The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Chapter 226

I quietly watched Park Ha-eun.

‘How…?’

How could she be so honest about her feelings?

Even though they weren’t positive emotions, she acknowledged and shared them openly. It was impressive.

‘I guess I’m surrounded by amazing people.’

If it were me, I’d probably keep it to myself.

I’d think it was a burden to share something that wasn’t positive with those around me.

But listening to Park Ha-eun now, I didn’t feel burdened at all.

In fact, I felt comforted, knowing I wasn’t the only one with these thoughts.

‘I see.’

Sharing negative emotions with others isn’t always a bad thing.

I smiled at Park Ha-eun, who had given me this realization.

“You’re right. Everything will change from now on.”

“……”

“Whether or not Bi-hyuk debuts, things will change. You’ll get busier too. There may come a time when even a phone call is difficult.”

I wanted to say that we’d stay close forever, but I couldn’t.

The reality was right in front of us, and as we grew, our worlds would expand.

“I feel sad thinking about us drifting apart too.”

It would never be the same as before.

Thinking this, I held Park Ha-eun’s hand.

“But we can make an effort.”

“……”

“Let’s try harder not to drift apart.”

No one knows if that’s possible.

Whether we’ll be able to lean on each other in the future or if we’ll drift apart over small arguments, we can’t know now.

The future is always uncertain.

There’s no way to see what lies beyond the foggy mist.

“……Okay.”

Park Ha-eun squeezed my hand.

Her clear eyes seemed to be smiling.

“Let’s do that, Yeon-jae.”

The future is always uncertain.

And uncertainty means it’s not predetermined.

‘It’s up to me.’

So, I’ll shape it myself.

My future.

* * *

“Ha-eun, is this how you do streaming?”

“Yeah, just set the volume to zero and keep it playing.”

As soon as the song was released at 6 PM, Park Ha-eun and I opened the music app.

Even Jin-bae hyung, sitting in the driver’s seat, joined us.

“How do I do this?”

“Oh, that’s—”

I felt proud as I explained each step to Jin-bae hyung, who was struggling even with logging in.

It was good to have studied this.

“When did you learn all this, actor? You’re not good with phones.”

Jin-bae hyung asked with wide eyes.

“It’s not as hard as it seems.”

I tried to sound nonchalant, but I couldn’t hide my smile.

I wanted to teach him more, so I spent a long time chatting by his side.

“Is this right, actor?”

“Yes. If you click the button next to it, it’ll play the same next time.”

“Ah, what about this button?”

Jin-bae hyung seemed to talk more than usual, but I was too busy explaining to notice.

When I suddenly felt a gaze, I looked up to see Park Ha-eun watching us with a curious look.

“Why?”

“It’s just surprising… I didn’t know you could be so cute.”

Cute? What does she mean by cute?

Unlike my confused expression, Jin-bae hyung smiled warmly.

“Why? Isn’t he adorable?”

“He is, but… Manager, aren’t you taking advantage of this?”

“It’s just that opportunities like this are rare. Please understand.”

What are they talking about?

I listened blankly to their conversation before jumping in.

“What do you mean? When did I act cute?”

“Don’t mind them, actor. What does this button do?”

Jin-bae hyung naturally handed me the phone, and I answered instinctively.

Park Ha-eun shook her head and turned away.

I heard her mutter, “So weird, so weird.”

We waited in the car until it was time to go inside the venue.

The second floor, reserved for the members’ families and acquaintances, was quiet, while the first floor, filled with fans, was already packed.

“There are so many people.”

“Yeah.”

The noise was almost deafening.

We must have timed it well because as soon as we sat down, the lights went out.

The moment the lights went out, deafening cheers filled the venue.

I thought of Bi-hyuk, standing nervously backstage.

I unconsciously held my breath.

The dark venue was illuminated by the word ‘NADE’ on the screen.

As the word written in the sand was washed away by waves, the stage lights came on, and the members appeared.

—Let’s breathe!

Without any greeting, the performance started immediately.

The first to take the stage was the main vocalist, Noh Bi-hyuk.

Wearing an outfit reminiscent of a marine look, he moved lightly.

—I’m Swimming, towards you. Yeah.

A refreshing voice suited for a bright concept.

Noh Bi-hyuk, with a playful smile, nodded to the beat.

‘He’s doing well.’

Despite his nerves showing a bit, his expressions were natural for a first performance.

Their synchronization was perfect, showing just how much they had practiced.

‘The choreography is intense.’

Contrary to the bright and refreshing tone of the song, the choreography and movements were insanely rigorous.

Smiling brightly while dancing like that.

‘I need to get him more supplements.’

At this rate, his joints would wear out before he even became an adult.

Just as I thought that, Lee Eun-taek jumped to the center of the stage.

Unlike Noh Bi-hyuk, who was adorned with various accessories, Lee Eun-taek was simply styled in white and blue, hinting at the stylists’ struggles.

