Idol of the Heavenly One - Chapter 31.1
After arriving at the arena, we finished the stage rehearsal that started right away. Then, after returning to the waiting room, we each spent our personal time until the AMM Awards began.
Baek Jae-heon was lying on the waiting room sofa, asleep. Joo I-rip and Lee Soonbok had gone out to film several challenge videos with the senior group from the same company, Dipper. Meanwhile, Go Hee-min and Kwon Ji-hak were sitting in a corner, completely absorbed in a mobile game.
When it seemed like no one, including the members and staff, was paying attention to me, I quietly stood up. Pretending to head to the restroom, I stepped out of the waiting room and began walking slowly down the corridor lined with long windows. The side of the building where our waiting room was located faced an empty lot, so from here, I couldn’t see Arena Station.
That meant the first method I had in mind couldn’t be used.
On the way to Incheon, I had come up with two possible plans. The first was that, while inside the building, I would notice a fire breaking out at Arena Station, rush out, and put it out. But realistically, that was impossible because of the building’s layout. To see Arena Station, I’d have to go to the opposite side of the building, where the area was packed with spectators. If I showed up there, I’d be surrounded by the crowd before even reaching the station.
So I had to consider the second method.
That was to wear casual clothes, cover my face with a hat and mask, and directly enter the subway station to prevent the fire’s cause. It was the option with the least risk of being recognized and the most likely to stop the accident. The problem was where to get casual clothes, a hat, and a mask. Normally, we arrived in casual clothes and changed into stage outfits on-site, but today we had worn our red-carpet outfits straight from the salon, where we also got our makeup done. That meant all our casual clothes were still at the salon.
If I had realized that sooner, I would’ve packed my clothes in my bag. But if I told our manager I needed to change because I was going to put out a fire, I’d probably end up in the hospital before I could even try.
What should I do? Is there anyone besides the manager I could borrow casual clothes from? Or should I tell him that a fire might happen and ask him to check?
“Huh? Cheonmyeong, where are you going?”
“Did you finish filming the challenge?”
“Uh, yeah.”
Just as I was reaching the end of the hallway, Joo I-rip and Lee Soonbok appeared, apparently done with their shoot. Perfect timing.
“Joo I-rip, did you bring your casual clothes?”
“Hyung, no. I left them at the salon.”
“What about ISUNE?”
“Me too… at the salon.”
Ah… both of them had left their clothes behind.
“Why? Why do you need casual clothes?”
“Ah, it’s just… these clothes are a bit uncomfortable.”
“Ah, yeah. The material’s kinda scratchy.”
Joo I-rip looked curious as to why I was asking for casual clothes, so I lied without even blinking.
“Ah, um, maybe Jae-heon brought his?”
Then Lee Soonbok, standing beside him, shared a helpful tip. Apparently, Baek Jae-heon had brought his casual clothes.
But of course, it had to be Baek Jae-heon. If I asked him to lend me his clothes, one of two things would happen: he’d either ignore me or say no. I doubted “no, but sure, take them anyway” was even an option for him.
“Do you really think he’ll lend them to you? Why don’t you ask the noona instead?”
“Huh?”
“Maybe she brought some from the salon, you know, to take the outfits right away after the event.”
Joo I-rip had the same thought as I did—that Baek Jae-heon probably wouldn’t lend me anything—and offered another idea. Maybe the noona had brought some clothes. I said I’d check and went back to the waiting room with them.
The noonas were sitting together, so I went straight up and asked.
“Noona.”
“Yeah?”
“Did you bring our casual clothes?”
“No? Why, are your outfits too uncomfortable?”
“No, it’s fine.”
It seemed like they hadn’t packed our casual clothes separately. Which meant I’d have to borrow from Baek Jae-heon after all.
“…”
I turned to look at him lying on the sofa. His eyes were closed, so he seemed to be asleep. I’d ask him later when he woke up. There was no point asking now anyway, since the fire was supposed to break out after the AAM ended.
There was a black bag beside the sofa, which I assumed was his. At least I knew where it was. I decided to ask him first, but if things got urgent, I’d just take it and wear the clothes.
“Ah, noona, do you have a hat?”
“What kind of hat?”
“Just a cap or something like that.”
“No? I don’t think so.”
“What about a mask?”
“There are plenty in the car. Do you want me to bring you one?”
“Could I ask you to, please?”
“Sure, no problem.”
“Thank you.”
Even without a hat, a mask was essential. It would help buy me some time before anyone recognized me. Come to think of it, masks were a must for celebrities, so our car was always stocked with them. That was a relief. For now, the plan is coming together. Honestly, though, I wanted to stop the fire from ever happening in the first place.
“Hey, hyung.”
“Yeah?”
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