Chapter 211: Performance Presentation (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 211: Performance Presentation (1)
My plan upon arriving at the dorm was simple: first, return the comic books by leaving them in front of Kang Gi-yeon’s door.
I figured while Choi Je-ho was showering, I’d wait my turn, then check tomorrow’s schedule before calling it a night.
“…….”
“…….”
I hadn't expected Kang Gi-yeon to be standing right there, waiting for us in front of the door.
He stood with an expression that could only be described as fierce.
Looking at his face, I hesitated. I wasn't sure what the best approach would be at this moment.
After a long pause, I shoved the comic books I was holding into Choi Je-ho’s hands. It was a silent plea for him to return them for me.
Choi Je-ho completely misread my gesture, giving me a look that clearly asked, What do you want me to do with these?
Kang Gi-yeon broke the silent exchange between the two eldest members.
He snatched the comics right out of Choi Je-ho’s hands.
Keeping his eyes locked on me, he asked, “Je-ho Hyung, can I use your room for a bit?”
Immediately, someone in the living room waved an arm frantically.
“Come over here, Hyung! I saved a spot for you!”
…It was Lee Cheong-hyeon. It seemed he’d been kicked out before we even arrived.
“Wait. Let me just grab some clothes.”
With that brief remark, Choi Je-ho ducked into the room. He emerged moments later, carrying nothing but a change of clothes.
Kang Gi-yeon continued to glare at me in silence.
I guess that’s my cue to go inside.
I hadn't the faintest clue why he was acting like this. He used to avoid me at all costs, staying holed up in his room whenever I was in the dorm. I couldn't tell if this sudden confrontation was a good sign or a bad one.
As I stepped into the room, Kang Gi-yeon followed. I heard the heavy click of the door closing behind us.
“Why aren't you following the rules?”
“Me?”
“I told you to make requests in person. Why do you keep leaving memos?”
Kang Gi-yeon reproached me.
Well, that was one of our Dorm 12 Commandments, but it wasn't exactly a situation where I could look you in the eye and ask to borrow a comic book.
Besides, I didn't even technically ask to borrow it. I just said I was curious about what happened next.
Since I couldn't exactly explain all that in detail, I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut.
Kang Gi-yeon stared at me for a long time before finally speaking.
“Sit down.”
I did as I was told and perched on the edge of the bed.
Once he saw I was settled, he pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it.
Had he actually written down what he wanted to say? Just how much did he have to tell me?
Then, I noticed his hand was trembling.
In that moment, I realized.
It wasn't that he had so much to say; it was that he was afraid he wouldn't be able to say it properly, so he’d written it down.
I waited quietly for Kang Gi-yeon to finish preparing himself for the conversation.
After a few minutes, he spoke haltingly, his eyes fixed on the paper.
“First… for shouting in front of all the members and touching your things without permission… I’m sorry.”
“…….”
“And for the harsh words. No matter how angry I was, I shouldn't have done that. I went too far.”
Kang Gi-yeon’s expression was dark.
“Actually, Lee Cheong-hyeon told me not to apologize.”
“Knowing Cheong-hyeon, that sounds like him.”
“But I just couldn't bring myself to do that.”
The kid was honest to a fault. No one would have blamed him if he hadn't apologized to me.
“But everything I said back then… I meant it.”
There was a weight of sincerity in his voice. His heavy words settled one by one on the floor between us.
“I still don't understand you, Hyung.”
“…I know.”
“The stage is still scary. I don't have any confidence.”
He spoke calmly, but the depth of his struggle was palpable.
The edges of the paper in his hand were becoming crumpled.
“Hyung, do you really believe… that you can change if you try?”
It was an unexpected question.
At the same time, I remembered the letter I’d sent him.
I’d told him I was trying to change. I’d asked him to give me a little more time.
In the past, I wouldn't have been able to say I believed it. I didn't want to lie, I’d always believed people don't change easily, and above all, I didn't believe in myself.
But these kids had done their absolute best to believe in me until the very end. Gu Ja-han had shown me he could change, and many people were telling me I was doing a good job.
You know, Gi-yeon.
Honestly, I feel like the way you are now is all my fault.
Before I came along, you weren't struggling this much with these issues. I feel guilty, like I provoked you and made things worse.
But for some reason, I keep thinking about what Seong-bin said to me when I was rambling about the energy of the universe during my OJT.
He said there was nothing you couldn't do if you tried—that he believed in the power of effort.
If you can forgive me.
If you can believe me when I say I’m trying because I think I can change and get better…
Then my answer has to change, too.
“I do.”
If there are people who can change me, as the Fortune Teller said, it’s probably you guys. No one else has entered my life as deeply as you have.
“Because I’m going to make it happen.”
And as long as I’m with you guys, I will definitely change. One way or another.
Kang Gi-yeon was silent for a long time after that.
It felt like thirty minutes had passed before he finally spoke again.
“Keep your promise.”
“Huh?”
“Don't overdo things. And don't just pretend to listen when others speak. If it’s a situation where you have to push yourself, explain why.”
“…I will.”
Kang Gi-yeon took a steadying breath.
“…Tell me if you’re hurting.”
With those final words, his arms dropped to his sides. The hands resting on his thighs were shaking uncontrollably.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Any other suggestions?”
I asked in a deliberately bright tone. Kang Gi-yeon narrowed his eyes and glared at me, then sighed.
