Chapter 108: When It Explodes, It Explodes (8)
108. When It Explodes, It Explodes (8)
After chattering for a while longer, the recording time had unknowingly arrived.
The three of them, having arrived slightly earlier than the announced time after lunch and helped distribute Mandu Bear's slogans, were able to join the waiting line without issue.
"Excuse me... whose fans are you?"
"We're Dohajin and Siwoo fans."
"Ah! This is Eunchan's slogan—would you like one?"
"Oh, yes, please. Give it to us."
As they received slogans of other trainees in between and browsed the goods distributed by Miro Maze's production team, the three were gradually admitted into the studio. Though it was only mid-May and not particularly hot outside, stepping into the studio with its blasting air conditioning sent a shiver down their spines.
"Hey, the security check isn't as strict as I thought."
"Right? Still, better safe than sorry."
"I'll be the shield. Mandu Bear, keep an eye out later."
"Got it, got it."
Surprisingly, they managed to sneak in the camera without much trouble. Since the audience seating was quite dark, they figured they could hide it well enough to avoid detection throughout the performance.
"Hello, everyone~!"
Once the audience was seated, a casually dressed PD climbed onto the stage. The bespectacled PD smoothly engaged with the crowd, microphone in hand.
"Alright, let me briefly explain today's recording order and voting method—then we'll get right to the trainees' performances! Let's practice reactions and cheers first~!"
The PD onstage went through the audience guidelines, voting instructions, and finally prompted the audience to rehearse their reactions.
"Okay, if a trainee comes out—cheer! Clap!"
For about ten minutes, they practiced clapping, cheering, and even shouting the names of their favorite trainees. Though it was just a rehearsal, the presence of cameras and staff suggested they were pre-recording reactions to splice into the final edit.
"Great job, everyone. We'll start recording soon~."
As the PD stepped down, a younger-looking PD climbed onto the stage with a clapperboard.
"Slating~! One, two, three!"
With a crisp call, the clapperboard snapped shut with a sharp sound.
Ah, this reminds me of Kang Sleet.
Soda chuckled softly, recalling Hajin's clapperboard scene from Episode 2. Mandu Bear seemed to be thinking the same thing, judging by the knowing smile they exchanged.
You too?
Yep, me too.
After a brief contemplation on whether fandom could unlock telepathy, the studio dimmed, leaving only minimal lighting. Though it was dark, Soda, seated fairly close to the stage, could vaguely make out someone stepping onto it.
Thud—
A single spotlight flared to life at the back of the darkened stage. Bathed in its glow, a silhouette slowly walked toward the center.
"Damn, what are those proportions?"
"Are those legs two meters long?"
Murmurs of awe rippled through the audience. The silhouette looked like something straight out of a 3D cartoon. Though the backlight obscured his face, everyone in the audience already knew who he was.
Yoo Taeil, Miro Maze's MC—the man who had recently driven viewers to absurd comments like, "Is the MC redebuting too?"—stood before them.
"That oppa seriously doesn't age..."
"Look at that suit fit. Who would believe he's a 30-something military veteran?"
"If that's an ahjussi, then from today onward, ahjussis are my type..."
Once the murmurs died down, Taeil delivered his opening line with flawless, effortless charisma.
"To those who seek the sun, soar high. The third journey to become Miro's Icarus."
Thud, thud, thud—!
With rhythmic precision, additional lights illuminated the studio.
"Seventeen trainees challenging to become Miro's third idol group. And Desty, who will guide them as their final destination—welcome!"
"Waaah!"
Amid thunderous applause, the darkened stage brightened in an instant. LED screens unfurled around Taeil, bathing the space in vibrant colors as moving lights set the mood.
Finally revealed in full, Yoo Taeil's presence was staggering. Even in a simple suit, his aura had people covering their mouths in awe.
"Today, you'll witness three stages prepared by our seventeen trainees. Are you excited?"
"Yeeees!"
"Of course!!!!"
"Aaah~!"
"Haha, wow, we better get started then."
Taeil smirked at the enthusiastic response. Beside Soda, Mandu Bear was sneakily trying to snap test shots of him. Soda subtly shielded them while keeping an eye on the distant security.
"Today, you'll see three stages prepared by our trainees. Since this is the first time they're performing for you, their one and only destination—Desty—the order is entirely up to you."
It's up to us?
As confusion rippled through the crowd, Taeil gestured lightly, and the LED screens behind him changed again.
On the right, left, and center screens, three different keywords appeared, each with matching graphics.
<Confession>
<Liberation>
<Festival>
"Each keyword represents the central theme of a team's performance. Starting now, press the button corresponding to the keyword of the stage you'd like to see first. The team with the most votes will perform first."
