Chapter 312
Chapter 312
The two-day concert concluded in a resounding success.
The overwhelming majority of fans who attended showed a favorable response. The consensus was that it was fun and fresh.
‘A play-style concert that implemented a narrative. Since we’re good on stage, that probably covered half the battle.’
There was no need to be humble when the status window was right there. The performance had been excellent.
Of course, some people felt it was lacking in terms of intimacy and communication, but those complaints drastically decreased after we held the scheduled W Live after-party.
[Celebrate ☜ TeSTAR Karaoke Opening ☞ Celebrate]
We didn't just talk about behind-the-scenes stories from the concert; we took song requests in a karaoke format and went all out.
Thanks to that, I strained my throat a bit... but it was worth it.
‘Good.’
I downed the rest of the pear and balloon flower root juice I was drinking.
A cold wind was blowing outside. The guys who went out were probably suffering a bit.
Even the guy who kept asking until the very end eventually left to enjoy his single day off. It was understandable.
It was now early November, the period for solidifying our stages for the end-of-the-year events.
What that meant was that after today, we shouldn't expect another day off for the rest of the year.
‘No, it’ll probably be like this until around February.’
Since it would end with the combo of award ceremonies and a tour.
Today, even the working staff hadn't contacted us. They were bound to be incredibly busy as well.
They said that because this concert's format was so unique, it would be difficult to fit it perfectly into the venues we usually used for tours.
So, they were likely busy revising the plans, mixing in a more general concert configuration to fit various venue sizes.
‘It’s a busy season.’
Since today would be my last bit of leisure, it would be better to clear my head and rest...
Vrrr, vrrr!
My smartphone vibrated.
[VTIC Shin Cheong-ryeo Sunbae-nim: (Image)]
[VTIC Shin Cheong-ryeo Sunbae-nim: How have you been?]
“…….”
Are we really on terms to be exchanging pleasantries? Since nothing good ever happened when this guy contacted me while I was resting, the best course of action was to ignore him.
However, my mind changed the moment I saw the attached image.
I thought it would be another dog picture, but instead, it was a screenshot of an internet article.
[“Magical Boys defeating villains with song!” TeSTAR appears on <T-Holic’s Show Business>]
It was a provocation.
I sent him a reply.
[Yes, Sunbae-nim. We are promoting diligently. Since so many people found the photo you sent entertaining, I’ve decided to just embrace it now.]
The reaction was good, so it was a total win. What did it matter if it was magical girls or boys?
This wasn't just me trying to cope; people on the internet were truly still talking about that variety show.
Unquestionably the hottest rising male idols in the country this year.
‘We’ve run through the second half of this year without a single slip-up.’
In terms of results, recognition, and buzz, we weren't falling behind anywhere. If it was an award ceremony friendly with T1, it was almost guaranteed they’d give us at least one Grand Prize.
‘Is this guy doing this because he’s annoyed by that?’
However, the reply came without delay.
[VTIC Shin Cheong-ryeo Sunbae-nim: I see. I was just going to say it suits you well ^^]
This guy is really trying to take a jab at me...
‘Does he think all our debts were settled with Gold 2’s cooperation?’
I’d rather receive dog photos if he was going to be like this. I briefly contemplated whether to just turn off my phone.
But at that moment, even though I hadn't replied, he suddenly called me.
[VTIC Shin Cheong-ryeo Sunbae-nim]
“…?”
What now?
Since there might be some information hidden between his nonsense, I picked up for now.
“What is your business?”
Then, a calm voice came through.
“Excuse me?”
What kind of nonsense was this?
A brief silence followed over the phone, and then a voice that sounded slightly disappointed spoke.
“Not yet?”
I don't think so.
“As I told you, I’m doing well.”
Surely that ‘not yet’ didn't mean he’d set some trap that hadn't sprung yet.
I asked him bluntly.
“Did you prepare something else?”
“Since you said ‘not yet.’”
Then, the sound of chuckling came through the call.
TeSTAR did have a short overseas schedule last week.
‘But that sounds like an excuse.’
Since there was no sign that he’d pulled any tricks, I decided to let it slide for now.
Is that so?
“Since you’re back, if you have time, you should try appearing on T-Holic Sunbae-nims’ variety show. I highly recommend it.”
I was curious what he would do with those boring guys. But he replied indifferently.
