Chapter 100
Chapter 100
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Year-End Music Festival (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After flawlessly performing our mashup stage that combined the two title tracks we'd announced, we came down from the stage and wrapped ourselves in the blankets handed over by the staff.
The weather was brutally cold, and after performing outdoors in our thin stage outfits, our bodies were shivering uncontrollably.
The members headed toward a warmer spot, exchanging words of encouragement.
"You guys, great job out there."
"Great job, hyungs."
"December 31st mission accomplished perfectly. That's our class. You all did amazing, kids."
At Han Tae-hee's words, Kim Kwang-myeong shot him a suspicious look, like he was eyeing something shady.
"Tae-hee hyung, what's with that speech...? You sound like such an otaku."
"Pretty close, right? Tae-hee hyung's always reading comics."
"What's wrong with being an otaku? You all wanna get scolded?"
"Yeah, Tae-hee hyung could totally be an otaku. Don't tease him too much."
"You're the worst, Park Su-rim."
"Otaku? What's that?"
What a circus. I smirked as I watched them erupt into lively chatter over a single word: "otaku."
Then I gave a concise answer to Teddy's question.
"It means someone who's super obsessed with something."
"Aha! So I'm a dance otaku!"
"Well... yeah, something like that."
Of course, that's not exactly how the term's used...
But let's just let it slide. Explaining further would only complicate things.
"Anyway, you did great today, Teddy. No shaking even with the cameras on."
"Hehe. Thanks, Jae. It's all thanks to the lucky fairy and the calming pills!"
Calming pills.
Lately, whenever Teddy had to step onto a big stage with cameras, he always popped one.
He'd gotten somewhat used to being on camera more often, but traces of his camera phobia still lingered.
'Can't be good to keep taking them.'
Maybe I should look for an alternative. Or suggest he see a psychiatrist to treat the phobia at its root.
I'll talk to the members about it later.
As I mulled over these thoughts and warmed up my body, a familiar face entered my view.
'Yoon Da-on?'
It was the Sunbae with a gentle, rabbit-like face but an attitude that didn't match: Yoon Da-on.
He was leading the YourM members in a swarm toward the back of the stage.
'Why's YourM doing the first part?'
I tilted my head in confusion.
A group like YourM could easily headline the second part without issue.
Just then, my eyes met Yoon Da-on's.
He smiled faintly and walked straight toward me.
The members behind me bowed their heads in greeting.
"Hello, sunbaenim!"
"No need to greet me like you're in the army. Be casual."
"Thank you!"
Guess being several years our Sunbae made them a bit intimidated.
Silly guys. I smiled and bowed my head to him.
"Hello, Da-on sunbae."
"Great stage, junior. As expected from pros—you were flying out there."
"Ah, thanks for the praise, sunbaenim."
"No formal chit-chat? Nothing else to say to me?"
He always seems so stiff with his words. I'm hurt. Yoon Da-on pouted like he was genuinely offended.
Then Han Tae-hee behind me nudged my back with his elbow.
I turned instinctively, and there was Han Tae-hee mouthing, 'Throw some aegyo at him, he's a big Sunbae!'
I lightly ignored him and turned back to Yoon Da-on. Then I carefully asked the question that had been bugging me.
"Sorry. I'm just not great with words... But why are you doing the first part, sunbaenim?"
"You know about the cue sheet leak, right? We were originally slotted for the second part, but it got split because of that. First-part finale and second-part finale."
"Ah."
"Nothing we can do. They say change order due to the leak. Who are we to argue? If they say jump, we jump. Right?"
Yoon Da-on shrugged with a wry smile.
Thinking about it, the leak was probably just an excuse—likely to boost ratings.
YourM was the hottest boy group right now. Having them in both parts meant their massive fanbase would watch the whole broadcast.
Anyway, if he was right, YourM were clear victims of the network's whims.
"Good luck on your stage today. We'll cheer hard. You'll kill it."
"Of course. Who do you think I am?"
I offered sincere encouragement out of sympathy, and he shrugged while patting my shoulder.
You're the one performing, so why does it feel like you're encouraging me?
"Watch closely—my stage."
With that, Yoon Da-on headed onstage with the YourM members.
The waiting room screen showed YourM's performance live.
- My feelings for you
I can never hide them
I'll win for sure
And throw myself into your arms
'Damn, they're good.'
The thing he said about me flying—turns out he was the one soaring.
Vocals, dance, performance—nothing lacking.
No wonder they had that kind of fandom. Makes me want to work even harder.
Soon after, the second part of the music festival kicked off.
The second part featured stages from the more well-known groups.
One of them was S-T.
S-T, the idol group from one of the big three agencies, already boasting a solid fandom.
Ryle and the other four put on a stage that was still dazzling and cool.
No—maybe several times cooler than what I'd seen before. Probably because I was watching live.
'Feels weird.'
That same resolve I'd felt on S-T's debut day stirred in my heart.
I knew what this emotion was. It'd been with me for ages.
