GIJS

Chapter 96 It's been a long time.

When he arrived at the accommodation, all the members were waiting for him. Despite their worried expressions, the content of the post written by one of his old classmates was quite ordinary.

[Bragging About Being in the Same Class as Yu Gunja.txt]
I was in the same class as Yu Gunja in 3rd year middle school!!!

At first, I really didn't recognize him, haha.

He was such a non-existent presence back then.

I didn't even know he was this handsome, lol.

Anyway, in my memory, there was no bullying or anything like that!

We weren't close at all, though, lol.

The only time we spoke was during art class.

I didn't bring a 4B pencil, so I asked to borrow one.

He went all the way to the next class to borrow it for me, haha, so kind.

Another memory is during his dream presentation time.

He got up on the stage and danced like a girl group, lol.

I remember he was really terrible at it, haha.

Everyone laughed back then, but thinking about it now, it's kind of cute, lol.

I wonder why I didn't notice back then, lol.

Anyway, it's such a funny and precious memory.

Just in case, I also included a graduation photo, lol.

The anonymous classmate's post didn't accuse anyone of bullying or present any special heroic deeds. Since Gunja was a quiet student, it was only natural for a plain post to appear, provided there was no fabrication.

However, from Gunja's perspective, it seemed that the classmate's memories were significantly distorted.

That presentation was not a fun and precious memory as the classmate described. After that, the former owner of this body had to endure severe bullying.

Starting from that post, stories from other classmates began to emerge one by one.

Oh, I was in the same class as Gunja in high school!

He was still very introverted and quiet back then, haha.

He suddenly came out with a scholar concept at A-Yuk-Si.

I bet everyone who knew him was shocked.

Now he's totally an idol, haha.

He was a mess in high school, haha.

It didn't help that he was compared to Park Young-jae.

I heard Park Young-jae taught him dance, haha.

I remember he couldn't dance properly at all in high school.

How did he end up like this? It's a real human victory, haha.

Park Young-jae must feel proud seeing Gunja.

Honestly, it's like we raised him ourselves.

Oh, I don't have a graduation photo, sorryㅠㅠㅠ

He dropped out in his second year of high school,,, hahaha.

"Gunja, you were in the same school as Park Young-jae, huh?"

When Taewoong asked, Gunja nodded. His hazy memory became clear upon hearing the name Park Young-jae.

Park Young-jae was one of the culprits who mocked and bullied the former owner of this body.

He was also a fairly famous name in the industry. Two years ago, he debuted through another idol audition program and later made a spectacular solo debut after completing group activities.

The more Gunja read the classmates' posts, the clearer the video he saw through the reward became.

Everyone was reminiscing about Gunja's awkward singing and dancing as fond memories. However, for the former owner of this body, Yu Gunja, it was an unbearably painful memory. He had dropped out of school and confined himself in a cramped room.

Despite being the same event, how could the memories be so different?

Perhaps it was because they had not experienced the pain themselves. It could also be due to the cunning of Park Young-jae's group.

In any case, the classmates' posts were a significant gain for Gunja. Thanks to them, he learned who tormented the former owner of this body.

While Gunja was reading the posts, his colleagues were all looking at him with worried expressions. Gunja's expression seemed more anxious than ever.

Finally, when Gunja tore his eyes away from the monitor, the present members cautiously spoke up.

"Hyung, are you okay?"

"...Yeah, I'm fine."

"There were no bad comments, so we decided to watch it together. Maybe seeing this could help you recover the memories you lost..."

"Thank you for your concern."

"Did you remember anything?"

Gunja nodded at Hyunsu's question.

"Is that so? I'm glad!"

It seemed that the colleagues thought Gunja's memories were coming back due to the classmates' posts.

For Gunja, it was a good thing. If he said he saw the past through the reward from the status window, no one would believe it.

Moreover, seeing the classmates' posts had made his past memories clearer, so the misunderstanding by his colleagues wasn't entirely wrong.

"It seems that some of the lost memories have returned."

"Oh, that's great!"

"But, the posts are a bit different from my memories."

"Huh? How is it different?"

"Well, actually..."

Gunja calmly laid out the truth: the dreams he had since childhood, the despair he first experienced in his 3rd year of middle school, and the relentless bullying by Park Young-jae's group that followed.

Throughout Gunja's story, his colleagues' expressions remained intensely serious.

"...So, these people are keeping those painful memories as fond recollections."

"Park Young-jae was involved in, or rather led, the bullying."

"Indeed."

"I didn't see Park Young-jae as a bully before, but I guess he was one."

"Hey, it's even a waste to call him a senior. He's just a bully."

"Hmm? What does 'bully' mean?"

"Hmm, it's a term for people like Park Young-jae."

"Oh."

A bully. Learning a new term once again.

While Gunja was organizing his thoughts, the members were raising their anger levels.

