Chapter 565
Chapter 565
Choreography rehab went smoothly.
In any case, my body had only been out of commission for half a day. So... I just had to revive the parts that my brain, which had been stuck six months in the past, had forgotten.
‘It only took a day to get the angles right for the event choreography.’
...Of course, the fact that the "half-day" I was out happened to be in a JSA military visitation room was a bit dizzying when I first realized it.
‘I thought Cheong-ryeo’s military life was headed for the abyss.’
However, the man himself was nonchalant.
Rejected.
‘Look at him trying to get a free ride.’
I almost kicked the bucket trying to recover your fragment; did you leave your conscience in the past?
Anyway, just as he’d calmly predicted, the controversy over Cheong-ryeo’s "celebrity privilege" remained quiet without becoming a target of public scrutiny.
It meant they had blocked it like an iron fortress.
‘He really is something.’
Just thinking about meeting VTIC when they get discharged next year makes my teeth grind. I hammered it into my brain once more that I needed to draw up a solid annual plan before then.
Thinking about rival groups made my head spin with calculations.
Come to think of it, I remembered that there was another member of a rival group present at the scene, not just TeSTAR.
Even if it was only via video call.
Gold 2, Kwon Hee-seung.
In the midst of all that, he had remembered me and stayed on the video call, trying to help however he could.
Though he started spouting nonsense as his tension bled away into a stream of consciousness.
Regardless, he left for his schedule, relieved by my condition.
Since we were under the same agency, I really intended to do something for him.
Then, what did I plan to do for TeSTAR, who were in the same group and had even used their "Blessings" to save my life?
...Of course, I had a plan.
"One more time!"
"Right."
There was no time. These guys were currently dedicating themselves entirely to cooperating with my choreography rehab.
‘It’s a bit much, though.’
Lately, it felt like we were all practicing together at a level similar to the team training camps back during Idol Inc.
While this was indeed the best way to synchronize the angles of a group dance, I honestly felt like I was taking up too much of their time.
"Okay~ It’s perfectly in sync now."
"Yeah. I think I can do it on my own now."
"Oh~ Is Moon-dae’s habit of trying to do everything by himself coming out again?"
"..."
I shut my mouth.
It felt like Keun Se-jin was nagging me every hour, but I couldn't find a way to refute him. It was a fact that I had almost died, wasn't it?
‘Let’s just be grateful, considering the price of my life.’
Recalling the guys who had watched over me persistently and bestowed their Blessings, my irritation subsided.
Besides, even if he talked like this, he was being cooperative to the point of being somewhat devoted to the dance practice, so I decided to let it slide.
He’d stop once he felt better. I leisurely took a sip of water.
Of course, this peace of mind likely stemmed from the fact that the System was gone.
I recalled what Keun-dal—that is, Ryu Gun-woo—had declared in a trembling voice after checking on me before we parted.
It was refreshing.
If there was one slight regret, it was that I could no longer chat with him like telepathy, but that was something modern civilization could handle.
‘It’s not like I kept a smartphone just to use it as a barbecue grill.’
Since then, we had been exchanging updates via calls and messages.
Ryu Gun-woo seemed to be doing well.
"Good work, everyone~"
"Thank you."
By the time about three days had passed, I was in a state where I could easily keep up with the practice for the new special arrangement version for the year-end stages.
There were photo shoots in between, but those required no rehab. It was something I had done even during my acting career.
Though, when I explained that fact, a few members were taken aback.
"Wait, so for you... you felt all of that in real-time?"
"Yes."
"You actually debuted as an actor?"
"Yeah."
Still, Bae Se-jin seemed somewhat excited for some reason. After that, he would subtly bring up the topic during every break.
Other than that, the schedule was being reorganized smoothly without any major issues.
TeSTAR Park Moon-dae’s life was steadily returning to normal.
...Perhaps it was faster because being subjected to the System’s ridiculous bullshit and then trying to return to daily life wasn't something that had happened only once or twice.
In any case.
‘It’s peaceful.’
During a break, I lay down on the floor of the practice room and blinked.
The sense of stability made me feel drowsy, but otherwise, it was perfectly comfortable.
Ryu Cheong-woo and Cha Yu-jin had volunteered to go out for drinks to get some fresh air, so once I shoved an iced coffee into my mouth, I’d be able to practice like someone who’d snapped to their senses after a splash of cold water.