His tone suggested he wouldn't even call them Sunbae-nims if it weren't for the phone call.
He was talking about how they had stubbornly survived despite all the things he’d done to kill their careers in the past.
I summarized it simply.
“You are the same, Sunbae-nim.”
I didn't know why, but he seemed to find it amusing, which was annoying.
“Don't mention it.”
He was acting nonchalant.
‘...Does he feel his position is secure even if one Grand Prize category goes to us?’
Well, that was a good thing. It meant the probability of this guy stabbing me in the back again had decreased.
Cheong-ryeo ended the call with a laughing voice.
“Yes.”
And that was exactly what happened.
The next time I saw Cheong-ryeo was at a major music chart's awards ceremony scheduled for the end of that month.
*
“Ah, will TeSTAR be able to show... something today?”
“Of course!”
“Haha!”
Before the ceremony began, the members, who had finished all their preparations in the waiting room, looked half-excited and half-nervous.
Honestly, in this situation, anyone who didn't expect to win something would be the strange one.
...Though I didn't expect them to bring out the champagne already.
“Now, now, shall we have a toast?”
“Yeah, cheeeeers!”
Holding the non-alcoholic champagne included in the catering, they looked like students eating glutinous rice cakes right before the CSAT.
‘Well... the atmosphere is good.’
Among the guys who were in high spirits, Ryu Cheong-woo pointed to one of them with a smile.
“It looks like Se-jin has something to say. Can you give us a toast?”
“M-Me?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh~!”
Bae Se-jin’s face turned red, but he didn't get angry.
“Ahem, then...”
Instead, he cleared his throat a few times and spoke seriously.
“You all... worked really hard this year, and, uh, no matter what the result is! Let’s not doubt that we did our best!”
It was surprisingly decent. It seemed Ryu Cheong-woo hadn't pointed him out for nothing.
‘He must have prepared that secretly.’
“Hyung...”
“I, I think so too...!”
“That’s touching.”
The atmosphere couldn't have been better.
Keun Se-jin also smiled without a word and reached out his hand.
“Please take good care of us next year too! Ah, but we should still do our official chant properly one more time before we go~”
“...Right!”
“Sounds good!”
Then, the members put their heads together to form a circle for the cheer.
A huddle formation that looked like something out of a sports game.
In the sense that winners and losers would be decided and rewards would be given, it might not be that different.
“Oh, Moondae, your hand!”
I reached out my hand. The familiar chant came out energetically.
“Ah, TeSTAR is going to show them something today!”
“Whoo!!”
Adrenaline surged.
I finished my non-alcoholic champagne in one go and set the empty glass on the table with a thud.
“Then, let’s head out.”
And so, the first awards ceremony began.
The first part of the <Grape Music Awards> passed without any particular incidents.
Performances by rookies with good results, meaningful stages despite disappointing results, rookie stages from major agencies...
They didn't mean much. Just that the group with Gold 2 made a brief appearance.
Of course, since an attitude controversy could arise, I took the position of diligently watching the performances.
Only after the long first part ended and we entered the second part did the words we were waiting for come out.
After more stages had passed.
When the fame of the presenters changed, and the time spent on pre-announcement effects and introductions grew longer.
[The next award is for the artist who showed activities that gave comfort and moved the most people this year.]
This was it.
[It’s the Artist of the Year award!]
It was the first Grand Prize category. And it was also the award we were aiming for.
The camera began to search for and capture the nominees.
The camera, which arrived right in front of our block, captured our table without hesitation.
“Oh...”
“Shh!”
Keun Se-jin kept Cha Yu-jin in check. He was doing it right.
Time passed like that.
[The winner of the Artist of the Year award is...]
A drumroll.
Singers smiling awkwardly.
Swaying lightsticks.
And finally, the words were uttered.
[...TeSTAR!]
The camera light turned on.
[Congratulations!]
Waaaaah!!
The sound of confetti exploding, cheers, and music.
And the familiar faces appearing on the electronic display. Their expressions, transitioning from bewilderment to joy, were all identical.
The funny thing was, I wasn't much different.
“Ah.”
I had expected to receive it.
They wouldn't have moved this award to the very beginning for no reason. They had to give the ending to a senior artist by arranging it in order of years since debut.
But... yeah, I’ll be honest.
