Chapter 280: Chapter 280

This time, Jung Dajun appeared alone, waving both arms side to side with all his energy.

[Uh, Dajun, why’d you go live again]

“What do you mean, again?!”

Pouting dramatically, Jung Dajun grumbled in a sulky tone, as if to say, “How can you talk like that to The Dawn’s most handsome member, Jung Dajun? Cancel it before I really get upset.”

When he saw chat messages pouring in to soothe him, he broke into a playful smile and spun the camera around to show his surroundings.

“Since we moved offices, I wanted to show Noeul, too! The WH management team even asked us to show it off! Originally I was going to do this with Hoyun-hyung, but right now he’s with Ichae-hyung, so... anyway!”

Of course, even this was a line Seo Hoyun had told him to say.

It was true that someone from WH Entertainment had casually mentioned, “Please show off the new office a lot.”

But they had not meant to do a massive unauthorized live broadcast.

[Whoa, what’s up with WH?

Didn’t think they’d actually take the bullet after being told to shoot themselves in the head]

[That’s what I’m saying hahahahaha lately they’ve been kinda decent]

But the live was already running, and Dajun was happily walking around, capturing everything on camera.

There was no way to stop it now.

While WH staff clutched their heads in despair, the tour grew more and more thorough.

[Whoa, it’s my first time seeing WH this detailed]

[Isn’t that equipment super expensive??]

The practice room had bright lights, mirrors covering every wall, and a high-end cushioned floor safe for any kind of movement. The vocal rooms were soundproofed with the latest audio systems, and the composing/recording rooms were filled with instruments and cutting-edge gear. Even the cafeteria served buffet-style meals.

Noeul gasped in awe, and even Jung Dajun’s jaw dropped.

“Daebak, they have this too?!”

[Oh my god LOOOOLLLL you hadn’t even seen it yet?! Adorable]

[Is he giving us a tour, or is the tour giving him a shock?

└Honestly, me, a basement K-pop fan, could guide the WH tour better]

Dajun darted his wide eyes around, marveling, and whenever he spotted staff, he cheerfully greeted them.

[Jung Dajun is basically Californian]

[Lol he just talks to strangers without hesitation hahaha and the staff, just as bewildered as me, greet him back]

Just then, Kim Sunghyun appeared at perfect timing, emerging from the practice room Joo Woosung usually used, sweaty and gleaming.

“Ha... that was educational...”

What exactly was educational remained a mystery, and Dajun, who had no desire to know, only tilted his head slightly.

“You know, when I went in, it felt kind of sacred—”

“Hyung, aren’t you hungry? Let’s go eat.”

Cutting him off sharply, Dajun dragged him back toward the cafeteria.

While the maknae filled his plate high at the buffet and sat down first, Sunghyun asked:

“What’s the best thing here?”

“They said the hamburg steak is amazing!!”

[Bro, he asked and then went straight for kimchi stew instead hahahaha didn’t even put the hamburg steak on his plate hahahahaha

└He really is The Dawn, through and through...]

[Why’d you ask in the first place, Sunghyun]

Dajun polished off one plate, then returned with a second, cheeks stuffed as he mumbled:

“...Mm, but hyung, maybe we should end the live now? We haven’t even shown the museum—”

“—Noeul, we’ll stop here! See you again!!”

The screen went dark just as Dajun clapped both hands over his mouth—he had slipped out “museum.”

[Wait, are they really getting a The Dawn museum??]

[At least they’re a modern group. Otherwise, it’d be a wax figure exhibit, not a museum]

└[LMAOOOOOOOOOo wax figures, what is this, the Stone Age HAHAHAHAHA]

Fans remembered when Dajun spoiled Ocean Train before its release and laughed, wondering if he’d be punished with a “no talking” ban from his hyungs again.

[The kids must be excited after moving hahaha so cute hahaha]

[Yeah, absolute chaos haha]

[Why would they post this when things are complicated right now? No sense of timing?

└He said management asked him to show it off

└└Exactly hahaha gotta have haters chiming in, or it’s incomplete

└└Our Dajun’s got a genius sense of timing. Worry about your own]

[I’ve been a fan since Second Chance. Honestly, I’d brag too.

From a building with broken AC and water dripping from the ceiling, where they practiced with tears and snot, to suddenly being WH idols...

That’s straight out of a fantasy novel]

[Honestly, I used to hate this and cursed them out, but seeing them treated properly in a good environment makes me cry T_T finally, they’re getting what they deserve]

Hi-Five fans couldn’t help feeling conflicted whenever they overheard this kind of talk. But they didn’t want to criticize openly either.

Ever since debut, they’d been accused of mooching off Black Call’s money. They didn’t want to seem like they were doing the same thing.

[It’s killing me, our Hi-Five kids are so sensitive to fan perception T_T just let them be happy]

[The Dawn kids are polite, I’ll admit. Not just to their own fans, but to other fandoms, too... Still, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t sting]

[Honestly, even back in Wanna Sing With Me?, Yeonhoo really looked after them...

