Chapter 117
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 117
Chapter Title The Reverse Fanservice Cafe
After the Idol Training Simulation wrapped up, we threw ourselves into fullscale debut preparations.
First, we met with the execs from Sigma Entertainment and signed our official contracts.
The activity period for Celeste would be a total of four years.
The interesting part was that if all the members unanimously wanted to extend after that period, there was an option to renew.
For someone like me, a solo trainee with no agency, Id join Sigma straight away.
But the other members already had agencies theyd signed with back during their trainee days.
If they wanted to extend under Celeste, theyd have to negotiate mutual contract terminations with their original agencies to activate the renewal option.
It was a tangled web of interests all around, but nothing we needed to worry about right now.
Survival groups usually disband naturally within two or three years, but theyve built in a safety net for Celeste.
In short, if we kept delivering solid results, Sigma would want to hold onto us.
The members wouldnt have to leave a team theyd grown attached to, either.
The key would be whether their original agencies played ball.
After signing the contracts, we got a briefing on our future activities.
Weve scheduled your official debut for about two and a half months from now. During that time, youll practice your debut track, shoot the music video, and film a reality show on the side.
Just as expected, the reality show filming was kicking off.
They planned to ride the buzz from the survival program all the way to debut.
Everyone seemed fine with the idea that shooting would start the moment we moved into the dorm.
Sounds fun.
I cant wait to check out the dorm!
Looks good to me.
I was on board with the policy of minimizing dropoff from our former national producers.
My one concern was whether backtoback filming would wear out the members stamina.
It wont be that grueling of a reality show. Weve got a vacation lined up as the final reward, so just relax and enjoy it.
Ooh!
Vacation sounds great!
Sigma had accounted for that toothey assured us the fatigue from filming wouldnt be too bad.
I was curious what the theme would be.
The basics will be like any idol reality show everyday life in the dorm. The main content theme is reverse fanservice.
Reverse fanservice?
So well be giving back to the people who picked us?
Exactly. Well be doing content where Celeste repays the national producers who made us. Want to take a look at the planning doc first?
Sigma Entertainment had come through with surprisingly solid content.
Theyd select a certain number of national producers by lottery and invite them to a commemorative cafe celebrating Celestes debut.
The cafe menu would feature dishes the members usually loved.
The most intriguing part? Wed make the menu items ourselves at the cafe.
SSo, if someone picks a frappuccino, Id have to make it myself?
Thats the idea. Of course, pros will teach you the recipes beforehand, and theyll be on standby in case of any mishaps, so no need to stress.
Sounds fun.
Ive always wanted to learn cooking.
And the real highlight after a set time, wed personally serve the menus to the fans.
The planning team said theyd amped up the surprise element.
The goal was to create a mini fan meeting vibe for the national producers whod ridden the live broadcasts with us.
I was a bit shocked by how meticulously detailed the planning was.
They mustve started prepping this way before the Idol Training Simulation even ended.
I knew an agencys marketing prowess could make or break a debut albums success and fan reactions.
In my previous run, after final elimination, Id washed my hands of the idol world and lived like a shutin, so I was short on Sigma intel.
Id been a little scared wed end up directionless, like the fans worried.
This situation was a pleasant surprise.
For now, get some good rest in the dorm. Tomorrow at the meeting, well go over the debut track concept, MV, and more in detail. Head back, chat with your manager about the reality filming details, and youre set.
Thank you!
See you tomorrow!
With our first meeting wrapped successfully, we headed to the dorm in high spirits.
Dadada.
What era is that song from, Siyoon?
Oh, hyung. You have to sing this when entering a new house for the first time.
Kang Siyoon, who grabbed the doorknob first, hummed a nostalgic old BGM.
He shot back at Chae Eungyus comment with mischievous eyes, then counted down with his fingers.
3, 2, 1! Celeste dorm, revealed!
Maybe because hed spotted the cameras set up from the entryway.
Kang Siyoon was cranking the energy from the jump.
Whoa.
Its huge!
No way. Duplex structure?
It was befitting an agency backed by a massive corp.
A pricylooking duplex dorm appeared before us.
Sleek interior, spacious living area, and above all.
Three bathrooms? Insane!
I nodded at Yu Minhas ecstatic shout.
One of the key things for group living was bathrooms.
Back in my old trainee days there was just one in a cramped building. We suffered.
After everyone excitedly toured the dorm, they naturally gathered in the living room without anyone calling them.
Soon after, our Celeste manager arrived.
Looking forward to working with you all! Oh, and for conveniencemind if I drop the formal speech? Whats the members take?
