Chapter 311: Break (7)

Chapter 311: Break (7)

“Good morning, everyone.”

“We’re looking forward to another shooting. Hyun-Woo, come this way."

“Got it!"

The cast, having greeted each other in-game, gathered on the couch for a quick introduction before the cameras rolled for Newbie Crew. The plan was to film each person entering the room in sequence after a signal. Amid the cast's cordial yet slightly awkward greetings, Suh Hyun-Woo settled next to Woo Ji-Hyuk and tuned in to the director's briefing.

Su-Hwan observed him, his feeling a tangled mess.

“Was that all I did? Just cried?" Hyun-Woo's voice had been tinged with uncertainty in the car while probing Su-Hwan.

Su-Hwan had simply replied, “Yes."

Hyun-Woo's expression had clouded with discomfort, but seeing that Su-Hwan's lips were sealed, he pressed no further. Now, Hyun-Woo appeared entirely focused on the shoot as if last night's breakdown hadn't happened.

Su-Hwan couldn't help but overlap the smiling Hyun-Woo of the morning with the tear-streaked one from the night before. Last night, Hyun-Woo had exploded in frustration at the members with tears streaming down his face as he implored them to stop their questioning, convinced they wouldn't believe him anyway.

This was uncharacteristic of Hyun-Woo, who was typically the most placid of the Chronos group and rarely lost his cool over minor issues. This wasn't like his usual drunken vents. No, it was distinctly out of character.

“Hyung, what do you mean? What's there not to trust? I can trust you..." Jin-Sung had asked him, but Hyun-Woo had muttered something about disbelief until he passed out.

In truth, Su-Hwan's earlier claim of not understanding Hyun-Woo's mumblings had been a lie.

“I just want to act like I don't know anything. I wanted to keep performing with you guys... Why does it always have to be me, why does this always happen to me?"

Being closest to him, Su-Hwan had caught every word distinctly. At first, he had thought it was the rant of someone on the brink of full-blown drunkenness, wondering if a bit more alcohol would shut him up completely.

Though Hyun-Woo's rant and his time in the US had raised concerns, he was still performing onstage with the members as a part of Chronos. His incomprehensible statement about wanting to be onstage didn't add up, leaving Su-Hwan puzzled over whether it was just a drunken outburst or something Hyun-Woo had long wanted to say.

‘But that's because...’

The sorrow in Hyun-Woo's crying had been palpable. “I just always watched you guys... I never went up there under the lights.”

The members had been taken aback by his breakdown and could only watch in stunned silence.

Eventually, Kang Joo-Han stepped in. “Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan, time to head off to bed. Hyun-Woo's really drunk. We will play the game another time."

Joo-Han had sent Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan off to their rooms and turned his attention back to the mumbling Hyun-Woo. “Hyun-Woo, we are together on every stage. What's bothering you?"

His gentle question had been followed by Goh Yoo-Joon's probing, “What are the things you cannot talk about? I will believe you. Just tell me."

Why had all the members been wearing such serious expressions and trying to keep the conversation going during the drinking session? Like Su-Hwan, they had all been troubled by something significant from the past.

“What’s the matter? Why the tears? What can we not trust about you?"

Despite Hyun-Woo’s low tolerance for alcohol, could it be that he was this incoherent after just two drinks? Had he been exceptionally tired lately, or was it that he typically stopped drinking before getting fully drunk, so his limit hadn't been apparent?

Last night felt off, and Su-Hwan mused silently on the unnaturalness of it all.

This abrupt outpour of emotions was unusual for Hyun-Woo, yet the members had always been deeply concerned about his well-being. They agreed to act as if the night’s events never happened and to give Hyun-Woo space until he was ready to talk. They would simply support him silently while waiting for him to share when he felt able to do so.

They welcomed the next morning after aligning their stories.

“...” Su-Hwan checked his phone for a message from Joo-Han.

[Has Hyun-Woo said anything?]

- He keeps asking questions.

Su-Hwan sent a reply to the worried Joo-Han before looking back at Hyun-Woo, who was currently filming. Despite his bright appearance, Su-Hwan wondered what pain the young man might be hiding.

Recently, every member had shown signs of frustration and anger because they all dealt with packed schedules, but Hyun-Woo seemed to be managing his emotions better than anyone. Perhaps there was a reason for this. With just three days left until the end of their music broadcast activities, Su-Hwan hoped that the upcoming break would allow not only for physical rest, but also ease the members' mental strain.

***

The studio buzzed with anticipation as the next part of the show was set to begin.

“Alright, let’s bring out our next guest now.”

“We all know who it is anyway, so why the dramatic introductions?”

“Come on, hyung. It’s nice to give everyone their moment in the spotlight.”

On Jeong-Woo, actor Sang-Hyun and comedian Jeong-Hoon cheerfully continued their discussion by introducing me as the next guest. I took a deep breath, gripped the doorknob, and reminded myself to smile brightly to leave a good impression on the audience.

“Next up, please welcome the next participant!"

“Hyun-Wooooo!"

“The Newbie Captain!"

The cast, who had already spoiled my appearance, enthusiastically called out my name. I exhaled the breath I had been holding and swung the door open wide.

“Hello, everyone!"

“Hyun-Woo, it's been a while!"

As I greeted them with as much brightness as I could muster, Jeong-Woo, whom I had previously collaborated with, stood up. He approached me, stepping back after a quick hug.

“Hey! Jeong-Woo, you are acting chummy again just because an idol showed up, huh? Don’t pretend!"

“No, we really are close. Right, Hyun-Woo? We just saw each other recently." On Jeong-Woo threw an arm around my shoulder, his tone friendly.

I awkwardly nodded in agreement by playing along with the casual vibe. “Yes, that's right, Senior."

“You don’t look that close, though?" teased Sang-Hyun.

“Anyway, let's give a warm welcome to our captain. Please, take a seat here." The cast made room for me in the middle of the couch. After I sat down, casual chatting took off.