Chapter 440
Chapter 440
It’s already been over five years since we started spending our year-ends together after debuting. By this point, everyone has developed a pattern for preparing for award ceremonies and year-end music programs.
1. The Relaxed Preparers
The type that maintains peace of mind through years of experience while pushing their bodies to the limit.
Or perhaps they gain that peace of mind because they push their bodies so hard.
“Whew. This next move… I think it’ll be okay even if we take a bit more time to master it.”
“Okay~ Then we’ll skip that and fix today’s goal to everything from Part B onwards. Cheong-woo hyung, that’s fine, right?”
“Yeah. Should we extend the practice time a bit then?”
“Let’s do that.”
The majority belongs here. Next.
2. The Anxious Preparers
The type that is plagued by worries, concerns, and anxiety about making mistakes. They spend every moment their bodies are at rest agonizing over various scenarios.
“Is the reason we’re taking our time to master it because of me? No, don’t answer. Either way, I just have to work hard. Right, since they gave us plenty of time…”
“Hyung, I believe that if we allocate that much time to the bridge movement, it implies the choreographic point is shifting there! If so, my pre-arrangement might sound unnatural—”
“Stop.”
…If you cut them off at the right moment, they get influenced by the Type 1s and calm down.
“Don’t think about anything while you’re resting.”
“But…”
“Don’t.”
I made sure their break time actually felt like a break.
And the next type, which contains the fewest members…
3. The Relaxed Players
[You know too, right, hyung? Cramming is basically a form of cheating.]
“You get it?”
“Hehe!”
Since his teammates are doing it, he practices, but in reality, this is the guy whose movements and gestures—aside from syncing the group choreography—are already at a level where he could step onto the stage right now and kill it.
“Original skill is what matters!”
“…Does that mean it’s pointless for people who aren't good at it to practice?”
“Nope! Effort will become your original skill.”
“Ahem.”
He certainly has a silver tongue.
Anyway, with these guys gathered together, the year-end preparations are rolling along well, even if they creak a bit as usual.
“Stop it!”
“Kim Rae-bin, eat this!”
I dodged a piece of dried sweet potato that Cha Yu-jin threw at Kim Rae-bin and replayed the practice video we just filmed. It looked good.
“……Hmm.”
And actually, if we’re classifying them like this, there was one last number.
Type 4.
The type that plays while feeling anxious.
However, there’s no one like that in this group.
It’s a situation everyone experiences at least once while preparing for exams, but it’s a severe symptom that usually gets cured naturally once you start getting paid.
In other words, since we’re getting paid, it doesn't apply to us.
However, it does apply to the other version of me who isn't getting paid. Because there are circumstances where I’m anxious but unable to lift a finger.
“Could receiving a national medal be the next status effect?”
—Pardon?
A weekend night after practice. I was muttering to myself in the bathtub while drinking a cold non-alcoholic beer.
Of course, I wasn't doing this alone like a crazy person; I was holding a waterproof smartphone.
“Isn't it weird that I’m caring this much about a medal that doesn't even grant a military exemption, but just lets me postpone it for a few years?”
—I told you, it’s not. Hyung, it’s really not!
Keun-dal almost screamed over the phone. It’s been a while since we communicated via voice, and it definitely feels different from the chat pop-ups.
Anyway, this guy’s opinion is consistent. No matter how much he looks, he can’t find any suspicious signs from me.
And the reason I’m obsessed with the national medal is…
—…Well, everyone hates going to the military.
“…….”
—Especially as the date gets closer.
That’s… true.
Even more so for me, since I have to go twice. It’s like a natural physiological phenomenon to become obsessed as the time approaches.
The one who’s already experienced it knows best just how much it sucks.
But still.
“How do you know so much when you’re the one who doesn't have to go anymore?”
—I’m sorry.
Don’t be sorry. You swapped into an older body; you should at least get a military exemption to make the math add up.
And I know that what this guy knows well isn't the military.
“No, you’re probably just confident because you’ve looked into my counterpart thoroughly.”
—Yes! That’s it!
Keun-dal explained without even taking a breath.
—I’ve looked so thoroughly, immersed to the point where I almost became a status window myself, and there’s no trace of a 1/4 system fragment on you! Seriously!
“Fine, I get it.”
The walls are going to crumble at this rate. I acknowledged it while turning down the call volume.
“Then what about the mission failure?”
—…I told you, it’s not that.
I said I get it.
After Keun-dal spoke as if he were rapping about how he would regularly check my status window, I decided not to bring up this topic anymore.
‘If I get a bad feeling like last time, I’ll have to run toward somewhere without people, no matter what.’
And as all this passed, the exciting year-end settlement period finally arrived.
“Moon-dae Moon-dae~ Our third-quarter settlement deposit date is December 20th, right?”
“Yeah.”
No, not that settlement.
I mean the period where everything we’ve done over the past year is evaluated by quantitative figures like chart results and qualitative figures like public recognition.
Yes. It was finally time for the award ceremonies.
“The Artist of the Year award goes to… TeSTAR!”
“Congratulations!”