Go ahead!
Its fine!
Haha, cool. Ill speak casually from now on, then.
Please take care of us!
The manager, who introduced himself as Yeo Changmin, felt like a total pro.
He briefly outlined the reality filming schedule and debut prep timeline, then pointed out what to film today.
Youve just moved in, so you gotta pick rooms, right?
Yup.
And that means deciding roommates, obviously.
During the Idol Training Simulation, wed gotten used to sharing cells with different trainees each time.
But at the mention of choosing our first roommates in this new dorm, everyone was buzzing with excitement.
Song Hyeongbin asked the big question with sparkling eyes.
How do we decide roommates?
You guys discuss and pick. No draws or anythingjust pair up with people whose personalities mesh. Thats best.
Whoa.
For real?
Kinda hard to believe.
Huh?
Yeo Changmin tilted his head at the unexpected reactions.
Isnt free choice the best way?
No, its awesome. Its just
Kinda hard to get used to, haha.
Theyre fresh off a survival where everything was luckbased, so theyre still adjusting.
Ah.
Throughout the Idol Training Simulation, wed rarely formed teams on our own terms.
It was always down to luck or rankings, so individual trainee opinions werent fully reflected.
I quickly explained, and Yeo Changmin grinned in understanding.
For today, decide roommates, fill this out, and give it to me.
The paper he handed over had seven slots.
A notice to write each members favorite cafe menu item.
We needed to pick the menus for the upcoming debut commemorative cafe.
He headed out after saying wed meet again in the evening.
Alright, time to sort out roommates.
Naturally, Chae Eungyu, the eldest, took charge.
For starters, I want a secondfloor room. Hands up.
Kang Siyoon, Yu Minha, and Song Hyeongbin raised their hands.
Second floor has three spots, so this works? Everyone cool?
But firsthow do you all handle room cleaning?
I like keeping things tidy!
Im more the sorting type than leaving clothes everywhere.
Fate? I love keeping everything neat too.
The three whod picked the second floor shared eerily similar tastes, like it was destiny.
Just like that, the trio was set in a flash.
On the flipanyone bad at cleaning? Me first. Ill confess.
MMe too!
Chae Eungyu and Heo Yubin confessed, locking in another room.
That left me and Ji Yooncheol.
Yooncheol and Karis, cool sharing?
I sleep a lot.
Fine by me. I wake early, so if Yooncheol sleeps in, Ill wake him.
How about cleaning?
I prefer things clean, generally.
Me too.
Barring his love of sleep, Ji Yooncheol and I matched up well enough.
And with that, our firstever free roommate selection wrapped up.
Chae Eungyu scribbled our names on the Dorm Layout chart on the living room wall, grinning.
They said roommates switch after every activity cycle anyway, so if your pick turns out the worst, just tough it out.
There might be a spy among us!
Highest odds on Minha.
No way! I never break a promise I make out loud.
Wonder how long thatll last.
Test me all you want!
The threeperson rooms energy was already skyrocketing.
Song Hyeongbin, stuck between Kang Siyoon and Yu Minha, plugged his ears helplessly.
Okay, unpack in your rooms, then regroup to pick cafe menus!
Yup!
My room with Ji Yooncheol was right off the living room.
Checking the neat furniture, I could tell Sigma had put real effort into our dorm.
As I sorted stuff by my bed, I glanced at Ji Yooncheol.
The first thing he pulled out was his famous bunny doll.
Placing it carefully on one side of the bed confirmed it was his ultimate comfort item.
Yooncheol. Did you name that doll too?
Yes.
It even had a name.
Id just asked to lighten the mood.
Ji Yooncheol stroked the bunnys head fondly, gaze full of affection.
Muto.
Muto?
It was rainbowcolored when I bought it, but the colors faded, so now it looks white.
Ah.
Muto, from rainbow bunny.
Simple, yet hopelessly blunt naming sense.
I replied evenly.
Yooncheol.
Yeah?
Like I said before, lets share lots of stories from now on. Especially since were roommates.
Sure.
At my words, Ji Yooncheol dipped his gaze slightly and nodded.
What past made him so passive, with barely any expression changes. Ill learn in time.
Everyone finished unpacking around the same time and gathered in the living room.
Now to pick the commemorative cafe menus.
A linked quest has been generated.
Linked Quest Successfully Create Commemorative Cafe Menu has been created.
Rewards 20 Skill Points, Passive Skill EXP Gain Ticket Mid x1, System Damage Recovery 1
I let out a small sigh at the system alert.
Now even the system would weep over my coffee.