Of course, it was always the company’s fault, but...

This time too, you could say that, but it feels a bit different...]

The spark between The Dawn and Hi-Five fans was starting to spread toward the companies themselves.

[Hey WH, for fuck’s sake, let Hi-Five do lives too]

[Right?? Makes me want to run to the WH building and protest with my pants down]

While fandom chatter bounced back and forth, Noeul got another notification.

Another live broadcast was starting.

[Wow, The Dawn’s relentless]

[Doesn’t WH usually avoid even two lives a day? Three lives in one day??

└The Dawn really out here breaking records hahahaha]

The screen showed nothing but a strangely familiar door.

Moments later, Jung Dajun burst through.

[tlqkf no way, seriously?]

[Holy shit hahaha what kind of dorm is this, what the hell]

The new dorm was revealed to be the famous apartment complex WH Entertainment used for its most successful groups, known for airtight security.

Black Call had lived there, and Hi-Five was currently staying there, too.

[This place has insane security]

[Even if you know the dorm’s location, sasaengs can’t get in ^^ LOOLLLLLLLLLLThis is the big-company flavor]

The Dawn had long suffered from sasaengs, which only grew as their popularity increased.

Daepaseong had issued countless warnings, but they never worked.

[WH’s security is top-notch. I’m starting to feel better about this]

[Wow... you can tell they’ve leveled up. Makes me want to say, please take care of our boys]

Dajun excitedly showed the empty living room, kitchen, and bedrooms—no furniture yet—chatting noisily. Then he suddenly flipped the camera to his face, smiling slyly.

“So! Now we’ll decide our roommates together with Noeul!”

It looked improvised, but in truth, this had been Seo Hoyun’s idea, and the others had agreed.

[LOOOOLLLLLLLLL Even after moving to a big company, they can’t shake off that impulsive habit hahahahaha]

[Too funny. That’s right, our Dawn babies should do whatever they want]

Aside from the dressing room, three bedrooms were left, which meant only one member could have a room alone.

“Okay~, since we should all know each other well by now, we’ll decide order by who answers the most TMIs correctly! We’ll pick the questions from what Noeul writes in the chat!”

While Dajun explained the rules enthusiastically, Seo Hoyun appeared on screen, this time with a cast back on, looking worn out.

The rest of the members followed behind.

[Wait, Hoyun, is your ankle okay??]

That morning he had danced without issue, but now his leg was wrapped in bandages up to his calf, and he stood on crutches.

[What the hell, Hoyun suddenly looks like it’s Halloween]

[Hoyun, why’d you wrap your leg until it’s twice the size]

[Seriously, are you okay, Hoyun?? Did you get hurt??]

[There was a sighting of you at the hospital with Kang Ichae earlier—was it true? While Dajun was giving the office tour?]

“I’m fine. Totally fine.”

The doctor had said so, too. But after being mercilessly tormented by a certain Mr. Kang, Hoyun had obediently accepted the cast and crutches.

“—Alright, since everyone’s gathered, shall we start? Who’s going first?!”

The moment the maknae finished speaking, Seo Hoyun raised his hand.

His tone was calm, but his gaze was fierce.

And his face showed solid determination.

He would seize the single room no matter what.

“—will absolutely secure the single room today.”

He wanted to die alone if he had to die, and suffer alone if he had to suffer.

Even though he had baited Kang Ichae beforehand, if possible, he wanted to handle everything himself.

Kang Ichae, sitting beside him, grinned and showed his teeth.

[Wow but he’s actually so smart he’s gonna get everything right]

[Okkkk he’s surprisingly meticulous hahahaha]

Seo Hoyun waited for the question with a composed expression.

“Mm... the single room, huh.”

“Oh... the single room??”

“Wow~, Hoyun-hyung, seems like you’ve built up a lot living with us~.”

Seo Hoyun had overlooked one fact by dismissing the members as pure, good kids.

The fact was that, after living with him, the members had somewhat taken on his personality too.

From the start, declaring he wanted to use the room alone only made their gazes sharpen.

“Anyway, here we go.”

Switching places with Jung Dajun, Kim Sunghyun felt a bad premonition as he picked one of the chat questions.

“TMI first question, um... what drink does Sung Jiwon dislike?”

Calling out swiftly, Seo Hoyun immediately gave the answer.

“Sung Jiwon dislikes SolOnun. One time, when he was drunk, he pulled SolOnun out of the fridge and said, ‘Here’s a drink I don’t get why you like~.’”

“As expected of The Dawn’s ace.”

While the members gave him the proper reactions, only Sung Jiwon smiled awkwardly, looking slightly troubled.

“...Mm? Did I really say that?”

“I don’t remember well... haha. I don’t dislike SolOnun that much.”

“Since it’s not acknowledged, minus 1 point.”