"Damn, I'm about to curse."

"...How could they..."

"People are really cruel."

The colleagues shared their anger as if it were their own. Inhyuk even slammed his fist down on the table.

"So, after being tormented like that, you became a recluse and got into an accident while trying to escape reality on a motorcycle."

"And when you woke up... you had lost your memory and become a scholar?"

"Yes."

"Pfft."

"Oh, Hyung! What are you doing laughing in this situation!"

"Oh, sorry. I should stay serious, but honestly, it's kind of funny that a scholar popped up at the end."

Taewoong apologized, but Gunja found it rather comforting. He didn't want to make the atmosphere too heavy.

Taewoong cleared his throat and tried to suppress his laughter before speaking again.

"Alright, what are we going to do about this? We're not just going to let it go, are we?"

"..."

"This is bullying, pure and simple. Regardless of being a senior in the industry, Park Young-jae almost ruined your life."

"..."

"Let's at least tell the company. We need to make them take responsibility and apologize. I can't just let this slide, Gunja. Gunja?"

"..."

"Say something. If you're thinking of letting it go with some spirit of tolerance or whatever..."

"Taewoong, don't worry."

"Huh?"

"I won't let it go."

"Then?"

"I'll get revenge."

"!"

"There's a saying that Gunja's revenge is never too late, even if it takes 10 years."

"Oh, really!?"

The colleagues, who had anticipated that Gunja would be frustratingly passive, cheered at his unexpectedly bold attitude.

But for Gunja, it was only natural. If it were his own matter, he might have been more tolerant, as Taewoong suggested. But this was about the former owner of this body.

To honor his grievance, responsibility must be firmly demanded.

"Why are you like this?"

"I might have let it go if it were my own matter, but this isn't."

"Huh? It's something from high school. Why isn't it your matter?"

Oops, Gunja made a slip of the tongue for a moment.

"...I, I have been reborn. The person I was back then and who I am now are completely different."

"Oh, New Gunja! Gunja MK-2!"

"Right! Anyway, let's get revenge together!"

With a moment of quick thinking, Gunja managed to cover up his mistake effectively.

"Haha, Park Young-jae must be scared by now~"

"Right. Gunja, who was tormented so much, has actually become a celebrity. And a very successful one at that."

"How should we deal with this? Should we tell the company and have a press conference?"

"But that might seem a bit sudden. It might look like we're targeting him."

"Hmmm, that's a valid point."

"So, what then..."

But the members' concerns didn't last long.

Gunja and Park Young-jae began to get involved much faster than they had anticipated.

* * *

Numerous programs were sending love calls to recruit 7IN. One of them was Kim Seok-hoon PD's [Sing Along Duo>.

The outline of [Sing Along Duo> was simple: find the most perfect musical pair, create a fantastic collaboration song, and perform it. PD Kim Seok-hoon sent recruitment requests to all 7IN members.

The recruitment conditions were quite good. It was a variety show on a wealthy cable channel, and as a music production show, it promised full support for creating good music.

But the problem was the cast.

Park Young-jae's name was at the top of the already recruited artist list.

Seo Eun-woo, the team leader in charge of 7IN, and Lee Yong-jung, the manager, were also aware of Gunja and Park Young-jae's relationship.

Therefore, it was extremely cautious to have the two meet on the same program.

"The conditions are top-notch. A high-quality collaboration song is also satisfying. However, honestly, we want to decline this offer."

"..."

"Unless it's in court or the police station, we're not sure if it's the right decision to have a bully and Gunja meet on a variety show."

"..."

"There are plenty of other good music programs if it's about music variety..."

But the 7IN members shook their heads firmly.

"Team Leader, please let us appear on this program."

"!"

"We appreciate your concern, but Gunja isn't that weak."

"...But..."

"Of course, we need to deal with Park Young-jae somehow. But we want to see Gunja standing confidently in front of him."

"..."

"Gunja might have been scared in high school, but there's no reason for that now."

Gunja also nodded vigorously as if agreeing with the members. The members were united in their desire to participate.

Seeing their strong determination, Team Leader Seo Eun-woo quietly nodded.

"..."

If an artist shows this much will, it's right to respect it. Moreover, he also hoped Gunja would overcome the past.

"Understood. We will decide to appear on [Sing Along Duo>."

"!"

"Thank you!"

"We'll think about the legal steps for Park Young-jae carefully."

With that, the appearance of Gunja and the 7IN members on [Sing Along Duo> was confirmed.

During the first production meeting led by PD Kim Seok-hoon, Gunja and Park Young-jae faced each other for the first time in three years.

"Oh, Gunja! Long time no see."

With an unabashed bright smile and extended hand, Park Young-jae greeted Gunja, who responded with a cheerful smile.

"Oh, the bully, huh."

"!?"

"Yeah, it's been a long time."