Episode 61

 

The next morning, Haeun realized there was no point in worrying about what to wear. It was a concern he had only because he’d forgotten—despite his lack of popularity—that he was still a celebrity. 

His outfit was already predetermined: plain, muted colors that wouldn’t attract attention. And of course, he had to pull on a suspicious-looking mask and hat that screamed, “I’m hiding something.”

When he stepped out of his room, fully dressed, Seongjae was already waiting for him in a similar getup. Feeling annoyed by how the two of them looked like a two-person robbery team, Haeun immediately started to complain the moment he saw him.

“You can’t even buy a gift for your sister on your own?”

He tried to sound as polite as possible, but it still came out with attitude. Seongjae just frowned a little—he didn’t snap back or get angry. Probably because he felt a bit guilty himself.

It was strange enough for a celebrity to go out on a day off just to buy a family gift, but Haeun had even more on his plate. He was already entangled in a messy situation, with tons of articles flooding the internet under the name “Stone Cherry Park Ha.” It was the most attention he’d ever gotten as a flop idol.

A few days had passed since the incident, and thankfully, most people seemed to have forgotten. Plus, Kim Gyowon’s actions had done a good job of shifting public opinion. 

At least now, he wouldn’t have to worry about getting pelted with eggs. Still, he couldn’t let his guard down, so he had to wrap himself up tight.

As Haeun continued to complain about how stifling everything was, Seongjae, who had been about to open the front door without saying a word, finally pulled down his mask and said something.

“You think I brought you along because I wanted to?”

“If it’s not because you wanted to, then why?”

That kind of comment—was he trying to hint at something? If it wasn’t out of goodwill, could it be that Seongjae was also being influenced by the system somehow? 

Not that he’d participated in the event like Haeun had, but as a character from the game, maybe he was unknowingly being controlled by the system too. Maybe the system had even shown up in his dreams, threatening him to take Haeun shopping for presents or else something terrible would happen…

Seongjae calmly replied, as if mocking Haeun for her ridiculous train of thought.

“You want me, a guy, to go buy a girl’s gift by myself, and risk getting recognized as an idol? You think that won’t make the news?”

“Oh…”

Now that he mentioned it, he had a point. Haeun quickly gave up his wild speculations and accepted his reasoning. Even if it was a gift for his sister, people probably wouldn’t believe it.

Honestly, he couldn’t help but think, Wouldn’t it have been easier to just order the gift online in the first place? But he didn’t bother saying it out loud. 

If Seongjae really had a good relationship with his sister, maybe he wanted to put in that bit of extra effort. Or maybe it wasn’t about being close—maybe he was just scared of her. Like how Haeun was with his own sister.

“But still, why me?”

“……”

“You dragged me along even after I got pelted with eggs because of you?”

This time, he was genuinely curious. Seongjae looked a little awkward, like he didn’t have a proper answer ready. They hadn’t even fought, but Haeun couldn’t help feeling like he’d somehow won the exchange. The corners of his mouth twitched upward.

But maybe he was wrong, because Seongjae soon opened his mouth again.

“It’s not like you’re especially great or anything.”

“Then what? Everyone else too busy?”

Ilhyun had told him to call anytime if needed, so he probably wasn’t too busy. And Junwoo… well, ever since Haeun tanked his own affection level with Junwoo, they hadn’t spoken much, so he wasn’t sure—but it didn’t seem like Junwoo had any schedule either. With a doubtful look, Haeun stared at Seongjae, who explained further.

“Yoon Junwoo’s so picky, no matter what I pick, he’d just complain—‘This one’s not right because of this,’ ‘That one’s bad because of that.’ You know how he is.”

Haeun immediately understood. That totally tracked. Junwoo was practically a professional at ruining the vibe. If someone told Haeun to go gift shopping with Junwoo, he’d probably bolt on the spot.

“Ilhyun hyung, on the other hand, is too agreeable. He’d say, ‘This one’s fine,’ or ‘That one’s fine,’ and never make a decision. You’re right in the middle. That’s why I picked you.”

“So what you’re saying is… I’m just plain and unremarkable?”

After listening to the whole explanation, Haeun asked the question like he was just confirming it. Normally, hearing something like that would hurt, but Haeun actually found it a bit comforting. Being seen as a safe, neutral presence was way better than being seen as a potential love interest by a fellow member.

Seongjae seemed a little flustered by how bluntly Haeun put it and replied with a hint of hesitation.

“Did I say anything that harsh…?”

“Anyway.”

“Yeah, anyway, that’s the deal—so don’t just go through the motions. Put some real thought into it.”

With that, Seongjae strode ahead with long, confident steps. It gave Haeun a weird sense of déjà vu. Every time they went out together, Seongjae always ended up walking ahead, leaving him to follow behind. Picking up his pace to keep up, Haeun suddenly asked,

“When did you get to know me so well that you’re out here analyzing me like that?”

