Chapter 36
Chapter 36
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Before the Stage
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“We will now determine the performance order through a simple game.”
The performance order was decided by a game.
The game was a speed quiz while wearing headphones, but since we couldn't hear a thing, it ended up being a chaotic mess of random words.
A lot of funny situations arose, so it seemed like it would make for good broadcast footage.
Our turn was in the middle.
Fourth.
It was a bit of an awkward spot, but I wasn't dissatisfied or anything.
“Shall we go practice right away then?”
Just as we were about to resume practice, a writer appeared again, holding a microphone.
'What is it? Is there something else we haven't finished?'
“There's one more announcement.”
Murmurs spread through the room.
“What is it?”
“An announcement out of nowhere like this is a little scary.”
I turned my head and saw Park Ji-ham also chewing on his lip, waiting for the writer's next words.
“Today, there will be a room change.”
Until now, our rooms had been fixed ever since the first ranking evaluation.
Because of that, the number of people in each room varied.
In the case of A-rank, the most trainees had survived, so their room had the most occupants.
“Suddenly?”
“Right now, at this timing?”
I had a feeling.
Changing rooms at a time like this could only mean one thing.
'They're going to make us share rooms with our teammates.'
“From now on, you will be sharing rooms with your teammates.”
My prediction was spot on.
“Please return to your rooms now, pack your things, and then come back here.”
“Yes.”
Everyone returned to their rooms in an orderly fashion and began to pack.
“I guess we'll have separate rooms now.”
“I guess so.”
We exchanged light conversation as we walked.
“I hope we're on the same team next time. We've never been on the same team once.”
Haru said as he approached me.
“Me too.”
“Ah. If that's the case, you have to include me too.”
Kang Ju-hyeok joined the conversation with a playful expression.
“Wouldn't our team be too amazing then?”
Haru said jokingly.
Honestly, if the three of us were on a team, it would be incredibly powerful.
All top-ranked, A-rank trainees: a main vocalist, a main dancer, and a lead vocalist who was practically an all-rounder.
'The performance would be absolutely amazing.'
After packing our things and heading to the gym, the staff immediately guided us to another location.
It seemed they had already prepared all the rooms while we were doing the recreational activities.
“You two will be using this room.”
With that, the staff member left.
“Shall we go in?”
“Yes.”
I opened the door and entered the room.
“Oh.”
It was a much more comfortable space than the last one.
It didn't look like an office with a few bunk beds thrown in; it actually felt like a real room.
The floor was covered with white all-season tiles, and against the walls on either side were fairly wide beds.
The room wasn't that large, but it actually felt more spacious than before.
“Which side do you want?”
“Either is fine with me.”
“Then, may I take the right bed?”
“Yes.”
I casually unpacked my bag on the right bed.
It was fine during practice because we had the shared goal of working on something together, but being alone in a room during a break felt a little awkward.
The silence continued.
“Um…”
Park Ji-ham cautiously spoke to me.
“Would you like to play a game with me? I brought some cards.”
***
Time flew by, and the day of the performance arrived.
Thanks to Park Ji-ham suggesting we play a game, we were able to get quite a bit closer after that.
It was a real relief that spending time in the room was no longer uncomfortable.
“The bus is now departing.”
We were up early in the morning to get our hair and makeup done.
However, they didn't let us change into our stage outfits.
The reason was that there would be a brief moment to greet fans in front of the venue, and the outfits could be a spoiler.
'The thought of meeting fans is making me unnecessarily nervous.'
The bus heading to the venue was quieter than ever.
Everyone seemed tense at the thought of meeting their fans after so long.
“We've arrived, let's get off.”
“Yes.”
As we stepped off the bus, a wave of passionate cheers greeted us.
I could see slogans waving everywhere.
Among them, one slogan stood out clearly.
[I'll be your light, so you can always shine upon the sea.]
It was a familiar slogan.
'That's been around since I first debuted.'
It was the phrase promoted by my very first fan account, right after I debuted with GANGSTER-M.
[Water Shimmer]
It was the pure Korean expression for Yoon-seul.
'I hadn't seen it once since Yoo Jin-hyung left the group.'
But the fan account hadn't disappeared.
All the videos were still there, untouched.
Even the mocking comments that kept popping up would all be deleted before I knew it.
That's why I had vaguely thought that they hadn't come to hate me completely, but had just grown tired of the situation and moved on.
'Could it be them?'
I had never seen their face, so I couldn't tell if it was the actual person or if someone had just quoted the phrase.
'I hope it's them.'
I had always wanted to thank them one day.
There were many times I endured hardship by watching those videos.
The memory of someone having loved me.
