Debut or Die-Chapter 437
“No more teasers...”
Muttering gloomily as she mindlessly scrolled through SNS, a Kim Rae bin fan spotted a shared post beyond her timeline.
It was from VTIC’s official account.
[〈Save the world〉 Charity Concert D-7 Special Announcement!
Our indomitable guests are returning.
(photo)]
And the account that shared it added a brief, ominous comment.
– Could it really be our idols?
“...”
The fan’s heart sank. It was the gut feeling she got when her instincts were right.
‘Oh, please no.’
After all that chaos, TeSTAR was going to appear at VTIC’s charity concert?
She felt both pleased and annoyed.
With the concert already a hot topic, it was smart to jump on the buzz and declare their participation. More content was great too.
But... it also felt like VTIC would be doing all the good works again, and TeSTAR just riding their coattails.
‘They’re just as responsible, too. They almost got crushed by that rig—they can’t shamelessly pretend to be victims!’
It was a transparent ploy, but the network got even angrier and let it slide, which stung even more.
Now with TeSTAR on board, the charity concert would be an even bigger success! The Kim Rae bin fan huffed but eventually accepted reality. She was a senior student job-hunting, so her online combativeness had worn off.
‘Well... will they do a stage?’
She couldn’t be sure until the day itself, since the collapse happened before any performance. But they’d probably do a few title numbers.
Then one thought naturally sprang to mind.
‘...Is Park Mundae really okay?’
No matter how tough he was, almost getting buried under stage equipment would leave trauma. Yet just yesterday, TeSTAR had resumed SNS activity.
– Exciting board game 🐶
The attached short video showed Lee Sejin rolling the dice badly and Cha Yoo jin roaring with laughter—it looked cozy. The setting was indoors, and everyone seemed to be having a good time.
‘Of course they’d only post that.’
She captured a frame of Kim Rae bin in neat pajamas, then resolved to focus only on actual teasers, not wasted emotions.
But the expected “big teaser” wasn’t what she’d foreseen.
That afternoon, alongside VTIC’s post, TeSTAR’s official account published:
[TeSTAR’s Counseling Café
Opening Soon 💪
Location: 〈Save the world〉 Charity Concert Lounge]
“...?!”
She clicked the explanation in surprise.
– Help teenage breadwinners and share your adolescent worries with TeSTAR (photo)
That’s right. TeSTAR wouldn’t perform.
If they’d done the stage they’d prepared, it would’ve reminded everyone of the collapse. Turning it into a triumphant narrative felt awkward since no one was hurt—viewers enjoying the show might only think of the accident.
So they chose an alternative:
VCR bonus content!
– Chat with TeSTAR!
They called it “counseling,” but it was really... a video-call style fan meet!
“Ahhhhh!”
The Kim Rae bin fan quickly found a summary of the details on her timeline.
– Donate to the charity box, choose the member you want, and write your story to enter. The counselor’s face will be hidden, and your story may be broadcast anonymously...
– And the members pick the stories!
One-day event only.
“...”
She looked back at the PPT she’d been making, then tore at her hair.
“Gahhh, seriously!”
She had all night!
Having never won in an insane fan-meet raffle before, she decided to boldly gamble this time. Of course, with so many applicants, her chances were slim...
‘Kim Rae bin!’
She opened Word.
And two days later, seeing she’d won, she let out a roar.
Naturally, she had no idea what Park Mundae went through to plan this.
I won’t deny it. Surprisingly, pension life was pretty decent compared to being hospitalized. Bae Sejin seriously tried to convince me to give up my phone again, but it was bearable.
It was almost funny—those few days felt leisurely rather than dull.
‘Could having my smartphone really make such a difference...?’
No, I’m not an addict.
It must be that all the small, harmless variables kept things interesting.
“A cat’s here...!”
“Wow, what pattern is that? The kitten has yellow stripes~”
“It looks like water! So weird!”
Watching Cha Yoo jin attempt to pet a stray cat like a dog and get startled, I nodded.
Moments like that.
Besides that, life wasn’t bad—working out, cooking, practicing drawing. I even thought retirement could be like this someday.
‘Since coming into this body, I’ve never had time like this.’
To put it crudely, feeling like a rich layabout spending time however I pleased.
Of course I couldn’t stay forever, so after a few days I gathered them in the evening.
And said bluntly,
“I’m most comfortable when I’m working.”
“...”
“Rest is fine, but it’s real rest only if I choose it.”
They didn’t eye-roll at me, so I pressed on.
“So...”
“I know.”
“...!”
Big Sejin replied with a neutral expression.
“But even if you’re uncomfortable, you should rest when you have to. The doctor insisted. Your lactate levels were too high.”
“...!”
“That’s not a lie. You feel it too.”
“...”
I looked around at the others. Even the easiest-to-read one showed no shake. That meant it was true.
“He also said if you use your phone too much, you should cut back.”
“Me?”
An immediate outburst.
“Yes. You’re totally addicted.”
“You’re like Park Mundae with his bottle.”
“...”
No one objected. Cha Yoo jin just shrugged.