“It’s not a suggestion, it’s a notification.”
“What is it?”
“I’m returning to the group.”
“What?”
I barely managed to keep my voice from jumping an octave. Returning? He’d just told me not to overdo it, and now he was being completely contradictory.
“Gi-yeon, you don't have to rush.”
I tried to soothe him as gently as possible.
Whether he’d decided to return to give me a break or because he felt like he was falling behind, the timing wasn't right. For his own sake, Gi-yeon needed more time.
But he didn't back down.
“I didn't decide this because I felt pressured by the burden.”
“…….”
He didn't look at the paper or read his notes haltingly like before, nor did his hands shake.
Kang Gi-yeon met my eyes directly.
“This is my effort.”
In that moment, I understood exactly what he was trying to tell me.
“I’ll take it slow. I’ll listen when the members talk to me. If I feel like it’s too much, I’ll speak up first.”
I was suddenly reminded of Lee Cheong-hyeon, who had stayed up all night and hit a wall during the ‘Idol Dynasty Annals.’
“I don't want to be afraid of challenges.”
Honestly, these friends were exactly alike when it came to their mindsets.
Unaware of my inner thoughts, Kang Gi-yeon smiled. It was awkward, but unmistakable.
“Let’s keep Spark going for a long time.”
Following Kang Gi-yeon’s declaration of his return, Spark became tear-inducingly busy.
During the day, the five of us ran through events, filmed variety shows, performed on music shows, and attended fan signs. At night, all six of us gathered to review our original formations.
It was a grueling schedule, but not a single person complained. I was glad everyone had their heads on straight. Though, that was only to be expected.
For the record, Kang Gi-yeon returned to being my dance teacher. I was extremely satisfied with that particular development.
“You have no idea how much I missed you.”
“That’s why you should treat me well while I’m here.”
“I hate to break it to you, but that was me treating you well.”
And then, well, I got scolded endlessly for getting the 5-member and 6-member formations mixed up.
But it wasn't all just scolding.
“Still, you’ve improved a lot, Hyung.”
“You’re lying, right? After all that yelling?”
“That was just because you were confused about the positions. Your movements are perfect.”
‘Perfect.’
I never thought I’d hear that word from Kang Gi-yeon in my entire life.
Seeing my stunned expression, Gi-yeon gave a short laugh.
“You haven't checked the view counts on your fancams, have you? You should look sometime. the reaction is great.”
Perhaps remembering the fancams himself, Gi-yeon said he needed a break and went to lie down on the sofa. Lee Cheong-hyeon immediately rushed over and tucked a plush doll—one of those incredibly soft ones—into Gi-yeon’s arms.
I wondered if we’d be able to pull off the last broadcast properly, but at the same time, I found myself looking forward to the end of this promotion cycle.
A few days later.
Just before the final broadcast, an official notice regarding Kang Gi-yeon’s return was posted on Spark’s official account.
≫ Gi-yeon-ah
After posting that short, bold line, Baek Hae-won found herself at a loss for words.
Only her hands continued to type busily.
≫ Gi-yeon, you’re really okay now, right?? ㅠㅠㅠㅠ Thank you for coming back. But if it’s too hard, it’s okay to rest more. But it feels so empty without you. Still, I can wait. I’ll always put you first.
Hae-won’s finger hovered over the send button.
≫ Oh, Gi-yeon…
The next message reverted to something more primal.
An idol has to be healthy in both body and mind to have a long career. Having watched countless idols over the years, Baek Hae-won knew this better than anyone.
Just then, a Bubble Pop notification chimed. The sender was Kang Gi-yeon.
This youngest member—not exactly "king-sized" in stature, but "king-sized" in cuteness and "king-sized" in how proud he made her. If he was talking about returning when he was still struggling, she was determined to scold him with a message full of affection. Hae-won logged into the app with firm resolve.
[Gi-yeon]
[Hunter, did you see the notice?]
Why on earth did I set my name to Hunter?
I should have just used my real name. Feeling a strong wave of regret, Hae-won continued reading.
[Gi-yeon]
[I think I’ll be able to meet the Sparklers with all the members during this last broadcast.]
[I love performing with the members,]
[And I love meeting Sparklers,]
[So I’m happy we can be together at the end.]
[Really.]
Baek Hae-won was utterly defeated by Kang Gi-yeon’s confession.
Our boy says he likes it. Our boy says he’s happy. Our boy says he wants to do the final stage together!
‘The competition for the live audience is going to be insane.’
The emotional swell was brief as reality set in.
With the news of Kang Gi-yeon’s return, there would be fifty million Sparklers crying and trying to secure a spot for the last broadcast. Baek Hae-won was one of them.
‘Should I just take the moral victory and watch from home?’
The experience of having both the server and your mental state crash at the same time was always painful. Just thinking about the battle for tickets made her exhausted, and she wondered if taking the easy path was better.
But it was none other than Kang Gi-yeon who snapped her back to her senses.
[Gi-yeon]
[Since I haven't been able to show you much of myself this time,]
[I’ll make sure to look extra, extra handsome when I go.]
[Please look after me until the end.]
Fine, I’ll die with the server.
Hae-won began gathering the albums she needed for purchase verification. She took screenshots of her streaming counts and packed her fan club card and student ID into her dedicated fan-activity bag. Her fingertips tingled at the thought of fighting for one of the limited spots.