Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: I Need a Bigger Stage
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"I'm innocent! It's all because Cha Dowon's curry is too delicious!"
Oh dear.
I looked at Ki Jaeyoon and said,
"Want me to make sure you never get to eat that delicious stuff again?"
"Gasp! How can you be so cruel!"
"Isn't the cruel one your body for not managing yourself as an idol? My curry is innocent."
I only added butter, after all.
Ki Jaeyoon flopped onto the sofa in despair. Yoo Hajin lifted the monkey up as he said,
"If your body fat's up tomorrow, we're adding squats. Jaeyoon, you just need to make exercise a daily habit."
Leader Hyung, you're going through all this trouble.
'I could never handle those nitpicky details, even in a hundred lifetimes.'
I'd done well pulling Yoo Hajin out of the sucker's swamp. Pride welled up, bringing a smile to my face.
"Ah, but aren't you guys nervous at all? We're up against VIP!"
What was the big deal about VIP? I quietly lowered my gaze. On the floor, Lee Seungjun was still exercising.
"You really nervous?"
Lee Seungjun shook his head while doing push-ups.
"Honestly? Nah."
Ki Jaeyoon sprang up like a spring.
"What? Am I the only one dying of nerves here?"
"Yep."
"What the—! You guys are all abnormal!"
If normal, yeah, you'd be nervous. I asked Lee Seungjun,
"Why aren't you nervous?"
"It's the same stuff we have to do anyway."
The quiet guy's words had a big impact.
"We have to perform. We always give our best on the prepared stage."
"Whether you're nervous or not, the job doesn't change, right?"
"Yeah."
I couldn't help chuckling. This guy surprises me sometimes.
I turned back to the script. Then I heard a tongue click.
"Zenith kids aren't acting their age. Hajin and Minje are mature anyway, but Seungjun too?"
"It's not just Dowon with his guts up to the ceiling."
"Dowon's the exception. Did you see the press conference?"
Oh. Trusted for the weird reasons.
Ki Jaeyoon's legs shook as he suddenly grabbed my shoulder.
"Hey, Cha Dowon! You really not nervous?"
"More excited than nervous."
I gave Ki Jaeyoon a kind smile.
"It's the day we beat VIP. Isn't it fun? If we give it our all on stage, the seniors' faces turn to shit."
I wondered what their ending faces would look like. Just imagining it was thrilling.
"Hey, you ever think we might lose?"
"Nope. Not really?"
"Why?"
"Because Japanese comments exploded on our MV."
Proof we were steadily winning fans. And it wasn't just the MV. Variety show clips had unfamiliar languages piling up too.
We'd been quietly chipping away.
'Number one will just confirm it.'
That's when staff came in.
"Zenith, get ready."
I shook off Ki Jaeyoon and stood. He followed hesitantly.
"Relax."
"Easier said than done."
No helping it. If he messed up from nerves, it'd be bad. I pulled out my smartphone.
[cheat mode 2/3]
[Zenith Tension Relief]
[Change complete.]
[Side effect: In 5 seconds, your tongue will itch for 5 minutes.]
[cheat mode 3/3]
Oh no.
'Why does Tension Relief have a worse side effect than dropping Ki Jaeyoon's snacks?'
I used cheats a lot, but the standards were still a mystery. I glanced at Ki Jaeyoon. The guy who'd been freaking out was now meek like a cat grabbed by the scruff.
'Good.'
What a hassle. I shook my head and handed my phone to the manager. Main broadcast recording time.
***
The long-awaited fan cheers rang out. I waited for the intro with my back to the lights.
Haa.
Dust floated between the lights. Just like the small theater. I smirked.
'Still, it's a big stage.'
Fan cheers too.
Music started. I turned forward with the choreographed move. Cheers erupted.
'Thanks to each and every one.'
They could've rested at home but dragged themselves here. I poured gratitude into my best choreography.
"Kyaaah!"
"Dowon! Your noona loves you fiercely!"
Oh dear.
Maybe because it was a calm song—the shouts came clear. During eye contact, I locked eyes with one fan. As I moved, I gave a slight smile.
The fan's cheeks quivered. Flushed cheeks met my eyes. I thought sometimes—stage puts you closer to fans than you'd think.
'Glad you like me.'
How to repay more?
I felt fans watching every move. Checking members' positions, I spun through Geumosan. Feet felt light today.
'Idols are icons.'
Cheering crowds flashed by. Atheist, so not big on religion, but illusions? I got that.
'Illusions come from planning, planning from money.'
I spun full circle, shifting weight, extending my hand.
'So, I need a bigger stage.'
