Hard Mode Idol

“I’ll try calling, so can you stay with me? In case they ask me to change it…”

No way. I can’t get the stigma of being a delinquent and have my acceptance revoked. I need to show them me talking with my parents. How much I’m begging them. I have no clue if they’ll answer or not, but I still have to try.

“Okay. Let’s do that.”

Manager Kim Hyemi nodded with a smile. I immediately called the number saved as ‘Father’. My heart was pounding even though I wasn’t calling my real father. Just having to call someone who thinks of me as their son first filled me with aversion.

I wonder if this family is the same as mine. But seeing how they send allowance, maybe I haven’t been completely abandoned yet… Did they send it because I’m their blood? I think my family also used to put in about living expenses when I was their blood child.

While I was worrying about what to do if he doesn’t pick up, the call connected. I inhaled sharply and licked my dry lips several times. Come to think of it, this was the first time contacting parents like this.

Since I was 20 years old in my past life, I could decide on my own, but I was still scared of the family that hated me now. Not awkward and uncomfortable, but scared. My chest felt stuffy like I had indigestion.

I quietly took a deep breath so the other person wouldn’t hear, then barely opened my mouth.

“…Father.”

— ……

The other person was quiet.

“I, I passed an audition, so, I need to sign a contract…”

— What audition.

The blunt voice was quite familiar. He’s too much like my father. My head tightened from being so nervous. After sighing several times because my breath was catching, I could finally open my mouth.

“To be an idol trainee. They said I need parental permission…”

— ……

There was no answer. After floundering about what to do, I looked at Manager Kim Hyemi. At my desperate gaze asking for help, Goddess Hyemi reached out her hand. I quickly handed over my cell phone.

“Hello. This is Kim Hyemi, the general manager of SR Entertainment. The reason I’m calling is because your child…”

As I listened to the manager’s phone call, my mind unintentionally wandered off. Ah, this is hard. When I called up the status window, I only had 50 health. I’m sure it was full when I left the house, but my energy was sucked dry. It dropped too much compared to what I did. My mental state definitely had an effect too.

If the voice wasn’t so similar, I might have been able to handle it more calmly. I sat there dejected, thinking I wish I never have to talk to my father again.

“Here, take it.”

I snapped back to my senses at the voice bringing my wandering soul back. After getting my cell phone back, I observed the manager’s expression.

“…What happened?”

He wouldn’t have not given permission, right? I waited for the manager’s words with bated breath.

“He said he can make time in early January. He’ll come then.”

“Ah…”

Early January is in two weeks. That’s alright. Then what should I do until then?

“Is your father difficult?”

“My whole family is difficult. They hate me.”

“Why do they hate you?”

“I want to know too.”

I put my cell phone in my pocket while letting out a hehe, a hollow laugh. Judging from the situation, it seems I’ve shed the stigma of being a delinquent. Thank goodness. The world is so tough to live in. Even if it’s my second life, nothing is particularly easy.

“I really like you, Haon. I hope you stay with us for a long time.”

“!”

I lifted my head with a start, surprised. Wow, woah. This is the first time I’ve heard something like this. My chest swelled with emotion and something warm welled up. This is bad if it reaches my eyes. Smile, smile.

I desperately moved my facial muscles and replied, “Thank you.” I’m smiling well, right? She seem to be looking at me pitifully, but since she’s not saying anything, I guess it’s fine and let it slide.

“How long does it take from your house to here? Is it close?”

“No. About 1 hour and 30 minutes.”

“Do you live with your family?”

“I live alone.”

“Then do you want to move into the trainee dorm? We have a dorm since there are kids coming from other regions too. You’ll have to live crowded together, though.”

Hmm. Living crowdedly with unfamiliar kids in one house is too much. Wouldn’t that only be possible after I get a bit used to not being hated?

“I’m shy around strangers… Can I ask for that once I become close with them?”

“Of course. Do as you wish.”

What a kind person. The manager is truly a light!

“Then when should I come?”

“Since your father implicitly gave permission, do you want to go greet them right now? I think you can just greet them today and start coming to practice starting tomorrow.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll do that.”

The manager stood up from her seat. I trailed closely behind Manager Kim Hyemi again. On the way, she roughly explained what was on each floor, and I diligently crammed it into my head.

The manager knocked on the door of Practice Room 3. The soundproofing was good, so not a single sound of music leaked out.

“Kids, are you all here?”

Only when the door opened did the loud thumping music come through. The music abruptly stopped at the manager’s appearance. The smell of the boys’ sweat wafted over.

