Chapter 42
What?
Have you ever worried about your team members? Like, what if something happens to them, some kind of accident or incident?
Well, Im the biggest troublemaker of all, so
I know that. As soon as Joo Woosung got into a relationship, it turned into a huge mess.
Joo Woosung crossed his arms and thought deeply.
Generally, our kids are good, so nothing like that ever happened. Oh, but there was one time some member shouted about doing a musical and messed it up big time. Ended up drinking lots of soju to heal.
Didnt you stop them?
I didnt. I thought they would do well. If I had stopped them in the first place, they would have just lost their spirit. At least they tried to challenge themselves.
Isnt success more important?
Without that kind of experience, you cant succeed. If youre too scared to try, opportunities will fly away.
Surprisingly, Joo Woosung was giving some very sunbae-like advice. I thought he would be more realistic, considering how difficult it was to even talk about challenges at his level.
I tapped my fingers on the desk as I listened.
So, trust is important?
Were all in the same boat, after all.
Joo Woosung mumbled.
But why? Anything happened?
I heard about Kim Seonghyeons school bullying rumor.
Really?
Im not sure if its true.
As soon as I said it honestly, Joo Woosung rolled his eyes, looking troubled.
Sorry, I dont have much to say about that. Its a very sensitive issue.
Thats okay.
There was a similar controversy about one of our members as well. Smoking, and all It was a false accusation, though.
Joo Woosung sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
Seo Hoyun, youll realize this as you work here. Theres really no end to strange happenings. People are curious about why they would hate me so much. The higher you go, the more people want to bring you down.
Just remember that where theres smoke, there isnt always fire. So dont act impulsively.
Joo Woosung chose his words carefully. It was a sensitive issue and something that shouldnt be done, so his words were cautious.
I slowly went over Joo Woosungs words in my head.
It was the most serious I had ever seen him since knowing him.
At least trust him once. No matter what anyone says, hes in the same boat as you.
He was right. I accepted his advice as it was.
I suddenly froze as I sorted out my complicated thoughts and stood up.
Ding!
[Surprise!
Oops, I made a mistake!! >//<
Kim Seonghyeons school bullying controversy exploded much faster than expected.
Explain the situation and stop the controversy.
Stop Kim Seonghyeon Controversy 0/1
Success: Main scenario proceeds
Failure: If not resolved before Shining Star ends, The Dawns reputation will significantly decline]
The issue had blown up.
***
As my expression hardened, Joo Woosung seemed to notice the atmosphere and left. When I rushed to the practice room, the guys who had already caught wind of the incident looked grim. I snatched the cell phone that Kim Seonghyeon was blankly staring at with a dumbfounded expression.
Wait.
What was on the cellphone was a post on some community site. I slowly read the title.
[Title: Exposing the school bullying of Kim Seonghyeon from The Dawn.
Hello. I am exposing the school bullying of Kim Seonghyeon from The Dawn.
I am a graduate of XX High School, which Kim Seonghyeon attended.
I tried to forget about it, but seeing Kim Seonghyeon shamelessly appearing on TV again, I couldnt hold back and am posting this.
Kim Seonghyeon and I were in the same class. Kim Seonghyeon harassed a classmate, Hwang-something, terribly. He not only extorted money but also verbally abused and occasionally even assaulted him. Everyone was too scared to stop him.
One day, Kim Seonghyeon tried to extort money from Hwang-something. When he refused, Kim Seonghyeon assaulted him, leaving Hwang to suffer some injuries that took two weeks to heal. Kim Seonghyeon left the school without any remorse but ultimately received disciplinary action due to the victims testimony. Also, he ended up dropping out a month later.
The proof of my high school attendance is at the bottom of this post.
I cannot forgive Kim Seonghyeon for shamelessly appearing on TV as if nothing had happened.]
Huh.
I quickly scrolled down to read more. There was a high school graduation album but no other proof. It was filled with vague words, and the writer wasnt even a direct victim.
The only thing that caught my attention was Kim Seonghyeon receiving disciplinary action because of the victims testimony.
Hyung.
Hey, just a moment
Kim Seonghyeon looked pale. I deliberately didnt return his phone and held onto him.
Kim Seonghyeon. Tell me everything that happened in high school.
Everyone looked at me as if I had lost my mind. Kim Seonghyeon furrowed his brows.
What?
First, tell me if its true or not. That way, I can figure out what countermeasures to take.
Everyone was taken aback by the blunt words I suddenly blurted out.
Hyung, what are you talking about right now?
Hoyun, are you doubting Seonghyeon?
Everyone treated me as if I was sick.
It seemed Kim Seonghyeon had been living diligently. No one else thought that way, judging by their reactions.
Kim Seonghyeons face was so pale it was turning blue.
Tell me quickly. If I didnt trust you, I wouldnt have asked.
The incident already blew up.
Hyung!
Jeong Dajun widened his already large eyes.
