Chapter 298: 6-Person Birthday Party (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 298: 6-Person Birthday Party (1)
I was completely caught off guard by Spark’s sudden appearance. Very much so.
“What the—?”
There were five of them, but not a single one answered my question. They just kept piling into the filming set. Then, they started belting out the birthday song at the top of their lungs.
“Make a wish! A wish!”
“The wax is dripping...!”
As soon as the song ended, Lee Cheong-hyeon and Park Ju-woo started making a fuss from both sides. I hurriedly clasped my hands, pretended to make a wish, and blew out the candles.
Applause erupted from all directions. I was still dazed by it all.
“Seriously, what is this?”
“What do you mean? It’s a surprise party.”
“Did you really think we wouldn’t come?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon and Kang Gi-yeon playfully scolded me.
“What did you wish for?”
Jeong Seong-bin asked as he pulled the candles out of the cake. If I told them I didn't have time to wish for anything because I was so flustered... that wouldn't do. I answered with the spirit of a professional.
“I wished for Spark to never lose our roots and to keep running like crazy.”
“Wow.”
Kang Gi-yeon let out a short exclamation of admiration. What? It’s a proper wish for an idol, isn't it?
The chaotic atmosphere only settled down once everyone took a seat.
“When did you guys plan this?”
“From the evening you said you’d do the live alone because your schedule was tight, Hyung.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon answered without missing a beat. I could feel his sincerity.
I looked at Jeong Seong-bin and asked, “Then what was with you asking me if the broadcast preparations were going well?”
He had asked with such a guilt-ridden expression. I’d broken a sweat trying to reassure him that I was fine.
“That was just to lay the groundwork. I’m sorry, Hyung.”
How could you do this to me?
Jeong Seong-bin had betrayed my heart. It wasn't Gu Ja-han who was naive; it was me. I didn't know whether to be surprised that these guys had the guts to deceive me or if I should charge them with contempt.
“We even wrote letters...”
Park Ju-woo shyly held out something. It was a small, bass-shaped box made of foam board.
When I removed the rubber band and opened the lid, I saw five pieces of neatly folded colored paper. I recognized this paper from when we were preparing for the potluck party. It was definitely from back then.
“Can I read them?”
“It’s a bit embarrassing, but I’ll allow it.”
Once I received Lee Cheong-hyeon’s approval, an impromptu letter-reading session began.
The one on top was Kang Gi-yeon’s letter.
“To I-wol Hyung. Hello, Hyung, happy birthday...”
A sharp handwriting, much like his own features, greeted me.
To I-wol Hyung,
>
Hello, Hyung. Happy birthday.
You’ve often written letters or notes to me, but this is my first time writing one to you.
My handwriting isn't too weird, is it? I’ll try to write as neatly as possible.
I remember the day I first met you.
You had such a blank expression and were so tall that I thought a scary Hyung had arrived, but seeing you treat us so warmly after just one day made me realize that an elder really is different.
I started as a trainee before you, but I feel sorry because it seems like I haven't really been much help to you.
.
.
.
But you have to admit it was too much of you not to tell us about your birthday in advance, right?
I’ll make sure to take care of it every year from now on. Happy birthday once again.
>
— From Kang Gi-yeon.
Next was Lee Cheong-hyeon’s letter. This guy was talkative even in writing.
To our Undead Gorgeous Black Cool Water I-wol Hyung! (I came up with this with the Sparklers on Bubble Pop, so no objections allowed.)
>
A very happy birthday to you! I’ve really been waiting for today!
It brings tears to my eyes to think that our Hyung has become even more of an adult ㅠㅠ
Even though you’re already enough of an adult as it is. It feels like your time is moving twice as fast as ours~~
Are you having fun with the broadcast?
You don’t have to answer. We’re going to jump in after watching anyway, lol.
.
.
.
What kind of birthday party should we have when you turn thirty?
Since you like chewy cold noodles, how about the six of us eating 30 servings of it? Is it a bit much to only eat cold noodles on your birthday?
Still, they say noodles are a symbol of longevity. I think it’s a good idea for a birthday. Keeping it for now!
I have a lot to say, but the bottom line is I love you! HBD to our oldest!
>
— From Cute Pretty Visually —
On the other hand, there was also a letter that was severely brief.
Kim I-wol,
>
Happy birthday.
I suggested giving you protein as a birthday gift, but the others were against it, so that’s how it went.
You really didn't notice a thing. I thought you’d figure it out right away.
I feel like you wouldn't even notice if we wrote letters right in front of your nose, but Lee Cheong-hyeon said he’d kill us if we got caught, so I’m writing this in my room.
Park Ju-woo seems to have a lot to say to you; he’s been writing forever.
But isn't protein a good idea? You need to build muscle anyway.
Let me know if you need any, I’ll share mine.
Have a good birthday.
However, since the sender was Choi Je-ho, it was clear this was a letter written with painstaking effort.
I was certain that this guy had agonized for at least thirty minutes after writing "Happy birthday." I could see the flow of his gaze in the letter. It was painfully obvious how hard he had tried to write something.
Who would have thought the Center Emperor Choi Je-ho was capable of writing a letter like this? This instructor was deeply moved.
