The Leader and Lucent
The severe cold had finally passed, and everything was back to normal.
I had been worried whether my parents might contact me again or come looking for me, but such worries were in vain as daily life flowed quietly and peacefully.
It was peaceful enough, and everything had gone smoothly without a hitch.
'Did the system disappear like that?'
Since that day, the system hadn't appeared again. It seemed it had truly been erased.
'But that guy?'
The entity that had periodically tormented Won Ji-an during the survival period.
I pondered who he was, since I didn't know his name or face. And why he wasn't coming now.
'Not trying to ruin the debut, right?'
Everything was peaceful and smooth, but it was precarious like walking on a thin ice surface with a wine glass placed at the edge of the table.
In one corner of my heart, there was a fear that this daily life might end suddenly.
'But since we debuted, it's good.'
But I decided to dispel that fear with positive thoughts.
Actually, before, I couldn't think positively at all. Rather, I often tried to think more pessimistically than positive.
That was probably because of the will to survive. A survival instinct to prepare for how to act if an unfortunate future came.
But now, with the members, my personality had definitely softened.
'Worried is true, but not anxious enough to go crazy.'
Since I don't know what plans that guy is making, I can't prepare in advance.
But I decided to prepare mentally. According to the system's last words, that guy will appear in front of me again. With a plan to ruin me.
'But why does that existence want to ruin me?'
The system was to take over my body.
Then, what is the purpose of the mysterious existence wanting to destroy me to gain something. I still don't know.
'Certainly, there must be some benefit to ruining me.'
I don't know what it is, but I'll find out gradually.
***
Time passed, and the day to officially select the team's leader arrived.
During that time, we lived together and trained, and the members voted on who would be the most suitable leader among them.
"We'll announce the voting results~"
The members put the papers with names they wrote into the box.
And Na Jae-hyun, the maknae who couldn't be the leader, drew the paper and announced the results.
"...... One vote for Kwon Hak-jin."
Na Jae-hyun showed the paper.
"Oh~"
All eyes turned to Kwon Hak-jin. Then Kwon Hak-jin scratched his head embarrassedly and smiled.
Na Jae-hyun drew the next paper. Looking at the name on the paper, he smiled slightly, then unfolded the paper facing front again.
"Another vote for Kwon Hak-jin."
Hmm, obvious.
If this goes on, Kwon Hak-jin will become the leader.
"Three votes for Kwon Hak-jin."
Each time the paper was drawn, Kwon Hak-jin's name came out.
It was only natural. From the survival, looking at the appearance of the formal debut group, it was Kwon Hak-jin who was the most leader-like. Especially the biggest reason was that the members trusted and followed him.
"Last paper, please. Ta-da-ta-da-ta-da, congratulations! Hak-jin hyung."
The voting results were as expected, Kwon Hak-jin received the most votes. Exactly as in the novel's plot.
Amid everyone's applause and cheers, Kwon Hak-jin put his hand on his chest and bowed his head in thanks.
'Kwon Hak-jin is suitable to be the leader. There's no one else who is leader material here.'
Of course, the episodes that come later are worrying.
According to the novel's setting, Kwon Hak-jin has to always look bright while hiding his true feelings.
'At the current point, the only one who knows this is me...'
Even though Kwon Hak-jin became the leader, I thought I needed to watch him closely and try hard so he wouldn't have to bear everything alone.
According to the original work, in later episodes, Kwon Hak-jin would show his first trauma and break down.
'I need to prevent the novel's development by taking care of it.'
It was a headache. Because this world itself was special.
Because of the high freedom of the world, there are events that go according to the novel's plot, and suddenly variables appear and change.
So, even if I memorize all the novel content, no one knows what will happen suddenly one day.
'Well, it would be more fun to live life that way.'
If I know how my own life will go in the future, it would be boring.
"Hak-jin hyung, congratulations on becoming the leader."
"Waaaa! Leader!"
Members put a flower crown on the leader Kwon Hak-jin. At the same time, a flower necklace was hung around Kwon Hak-jin's neck.
The process of Kwon Hak-jin becoming the leader was recorded by the camera. It was scheduled to be released as leader announcement content later.
"Um, first, I'm really grateful to our members who voted for me."
Kwon Hak-jin stood up to speak his feelings, smiling shyly.
"I'll work hard to be a good leader. I'll try to become a diligent worker for the team..."
