Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: First Fan Sign Event (2)
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"Everyone, could you check under your chairs for a moment?"
'Under the chair?'
She tilted her head and felt around under her seat with her hand.
Something caught on her fingertips.
'What is it?'
Not just her—all the fans who were sitting down stood up and flipped their chairs over, creating a bizarre spectacle.
Under each chair was a thick red envelope and a neatly wrapped snack pack, taped in place.
"We prepared these with all our hearts for everyone who came to our historic first fansign. Please accept our token of appreciation."
'Whoa. Reverse gifting right from the first fansign?'
Waves of emotion swept through the fans at the unexpected gifts.
"Thank you, guys!"
Someone shouted, and the members' faces lit up with joy.
At that moment, Han Tae-hee took the mic from Park Su-rim and spoke.
"Everyone. Let's make a promise. Open the envelopes only after the fansign, when you get home."
"Why?"
"Oh, you'll get embarrassed if you open them here."
Another round of cheers erupted at Han Tae-hee's cute tone.
"Anyway, thank you so much again for coming. So, shall we start the fansign now?"
"Yes!"
"Got it. We'll take our seats now."
The members sat down in their assigned spots in order, and the emcee staff called for the first-numbered fan to bring their album forward.
Homma snapped a few shots of Ha Jaewith her camera, then it was her turn. Fully prepared, she stepped up.
The first member was the maknae, Go Eun-young.
She sat down and stared at Go Eun-young's face.
"Hello."
"Hi, Eun-young."
Back when he appeared on Sing Well, Kid, he was a tiny boy not even a fistful big. When did he grow up like this?
She couldn't help but be surprised by Go Eun-young, who already exuded a mature aura.
But his cheeks still had some baby fat, so he probably wasn't done growing yet.
She looked forward to seeing how much taller he'd get.
Once fully grown, he'd probably attract a ton of otakus. Snake-face types always had high demand.
"Noona. You're a noona, right?"
"Right."
"What's noona's name?"
When she told him her name, Go Eun-young swiftly wrote it down with the marker and signed with elegant flair.
Watching him, she asked the question she'd been curious about.
"But Eun-young, why didn't you go solo? Why debut as an idol?"
"Me? Hmm... Good question. Noona, did you watch Sing Well, Kid? The episode I was on."
"Yeah."
"After that aired, CEO Oh... I mean, CEO Oh Woong-jae was really good to me. So I went to see him when filming ended, and... somehow, I ended up debuting as an idol. But it's fun. Feels like it suits me. And I like the members."
Right. I support your talents and self-realization, Eun-young.
She gazed at him warmly, like a cute little brother, then waved and moved on.
Next was Lee Jae-oh. He greeted her with a pure, deer-like innocent smile and a bow.
"Nice to meet you."
"Jae-oh, hi."
What a body. She swallowed involuntarily as she greeted him.
He said he'd come straight from working out, and sure enough, the body didn't lie.
Lee Jae-oh took the album she handed him and held out his right hand, as if asking for something.
What? She tilted her head.
"I was going to hold your hand."
"Huh?"
"Seemed like everyone else was doing it. Or not?"
"Oh, yeah, yeah! Great!"
She fumbled to place her right hand over his.
Lee Jae-oh gently intertwined their fingers and signed the album with his left hand.
His light, painless grip was very warm.
Where on earth did he learn this fan-handling technique? She fought back her rising smile and asked.
"Where'd you learn this, Jae-oh?"
"I watched Blue Black sunbaes' fansign videos."
"Oh. You like Blue Black?"
"Yeah. Big fan since way back. Listen to their songs a lot."
"Cool. Me too."
"We found our first thing in common. Next time you come, let's find another."
Lee Jae-oh handed her the signed album and gave her hand one last squeeze before letting go, looking a bit reluctant.
As she moved to the next spot, she thought, Nearly lost this idol talent to the athlete village.
"Come on in."
"Light, hi."
Next up was the main rapper, B-light.
The moment she saw B-light's face, she blurted out reflexively.
"You really look like a hamster, Light."
"What'd you say?"
"Nice to meet you, Hamtol-shi."
B-light chuckled and nodded at her words.
"Ha... I get that a lot, actually. But I seriously can't see what we have in common."
"If you drew some intense eyeliner on Hamtol, it'd be you exactly."
"First time hearing that one. For real?"
"For real."
"I'm gonna go home and draw eyeliner on Hamtol's pic."
"Do it. It'll look just like your selfie."
B-light stared at her blankly, as if dumbfounded, then took the album and signed it.
Ah, this is fun. She suppressed her bursting laughter.
"Thanks to you, I'm gonna hear Hamtol nonstop at the dorm for a while."
"You've got a character now! Congrats, Light."
"Ha... Goodbye. Next time you see me, I won't be Hamtol."
She teased B-light right up to the end before moving on.
His reactions were so lively, like a fresh fish—it was addictive.
Next was the leader, Park Su-rim. He welcomed her with obvious delight.
"Hello! Come on in."
"Su-rim, hi!"
"So nice to see you! Thanks for coming."
Like a big dog wagging its tail wildly at a reunion, Park Su-rim grabbed both her hands, shook them lightly up and down, and beamed as he took the album.
Then, staring intently with clear curiosity, he asked.
