Debut or Die-Chapter 316

I can’t for the life of me figure out what happened over the past year that there’s an autographed bromide from an industry rival in this house.

And not just anyone, but Cheongryeo.

‘Wasn’t this the guy who was constantly stabbing me in the back not long ago?’

What on earth could have made me go and get this Reset Syndrome bastard’s autograph.

He didn’t strike me as the type to blow his lottery winnings on a fan sign event.

And sure enough, there was another reason.

“Ah! That’s because I won the lottery on some clothes!”

Living from scratch after the reset, he must have suddenly had some extra money and ended up buying in bulk—for survival’s sake, I guess.

Especially winter clothes... without a coat you’d freeze to death, so he bought coats and padded jackets all at once during a sale.

“I don’t know much about clothes... I just bought whatever the store recommended...”

It just so happened that the store was an outdoor brand advertised by VTIC.

And for kicks he tossed his receipt into a raffle and won a fan sign with the advertising model.

If it had been TeSTAR’s advertisement... no, that would have been weird too.

‘Why did he even enter a raffle for a male idol’s fan sign...’

“The last performance we went to was so amazing... I got interested because it was an idol. There was even someone who appeared on variety shows with you...”

“......”

So it was my fault. Got it.

I tore my eyes away from the bromide, still uneasy. As long as he’s studying properly, it doesn’t really matter.

“When did you go?”

“Yesterday!”

He probably went to celebrate the end of the first exam like last time.

Since he’s been given another year’s grace, I told him not to worry too much about the second stage and just focus on the first, so it made sense.

And honestly, I figured the second stage would only trigger a “no failing scores” status—similar to the first.

[!Status Ailment: You die if you don’t pass!(3)

If you don’t get a fail-free score on the second written exam of the Grade-7 Open Competitive Recruitment Exam, you die.

Yeah, I knew it.

So next year he just needs to pass the first and avoid any fails in the second. And since I know next year’s questions, there won’t be a problem.

I was about to explain that when he unexpectedly spoke up.

“Um... actually, I’ve already taken the second stage... and by my provisional grading, it looks like I won’t have any fails!”

“...!”

“I got incredibly lucky on my guesses! I probably won’t pass... but no fails.”

Still, it was absurdly good.

“That’s enough. Well done.”

“...! Yes!! Thank you!”

Then he’ll clear another status ailment within a month. I nodded and did the math.

“Still, don’t clear it right away. Wait until just before next year’s second-stage results come out. Keep some buffer time.”

“Okay!”

So... I guess he’ll be back around September next year too.

I checked the current date on my phone. It’s September. It’s been exactly a year since I filled this body back up.

“I’m glad you waited and stalled as much as you could...!”

“That was good too.”

My resonance echoed around. He must be smiling.

‘So I have nothing special to do today.’

I could spend time checking if anything unusual happened to him over the past year, aside from that autograph.

I opened my stock app, picked a few stocks to sell off, and kept talking with Geonwoo.

“How’s the dorm cram school?”

“It’s great! The people are kind... they teach well, and the food’s delicious...!”

I sold and bought a few more stocks and closed the app.

‘At this rate, as long as I study without thinking too much, money won’t be an issue.’

Just as I was headed to the living room, still hearing Geonwoo ramble about his year, I saw something striking.

“......”

A flower-head.

The hologram character doll I made on I Made the Idol, the “Groom of May,” was sitting dead center on the sofa.

‘What the hell.’

He must have watched my body’s exploits and found it impressive.

“This isn’t getting put away.”

“Your singing was so good... I thought it’d be nice to have at least one as a keepsake...”

I’m the one who set aside a monthly stress-relief budget. If he likes it, fine.

I reluctantly moved the doll aside and sat on the sofa.

Geonwoo, as if steeling himself, carefully brought up the main topic.

“After the second results come out... would it be okay if I went to TeSTAR’s year-end concert to see you? I couldn’t go earlier this year because I was studying...”

He must have prepared that line since yesterday.

I snorted.

“You don’t need permission. If you think it’s okay, you can go.”

“...! Yes! Thank you!”

There’s nothing to thank me for. Of course, going to a male idol concert in my body is a bit conspicuous... wait.

“That was the fan sign event.”

“...?”

“You said you went yesterday.”

“Yes!”

I looked back at the bromide signed by Cheongryeo for confirmation.

Advertising-model signings, unlike album signings, attract non-fans too... but he must have stood out.

“He was really kind.”

That sounded ominous.

I opened YouTube and searched with today’s date, my stage name, and the clothing brand. Sure enough, a fancam of the fan sign event came up.

Scrolling through the comments, what I feared appeared.

– 22:34 male fan fangirling over Cheongryeo lol

“......”