It felt like someone had struck a gong inside my head. Goosebumps ran all the way up to my skull.
‘Grand Prize.’
We’re really winning this this year?
Keun Se-jin stood up from his seat, stumbling slightly. I also pulled back my chair and stood up.
People around us were probably clapping, but I couldn't tell. I climbed onto the stage, pulling along Cha Yu-jin, who was patting my shoulder.
My shoulder brushed against Seon A-hyun’s.
We stood on the stage. Bouquets and the trophy were passed between us.
“Thank you.”
Perhaps his throat was tight, as Ryu Cheong-woo pulled the microphone away from his mouth for a moment before speaking calmly again.
“We are... truly happy and honored to receive such an undeserved award. To the members who have run diligently every day, not just this year but since our debut.”
Ryu Cheong-woo thanked everyone from the fans to the staff and even our parents. I had heard him practicing back at the dorm, but I listened intently without letting it slide.
He was a guy who deserved it.
And I was in that kind of mood.
“...Thank you once again.”
But just as those words ended, someone poked my back from behind.
At first, I thought they’d poked me by mistake, but the second time, it definitely wasn't.
“…?”
What is it?
‘Moondae!’
It was Keun Se-jin.
He pushed me. The other guys made room, openly leaving the center empty.
‘What the.’
In the end, I was pushed to the center. The guys around me patted my shoulders. The confetti stuck to them fell onto my nose and then off.
In front of me was the microphone.
‘...Good grief.’
It’s not like they’re deferring to me to take the final speech... well, of course they are. I gave a small smirk and grabbed the microphone in front of the audience.
...I am getting a bit excited.
‘Since I’ve grabbed it, I should say something.’
It was at that moment.
[Mission Clear!]
“…!”
A hologram appeared.
Something that hadn't appeared without me calling for it since the Status Effect was cleared.
And a beat later, I understood the situation.
‘Ah.’
I see.
As I expected, public opinion must have been important.
This was... a prestigious Grand Prize received amidst the public perception that TeSTAR was worthy of it.
‘Still, to think it would be cleared at the very first awards ceremony.’
It was a development I liked. I was willing to accept this situation.
However, the hologram didn't end. It churned out text I hadn't requested.
[Calculating rewards...]
“…!”
Now?
The timing was strange.
‘I thought I had to accept the reward to receive it... Fuck!’
I realized I had been mistaken about something.
This wasn't a ‘Status Effect’ given by the system.
That meant... there was no guarantee that what was possible when clearing a Status Effect would work the same way here.
The same went for checking the reward.
‘If it’s not in a form where I have to click to receive the reward.’
Cold sweat trickled down my neck.
The hologram before my eyes flickered and changed its form.
[Reward Complete!]
Reward: Conversation with Park Moon-dae
Complete?
At that moment, my vision blurred.
Just like when I cleared the first Status Effect back during our <Idol Inc.> debut.
And then, darkness.
*
Thinking about it now, it was truly a strange thing.
That I, who had never even participated in a talent show, ended up in a profession where I danced and sang in front of others.
‘Originally, I...’
Why did I go around taking pictures of idols?
I could say it was because it made money, but then why did I take pictures of those who didn't make any money?
The joy I found there was...
Was it vicarious satisfaction?
“Gasp.”
I opened my eyes.
A dark room.
I saw a familiar ceiling. But it had been so long that it didn't feel intimate or welcoming... that. It was the ceiling of my old studio apartment.
“…!!”
I sat up. And I felt my face. I felt the glass of my spectacles.
Without even having to run to the bathroom to look in the mirror, this hair, these hands, these glasses...
My original body.
Ryu Gun-woo, not Park Moon-dae.
“……!”
I clenched my fists. And I lowered my head.
‘Calm down.’
And this situation.
‘This.’
I’ve already had a similar experience once.
‘A waking dream.’
Is this a situation similar to that coma? Is this also a dream...
It was then.
[E-Excuse me!]
“…!”
What?
A strange resonance that I heard inside my head... no, I didn't know if it was right to say I heard it.
[Um... Hyung, why are you here...….]
I spoke out loud.
“Who are you?”
[Y-Yes?]
A vibration that sounded like it was on the verge of tears.
Next, a small resonance rang out.
[I-I’m Park Moon-dae.]
“…….”
What the... fuck is going on?