ID Chapter 43

Practicing non-stop, the day before the concert arrived in a flash.

Stage rehearsals had been ongoing since three days before the performance. Between a Sand Stadium and a regular dome concert hall, we chose the latter. A performance on a stage covered in sand, like a desert, is certainly spectacular and magnificent, but it’s physically demanding and inhaling sand for about two hours causes severe after-effects. The members considered my health.

In fact, Kwon Su-han’s influence was also at play. When he met the members once, he said three times that he was worried about Ira’s poor health. Three times in an hour…

At the time, I was so embarrassed my face burned, but I was grateful to him.

Kwon Su-han repeated the routine of dropping me off at the practice room early in the morning, going to work, and then picking me up in the evening. Knowing that I often ate delivery food, he diligently packed me lunchboxes. It was awkward for me to eat different, better meals alone, and I didn’t show it – or rather, I thought I didn’t show it – but it must have been obvious because later he made enough for the other members too, which made me both very grateful and sorry. Because of me, he made five lunchboxes and snack boxes.

I took pictures of all of them and posted them on social media, and Kwon Su-han didn’t make any particular comment about it but consistently shared the posts.

┗ Ira’s chubby cheeks ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

┗ Our baby seems to have gained some weight ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

┗ Were the snacks yummy??? My baby wooh-kyung-kyung

┗ So cute, my phone is broken (from cuteness)

┗ Teacher Kwon Su-han must be taking good care of our baby, their cheeks have filled out.

┗ Teacher Su-han shares faster than the fans kekekekeke

┗ Dangerously cute…

These were the reactions to the lunchbox verification shots. Having eaten consistently during practice, I must have gained some weight. There were even people analyzing the diameter of my cheeks.

They were so lovely, I wanted to smash my phone too. The members are amazing. How have they maintained their distance all this time when the fans are so adorable? I want to bite each and every one of them and just carry them around in my pocket.

I need to take and upload more photos from now on… While I was at it, I picked up some yubu-chobap and took another snapshot.

“Taking pictures again? You’re practically addicted to social media. You’ve definitely gotten into it late in the game.”

“What can I do when the fans ask me to upload? They’re so cute, it’s killing me. Why are they so cute? Look, they’re all like ‘wooh-kyung-kyung’. It’s not of this world’s cuteness.”

“…Hey, don’t read along. That kind of thing doesn’t work on me.”

Han-sae grumbled and plopped down next to me. I finished writing the post.

@LEERAENDORPHIN

[Teacher Su-han’s lunchbox again today!! Thanks to it, Endorphin’s first and last concert. We’re working hard to prepare ♡♡ See you all tomorrow!

(Photo)]

“Overflowing with charm, truly.”

Han-sae chuckled, reading my post. I laughed too, reading the rapidly appearing reactions.

Many people wanted a two-shot with Jae-yi, but that was a request I couldn’t grant. I subtly turned my gaze towards Jae-yi, and our eyes met. He happened to be looking at me. I gave him an awkward smile. Jae-yi also curled up the corners of his mouth.

“Crazy… Just make up properly. You guys are super awkward.”

Han-sae shivered and nudged my arm.

“Uh, soon…”

I would have to give the answer I’d put off back then. After the concert.

Jae-yi was soon called by a staff member to put on his microphone. Han-sae was also called away to get his costume on, and I, too, needed to start getting ready, so I sighed ‘ooh-cha’ and stood up.

After a short break, we resumed rehearsal. We reinforced the weak points from the first rehearsal, proceeding with costume changes as if it were the actual stage, and in the immediately following third rehearsal, we even used aura.

Rehearsals continued from 9 AM. But strangely, I didn’t feel tired. Of course, my body was weary, but my mind was lighter than ever. Had I ever enjoyed preparing for Endorphin’s stage this much before? Recalling the hard days I struggled alone without fan support, now feels like heaven. No matter how physically exhausting it was, my heart was excited and joyful, so I was having a wonderful time.

We finished rehearsal late at night. The members told me to wash up before leaving, but I declined. Thinking of Kwon Su-han, who would be waiting in the car with a grumpy face for three hours, my hands automatically moved faster to pack my bag.

“Did that person come to pick you up again?”

“…Yeah. Aren’t you going to wash up? Everyone else went to.”

