Chapter 276: Year-End (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 276: Year-End (4)
“What are you doing?! Get out there, quick!”
The members of Berion, who were sitting nearby, began pestering us.
Wait, for real...?
That shouldn't be possible. They weren't supposed to win the Rookie Award.
I was dazed, but my body reacted mechanically. By the time I snapped out of it, I was already heading toward the stage, working with Jeong Seong-bin to lead the members. Someone from Berion had long since stripped the fluffy blanket off Choi Je-ho’s shoulders.
“It looks like our Spark members didn't expect to win the Rookie Award at all, did they?”
The MC said with a laugh, seeing our stunned expressions.
Yes, we didn't expect it. Even though we had five comebacks in a single year... and even though the reason Spark didn't win the Rookie Award in the past was due to a fourteen-month hiatus.
I hadn't even considered it. Of course I hadn't. My head was entirely filled with thoughts of how to make Spark stand out the most during our year-end performance.
“Then, starting with the leader, let’s hear from about three of you! Please give us your acceptance speech.”
The microphone was handed to Jeong Seong-bin.
Is he going to cry again? Am I going to have to give the speech with Choi Je-ho again this time?
With that thought, I hurriedly looked at Jeong Seong-bin’s face, but contrary to my imagination, he looked composed.
He was a bit flushed, and his eyes were a little moist, but...
He didn't cry.
“...I am both dazed and honored to receive such a difficult award to obtain. It’s especially so because we didn't expect to be able to win the Rookie Award.”
His refined, polite voice flowed through the microphone.
“As the leader, I’ve been given the chance to speak first, but I don't feel like I’ve done a very good job in that role. Rather, it was a year where I relied heavily on the members.”
It was impressive enough that he had dragged this ticking time bomb of a team this far by the scruff of their necks, yet Jeong Seong-bin remained humble.
Normally, I would have thought, ‘As expected, if he had joined as my subordinate, I would’ve carried him on my back and treated him so well.’
But my heart felt complicated. I felt proud, yet it was like watching a child who had grown up too fast. I felt bad for him, yet I was grateful he had matured this much. There probably wasn't another nineteen-year-old who could play the role of leader as well as Jeong Seong-bin.
“We will work hard without forgetting this gratitude and our original intentions. Thank you!”
To the sound of applause, Jeong Seong-bin passed the mic to Lee Cheong-hyeon.
“To the industry officials, our parents, and the protagonists of today’s Rookie Award—the Sparklers. Thank you. I think I looked a bit like an idiot earlier because I was so surprised... but right now, I’m truly overwhelmed. I don't know if my feelings are getting across!”
Lee Cheong-hyeon spoke with sparkling eyes. The corners of his mouth turned up and his wide eyes spoke for his heart.
“The younger members might have been a bit cocky, but thanks to the older members who pushed us to do everything we wanted, we were able to enjoy our rookie days so happily without knowing any better.”
These kids have been surprising me since a moment ago. I wondered if they were really the type of kids who knew how to say things like this.
Lee Cheong-hyeon’s grip on the microphone tightened.
“More than anything, I’m happy that we could become singers who won the Rookie Award for our Sparklers. We will repay you with even better performances. Sparklers, I love you!”
As Lee Cheong-hyeon waved his arms, a scream-like cheer erupted from one side of the audience.
Park Ju-woo and I spoke when Spark got their first win.
Choi Je-ho and I spoke when Spark got their first win on a cable broadcast.
Choi Je-ho spoke when he took first place on the dance survival program. And now, Jeong Seong-bin and Lee Cheong-hyeon had given their speeches.
And then, there was the one person in Spark who had never given an acceptance speech.
Lee Cheong-hyeon tilted the microphone slightly and looked at Kang Gi-yeon.
Kang Gi-yeon swallowed hard, then took the mic with trembling hands.
He took a small, deep breath. The venue fell silent.
“Thank... you.”
His voice shook.
“I believe this is an award we wouldn't have received if it weren't for the fans. I believe that even now, the fans are happier than we are.”
Kang Gi-yeon slowly continued his speech. A faint smile began to form on his lips.
“We will work hard so that only happy things continue to happen in the future. We would be grateful if you could trust and support us.”
As he bowed deeply, we followed suit.
Applause poured down over our heads.
The kids seemed calm. I guess I was the only one getting choked up.
*
The New Star Award went to Song Min-il. It seemed like they felt Parte would look too senior if they gave Spark the Rookie Award, so they took care of Parte by grouping them under the title of "New Star" to imply a lower seniority. No wonder a reward I’d never heard of in my life had suddenly appeared.
I was clapping for Song Min-il as he received his award when the System popped up.
+
[SYSTEM] ‘Hidden Quest’ has been completed.
▷ Content: Winning the Rookie Award
▷ Reward: Time Stop
[SYSTEM] A work order from the ‘Person in Charge’ has arrived.
▶ Assistant Manager Kim, didn't you say you wished time would stop? If you have that much work, you should have just said so. From now on, work to your heart's content!
+
Is this a f*cking reward?
I had to maintain my poker face, but the System kept making me angry. You told me to use my Morning Star Smile to gain 10,000 fans. Then you should at least let a person smile.
While Song Min-il gave his speech, I did my best to smile brightly. You piece of trash System. Give me back my touching moment.
