Save a Failed Idol’s Life

Chapter 80 Watch Your Mouth

There was a reason why I was nervous when it came.

The most common case I had seen while collecting the big data of failures was this ‘Heartbeat’.

Heartbeat was an app that allowed subscribers to receive real-time news from stars in a chat format.

From the subscribers’ point of view, it looked like they were chatting one-on-one with the stars, but to the stars, it looked like a group chat with many people.

It was usually called Ttut in short. 

The ones who spewed crap with their mouths on Ttut were often exposed and circulated in the online world.

The criticisms were very diverse. 

They talk too much. 

They send too many short answers. 

They post on Instagram every day but not on Ttut. 

They don’t post selfies but only greetings and leave.

Besides, they had to deal with all kinds of verbal mistakes and controversial remarks that led to the fights between the paid service leakers and the ones who said they deserved to be cursed.

‘Who the hell came up with this painful service?’

Considering that the monthly subscription fee was only $4, it must have been a service that raked in money for the service developers.

The idols had to show their talents, and the service company had to take the commission.

It was a service that required investment costs and proven demand to launch.

‘We thought we could only join after our comeback was successful.’

But Jacon became widely known for his healing variety show and attracted more fans. And it seemed that they started to get love calls from here and there after this runner-up.

‘Anyway, it’s good to be recognized for our performance. I’m happy, of course.’

I had a headache thinking about how to warn these kids… no, these guys not to make any mistakes in the future, but it was a good thing anyway.

“Oh, I really wanted to try Ttut.”

As Ye-jun’s eyes sparkled, Kyunghwa laughed and ruffled his hair.

“What don’t you want to do?”

“I don’t know, things I haven’t thought about yet?”

Before we knew it, the conversation had drifted to another topic and the manager said goodbye as he prepared to leave.

“Anyway, you guys must have worked hard yesterday, so take a break today.”

“Yes.”

“See you later~.”

After the manager left, only five slightly recovered members remained.

“Meow!”

Only Meongi was energetic, running around under the table and attacking the members’ feet. As the silence became oppressive, Kyunghwa spoke first.

“It’s a bit late to talk about this now. But did the company do anything about yesterday?”

“…”

Now that I thought about it, they really didn’t. Was I supposed to trust them and keep working like this? But at least Y Live was contracted and Toot was in negotiation, so it seemed like they hadn’t completely abandoned us.

“I know. It’s kind of… disappointing in many ways.”

Ye-jun pouted his lips.

“I get nervous when I’m involved with Floss, as if I’m some kind of celebrity.”

“It was like that last time too.”

There was no room for complaints. I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head.

“Anyway, today is a holiday, so let’s relax.”

“Ugh, I should call my grandma for the first time in a while.”

They all got up and stretched their still sore bodies. That’s when I remembered who helped me put Sungwon in the cast. 

‘That’s right. I should thank Mrs. An Jeong-hee too.’

I had lived as if I had no mother, so I was not used to greeting my parents.

Damn. When I said mother, I suddenly remembered what happened in my dream?

It was better to call the chairman An, who was a complete stranger, my mother than to call the killer who killed me mom.

“I’ll also call my moth… mom.”

I also got up from my seat and headed to my room. Kyunghwa gave me a shoulder bump.

“What’s going on? Is it filial piety time?”

“Ah… then I should call them later too.”

Seon-woo fiddled with his phone and watched the door of the room we shared close. I raised my hand and gave him an OK sign, then closed the door and searched the phone book.

I had called several times already, but the name and number still felt unfamiliar.

I took a short breath and pressed the call button. 

Soon, I heard the sound of the phone connecting.

-Oh, son~. How have you been?

I exhaled the breath I had held in and answered.

“Yes, thanks to your care, I’ve been well.”

-It’s natural for family members to help each other. Why are you so formal like you’re talking to a stranger?

“No, really. Thanks to your help, everything went well.”

I grumbled and reflexively lowered my hand, even though I couldn’t see it.

-I saw it, you sing well~. And you have a handsome face too? You said you’re coming back in October, so there’s not much time left, right? You’ll be busy when you start your activities, so show me your face sometime.

That’s right. 

The comeback… Even if we don’t hit the jackpot, we’ll be on three or four music shows a week if we do moderately well. I would need ten bodies to keep up.

Floss or… well, the global top-tier groups could choose which music shows to appear on.

We had to run whenever they called us, saying yes, thank you!

“Yes, I’ll arrange a schedule with the members soon.”

-Okay, I’ll contact the kitchen and have them prepare something delicious for you. Just let me know whenever.