That alone became my driving force, allowing me to continue my life as an idol.
“Haru!”
“Yeo-jun! Look over here! Please!”
“Ho-jun!”
Shouts that were almost roars came from all directions.
“Yoon-seul! Here! Over here!”
My name was mixed in among them.
The sounds were so tangled and overlapping that I had to focus just to see the faces of those calling my name.
I gave them a light wave.
“There's a reason we arrived at the venue earlier than last time today.”
A writer came over with a megaphone and began to give us instructions.
At that, the screaming fans fell silent all at once.
The sudden quiet felt as if a magic spell had been cast.
“We're going to give you about 30 minutes to talk with your respective fans.”
“Waaaaah!”
The slogans bobbed up and down.
It looked like a wave.
“If you look in the parking lot, you'll see signs with the contestants' names on them. Did you see those?”
“Yes!”
The fans answered the writer's question in unison.
“Please follow our staff's guidance and move slowly in that direction. The contestants will be heading there shortly.”
The fans followed the staff in an orderly fashion.
It seemed to be out of fear that they wouldn't be able to participate in the 30-minute mini fan meeting if they didn't listen.
“As I mentioned a moment ago, we're going to give you 30 minutes to talk with your fans, okay?”
“Yes.”
Listening to the writer, everyone began to tidy up their appearance.
I found myself needlessly fixing my hair.
“When there are five minutes left, we'll signal by waving our hands like this, so you'll need to wrap things up. Otherwise, it could cause delays for the performance. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“And just to be sure, I'm reminding you one more time: absolutely no spoilers. Giving spoilers could result in penalties.”
Only after all the announcements were finished did we follow the staff to where the fans were waiting.
“Hello.”
“Hi!”
“Was it hard getting here?”
“Not at all!”
“It was fine!”
After the light greetings were exchanged, I couldn't think of what to say.
“I'm sorry. I haven't had many chances to talk with fans like this, so it might be a little awkward.”
“Don't worry! We're happy just seeing your face! We're so happy!”
It was a cheerful voice, as if trying to comfort me.
“Thank you.”
Just as I was about to continue the conversation, the slogan I had seen when I got off the bus caught my eye again.
“Excuse me. The person holding the slogan that says, 'I'll be your light, so you can always shine upon the sea.' Did you happen to quote that from the account called Water Shimmer?”
At my question, the slogan shook violently.
“I'm the account owner! You remember me?”
I never thought it would really be them.
“Yes. I remember. It was the first fan account I ever had in my life. How could I forget? Thank you. I really wanted to say that. Thanks to you, I was able to endure the hard times.”
“I'm even more thankful!”
“And I'm sorry. You went through a lot because of me, didn't you? Honestly, I'm truly sorry to everyone here. If you had liked a different idol, you wouldn't have had to go through all that.”
My head hung down on its own.
“Lift your head!”
“You have nothing to be sorry for!”
“That's right. We just love you! That's what love is! It's being there for someone and comforting them when they're having a tough time!”
A flood of comforting voices poured over me.
Somehow, it felt like my and the fans' roles had been reversed.
Usually, it's the idol who comforts the fans and brings them joy.
Thinking that, I resolved to get myself together.
I lifted my head straight and raised the corners of my mouth for the fans.
“Thank you for smiling!”
“You look so handsome today!”
Compliments poured in.
As I was slowly scanning the fans, I saw a familiar face.
“What? Sis, what are you doing here?”
The words slipped out before I could think.
At my word, 'sis,' the fans started looking around.
And soon enough, they found her.
It was inevitable.
While everyone else was looking around, she was the only one with her head bowed low, a flustered look on her face.
“Be quiet!”
“No. Your voice is louder right now, sis.”
“I want to go hide somewhere right now.”
My sister's face was turning as red as a tomato.
“But you didn't say you were coming today.”
“I tried for a ticket and got one. I didn't think I'd get it either! Now stop and talk to your fans! I don't want to take up their time!”
My sister snapped.
“We're okay! It's our first time seeing this side of Yoon-seul!”
“His younger-brother vibe is so cute!”
Despite my sister's cry that she didn't want to take away time from the fans, since we only had 30 minutes, the fans were delighted to see this natural side of me.
Come to think of it, I'd never had a chance to show my fans what I'm like when I talk to my sister.
“Is it obvious that I'm the younger brother?”
“It wasn't before, but it is now!”
It was the first time I realized I gave off a younger-brother vibe.
“Are you close with your sister?”
“Close? I think we're pretty close. We fought a lot when we were kids, but not so much anymore.”
“That's amazing!”
My sister's appearance made it easier to talk.
Having family here gave me strength. For some reason, I felt like I could do well today.