Then Na Jae-hyun interrupted with a playful tone.
"What is a diligent worker, hyung. It's not like a class president election."
"Hey, the leader is talking about his feelings."
In the boisterous atmosphere, Kwon Hak-jin took the flowers from the flower necklace and handed one to each member.
"If I, as the leader, show any shortcomings or weird behaviors in the future, please tell me anytime."
"Yes!"
"Of course."
The members answered one by one.
"But hyung, I don't think you'll show any shortcomings or weird behaviors, right?"
Looking back, Na Jae-hyun was nodding with the flower he received earlier in his ear.
"Don't put too much pressure on me..."
"No, hyung will do well."
Amid everyone's cheers, Kwon Hak-jin smiled brightly.
This smile was the first time I'd seen it. During the survival, even when smiling, it didn't seem completely smiling.
Having seen him only forcing a bright expression, the first time seeing him smile sincerely like this today.
'But it's good that he's happy.'
***
That evening, the members all watched the live together. It was to announce the leader chosen today. Additionally, it was the turn to announce the fandom name that was collected via the previous notice.
"Hello~"
When the live was turned on, a chat popped up, and the speed increased rapidly.
"The reason we came today is to tell you a special message."
Han I-jae read the script floating on the screen and proceeded.
"The leader has been decided."
"Waaaa~"
Clapping sounds rang out cheerfully.
"The leader is right right right~"
The fans seemed to know roughly who the leader would be, and the name 'Kwon Hak-jin' came up in the chat one after another.
Because Kwon Hak-jin had always been called the leader during the survival.
"I am the one."
When Kwon Hak-jin pointed to himself, the camera captured Kwon Hak-jin.
"For the leader's memorial, can you dance once?"
"Eh?"
On Na Jae-hyun's words, Kwon Hak-jin threw a peace sign towards the camera, then smiled as if embarrassed.
"Dance?"
Kwon Hak-jin with an awkward expression stood up and showed the dance moves, and the surrounding members showed reactions mixed with cheers.
I knew he was skilled at dancing, but even doing simple actions on the spot had rhythm.
"Thank you! Hyung!"
"What are you thanking for."
"For being able to see hyung's dance."
Then it moved to the next part.
"And there's one more special message left to tell."
Han I-jae pointed to the camera.
"It's right, the fandom name."
"Waaaa~"
Han I-jae continued.
"Today, finally, the precious fandom name of our fans has been decided. I want to announce this fandom name right here."
Han I-jae's gaze turned to me.
I raised the sketchbook on my knee towards the camera and flipped one page.
[Lucent]
"Lucent carries the meaning of 'to emit light' or 'to sparkle', and it contains the meaning of walking the brilliant path of light with Starlight."
I flipped another page, and a page saying 'Love Lucent' came out.
The speed of the chat increased. Fans were sending heart emojis at a rapid pace.
"How do you feel, everyone?"
I quietly held the tablet and read the chat. The speed was too fast, so it was hard to read, but there were mostly positive reactions.
Of course, there were negative reactions about what the fandom name was, but since everyone's opinions can't be the same.
'At first it might be unfamiliar, but as we say it often, everyone will adapt, right?'
It would be good to say it several times so it sticks in the mouth.
"Lucent members, thank you so much for coming to watch today's live."
While heads were together looking at fan reactions, Na Jae-hyun raised his thumb towards the camera.
"It seems the fans like it too, good."
I felt a good feeling. I also felt a bit excited for the first time in a long time.
Now that the fandom name is decided and I can properly call the fans by name, I wanted to call them right away.
"Lucent members, how was your day today?"
To my question, replies came up one by one in the chat.
It was amazing. Even if far away, I could communicate by answering each other's questions. And so many people's replies to my words.
'In the past, I was always alone, and there were many times when no one listened even if I spoke.'
I realized that as I did the idol job, the moments when my heart was excited had increased.
I had always lived roaming between home, school, and library, and each day was dull and meaningless.
However, coming here and debuting as an idol, I felt a different feeling of living compared to before.
It wasn't my own dream, it was the goal set by the system, and I was a complete newbie to idols...
'Something, it's unbelievable.'
Laughter came out. I didn't know why I was laughing.
For the first time, I felt the emotion of being happy as an idol. I don't know why it was today, but anyway, today was especially fun and my heart was racing.