Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Runway
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Even next to her was a girl group member. But his eyes kept going back to Cha Dowon.
"Why is that?"
Does he dance well?
Jeremy shook his head. He was certainly skilled. But not insanely so. The other members' bodies looked much lighter in the dance itself.
"Then why can't I look away?"
He already knew the answer. He'd felt it the first time he saw this guy.
"He knows how to use his face."
His eyes and the corners of his mouth moved perfectly.
"It's not just his looks."
It was a well-proportioned idol body. He was still young, so his height was a bit short, but his proportions were spot on. Plus, his features were prominent.
"He could be an actor too."
Even when the camera panned to other members, this guy stood out. Even in the corner, his eyes kept seeking him out.
Jeremy bit his lip. He knew exactly what this meant.
"It means he's talented."
He was the best in this industry.
The broadcasting station staff wouldn't miss what he saw. The moment the camera focused on Cha Dowon, Jeremy was quite surprised.
The guy slowly bowed his head. He pretended to lightly kiss the girl group member's finger, then lifted his head.
"Shit."
Cha Dowon smiled. The camera captured it frantically.
Jeremy threw his expensive smartphone. It hit the floor with a dull thud.
A VIP member who saw it asked,
"Jeremy hyung?"
"Hey, search this guy up. Shit. What did I just see?"
"Why? Is he that impressive?"
"He's no pushover. Where did this guy come from?"
"That good?"
The members seriously searched him up. As soon as they typed Cha Dowon, all sorts of things popped up.
"'Fresh stage captivates women's hearts.' Why are there so many GIFs of him? SNS is blowing up."
"That's nothing. This is the problem."
VIP member Kao spoke up.
"This guy's an actor."
Jeremy spat out a curse.
"That's nothing? He's done for, right? Idols acting always flops."
Kao shook his head.
"It's a success. Search 'Flower's Choice.'"
The other members searched that too. Against their expectations, child actor Cha Dowon's performance received good reviews.
"He did movies too?"
"Variety? Rural life? Isn't this high-rated?"
"Lots of ads too. Makes sense Friends wouldn't let him sit idle."
"Flashy. Killer filmography for a rookie."
"So that's why he's called a trendsetter."
Jeremy spat another curse and said,
"We need to crush him."
The VIP members looked at their leader.
"Why?"
"If we don't squash him now, he'll grow scary fast. Zenith already has Kang Minje. Fine. One guy like that is okay. He's nothing outside composing. But with a guy like this added?"
A kid who uses his face well and succeeded in acting with a solid filmography. A member with those specs alongside Kang Minje?
'Friends is crazy.'
It was like putting wings on a sports car. They couldn't just watch.
"These guys will climb up for sure. We have to step on them now."
Maybe there wouldn't be another chance.
"That big a deal? Do we really have to?"
"I'm holding judgment. Hard to tell yet. Plenty fizzle out after a hot start."
VIP member Kao said,
"We'll know after seeing them once."
Leader Jeremy nodded.
"Any clashing schedules?"
"Day after tomorrow. [Year-End Music Festival] on HBS."
"We'll be in the finale, obviously. What about them? Manager! When's Zenith?"
VIP's manager frantically flipped through the cue sheet.
"Right before us?"
Jeremy grinned.
"Decide after tomorrow?"
"I'm against. We have Japan."
"Me too. Do we have to?"
"I'm for. Listen to the leader."
"Me too. You guys acting up 'cause you're racking up seniority? Punks?"
Jeremy looked at the members who opposed.
"Yeah, daring to oppose me."
Jeremy nodded and pointed at the smartphone on the floor. One of the opposing members bent down to pick it up.
"Leader, screen's cracked."
"Shit. Durability sucks. Guess I'll buy a new one. Manager, get it later. Hey!"
Jeremy smacked the head of the member who'd opposed him.
"Don't act up, got it?"
The member flinched a bit. Jeremy smacked his head again, leaned back on the sofa, then suddenly jumped up and threw another smartphone. The latest model shattered as if waiting for it.
***
After rehearsal, the outfits were ready. Stylist Noona, her eyes ringed with dark circles, said,
"Noona poured her soul into these."
No need to go that far.
I changed into the outfit she'd prepared.
"Ah..."
Somehow the fabric felt a bit short. Upon closer look, it was surprisingly so.
"Shorts, huh."
A bit shorter than the sailor outfit.
"Well, idols wear anything."
I changed roughly. As I buttoned up and stepped out, Stylist Noona flashed double thumbs up.
"Perfect, Dowon."
I glanced at the shorts, then met her eyes.
"Thanks for your hard work."
"So cute. Ah, love it. Red uniform."
"Looks like you put a lot into it."
"A little? No. A lot. Tons."
She did look exhausted. I handed her the coffee I'd bought from the broadcasting station shop. She grinned and fussed over my hem.
"I thought it'd suit, but it really does. On our Dowon."
"All thanks to you making it so well."
That's when Ki Jaeyoon's voice came from behind.
"Agh! Shorts again!"
Oh no.
Stylist Noona sipped her coffee nonchalantly.
"Nice aroma."
"Noona only drinks Americano."
"Such a thoughtful kid. I hate milky stuff. Too thick."
I shrugged. Then Ki Jaeyoon rushed right up to Stylist Noona.
"Noona! I hate shorts!"
"Yeah, okay."