Hyung, I I think its nonsense. Theres no way you would do that.
Kim Seonghyeon let out a bitter laugh, and I folded my arms and stared at him. Seong Jiwon calmed down the animated Jeong Dajun.
Lets hear him out first.
Seong Jiwon and the others had known Kim Seonghyeon for about 2-3 years at best. However, because they practiced together daily and lived even closer than anyone else, their trust in him couldnt help but be one-sided.
Kim Seonghyeon let out a sigh and put his hand on his forehead.
Its not true.
The things written there Its really not true. I swear, Ive never bullied anyone. Neither extortion nor assault.
Out of habit, I tried to gauge whether he was sincere.
At that moment, Joo Woosungs words echoed in my mind.
Since were a team and on the same boat anyway, I should try trusting him.
What about the disciplinary action?
Thats true.
The story doesnt add up.
Hoyun.
Seong Jiwon cautiously tried to stop me. I was already thinking of a plan in my head.
Soon, the manager and CEO will talk about this too. We need to sort this out before then. So, tell me everything honestly. If theres even a little lie, I wont be able to help you.
Seo Hoyun.
Kim Seonghyeon pressed his furrowing brow as if he had a headache. Then he let out another sigh and slumped down.
Yeah, my story doesnt add up. I didnt assault anyone, but I received disciplinary action. It doesnt make sense.
Kim Seonghyeon murmured with a deflated expression.
But its not true. How could I do that to him?
To him?
I was friends with the victim written here.
Kim Seonghyeon looked bitter.
After wetting his lips several times, as if he had made up his mind, he began his story carefully and slowly.
I might have thought we were friends, but at least we talked to each other. Suddenly, he was targeted and harassed. I was scared and just watched. One day, I saw him being beaten in an alley next to the school and ran to help. I called the police and helped him.
I decided to listen to Kim Seonghyeons words now, believing they were 100% sincere. That was my best compromise.
I arranged the whole story of Kim Seonghyeons incident chronologically in my head.
But the moment the police arrived, the bullies started laughing and said I was the one who hit him. The victim, my friend, also pointed to me as the assailant under their pressure. In the end, I received disciplinary action, and ever since that incident, my hands would shake whenever I went to school. So, I dropped out. My family didnt have money to send me to college anyway
So, I wasted my time like a cripple, then started dancing again, did a lot of part-time jobs, and tried becoming an idol.
Kim Seonghyeon laughed bitterly.
Thats how it happened.
[Quest Success!
Find out about Kim Seonghyeons past.
Kim Seonghyeons trustworthiness (very) slightly increased, main scenario progress]
Even though a quest success notification appeared, it was the first time I felt so uneasy.
At that moment, Jeong Dajun suddenly started crying.
Hyung.
Why, why is this happening?
Im sorry. I didnt even know about this and kept nagging you constantly.
Hey, hey. Dont cry. Stop.
Kim Seonghyeon, flustered, threw his rolling coat at Jeong Dajun. Jeong Dajun grabbed it, wiped away his tears that flowed like a faucet, and blew his nose. Kim Seonghyeons expression soured.
Hey, why are you blowing your nose?
Its hard to breathe because my nose is stuffy
With my coat?
Argh, Ill buy you a nice one when I earn lots of money.
Jeong Dajun, still tearful, grumbled. The atmosphere had lightened up a lot. Seong Jiwon cautiously comforted Kim Seonghyeon.
Youve been through a lot.
Hyung, you really struggled.
Kang Ichae also followed and comforted Kim Seonghyeon. Kim Seonghyeon didnt speak, as if his nose hurt.
While he hung his head and endured it alone, I stored the entire incident in my head.
Well have to clarify this.
Kim Seonghyeon, are you in contact with that friend?
As I asked nonchalantly, Kim Seonghyeon shook his head.
I havent contacted him since I dropped out.
Then what about witnesses at the time of the incident?
That too as far as I know, there were none.
Kim Seonghyeon spoke gloomily.
I weighed the article that had come out and Kim Seonghyeons best explanation that he could give.
I guessed which side would be more advantageous. I finished calculating.
Then lets not explain this right now.
What?!
Jeong Dajun jumped up.
Hyung, thats not possible. How many misunderstandings do people have right now? Seonghyeon is such a good person. We need to clear up the misunderstanding quickly.
Itll backfire if we do it now.
I agree with that too.
Seong Jiwon, who had remained silent, stepped forward. He made an apologetic face toward Kim Seonghyeon.
If we cant even get in touch with the victim, theres nothing we can do.
Seong Jiwon was right. Even if we claimed it wasnt a proper explanation, the backlash would only grow.
Can we quickly take care of it now and then explain later?
No, if we do that, people will forget. Then, only the label of school bully will remain.
I racked my brain. The manager would soon enter the practice room. I grabbed Kim Seonghyeons shoulder.
Kim Seonghyeon.
Yeah
I trust you.
Kim Seonghyeons eyes wavered.
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