Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Immortal Songs (3)
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The applause wouldn't stop. Every time I bowed my head repeatedly, the other members followed suit. The original singer seemed pleased with us, tears streaming down their face nonstop.
'A good picture.'
When I lifted my head again, cheers erupted.
The MC started proceedings once more.
"Okay, okay. On the count of three, please press the buttons. One, two, three!"
The audience fidgeted with their hands while watching us. Their movements somehow looked cute, so I let out a small smile.
"Let's check the scores!"
The lights all went out. In the darkness, we stared at the electronic scoreboard.
With a harsh sound, the screen lit up. Cheers came before we could even confirm the numbers.
"Whoa!"
One camera approached us. The members exchanged smiles.
'The signs are good.'
If we did well, we'd win.
Soon, we got ready for the next turn. Once the cameras were gone, Yoo Hajin finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Glad we pulled it off without any mistakes."
"Yeah."
"No more surprises now, right?"
"Who knows."
"Dowon, should I take some heartburn pills?"
He looked genuinely desperate. I shook my head.
"Nothing that big will happen."
Though some minor stuff might pop up.
I undid my sleeve button and rolled it up to my elbow. A white bandage came into view.
'I put it on as insurance, but...'
Would it even get revealed?
We spent quite a while backstage. When the final performance ended, cheers rang out.
'Time to check the scores now.'
A staff member hurriedly shouted.
"Zenith, stand over there."
We took the position they indicated.
'No way we actually win, right?'
Winning Immortal Songs didn't come with any real perks anyway.
'We just wanted the YouTube views in the first place.'
A whirring sound came from the scoreboard. Cheers exploded the moment the scores appeared.
A groan escaped me involuntarily.
"Whoa...."
The lights shone fully on us. We won.
'The score's generous.'
Well, a few articles might come out.
'Good things are good.'
Oh right, gotta manage my expression. I turned to the members with a joyful face.
'Huh.'
I was a bit surprised. Kang Minje was grinning like he was truly happy.
'Did he have a smile like that?'
It was an expression I'd never seen before. Well, he had been obsessed with Immortal Songs.
Yoo Hajin patted Kang Minje's shoulder. I stared blankly for a moment before forcing my lips to curve up.
'Damn. What a lame smile.'
I said the customary line.
"Congrats, Minje hyung."
"Thanks, Dowon. We couldn't have done it without you."
Chills ran down my spine. Damn. What did I just hear? I clenched my fist tight, then released it.
'Gotta wash my ears when I get home.'
Cameras were rolling. I barely managed a deep breath.
"What are you talking about? We wouldn't have won without your arrangement, hyung. And what did I even do?"
Of course, I did plenty. But saying that here would make me an idiot.
Just then, the singers from the waiting room started coming up one by one. Senior artists far above us shook hands or hugged while offering congratulations.
"Congrats, handsome!"
A legendary diva spread her arms wide. I quietly wrapped mine around her.
"Thank you, sunbaenim."
"You were amazing. Looked great out there."
The MC approached us and said.
"What a heartwarming scene between seniors and juniors. For the first time in Immortal Songs history, a rookie group has taken the win."
Well, if singers had resumes, it'd look good as a line.
That's when it happened. The Hush members with their bear plushie bags approached. Everyone was congratulating us, but they didn't budge. The moment they saw me, though, their eyes lit up and they charged.
"Congrats! Zenith!"
Suddenly, a hand slapped my back. I flinched in surprise, blinking, and the camera caught it right away.
'This bastard.'
I'd healed it with cheat, but they knew damn well I had burns on my back.
'Fine, you fuckers. Let's do this.'
I staggered for a moment, barely regaining my balance. Then I gasped for breath, biting my lip.
Even I thought it was a perfect pained act.
Lee Seungjun next to me immediately asked.
"Dowon, you okay?"
The camera kept filming me.
"Ah, I'm fine."
I panted like I was forcing down the pain. The jubilant post-win atmosphere sank in an instant.
I smirked inwardly.
'Hush bastards. Right now, here...'
Several cameras turned toward me.
'There are viewers too.'
As I kept clenching my fists and trembling, the audience buzzed.
Hush panicked as the situation flipped in a flash. I leaned on Lee Seungjun, shaking deliberately.
That's when it happened. Kim Dongseop dropped an unimaginable line.
"Hush, what the hell was that? You hit his burn spot, didn't you?"
The audience's murmurs grew louder. And no wonder—hints were one thing, but the host stating it as fact was entirely different.
'No, why is the MC stirring this up?'
When they should be quelling the chaos? Why would a seasoned host create drama?
As if waiting, curses flew from the crowd.
-What the hell are you doing!
-How do you hit someone's injury!
-Do all singers act like this these days?
The audience, who had been favorable to us, kept cursing. Thinking they couldn't control it, the staff dragged Hush off immediately.
Once Hush vanished, the curses died down a bit.
'Look at the mood.'
The singers didn't know what to do. I looked at Kim Dongseop.
'Why'd he do that?'
We weren't close enough for him to do it for me.
Then Kim Dongseop resumed hosting.
"That concludes Immortal Songs episode 245."