"But one question. How'd you hear about us to come like this?"
"I got hooked from the teaser."
"Ooh, the teaser... Do you like fantasy stuff by any chance? Our MV's totally that vibe. Solar System Guardians."
"Love fantasy. But I got hooked because your faces look like fantasy."
Park Su-rim burst out laughing at her words.
"Haha. So Tae-hee hyung's your fave then?"
"Nope, Lee Jae."
"Lee Jae. He's super cute, right? Like a cat. ...Though his concept's lion, honestly, I think he looks like a cat."
"Totally agree. I'm actually weak for cat faces... Su-rim, you look like a dog. Golden Retriever."
"Whoa, thanks."
Park Su-rim drew a little dog next to his signature and waved.
Fifth was Han Tae-hee, the group's rep visual that her acquaintance fell for at first sight.
"Hi. Come on in."
"Ah... Hi, Tae-hee."
Homma let out an involuntary gasp of admiration at Han Tae-hee's foxily refined, handsome face.
His gaze was so deep and soulful, she thought she might get lost in it if she stared too long.
Guess that was a side effect of his unreal looks.
"Where you from?"
"Not far. I live nearby."
"Ooh, really? Neighbor, then? With us?"
Han Tae-hee took the album she offered and smiled with half-closed eyes.
Wow, he really is handsome. Does he know, or not?
"Tae-hee. You know you're really handsome, right?"
"Of course."
"Huh?"
"How could I not? I look in the mirror every day. I know, obviously."
Han Tae-hee didn't seem the humble type.
But she liked that. It was refreshing.
"So, what's your favorite part of your face?"
"Hmm... Never thought about it. I like it all... But if I had to pick, eyes? I think my eyes are the prettiest."
"Yeah. Your gaze is no joke."
"Yeah? Thanks. I'll polish them more till next time. Bye."
Han Tae-hee handed over the signed album with a light wink.
Born entertainer, that one. So she thought as she moved on.
Next was Teddy. Unlike his bear name, his features were sharply defined rather than round.
"Hello! Nice to meet you!"
"Hi, Teddy!"
He was half-foreign, alright—definitely an exotic vibe. His hair roots didn't show either... natural blond?
"Did you live abroad, Teddy?"
"Yeah! I came from England."
"Ooh, England where?"
"York. Know York?"
"Yorkshire Terrier?"
"Yeah! From a Yorkshire Terrier house."
He'd come from abroad, so his Korean was still a bit off.
She laughed at Teddy using "house" instead of "hometown." Cute.
"Teddy, can I ask a favor?"
"Sure! Anything."
"Draw a teddy bear next to your signature."
A teddy bear drawn by Teddy. It'd be adorable.
But Teddy scratched his cheek, looking a bit troubled.
"Oh, I can draw it, but I'm not good at drawing. Sorry... Lee Jae's the good artist. He even drew me a lucky teddy bear. Wanna show you, but... didn't bring it today."
"Whoa, really? You and Ha Jaemust be close!"
"Yeah! Lee Jae's my best friend!"
Teddy nodded vigorously as he handed her the scribbled-on album.
They were the same age. Good to see they got along.
And the bear on the album... Wait, was this even a bear? Looked more like a rat.
Anyway, she laughed at the bizarre shape and moved on.
Finally, the last one.
Her long-awaited bias, Lee Jae's turn.
Finally, getting to talk to you.
As soon as Homma moved over, Ha Jaewaved happily to greet her, and she greeted back warmly.
"Hi, Jae!"
"Hello. Thanks for coming... Wait, you were at our debut stage soundcheck too, right?"
She widened her eyes at Lee Jae's question.
He remembered that?
"Whoa. You remember?"
"Of course. I remember all the fans who came then. It was our debut stage, after all."
"Wow... That's seriously touching, Jae."
It wasn't lip service—it really moved her.
She'd been pretty far back, hiding her camera to take pics, yet he remembered.
She could only admire Lee Jae's attentive eye.
"And you've been taking pics of me the whole time... Right?"
"Yeah. Truth is, you're my bias."
"...Me? Really?"
Ha Jaeblinked his big eyes repeatedly, as if in disbelief.
She nodded over and over.
"Of course!"
"Wow. First fan I've seen who has me as their bias. Thank you so much."
She screamed internally at Ha Jaeshyly bowing his head.
So cute...! My baby kitten...!
"So I brought this for you, Jae."
She pulled out the cat-ear headband she'd kept safe in her bag and offered it to him.
Ha Jaeburst out laughing at the sight and took it.
"Whoa, jackpot. You're so prepared."
"I'd be so grateful if you wore it, Jae."
"Cute. I'll treasure it."
With that, Ha Jaeput on the headband.
The cute white-and-pink cat ears popped up perfectly on his rust-colored hair.
Cat-ear headband. Mission accomplished.
Homma fully savored Ha Jaewearing the headband she'd given him while he diligently signed with the marker, then remembered the question she really wanted to ask and spoke up.
"Jae. I have a favor to ask."
"A favor? What is it?"
I hope it's something I can do. Ha Jaeadded with a soft smile.
Ack! So cute! Fighting the urge to devour that face whole, she continued.
"It's not hard or anything. I just..."
And at her following request, Lee Jae's expression turned subtly peculiar.