Click.
"We’re back."
Oh, and right on time, the two of them walked through the door.
In their hands was a carrier with drinks... no.
‘That looks like some kind of box.’
They were holding a rectangular object wrapped in paper.
Just as I was wondering about it, the box was suddenly thrust in front of my face.
"...??"
It was large; anyone could see it wasn't the size of an Americano.
‘What is this?’
As I reflexively sat up, Ryu Cheong-woo, who had held out the box, spoke.
"Moon-dae, happy birthday."
"..."
Ah.
Right. Today was... the day before Park Moon-dae’s birthday.
‘Did they pretend to go out just to bring in the presents?’
Sure enough, Cha Yu-jin, who followed behind, didn't have any drinks in his hands either. Instead, he held something wrapped that was enormous in size with both hands.
Furthermore, the other guys were also creeping around in the back, pulling things out; it seemed the two largest members had gone out to bring the bulky items in without being noticed.
"...Thank you."
I accepted the gift box Ryu Cheong-woo handed me.
When I opened it, inside was a dart set.
It was a custom-made version of the very darts we had used to choose our performance songs on a previous variety show.
My signature sparkled in the reflection at the ends of the yellow and wood-colored darts.
"Actually, I thought about giving it to you on the 8th, your actual birthday... but I thought you’d like it more if we all gave them to you during the period the fans are celebrating."
And saying he was glad he waited, Ryu Cheong-woo gave a wide grin.
"..."
He was right.
"Let’s use these darts well until I can beat you, Hyung."
"Of course."
The guy who was good at any kind of long-range attack answered readily. I let out a short laugh.
"OK. Now, take my present!"
And from that moment, the gifts they had prepared began to pour in.
"A doll?"
"Yeees."
The gift Cha Yu-jin gave was exactly like him.
It was an extra-large tiger plushie wearing sunglasses.
I could already see the future. This was communal property. It would end up being used as a cushion under the living room sofa.
"...I heard you like apples. That, uh, it supposedly has an apple scent too."
"Ah, I bought something with apples too~"
Bae Se-jin gave a diffuser from a brand he often used, and Keun Se-jin gave a sweatshirt from some brand. It had a comfortable texture with a large apple illustration printed on it.
It was somewhat amusing how these guys always chose similar themes but went through completely opposite processes.
"...Wear it well, Moon-dae Moon-dae."
"Thanks."
I designated the sweatshirt as my practice wear.
And the next guy was...
"If you would just allow me a little more time...!"
"It’s not your birthday yet, Rae-bin."
For the record, Kim Rae-bin, who was hesitating in the back, looked like he was about to give a full deep bow while saying he was "still preparing," so I stopped him.
"H-here."
Finally, Seon A-hyun gave me a muffler along with a set of icing cookies.
The surprising thing was... the latter was also handmade.
"Seon A-hyun made these?"
"...! A-hyun did?"
"I-I only did the decoration...!"
"Phew."
Why do you guys look so visibly relieved?
‘Ridiculous guys.’
With that, the gift presentation ceremony came to an end.
"I’ll say it again, happy birthday, Moon-dae."
I looked at the pile of gifts that were difficult to hold with both hands, and then at the wrapping paper scattered all over the floor.
‘When are we going to clean all this up? Why did you insist on giving them to me in the practice room?’
Of course, I knew the reason.
Because it was a birthday celebration.
They probably did it to create a special feeling.
They must have tried to give them in a fun way, considering my mental state and stability as much as possible.
"Let’s have the cake tomorrow."
"...Yes."
"The flavor is a secret. Even if Moon-dae Hyung asks, I won't tell you."
"Fine."
And so, I returned to the dorm with a full load of unexpected gifts.
Was it because it had been six months since things like this happened, or was it because I had truly thought I might die?
Strangely, the sense of elation wouldn't fade.
‘What is this?’
It wasn't even a concert or anything.
Even the birthday wishes already appearing on my SNS timeline after arriving at the dorm fueled that elation.
Diverse posts and photos from people with different personalities and ways of speaking overflowed.
All those various expressions ultimately meant they were celebrating my birthday.
"..."
In the end, I sat at my desk and began to press the keys.
For a slightly early birthday letter.
