Chapter 324: Commencing Promotions (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 324: Commencing Promotions (3)
Monitoring music show performances is part of a manager’s duties. When it was Spark’s turn, Pyeong Dae-yeon stood in a corner of the filming set with Im Chan-yeong, holding up their phones to record the stage. Afterward, they checked to see if anyone had messed up the choreography or if there were any safety hazards on stage.
Back in the waiting room, the members split into groups of three and huddled around Im Chan-yeong and Pyeong Dae-yeon’s phones. They spent more time reviewing the rehearsal for "End," which was scheduled for the live evening broadcast, than they did for the pre-recorded "On A High Note."
Dae-yeon tried his best to focus on the video, but...
“Lee Cheong-hyeon, move your hair.”
“Sorry. My passion for monitoring was so overwhelming I couldn't control my locks.”
“Hyung, can we watch it from the very beginning...?”
The screen was completely obscured by the hair of the younger members. For a moment, Pyeong Dae-yeon seriously considered whether he should upgrade to a phone with a larger screen.
At Park Ju-woo’s request, Dae-yeon played the video from the start. Choi Je-ho, sporting burgundy hair—a "toned-down" look, as Dae-yeon was learning many new terms since joining UA—opened the intro.
Fitting the dark and heavy atmosphere of the song, the choreography was powerful. The camera work was also excellent during the part where they traced a finger from their lower lip, down the neckline, to the middle of the chest.
“Je-ho hyung unzipping his jacket all the way to his solar plexus is just lethal. Truly lethal.”
“Why? It looks cool...”
“I think we need to consider the dignity of the Sparklers who’ll be watching TV with their families during dinner time.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon, Park Ju-woo, and Kang Gi-yeon chattered incessantly. If not for their sparkling eyes, even Dae-yeon wouldn't have known they were focused on the monitoring.
When the choreography involved spinning halfway around to face away from the camera while doing a wave with a downward gaze, Lee Cheong-hyeon even clapped in reaction.
“Ooh, look at Kang Gyeon!”
“Be quiet.”
Kang Gi-yeon’s face turned red.
“Gi-yeon, you came out really well. You looked cool,” Dae-yeon added. It wasn't just because he’d seen them practicing day and night; in this round of promotions, Kang Gi-yeon had a charm that truly drew people in. Being the polite person he was, Kang Gi-yeon couldn't bring himself to snap at Dae-yeon.
They seem like normal kids their age at times like this.
Though less so than the older members, the three of them had impressive physiques. It was evident even though they were wearing loose-fitting beige uniforms that filled out at the shoulders.
In the case of Park Ju-woo and Lee Cheong-hyeon, who were on the leaner side for their height, the hollows beneath their collarbones were visible when they leaned forward. However, the shape of their arms revealed beneath their sleeves and their legs defined by the line of their trousers compensated for any potential look of frailty.
What these two with such great physical proportions enjoyed most was debating which waiting room sofa was the most comfortable one they had ever sat on.
And then there was Kang Gi-yeon. While he received rave reviews on every facecam video for the mature aura he exuded while dancing, the way his mouth moved while chatting with his hyungs or friends made him look like a total kid.
Whenever he saw these contrasting sides, Pyeong Dae-yeon had to suppress a smile to avoid saying something unnecessary. He silently hit play on the paused video.
Despite the red lighting, the video felt chilly. This was true even though they all had black or reddish hair. He understood why they were nicknamed the "Cold Handsome Guys" group.
One captivating scene followed another. Spark operated on the philosophy that "the live broadcast only turns out as well as you've practiced," and as a result, they always delivered consistent quality.
Because of this, there was rarely a need for Im Chan-yeong or Pyeong Dae-yeon to point anything out to them. If anything, the members were too busy critiquing each other.
Sure enough, Kim I-wol’s voice drifted over from the other side.
“I don't think the fit looks right because the pants are too wide. You guys all have straight hips, so it would be better if that area was more defined. Should I suggest leather pants?”
As Kim I-wol pondered seriously, the stylist informed him that the outfits for the next broadcast would indeed be tight leather pants. Kim I-wol’s face brightened instantly.
To Pyeong Dae-yeon, who had never worn tight leather pants in his life, their professional mindset was nothing short of amazing.
A comment he had seen recently on the "Worry Sharing Meeting" video flashed through Dae-yeon’s mind.
≫ It’s kind of funny how this kid in his early twenties acts like he’s a master of corporate life.
≫ Even at best, he’s working with people his own age and being taken care of by everyone around him. What kind of life experience could he have possibly gained...?
If the person who wrote that comment saw them now, they would realize.
That age doesn't dictate one's life experience points.
And that regardless of what age they started, the members of Spark—all around twenty years old—were undeniably living a professional social life.
*
The live broadcast for the first week of promotions ended splendidly. Despite having almost no broadcast points yet, they were even nominated for first place. It was a remarkable achievement.
