LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 182
Chapter 182
After barely managing to finish off a tasteless celery salad, I realized it was already nearing 11:30.
“Ah, here’s a gift for you.”
The present I brought was a soft, bright yellow chick-shaped cushion.
“Last year, you were our chick class homeroom teacher. It’s a memento for that.”
The look and especially the feel of the cushion were so soft and pleasant that I kept stroking it in the car on the way here.
The only downside was that it didn’t really match Muk Hye-sung’s neat home interior.
But it was cute, so I hoped he would like it.
“Thanks.”
It seemed like Muk Hye-sung found it cute as well.
Thus, the chick cushion enjoyed the honor of being placed on a 45-million-won bed.
Having handed over the gift, what should I do next?
“By the way, teacher.”
“Yes?”
“That thing you ate earlier, was that really breakfast?”
“Yes, it was.”
“No way!”
Even if I had to eat cereal or bread for breakfast, I would never accept just some greens. Kang Ji-woo, who is obsessed with rice, wouldn’t even consider the former acceptable.
Carbohydrates are so important in a human’s life, and yet you called those greens breakfast.
“Let’s go out and have brunch.”
“Brunch?”
“Yes, brunch.”
“……”
Muk Hye-sung’s gaze seemed to contemplate many things in that moment.
[Imagining about 28 possible scenarios that could happen if Muk Hye-sung went out with you.]
His expression turned a bit calmer than usual.
How did he see me, really?
If I had to categorize myself, I was a completely non-active, introverted person.
I loved performing on stage, but on my days off, I preferred to stay home and play games.
“Instead.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s stay at home.”
But Muk Hye-sung seemed like someone who could be described as beyond introverted, maybe even reclusive.
“Just as I thought!”
“……”
“I came prepared. I’ve got messages from your fans that they sent to me. I’ll read them to you.”
“Who sent what to whom?”
Seeing that he didn’t quite understand my words, I kindly explained again.
“Since the news came out about us filming ‘Ten to Ten’, your fans have sent me a ton of supportive messages. I’ve captured the impressive ones to share with you.”
He might wonder why I bothered with such things, but it was our first public broadcast variety show, so the more preparation, the better.
During the time we prepared for our comeback and after the comeback, I took whatever little time I had to analyze Muk Hye-sung and monitor ‘Ten to Ten’.
“Those guys, really…”
Muk Hye-sung looked at me with eyes that seemed to say this was a waste of time.
Calling a large number of fans “those guys” reflected the closeness forged over time.
“Let’s see…”
I went into my phone gallery and started reading the captured messages.
“Hello, Raon. Congratulations on your second album comeback. You are so handsome and we always support your great activities.”
It started off very politely.
“But can I make one request? Can you show the beauty of the world to your handsome brother who doesn’t go out unless it’s for work? There’s a small festival at Seoul Forest right now, and the landscaping is beautiful…”
Even if he avoids going out on his own, Muk Hye-sung is still a Seoul citizen.
It detailed various attractions in and around Seoul, as if addressing someone who had just arrived in the city.
Or perhaps it was a considerate explanation for someone like me who associates Times Square with Yeongdeungpo and holds a blue passport.
But calling him a handsome mold, that was too much.
Other comments were similar.
“Hey, Hye-sung.”
“……”
“No, no. I don’t mean to say it like that. This comment says so.”
“…Alright.”
“As long as this tunnel is alive, I’ve given up on seeing a child that looks like you. So please let your face shine on more people like the sun in the sky. If you don’t want that, at least post more photos on social media. If not that, meet someone good and get married. …What? I didn’t read this far. What’s with this person’s theme?”
“Why should my fans give up on seeing my child?”
It was the first time I saw a fan openly telling an active singer to get married.
“Do you plan on getting married?”
“No.”
“……”
“……”
No wonder they say these things…
Anyway, just as Muk Hye-sung casually referred to his fans as “those guys”, Chronicle fans also had a surprisingly blunt and harsh side when it came to their favorite celebrities.
“Anyway, you’ve heard these precious fans’ words! It’s almost like I’ve been given a mission to prevent you from turning into mold.”
“They’ve already called me mold.”
…Is he really this petty?
“Forget about that trivial stuff and let’s go out! The sun is shining, and the world is beautiful! Isn’t it a waste to stay indoors on such a wonderful day?”
