★ The Second Life Idols Lucky Plan – Chapter 152

"Are you going together?"

Aiden Lee asked quietly, but I shook my head. In response, Baek Yi-hyeon extended his hand to Aiden Lee.

"You're Aiden, right? You are a member of the same team as Yoo-ha. I think you're the same age."

"Yes, my name is Aiden Lee."

Aiden Lee confidently shook Baek Yi-hyeon's hand.

"I wanted to meet you, see what kind of person you are. I think I know roughly."

... Aiden added, giving a serious greeting.

'... What?'

I began to question Aiden Lee's somewhat subtle attitude.

Baek Yi-hyeon grinned at Aiden Lee, who took his hand away.

"I'm curious about what Aiden thinks of me."

"Ahaha, Yoo-ha~. Maybe I'm thinking the same way Yoo-ha is thinking?"

As I watched the situation, I was confident in the answer.

'This guy... you're openly arguing right now?'

I wonder what Aiden Lee is focusing on and the fact that he is now unhesitatingly arguing with Baek Yi-hyeon, whom he has never met in private.

It's just that they weren't swearing openly, but at this point, it was such a high level of criticism that it almost seemed like they were asking for a fight.

"So you like me? Thank you."

"... ... ."

That never worked for Baek Yi-hyeon. On the contrary, he effortlessly dismissed Aiden Lee's argument with an amused expression on his face.

Baek Yi-hyeon continued speaking as if he was just being polite and had no intention of having a long conversation.

"I'll talk to Yoo-ha for a moment and let him go. It won't take much time."

"Ah, I'm not worried about time."

At that, Aiden Lee's attitude of not giving up and drawing aggro once again left me speechless.

"I'm worried about Yoo-ha's condition."

He openly showed with an innocent expression that he did not like Baek Yi-hyeon.

If other people heard it, they would have thought that they were just worried that I was tired right now, but Baek Yi-hyeon would have immediately figured out what the team member meant when he said that, as he knew that I was showing hostility towards Baek Yi-hyeon.

"Is that so?"

However, the blow still had no effect.

Baek Yi-hyeon did not flinch even when he was hit with a fastball and instead said this.

"At the beginning of <Design Your Idol>, I was worried about whether the two of you would be able to become friends, but fortunately, you seem to have become a lot closer to Yoo-ha, so it turned out well."

"... ... ."

Aiden Lee's eyebrows narrowed, which was rare. He acted like a really close Hyung without any change in his emotions.

"It's okay, I'll come back quickly. That's better."

I tapped Aiden Lee on the shoulder to roughly indicate that it was okay. In any case, no matter what Aiden Lee said, it wouldn't have hurt Baek Yi-hyeon in the slightest. Since before, there was nothing anyone could do to change his mood or behavior.

So no matter what kind of conversation we had, the only one who suffered was the one who was making heat for no reason. The most appropriate way to deal with him was to give him just the right amount of decoration and send him off quickly.

"Let's go."

I went out thinking that. Then, Baek Yi-hyeon stopped walking, glanced at Aiden Lee, and slightly tilted his head to say hello.

"See you later, Aiden."

"... Yes, please send it to me quickly."

We left the crowded backstage with Aiden Lee smiling crookedly next to his manager.

"It would be fun to be with Aiden, Yoo-ha."

"Stop talking bullshit. What do you want?"

While looking for an empty space, I arrived at one of the rooms that appeared to be a waiting room.

The three-day concert was over and the hallways were busy cleaning up, making it even more chaotic. No matter what was said in this room, it seemed like it wouldn't be heard outside of the noise, so I didn't need to be polite.

"Every Monday and Thursday, 11 p.m. You don't have a fixed schedule yet, right?"

"Don't stalk me."

I nodded hesitantly at Baek Yi-hyeon's unexpected words. Baek Yi-hyeon then continued as if everything went well.

"Then, would you like to do a radio show with me as a regular guest?"

"Excuse me?"

"It is a visible radio, and the broadcast time is about an hour. It is a seasonal system, but the period has not yet been determined. However, it will be for more than half a year, and we will be talking about K-pop."

"Absolutely not."

I briefly stopped Baek Yi-hyeon from freely sharing information. Then Baek Yi-hyeon made a face like he realized something and messaged me.

"You can look at that for information."

When I checked, it was a plan for a radio. Since it is a channel focusing on K-pop idols, you can come in contact with various celebrities, and the exposure level seems to be high.

However, I had no choice but to hold my throbbing head and ask him.

