IWUC 04

Chapter 04

“What kind of outdated erotic movie line is that?! Don’t take it off! Hey, stop him! If he actually strips, our company’s reputation is ruined!”

At the pig-like CEO’s shout, two judges rushed over and grabbed me to stop me. I raised both hands as if disappointed.

Why are they freaking out like this?

How anticlimactic. The pig CEO wiped his forehead with a tissue and grumbled.

“Kids these days are scary. Hey, student. Just because someone tells you to take it off doesn’t mean you actually should.”

You’re the ones who told me to. What exactly did you expect? I shrugged. There was something that had been bothering me for a while, so I smiled and spoke.

“Cha Dowon.”

“Huh?”

“My name is Cha Dowon, sir.”

The pig CEO stared at me blankly. A student? That’s a bit disappointing. Aren’t we going to be seeing each other often from now on? I didn’t take my eyes off him. After staring at me for a long moment, he finally broke into a grin.

“Kids these days really are something. So, Cha Dowon, huh?”

“Yes. Second-year, Class 2, Number 22 at Jeongsol Middle School. Cha Dowon.”

“Interesting guy. I thought so earlier too—you’ve got skills, but more than that, you’ve got guts. So, Dowon. What’s your nickname? What do people call you?”

The judges released my arms. I returned to my seat.

“It’s a bit embarrassing.”

“What is it?”

I turned my head slightly, my cheeks faintly flushed. It felt a little awkward to say.

“Crazy.”

Of course, I didn’t actually have such a nickname. If anything, it’d be “pretty boy.” But the truth didn’t matter here.

Glancing at the judges’ table, I saw the pig CEO’s button-like eyes widen slightly.

That’s what you needed, right?

Idols at Friends Entertainment were all about character marketing. That’s why they held auditions like this in the first place.

The crazy youngest member.

After a moment, the pig CEO covered his mouth. I waited leisurely. So? Feels like you just found the perfect fit, doesn’t it? Soon, he burst into laughter.

“Puhahaha! This guy’s a gem!”

Not something you find every day—and I’m a big one, too. I quietly swung my legs back and forth.

He laughed for a long time, clearly delighted.

Better act shy now.

That’s what they want—a crazy but bashful youngest member.

I scratched my cheek and averted my gaze. That’s when it happened. My eyes met Kang Minje’s.

Even behind his sunglasses, I could tell—we were looking at each other.

What are you staring at, bastard?

I wanted to glare at him with everything I had, but right now, I was just an innocent middle school kid. I lowered my eyes shyly, and Kang Minje gave an awkward smile, as if to reassure me.

Huh? Why are you being nice all of a sudden?

Trying to act harmless? Don’t bother. I remember everything you did to me.

But I can’t show it.

Right now, I’m a “crazy” but shy second-year middle schooler. Endure it. I lowered my head further, feigning embarrassment. The pig CEO’s laughter still echoed.

I passed, didn’t I?

That one hit perfectly. I took a small breath.

Yeah… it’s nothing big, but it’s a start. Not even the starting line—just getting into the waiting room.

I looked back at the pig CEO. His eyes sparkled in a way that didn’t suit him. The tissue stuck to his forehead dangled slightly. I smirked inwardly.

“Alright, Dowon. One last question.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ask me anything.

“What kind of idol do you want to become?”

A common question, but a meaningful one.

“An idol who makes people feel good just by looking at them.”

His button-like eyes blinked.

“Dowon, can you be more specific?”

“When you see something good, you feel happy, right? I want to become that ‘something good’ for the public.”

“That’s not easy. People don’t just feel good for no reason.”

I smiled softly.

“I can do it.”

No—

“I want to do it.”

There were many things that came with being “something good.” Good looks, strong skills, pleasant behavior, a clean personal life, and…

Consistent effort.

That might be the hardest of all.

“It’ll be hard to even travel with your family once you become an idol.”

I let out a small laugh.

“I don’t really like traveling. And besides…”

I hesitated—should I act crazy or speak honestly? I decided to mix both.

“I’m hungry.”

Very, extremely hungry. To the point I could devour anything. I smiled slightly.

“I’m greedy. I want to be good at everything.”

I wanted attention. How nice would it be if every breath I took was under a spotlight? Well… except when going to the bathroom.

In that sense, I really am crazy.

What do they call it? Attention seeker? I admitted it.

That’s right.

