Chapter 124
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 124
Chapter Title Surprise at the Debut Cafe
Then Im off.
No way, for real. Im so jealous.
Ill take tons of pics of Yooncheol and post them. Not sure if Ill get good shots with all the people at the cafe, though.
Im definitely gonna win the showcase lottery this time.
Itd be funny if Im the only one who gets picked again.
Hey!
Pyo Joohyun teased her little sister one last time before heading to the subway station.
She was in the best mood shed been in for a while.
Honestly, I still cant quite believe it.
The odds were like threading a needle.
Pyo Joohyun, who hadnt even scored tickets to the final live broadcast audience, had figured she wouldnt make the cut for an event cafe with only 50 spots.
So shed checked the winner list with a relaxed mind.
And yet, somehow, next to the name Pyohyeon was her phone numbers last digits, bold as brass.
The event cafe in Mangwondong was quite a trek, but that didnt faze Pyo Joohyun at all.
Her steps were light just thinking about snapping up all the limitededition merch.
I gotta take pics of Ji Yooncheol or any posters and send a bunch to Jihyun.
Of course, shed send them purely for her sisters sake, but itd probably light a fire in the kids chest without meaning to.
Then she could just laugh her head off watching her freak out.
Lets see, Exit 2
After a 1hour20minute subway ride, Pyo Joohyun finally arrived in Mangwondong.
She followed the map slowly toward the event cafe.
Before long, she started noticing people heading into the same alley.
No way, all going to the same place?
Her hunch was spot on.
Congrats on Selestes Debut!
In front of the cafe, decked out with flashy banners and lifesized standees of the members.
A few earlybird Seleste fans were already snapping photos like pros.
It was still 30 minutes till the 3 p.m. opening, but everyone was buzzing around busily.
Makes sense. Some people are probably here to buy out the MD shop. Better to line up early than show up late and miss the merch you want.
The cafe was big enough for all 50 winners.
From a quick glance, the first floor was the MD shop, second floor the cafe space.
Well let you in one by one, nice and easy.
Right at 3 p.m., the staff started ushering people inside.
Pyo Joohyun wrote down her membership number, then filled out an additional consent form.
Filming consent?
Yes. Were planning to use a bit of the debut cafe footage in the reality show, so were letting you know ahead of time. Your face wont be shown directlyeverything will be mosaiced, so no worries.
She was wearing a mask anyway, so even if her face got caught, it wouldnt matter
Fans just visiting a commemorative cafedo they really need to film this? For the reality show, no less?
Pyo Joohyun tilted her head in doubt but headed inside anyway.
She got number 15 at the entrance and waited patiently for her turn.
The MD shop let in four at a time.
After about 10 minutes, Pyo Joohyun finally got her hands on the merch shopping spree shed been waiting for.
She told me to sweep the place clean.
For her sister, whod wired her a hefty sum, Pyo Joohyun grabbed two of every item in the shop.
Debut cafeexclusive photocard sets, collectible book, acrylic keychains, postcard sets, stamp book, and even Seleste slogans.
Considering Seleste hadnt officially debuted yet, it was a pretty solid lineup.
Buying for herself and her sister jacked up the total way beyond expectations.
As the cashier circled the amount on the receipt, she pulled something from under the counter.
This is a bonus for purchases over 200,000 won.
Oh, thanks!
It was in a bag with the Seleste logo, so she couldnt tell what it was right away.
With her hands full of merch bags, Pyo Joohyun took the bag and had a hunch.
Gotta be photocardsized.
Up on the secondfloor cafe, she learned drink orders would start once the kitchen was ready.
They also explained it was assigned seatingno switching spots.
Theyre running this like a fan sign.
Pyo Joohyun finally set down all her stuff and checked the bonus inside.
The people whod gone up ahead were already opening theirs and tapping away on their phones.
She carefully opened her bag and pulled out a pinkfilmed Polaroid.
Oh?
A Polaroid.
Without peeking at the front, she squeezed her eyes shut and prayed to the heavens.
Please, please let it be Karis.
Big breath in, then she boldly flipped it over.
There was Ji Yooncheols Polaroid, smooth signature at the bottom.
Aw, not just any Polaroida signed one?
Realizing it was signed made her regret hit even harder.
Kariss predebut signed Polaroids were bound to be ultrarare later on.
But thinking of someone at home pining for her call, she smiled.