*
After Part 1 ended, the younger Spark kids bravely headed back to the dorm. Thanks to that, only Choi Je-ho and I remained for Part 2, showing off an incredible level of focus as we immersed ourselves in the performances.
Oh, we did exchange a few words.
‘Want more blankets? Ju-woo left the one he was using.’
‘No.’
That was it. I did exchange a few more words in my own way, fearing that rumors of discord might break out immediately for an idol group that just won the Rookie Award.
As we got closer to the ending, the stages certainly became more flashy and opulent. The quality and freshness of the performances were different from the rookies who, at most, used pillars of fire as stage effects.
Polo’s stage, in particular, was magnificent. Even though he was a member of a large group performing a solo rap, the stage felt so full.
“He’s truly amazing.”
I couldn't close my mouth. I kept applauding.
I hoped the camera wouldn't catch me. I was worried I’d look like an idiot on screen.
For the ending stage, just as we were notified today, all the performers gathered behind a great senior of the music industry for a group sing-along. Choi Je-ho and I stood in the back row, waving the glow sticks we’d been given and singing along.
When we returned to the dorm after finishing all our schedules...
“Good job! Okay, let’s blow out the candles now!”
...As expected, not a single one of the Spark brats was asleep. They had brought out a ‘Rookie Award Celebration’ cake from somewhere and started a party.
“Where did the cake come from?”
“Dae-yeon hyung gave it to us. He said the company ordered it in advance because they thought we might win the Rookie Award.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon answered as he poked six long candles into the cake. Whether they were meant to represent us or not, a candle was stuck into the top of each round face.
“Did you get the party hats with it too?”
When I asked, Park Ju-woo, who was putting a party hat on my head, said, “These... Dae-yeon hyung bought them for us.”
“...You want me to wear this and blow out the candles?”
“Yeah.”
First, we took about 50 photos wearing the party hats. Next, 50 photos of lighting the candles, 50 photos of blowing them out, and 50 photos of us eating the cake—a total of about 27,800 photos later, we finally sat down.
We quickly checked and selected the photos, then uploaded them to the official account with a short message of gratitude. Individually, we went onto Bubble Pop to post our favorite solo and group shots and spent time sending messages.
“Shall we eat now?”
Jeong Seong-bin, who had sent his thank-you messages to the fans early on, brought over some small plates.
“Is it okay to eat? It’s past midnight.”
“Considering we’re going to practice later, wouldn't it be fine...?”
As Lee Cheong-hyeon gave a weary laugh, Kang Gi-yeon silently picked up a fork. A proper sugar rush is known to make a human more active, after all.
I was going to refuse, but decided to eat just half a slice. They said it wouldn't be meaningful if we didn't all eat together, or something like that. Even if I didn't eat, Choi Je-ho would eat three portions, so we would have more than enough people eating.
Wait, when did that guy eat two slices already? He was so brazen about taking a new slice that I thought he hadn't eaten yet.
Lee Cheong-hyeon pushed up a pair of toy sunglasses with the word ‘PARTY’ written in large letters on top and turned the Rookie Award trophy this way and that.
“This is crazy. It’s a real trophy.”
“You’ve received plenty of trophies before.”
Kang Gi-yeon replied, pretending to be indifferent, though his eyes were fixed on the trophy in Lee Cheong-hyeon’s hand.
“Cheong-hyeon, did you receive a lot of awards?”
Jeong Seong-bin asked. Lee Cheong-hyeon looked embarrassed and pulled down his sunglasses.
“Not really!”
Lee Cheong-hyeon ignored Kang Gi-yeon’s gaze and pretended to focus on eating his cake.
Was it a piano-related award? Or an Olympiad?
Whatever it was, if Lee Cheong-hyeon himself didn't want to talk about it, I had no intention of prying.
Fortunately, the flow of conversation changed quickly.
Jeong Seong-bin’s mother called to congratulate him on winning the Rookie Award. Park Ju-woo, who was forcing himself to eat the buttercream cake he didn't like just because it was a celebration cake, had his plate snatched away by Choi Je-ho saying, “Give it to me if you’re not going to eat it”—which I’d call a win-win. And Jeong Seong-bin suddenly made the atmosphere heartwarming by saying he was grateful everyone worked so hard this year.
The Rookie Award we received for becoming notable rookies was crude. I wondered if there could be any other rookies as worn out and exhausted as us.
“Where should we put this? On top of the cabinet?”
“Wouldn't in front of the shoe rack mirror be better?”
“What if it falls!”
Watching Lee Cheong-hyeon and Kang Gi-yeon wander around the dorm holding the shabby trophy as if it were the most precious thing in the world, I was reminded of what happened last spring. That day a few months ago when I went to Children's Grand Park with those two.
The day Lee Cheong-hyeon struggled to write a song and Kang Gi-yeon scurried around doing whatever I told him to.
Those kids had gone on to release songs they wrote themselves, and they had worked hard to stand on their own feet again to win that award. That fact made me...
“I-wol hyung, how about here? It’s easy to see!”
It made me...
...I don't know. I don't know what word to use to describe this feeling.
But then again, is it really necessary to put a name to human emotions? As long as I don't dislike it, that’s enough.