“Is everyone in? Seatbelts on?”
Manager Chan-yeong asked, checking the passenger and back seats. Lee Cheong-hyeon and Kang Gi-yeon answered energetically. It was clear they were both hyped up by the long-awaited comeback.
If left alone, they’d eventually tire themselves out and fall asleep. Since both of them had school tomorrow, I decided to let them sleep.
Should I check the items for the next self-produced content while we’re moving?
When I checked yesterday, the next filming slot was the only empty space in the otherwise packed list of items. Seeing as the existing filming schedule had been pushed back, it seemed like they were planning to insert a new item rather than it being an omission. But wasn't I vulnerable to spontaneous content? I really didn't want to run my mouth and end up as an Octopus again.
If I checked the items, looked at the uploaded outfits, and watched the stage videos and fancams once each, we’d be at the dorm. It was perfect time management.
With a happy heart, I turned on my tablet to get to work according to plan, but...
“I-wol, don't look at anything and just sleep!”
The manager’s thunderous command fell. It was closer to a whisper than a shout, but I checked the faces of Lee Cheong-hyeon and Kang Gi-yeon first, worried they might have woken up. Fortunately, the two children were dead to the world.
“I’m not sleepy at all.”
“Sleep even if you aren't. Or at least keep your eyes closed.”
Why do something so meaningless? It’s not like the work I have to do is going to decrease.
“You’re too sleep-deprived. You won't last until the end of promotions at this rate.”
“I’m really fine...!”
My active protest didn't work. Because the manager didn't stop talking until the light of the tablet went out, I had to hurriedly turn it off.
I closed my eyes under his pressure, but sleep didn't come. A quick slumber is an impossibility in a life plagued by migraines.
Will the headaches get worse as the synchronization progresses?
It would be unfair if the headaches were part of the synchronization. My headaches were chronic. They didn't start after I turned twenty; they’ve been fluctuating ever since my very first memory.
In any case, there wasn't a single thing I liked about this System. I clicked my tongue inwardly.
The car was quiet with the passengers asleep. Only the sound of rhythmic breathing could be heard. The occasional clicking of the manager’s turn signal was the only noise. It was an environment perfect for getting lost in thought.
Whenever I had a spare moment, I had been pondering the System. Just what the hell is this thing?
I had narrowed it down to three candidates. First, a divine being. Second, a mental delusion triggered by falling into a coma after somehow surviving.
And third...
It might be Noona.
I was trying to deny it, but I couldn't help the suspicion.
It had been a while since the third hypothesis emerged. To be precise, I had been keeping my sister in mind ever since I realized that the tasks and KPIs the System presented weren't harmful to me in the end.
Maybe it’ll say it was by my side all along after promising to reunite us. Maybe the updates on her well-being were metaphorical expressions of the System itself working or standing by. If that’s the case, should I be happy or not?
There was no reason for Noona to deliberately use Department Head Nam’s way of speaking. She knew how much I hated him.
The peace the System aims for me to have is the complete opposite of Department Head Nam. If there’s such a glaring contradiction, the System should have performed a self-overhaul on itself first, not me. Right?
In the first place, if the System is Noona, then she’s already...
I didn't want to think about what came after that. So, I decided to focus on the first and second hypotheses.
Lately, I had been looking into various religions. I focused on cases where a god sends revelations or intermediaries rather than those where there is no interaction or where one achieves enlightenment on their own. There were cases where gods descended in physical forms like eagles, and others who only provided a voice.
The point was that many gods carried an image of fear—either by likening disasters to the divine realm to ensure religious devotion, or by prescribing what should and shouldn't be done to help the believer grow.
The System’s behavioral pattern was close to the latter. At the same time, what it wanted from me wasn't purely oppressive. It just made somewhat excessive demands.
Then, I found myself thinking again.
Was Department Head Nam really that terrifying of a person? Not just someone I disliked? To the point where the System would deliberately mimic him?
It’s difficult.
Even as I leaned my forehead against the window, the heat in my head remained.
If I knew what my ultimate goal was, I might be able to satisfy the System without even achieving the KPIs.
I didn't have a clue. What on earth should I do? Should I split my non-existent time even further? Would it be better to build a friendly relationship with the System for the sake of the future?
My head throbbed again. My brain acts like this whenever I try to use it. I was sick of it.
I felt the car slowly reversing and heard the sound of the rear camera detecting an obstacle. At the manager’s voice announcing our arrival, Lee Cheong-hyeon and Kang Gi-yeon stirred and woke up.
“Did you get some sleep?”
Kang Gi-yeon asked in a groggy voice. I gave a vague nod. My skull echoed every time I moved my head.
I felt sorry for the manager who had worried about me, but I had a feeling I wouldn't be getting any proper sleep today either.