Betrayed by Sung Jiwon, Seo Hoyun sprang up without even leaning on his crutch.

“Drink it right now.”

“Haha, there isn’t any here. Next time.”

Feeling things were going off track, Kim Sunghyun hurriedly read the next prepared question.

“Second TMI! What’s Kang Ichae’s favorite song?”

“Seo Hoyun! Composer Lim Hyunsu’s 201X release, Riot!!”

Calling it wrong, Kang Ichae drooped his eyebrows, pretending to be upset.

“Technically it’s Riot Remix ver....”

“That doesn’t exist.”

“It’s Cheongbeom hyungnim’s unreleased track. I was the only one who got to hear it in the studio.”

“Seo Hoyun, minus 1 point again.”

After that, even though Seo Hoyun correctly answered every question—Dajun’s favorite food, Ichae’s movie preference, Jiwon’s maximum vocal range—the members all feigned ignorance, repeating only, “Did I really?”

“Forget it, just quit!!”

Finally exploding in anger, Seo Hoyun turned his back to the camera and declared a strike, refusing to play along.

[LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO so funny]

[They’re just not gonna give him what he wants hahahahaha]

[Ah it’s been forever since I saw Hoyun get mad LOOLLLLLLLLLLLL]

Kim Sunghyun tried consoling him, saying at least it wasn’t random drawing, but of course it didn’t work.

“What is the ring size of The Dawn’s group ring that Kim Sunghyun is wearing?”

While the members floundered, not knowing the answer, Seo Hoyun, sprawled like he was lying down on the sofa, suddenly snapped his head up.

“...Seo Hoyun. Size 19.”

Eight eyes naturally turned toward Kim Sunghyun.

When they got the group rings, Seo Hoyun had been right next to him, seeing the measurement directly, so he was certain.

But the person in question just fiddled with his fingers and hesitated.

“...But lately I’ve lost weight??”

“Bring a tape measure. Now.”

[Look at Kim Sunghyun, never missing a chance ]

[Today the bunny is getting destroyed LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO]

[If Hoyun wasn’t in front of the camera he’d be swearing his head off. Actually I think he already mouthed fuck once hahahahahaha]

There was no way an empty dorm with no luggage had a tape measure.

In the end, thoroughly vexed, Seo Hoyun flopped onto the floor with a thud. The members ignored him completely and continued the roommate draw.

And the final winner was Kim Sunghyun.

With a bright smile, he pointed to the room he wanted.

“I’ll choose the single room.”

The next highest score went to Jung Dajun.

“Oh, then I’ll share with Hoyun-hyung!!”

“What’s with that tone!! Hyung!!”

Dajun jutted out his lower lip, sulking, then mimicked Hoyun’s exact tone.

“Anyway I’m in the same room with you~.”

[LOLOLOLOLOLOL Jung Dajun doesn’t even look hurt a bit]

[LOOOOLLLLL wow their ignoring game is brutal hahahaha]

Then he quickly turned toward Kang Ichae and Sung Jiwon, clapping loudly.

“Anyway congratulations!! Kang Ichae, Sung Jiwon! You two are roommates!!”

“...Ah? Is that how it goes?”

“Yup!! Hyungs, get along well!”

[Look at both Kang Ichae and Sung Jiwon

kinda reluctant faces ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦•𝘯𝘦𝘵

[Hehe.. yeah their styles don’t # Nоvеlight # really match...

T_T what to doㅠ hng T_T

└At least hide the smile at your lips when you say that

Behind Sung Jiwon and Kang Ichae, awkwardly saying “It’s good,” was Dajun chattering next to Hoyun, “Hyung, I go to bed by 11, I’d like the lights off, and sometimes I need to listen to songs to fall asleep,” while beside them Kim Sunghyun dashed toward the camera. That was the last scene before the live ended.

[Those three lives were pure happiness... why were the kids so excited today, it really felt like a high school trip, so cute...]

[Suddenly I feel optimistic... maybe they’ll do well with WH]

[First of all, the building is so shiny...

Their faces show so well...

And even our Sunghyun got a little flushed saying, this, this is where Joo Woosung sunbaenim used to practice!! Like what are we supposed to do... T_T so cute]

While resting in the lounge during practice, Seo Hoyun happened to bump into Jung Seonui, the WH Entertainment Management Team Leader.

“Ah~. The live broadcast.”

Holding a SolOnun in one hand, smiling brightly, he listened as she told him that at WH Entertainment, it was forbidden to go live without company permission. Seo Hoyun tilted his head innocently as if he hadn’t known.

“Oh dear, I didn’t know there was such a rule. I’m terribly sorry.”

Then he lifted the corners of his lips again and sipped his drink.

On his smooth face, not a trace of remorse.

Not a single intention of listening.

And every intention to keep doing it.

It was the appearance of: ‘Excuse me, but I had to give it a try and tell you to go fuck yourself.’