Debut or Die - Chapter 482
…There was an assumption. The theory that I had reverted Cha Eugene’s persona to Stier Cha Eugene because of this system update. I wasn’t sure of the exact details, but given the timing and the circumstances, it seemed plausible.
The status window announced that the update would take 30 days. Naturally, everyone expected to spend another 3-4 weeks with STier Cha Eugene. But then,
[Update Complete!]
– Early Achievement
This unexpected popup suddenly appeared.
[‘■■■ (ver.2 Beta)’ is being applied]
Ziiing-
Colors returned to the hologram that had only basic lines and fonts. The UI came back, forming a framework that looked like a dazzling game system, with more refined graphics creating a semi-transparent window. And then,
[Complete!]
“…”
For some reason, it was over.
I instinctively knew it. I turned my head to look at the person watching the chaotic kart racing game on TV. And then I spoke. “…Cha Eugene.”
The fact that the update ended early meant that the strange phenomena happening to Cha Eugene until now were also over…
“What?”
“…?”
…It’s not over?
Cha Eugene was resting his chin on his hand without any unusual reaction. It was the same STier Cha Eugene, as always.
When I didn’t say anything after calling out, Cha Eugene shrugged and turned back to the TV. “Feel free to tell me if you remember.”
“…”
Wait a minute, could it be that my basic assumption was wrong?
Was it unrelated to the update?
Just as my head was about to get more complicated.
Ding-!
“…!”
Another popup appeared.
[Do you wish to reactivate ‘Company Use’?]
“…”
Ah, I see.
I pressed my eyelids with my hand.
I even had the option to choose the timing.
* * *
Alright, let’s see.
Suppose I don’t restart it here and cancel the system entirely. In that case, there’s a possibility that Cha Eugene might not be able to return at all. But if I restart this system right away… aside from the uneasiness.
Will this Cha Eugene… disappear immediately?
…Probably.
Of course, it’s right to send them back quickly and call the original Cha Eugene. But now that I have the choice, I’m starting to wonder whether I should tell him about it or not. Would it be okay to suddenly tell that guy, ‘It seems like we can restore things now, so go back immediately,’ without damaging his mental state?
…That guy’s memory is when Stier was disbanded. It’s a barely opened floodgate. Is there any guarantee that he won’t want to enjoy the stage here at least once or twice more in the future?
Haa. I held back a sigh and sat on the bed. Anyway, this kind of thing never has a clear answer.
For now… everyone is in bad condition, so let’s keep it on hold. Let’s decide tomorrow.
“Good night, Moondae.”
“Yes. You too, Hyung.”
However, even after Ryu Chungwoo, who had a close race with Bae Sejin until the end, fell asleep in his bed, I couldn’t fall asleep right away, and about an hour passed like that.
“…”
Maybe it was because I took some cold medicine, but my consciousness was all over the place.
I knew this would happen.
Moreover, the brightness of this pop-up was so excessive that I needed an eye mask.
In the end, I grumbled and got out of bed. “Sigh.”
And when I went to the living room to get some water.
“Not sleeping?”
“…!”
I ran into Cha Eugene, who was still lying on the sofa in the living room.
“I slept too much during the day.”
“That wasn’t sleeping, you were sick.”
Well said.
Despite having volunteered to take care of everyone all day, he looked overly energetic even past midnight.
I chuckled and got some water from the kitchen.
But why isn’t he going to his room… Ah, is it because he’s uncomfortable with Bae Sejin?
“Want to switch rooms with me?”
“No thanks.” The person who answered firmly stretched and mumbled. “(It’s just… you know how it is when talking with a friend, right? You want to stay awake a bit longer.)”
Alright.
“Were you talking with Kim Raebin?”
“Yeaap.”
Then the person said something about not spilling tea and whatnot, which seemed like American slang. I guessed it meant he wasn’t talking behind our backs.
“I don’t really know that kind of slang.”
“Sorry, but it seems like Moondae hyung understood?”
“From context and intuition.”
“Got it.”
Cha Eugene responded appropriately, giggling, and then lay back down on the sofa. It was his most relaxed attitude I’d seen since coming here.
“…”
I drank some water and thought briefly. Maybe now was the right time.
At that moment.
“(Hey, should I take a guess?)”
Cha Eugene sprang up from the sofa with a bounce.
“(Did Moondae hyung find a way to send me back right away?)”
“…!”
“(Yeap, I knew it.)”
Cha Eugene grinned and put down the cola he was drinking.
“(Now that we’ve established some kind of relationship and everything seems to be going well, why would you suddenly hesitate to send me back?)”
“…”
“(The situation has flipped, right?)”
There’s no denying it.
“Yes.” I sat down opposite the sofa.
I thought it would be better to explain things properly rather than complicate the situation unnecessarily. Should I subtly leave the option open for 30 days if he wants it? That was the thought running through my mind.
But before I could even open my mouth, Cha Eugene smiled first. “Why are you hesitating, hyung?”
“…!”
“(Don’t get confused. Your team member is not me.)” Cha Eugene said firmly.
“(Oh, but I’m your KPOP idol, right?)” He added jokingly, but I caught the nuance.
He’s telling me not to pity him unnecessarily.
Using TeSTAR’s reputation as a substitute and wanting to give this Stier Cha Eugene more opportunities to perform while being cheered. Or perhaps he meant not to think that he wouldn’t be able to give it up because he’d miss it.
