Fan Frenzy and the Viral Heart

"I speak a little Japanese." "(Japanese) I'm a fan!" Pang-desu. The guy who shouted in a joyful voice rummaged through his backpack, pulling out a pen and notebook. "(Japanese) If it's not too much trouble, could you give me an autograph...!" I couldn't catch every word, but his high-pitched tone and actions made his request crystal clear. Minji, who had frozen for a moment, nodded obediently and signed for him.

Scribble scribble scribble... Meanwhile, the guy next to him sidled up to Haeun hesitantly. "(Japanese) Um... you're... Freyja, right? The one who cosplayed Freyja at GPiF today!"

"Uh... watashi Nihongo tabemasen."

"He seems to recognize you."

"I can tell that much!"

"(Japanese) Please give me an autograph!" The man bowed his head deeply, handing over a notepad and pen. Language barrier or not, his intent was obvious. Haeun signed it like a pro, and the guy hugged the autograph to his chest with pure bliss on his face.

Then another fan raised his index finger cautiously ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and asked us, "(Japanese) Um, if it's not rude... could we maybe... hookshi... take a photo...?"

"He wants to take a photo... right?" Minji glanced at me for approval.

For us, it was more than welcome. Word-of-mouth was gold.

"Do whatever you want."

"Whatever I want...?"

"Yeah."

Fan service had to come from the heart, so I left it to her. "...Then, um... okay...."

"(Japanese) Really!? Uwoo!"

"(Japanese) Thank you! Uwauwa!"

I'd never heard laughter like that before. The guys, sounding like excited gorillas and monkeys, jumped next to Minji with glee. They shot expectant looks at Haeun.

"Yeah, you'd want me in it too, huh." Haeun stood beside her, looking none too thrilled but playing along.

"......."

And Soye hesitated at the back. The two guys hadn't reacted to her at all, so joining felt awkward.

"Sis, get in the back. I'll take it for you."

But having Soye sit out while her groupmates posed? No way. I took the guy's phone and beckoned her lightly.

"Okay, got it."

She answered in her usual voice and stood behind the four like living wallpaper.

"Alright, say cheese? Euum... chee~zu?"

A silent snap, no shutter sound.

"(Japanese) Thank you, thank you!" Handing back the phone, the guy gazed at the photo, his voice trembling like he might cry. Yeah, that's the spirit. A group shot with all of them? Lightning won't strike twice.

"(Japanese) Gacha Show was so much fun! Your reactions were all adorable!"

"(Japanese) I found out after the event—you're an idol group, right? Does Paku have a solo song?"

"Solo song... yeah, but it's on... YouTube...."

"(Japanese) What do I search for?"

"(Japanese) Searching Queens just brings up that British rock band....!"

The two chattered wildly. Minji answered patiently despite her fluster, but Haeun cut in smoothly.

"Don't bully her too much, okay?"

She said it straight-up in Korean, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but her expression shut them down instantly. Though they roared back to life right after.

"(Japanese) Whoa... yabai yabai, what an aura!"

"(Japanese) Sugoi!"

Haeun's "threat" was just a reward to them. They fangirled harder before calming down.

"(Japanese) Sorry, we got too excited. Well, we'll head out then...."

"(Japanese) Have fun sightseeing! Thank you! Seriously!"

Beaming with satisfaction, the two waved and vanished into the crowd. Fan encounters were always a whirlwind, just like at signings.

"Hmm, your faces are spreading faster than I thought."

"Gotta be careful wandering Japan now. Masks on at all times... and tone down the hype a bit, Minji."

"......."

"Minji?"

"Y-Yeah...?"

She was spaced out.

"What's up?"

"It's just... I didn't expect cheers like this... outside too...."

"You were the star of the event."

"B-But... even outside... nothing like this before...."

I stroked her head.

"Hitting you now that you're an idol, huh? Long after debut."

"E-Eh, no, eeeh...."

"Getting solo spotlight apart from the group feels pretty good, right?"

"K-Kinda... yeah...."

