Chapter 227

“Hey guys, should I make some steamed eggs too?”

“Unni, just do whatever is comfortable for you~”

Na-eun Unni was showing off her skilled knife work, expertly chopping the ingredients to go into the odeng-tang.

“Let’s grill the pork belly first.”

“Got it!”

The same-age friends, Chiyo Unni and Woo-ah Unni, were busy grilling the meat they had bought in bulk from the market.

Yeah, the place was definitely noisy with the barbecue area in the yard and the kitchen inside.

But the real hustle and bustle was in this living room.

Seo-yoon Unni was alternating between watching the kitchen and the barbecue area, thinking about the staff in the living room.

“What should I do…”

I put down my non-fiction book and cut in decisively.

“That’s just being obsessive.”

“Is it?”

“Yup.”

“Right… we came here to have fun!”

“Listen, there are various ways the airheads like us. Among them, there are those who work hard, those who try to have fun, but what about their own content? How do they relax? What do they do to heal? I bet they’re super curious.”

“Oh… But. But it seems like it’s only you and me who always do that. I work hard on cooking usually, too.”

“Ugh, what are you talking about?”

“Um… Am I wrong?”

“Yeah, remember how hard we practiced singing earlier?”

I fixed my posture on the sofa daintily.

“So, the members just can’t sit still.”

A neat posture, a straight face, and an intelligent appearance lend strong persuasive power to my words.

“Like, they feel like they need to do something. Since we’re just beginners in entertainment.”

“Ugh, right? So true.”

“But are you really going to join me in the kitchen?”

“Wait… Ugh! It’s so chaotic.”

“Yeah, it is messy.”

“Ugh~ I thought about it for a bit and I’m already dizzy.”

Seeing the staff in front of us bursting into laughter meant we were definitely doing our part.

“Right? Isn’t that so?”

“Yeah, I think so too. So, what should we watch~”

Of course, Kim Seo-yoon is still sharp.

She didn’t lose a beat.

As soon as she pulled some content, she immediately lay back comfortably on the sofa to start watching TV.

“Anyone want to try! I grilled it perfectly!”

Just then, Chiyo Unni came in, holding a few pieces of meat with tongs, as she waltzed in.

“How is it…?”

“Wow, it’s amazing. Seriously, how did you grill it so well? Right, Unni?”

“Yeah, you really grilled it well.”

“Chiyo Unni is the best!”

“Hehe, I wrapped it in foil to keep the juices in while grilling it. I saw it on YouTube, and they said it tastes great this way!”

The adorable Chiyo Unni happily rejoiced and headed back out to grill more meat.
I headed out to the living room to grill some meat.

“Wow, you’re such a pain, you know that?”

“What? You’re the one chiming in next to me.”

I think this is what our role with experience is all about.

*

When I woke up in the morning, the dark pension living room only had a self-camera left behind for filming purposes, and the staff had long since clocked out.

Well, it’s not like we can all sleep together at the pension.

And with that, our short 1-night, 2-day shoot had come to an end.

I dragged over a yoga mat stuffed in a corner and started some stretches.

I turned on the camera too.

Honestly, it’s partly because it’s in front of the camera, but it’s also a routine I never miss.

As I stretched and loosened my stiff body, today’s schedule began to come to mind.

I had to be the MC for a trending song… which means I need to stop by the salon.

Not that there’s any time to spare, but a ton of tasks piled up in front of me.

An empty paper cup, a drink glass, disposable spoons and forks. Time for recycling.

Leftover meat on a plate and a sink full of dishes, including the oden soup bowl.

“Ugh… when am I going to clean this up?”

In theory, the first person to wake up takes the responsibility to clean…

It’s 7 AM now, so I should hurry and clean up, then head to Seoul separately with the manager.

Since we’re on the outskirts of Gyeonggi-do, we need to leave by 10 at the latest.

Without red rubber gloves, I started washing the dishes with my bare hands, soaking the sponge in detergent.

The main reason why people living alone avoid cooking is precisely this dishwashing hassle.

I wish I could just cook instead.

“Oh, this should go on the show.”

Short segment, at least.

*

Around 9, I had ordered brunch delivery, and the members started to trickle into the living room, complaining about a bit of hangover.

The production staff had clocked out, and the members wanted to perk up with a drink, thinking, “You gotta have some alcohol on a trip.”

“Ugh, I’m dying…”

Surprisingly, the first member to come out was Chiyo Unni.

She didn’t drink much, but she looked like she couldn’t handle it. Must be a lightweight.

“Come eat breakfast. I ordered your favorite bagels.”

“Ugh, my stomach is churning…”

“Or you can have cereal. Cereal is surprisingly good for a hangover.”

“How would Do-hee even know that…”

“Just eat it; it’s good for you.”

I took a big bite of the bagel slathered with cream cheese and jam and headed to my room to change clothes.

Even though it was just casual wear.

Since it was cold anyway, I’d be wearing a long padded coat, so I didn’t need to worry about the trending song’s commuting look.