If I attached a puppy emoji after this, the sentence I always used would be complete.
Sharing the sentiment of being familiar with such a formula with so many people felt somewhat awkward, yet not bad.
I hesitated for a moment, then added the next line.
A letter written by Park Moon-dae.
What followed was the tone and writing style of the "TeSTAR Park Moon-dae" image I had built since debut.
It meant I put my heart and soul into trying to look naturally gentle.
The idol-speak that now came out comfortably even reached a natural conclusion.
‘Now, if I attach a photo after this...’
"..."
I stopped my hand for a moment.
I knew that fans actually liked photos more.
Still, this time.
I wrote down the thoughts that came to mind, more honestly and at greater length than before.
No, I didn't intend to write this honestly.
I almost stopped typing, slightly flustered by the words writing themselves, but I pushed past that fluster and continued to write.
Even if I were to edit it later, I wanted to write it as it was for now.
After finally blathering out these incredibly embarrassing words, the main point I truly wanted to write finally came out.
I mean you, the one reading this.
In reality, the fact that I wasn't born on this day didn't matter anymore.
I just... realized that seeing people rejoice and commemorate my birth was a pleasant enough thing to cause elation.
To the point where such cringeworthy words kept pouring out.
I finished the post I had written by pressing down hard on the keys.
And then I suppressed a scream.
"...Am I crazy?"
Since my debut—no, since I was born—I had never written anything with this kind of late-night sentimentality.
‘I’m not a teenager.’
I covered my eyes and groaned.
But... but still.
"..."
‘I don’t want to cut it.’
I finally took my hands completely off the keyboard.
And I pressed save.
Eventually, at midnight a few hours later.
That post was uploaded without any edits.
Along with the final phrase.
"Moon-dae Moon-dae."
"What."
"To think you’d post such a confession on the internet while saying it’s a secret from the members, as expected of the skill of a Grand Prize-winning idol~."
"..."
"The Loviewers are going wild saying you’re so cute... Ack! Argh! No, it’s a compliment! It’s a compliment, Moon-dae Moon-dae!"
So noisy.
I quickly fled to my room... no, made a strategic retreat before the other guys could join the fray.
‘Whew.’
Fortunately, Kim Rae-bin was working on a song with an intensity that looked like he was about to be sucked into the PC, and I successfully locked the door and sat on my bed.
‘Maybe I should have left out the part about the members.’
...Well, still, it wasn't bad to see Keun Se-jin acting as slick as usual.
Thinking about how the others would come in grinning to talk to me after seeing that, I decided to enjoy a moment of silence.
Actually, that post wasn't the only thing I sent at midnight.
Tap.
I turned on my smartphone and checked the message I had sent earlier.
It was a text sent to Keun-dal.
The Park Moon-dae I knew. To the guy who had now become Ryu Gun-woo.
‘He probably received congratulations from his acquaintances today, December 8th, on Ryu Gun-woo’s birthday, but...’
Still, wouldn't a birthday wish received on the actual day from someone who knows your original birthday have a different flavor?
Just as it had for me before.
"..."
And there was a reply to that text.
It was short, but it would be fine to start from there.
I closed the message with a smile.
Just as I was briefly lost in sentiment.
"Moon-dae Hyung!"
Whoa.
I locked eyes with Kim Rae-bin, who had taken off his headset and was looking this way before I knew it.
Wait.
‘Surely this guy isn't planning to tease me too.’
But as if to make me feel sorry for doubting him, this was the business he called me for.
"Here... I just finished the final work on this!"
"...This is."
"It’s a song I made with you as the theme, Hyung."
I accepted the headset handed to me by the hollow-eyed, flushed boy.
A sound that delicately vibrated in my ears burst out from the laptop, following the sheet music.
"..."
"It’s a birthday present!"
Wait a minute.
It’s a gift I’m truly grateful for, and it’s almost touching even to someone like me, but surely this... is it my solo song?
"Ah, I didn't compose it with any specific limitations... but there are several parts I’d like you to sing, Moon-dae Hyung. For example, here..."
"Wait."
"...?"
"So... this is a song you just made however you wanted, without any restrictions."
"That’s right!"
"..."
I rubbed my chin.
"Rae-bin."
"Yes?"
"This is it."
"...?"
The theme for the next comeback had been set.