"... What?"

"Job offer."

"Why me?"

"Because I cherish you?"

"Stop talking bullshit. If you debuted with Picha Survival, you would know the risks that come with having a personal schedule in the beginning. It would be even more risky if I appeared with you."

This schedule seemed like it would be a double-edged sword for me.

-Honestly, if it weren't for Baek Yi-hyeon, he wouldn't have been able to get first place, but he looks proud as if he achieved it all on his own, so I hate to see it.

Baek Yi-hyeon's suggestion was definitely in my favor. A highly exposed schedule, especially for a rookie, would be an opportunity everyone wants.

But.

'It's a co-star with Baek Yi-hyeon, and I'm still in my first year, so it's inevitable that words will come out.'

OneDear is a group that debuted through Survival. Therefore, the task that I and the other members of OneDear must continue to solve in the future is to integrate the fandoms that are divided by individual members naturally.

Thanks to the members' chemistry during this promotion period, the fandom could finally tolerate each other, but if one of them had a personal schedule at this time, there might be another rift.

Moreover, aren't I in a situation where I'm being criticized within the fandom for taking first place because of my connection with Baek Yi-hyeon? No matter how I looked at it, there seemed to be a lot of room for words to come out.

However, despite my words, Baek Yi-hyeon's face remained calm.

"You don't have to worry about that, I think you'll do well in this activity."

I checked my phone when he immediately sent me something as if he knew I would object.

He sent the logo of an entertainment program I had never seen before.

"Three of your members, including you, have been selected for the newly launched pilot program. There will probably be at least two of them. Then the attention will be divided."

"... ... ."

"It seems like there are quite a few people who would like to have OneDear members appear as guests, but wouldn't it be possible to make it a permanent fixture if only 'good rumors' spread?"

From those words, I realized that Baek Yi-hyeon was trying to negotiate with me.

"If I appear with you, you will help me with my activities?"

"Oh, of course, I don't have the power to decide, Yoo-ha. I'm just adding words to the rumor. It was OneDear and Road Enter that created the basis for the rumor through this activity, so wouldn't it be more appropriate to provide light assistance rather than help?"

Although Baek Yi-hyeon said so, I could tell that his 'assistance' was not light at all.

Baek Yi-hyeon has continued to rise since his debut, entering the first group stably and maintaining his top spot for several years. Thanks to his expansion and recognition in both entertainment and acting, his business connections and influence are considerable.

'That kind of guy talks about it and calls it 'light' assistance.'

There is no one in the industry who would treat that as just 'words'. It may be small or big, but anyone connected with an idol named Baek Yi-hyeon will think twice.

And in this market, there is nothing scarier than 'one more time.' Because that 'one-time' opportunity sometimes determines the entire activity.

"... ... ."

I'm not so stupid that I don't even recognize opportunities that come my way. It was clear that the proposal he was making would be helpful to me and OneDear as a whole if I took a little risk.

"On the radio side, we agreed that if you appear, we will prioritize calling all OneDear members on the week you want. At this rate, Yoo-ha, there's no need for you to receive backlash, right?"

Therefore, after hearing the additional condition Baek Yi-hyeon added, I no longer denied what he said.

But.

"I think there's one question that hasn't been answered yet. Tell me 'why' you are suggesting this."

Even so, I wasn't stupid enough to just bite into his suggestion without even knowing why.

Because I was the one who knew best what kind of person Baek Yi-hyeon was

.

'There is no way Baek Yi-hyeon would help someone without something in return.'

He is probably making this offer because he wants to help me with my activities. There was no way I could have passed without knowing that.

"I feel disappointed. You really don't trust me, Yoo-ha... ... ."

"Don't joke with me."

"Okay, if you want."

Seeing me like that, Baek Yi-hyeon laughed briefly and then roughly pulled a chair and sat down. I looked at him wary of his relaxed attitude.

"Yoo-ha, I know you've been busy this promotion period, but wouldn't it be better to pay a little more attention?"

"... ... What?"

"You probably don't want to pretend to be with KRM yet. But I feel like the intention is too obvious."

I momentarily fell silent at Baek Yi-hyeon's words. Looking at that day, Baek Yi-hyeon spoke with a light smile on his face.

"Shouldn't we continue to show the relationship to the public? Don't you think it's been too quiet lately? Anyway, it's an un-post made by KRM, but there's not much mention of it."

"... ... ."

"I thought you wouldn't want any more unnecessary interference, did you?"

"... Ugh."