"Don't ignore me! I really hate them! Cha Dowon! You okay with this? What is this! Shorts two times in a row."
I dropped my gaze down, then back up.
"Outfit's just an outfit. What's the big deal? It's not a skirt."
"Hey! Aren't you pissed? The other three get cool stuff."
I turned to look at the other members' outfits. Yeah, they had long pants.
"No big thoughts. Stylist Noona's a pro, so follow the expert."
Honestly, I didn't even know what was good anyway.
Stylist Noona inhaled the coffee aroma deeply and said,
"Sigh. Speaks so prettily too. Jaeyoon, if you're mad, grow taller or bulk up. Then I won't put you in shorts."
That's the criteria, huh.
I rolled my shoulders.
'Then this is the last time.'
The boyish phase was ending. The mirror showed it. I was starting to look more like my pre-regression self.
'Height'll shoot up soon.'
Especially the shoulders widening. Then goodbye to shorts.
"Noona! Ignoring me 'cause I'm short?"
"As if. How much do I adore you, Jaeyoon! But look, Dowon wears it without complaint."
I smiled brightly and said,
"I trust Noona."
Even if it looks weird to me, the public probably likes it.
"Aigoo, so cute. That's why I love our Dowon!"
"Honor."
As Ki Jaeyoon geared up to complain again, a writer came in and said,
"Zenith, get ready for opening!"
"Oh! Kids, capes on."
Stylist wrapped black fabric around us. It covered the front, hiding the outfits almost completely.
'There's a choreo bit where we take off the capes mid-performance.'
We did a final outfit check and headed out. The hallway was already full of idol groups moving for the opening.
'Come to think of it, first time moving all together.'
With so many, they naturally lined up single file. The writer shouted from the front again.
"Line up by cue sheet order!"
Huh. When were we on the cue sheet?
Leader Hyung said,
"With Yumi sunbaenim, right after VIP."
Aha.
We were pretty far back, so we had to push forward a lot. Over a hundred idols just in this hallway.
Zenith moved up front.
'Huh?'
I felt stares. The idols mostly looked at me.
Whispers reached me.
"That's Cha Dowon."
"The press conference kid?"
"For a trendsetter, meh..."
Oh dear.
A laugh escaped me. I savored the prickly stares. I straightened my shoulders and walked neither slow nor fast.
What to call this?
'Feels like a runway.'
Never walked one, though.
Whispers again.
"Nothing special."
"Still a kid?"
"Pushed to success, huh?"
Oh boy. What to do.
They probably wanted to pressure me. Hoped I'd stress out.
'Maybe praying I mess up on stage today.'
I was thrilled. So I smiled brightly.
As I smiled prettily per the audience's wish, the whispers stopped instantly.
'I'm genuinely happy?'
They're paying attention. Gotta meet expectations.
Endorphins popped in my head. My smile deepened.
"All lined up? Entering now? VIP first."
Had to pass tons of idols again. I walked with eye smiles, making eye contact one by one. As I acted bold, they were the ones turning away.
'Boring.'
As space opened, Lee Seungjun draped an arm over my shoulder.
"Prickly stares."
I whispered softly.
"Honor."
We're getting attention.
"Saying it again. Don't run off alone this time."
"What do you mean?"
"Let's go together. We're a team, and I'm your friend."
Friend, huh.
'Not coworker?'
A chuckle escaped. Well, not a bad feeling.
We soon reached the stage. Bright lights sparkled like heaven. We stood at the pre-marked tape spots.
Huge crowd waving fan lights.
'A lot.'
Gotta show a pretty side to them today.
Soon, idols filed in line. I squared my shoulders. On-site sounds and crowd cheers were music to my ears.
'Feels alive.'
If I could, I'd live on stages like this forever.
That's when, as everyone waved to their fans, an unfamiliar stare hit. Glancing back, it was to the right.
'VIP, right?'
The Japan-focused group stared right at me.
'Oh!'
I smiled brightly, gave a slight bow, then lifted my head. Their expressions visibly stiffened.
'Aha! Wary?'
Pretty much as expected.
'But I greeted politely, why the sour faces?'
Wanted to be a lovable junior, but not easy.
I kept smiling anyway. Stage wasn't just live cams. Fans' cameras everywhere too.
'Someone's probably capturing that moment.'
Always cautious where footage lingers. Idols gotta watch everywhere anyway.
The assistant director yelled,
"Opening, 5 seconds!"
I faced front. Ten seconds later, dazzling fireworks signaled the year-end stage start. Lights twinkled like the idols gathered here.
***
Stages were all about waiting. In the waiting room, I glanced at two scripts at once, then closed them. Now I could read left and right separately.
Manager sat next to me and asked,
"What're you doing?"
"All meh. Not lead or supporting issue, scripts suck."
Manager peeked at them and said,
"All terrestrial broadcast?"
"Yeah. How many years terrestrial last anyway? Ratings rule everywhere."
Terrestrial stations did coast on reality and tanked on ratings.
'Video sites rising already. Gotta do something here too?'
Not my place, though.
"Plus movies releasing soon, and Chunhyang too."
"Still, a miniseries slot's fine, right?"
"If something decent comes. Send all offers and scripts, no filter. Honestly, movies are fine too."
Manager nodded.
"Got it, hotshot. Anyway..."
Manager patted his belly.
"You guys are busy bees."
I looked around. Zenith members were each doing their thing.