They were even blushing, seemingly shy. After concluding that middle schoolers were just middle schoolers even if they acted tough, I took their phones one by one, took photos, and started signing. It was essential to keep up the small talk in a whispering voice.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Thank you. Um… Trainee Lee Unha… no, Singer Lee Unha.”

 

“Hey, what’s with ‘Singer Lee Unha’? How old are you guys?”

 

“We… we’re fifteen.”

 

‘Are fifteen-year-olds this big these days?’

 

“Just call me hyung.”

 

“Ye… yes! Hyung.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Alright. Now, go back to your seats like nothing happened.”

 

“Ye… yes!”

 

It was a bit strange, but it was a very successful fan meeting. I could tell by the moved expressions on those middle schoolers’ faces. It would have been perfect to just go back to my seat and play innocent, but….

 

But things in life never worked out that beautifully.

 

Several people who had noticed the small-scale fan meeting happening in the corner began to migrate over like a swarm of zombies.

 

“Um… could I get a photo too?”

 

“I’m a fan. Just one autograph….”

 

“You’re Lee Unha, right? Me, me too, a photo….”

 

“Oh my god… what do I do… ha… I’m a huge fan!”

 

They were all approaching carefully so they wouldn’t make me uncomfortable, but the problem was that there were far too many of them.

 

I wanted to turn around and run right now. But I couldn’t. There were fans showing such passionate reactions that I wondered what Lee Unha had done to deserve this. Some had already prepared pens and paper a while ago, just lacking the courage to step forward. I even saw fans wiping away tears as they approached.

 

The hands holding out paper and phones were literally trembling. There was a girl who looked like a high schooler; she was so nervous she dropped her pen right in front of me. After leaning down to pick it up and hand it back, I had to speak.

 

“Of course I can! What is your name?”

 

“Jehee! Please call me Jehee.”

 

“Ah. How old are you?”

 

“I’m eighteen.”

 

“Jehee noona. Thanks for recognizing me. Let’s make sure to meet again next time, okay?”

 

“Ye… yes… I-I’m really rooting for you!”

 

I managed to handle the second wave following the middle schoolers. I finished by shaking hands and taking photos. The problem was the third wave.

 

“Is Lee Unha here? For real?”

 

“Is it Lee Unha?! Hey! Over there! It’s Lee Unha!!!”

 

‘This is bad.’

 

It seemed a group with no tact had arrived this time. No, the atmosphere was suddenly overheating. Rowdy voices could be heard from everywhere.

 

“It really is Lee Unha!”

 

My body was pushed to the side. My ears were starting to hurt from the shouting voices all around me.

 

‘Is it really that bad?’

 

I knew Lee Unha was somewhat popular now, but I never imagined it would be like this.

 

“Hey, stop pushing!”

 

“Kyaaaaaaaah!”

 

“Don’t push! Don’t push!!!”

 

The thought of a safety incident occurring entered my head. Just as I was thinking I had to resolve this situation somehow….

 

“Grab my hand!”

 

“Huh? Who!”

 

“I said grab my hand!”

 

Someone grabbed my hand and pulled.

 

[The doors are opening.]

 

Along with the sound, the subway doors opened, and my body was pulled outside.

 

“Run!”

 

“Huh? But who are you?”

 

“What? You don’t remember me?”

 

“…….”

 

“…….”

 

‘How am I supposed to know who you are?’

 

Wait, looking again… it was a face I felt like I had seen somewhere before.