Chapter 37
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: First Place Candidates
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"Really?"
The car heading to WBS for the music show broadcast jolted at Kim Han-soo's single remark.
"Are we really number one candidates?"
"WBS contacted us ahead of time so we'd know."
He was trying to play it cool, but his face was brimming with excitement he couldn't hide.
Naturally, the car erupted in chaos in an instant.
"For real? For real?"
"...Is it true?"
My repeated questions, born of utter disbelief, along with Lee Jae-ha's, got buried under Kim Ha-woon and Park Tae-hoo's voices.
"Uwaaaah! Are we taking first today or what?"
"Hey! Don't jinx it! But... it's possible, right?"
Their cheers were so loud they hurt my ears, making the reality sink in even sharper.
It's really happening...
Ever since we first hit number one on the real-time charts, we'd been holding steady.
So if I'd thought about it calmly, making it to first-place candidates was somewhat predictable.
Well, back then, there was something even more thrilling than topping the real-time charts.
Still, it was just as shocking. Climbing to first-place candidates with our debut album. And after punching through all that absurdity.
No sooner had we worried our freshly released track wouldn't chart than malicious rumors nearly forced us into retirement right after debuting.
Even now, it felt like a mad initiation into the industry. If you could call it an "initiation," that is.
Just then, Kim Han-soo cleared his throat with a ahem, ahem, watching Kim Ha-woon and Park Tae-hoo chatter excitedly. He put on a stern face and warned us.
"Even if we don't win first, celebrate the other acts properly on stage. Manage your expressions—no looking disappointed."
"Who's disappointed, Team Leader? What are you even saying?"
"I'm thrilled just to be candidates."
"Right! We're not kids. Sure, winning would be awesome... but it'd be a little disappointing..."
Kim Ha-woon's voice trailed off smaller and smaller until the car filled with laughter again.
Once the stunned feeling faded, all that was left was pure elation, our voices pitching higher with joy.
"Anyway, we have to save today's music show footage no matter what. Record the rebroadcast?"
As I said that, Lee Jae-ha offered a different idea.
"Then we're not the stars. Ask Team Leader to film it."
"Oh, that's good. Use my phone then."
"Hyung! Hyung! Use mine!"
"No, mine! It's right in the middle—maknae’s out!"
"You get out, hyung!"
While Kim Ha-woon and Park Tae-hoo bickered as usual, the car pulled into WBS.
Everyone was used to it now—no tension as we got out.
On the way to the live broadcast hall, fans waiting to cheer their favorites swarmed everywhere.
Of course, we had a decent crowd now too.
"It's B.O.Y!"
"Do-jun! Over here! Here!"
"Ha-woon, it's your noona!"
"Congrats on first-place candidates!"
How do they already know we're candidates? We just heard on the way.
Anyway, we passed the photo line amid their cheers and concern, heading into the hall.
"Whoa, so many fans came."
"Right?"
Guess I'm not the only one who thinks so.
Compared to before the rumors blew up, there were way more. Sure, we'd had a solid fanbase for rookies even then.
They say crisis can breed opportunity—looks like something good came from that tough time after all.
When we reached the hallway lined with waiting rooms, Kim Han-soo positioned us in front and cleared his throat.
"Greetings first, then to our room."
Greetings were routine now. We went room to room, bowing to the seniors already there.
"Hello, seniors! Beside of You! B.O.Y!"
"Oh, hey, nice to see you. First-place candidates today? Congrats."
"Oh my, coming to greet us? Shouldn't we be visiting you now?"
Unlike our first time circling CBK, we got warm welcomes and light jokes.
I could really feel the difference. Back then, nobody even knew us.
After finishing greetings, we returned to our waiting room—and it welcomed us with luxury beyond compare.
"This is really our room?"
Park Tae-hoo gaped, jaw practically on the floor, nudging Lee Jae-ha's arm. Jae-ha, uncharacteristically stunned, looked around.
"...Did we walk into the wrong one?"
I peeked out to check the nameplate, worried. It clearly said 'B.O.Y'.
Yep, real.
"And prime location too."
Unlike our first broadcast at the far end, this was nicely inward.
Treatment was worlds apart from our debut show—in every way. Fans, fellow artists, even the station.
"Ow."
I pinched my cheek lightly. The faint sting felt refreshingly real.