He tossed it out half-jokingly. The thought that Seongjae—who not long ago acted like he wanted to chew him out—had actually taken the time to size him up and choose him as his shopping partner was kind of amusing.

 

『Professional idols don’t pick fights with their members! ◐_◐;;』

 

‘Oh, shut up. It’s just a joke.’

Haeun didn’t back down, even as the system scolded him. And judging by the fact that Seongjae’s affection level didn’t drop, it seemed he didn’t take offense either.

“…Well, it’s not like I knew you that well. A little while ago, I wouldn’t have even considered coming out with someone who looked as indecisive as you.”

Calling someone indecisive right to their face would usually be enough to get offended—but Haeun just shrugged it off. It didn’t feel like the comment was really aimed at him. He wasn’t the same person anymore, after all. Change was only natural. And there was no reason Seongjae needed to know that.

They eventually made it to the department store, but walking in while dressed so suspiciously made Haeun feel on edge. 

When Seongjae saw him hesitating, he insisted that department stores always had a mix of people, and no one would pay much attention to what they were wearing. 

Reluctantly, Haeun pushed the door open and stepped inside—but he immediately noticed a few sidelong glances towards them. It wasn’t enough to cause a scene, but it wasn’t completely ignorable either.

Honestly, he should’ve known better than to fall for Seongjae’s logic, even a little. This whole thing felt way too reckless, even for a surprise event. But if this was the kind of situation the system wanted to throw him into—what choice did he have?

So Haeun made up his mind to just boldly ignore the attention. He was a celebrity now, after all. Getting used to being looked at was part of the job.

Once he decided that, the shopping itself went smoother than expected. The store clerks looked a bit puzzled at the two of them all bundled up, but they didn’t ask questions or press for details.

After wandering around aimlessly for a while, Seongjae finally spoke up—right in front of the cosmetics section.

“I have no idea what to get. Would something like makeup work?”

Watching Seongjae mull it over so seriously sparked a reasonable suspicion in Haeun’s mind. Maybe he hadn’t planned on getting a birthday gift for his sister at all—until this year, when he suddenly decided to drag Haeun along.

“What’d you give her last year?”

Haeun asked the question, testing the waters. Seongjae, seemingly unaware he was being doubted, answered seriously.

“Last year, there was a dishware set she said she wanted, so I gave her that. The year before that, I didn’t have money, and she scolded me for even thinking about celebrating birthdays, so I just gave her a teddy bear… I think it was, like, human-sized.”

“So you’ve actually been pretty consistent about her birthdays, huh?”

Given how easily he rattled off past gifts, it didn’t seem like this was some sudden attempt to play the “good little brother” just for the sake of an event. 

At Haeun’s comment, Seongjae responded like it was the most obvious thing in the world, his voice calm and matter-of-fact.

“Exactly. That’s why I’m out here again today.”

Haeun just shrugged again in response. Seongjae shot him a strange look. 

Maybe the way Haeun kept shrugging in that suspicious outfit made it look like he was sending some kind of code, like they really were in some kind of two-man robbery gang.

While Haeun glanced down at himself, wondering if that was the case, Seongjae spoke up again.

“Usually, she drops hints about something she wants. But this year, she hasn’t said a word.”

“And here I thought you just wanted to show off that you know how to buy your sister a birthday gift—for once in your life—and dragged me along to look good.”

“You joking right now?”

“Of course I am.”

He snuck a bit of truth into a joke and brushed it off with a laugh. Seongjae just kept glaring at him sharply. When Haeun avoided his gaze, Seongjae spoke quietly.

“You…”

But Haeun cut him off, covering his ears and looking the other way like he hadn’t heard a thing. Just then, a soft notification sound chimed in his pocket.

Ka-tok!

Just one ping. Normally, he wouldn’t have bothered checking it—especially since he was out with someone and there wasn’t any important message he was expecting. But right now, it was a perfect excuse to avoid Seongjae’s scrutiny. He pulled out his phone.

 

[Yejun]
I am eating alone
So I feels a little lonely…

 

Haeun let out a breathy chuckle before he even realized it. He had assumed things were fine after yesterday since there’d been no follow-up, but he hadn’t expected a message like this. 

It seemed like Yejun was subtly expressing some disappointment that Haeun had flaked on their plan.

They’d already missed each other a few times, and even someone like Haeun—who prided himself on his thick skin—couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. So the slightly pouty message didn’t annoy him at all.

ㅠIs there no one else but me who will buy you food?

He tried to sound cute and apologetic, but reading it back, it just sounded kind of bratty. Grimacing, Haeun started to type again, going for something softer like:

ㅠㅠNext time, I’ll definitely eat with—

Just then, a pale hand slid into view and covered his screen.

Of course, it was Seongjae.

Haeun frowned slightly and looked up, puzzled. Seongjae stared down at him with sharp eyes and asked:

“…Who’s that now?”