'Jealousy, huh.'
Like that gut punch when you hear a friend bought land in Gangnam.
The same feeling I'd get watching S-T videos and sinking into pointless gloom.
Even seeing my unfulfilled dream partially realized through someone else, that longing for the spot I truly wanted lingered.
I stared at their stage, then slowly closed my eyes.
'No more of this.'
Right now, I'm active as an idol—even if not as S-T.
Under the name EverPlanet, I'm living my long-held dream.
No need, no reason for these feelings anymore. Right, Seo Il-hyun? So no more of this.
As S-T finished to roaring cheers, I soothed myself like that.
After S-T, the second part raced toward its close.
But before the final stage, there was one very important ritual.
The New Year's bell. The chimes from Bosingak marking the stroke of January 1st.
All the artists at the festival had to appear at the live-broadcast outdoor Imjingak stage for the countdown.
So I went back onstage with the members.
'Feels even colder than before.'
During the performance, dancing kept the chill at bay somewhat, but just standing there now... it was unbearable.
Even with layers of thermals under our stage outfits, the bone-chilling cold seeped in.
The other members were the same, noses red, shivering.
"Cold."
"So cold."
"So cooooold..."
Even tough guy Lee Jae-oh couldn't hide it.
But cameras were rolling. Sunlight fans were watching.
In front of the cameras and Sunlight fans, we had to smile first. That's an idol's fate.
I wanted to beg the MC to hurry, but barely steadied my chattering lips and smiled at the camera.
Then, a beep! warning sounded, and a red window popped up.
[Exposed to severe cold. Body temperature dropping.]
[Warning! Prolonged exposure may cause status ailments.]
Red window. Not good.
I seized the moment the camera panned away to huddle closer to the members, sharing body heat.
But even that wasn't enough against this cold.
[Prolonged cold exposure causes status ailment 'Early Cold'.]
[Status Ailment 'Early Cold'
: Early cold symptoms manifest. Stamina and passion recovery reduced by 50%. Additional symptoms include reduced condition, fever, sore throat, body aches, cough, etc.
Remaining Time - 23:59:57]
Damn. Caught a status ailment after all. Early cold's better than worse, I guess...
System, can't Tylenol fix this?
[No status ailments can be alleviated by general medications or psychoactive chemicals. Tough it out.]
Tough it out? You say that to a person?
I was already feeling a scratchy throat every time I swallowed, and I unleashed a torrent of curses at the system in my mind.
You can hear all my thoughts anyway. This is for you. Bet that stings.
Right then, the system updated like it'd been waiting.
[Prolonged cold exposure increases status ailment duration.
Remaining Time - 35:59:32]
Wow. Abusing power much?
System teacher, this okay? You always claim fair and objective judgment.
This is different. You petty jerk.
The system countered smoothly, as if blameless.
[Status ailment duration increase is a natural penalty from prolonged cold exposure.]
[System maintains fair and objective judgment at all times.]
Only a few seconds passed, you hack.
You're doing this 'cause I cursed, right? Little punk.
How can a human... no, a system pull this? Still call yourself a system?
While I mind-battled the system, Park Su-rim at the front turned back.
"Guess the bell's about to ring soon."
"Countdown time!"
"Should we all hold hands?"
"Goood idea."
"Wow, Jae-oh hyung's hands are so warm."
At Park Su-rim's suggestion, the members gladly linked hands.
Everyone except Kim Kwang-myeong.
"So embarrassing, what..."
"Then let's do it without Kim Kwang-myeong."
"Wh-who said I'm not joining?"
Acting like he won't when he will anyway. I chuckled at Kim Kwang-myeong scrambling to grab Han Tae-hee's hand.
I gripped Lee Jae-oh's and Teddy's hands tight.
As Go Eun-young said, Jae-oh's were incredibly warm—rivaling Teddy's. Yang energy guys are different.
Then the countdown to the New Year's bell began. 20, 19, 18...
Time drawing ever closer to the new year.
Our eldest, Han Tae-hee, broke the ice.
"You guys. Glad I debuted this year with you all. Let's do well next year too."
Following Han Tae-hee's New Year's well-wishes, the others chimed in.
"O! Nice! Let's keep grinding next year too! Love you guys!"
"Imperfect leader, but thanks for following. Let's work hard next year."
"Thanks always, guys. Looking forward to more."
"Take care of your maknae too, hyungs. Stay healthy!"
"...Seriously, so cringy saying this stuff. Ahem. Anyway, let's be happy next year. I'm an adult now, so I'll act more mature."
Couldn't miss the rare warm vibe.
Smiling, I spoke to them.
"Really grateful for this year. Next year, the year after—let's keep singing and having fun together."
Just like this. Exactly like this. No mishaps, kids.
Like this moment, all happy and harmonious. Let's walk that path together.
"3! 2! 1!"
"Happy New Year!"
And so, hands linked, we welcomed the new year.
May next year be even more amazing.