In contrast, Jeong Seong-bin’s letter was dense and long even at a glance. Perhaps thinking that writing directly on the colored paper would make it hard to read, he had even attached a piece of white paper inside. It was decorated with stickers that I presumed he’d received from Choi Mi-ho.
The content was closer to a formal petition than a letter.
To I-wol Hyung,
>
Hello, Hyung! It’s Seong-bin.
First of all, a very happy birthday to you!
It was the year before last when you made seaweed soup for me during our trainee days, and only now am I finally repaying the favor.
I’m sorry it took so long, and thank you for eating it so happily despite that.
.
.
.
Also, there are a few things I’d like to ask of you.
First, please take care of your health.
Second, I hope you eat your meals properly.
Third, I really want you to be in bed before 3 AM!
Since this is your first birthday being celebrated by the Sparklers as well, I hope it’s an even happier one than last year.
I’m looking forward to the broadcast! See you on your birthday, haha.
>
— Sincerely, Jeong Seong-bin.
After reading a letter that felt more like a health check-up report than a birthday card, I was almost afraid to open Park Ju-woo’s.
The last remaining letter was as thick as Choi Je-ho had predicted. It was a whopping two pages long.
Hyung, hi, it’s Ju-woo.
To think you let two birthdays pass by just like that... you’re too much X(
But since it’s your day, I guess doing what you want is what matters most, right?
In that sense, I’m so happy that I can finally wish you a happy birthday.
Since you’re twenty-two, I thought about writing "Happy Birthday" twenty-two times, but since you told me to delete redundant words when writing, I won’t do that.
.
.
.
I thought he would ask when we were going to play in a band, but he didn't. Park Ju-woo focused entirely on celebrating my birthday.
.
.
.
Let’s celebrate our birthdays together next year, and the year after that, too.
Let’s live every day like a movie. Promise!
>
p.s. I’ll forgive you even if you forget my birthday twice.
It was a letter that warmed my heart. To even get an "immunity pass"—what better gift could there be?
“Thanks, everyone. I’ll cherish these.”
“...Even this case?”
Park Ju-woo asked, holding up the clumsy letter case. The rubber band dangled over the fake guitar neck. I replied that I would keep that safe as well.
“You don’t really have to keep that part.”
As he said that, Lee Cheong-hyeon, who was sitting at the edge of the table, jumped up and waved his arm.
Receiving the signal, Manager Chan-yeong brought over a large black object and handed it to Lee Cheong-hyeon, who had moved out of the camera's frame.
“Because the real thing is right here!”
“What?”
I couldn't understand what he was talking about. My brain must have frozen from the sheer amount of shock I'd received.
It was then. As the object that had been hidden by Lee Cheong-hyeon and the manager was revealed, my mind went blank.
The large black object was an instrument case.
“Here! Your real present!”
Lee Cheong-hyeon beamed as he held out the case.
My heart began to pound.
“Open it.”
Kang Gi-yeon said as he cleared the table. The heavy instrument case was placed in the center of the empty table.
‘If you can’t even take your eyes off it, don't even bother lying.’
Why did my sister’s words come to mind just now?
Was it because I happened to dream of her this morning? Or was it because I thought of my old club while talking about university with Seong-bin’s family?
The familiar texture and the sound of the zipper opening swirled through my head. My fingers trembled.
As the lid of the case opened, a pure white bass guitar appeared before my eyes.
“Ah.”
I thought my heart was going to stop. For a moment, I thought it was the same bass my sister had bought me back then.
But it wasn't. Even a brief look revealed it was a completely different model. It was a high-quality instrument meant for intermediate players, and it was much more expensive.
“This is...”
“It’s a gift,” Jeong Seong-bin said. I couldn't quite gather my thoughts.
‘Do you still play the bass these days?’
“You always play the communal bass, Hyung. So we all chipped in and bought this!”
‘What songs can you play?’
“I’ll put in a song request next time...”
‘If you’re going to play for a long time, is it better to switch to a more expensive one?’
“We bought it after asking the A&R Team, but I don’t know if it’ll fit your hands well.”
‘Anyway, as long as you’re having fun playing, that’s all that matters.’
“Enjoy your hobbies too. Don’t just work all the time.”
My head was a mess. As I was forced onto this emotional rollercoaster, Choi Je-ho nudged me with his elbow. He gestured with his chin toward the package he had given me earlier.
What now? Don't make me any more distracted. My heart is already complicated enough.
Grumbling inwardly, I opened the black envelope I hadn't been able to open a moment ago.
Two picks came out from inside.
“Noona picked the gray one. I picked the black one.”
Choi Je-ho said.
“I told you we’d celebrate with you.”
Damn it.
I fiddled with the two picks in one hand and the bass with the other.
Noona. I miss you.
“Thank you.”
I miss you so much.
“Really... thank you.”
But it’s strange.
When I’m with these guys, I somehow feel comforted. I feel like I can hold on until I see you again. Is it because they remind me of you? Because they’re just as kind as you were.
This was the first time I’d ever stuttered this much in front of a camera. It was all their fault.
Those incredibly kind fools. If I get caught up in an attitude controversy, you guys better take responsibility.