Chapter 14: An Uneasy Alliance

Even if he managed to use the credit card, he’d still need to know the account password to handle his assets properly. In the first place, he didn’t even know where the credit card was.

That wasn’t all. He had no idea where Kim Jeguk’s bankbook, seal, or resident registration card were, either.

“What’s the point of having Kim Jeguk’s body if I can’t prove who I am on paper?”

He had thought he would only be recognized as Woo Youngchan, but now it sounded like he wasn’t going to be recognized as Kim Jeguk either. He felt as helpless as if he were a wandering soul.

But this wasn’t the time to wallow in misery. Woo Youngchan gulped down his iced Americano. He even crunched the ice, cooling his overheated head.

“That’s fine. I only need to hold on for a little while. Until they come find me at home.”

Neither he nor his family were the type to keep in constant contact, so they probably wouldn’t notice anything unusual during the two months he was scheduled to stay in Hawaii. But after that, they would.

“If I don’t come back, they’ll look into it. I don’t know what state my body is in right now, but either Kim Jeguk is possessing it, or it’s an empty shell without a soul. Which one do you think? Either way, it’s a big deal, so it’ll make a mess. And they’ll find me.”

Han Hoseong nodded. A week ago, whatever Woo Youngchan said sounded like nonsense, but now even Han Hoseong could see the sense in it.

“The problem is how to let my family know what happened. Should I just storm into the company after two months?”

Woo Youngchan muttered seriously. For an instant, a headline flashed through Han Hoseong’s mind: HIGH-5’s zenon Arrested After Causing a Disturbance at Kangmun Group Headquarters.

“Ah, no.”

If that happened, HIGH-5 would be dragged into the gossip too. For HIGH-5, which already had very few core fans, even a minor scandal could be fatal.

“Let’s find another way. Preferably one that benefits both of us.”

“I don’t think there’s a better way for me than that.”

Woo Youngchan stared at him.

“I don’t hold any grudge against you. If anything, I’m grateful. You helped me in your own way. But that’s that, and this is this.”

“……”

“I’m getting my original body back by any means necessary. I’m not letting anyone take my body and my life.”

Woo Youngchan’s eyes burned fiercely. It didn’t look like persuasion would work, but Han Hoseong spoke anyway.

“I’m not telling you to give up your life. I want everything to go back to normal, too. Think about it. We want the same thing.”

Woo Youngchan wanted to get back into his own body, and Han Hoseong wanted to get zenon back.

Their reasons might differ, but in the end, they wanted the same outcome. People who look in the same direction can stand shoulder to shoulder.

“I’ll help you.”

“How?”

“I’m better at gathering information than you. The fortune teller we visited earlier—I found that place. I’ll look into Western sorcerers, too.”

“……”

“And I’ll think of a way to contact your family.”

He meant a normal method, Han Hoseong added.

“I guarantee you won’t find another helper like me. Who else has as much money as I do and actually believes you’re Woo Youngchan?”

“……What do you want?”

“I want you to help me out, too.”

With the mask on, half of Hoseong’s face was hidden, but his earnest expression came through clearly. In fact, seeing only his eyes made him look even more desperate. His gaze pleaded, and though no tears had formed, his eyes were glistening. Woo Youngchan felt a sudden pang of guilt even though he’d done nothing wrong.

“……So you want me to take Kim Jeguk’s place and do your group’s activities.”

“Yes. And one more thing: don’t cause trouble.”

“To be honest, I’m not confident about either one.”

“I agree that you can’t keep living as an idol forever. But like you said, it’s only two months. When else would you ever get to be an idol? Some people waste their youth in practice rooms just hoping to debut, and others try all kinds of outlandish concepts to get even a little bit of attention. But you can just do it, right now.”

Woo Youngchan was certain that the “some people” referred to Han Hoseong’s own past.

“Doesn’t that sound interesting? Think of it as a life experience. Can’t you just do it with me?”

“……”

Woo Youngchan sank into thought.

It felt like something had been solved, but that was just a feeling. If he considered it coldly, all he’d gained was a hint: Find a Western sorcerer. He was no better off than right after he’d possessed the body. There hadn’t even been any useful information in Kim Jeguk’s phone.

“Okay.”

He knew that the best option was to keep pretending to be Kim Jeguk until he got his body back. That was exactly why he’d resolved to live as “zenon.” Since nothing had changed, the plan couldn’t change either.

“So we’ll do a give-and-take.”

“Yes.”