At least its Yooncheol. Could be worse.
Pyo Joohyun snapped a pic of the signed Polaroid and sent it straight to Pyo Jihyun.
Not even a minute later, her sisterwhod read it instantlyscreamed in texts, jumping for joy all over.
OMG how do you pull Ji Yooncheol of all people
Ill swap if anyone gets Karis, come on
No fr Im dying sell it to me pls
I wont trade youll regret it
Nooooo just sell it to me Im begging
I scanned it for you tho
Seeing the pic makes it hurt more lol
Just like the messages shed sent, a few people came by trying to trade the signed Polaroid.
Sadly, no one had Kariss.
If it had been his, shed have ditched her sister in a heartbeat and traded.
Well take drink orders now!
Kitchen was ready.
They went by entrance numbers to pick menus.
Uh, one Charismatic Americano by Karis, and one Melty Tiramisu by Ji Yooncheol, please.
Kariss menu name matched the fans searchblocked nicknames perfectlykinda wild.
Shed said the full name on purpose.
But mouthing it out loud still blanketed her in embarrassment.
For ordering, she scored a Lucky Draw ticket and tested her luck.
One ticket got two photocardsluckily, Karis and Heo Yubin popped out.
Holy crap, hes insanely hot.
Pyo Joohyun zoned out gazing at Kariss selfie.
His visuals were destructively killer, every time.
How amazing would it be to see him in person?
Cafe orders went by entry sequence too.
With her early number, Pyo Joohyun lucked into the first batch.
Ugh, I want that cake now!
She was pumped to devour the tiramisu quick.
Shed burned a ton of energy getting to Mangwondong and was starving.
Killing time scrolling SNS.
Finally, drinks and cakes started coming from the kitchen.
The coffee might taste like any Americano, but knowing Karis picked it made it seem tastier already.
Heres your coffee and cake!
Thanks!
A wellproportioned parttimer hustled over to her table.
He gently set down the tray with the Americano and tiramisu cake, bowed, and hurried back to the kitchen.
They must be swamped.
His voice rang a vague bell, but with the big mask, she couldnt place it.
Pyo Joohyun snapped her proof pic, then sipped the steaming Americano carefully.
Rich bean flavor slid down her tongue.
Freshbrewed aroma hit hardmood lifted instantly.
This is seriously good?
Pyo Joohyun usually stuck to chain cafes, rarely hitting independents like this.
Friends always said these spots used better beans.
Trying it now, they werent wrong.
Next up tiramisu cake.
The cute portion had a slightly crooked flower topping.
Rushed it with all the orders, probably.
Still, one bite and it was the usual tiramisu flavor.
Pyo Joohyun nodded happily, popping the cream flower in her mouth.
Finally feeling alive.
Cake gone in a flash, she finally had time to look around.
She sipped her Americano, eyeing the parttimers hustling.
The one from her table popped up now and then.
Enjoy your food!
He hit the table right next to hers with a chipper voice.
That familiar vibe hit again.
His voice kinda rings a bell?
Pyo Joohyun racked her brain, but nothing.
Probably just standard cafe parttimer tone. Back to her coffee.
Over an hour in the cafe now.
People with cameras started milling around the second floor.
Filming reality shots now?
She browsed the member pics on display without much thought when the next order batch got called.
Shoulda ordered another tiramisu.
Pyo Joohyun swallowed her regret, staring at a huge shot of Karis from back then.
Same thought from pulling his card resurfaced.
This hot in picswhats the real deal like?
Fan accounts all said stuff like AIgenerated face or unreal.
Wondering just how godtier to get those reactions.
Fan sign announcement after debutbuying albums ASAP.
Cutoff would be brutal, but meeting Karis in person to chat? Worth anything.
About 10 minutes later.
Kitchen chime drinks and cakes ready.
Parttimers emerged one by one with trays.
Huh?
The second she saw them, Pyo Joohyun thought she was hallucinating.
Way different builds from the ones circling earlier.
Taller, insanely long legs.
Some even in totally different outfits.
Huh?
Huh?
Wwait.
Gasps rippled around her.
Everyone blinking in shock.
Like questioning if this was real.
Your Charismatic Americano by Karis is here.
A parttimer stopped at the table behind her, voice smooth.
The moment she turned, mesmerized.
He pulled off his mask, revealing the dazzling visuals hidden beneath.