I clicked the timestamp. It showed Ryu Geonwoo’s shadowed back as he received the autograph.

Geonwoo let out a shriek.

“I-I didn’t know it’d be uploaded like this...!”

I captured it and corrected the colors.

“Hyung?”

He was wearing a hat, probably glasses too...

Isn’t that exactly how I described Ryu Geonwoo’s appearance to him?

‘Damn.’

I double-checked the name on the bromide he’d received.

The recipient’s name.

‘Could it really be... Ryu Geonwoo?

– To. Keundal-nim

“......”

Keundal?

“That was my old nickname... I felt bad using your name.”

Good call.

I quickly removed the image of Cheongryeo signing and smiled at the screen.

“Avoid that guy from now on.”

“Ch-Cheongryeo?”

“Yeah. He’s crazy.”

“...!”

I’d given him hints to find Ryu Geonwoo’s whereabouts, but now I know too much—down to his address and phone number. No need to expose him to another unpredictable risk.

‘No wonder his whereabouts were so murky—I locked him up in cram school.’

That finally made sense. I rubbed my jaw.

‘Once I finish this and go back, I’ll contact him to...’

No. I think I’m confusing things.

‘How do I know that’ll happen?’

I don’t know what will happen when all his status ailments are cleared.

Worst case, he might disappear claiming he’s collected all his compensation.

And even if I stay in this body... wouldn’t he want to return to his own?

Look at the autograph—he even used his old nickname.

“......”

“I thought you and Cheongryeo were close, but he’s weird... um, hyung?”

“We’re not close. It was for show.” 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

“Ah...”

This needs some thought.

Luckily I have free time today. I can really work my brain.

I started preparing dinner while forming hypotheses and countermeasures.

After that, nothing urgent came up.

“You’re good at cooking, hyung...”

“Thanks.”

Sharing senses makes cooking a single serving pretty easy.

On prime-time TV tonight, the variety show I appeared on with Seon Ah-hyun was airing—the one where we solve problems after falling into the Joseon era.

‘Was that when we exposed the corporate spy inside the company?’

I’d lived so hard. I watched my own bragging self without much emotion.

“Variety shows are fun, but you look cooler on stage. “Haengcha” was amazing... I hope you make a comeback soon...”

I did openly boost my stats, but does he really have to praise that much just from looking at my face...?

Still, praise is praise—I wasn’t offended. I replied lightly.

“The comeback is on the 14th of next month.”

“Gasp...!”

“Don’t go telling everyone.”

“Yes! I won’t speak to anyone! No one at the academy talks about idols!”

Of course.

Geonwoo trembled with joy, then settled into a soft hum.

Tentatively, he spoke again.

“Hyung, I always get your help... Is there anything I can do? Like when you called the police last time. If there’s anything, I’ll handle it!”

Anything for me to handle?

Come to think of it, Cheongryeo is supposed to try to kill me in two months.

I paused, then shook my head.

“I’ve got it covered. Just focus on studying.”

“....”

He seemed deflated.

As midnight approached, his mood worsened. Geonwoo sounded almost anxious.

‘I guess he must have had a hard time spending a year alone without anyone to talk to.’

With no one to share his troubles, it must have been tough. Maybe he needs something to think about besides studying.

So just before going to sleep, I brought up something new.

“Is there anything you want to say to me?”

“Me?”

Geonwoo hesitated, then let out a small cry.

“Hyung, what did you think when you saw my nickname?”

“My nickname?”

Keundal. I knew it came from his real name, Mundae, but it wasn’t very distinctive. Actually, it seemed familiar...

“That account you used to run—I remember you often left comments there.”

“Oh!”

“So it was you.”

“You remember?”

“Of course. You commented right after I posted.”

“Yes...!!”

The first time I “checked the truth,” I saw that nickname.

I didn’t really read the comments, but since he posted right away, I must have seen it. The match clicked.

‘He’s been interested in idol stages since then.’

Realizing that in text form feels strange, but I shrugged.

“If you’re interested, you could buy a camera and take photos yourself.”

“R-Really?”

“Of course, once this exam is over.”

“Definitely! Wow...”

He sounded more relaxed, and sleep was pressing in.

“Think about it. See you next year.”

“Okay...”

Sleep slowly overcame me. It was surprisingly peaceful.

“Hyung? ...Hyung?”

I opened my eyes.

It was the same morning as before. The temperature felt similar, so it must be next September again...

“Geonwoo-hyung, right?? Hyung!!”

“Yeah.”

He sounded panicked. Had something happened?

I sat up, but Geonwoo cried out without pause.

He seemed to be sobbing.

“Hyung, you were in a car accident....”

Ah.

‘Fuck.’

I immediately opened my phone.

– June 22

Four days after the debut anniversary.

The day I fell into a coma because of that insane ex-manager.