Chapter 132: Featuring Recording (3)
These days, whispers of "I wish every day could be like this" were circulating unusually among the Honey Enter staff. Things were going that smoothly.
The song I featured on for iAngel's senior Nana had successfully lined up on the charts, and thanks to that, my singing skills—which had flown under the radar—were finally getting recognized.
What was kinda ridiculous was that even the agency staff were shocked when they heard my featuring part. I could feel their blatant stares like, "Wait, he's this good?"
The members were super salty about it too, like, "When did you get this good?" I just played it cool, telling them, "I've always been this level—you guys just didn't know."
Now they were all deflated, admitting I'd truly surpassed them.
Once my skills came to light, casting offers started pouring in from unexpected places. Not just for me, but the other members too.
"Masked Singer! Whoa, they have that here too."
"Huh?"
"Nah, just talking to myself."
"Masked Singer seems perfect for you, in my opinion. And your web drama's blowing up lately, so they want to cast you, Jun, and Kang Taeho together for a concept photoshoot."
"What'd they say? You gonna do it?"
"Yeah, they said they're down. Honestly, they're not in a position to be picky about cold or hot rice."
"Then we should do it too."
"Cool. That's a yes... And?"
"No featuring offers for me?"
That's when Kang Jun piped up with some greed.
Manager Noona paused, flustered, then said, "You wanna do a featuring?"
"Yeah. I can sing well too..."
"Right, our Jun sings great."
Manager Noona hurriedly buttered him up with praise to soothe him. Who wouldn't know why Jun was saying that right now? But she couldn't magically conjure a featuring gig out of thin air.
"What about unit activities then?"
"Unit? With who?"
"Eungyu seems kinda into unit stuff too. And Kyungtae hyung."
"Eungyu, Kyungtae, and you? Hmm, it's not like we can just do it 'cause we want to. Plus, we're gearing up for overseas activities soon."
"Overseas already?"
"The response over there is killer. iAngel has tons of international fans, and this featuring shot our recognition through the roof. So we're planning to focus next activities overseas."
For the group, prioritizing overseas over units would help way more. Jun knew that, so he wasn't throwing a full tantrum. But you could tell he was a bit hurt after putting thought into suggesting it and getting shot down.
Living together so long, even with a guy who hides it well, I could spot when he was sulking.
"Feeling bummed?"
I asked Jun on the way back to the dorm after Manager Noona left.
"...Nah. Overseas is more important anyway."
"Important's important, but it's still upsetting when you can't do what you want. Hey, why am I not in your unit idea? Kinda salty now."
"Hyung never cared about units."
True. Might as well spend that time with more girls.
"Think they'll let us do a unit after overseas? In the meantime, work Jeki hard for some good tracks. Hey, I'm learning composing these days—I'll make you one for your unit."
"A song composed by hyung?"
"Oho, skeptical? Come on! Not to brag, but I'm a genius. Genius. You don't trust your hyung?"
"Who said that? I know hyung's a genius."
Face genius, vocal genius, dance genius, acting genius. He grumbled that I make everyone around me feel hopeless 'cause I excel at everything.
"And this genius is gonna make you a banger. You against it?"
"...Nah, make it for me."
Jun caved quick, even without hearing my composing. Probably figured since I'd grown so much in everything else, this too.
I threw an arm around him.
"What style you like? Just say the word. I'll make a timeless classic."
Prime age for daydreaming. Jun's cheeks flushed as he shyly spilled his tastes.
"I like pop."
"Oho, pop! Pop's great. Which artists?"
"Jayken Pan and Ace the most. Oh! And Entimakso's songs are the best! And..."
He chattered on like crazy—I wondered if I'd been too distant with the kids. Thought we were tight, but seeing him open up like this felt new. Guess it was my illusion.
For some reason, it felt like I'd finally gotten truly close to Jun.