I heard the sound of them greeting the manager while I waited outside. Following the manager who gestured for me to come in, everyone’s gaze focused on me. The puppy and the puppy’s hyung I saw earlier were there too. The puppy was still glaring at me. Hmm.

Since I was so used to this gaze, I actually felt a sense of stability. Maybe I’m unexpectedly a pervert. That’s probably how I survived well in that cruel world.

“I’ll introduce you. From that side, it’s Yoochan, Ilhan, Kanghyun, Seoho. Haon is the youngest.”

You’re telling me their names too quickly. You’re only telling me their first names without last names. The abbreviation is also… No. The manager is just light, so I have no choice but to diligently memorize them. But I’m not confident in memorizing names.

The puppy’s hyung is Yoochan. The man who looks like a delinquent with sharp features is Ilhan. The man that is so handsome your jaw drops is Kanghyun. The puppy is Seoho. Okay. I might forget soon, but I’ve inputted it for now.

“Hello. I’m Jin Haon. I’m eighteen.”

Since I was introduced, I should greet them. I even added a polite 90-degree bow. No words like nice to meet you or welcome came back. I guess the tension between trainees is the same everywhere. But why are there only four trainees?

“Kids?”

Only when the manager urged them did the puppy’s hyung, I mean Yoochan, step forward.

“Hello. I’m Park Yoochan. Twenty-two years old, currently the leader, and my position is lead vocal.”

“Hello.”

First meetings and first greetings are always awkward. I have to do this three more times. Well, the puppy probably won’t do it, so maybe twice.

“This is Jung Ilhan. Twenty-one years old, in charge of the main rapper position. Ilhan, say hello.”

He was someone who looked fierce due to his sharply angled eyes. As soon as Jung Ilhan made eye contact with me, he turned his head. And as if reluctantly, a small and stiff greeting of ‘Hello’ came back.

“Yes, hello.”

“And this is Baek Kanghyun. Twenty years old. Our main dancer and lead rapper. A friend who’s serious about dancing.”

This person was worse. He gave me a once-over and just jerked his head. Then he plugged in earphones and stared at his cell phone. Judging by how he’s holding it horizontally, it seems he’s watching a video…

Park Yoochan only glanced at Baek Kanghyun once and didn’t stop him. Instead, the manager, without paying any attention, pulled the puppy who had been bristling and glaring at me, introducing him last.

“And this is Lee Seoho, who has been the youngest until now. He’s one year older than Haon and is a sub-vocalist.”

The puppy glared at me with bloodshot eyes. Then he yelled at the manager.

“You’re going to give Jaehyuk hyung’s spot to this kind of guy? What was Jaehyuk hyung lacking that he got kicked out! I don’t understand! Bring hyung back! I said bring him back!”

I’m so busy managing my health while raising stats because of the abnormal conditions that trigger when my health drops, but it seems getting along well is out of the question.

“Lee Seoho.”

The manager’s face, who had been smiling the whole time, hardened for the first time. She has charisma when she’s stern. By the way, no one stopped the puppy who was talking back to his superior and barking. It meant they all agreed.

Whatever. I don’t have a good impression of them either. But I just stood there blinking as if I had no clue. I didn’t forget to show a slightly flustered expression to the manager. I only need Manager Goddess Hyemi on my side.

“Parachute bastard. I can tell you’re only good-looking and nothing else, but you’re happy because the CEO pushed you in? What sin did the hyung who got kicked out because of you commit? So annoying!”

The puppy tapped my shoulder and snapped at me. The ‘parachute’ was me? I never even imagined that identity…

How did I become a parachute? I was puzzled but acted docile for now. The manager was here, and I didn’t want to give a bad impression from the first day.

The manager hurriedly approached and grabbed the puppy’s front paws. His whining was just like a puppy. I’ve experienced all kinds of evil and terrible people, so this much was cute. I could even pat his head, thinking aww, how cute.

It was obvious he grew up being loved. Even him barking to threaten me in his own way was unbearably cute. If he wants to scare other people, he should do something about those trembling large pupils first. Even the hand pushing me was so clumsy, it seemed like a protesting performance.

“Seoho, can’t you stop? You, follow me.”

“Manager, you know how much Seoho relied on Jaehyuk. Not just Seoho, we all liked Jaehyuk.”

The manager touched her forehead with her hand.

“Yoochan, you too? I explained enough.”

“You didn’t tell us the exact reason. If you don’t properly tell us, we have no choice but to think you kicked Jaehyuk out to push that kid in.”

“…You guys, let’s talk later.”

How much did they cherish them that they’re talking back to the manager like that? Are they confident they won’t get cut from the debut lineup?