I ruffled her hair more as she smiled shyly.

"A-Ah... too rough...."

"'Cause you're cute."

"Haaah...."

"Yes, Chief Secretary."

"An interview offer came in. From 'Idol Magazine', an idol specialist mag, and 'Picasta', an online streaming platform. They want to interview The Queens."

"Interviews? Perfect."

"They want to do it tomorrow during the event...."

"Tomorrow? They're in a rush."

"Yes. So I think we should skip sightseeing and prep tonight...."

"Heading back, got it."

Her logic checked out. But canceling playtime mid-promise? Not cool. Rest was key for peak condition. I glanced at Minji before replying.

"Right now's a bad t—"

Minji grabbed my hand.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm okay... let's prep the interview...."

She'd overheard. And showing this fire? Fan love was powerful.

"...Got it. Heading back now."

"I'll have topic analysis and sample questions ready by then. Bye."

Beep.

I checked with Minji again. "You sure? Still places to hit."

"Yeah...."

No hesitation, just a firm nod.

"Alright, interview prep time! Let's go!"

Haeun nodded eagerly beside us—relief more than enthusiasm, probably. I turned to Soye last.

"Sis, anything else you wanna see?"

"Nah, none."

She shook her head with a smile. "Let's head back. Prep time."

That smile's edge drooped just a millimeter lower than usual. Subtle, but there.

On the taxi back to the hotel, I asked Soye, "Sis, something bugging you?"

"Huh... do I look off?"

"Yeah. Just a little."

She met my eyes, then smiled. "You're sharp, Sejin~"

"It's you."

"Mmm...."

"Spill. Whatever it is."

She scratched her cheek. "It's nothing... just feels like I'm the only one not living up to your expectations."

"What? No."

"I mean... Haeun and Minji got great reactions here. Haeun's cosplay killed it, Minji's variety exploded."

"Sis, I... didn't do variety...."

"And I feel like I haven't done anything standout."

"You're doing great."

Her popularity lagged theirs a bit, sure, but she gave her all. I knew that.

"Fame's mostly luck anyway. Not your fault... you're killing it."

"Still... it's a chance you made...."

"It's fine. Keep doing you."

"Yeah, sis... you're doing amazing... unlike me, actually working...."

Minji, so you knew you half-assed it.

"Thanks, girls. Hehe...."

"(Japanese) We've arrived~"

Paid the fare, entered the hotel lobby. Yu Ga-hye waited.

"Summary's done. Check the group chat—review it all."

Our four phones buzzed in unison. Interview Q&A predictions.

"Remember the prep from before? Stick to that baseline."

"Extra questions?"

"Yes. Tied to why we're interviewing."

"Why the sudden offers?"

I'd been consoling Soye on the way, missed her messages.

"One photo from the event blew up. 'Who is she?' buzz. I revealed The Queens, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and they called."

Damn, Yu Ga-hye was a machine.

"Chatted, got the offer... Thought we could spin 'The event mystery girl is a K-pop goddess' for quick hype."

"Spot on."

I gave her double thumbs-up. She ignored it.

"What photo?"

"Shin Soye's."

"...Huh?"

Soye blinked blankly.

"This one's viral."

Yu Ga-hye showed her phone screen. Soye beaming, making a heart with her hands.

"Ooh, killer shot."

Haeun whistled; I nodded. Sweat-free glow, warm smile, heart sign... Peak Soye charm and fan service.

"Sis... you're so pretty...."

"Who took this? Gotta reward 'em."

"Contacted the Twitter poster. No reply yet, but we'll hook 'em up if they respond."

"Interview just Soye?"

"Under The Queens, so group. But..."

"She's the main event."

"Right. Check the chat—tons for Soye."

"Got it."

I poked Soye's stiff side. "Sis, snap out. Review and brainstorm answers."

"Uh, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠y-yeah...."

Light returned to her dazed eyes.

"For real? Me?"

"Yup. You got your moment too."

Her stunned repeat? Music to my ears.