“The Album Daesang goes to TeSTAR.”
“The final Daesang, Artist of the Year… Congratulations, TeSTAR.”
Bang, bang, bang!
Countless firecrackers, drumrolls, the calling of our name, the cheers, and TeSTAR’s representative song of the year playing as background music.
“Thank you! We will work even harder!”
“We’re having a comeback soon!”
Screams, applause, and cheers.
At every award ceremony we attended, we cleanly took home at least one Daesang category. This was because the company didn't send us to ceremonies that wouldn't give us a Daesang.
Well, it was efficient.
And back at the company, as we moved to take promotional photos displaying the trophies, we received a string of congratulations from people within the same company.
“Hyung! Wow~”
Spacer, the newly debuted rookie girl group, the AR team staff, the management team leader…
Even Mirinae.
“Congratulations!”
“Congratulations….”
It’s an amazing industry where even if a competitor is looking at you with eyes that say they want to smash your head and take that Daesang trophy for themselves, their mouths are still offering congratulations.
“…That junior, Seong Ha-rin? Does she hate us?”
“Probably.”
Anyway, the year-end was quite fun without any particular incidents.
I mean, who would hate receiving awards for doing well? Plus, the special stages were well-received, just as much as we had prepared for them.
It tasted like the peak of our career, the end of hardships and adversity.
…Of course, unfortunately, it didn't mean we received the Daesang in every single category.
For digital streaming, it was Young-rin; for physical albums, it was VTIC.
Even after VTIC went to the military, this structure remained solid.
Because their leader stayed behind to attend the award ceremonies.
“Thank you.”
Cheong-ryeo appeared at the most prestigious award ceremony of the year, wearing a navy semi-formal suit for the red carpet instead of a stage outfit.
“I want to return all the congratulations and the joy of this award to my grateful members who are faithfully fulfilling their duties.”
He didn't look the least bit awkward or rushed about attending alone.
Instead, as always, he looked perfectly composed, appropriate, and without a single flaw.
And he even dropped a hint like this.
“I will show you the side of me you’re looking forward to next year as well.”
Waaaaaa!
“Thank you.”
Applause rang out toward Cheong-ryeo as he bowed slightly. Keun Se-jin, wearing a respectful smile, whispered under the cover of the grand BGM.
“He’s saying he’s releasing a solo album, right?”
“Yeah.”
It’s going to be another dogfight.
Moreover, if it’s that guy, I’d bet this… ‘Colorful K-Pop Star Award’ that he’s subtly building up tracks that hint at a full VTIC return or songs he’ll later arrange into group versions.
I looked down at the awkwardly shaped trophy on the table.
It was a category suddenly created this year just to appease a sponsoring corporation. We received it without any particular reason or record.
‘They should have spent the time making this on subdividing the Rookie of the Year award instead.’
Still, it’ll probably be gone by next year, so doesn't that make it a rarity?
“It’s an award. Congratulations.”
“Yes.”
Coincidentally, Cheong-ryeo, whom I met backstage, also complimented this award.
I quietly handed the trophy to the staff member collecting them. Then, Cheong-ryeo, who had been watching without much reaction, spoke up.
He said something completely out of the blue.
“Haven't you heard some good news?”
What?
“Is your dog having puppies, sunbae-nim?”
“Hmm, hoobae-nim, did you perhaps doze off during science class?”
He meant, 'What kind of bullshit is that?' I felt the same way.
I stared at him, signaling for him to speak properly. Cheong-ryeo gazed at me as if thinking for a moment, then soon gave a slight smile.
“Well, I guess it doesn't matter.”
“Pardon?”
“No, I just meant I’d like you to let me know if any good news comes up.”
Why?
“Because I’m curious.”
Leaving those words behind, he left the ceremony in his car. Then he sent a short video via text. Along with a message.
“…….”
The video showed some dog receiving a new cushion as a gift to replace a ruined one.
‘What does this mean?’
Of course, I knew he’d find it fun if I asked, so I just left it alone.
By now, he must have learned that if he tries to screw me over, he’ll get screwed over too.
Anyway, leaving behind the numerous temporary awards deployed for the sake of distribution, the last music awards of the year ended.
What remained was….
“We’re having a comeback!!”
That’s right.
A new year, a new promotion period.
We were set to make a comeback in January, a time when all our records could be fully reflected.
And we planned to use a method that garnered much more attention and allowed for more time than a regular music broadcast.
Namely.
“We’re going to have our comeback at the January award ceremony.”
“Yeeesss!”
Even though they already knew, the reaction was passionate. Everyone was clearly excited about the comeback after such a long time.
Actually, the headquarters had practically pressured us with an offer to make our comeback at the ToneA awards in December. Since that was their own ceremony.
But we shot down that idea.
“It was a good call to push back, saying we couldn't pull off the stage quality by then!”
“A precise judgment was made!”
“A Happy New Year Comeback? It’s the best!”
…They seemed a bit overly excited, but it was still impressive to see these guys, already drunk on the taste of victory, humming as they practiced through the night.