Being first-place candidates today hit not just emotionally, but physically vivid.
"This is insane."
A strange swell of emotion filled my chest.
And with it, new ambition sprouted. It was great now, but I wanted more.
No—truthfully, it wasn't enough. The future I'd dreamed of pre-debut was global superstardom.
And the members staring at the room seemed to feel the same. Same expressions as mine.
Then Kim Han-soo's amused voice cut in.
"Why are you all standing there like idiots? Sit down."
We welcomed him back with broad grins.
"Look, look, look at me~"
"Huh? I am looking."
"Aigoo, not at me."
"Then...? Oh!"
"Finally! Took you long enough?"
"The buzz of the moment, right?"
"We have this week's first-place candidates, B.O.Y! Hello!"
After the MCs' quick intro, the camera caught me and the members.
On my cue, we nailed our rehearsed greeting to the lens.
"Beside of You! Hello, we're B.O.Y!"
"Yes. Debut album straight to first-place candidates—congratulations! Thoughts?"
The mic came to me per script.
"Honestly, I still can't believe it. Thank you so much!"
I aimed for calm, but my voice shook anyway.
It was just repeating rehearsal lines, yet nerves hit hard. Am I saying it right? Live broadcast—no mistakes.
"And I'm really nervous too."
"You look it! Shaking to the floor!"
The MC's ad-lib about earthquake-level wobbles drew light laughs.
"Next, Jae-ha!"
"We'll work even harder as B.O.Y from now on."
"Thanks so much to our fans! We'll do better!"
"Happy just to be candidates! We all like you!"
After our short candidate comments, the MCs wrapped up.
The brief interview—short if long, long if short—ended, and we headed back to the waiting room.
Escaping hot lights and cameras for quiet felt like floating higher.
Imagining this hadn't prepared me for the rush.
They say lottery winners feel dazed bliss unlike calm fantasies—probably like that.
Not that I've ever won the lottery.
Buzzing, I asked Kim Han-soo.
"What if we actually win? Shouldn't we promise something?"
"Cut it out. No weird promises."
His words said no, but his face beamed uncontrollably.
Psh, he loves it too.
"Promises? Could be fun."
Park Tae-hoo shot up his hand; Lee Jae-ha shook his head, both faces lit with joy.
The room's vibe was always good, but today? Unmatched energy.
Music chart-topping thrilled us; terrestrial first candidates on debut? Even if we don't win, this high lingers.
We chattered on until stage time.
Kim Han-soo kept us in check to the end.
"No mistakes from excitement—stay calm now more than ever."
"Don't worry!"
Kim Ha-woon shouted confidently, but truthfully, it felt off from usual.
Live stages galore, yet first-time nerves again.
"Kyaaaaah!"
Luckily, needless worry—we finished flawlessly amid fans' ever-welcome cheers.
"Fix makeup and prep to go up—now!"
Kim Han-soo urged from below. Stylist noonas swarmed busily.
Unlike usual early slots, candidates meant later, so time was tight.
"Hyung."
Lee Jae-ha, quietly getting touched up, called me.
"Yeah?"
"Can we win first today?"
Couldn't turn mid-makeup, but the mirror showed his face—calm-ish, but subtly tense.
Pre-close days, it'd pass as normal; now, living together, I caught it.
I chuckled unwittingly.
Not just me, huh. Seeing others nervous oddly eased mine.
"Obviously. If not today, soon."
"Think so?"
"Yeah! Definitely."
...What the hell was I on ten minutes ago, saying that so boldly?
No clue why I declared it like fact.
Couldn't wimp out there, so same words again, but... ugh, shouldn't have bragged so hard.
"Second place would be fine."
I overheard Park Tae-hoo mutter to Lee Jae-ha—who silently poked his side to shush.
Fair point. Second beats third—feels like competing to the end.
"Text voting ends soon! Countdown together? 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!"
MCs hyped the count not their business, hair whipping our noses.
Usually back row, but candidates put us front.
View's like this up close. No time for thoughts—scores tallied.
"Who takes first today? Results! First, combined digital and album scores!"
I squeezed my eyes shut instinctively.
Better if we knew winner early—no shakes then.
Used to leak; now, for raw reactions, candidates only.
Secrets like that? Blood pressure hell. Why no announcement? Due now, right?
Cracking eyes, staring ahead.
Finally, totals appeared on screen.