Once I changed into my outfit and packed my bag, I headed straight for the front door.

At the same time, I heard the members’ apologies for not helping with the cleaning.
The members’ apologies were heard.

We were supposed to clean up together in the morning.

“Has Do-hee finally grown up…?”

“Your face.”

“Gratitude.”

sigh

“Anyway, I had nothing to do in the morning. I’m going to head out first.”

“But where are you going?”

“Do-hee is the MC today.”

“Oh right.”

“Yeah. I’m supposed to wait in front of the manager. If you’re not going to come with me, you better take a taxi.”

“Okay, don’t worry about us; we’ll see you tonight at the dorm~”

The life of a busy modern superstar who can’t even enjoy a two-day vacation shoot…

*

“Joo Seung-bin, I’m here.”

“Yeah, here’s the script…”

Since I was going to throw on a long padded jacket anyway, wearing comfy clothes was a mistake.

Unlike my usual habit of constantly bouncing in and out of the practice room or doing intense workouts, today I was in a relaxed state, wearing just regular underwear.

Because of that, I should’ve worn something more concealing.

But in a rush to leave, I didn’t have time to stop by my dorm.

Underneath the long padded jacket, I remained in casual wear.

Comfortable sweatpants.

A long sleeve t-shirt, skinny fit.

The clingy fabric hugged my body tightly.

So, it was a bit more curvy than usual.

‘My perfect lines are on display.’

Of course, there was no shame in being perfect.

But suddenly, an unknown shyness surged up.

Honestly, since I used to be a guy, I thought having big breasts was pretty, and just to tease my mom, I wished they would grow.

Truthfully, even now when I look in the mirror, I’m overly satisfied.

But that’s self-satisfaction; I still don’t want to show it off.

I didn’t want to become an object of scrutiny.

I’ve always been cold, polite, rational, and intellectual enough to get annoyed with myself.

“This damn…”

It’s no wonder women say having big breasts is a complex.

I really don’t know why I feel embarrassed, but I’m extremely shy about it.

I was definitely thinking that.

The reason I avoid exposure is that I don’t want to face nasty comments.

But now I realize I was also simply embarrassed.

‘The people at the Waterbomb event really had a professional mindset… seriously.’

Of course, I tried to act like it didn’t bother me.

Due to the hot heating in the MC waiting room, I unconsciously zipped my long padded jacket back up without thinking, and went to the changing room with the oversized school uniform MC outfit that Coordinator Unni had prepared.

The problem was the t-shirt’s neckline fit perfectly around my neck, not with a round, typical design, but…

A square neck, which women love to wear… No, now I enjoy wearing it too.
I love wearing square necks.

Literally, it has a square-shaped neckline.

This outfit was something I bought when I went shopping with the Seven members.

At that time, all the members were there.

Especially Sara Unni and Hana Unni said this outfit looked good and it’s fine for practice, so I jumped on the bandwagon and bought it too, but I ended up just shoving it in my closet at the time.

Only as Seven was about to wrap up did I start wearing it comfortably.

Now, I never thought I’d get so comfortable with this outfit.

Probably, our members.

Especially Woo-ah Unni.

“Our Do-hee doesn’t have big boobs, wahhh! Give our Do-hee back! You monster!”

“Just accept reality. No one can deny I’m the oldest here.”

The reason she keeps teasing me while leaning on my chest is probably because of my outfit.

And that’s because the fit is snug, and with the square neck.

A little bit of cleavage shows, not too much, just a tiny bit.

Um… anyway, it was fine.

Since we’re all girls.

Girls are all about the hanging out… and sometimes we touch or even play around openly.

Of course, I was defensive, guarding what’s precious to me.

But I know.

If it were a guy, regardless of personality or character.

Unless he’s gay… yeah, there would be a little bit of lust involved.

So it wasn’t surprising when Joo Seung-bin’s gaze accidentally flickered to my chest.

Being a guy, I totally understood.

When that noble reason that separates animals from humans is ultimately overwhelmed by instincts, it comes as a painful and lamentable realization.

But through having that self-critique, one can reflect and grow, making even that pain a unique human experience and part of the journey.

Yeah, especially since instincts aren’t sins.

I somewhat agree with Desmond Morris’s view that humans are essentially “hairless monkeys.”

Besides, didn’t the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, categorize all human underlying psychology into sexual desire and deficiency?

So… this instinct…

“Hey, did you finish the book I lent you last time?”

“Oh, right.”

“Then give it back quickly so I can put it on my shelf.”

“Here you go.”

That day, I completely zoned out and kept going back and forth with philosophical dilemmas all day.

The conclusion was that I just missed my family, who could be my healing place.

“By the way, Mom, is Do-ah going to bed early these days? She keeps not answering my calls…”

“No? She was studying just a while ago and is still in her room playing Nintendo?”

“… Tell her I have no allowance left this month.”

“Do-ah wants to talk to you.”

“Humph.”

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