“…Good. Yeah, I’m sure it’ll go well!”
“Hyung! I have a jinx about that!”
“…?!”
“Just kidding.”
“Hey!”
Thus, on Monday, January 9th, just before our comeback, we went to a late-night radio schedule to commemorate the New Year.
Of course, it was all calculated.
“It’s not exactly a promotion, but more like a type of viral marketing.”
“I like that it’s not excessively bold but has a bit of unpredictability!”
Since it was a talk-heavy show, we could say exactly as much as we wanted to. We were at a point in our career where we didn't need to feel pressured by radio anymore.
And I wanted to give the fans the joy of guessing and speculating about what kind of album it would be.
Because it was a limited medium, there was no worry about the promotional effect being entirely consumed there.
‘It’s a sort of eve festival.’
I smiled and gave my greetings in the media room in front of the radio booth.
“We look forward to working with you.”
“Wow! Yes!”
The writers and staff welcomed the group even more warmly than expected, and everything was going smoothly.
“TeSTAR, you’re scheduled to go in in 16 minutes!”
“Got it!”
We sat on the sofas provided on the outskirts and began waiting for our entrance. Since it was a surprise appearance, we planned to make it feel like we were barging in.
“Moon-dae-ya, this…”
“Ah. Thanks.”
I squeezed the stress ball Seon A-hyun handed me.
And I blinked slowly.
‘This waiting time is when there’s the least to do.’
It’s the time when you have to stay alert so you don't miss the timing by daydreaming, while simultaneously doing nothing.
The only thing worth doing was organizing in my head once more what we were going to talk about on the radio.
Blink.
‘First, greet them, make sure the audio doesn't overlap…’
Blink.
‘Make sure Kim Rae-bin doesn't get too excited and spoil too much about the songs.’
Bli—nk.
‘When we give the final greeting, Bae Se-jin should…’
Blink.
I see a dark ceiling. I closed and opened my eyes again.
Blink.
It’s the same.
“…….”
Wait, dark?
“…!!”
I bolted upright. And I realized I had been lying down.
‘What?’
It was a bed. No, a bed?
‘What is this?’
I fumbled with my hands and reached down beside the bed.
‘Light.’
Click.
When I pressed the button on the wall, the light came on.
And the sight of a cozy bedroom was revealed.
“……!”
A room with TeSTAR posters on the walls.
The layout looked familiar, but no, the first thing to think about was…
I had suddenly opened my eyes in a different place.
“Whew.”
I took a deep breath.
Honestly, by now, I’ve been through so much that I thought I wouldn't be surprised by any kind of crazy shit happening, but…
‘Even so, how can something like this break out without any warning?’
There was no pop-up, no status window, not even a psychological omen!
‘Anyway, first, the status window…’
It was then.
[Hyung!]
“Ugh.”
A sound rang in my head. A vibration-like sound carrying meaning.
‘Vibration?’
And I realized that a vibration conveying meaning was something I had experienced before.
Back when Keun-dal, who was studying for the civil service exam in Ryu Gun-woo’s body, would occasionally lose control and I would use the body.
“…No way.”
Hey, no way.
Suppressing a groan, I thought about wanting to reply to this voice in my head.
Then.
Whoosh.
Strange calculations and processes flashed through my mind in an instant, and soon, a pop-up appeared before my eyes.
[_____]
What is this?
[What is this_]
Stop, I get it.
‘This is the chat pop-up.’
The one Keun-dal used to send me.
And that meant only one thing.
“Dammit.”
I realized my voice was familiar in a different sense, and next, I picked up a smartphone and checked my face with the front camera.
“…….”
It really is Ryu Gun-woo, fuck….
“Dammit.”
[Hyung? Are you in my body right now?]
“Yeah!”
Hey, you said I didn't have any system left!
I think that thought just went through the chat pop-up too, but let’s put that aside for now… Think, what can I do?
‘Access.’
Keun-dal could access Park Moon-dae’s status window! While sharing his vision.
I didn't know if I could do it, but I had to try.
‘Is it… the same way I call the status window?’
I focused my thoughts.
Park Moon-dae, status window, system, access, connect….
Connect.
[-CONNECT-]
And then.
Vision and sensations surfaced in my mind. It was the sensation of Park Moon-dae standing by for the radio show.
It was true; I could use the sensory sharing Keun-dal had mentioned.
‘Phew.’
The relief of it working was only momentary.
…Because a hologram popped up in the shared vision of Park Moon-dae.
A familiar status window pop-up.
[SUDDEN!]
Status Effect: Mission Failure: Restoration
- Everything returns to its original state as if it never happened.
: Time remaining until end: 23:59:59 (1 day)
“…….”
[I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s going on! All I see here is something about a mission failure….]
And I instinctively realized what was happening.
Ah, fuck.
“It was with you.”
[Pardon??]
“It was with you.”
This goddamn 1/4 system status effect hadn't triggered from me, but from that guy….
And it happened by swapping our bodies ten minutes before the radio standby!
[Aaaaah!]
That was the beginning.
<To be continued in Part 2>