[Passing near the scene of a traffic accident. Stamina -3]
[Current remaining stamina: 89]
The continuous decrease caused stamina to drop sharply in an instant. It wasn’t a major accident; it was just a minor collision where the front and rear cars slightly bumped into each other, with a bit of paint transfer on the bumper. Sol only glanced at the scene through the window, seeing the cars parked on the side of the road waiting for the insurance company.
The incident was a very minor fender bender that didn’t even leave a lasting impression. Yet, just witnessing that scene caused a significant drop in his stamina all of a sudden.
With stamina suddenly plummeting into the 80s, Sol felt dizzy and nauseous, leaning back against the seat. He raised his head slightly and closed his eyes, trying to quell the queasiness that felt like motion sickness. Even with his eyes closed, he could feel Ji-ho’s gaze piercing through him intensely.
“Sol-ah, are you feeling carsick?”
“Uh… yeah. A little.”
It seemed better to say so in this situation. Technically, it wasn’t carsickness, but he didn’t feel like explaining it in detail, nor was it the right time for a lengthy conversation. Sol furrowed his brows slightly.
His pale face grew even paler, and his furrowed brows made him look quite sensitive. Unbeknownst to him, Deuk-yong and Ji-ho were openly staring at Sol’s face. This was exactly what they meant when they previously talked about Sol being the type they wanted to tease more back at the dorm.
His straight eyebrows furrowed deeply, and his white teeth slightly bit his thin but nicely shaped red lips. The sensitive and struggling look on his face had a somewhat sadistic appeal. Sol generally had a cold and melancholic aura, and even though it was unfortunate to say such a thing to someone in distress, this atmosphere suited his current expression well.
As Ji-ho observed Sol’s face, he noticed the furrow in Sol’s brow deepening, prompting Ji-ho to pout his lips slightly. This was Ji-ho’s way of expressing displeasure when something was bothering him or not to his liking. Ji-ho’s naturally curved lips always gave him a smiling expression, but when he pouted to one side, it often looked like a sneer.
“It’s been less than 5 minutes since we got in the car. If it’s this bad, it’s not just a little carsick, but a severe one.”
“Oh… um… maybe it’s because I’m not used to the van.”
Sol took a deep breath and answered. Opening his mouth made him feel like he might actually vomit, so he quickly closed it again with a ‘hap’ sound.
“Right. Sol threw up last time, too. Could it be happening again?”
“No… it’s not that bad.”
“I did wash the car yesterday. Do you want a bag?”
Yeong-ho, overhearing Sol and Ji-ho’s conversation, intervened. The rhythmic ticking sound of the blinker made Sol even more on edge. Unsettled by Sol’s previous behavior, Yeong-ho finally pulled out a bag from the front seat and handed it back. Deuk-yong quickly took the bag and handed it to Sol. The feel of the plastic in his hand made Sol frown even more.
“This is bad. Once we really debut, we’ll have to ride in cars a lot.... I guess I’ll have to bring motion sickness medicine every time.”
“I’ll get used to it.”
He would get used to it. One day, he believed he would be okay, just as he managed to dance in front of the members today, despite never being able to dance alone before.
“Don’t stay out too late on your day off. Do it in moderation. Got it, Ji-ho-yah?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll call to check.”
“I’ll report when we get back.”
“Okay, I’ll be nearby, so contact me if anything happens.”
Sol, supported by Deuk-yong, got out of the van. Fortunately, nothing particularly draining happened afterward, but Sol was almost on the verge of vomiting when he finally set foot on the ground. His face went pale, and he staggered as he stood up. Deuk-yong, who had gotten out a step earlier, grabbed his hand. Ji-ho, playing the role of the eldest under Yeong-ho’s request, kept nodding, his hands behind his back, clearly wanting to send Yeong-ho away quickly.
Yeong-ho, who had dropped off the three in an alley behind a busy street full of shops, quickly drove off in the van. Although it was a quiet alley, the sight of three tall men getting out of a van that anyone could tell was used by celebrities drew the attention of passersby.
Without saying more, the three pulled their hats down and walked quickly. Once they were out of the alley and the gazes following them had mostly disappeared, Ji-ho stopped. Sol, who was barely managing to follow behind, looking as if he might collapse at any moment, finally stopped and caught his breath.
“Are you okay?”
“Now that we’re out of the van, I’m okay.”
“Then let’s take care of Sol’s matter first.”
“Sol hyung’s clothes first?”
“Yeah. Look at him now. Just looking at him makes me feel cold.”
Sol pulled his old coat tighter around himself. It was colder on the main street where the wind blew even harder. Whether they were going to eat or enjoy a rare outing, it seemed essential to dress warmly enough to beat the cold first. Everyone agreed with Ji-ho’s remark.