Only Kim Rae bin ventured, 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
“But modern people tend to have dopamine-addiction symptoms, so don’t worry too much!”
“You say that because you’re attached to devices.”
“...??”
He sank back as Ryu Geon woo took advantage of the lull to speak, as smoothly as if well practiced.
“But Mundae must’ve been shaken. Right?”
“...”
“We were all shocked. We’d been through a lot pre-debut, but no one expected to risk their life—especially in such a supernatural way.”
That was true. So I’d gone along with their concerns... but
“I should’ve said this first, though. A bit late.”
Ryu Geon woo smiled and reached out to pat my back.
“Thanks for staying safe.”
Something churned in my stomach.
“...Yeah. Thanks.”
“Thank you.”
As if pre-arranged, similar voices chimed in around the room. Each made me queasier.
‘Damn.’
I took a deep breath and replied calmly.
“Same here. Thank you... I’m glad we all got out safely.”
“Right.”
The living-room tension eased. The odd anxiety from avoiding the topic during my hospital stay melted away.
Bae Sejin, cheeks still flushed, cleared his throat.
“I think I was too tense too. Nothing like this ever happened...”
“But won’t it help when you play a role with a similar vibe in the future?”
“No! That must never happen again.”
He glared at me, then asked earnestly,
“Could something like this happen again?”
“I don’t know.”
“Hey!”
“I hope not, but honestly I’m not sure. We need to look into it more.”
I half-expected another outburst. But Bae Sejin simply nodded and said:
“...Thanks for being honest.”
“...!”
“You can’t get answers by grilling me... Anyway, I’ll look into things too.”
Reading SF novels now?
“Great! We’re all grateful. If Mundae-hyung has anything [N O V E L I G H T] to say, say it.”
As Cha Yoo jin finished, Lee Sejin cracked a wry smile and spoke.
“So, Mundae-Mundae wants to work? What exactly do you want to do?”
He was surprisingly supportive.
‘I can say it right here.’
Even though it wasn’t necessary to leave the pension... oh well.
“Like this.”
I explained my plan. They listened attentively...
“Sounds fun.”
In the end I got the green light, and our new participation format was announced on VTIC’s accounts:
〈TeSTAR’s Counseling Café〉
“Hello! Thank you for taking my call.”
“Yes, uh, hi!”
The Kim Rae bin fan swallowed. On screen was Kim Rae bin looking at her—but it didn’t feel real. Yet it was reality.
Reality!
Her story about betraying her younger sister had been selected, and she was on a video call with Kim Rae bin!
“Aaagh!”
She fought to keep her expression steady.
‘He’s insanely handsome!’
Kim Rae bin wore a small ponytail. Not a sloppy one—she could see he’d styled it carefully, along with his piercings and chunky gray sweater.
Beneath his hair peeked a subtle two-tone of lavender-beige and ash purple—a dream.
The fan sighed.
‘This is paradise....’
Not a joke—Kim Rae bin could run a country well... or scam one, maybe.
Regaining composure, she calmly shared her prepared story.
“I fight with my sister so much...”
Roughly, her family and life were falling apart from constant fights.
Kim Rae bin listened intently and nodded seriously.
[Since I also grew up with an older sister and faced many conflicts, I think I can help you, Ji-won. Let’s talk.]
He’d requested the conversation!
‘What a choice of words...’
Not “offered,” but “requested.” Anyway.
She wasn’t sure she needed help, but she was curious what he had in mind.
On screen, Kim Rae bin’s handsome lips formed a serious expression.
[Could you tell your sister exactly what upset you, without holding back?]
[I’ve disappointed my sister many times too, but I believe I can fix those faults with precise feedback. It’s a bother, I know, but please consider it.]
“...”
So he’d just listened to his sister’s scolding fully and earnestly?
‘Lucky.’
The fan clenched her teeth. What had she done to deserve being Kim Rae bin’s older sister?
– Did I really win? Is this a scam?
– But it’s not real... he’s so ugly in my imagination no matter what... gah!
– Is it my fault he’s ugly?!
A montage of years living with a less-than-attractive sibling flashed by. She’d just shooed away someone trying to peek over her shoulder.
In short, worthless advice that infuriates people!
But the Kim Rae bin fan beamed and nodded.
“I’ll try it!”
[...! Thank you for saying that!]
Kim Rae bin looked genuinely moved—and it was truly worth it.
‘I’ll ask about his own experiences too!’
She’d even get him to say a cute encouraging phrase.
The fan pumped herself up with strong motivation.
And at the same time...
A third-floor room of the pension.
[Hello.]
“...Hello, un-nie.”
Park Mundae also broke into a cold sweat as he began his first video call. On screen was...
[My adolescent worry was always being compared to my sister.]
Ryu Seo jin.
The sister of writer Ryu Seo rin of 〈Idol Inc.〉 and the senior in Photo Club who drank well in our journalism department.
[Oh, please call me Puppy... no, Ryu Seo jin.]
...And Park Mundae’s twin home manager.
He’d just realized it himself.
‘Is this for real?’