Jae-yi was still there, not having gone downstairs alone. I paused for a moment, then continued tidying my belongings. As I went to put my bag on my shoulder, Jae-yi approached.

“Give it to me. It looks heavy.”

“No… I’ll carry it.”

I quickly clutched it tightly. Only after Jae-yi stepped back did I put it on my shoulder.

I waited for Jae-yi to move away from the door. He looked like he had a lot to say, but in the end, he didn’t say anything and moved aside.

“Jae-yi, you should go in quickly too. You need to sleep early for tomorrow.”

“…Yeah. I should… Good night, Ira.”

“You too.”

We said our goodbyes very awkwardly and parted ways. Even as I rode the elevator down to the parking lot, Jae-yi’s forlorn face lingered in my mind, but it vanished the moment I saw Kwon Su-han, sharply dressed in a suit, leaning against the car.

“You’re late. When are you going to sleep?”

Kwon Su-han, upon seeing me, checked his watch once and furrowed his brows slightly. Even that look was so cool… I was worried that my pounding heart might be heard by that man.

On the day of the concert, I woke to my alarm and realized that Kwon Su-han, who was supposed to drive me to the venue, wasn’t there. In the early morning, he had received an emergency call related to a patient and rushed out. He had whispered something to me while I was half-asleep, and it seemed to be something about Kwon Jin-ho picking me up.

[Are you up? Cook some jjigae and send me pictures before and after eating.]

A note saying that was stuck on the refrigerator. I felt strangely sullen and considered skipping breakfast, but not wanting to worry him, I quietly turned on the stove.

I sent three pictures, but there was no reply. I even bestowed a selfie of myself… Is the patient in a very serious condition? Maybe it’s not even a patient. Perhaps an urgent situation requiring aura use came up, and he was called to enhance an aura. After all, Kwon Su-han is an S-class Aura Adapter.

Aside from being proud, it’s a bit disappointing. My nervousness before the concert would probably feel better if Kwon Su-han were by my side…

Realizing anew how much I relied on him, I let out a sigh.

Even after I finished getting ready to leave, there was no reply. I hesitated to contact him again, and since Kwon Jin-ho hadn’t arrived yet, I was waiting, fiddling with my phone.

Ding-dong.

At the sound of the bell, I snapped my head up. It was the doorbell ringing right in front of me, not at the apartment entrance. Was it Kwon Jin-ho? Or… Kwon Su-han?

Filled with excitement, I rushed to open the door without checking the screen.

“Kwon Su…!”

“…Long time no see.”

There stood CEO Shin Dong-woo, his eyes bloodshot.

His complexion was pale and haggard. His eyes were bloodshot, his lips dry and cracked, and his hair was growing gray since he hadn’t dyed it. The only thing that remained expensive was the suit he wore, but to me, who had seen Kwon Su-han’s dressing room, even that looked old and worn.

“How long are you going to keep me standing here? Let’s go inside.”

CEO Shin Dong-woo pushed me aside as if it were natural and walked inside. Contrary to the thought that I should stop him, I stepped backward. My hands were trembling like aspen leaves. He was smaller than me, but my body was terrified as if facing a giant monster. I bit my lip and clutched my trembling hand.

Get a grip. This is Kwon Su-han’s house.

I chased after CEO Shin Dong-woo, who was walking down the entrance hallway, and blocked his path.

“CEO…”

My lips went dry as I met his hyena-like eyes. My heart pounded, and my voice trembled, but I finally managed to speak aloud.

“CEO Shin Dong-woo, what brings you here?”

Silence fell.

CEO Shin Dong-woo tilted his head as if asking if I had really called him. His eyes were as cold as ice.

I glared at him and spoke again in a clear voice.

“Get out. No one here invited you.”

“…You’ve become quite foolish in the meantime.”

CEO Shin Dong-woo approached me.

“How dare a Souler who doesn’t know his place say that to me…”

“How am I supposed to be any kinder to an F-class Adapter who doesn’t know his place?”

“Do you think you’ll be safe even under my aura just because you’ve received aura healing from Kwon Su-han a few times?”

CEO Shin Dong-woo scoffed coldly. I realized I shouldn’t face this person for long. I returned his contemptuous gaze with my own.

“Get out right now. How did you even know to come here?”