The camera focused on the MC.
"With today's filming, I'm stepping down as Immortal Songs MC."
The situation shifted again.
Wow. Who knew he had that up his sleeve.
'What's the reason?'
Wasn't Kim Dongseop the mascot of Immortal Songs?
"I once stepped down from this spot due to illness. Back then, I vowed that if I returned, I'd never leave."
Laughter rippled through the audience.
"But then my child got the same illness as me."
Ah, the daughter who said she was my fan earlier.
'Wow.'
It was a heartbreaking story.
"My daughter won't give up. And neither will I. So with this episode, I want to always be by her side."
Clap clap clap—
Applause broke out from the seats. I joined in, clapping along.
"Thanks for looking kindly on this ugly guy all this time. So..."
Kim Dongseop bowed deeply.
"Please stay healthy."
Thunderous applause filled the air. Kim Dongseop said smoothly.
"That wraps Immortal Songs episode 245."
The lights went out one by one. "Cut!" rang out, and all the performers swarmed the MC. We stood at the very back, shaking hands with Kim Dongseop one by one.
"Good work."
"You too. Congrats on the win again."
"Thank you."
Kim Dongseop smiled and turned away. I shook my head, shaking off the emotions.
'Did he drop that unnecessary line because it's his last time?'
It was odd. The back of a variety MC from a different field looked especially large.
'Because he's a good person?'
That's when we turned to head back to the waiting room. Suddenly, the manager whispered in my ear.
"Dowon, Kim Dongseop wants to see you."
"Me alone?"
"Yeah. Should I say no?"
I recalled the Kim Dongseop I'd seen earlier.
"No. Can I go now?"
"Yeah."
"Then I'll go alone."
I retraced the path from before. I knocked and opened the door to an empty waiting room, where Kim Dongseop sat.
"Ah, you came?"
"Yes. What did you need?"
"Have a seat first."
It was still luxurious. I sat across from him. The veteran MC who'd survived broadcasting for years said.
"I've been in this spot a long time. So I know. Who'll last, who'll fizzle out quick. I can tell them apart."
Impressive skill.
"You, Dowon, you'll last."
I let out a chuckle.
"I've only been debuted a month. Gotta keep working to make it long-term."
Sure, longevity mattered, but climbing high did too.
"As I said, my daughter is your fan."
Ah, the one with the illness.
"Can you sign this? I was gonna ask in the waiting room earlier, but those bastards showed up."
Those bastards—Hush, huh.
And he cursed too. This guy's got fire.
"Of course."
Kim Dongseop handed over the debut CD.
"Sign every page."
I took it carefully and looked for a pen. He handed me five.
"One of each thickness."
D, damn. Impressive.
This bordered on sacred. I signed as requested. The last page used an extra-thin pen.
"Ah, oops. Sorry."
He handed over two more CDs.
"Two more."
Wow.
'Her dad's really a fan too, huh.'
I could tell his daughter truly loved me. I smirked and kept signing as he wanted.
"What illness does your daughter have?"
"Stomach cancer."
"I see. No metastasis?"
He blinked, surprised I'd ask.
"My wife passed from stomach cancer too."
"Ah...."
"It had spread to her lungs."
"Then how... Is your wife okay now?"
I shook my head.
"She's in heaven."
Cha Yeonhwa, the shaman from Seongnam known for her foresight. She could see everyone's future but not her own illness. It was ironic sometimes.
"When did she pass?"
I quietly counted the months.
"Seven months ago."
Kim Dongseop inhaled sharply.
"I see. My girl's stage 2. And she's in surgery right now."
"You should hurry then. These days, if it's not terminal, the prognosis is good."
He nodded.
"My daughter loves you a lot, Dowon. Even after surgery, she says she wants to go to your concert once she recovers."
"I see."
"I wondered if this group would blow up enough for concerts, but today's put that worry to rest."
I smiled and bowed my head. It meant we were solid.
"It's an honor."
"Climb high. It'll be even better if you can be hope for my daughter."
What a blessing. I bowed and rose sincerely.
"I'll do my best. And thank you for earlier."
"Ah, that..."
Kim Dongseop let out a deep sigh.
"I should've held back, but... last episode got me heated. Those guys are ridiculous, right?"
"A bit annoying. Well, hope some audience member snapped a pic. If it spreads, they pay for what they did. But Immortal Songs editing makes that impossible."
He laughed and shook his head.
"Want me to spread it?"
Huh.
"You have a way?"
"Editing's the issue. But I can probably make that happen."
I shook my head immediately.
"No. Don't want to burden you."
"Got it."
Kim Dongseop stood. I rose too, and we shook hands.
"Thanks for the signatures."
"Wishing your daughter a full recovery."
Kim Dongseop stared at me intently and said.
"How old are you, Cha Dowon?"
"Third year middle school this year."
He burst out laughing.
'What the.'
Why laugh all of a sudden?
"Haha, funny. Curious why I'm laughing?"
"Yes."
"It's funny, so I won't tell. Anyway, Dowon. I'll pray you reach even higher."
Prayer too, huh.
"Yes. I'll head out now."