Better gear too.
'Want more cheers.'
I met fans' eyes again. Music ending felt regrettable. Why only one song for Zenith?
'Want to stay with fans longer.'
This wish? Blood boiled with a new goal. Finishing choreography, I looked up.
Lights still blinded.
***
Right after our stage: beloved VIP. I dusted my outfit. Tried heading to waiting room, but staff blocked. Finals soon. Corridor packed with idols not yet changed.
'Eyes are electric.'
Even those pretending not to—sneaking glances. Goodwill and hostility mixed. I brushed it off casually, turning to members.
'Huh.'
Unexpected. Leader Hyung gripped the wall.
"Hajin Hyung? You okay?"
"No, just nervous."
"Stage is over."
"No, we're number one candidates."
"Yeah. But we've won first before."
"Different now. Us winning first breaks a wall."
True, but getting jittery now?
'Oh...'
I smiled wryly. Right—Hajin Hyung always got nervous.
Oh.
'He'd hidden it till now.'
Classic Leader Hyung. Couldn't use cheat again. I patted his back.
"Prepare your comments."
"Huh?"
"Our momentum's strong. Knocking down one wall's nothing."
"Y-Yeah."
I whispered so other idols couldn't hear.
"You'll see way crazier ahead. Don't tense over VIP."
"Gasp!"
Yoo Hajin tensed more, knees shaking.
Oops, wrong effect. Meant to relax him.
"Why so confident?"
"Because we'll just do it."
We do it because we can.
Staff called,
"Entry starting!"
Perfect for encore. I dragged Leader's arm forward. Yoo Hajin creaked but walked.
Idols out, MCs said,
"Time to announce this week's number one candidates."
"What do we do? Too tense."
"Eternal VIP versus surging Zenith showdown."
"Senior vs. junior battle."
VIP onstage glanced our way. I beamed back. Their faces soured a bit—not my problem.
Yoo Hajin's hand next to me shook. I smirked, grabbing Leader Hyung's hand. Not broadcast cam, but fans' cannons shot us.
'Look buddy-buddy.'
Our relationship wasn't bad anyway.
"This week's number one."
"Congrats. Zenith! Junior wins!"
Oh dear. We won. What now.
I spun to VIP. Cameras or not, faces unmasked.
'Should save that footage.'
Fans' cams followed me. I bowed to them. Knowing eyes on us, no elbow jabs like last time.
"Thanks, seniors. Thanks to you, we gained tons of fans."
You feel it too—lots came straight for us.
Their faces rotted proper. Good day, but sour to watch—I turned away.
'Stings.'
Glare much, seniors?
'But what now.'
Zenith wasn't old Zenith. I knew—fans' cams caught their faces perfect.
'Might be a teacup typhoon, but one article? Clickbait.'
Seniors ugly-mugging to junior's first? Bait city.
Wanted to savor, but no time. MC said,
"Zenith, one comment please."
Leader grabbed mic. Thought he'd flow like first win.
No.
Leader Hyung's mic hand shook.
'Hajin Hyung tenses more after.'
Note for North America award.
Hajin Hyung's lips quivered, passed mic to me. I blinked, took it resignedly.
"Hello. Zenith, your climax. Zenith here."
Kyaaak—
Cheers. I smiled toward noise, continued.
"With great seniors, never dreamed we'd take first."
Just words. Who else if not us?
"For chances again amid chaos—for me, Zenith—thanks. We'll always strive like first time. Love you, Zenith."
Cheers filled again. I lifted trophy, then hugged Lee Seungjun's waist. Needed some emotion.
'Huh?'
But Lee Seungjun hugged my shoulders firm. Not just—members lined, clutching each other.
'Unity performance?'
If so, join. Impulsive, but good.
"Oh my, encore song please."
I freed one arm, mic up. Do it perfect. Glanced sides, eyed Yoo Hajin and Lee Seungjun.
They smiled on eye contact. Natural—surprising.
'When'd these two get good at acting.'
Whatever. Encore played. As others exited stage, I watched fans.
Lights down again. No dust this time.
***
Ju Executive Director watched broadcast. Zenith on monitor: tailored textbook.
"Pretty enough to die, really."
She murmured, sweeping back stray hair.
"Doing great. Our kids."
"Zenith's very different from Vita, brother-in-law."
"Honestly, best among our kids, right?"
Ju Executive Director nodded.
"Minje alone overflows."
"Even we picked 'em—still amazed."
"Second first place. Smooth rise."
President shook head.
"Not really smooth."
Ju Executive Director smirked. Yeah. Knew it.
"No Cha Dowon? Impossible."