Oh… that was a tempting remark to hear.

It was a well-known fact that Cheonise was a second-generation chaebol.

I had no memory of cosplaying as a poor youth, so it might be okay to film something like a content with a resort theme.

He might not like it if I showed off too much that he had a lot of money at home, but it would be fine if I did it as a ‘sponsorship’.

“Yes, thank you. Is there anything bothering you?”

Of course, it was a question of courtesy. There was nothing Cheonise could do for Chairman An if he had any problems.

-Well then. Don’t worry too much, you’re doing well. Let’s see each other soon.

“Yes, I’ll contact you again when I coordinate the time with the members.”

-Okay. Take care until then. You didn’t call me because you had something to ask, did you?

“No, I called you to thank you and ask how you were doing.”

After exchanging greetings efficiently, the phone call ended and I felt awkward.

What do normal… sons say to their mothers? 

I really don’t know. I finished the call in less than ten minutes and opened the door. Ye-jun was still on the phone for a long time.

“It looks like he’s doing a filibuster over there.”

I wondered what he had so much to say that he didn’t seem to end the call.

“I’ll also call my parents…!”

Seon-woo saw me coming out of the living room and went into the room with his phone, as if taking turns.

As I watched the two of them on the phone, I felt that I was the shortest among the three.

What the hell… Why do they have so much to say? I was curious about the content, but not enough to eavesdrop.

“Seong-won, aren’t you going to call them?”

I could tell that Kyung-hwa was also waiting for Ye-jun to leave so he could call his parents.

“…”

Instead of answering, Seong-won stared blankly at Ae-ong. I was annoyed that he seemed to ignore Kyung-hwa, so I interjected.

“Hey, Kyung-hwa asked you a question.”

You should answer when someone asks you. Then Seong-won rolled his eyes and avoided my gaze.

“I’m not doing it.”

He was such a jerk, not only to strangers but also to his family. I shrugged it off and got up to head to the fridge.

I wanted to drink the sugar-free juice I always drank, so I opened the fridge door.

“Who was the last person to drink this?”

The juice was completely empty.

“High chance it was Oh Ye-jun.”

Kyung-hwa answered calmly. 

He should have ordered it in advance with overnight delivery if he knew it was running out. 

The payment card was already registered with mine anyway, so what was the hassle.

I was slightly irritated that I couldn’t drink what I wanted.

“Do you want to go to the convenience store?”

Kyung-hwa suddenly suggested to me.

“Go together?”

“Up to you? I have a gift card I need to exchange.”

“Who did you get the gift card from?”

“A school friend.”

I glared at him, hoping to catch a glimpse of a scandal. Kyung-hwa stuck out his tongue.

“Don’t worry, it’s not a girl.”

Yeah. As long as it’s not a girl, it’s fine. Of course, it’s not fine if he meets a guy, but at least they have some rules and don’t spread gossip.

“Just send me a screenshot and I’ll exchange it for you on my way.”

It would be more trouble if we went together and caught people’s attention.

“Okay, okay. I’ll send it to you on chat.”

Soon I got a message from Kyung-hwa and checked it. It was a famous imported brand of ice cream.

Who would buy this expensive stuff at a convenience store? It must have been his young friends. They probably sent it to him as a consolation for all the hard things he had been going through lately.

“I’ll be back soon.”

I put on a mask and a cap and left the dorm. The cool autumn breeze brushed against my skin.

‘Summer is really over now.’

It was natural since Chuseok had passed, but it was chilly enough to wear long sleeves. I wondered if I should sort out my clothes.

If I put away my summer clothes now, I might die of heat. I could do it next week or the week after.

I shook my head as I thought of the dazzling fashion collection of Cheon Yi-se.

‘Maybe it would be easier to… buy new ones.’

My summer clothes were already like that, so I doubted my fall and winter clothes would be any better.

With a light heart, I went to the nearby convenience store and bought two large bottles of juice and ice cream.

I carried the heavy bag full of stuff and looked up at the dorm window on my way back.

‘Whose room is that…?’

As soon as I thought that, a familiar voice came out very softly.

“I sent you the money, so check it. Don’t spend it on some weird place this time. Pay your rent first. Please, don’t make me get a call from the hospital again. I’m not refusing to send you money, but why are you doing this to yourself?”

Huh? The owner of this voice was surely…

“Please. Seriously… I’m not asking for much, am I? Where did you spend the money you got from renting the place? Weren’t you banned from there? Is it horse racing again? Stop embarrassing yourself everywhere. Please.”