Chapter 186
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 186
【Yum yum yum like an apple!
Pop pop pop like a pineapple!】
Even though only a few lines of the lyrics had played, I desperately wanted to believe this was just some event song they’d found somewhere. This was despite Seong Ji-won having already confirmed it was a candidate for their title track.
‘So, you were going to make a comeback with this instead of Second Chance?’
While everyone was shouting toward The Dawn and waving their lightsticks, their hearts were united in a single, repetitive prayer: “Daepasung, you sons of bitches!”
Naturally, the stage continued steadily amidst the internal chaos.
【Mang-mang-mang like a mango
I hope this isn't a mang-ed (ruined) love
(Ah ah ah)】
The lyrics felt like they’d been written by someone using their feet, and while the melody was cute, the EDM-heavy arrangement was something I could never get used to.
“I’m actually going to faint…”
Honestly, even if they had made a comeback with this song, it probably would have blown up.
As a "Trending Video" on YouTube.
And they would have been cyberbullied into oblivion.
However, as the performance went on, whether it was the effect of brainwashing or just the power of their visuals, the tide began to turn.
White T-shirts, jeans, and a light sheen of sweat. It was the pinnacle of the "pure and fresh" look. Combined with the cute fruit-shaped hats and the adorable, tiny dance moves, the fans felt like they had ascended to paradise.
【But you know what~?】
Seo Ho-yun, who had long since tossed aside his pineapple hat, popped out next to Kang Yi-chae (who was playing the mango) with a mischievous grin. He held a unicorn-shaped bubble gun in his hand.
Spinning around and firing bubbles everywhere, Seo Ho-yun folded his hands and pretended to eat an apple.
【Apples are delicious, yum yum yum.】
‘Wait, no, this would have been a massive hit!!’
By that point, the fans had unconsciously erased their previous thoughts.
“Fuck, his face is the plausibility!!!”
They screamed at the top of their lungs.
Since this was the first time they’d seen such a cute concept outside of the Heart-Pounding Salad Eating Challenge, the response was even more explosive.
Because the performance was a fan service event without a fixed choreography, the members roamed from one end of the stage to the other, seeking out the Noeuls in every corner.
Seo Ho-yun was in the middle of singing while crouching down to meet the fans' eyes.
“YOU ARE MY PINEAPPLE!!!”
At the shout that pierced through the loud music, Seo Ho-yun’s eyes widened for a moment before his eyes curved into a soft, melting smile.
As that expression was captured vividly on the digital billboards, the Noeuls’ screams grew even louder.
【Pop pop pop like a pineapple~.】
Firing bubbles toward the fans, Seo Ho-yun walked over to Jeong Da-jun and pressed down on his apple hat. Watching this from the side, Seong Ji-won gave a radiant smile and raised his microphone.
【The orchard where you and I could meet
You, who were picking pineapples, Wow Wow Wow
The thorns prick, but you’re so lovely, I love it so much】
The lyrics were clearly nonsensical, but when layered with Seong Ji-won’s vocal tone, they somehow sounded plausible.
During concert rehearsals, Kim Seong-hyeon had muttered that this was a waste of talent, but the fans, unaware of such behind-the-scenes opinions, actually felt the song was quite romantic.
In the end, the Noeuls were completely melted by The Dawn’s wicked charms and vocal skills.
【Mang-mang-mang like a mango!】
‘This feels like a Billboard Number 1...’
By the time the song ended, even those who had been dead serious were falling into the massive delusion that they understood why this had been discussed as a title track.
If five handsome, well-proportioned men sang something like this, people would naturally flock to see what the hell was going on. For The Dawn, who had desperately needed to generate buzz at the time, it felt like it might not have been the worst alternative as a form of noise marketing.
Of course, Daepasung hadn't had a single calculated thought like that, and the fans would have cursed them to death if the group had actually debuted with it.
‘But they’re so cute?’
The fans’ hearts swung back and forth like a pendulum between "I’m going crazy because The Dawn is so cool" and "I’m going to tear Daepasung into tiny pieces."
As the concert moved into its latter half, they showcased the unit stages and cover songs they had prepared.
【Repeat after me, You can't get over me
You never said you hated it, I know what you want】
The first up was the cover of Black Call’s "Get Over," which Seo Ho-yun and Kim Seong-hyeon had performed in their self-produced content, Heart-Pounding Matching Survival!
This was followed by a cover of "When We Love," with Seong Ji-won on vocals and Kang Yi-chae on rap, and then a stage by Jeong Da-jun and Kang Yi-chae performing "I'm Praying for a Meteorite to Fall Before I Go to Work Tomorrow."
“Seo Ho-yun!!!”
“You are a literal dancing machine!!”
When they performed Lia Purple’s "Easy Tempo"—the song that had birthed several legendary GIFs—Seo Ho-yun pulled a long velvet ribbon from his pocket and tied it around his neck.
【Love me slowly】
And at the perfect moment, he slowly unraveled the ribbon, sending the entire concert hall into a state of collective madness.
Many fans who had failed to get tickets were camping out on SNS, desperately waiting for a single photo or a short clip to be posted. When things finally did go up, they bit their lips in envy.
Silk shirts with body chains, tight T-shirts with harnesses, fruit hats, suits, and even ribbon chokers.
Moreover, it was their first concert.
The "first" held deep meaning for fans as well.
The Noeuls who couldn't attend could only weep as they watched the tiny crumbs of content falling from the venue.
[Don't even mention the word 'concert' to me right now.
└ Pop'corn'
└└ You want to die?]
Meanwhile, the members of The Dawn were in high spirits.
And for good reason.
The massive crowd gathered just to see them, the lightsticks waving in every direction, the cheers piercing through their in-ears.
Even though all of this was unfamiliar, they could directly feel the pure affection radiating toward them.
“Thank you! This is our last song!”
"Stardust," the song that had brought them here, began to play.
【We aren't lost, we're moving forward
We never saved anything to go back】
During the final stage of Shining Star Season 2, the song had felt like singing of hope amidst despair, but this time, it felt much brighter—a perfect summer anthem for the season.
【All the way to the end
Even if we don't know what lies ahead】
The members, wearing T-shirts with The Dawn’s logo and towel slogans draped around their necks, ran around the stage.
Suddenly feeling mischievous, Kang Yi-chae pulled his towel over Seo Ho-yun’s head. But instead of getting annoyed, Seo Ho-yun just laughed.
Kang Yi-chae found it strange. Ho-yun looked genuinely peaceful and happy.
So, they looked at each other and burst into laughter together.
【We are becoming Stardust】
Before they knew it, all the members had gathered, looking into each other's eyes.
“Thank you! