Chapter 142. < Rooftop. (1) >

===============================

Translator: thursdays Editor: Yahiko PR: LightBrin

1.

One day.

Youve been making fewer videos recently, said my girlfriend.

Huh?

Videos of Kim Yul. You used to turn one in at least once a week, no matter how late it was. Are you doing it late because youre working on a masterpiece? Theres quite a bunch of kids waiting for the next episode for our meeting. The reaction for the last scene with cutting his nails was good.

My girlfriends expression was flat. I listened to her words and frowned for a moment.

Videos. Right. I used to film every time we bullied Kim Yul with a camcorder.

But.

Why did I do that?

Ill wait. Kim Yul. Director.

Why did I?

[Currently, your immersion rate is 100%.]

Ah. Thats right. I remembered.

It was this.

I filmed it so the kids have something to see.

The children of the local community leaders gathered at s.h.i.+nseo Middle and High School.[1] The school was prestigious. The children of these highbrow and prestigious families had to behave properly, which meant there was a lot of stress on them.

Some of the kids relieved stress by taking part in the bullying, but that was dangerous. Most kids didnt want to take that risk. It was for the latter that I provided the [Kim Yul Videos].

It was pretty serious.

[Producer-nim, I want a concept where you cut his nails with scissors!] -J

[Please make him grow his hair and tie it with a yellow rubber band.] -7

[The last video only focused on hitting him a bunch. It wasnt that good] -11

This school had a student council suggestion box. It was a box that students used when they wanted to send a note or letter directly to the student council, but I got my girlfriend to use it for a slightly different purpose.

A [Kim Yul request box], so to speak.

Even the teachers didnt touch the student council suggestion box. No one gave it a second look. It didnt matter if someone got caught putting a note in the box. Since my girlfriend had been on the student council since her first year, she could check the [request box] regularly.

It wasnt some revolutionary idea, but

I think I might be a little smart.

It was a huge hit.

The precious sons and daughters of important houses were fascinated by the ability to partic.i.p.ate in the bullying at no risk. The request box even guaranteed anonymity. They signed their requests with the initials of playing cards, such as A, K, Q, and J.

[Please slap his cheek and nothing else for 20 minutes.] -Q

Q was my girlfriends initial.

[His scruffy clothes are nice, but I want to see him wearing other clothes too!] -7

7 was the president of the broadcasting club.

[Producer-nim. I greatly enjoyed the last video. It was a brilliant idea to make Kim Yul speak politely. From my point of view, Kim Yul is popular because of his strong pride. So, unlike other patrons who enjoy physical humiliation, I am certain that a mental approach would be ideal. Producer-nim, The body should always be a symbol for the mental] -2

This nutjob who wrote a long review each time was a kid who played in the middle school band. He was insane. Since he was in the second grade of middle school, he used the number 2.

Of course, even as a crazy middle school kid, his family owned a powerful regional corporation. This meant he was a valuable patron.

Only such guests populated the so-called [Trump Card Group].

Secret fulfillment of their sadism. Vicarious satisfaction.

I maintained my current status by providing entertainment to my clients. Since I started filming my works, more and more friends began taking care of me before I realized it. Yup, that was how I met my girlfriend.

There was no way Id be able to date a rich girl otherwise, right?

It wasnt as if my mom or dad won any awards since I was in middle school. I couldnt pretend to be a singer like my big bro with his pretty face.

For me to climb the pyramid, I had to provide a tribute to those of high rank.

Sorry.

I apologized for my tribute being late. I also questioned why I hadnt been shooting Kim Yul videos these days. There hadnt been any reason to stop. But immediately, I thought of a plausible reason. I was good at being quick-witted.

Youre a candidate to be the student council president. Im trying to hold back for the election.

What? You were thinking of me?

I want to be careful. People might talk

So our producer does have a cute side.

Her eyes slanted upwards, and she stroked my head.

I like smart puppies.

She was clearly treating me like a dog, but I didnt care. Rather, I played into it.

Woof. Woof! Bark bark!

Pfft.

Finally, my girlfriend laughed. I was the only person in this school who could make my girlfriend smile. I bent my legs like a dog and jumped around.

Did you know that youre a really fun guy, Hw.a.n.g Eunseo?

A fun guy. That one word proved my worth.

A fun guy to be with. A guy who always made you laugh. A popular guy among the popular kids who could control the mood.

After all, dating based on someones face like my older brother had its limits. Real relations.h.i.+ps depend on how well you can flap your lips

I was waiting, Gongja.

I furrowed my brows.

What was that?

[Currently, your immersion rate is 100%.]

My mind went blank again for a moment.

Was I imagining it? I seemed to lose track of my thoughts more often recently.

Anyway, I said, swallowing my spit. Im going to take a break from filming for a while. I cant just push on and cause trouble. If any of our friends complain, please tell them that Im worried Kim Yul will stop coming to school if we keep bullying him, so Im adjusting the pace

It was then.

-The broadcasting club announces

A voice came from the schools speakers. It was a familiar voice, the voice of the number 7 member of the Trump Card Groupthe broadcasting club president. But did his voice have less energy than usual? Somehow, it made me uneasy.

-Hw.a.n.g Eunseo, from Grade 2, Cla.s.s 5. Grade 2, Cla.s.s 5 Hw.a.n.g Eunseo, please come to the broadcasting room immediately. Once again, Hw.a.n.g Eunseo from Grade 2, Cla.s.s 5, please come to the broadcasting room immediately That is all.

Then, the speaker turned off.

My girlfriend looked at me.

Did something happen?

I made a face showing I didnt know either.

I dont think I did anything to be called to the broadcasting room? Maybe the teachers room.

Since its the broadcasting clubs president, he might just be calling you for personal reasons. Like asking why there havent been new videos.

My girlfriend muttered that the guy was a little crazy.

Go. Ill go home by myself.

Okay. Thanks.

I thought over it a little, then pressed my lips to my girlfriends cheek.

I flirted with her quite well today. I also played up the lie that I cared for my girlfriend. She would probably allow a kiss on the cheek. More than anything, I had to prove to my girlfriend and the people around her that we were a couple.

My girlfriend huffed like she could see the calculations in my head.

Cute.

Hooray. The princess laughed again.

Im going. Ill text you what its about later.

That was why.

I was much smarter than the other students.

As I walked down the hallway, I calculated my score for today. Did I make any mistakes with people? Did I say anything weirdly? Did I make everyone laugh a good amount, and did I laugh a proper amount as well?

The results are

Today has been a perfect day.

Full points.

As expected of me.

I was talented. My talents werent just bullying someone but also turning that bullying into a game. The upper-crust kids whod learned this fun would continue to look for me even after college. They might even invite me to their league.

Though, it doesnt matter if I dont get invited.

They would remember pulling some pranks with me in school. My girlfriend would probably dump me once we entered college, but she would remember me as the ex who amused her. Hw.a.n.g Eunseo would remain as a memory of their youth that would always make them smile. That alone was a huge boon.

Unlike the wishy-washy students, I had a roadmap for my life.

First, Ill become a film director.

I didnt have to be very successful. The point was to make a few independent films, build my career somewhat, and network. Then, itd become what I was known for. No one hated a troubled young director.

After that?

I would connect rookie actors and actresses to the upper cla.s.s.[2] Id become a sort of party designer, satisfying the rich young masters and ladies like I was doing now. Since my older brother worked in entertainment, I could stretch there too.

Good.

A golden life.

I was different from the nerds who just studied without purpose and thought about their careers only after getting into college.

I was on a different level.

Im coming in.

Sc.r.a.pe

I opened the door to the broadcasting room.

But as soon as I entered, I paused.

S-stop.

Only the broadcasting club president was in the room. That wasnt weird. The fact that the room had soundproof walls and thick curtains? That wasnt weird either.

Hwa-Hw.a.n.g Eunseo.

But the broadcasting club president was holding a camcorder and filming me, and that was unusual.

Close the door.

Hurry. Close the door. If you dont, th-there will be big trouble.

The broadcasting club president was trembling like a cornered rat. I didnt know why he was like that, but nothing good can come from agitating someone in that state. I quietly closed the door.

Draw the curtains.

I drew the curtains.

N-now, look at me.

I looked.

Grade 2, Cla.s.s 5, Hw.a.n.g Eunseo. Y-you threatened me You forced me to bully Kim Yul from Grade 2, Cla.s.s 5. Right? S-say that its right.

Is this some kind of hidden camera show?

Shut up and say yes!

The broadcasting club president was seriously trembling. An ominous premonition came over me. Normally, I would have joked about how I could shut up while saying yes, but I couldnt because I was surprised.

I dont get it. Come on, lets talk this over.

Y-you approached me first. I said I didnt want to You coaxed me, saying that theres something interesting and that I should see it at least once. Right? Thats what happened. So its all your fault!

This wasnt normal.

What are you talking about? You came to me after hearing rumors about the videos at the meetings. You said to let you in the group since you could connect me to the middle school kids, so why are you now

No! That isnt it!

His face turned pale.

Its your wrongdoing. Its your fault, Hw.a.n.g Eunseo. You said wed never be caught. You promised anonymity. That youd take responsibility. B-but why is there a video with me in it?!

What? Seriously, what are you talking about?

I only appeared once!

Appearance.

Some guests at the meetings occasionally wanted to make a guest appearance in the videos. They wanted to enjoy the act in real time instead of on tape. If I remembered correctly, the broadcasting club president only did so once.

Hold on. Are you doing this because youre scared the video will be leaked? Dont worry about it. I throw away the video after everyone sees it

Dont lie!!

The broadcasting club presidents face crumpled angrily.

a.s.shole. You crazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d. I-I shouldnt have believed a b.a.s.t.a.r.d like you. Say it now. Say that you tricked me into it! Otherwise, Ill tell everyone what youve done!

Say it! I have to record it and send it!

He was nuts.

I felt that I shouldnt stay here any longer.

Sorry, but I wont admit to something I didnt even do. It goes against my conscience. I definitely only showed you because you asked me. I threw away the video itself, but I have all the notes you put in the suggestion box. I dont know why youre doing this, but Ill talk to you later when you cool down.

I turned my back to him.

The broadcasting club president groaned.

S-stand right there! Dont go. Dont go, Hw.a.n.g Eunseo! I-if you go out, youre done for! Really! Ill end your life by telling everyone! Dont you understand?! Hey, Hw.a.n.g Eunseo! b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Youre done for! Your life is over! Just watch, Ill tell my parents, and your life!!

Sc.r.a.pe.

The door closed, cutting off the broadcasting club presidents voice. Absorbed by the soundproof wall and covered by the curtains, his shouts were incoherent vibrations. n.o.body was around in the second floor corridor.

f.u.c.k. What the h.e.l.l?

I cursed.

He wouldnt be shaking like that for no reason.

Maybe the video really was leaked. There was no guarantee that none of my customers made a copy to keep. Someone may have used it to blackmail the broadcasting club president.

Dammit.

I heard that managing customers was more difficult than getting them. Those words were right. I took out my cell phone and dialed the customers one by one.

Ring

The connecting sound was long. After a while, it ended because the other person didnt pick up.

What?

I stopped myself from yelling and called up the next customer. I wanted to ask if they knew anything about the broadcasting club president making a fuss.

Ring

That customer didnt answer the phone either. Well, school just ended. They might not have picked up because they were on their way home. I controlled myself and called the next customer.

Ring

Still.

The next customer didnt answer my call either.

Next customer, too.

A total of 12 people other than my girlfriend.

None of the customers in the Trump Card Group answered my calls.

What is this?

I was overcome by an ominous feeling.

It was like a hand was gripping my neck.

Just what is happening?

I didnt think as I called up a cla.s.smate who wasnt one of the customers. If I was the producer, this friend was my secretary. He was in charge of delivering and collecting the videos to and from the customers for me.

Ring

He didnt answer my phone either.

I realized then.

Someone was trying to hunt me.