Hah, I never thought I’d say something like this…
Honestly, is there any weather too good to stay inside?
At my enthusiastic urging, the writer sister sent me an encouraging look.
To be honest, Muk Hye-sung himself probably didn’t expect to spend the whole day indoors now that I was here.
According to the production team, Muk Hye-sung had minimized going out and had done everything possible at home up until now.
Cleaning, cooking, furniture assembly, activity monitoring, repotting plants, and so on…
Of course, this person also had the experience of surviving amidst the chaotic Chronicle members and possessed a beauty that wasn’t fully captured by the camera, leading fans to lament the inadequacy of modern technology. These small daily activities seemed to provide enough content.
However, there was a limit to finding things to do at home.
Therefore, the role that the production team expected from me as a guest was to drag Muk Hye-sung, who acted like a fixture in his house, outside to secure a different kind of content than before.
There was no way Muk Hye-sung, a veteran broadcaster of 21 years, wouldn’t know this.
This trivial back-and-forth, almost like a comedy routine, wasn’t just about creating valuable broadcast content.
I suddenly glanced around at the cameras installed in the surroundings.
At the end of my gaze, there were not only cameras but also a few production staff members who tried to stay as inconspicuous as possible. Despite their efforts, being in the same space meant they couldn’t completely avoid being noticed.
Claiming to capture real daily life in such a manner was laughable.
‘It’s all fake.’
At that moment, Muk Hye-sung nodded with a slight smile.
“Alright, let’s go.”
But that was genuine.
* * *
[Muk Hye-sung + On Raon seemingly filming for ‘Ten to Ten’
Location: Seoul Forest!!
Diligently finding photo spots and taking pictures one by one LOL
Muk Hye-sung’s height is no joke, and On Raon is just an angel.
Their visuals are apparent even from their backs…]
– Was today the day they were filming together?!?
– The uncle and nephew wearing matching baby pink outfits look so good and are so cute like cherry blossom cotton candy that I’m cryingㅠㅠㅠㅠ Stylist-nim, I bow to youㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
– Damn it, I’m right nearby but can’t leave workㅎㅎㅎㅎㅎㅎ
– Oh my god, I’m so nervous and excitedㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
– I’m an Eternal fan, and I’m really looking forward to it. Isn’t this the ultimate visual combinationㅠㅠㅠㅠ
– Wow, their heads look so small. I’d probably want to die if I took a picture between them.
– There are more staff following them than I expected.
– I’m neither an Orca fan nor a Chronicle fan, but I’m definitely watching this episode.
– Can’t wait!!!
* * *
The purpose of ‘Ten to Ten’ was to show the daily lives of celebrities.
Thus, during filming, the involvement of external people like managers in front of the camera was minimized, so Muk Hye-sung handled the driving all day.
“We’re here.”
We entered Seoul Forest, which an Eternal fan had recommended as a place worth visiting.
Inside the house, the staff were minimally present, but once outside, they all followed us, surrounding us from all sides.
It was quite the spectacle, almost as if to say, “We’re celebrities and we’re filming right now.”
Of course, during the outdoor shoots for ‘Let’s Be Friends, Orca,’ the staff followed us as well, but it was on a much smaller scale than this.
I was suddenly grateful that I didn’t suffer from camera anxiety.
Like an ambassador for this forest, we took photos in beautiful spots, bought street food, and wandered around actively. As musicians, we found one object particularly interesting.
“There’s even a piano in a place like this.”
“Indeed.”
The turquoise piano, with white flowers crudely painted on its surface and spots where the wood showed through from exposure to the elements, blended beautifully with the surrounding greenery and looked quite impressive at first glance.
A sign nearby stated that this piano was donated by a citizen and was free to play.
“Can you play the piano?”
Muk Hye-sung asked.
“A little. You can play too, right?”
I hadn’t seen him play in person, but there was a heavy, luxurious black piano in Muk Hye-sung’s house. There were also some old, low-quality videos on YouTube of him playing the piano.
“Do you want to give it a try?”
Did he think I was interested in the piano?
Muk Hye-sung asked.
The PD, who seemed to want to wrap up the forest shoot with a good scene, also looked pleased.
“It probably hasn’t been tuned at all.”
Even though the relevant organization managed the piano, it wouldn’t be in good condition being left outdoors without any protection.
When I pressed one of the dust-free keys with my index finger, I immediately noticed the sound was slightly off.