If I could be admired for being good, life would be worth living.

I want to stand on stage.

Under those bright lights—it must feel like heaven.

The pig CEO laughed heartily.

“You really are crazy, huh?”

Did you think I was fake?

“Well done. You can go now.”

I gave a slight bow. The staff gestured for me to leave, and I headed toward the door.

I could feel someone’s gaze behind me. I knew it was Kang Minje, but I didn’t turn around.

See you again, hyung.

Next time, I’ll greet you with the brightest smile I can manage.

The door closed. I walked away leisurely.

The audition was a success.

I quietly headed to the funeral hall.

I brushed off my mourning clothes and stepped inside. Whispers filled the air. I let out a faint chuckle.

I see.

It was only the second day since my mother had passed.

Most of these visitors are freeloading bastards.

I glanced around. Bald heads stood out everywhere.

Not this time.

I took a small breath and pulled out the armband from my pocket. As I removed my number tag and put it on, a familiar voice called out.

“Cha Dowon!”

A smile naturally formed on my face. It was the person I loved most in the world.

“Noona!”

“And what’s so funny?!”

She swung her hand—pain shot through my back.

“Noona, that hurts!”

“I hit you so it would hurt! Hey, come here!”

She grabbed my ear and dragged me into the funeral room. I quickly slipped off my shoes and followed obediently.

“My ear’s going to rip—”

“I’m pulling it so it hurts!”

She shut the door and shouted.

“Where were you?!”

I smiled brightly at her—then paused, surprised.

She looks so young.

She had always been older than me, but I’d never imagined she looked this youthful back then.

“At an audition.”

Her brows furrowed.

“What?”

“I went to Friends Entertainment’s quarterly audition.”

Her eyes wavered.

Without thinking, I hugged her tightly. She flinched.

“I’m sorry.”

Images of myself collapsed in vomit flashed in my mind.

“I’m sorry.”

Sorry for staying a nobody actor. Sorry for relying on you financially until the end. Sorry for blocking your dreams.

I want to do everything for you.

I don’t even know what that is—but still.

She pushed me away.

“What’s wrong with you?! That’s gross!”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Yeah… this is my noona.

“You think I’ll forgive you just because you’re acting like this?”

“Hmm… probably not?”

She pointed at our mother’s portrait.

“Was the audition that important? Important enough to leave Mom’s funeral?”

I turned and looked at the portrait.

She looks young.

45 years old. That was how old she was when she passed.

It must have been hard to close your eyes.

A daughter who had just taken the college entrance exam. A fifteen-year-old son.

“I’m sorry, Mom.”

I whispered softly.

I didn’t succeed. And I drank, even though you told me not to.

I won’t drink again…

Please forgive me.

A heavy weight pressed down on my chest.

But this time, I could endure it. I even felt like I could comfort others.

I shook my head, pushing the emotions away.

“Noona, you’re right. There will be more auditions. But…”

I smiled awkwardly.

“I had to go. I just felt like I had to.”

Then I added,

“And I think… Mom wouldn’t scold me for it.”

She would’ve told me to do something productive instead of crying at the funeral.

Noona sighed.

“You’ve got quite the mouth on you.”

I shrugged.

“Sorry. But there are no more guests anyway.”

“Grandma’s still here.”

I smiled bitterly.

“She’s a leech.”

“Cha Dowon!”

“We need to protect our inheritance.”

Her eyes wavered.

“Don’t trust anyone who says they’ll ‘help’ with it.”

“How did you know? Grandma told me to leave everything to her.”

“Absolutely not. That’s like leaving fish to a cat.”

Actually, cats are at least cute.

“We’re not related to them like that. And Noona…”

I grabbed her hand tightly.

“Go to med school.”

Her eyes shook.

“Don’t give it up because of me. Being a doctor was your dream.”

“You… how do you know that?”

I smiled bitterly.

Because I found out too late.

“You’re already good enough to get in, right?”

She hesitated.

“If I get in, I’ll have to live in the dorms.”

“So? Then go.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll be fine. I can cook.”

“You’re fifteen.”

“That’s old enough.”

I smiled reassuringly.

“I don’t need protection. You’re only twenty yourself.”

“But I’m your sister.”

I sighed.

“You don’t need to worry. I’ll be fine.”

She stared at me silently.

Even though I pretended not to notice, I knew.

She’s holding back tears.