Without much desire or interest in clothes, Sol chose simple designs from a fast fashion store. His budget wasn’t very large, and his energy, which felt like it had been cut to the level of an 80-year-old, made him not want to leisurely browse multiple stores.
Above all, he disliked crowded areas. It had been so long since he’d been out that he’d forgotten how much he disliked busy places.
Even during school days, Ju-hwan and Yoo-chan used to link arms with him on both sides and drag him out even when he didn’t want to go. Despite his reluctance, once he started hanging out with them, he always ended up remembering the day fondly. Sol covered his mouth and caught his breath.
As soon as he got out of the van, the headache and nausea that had quickly subsided seemed to resurface when he thought of the two. Sol sorted through the clothes and picked out a thick, black sweatshirt with a brushed interior.
“Oh, hyung! Choose another color.”
“Black is plain. Tae-oh said I look decent dancing in black.”
“Well, yeah, but all your shirts are black. Get a different color.”
Deuk-yong took the sweatshirt from Sol’s hand and held out another color to him. It was a very bright, light pink hoodie. Sol had never bought clothes of such a color in his 25 years of life.
Even the leotards or tights he wore for dancing were always black or white. Sol shook his head at Deuk-yong. Deuk-yong, stubborn, raised his eyebrows fiercely and handed Sol another sweatshirt. This one had a very flashy print. Sol shook his head again.
While Sol and Deuk-yong were busy picking out clothes and arguing, Ji-ho was watching them from a distance, checking his phone. Internet banking. The balance in his account was 54,300 won. He wanted to lift his spirits, and he also had run out of his skincare lotion, so he decided to go out.
After buying a cheap skincare set, he would have only 20,000 to 30,000 won left. It was still the middle of the month, and Ji-ho had to make it through the month with that remaining amount. He had suggested to Deuk-yong that they eat something delicious, but he could barely afford to buy one serving of tteokbokki on the street. Yet, as the oldest, he couldn’t let his younger friends treat him.
Ji-ho looked at Deuk-yong, who was chatting loudly. On their last outing, Deuk-yong had already treated him once. He had gone out without thinking and now the reality of his empty bank account hit him.
Ji-ho let out a short sigh. At twenty-two, he was currently on a leave of absence from college, surviving on the money he had saved from occasional part-time jobs and a small allowance from his parents.
In his previous agency, he had received a very small allowance, just enough to maintain his dignity. Initially supportive, his parents gradually began to feel it was a futile effort, like pouring water into a bottomless pit. They started suggesting that he either return to college and graduate quickly or consider joining the military.
Ji-ho’s family was not particularly well-off. They weren’t destitute, but he had several younger siblings. Considering his siblings, Ji-ho couldn’t rely on his parents’ support forever. If he bit the bullet and contacted his parents to say he was short on money, they would likely send it willingly, though worriedly. But Ji-ho didn’t have the brazenness to ask.
As he checked his bank balance, Ji-ho sighed and looked around. If only he could win the lottery, then he could focus on singing without such worries. As he glanced around, his eyes caught a ‘Help Wanted’ flyer at the store entrance. Naturally, getting a part-time job would reduce his practice time. He had already quit his part-time job at a cafe, which had been flexible with his schedule, thinking this time he would surely debut before Sol arrived.
Ji-ho alternated his gaze between Sol and the help wanted notice. It was the fifth time he had quit a part-time job thinking, “This time for sure.”
Would it be different with Sol?
Sol was showing a clearer path to debut than anyone Ji-ho had previously met. Although they hadn’t spent much time together, and Sol tended to gloss over things and not open up completely, Ji-ho felt that Sol was genuinely kind and diligent. And most importantly, Sol had remarkable talent.
After a brief contemplation between the help wanted notice and Sol, Ji-ho shook his head and, holding his coat, approached Deuk-yong and Sol, who were in the middle of a heated argument. As Tae-oh had said, this might really be the last chance. And if it were the last, choosing Sol standing right in front of him was better than barely scraping by with a part-time job and a little extra pocket money.
“Sol-ah, that doesn’t suit you. Let me choose for you.”
“What are you talking about, Ji-ho hyung? This color is perfect for Sol hyung.”
“Quiet, fashion ignoramus.”
Ji-ho laughed as he intervened in the argument. He quickly snatched the bright yellow T-shirt that Deuk-yong had been insisting Sol wear and picked a calm beige one instead. As Deuk-yong and Ji-ho bickered about which shirt suited Sol better, Sol showed an exasperated expression.
“No, really, I think black is just...”
As soon as Sol began to speak, the two of them glared and shouted in unison, “No!” Sol broke into a cold sweat.
***
“Kang Ga-ram, talk.”
“About what?”
“Did it happen again?”
On the way to their dorm, Tae-oh and Garam stood facing each other in the alley where Ga-ram always stopped to check his surroundings.