No fan would want to be treated like that. It could mean that too, but… Well, in the first place, that would indeed be a really annoying thing to do.
“Okay.” So I just answered like that. But I had to add this. “So, it’s true that I enjoyed seeing your performance after a long time.”
“…”
STier Cha Eugene was silent for a while.
It was past midnight in the living room, with only an indirect light on. Silence flowed.
“Maybe… hmm, we might meet again.” Cha Eugene shrugged.
I didn’t bother to ask how that would be possible.
“I’ll show you an even better stage then.”
“…Yeah.” I just agreed.
“Great.” Cha Eugene smiled and crossed his arms.
It was an implicit signal.
“Goodbyes.”
“We already said our goodbyes.”
Eugene shrugged. “I just said goodbye to my friend, and I apologized to everyone else. And…”
And?
“I’ll say it to you now.”
Eugene extended a hand. It wasn’t a handshake gesture. It was a gesture for a high-five or interlocking fingers, like at a fan signing event.
“Thank you. My fan.”
“…”
I extended my hand too. Not diagonally like a handshake, but to meet his hand.
“Thank you. For showing me a great performance.”
“You’re welcome.”
It was a brief high-five.
[Do you wish to reactivate ‘Company Use’?]
“…”
Yes.
Pop. A light burst from the popup. Then, the sound of something updating, new effects, and notifications appeared quickly and noisily, trying to catch my attention with their sparkle. But I didn’t do something foolish like look that way. Instead, I saw Eugene off.
“Bye.”
Eugene didn’t complain of any pain but blinked as if slightly dizzy… Then leaned back on the sofa and slowly fell asleep. Until I could hear the sound of steady breathing.
“…”
I quietly entered Bae Sejin’s room, careful not to wake him, and took out a blanket. After covering the person sleeping on the sofa, I gathered some bedding from my room and laid it out on the living room floor.
“…”
Sleep came to me very slowly.
* * *
It was the next morning.
“Hey.”
“…”
I opened my eyes. And I immediately realized who the voice belonged to. Cha Eugene.
…I turned towards the direction of the voice. Right next to my head, Cha Eugene was holding a large pot with both hands…
Wait a minute. A pot…?
“…?!”
What is this absurd situation?
At that moment, Cha Eugene, who had been staring at me with wide eyes, suddenly stood up and shouted. “Moondae hyung is awake!”
“P-Park Moondae!”
“Are you awake?”
Then, I heard frantic voices calling out.
What is this?
The members, who came running as if they had found a lifeline, started babbling incoherently.
“Cha Eugene is back!”
Yeah.
“And, he… cooked!”
Is that… so?
“What are you talking about…?”
“I’m making breakfast.”
Cha Eugene ambitiously opened the lid of the pot he was holding and abruptly brought it to my face.
No, wait a minute. Anyway, this smell and appearance… Braised spicy chicken…
It’s just a really fiery menu choice for those who were sick yesterday to have for breakfast…
No, wait a second. More than that, now that he’s back, his first move is to make braised spicy chicken and show it to the sleeping guy’s face instead of an emotional greeting?
This is confusing.
But Cha Eugene was consistent. Really, consistent… He even bombarded me with new information without giving my head a break.
“This is my way of apologizing and showing gratitude! A lot has happened until now.”
What?
Wait, does that mean…
“You have your memory back?!”
“Somewhat. Bad Cha Eugene enjoyed Waterbomb. I want to do it again.”
“…?!”
“Everyone, let’s eat! Breakfast!”
Bae Sejin was confused, but Cha Eugene cheerfully called everyone to the table. And the table descended into more chaos.
“Eugene, are you okay? Your memory?”
“I’m healthy. I have my memories.”
It was determined that Cha Eugene was completely normal. Waking up at dawn with the memories of the past few days naturally intact, Eugene decided after some thought to make breakfast.
“Since Bad Cha Eugene is also me, I have to take responsibility. One meal isn’t enough, so I made it.”
“Eugene…”
However, it seems that the title of ‘Bad’ has completely stuck to that guy inside. And just when they thought the emotional reunion would continue…
“Ch-Cha Eugene!”
“Kim Raebin, you traitor.”
“…?!”
“You told my secret!”
“I didn’t!”
“You told it to Bad Cha Eugene!”
“You just said it yourself! It doesn’t count!”
Hmm. What a mess. But then, I heard a slightly emotional murmur from beside me.
“It’s been a while….”
“…”
Leaving Bae Sejin, who had finally reunited with a beloved roommate, I decided to eat. And when I took a bite of the braised spicy chicken.
Hmm?
“…”
“Wh-What’s wrong, Moondae?”
“Nothing.”
Cha Eugene suddenly interrupted. “Moondae hyung, does my cooking taste bad?”
“No, it’s good.”
“Hehe.”
Yeah. It does taste good. But you know. This isn’t just braised spicy chicken. It’s chicken soup. The taste was almost identical to when I had salvaged Cha Eugene’s failed chicken soup on W Live by turning it into braised spicy chicken. Moreover,
Cha Eugene probably never made braised spicy chicken before. And the one who was good at making chicken soup was… STier Cha Eugene.
“…”
I looked at Cha Eugene, who was still bickering with Kim Raebin.
No way.
Does he have all his memories from his Stier days…?