IWDAR Chapter 39

“……Why are you still here all alone?” 

 

Sunwoo was surprised by his own question. His voice, barely squeezing past his tight throat, came out much colder than intended. However, Wooyoung just smiled brightly. His small front teeth, peeking out between his red lips, looked adorable.

 

“I think next week’s recording schedule will be packed, so I’m trying to do as much as I can this week. Are you practicing too, hyung?”

 

Wooyoung still seemed a little awkward calling Sunwoo hyung. Nevertheless, his diligent efforts to call him hyung were so endearing that Sunwoo unconsciously let out a deep sigh.

 

Spending the past few days with Wooyoung, Sunwoo realized that despite his herbivore-like appearance, the younger man had quite a strong will.

 

“Wooyoung.”

 

Countless words formed on the tip of his tongue like fruit, but Sunwoo couldn’t easily utter any of them. After much hesitation, all Sunwoo could manage was…

 

“Aren’t you tired?”

 

The moment he spoke, Sunwoo regretted his pathetic words.

 

“If you’re asking if I’m physically tired… then yes, I am.”

 

Sunwoo was momentarily dumbfounded by Wooyoung’s innocent and immediate response. Wooyoung, wiping his cheeks flushed from the heat, calmly continued,

 

“It’s tiring, but I don’t hate it.”

 

“……You don’t hate it?”

 

“No. There’s a lot to learn and memorize, and I’m still lacking in everything, but it’s all strangely new and fascinating. More than anything, when I spend time moving my body in the practice room, the confusing thoughts disappear, and my mind calms down. So I don’t hate it.”

 

Sunwoo thought Wooyoung’s way of speaking was a bit odd. Fascinating, and his mind calms down. So he doesn’t hate it. Staring intently at Wooyoung, Sunwoo asked again,

 

“So, you’re saying you like it now?”

 

“Uh…”

 

Wooyoung’s eyes, which had been smiling brightly, widened for a moment. He blinked his eyelids as if pondering something, and then his eyes curved softly.

 

“That’s right, hyung.”

 

Wooyoung smiled sweetly, as if he had just realized something he hadn’t thought of before.

 

“Like you said, hyung, I think I like this.”

 

“…….”

 

Sunwoo, staring silently at Wooyoung, roughly ran his large hand over his face.

 

“Hyung?”

 

Wooyoung’s eyes filled with concern as he saw Sunwoo suddenly lower his head and exhale roughly.

 

Unable to bear meeting Wooyoung’s eyes, Sunwoo couldn’t bring himself to lift his head.

 

‘Ah, shit…’

 

‘If you’re going to be ruthless, be ruthless to the end. If you’re going to be kind, don’t do these pathetic things behind people’s backs.’

 

Tae-uk’s voice cruelly clawed at his heart. Every action and word carries consequences. In the end, all that was left for Yoo Sunwoo was a mess of emotions and guilt.

 

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈•  ｡ﾟ

 

The debut date that had made the Eden members anxious was confirmed faster than expected. It was November 1st, about three months later than the original comeback date. 

 

It wasn’t a bad time, since bigger agencies had more year-end stages and more opportunities to make an impression. Wooyoung felt a little heavy-hearted about the schedule that Ha-jin had announced to the members. No matter how many months were left until their debut, Wooyoung, who had only just started to keep up with the choreography, felt he wasn’t ready at all.

 

He thought the company would feel the same, but they seemed to have decided that postponing the date further would be a bigger risk. 

 

However, this was just his own perspective. Thinking the members would finally feel relieved, Wooyoung was puzzled by the subtly strange atmosphere. Even Jaewon, who had sarcastically remarked, 

 

“At that rate, you’ll debut next year,” 

 

Whenever he saw Wooyoung learning the choreography, was the same.

 

“So, we can perform on year-end stages this year?”

 

“Of course, if you debut without any problems.”

 

When Ha-jin answered Wonil’s bright question, Wooyoung understood why everyone couldn’t rejoice. It seemed the date had been set and then overturned a few times.

 

“This time, unless something major happens, there won’t be any changes. The official announcement about the next comeback will be released at the end of the month, so don’t be too anxious.”