I was startled, and I couldn't help but laugh a little. It was because I understood what Baek Yi-hyeon was saying.

The relationship between Baek Yi-hyeon and I is already clearly known to the public and the industry. It is natural for people to show off their contacts with celebrities they are close with during their promotional period.

Since we have already provided content, such as being close brothers and all, I must continue to show our relationship with Baek Yi-hyeon in our future activities.

"This time, I was busy with the transfer and all, so even if that were the case, I think I'd be in trouble if I tried to forget it again in the future."

However, I did not bother to contact Baek Yi-hyeon during this promotion period because I didn't want to bow down to that guy.

'Same with KRM.'

Although I am still a member of KRM, I had to continue my activities under the management of Road Enter for the next five years. However, it was natural to want to reduce contact points as much as possible.

'Because I plan to quit once the contract period ends.'

OneDear's activity period agreed upon with Anet is 5 years. Also, the contract I signed with KRM upon my debut had a 5-year term, so after 5 years of activity, I had to choose whether to end my OneDear activities and sign a new contract with KRM.

And since I have no intention of doing so, I was planning to distance myself from KRM from now on.

"I know what choice I will make when the contract ends, but don't make be on guard this early."

However, if you distance yourself already, there will be a lot of backlash. Baek Yi-hyeon was warning me about it now.

'It's not wrong.'

In the wake of Yoo Yeonyeon, artists under the company are starting to wonder if they might betray KRM again, but it is clear that if I try to distance myself from KRM from now on, I will immediately be stopped.

[Reminder: Yoo Yeonyeon was from earlier chapters. She is actually the singer of the song Yoo-ha sang at the first evaluation. She was under KRM but left due to cyberbullying and poor management. Because of that, KRM has tried to erase all remaining traces of her.]

There will be surveillance and pressure from KRM Entertainment, or more specifically, Director Kwon, and it will be quite a headache.

However, if I continued to show contact with Baek Yi-hyeon, who had become a member of KRM, Director Kwon's wariness would soften. Continuing my friendship with Baek Yi-hyeon will be seen as proof that I am following the instructions given to me by KRM.

"For the time being, you will feel reassured since I have connections."

And unexpectedly, Baek Yi-hyeon seemed to volunteer to cover for me.

"... So you came to me through that connection?"

"I tried to create a fair face-to-face situation, but this isn't bad, right?"

Therefore, I had no choice but to ask Baek Yi-hyeon.

"What is the real reason?"

"Reason?"

I couldn't figure out why he gave me the opportunity to use him as a shield.

All I know is that it wouldn't have been necessary to do this.

Of course, it was clear that Baek Yi-hyeon would also benefit from appearing on the radio regularly with me.

While focusing on his acting career, he can show that he has not completely converted by appearing on a K-pop channel.

But above all, to maintain his humane image through his connection with me and say that he did not betray the group but did it for the sake of 'family.'

In the end, Baek Yi-hyeon probably does this because it is beneficial for him to use me.

"It doesn't matter to you whether KRM puts pressure on me or not, but there must be a reason why you moved for me. If so, please tell me so I can gauge to what extent I can match it."

However, there was no reason for the director to cover me like this. Whether the manager puts pressure on me or not will have nothing to do with Baek Yi-hyeon.

I wanted to know in advance if he was planning something.

"Well? If I had to choose, wouldn't it be because I want to be closer to my little brother?"

... Baek Yi-hyeon just said something that didn't work at all.

"... Since when have you treated me like that?"

"Every time?"

"Everything you've done so far is for me?"

"Huh."

Baek Yi-hyeon said that and smiled softly. Then he said something that went beyond common sense again.

"Of course, there was no need for your beliefs. It doesn't matter to me whether you want it or not."

After hearing those words, I couldn't help but realize once again that it would be my loss if I talked to Baek Yi-hyeon further.

'It was a mistake to think of having a normal conversation with this guy in the first place.'

This kid has always been like this since he was young.

I raised my head and looked at Baek Yi-hyeon when I saw the guy still smiling with a calm face, words passed by my ear.

-If you just listen to what I say, everything will be fine.

It was a memory from long ago that came to mind again.

Words that once ruined my life, words I believed at the time.

"... Baek Yi-Hyeon,"

"Huh?"

Therefore, I had no choice but to request Baek Yi-hyeon.

"If you're done talking, shut up and get out of the way."

As always, he completely destroyed my patience, and if I went any further, I felt like I would be known as a fan of my long-ago senior.