I guess with his sharp features, the marine look might have seemed off.

Dressed more simply than the others, Lee Eun-taek flowed seamlessly into his rap.

—Breathe, like swimming to where you want.

It was the first time I saw Lee Eun-taek like this.

I’d seen Noh Bi-hyuk sing for years and practiced dancing with him, so it was familiar.

I had wondered how Lee Eun-taek would look singing and if it would seem odd.

Turns out, worrying about celebrities is unnecessary.

He even looked more relaxed than Noh Bi-hyuk, making me chuckle.

‘He’s really something.’

The two on stage were shining.

In what felt like just a few seconds, the first song ended.

The sweaty members gathered and bowed together.

“Hello. I’m Bi-hyuk, the main vocalist, the youngest, and the visual of Nade!”

As Noh Bi-hyuk winked at the fans, Lee Eun-taek’s face visibly contorted.

Funny thing is, he introduced himself the same way.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Eun-taek, the main rapper and the real visual of Nade.”

“Wow, hyung. Where’s your conscience—”

As Noh Bi-hyuk immediately countered with the mic, the leader pulled his mic down, suggesting they finish introductions first.

‘The leader is going to have a tough time.’

Handling these unruly kids won’t be easy.

After the leader finished introducing himself with an already tired face, the other members began to playfully bark around.

Watching them made me feel exhausted.

‘I should get the leader some supplements.’

After a brief interview, the performance resumed.

Changing outfits several times, the members seemed like excited puppies on stage.

It was nice to see them showering the fans with affection and shouting their love non-stop.

But knowing them personally made me feel oddly unsettled.

A glance at Park Ha-eun showed her closing her eyes tightly. She was having a hard time too.

“Ah… I wish Bi-hyuk would stop winking.”

“Don’t throw up here, Ha-eun.”

Park Ha-eun stared at Noh Bi-hyuk with disdain.

The showcase, lasting a few hours, ended in what felt like an instant.

When we entered the waiting room guided by the staff, Noh Bi-hyuk ran over like a puppy.

“Yeon-jae!”

“Oof.”

He smelled of sweat.

Hugging me, he hopped around, unable to contain himself.

“How was I? Ha-eun, did you see? Did I do well?”

His face was still flushed with endorphins.

Park Ha-eun gave him a thumbs up immediately.

“Of course, our house’s Bi-hyuk is the best. No other Bi-hyuk compares. You’re the best!”

Noh Bi-hyuk laughed at her unique praise.

I patted his back as he fidgeted non-stop.

Handing him the bouquet I had bought, I looked around but didn’t see any of his acquaintances.

“Where are your parents?”

“Oh, they’re both not in Korea. They mentioned a meeting in the US.”

Noh Bi-hyuk replied casually.

I watched him smile and say the flowers were pretty.

“Don’t get discouraged.”

“Huh? I’m not discouraged.”

“I know, but just in case.”

I poked his cheek.

“Other people may only have two parents, but you’ve got three here. You have more.”

Even counting Jin-bae hyung as 1.5 people because of his height, Noh Bi-hyuk had the most acquaintances here.

He paused for a moment before laughing.

“That’s so you. Thanks. But did I really do well? Any weak points? Be honest.”

“You’re naturally gifted. Just tone down the cuteness.”

“Right! I almost threw up! Please stop.”

Park Ha-eun chimed in immediately, her expression sincere.

“You guys are harsh. Jin-bae hyung, how did I do?”

“It was excellent.”

“Even the cuteness?”

Jin-bae hyung just smiled.

Noh Bi-hyuk grumbled about us being heartless but was clearly happy.

As we chatted and laughed, I felt someone’s gaze and turned to see Lee Eun-taek.

He wasn’t alone; two people in front of him were also looking at me.

‘…It’s time.’

I excused myself and walked over to Lee Eun-taek, keeping my smile steady.

I’d prepared for this moment long ago.

Still, it was surprising how nervous I felt.

With every step I took, my grip tightened.

Get a hold of yourself. You can do this.

‘There’s no avoiding it.’

This was something that could no longer be hidden away.

If I wanted to continue being with Eun-taek, I had to face this head-on.

“Hyung, congratulations on your debut.”

I handed the bouquet I had prepared to Lee Eun-taek with a smile.

“Thanks, kid….”

Lee Eun-taek hesitated, which was unusual for him.

I could feel him looking between the two people in front of him and me.

Still smiling, I slowly shifted my gaze.

I made eye contact with the middle-aged man and woman, both standing stiffly. I felt my breath catch.

“It’s been a while.”

Despite my mind going blank, the words I had practiced countless times came out smoothly.

“…Yeah.”

After a long pause, the man finally spoke.

The woman avoided my gaze.

I checked my smile again, ensuring it stayed in place.

I wondered what expression I should wear when meeting my adoptive parents for the first time in eight years.