 

Perhaps concerned about the members’ state, Ha-jin spoke reassuringly, something she usually didn’t do. The stifling atmosphere eased a bit, but it wasn’t enough to completely dispel the members’ distrust. Ha-jin suppressed a sigh and looked at Wooyoung.

 

“Wooyoung, you should move into the dorm soon. If there’s no problem, organize your things and move in this week.”

 

“……This week?”

 

Of course, he couldn’t stay at Tae-uk’s mansion forever, but this week felt a little rushed. Above all, Wooyoung hadn’t seen Tae-uk since the day he had tried to force a kiss on him. The thought of not being able to see him at all for the remaining time made him feel down. 

 

Wooyoung unconsciously thought of the cell phone in his pocket.

 

Should I… contact Tae-uk?

 

“It’s good for you to get along with each other, so the company recommends living together. Just pack your personal belongings and come in. The dorm housekeeper will regularly provide necessities, so don’t worry about that.”

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

If the company recommended it, did it mean Tae-uk’s opinion was involved in the decision? He was curious, but he couldn’t ask.

 

“Alright, then don’t waste the rest of the day. Wooyoung, your recording starts next week, so take extra care of your throat. Got it?”

 

“Yes, I’ll take good care of it.”

 

“As always, your answers are excellent.”

 

Ha-jin chuckled and stood up. She then asked Wooyoung with a look of realization,

 

“Oh, right. Wooyoung, we’re planning to use your real name as your stage name, so keep that in mind.”

 

“Stage name?”

 

Wooyoung asked back, surprised by the unexpected topic.

 

“Yes. If you have any objections, you can tell me. But the final approval comes from above, though.”

 

With that, Ha-jin waved goodbye and left the meeting room. The members, who had been quiet in front of Ha-jin, started chattering.

 

“Hyung, it looks like you’re using your real name too.”

 

“It’s better for Wooyoung to be promoted as Wooyoung. He looks like a Wooyoung.”

 

“Ahaha! Right, Wooyoung hyung is totally Wooyoung!”

 

Wonil giggled at Sunwoo’s words. A literal giggle. Wooyoung didn’t know what looking like a Wooyoung meant, but since it didn’t seem to be a negative, he chuckled along with them.

 

“So, not everyone is using their real name?”

 

“Only Jaewon hyung and I are using stage names. Your names and Sion’s are already cool.”

 

Certainly, Sunwoo, Si-on, and Habin all had beautiful names. In comparison, Wooyoung seemed very ordinary.

 

“……You always teased me, saying my name sounds like ‘sex bed’.” 

 

Si-on frowned, but Wonil avoided his gaze, pretending not to know. Since it was common for the two same-aged members to bicker, Wooyoung chuckled softly out of habit. 

 

Then, he felt a gaze briefly fixed on him. He glanced up and saw Jaewon’s head tilt slightly. Feeling embarrassed that Jaewon had seen him laughing foolishly, Wooyoung scratched the bridge of his nose.

 

“Wonil and Jaewon are cool names too.”

 

“I guess the company thought they didn’t fit the image.”

 

“I see.”

 

Even stage names have to match the image.

 

“Hyung, if you want to use a different stage name, you can tell the manager. Other companies force their artists to use what they give them, but here they try to reflect our opinions as much as possible.”

 

“Wonil’s stage name is Ra-on, right?”

 

Wooyoung always mentioned someone else’s name first when he wanted to ask something, and his tone was so gentle that it made Wonil feel shy. Scratching his slightly reddened neck, Wonil replied,

 

“Right. The company made it, but I like it, so I’m using it. Jaewon hyung’s is using Jaei.”

 

Sunwoo, Habin, Jaei, Sion, Raon… The name Wooyoung was indeed too ordinary.

 

“Should I… Should I make one too?”

 

Wooyoung hesitantly spoke. Even though the company said they would reflect their opinions, it didn’t mean it would be the final decision. But since Wooyoung joined the conversation, an excited Wonil fussed,

 

“Of course! Just make one! Anything cool and fitting is fine!”

 

A cool and impressive name… 

 

A cool and impressive name… 

 

After serious contemplation, Wooyoung said, 

 

“Then I’ll be… Sergei Rachmaninoff¹…”