“It does feel like I’m getting the short end of the stick, but fine. I’ll try not to cause trouble.”

“I can’t trust words that vague. Promise me. Swear you won’t cause any trouble.”

Woo Youngchan swallowed an admiring oh. He’d thought Han Hoseong was such an easy mark that he’d probably get scammed, but he could be surprisingly firm. It seemed he was soft toward the shaman and only strict with Woo Youngchan, yet it didn’t bother him.

“Fine. You’re acting like I’m a troublemaker, but I’m not the type to go around causing incidents. You don’t need to worry. I’ll handle it well.”

“Thank you.”

“In return, you have to actively help me. If not… you know, right?”

“I know. I’ll definitely help you actively.”

Even though the words came out as a sham threat, Han Hoseong agreed readily. He finally looked relieved. He took off his mask and drank his Americano. The corners of his mouth turned up, looking quite content.

“……”

Woo Youngchan glanced at Han Hoseong. Even though they were sitting across from each other, it somehow felt like he was peeking at him. He realized why a moment later.

Right now, Han Hoseong wasn’t putting on any kind of expression. That wasn’t to say he usually wore a fake face, but he didn’t normally reveal himself so completely. Anyone could clearly see how much he had been agonizing, and how relieved he felt now.

Looking into a clear mountain stream must feel something like this. When even the most private emotions were laid bare, it only made sense to feel like he was snooping.

He’s too easy to read. He really shouldn’t show his feelings like that on his face.

The thought crossed his mind again, but this time he didn’t feel like telling Han Hoseong off. Woo Youngchan finished the rest of his Americano.

“Um……”

Just then, a man and a woman walked over hesitantly. They had never met before, and both wore awkward smiles.

“Excuse me, you’re Han Hoseong, aren’t you? The one who sings the Chika-chika Song.”

“We weren’t sure at first, but after you took off your mask, we thought it must be you……”

Han Hoseong turned to them and broke into a bright smile.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Oh my! What a coincidence. See, didn’t I tell you?”

“Yeah, that’s amazing. Wow.”

The two whispered to each other. They probably thought they were being quiet, but they were so excited that Woo Youngchan could hear every word. Han Hoseong must have heard them too, but he just smiled calmly.

Something’s different.

It looked like the same smile, but it felt more composed than before. Woo Youngchan quickly recognized it as the face of “celebrity Han Hoseong.”

So he wasn’t terrible at managing his expressions after all.

It made sense given how many years he’d spent in the entertainment industry, but since Woo Youngchan had only ever seen him being a pushover, it was oddly fascinating. He watched with interest as Han Hoseong held an impromptu fan meeting.

“Wow! I listen to your music all the time. Thank you so much for making such great songs.”

“Haha, thank you.”

“My kid absolutely hated brushing his teeth, but if I put on the Chika-chika Song, he grabs his toothbrush on his own. Ah, we’re on our way back from taking him to kindergarten. Our Seulmi would’ve been so happy to see Chika oppa. What a shame.”

“Ah, the little one is named Seulmi. I’m really sorry I didn’t get to meet her, too. Please say hello to Seulmi for me.”

“Of course. Um, could you take a picture with us?”

“Of course.”

Han Hoseong stood up and glanced at Woo Youngchan, signaling that he should stand too. Woo Youngchan also rose. But the man and woman didn’t even look at him. They were too busy snapping photos with Han Hoseong in the middle.

“Honey, don’t push your chin out. Your face won’t fit in the frame.”

“I’m not pushing my chin out. My face is just big……”

As the ruckus dragged on, even customers at other tables started glancing over. It was fortunate the café was quiet, but at this rate, more people would flock over. Eventually, Woo Youngchan stepped in.

“Shall I take the photo?”

“Oh, we’d appreciate that.”

The woman handed her phone to Woo Youngchan. Remembering Han Hoseong’s request not to cause trouble, he took the photo carefully.

“Thank you. And wow, your friend is also so handsome.”

“Oh, hold on. I feel like I’ve seen this person somewhere before……”

“zenon.”

The two looked uncertain. Woo Youngchan added an explanation.

“The germ.”

“Ah! Oh, you’re the germ! No wonder!”

It was funny how they acted surprised even though they hadn’t recognized him at all. Woo Youngchan smiled. Strictly speaking, it was a sneer, but even a sneer was a smile.

📚 Also on NHV Novels

What Should I Do When Girls Keep Trying to Win Me Over After Rebirth?

CampusRomanceHaremlove

Read Now →
Not interested