“I’m an Adapter too, so I have an access card. And it’s well-known that Kwon Su-han lives on the highest floor of this Adapter-Exclusive Town/Apartment.”

“Get out before I call security. Kwon Su-han will be here soon too.”

“Still foolish. How do you think I knew when no one would be here? Your Adapter won’t be contactable all day today because of a patient.”

A chill ran through me. Did he intentionally create this situation? Systematically…

As I unconsciously stepped backward, CEO Shin Dong-woo took a step closer.

“You should be curious why I came, Ira. Just like an idol, your head is empty.”

He still had a sneer on the corner of his lips.

“Go on, ask me why.”

“…Why… why did you come?”

I thought he just came to disrupt Endorphin’s last concert, but did he have another reason besides the contract termination?

I tried not to stammer, but I ended up doing so. A sense of defeat probably crossed my face, and CEO Shin Dong-woo must have read it.

“Let’s go inside and talk for now. Make me some tea too. I’m thirsty.”

…….

CEO Shin Dong-woo strode ahead. The sight of him walking down the hallway as if it were his own home and sitting on the living room sofa, and my own inability to do anything but tremble, filled me with humiliation.

CEO Shin Dong-woo looked very calm as he drank his tea. Even though he had clearly come to me because he had nowhere else to turn, he was relaxed, as if he always had something to rely on.

On the other hand, I felt nauseous and unwell. A dark, sticky aura permeated everywhere. In the space I shared with Kwon Su-han… in my peaceful home.

I clutched my phone like a protective charm. Cold sweat kept dripping. CEO Shin Dong-woo drank tea until he was satisfied, then opened his mouth.

“It’s been a long time, and I’d like to chat about this and that, but you’re busy and I’m in a hurry, so it’s probably best if we get straight to the point.”

…….

“I didn’t come because of your contract termination. Some rat keeps stirring things up for me.”

His tone was unpleasant, and I felt unpleasant toward him too.

“What exactly is he ‘stirring up’? Tell me clearly so I can understand.”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. You told Kwon Su-han to stir things up for me, didn’t you?”

Kwon Su-han..?

Just hearing his name made my heart drop.

“Rumors are spreading that an Adapter under the Adapter Protection Program has used their abilities. That much would be fine, but specific information that it’s an entertainment producer is also circulating. Don’t even think about denying it, because I already know that Kwon Su-han is the source.”

I couldn’t hide my surprise. My mind raced. So, if Kwon Su-han was spreading rumors that CEO Shin Dong-woo violated Adapter law…

Although he couldn’t immediately file a complaint due to lack of evidence, if rumors spread, the committee would have to conduct an investigation.

If it became known that he used an Adapter’s abilities to exploit a young Souler, this man would fall into ruin. He would receive the most severe punishment among the penalties for violating the Aura User Protection Law, and would never be able to set foot in the entertainment industry again. Since his face would be revealed, social life would also be difficult.

Was Kwon Su-han trying to get revenge on my behalf?

“Tell him to stop wasting time on things without evidence. What kind of behavior is this between people who will keep seeing each other?”

“…No.”

I stared straight at CEO Shin Dong-woo.

“You controlled my mind with an ability you shouldn’t have used. I can never forgive you. I’m grateful that he’s doing what I should have done myself.”

“…Haha.”

CEO Shin Dong-woo burst into laughter. As if he had been waiting for this.

“Just like an A-class Souler. You’ve changed just like them after all. That docile charm is gone.”

As he continued speaking, his laughter gradually faded, leaving only cold contempt in the end. The CEO who had encouraged me and boosted my confidence when I joined Endorphin was gone. Only a filthy Adapter who misused his abilities stood here.

“Do you think I’ll just stand by if I lose everything? I know your weakness.”

My weakness?

I’ve already fallen into the abyss once. Nothing scares me. Even if this man talks about a weakness, would it just be paranoia? It wouldn’t matter at all if it became known.

“I wonder if the weakness you speak of is really a weakness for me. I’m not afraid of anything.”

As I glared at him with a look that dared him to speak, CEO Shin Dong-woo gave a chilling smile.

“You, an orphan who doesn’t even know your biological parents.”

…….

“Do you really think your fans will still like you if it gets out that you’re an adoptee who was once returned after causing trouble?”