This round's voting had two main phases.
After watching a team's performance, they'd vote on whether they liked it, then vote again for the trainee they thought stood out most. They could vote for all three stages if they wanted, but only one trainee per team.
Since this wasn't a direct competition between teams, the order didn't matter much—it was just a fun little event.
"Also, there won't be any pre-stage greetings today. Enjoy the performances like surprise gifts, and we'll have time to chat with the trainees afterward. Don't be too shocked."
"Your visuals are the most shocking thing here~!"
Someone in the audience couldn't resist shouting a personal comment. Since everyone agreed, laughter erupted despite attempts to stay composed.
Taeil glanced toward the voice with a faint smirk, then nodded smugly as if to say, I know.
"Of course I do."
His shameless reply drew another wave of laughter. Unfazed, Taeil continued without a hint of embarrassment.
"Alright, Desty! Now, choose the keyword of the stage you want to see first!"
The audience buzzed as they clutched their voting necklaces. Soda frantically deliberated with Mandu Bear.
Confession, Liberation, Festival.
Only three options, yet the choice felt agonizing.
"What do we pick? Mandu Bear, what are you going for?"
"I think... since it's the first one, Confession!"
"What about you, Gwa-jam?"
"Uh, you decide for me. I'm kinda spaced out."
"Okay, okay. Then we'll all pick Confession?"
Soda pressed Button 1 on Gwa-jam's behalf. All around them, the sounds of buttons being clicked echoed.
"Ah, but I feel like Doha's team is Liberation."
"Then vote for Liberation!"
"No, I'm not ready to face Doha in person yet."
Soda's firm reply sealed their choice. She'd deliberately picked Confession—the furthest from Doha—as the first stage. Even though she saw his face daily on screen, facing him in real life was a different story.
"Time's up! Voting is closed."
The LED screens reverted to their default backdrop. Taeil accepted the results from an assistant with an intrigued expression.
"Ah, this team? Perfect for the first stage. Which trainees have you summoned onto the stage? Miro Maze's first performance—begin!"
Deafening cheers erupted as the stage plunged into darkness again.
Soda's heart pounded uncontrollably. Who's coming? What's the stage? Just as she mindlessly flapped Doha's slogan in anticipation, she sensed movement onstage.
The LED screens above lit up, displaying the chosen keyword and its background.
<Confession>
Against a yellow backdrop, candies and chocolates flew around. Clearly, most had picked the lighthearted Confession for the first stage. As excited cheers erupted, the music began.
Hwii— hwieeee—
A whistle?
A clear, bright whistle rang out. Slowly, light spilled onto the stage, revealing four trainees standing with their backs turned. The cheers grew louder.
1, 2, 3, 4!
With someone's count-in, a New Jack Swing rhythm fused with synth-pop kicked in. One by one, starting from the left, the trainees turned around.
"AAAAH! SEO TAEHYUN!!!!!!!!"
Kotori beige baby perm hair adorned with colorful hairpins sparkled like jewels.
Dressed in a white shirt layered with a light pink knit, black shorts, white knee-high socks, and black loafers, Seo Taehyun knelt on one knee as if confessing, holding out a bouquet of pink roses with both hands.
"Are you insane?! ARE YOU INSANE?!"
"SO PRETTY, SEO TAEHYUN!!!!!!!!"
The moment they recognized Taehyun, the audience erupted. But as the other members turned one by one, the cheers only grew louder.
"What is this lineup?!"
Next to Taehyun, Park Jaeyoung wore a pink sailor uniform with a red ribbon, a single red rose between his teeth. His exaggerated pose and smug expression radiated the energy of a cheeky younger brother.
Umm, umm—
Similarly, Parang and Yuki, in pink-and-white preppy outfits, linked arms while forming a giant heart with their free hands—Parang with a blue corsage, Yuki with a yellow floral crown.
Finally, Dan Haru in a beret and pink cardigan revealed a second bouquet hidden behind his back—except instead of flowers, it was packed with strawberry milk-flavored lollipops.
The members stared at him in shock, but it was unbearably cute!
"MAKNAE LINE!!!!!!"
"Baby, noona loves lollipops!"
Amidst the audience's collective meltdown, the trainees moved into formation, shifting from a straight line to a W-shape as the whistle melody repeated.
"Wait, I know this song! It's—it's—what's it called?!"
"Ah! I'll Say It!"
"Just say it already!"
"Huh? No, the title is I'll Say It!"
As Mandu Bear blurted it out, Soda immediately recognized the song.
And she thought:
Wow, they're fully committed to being adorable.
What an impeccable song choice!