𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 ―𝐝.𝐨.𝐝

Chapter 83

[ Park Moondae's POV ]

The shooting with Cheongryeo was so draining that I couldn't even properly keep my eyes open when I got back to the dorm. He was so creepy to the point where I was almost grateful to see the other members again.

But still, I was glad I met him; I had gathered some critical information while talking with him throughout the show and in his car.

For one, I learned that there was one other--and possibly more--like me. Cheongryeo was also cursed to die if he couldn't fulfill achievements related to being a successful idol. 

Two, there was also an end to the status abnormality when you reached the year in which you were turned back in time. This was why Cheongryeo's status abnormality was inactivated. It gave me hope knowing that there were a little over two years until it would be the year I came from.

But there was still one big incongruity, and that was the fact that I had a status window while Cheongryeo had to go in blindly. He had died multiple times to learn of the missions he had to succeed.

As Keun Sejin teased me about snacks, I glanced at Seungmin, who was staring out the window near the couch.

It was possible that he was in the same position as Cheongryeo where he wouldn't be aware of the status abnormality without failing first. Or, maybe he had died before and was very good at hiding it. Who was to say?

However, I still wasn't sure what made Seungmin earn this supernatural status in the first place. Cheongryeo, he was a failed idol who committed suicide and found himself turned back in time. Me, Park Moondae found joy in my videos before I decided to quit data-selling to play more games.

Seungmin?

I didn't know.

The boy noticed my gaze and glanced at me, only to look away soon after.

"...?"

He had never shied away from my eyes before.

After a moment of consideration, I filled a small glass with water and walked over to the living room.

"Did you pick your two snacks?" I asked, sitting down carefully beside him.

Seungmin's hair slid down his face as he turned to face me. He shook his head.

"I don't eat snacks, so I gave them to the others."

"...I see."

I pushed the cup in his direction, and he took it from me. But when our fingers brushed, I could feel him jerk back a little.

"What the heck?"

As if also confused, he stared at his hand before his eyes shifted to my face. Then to my lips. Then to my neck. He took a gulp.

It looked like he was prying his eyes off me and back to the window.

For some reason, I could feel my ears heating up.

"Why was he looking at me like...that?"

At that moment, my phone rang.

VTIC Cheongryeo sunbae-nim: Call me if you feel like dying ^^

I replied roughly, saying, "Yes, I understand. Thank you," before getting off the couch. I really just wanted to rest after seeing that message. Glancing at Seungmin, I wondered if I should say anything more, but my mind went blank.

I washed up and went straight to the bed. Lee Sejin was in the room.

"You're back."

"Yes...did anything happen?"