With things like this, I really needed to make him a killer track. To ease the unit disappointment, I listened to his unit plans all the way back to the dorm, where the members were lounging around.
"We're back~!"
"You guys are here! Hyungnim!"
"Everyone's at the dorm today? It's packed."
"Yup yup, no schedules."
"Feels like forever since we were all here at this hour."
"Yep."
Usually, no schedule meant they were out playing or whatever—rare to see 'em home.
Jeki holes up in the studio composing; Uyeon’s always busy with his horde of friends; Kyungtae hits the gym; Eungyu games at his PC; Jun’s so quiet you forget he’s there. Me? Same—I’m out with girls thanks to my cheat glasses on off days.
Not exactly a tight-knit brotherhood squad.
Fans might dream of our unbreakable bond, but with everyone loving their solo vibes, it just wasn't happening.
"We're all together for once—shouldn't we do something?"
"Just us?"
"Yeah! Just us!"
"I'm in! Totally in!! What?"
"Games."
"Nah."
Eungyu's solo game vote got shot down quick. After pondering, we settled on one idea: live app! Real-time fan chats for stars.
"Show 'em the full group after so long."
"Agreed!"
"But we look like neighborhood uncles right now, no?"
Uyeon’s sharp point sent us scrambling to fix hair and clothes. Idols or not, home means comfy mess.
"No random outfits—wear the hoodies fans sent last time."
"Huh? Hoodies?"
"Ooh, smart!"
Outfit swaps, do-overs, chaos later—we regrouped.
"Whoa, you guys the same as five minutes ago?"
"Heh heh."
"Evolved from basement NEETs to humans."
"Hyung, you got BB cream?"
"Nah, just changed clothes. Why? Weird?"
"Nah, who'd critique your face."
Snickered at Eungyu’s dry jab, settled in. Uyeon yellow, Kyungtae red, Eungyu blue, Jeki black, Jun green, me purple. Cute Airplane planes on the colorful hoodies—fan-designed treasures we cherished.
"Manager Noona cool with it?"
"Yup! Green light."
"Positions."
Sofa central, Jeki set up the live phone on tripod, angled for all, plus extra for chat.
"Starting?"
"Yeah!"
Ding! Sudden live app broadcast! Airplane fans jolted by the surprise gift, rushing in via notifications.
Chats flew by. Viewers hit 1k, then 2k fast.
"Whoa~ Hi everyone!"
No wonder we put cheery Uyeon front and center. He beamed first.
"You all good? We're good. Been so busy with solos, full group's been MIA for greetings. No plans today, but all here at dorm felt special—had to do something."
Uyeon chattered with fans; members glowed happy. Chats brimmed with love—no need to worry what to say.
"Oh! Hyungs' web drama blew up, right? Hyungs! Spill some set stories."
"Set stories?"
I pondered; Jun jumped in.
"First acting gig, super nervous on day one. Then Haesol hyung..."
We shared set tales, updates. Each member's recent gigs followed.
Sudden live, nothing fancy—yet viewers swelled, chats raced. Tough to keep up.
Post-talk, mini corner: "Basement Karaoke." Show off skills post-featuring hype. Members no slouches—karaoke ploy worked.
Atmosphere peaked.
Started serious to flex, but pranks kicked in—real karaoke chaos. Fans still cheered, "My baby's killing it!" Loved the fun messing around.
"Whoa~ Almost 2 hours already."
"Time to wrap?"
"Aigoo, they say don't go."
"They say end now."
Manager Noona's text urged wrap-up ages ago. Waved bye forever to sad fans, live off.
"Kinda bittersweet."
"That was a blast."
"Danced like crazy. Made black history? Oops."
Post-live, sanity returned—members replayed memories. Karaoke hype had 'em shaking butts wild; I saw it coming.
"Fans loved it—that's what matters."
"Urgh."
My high-note crack was duvet-kick fuel tonight. But Manager Noona's monitoring said fan chats were golden—worth the burn.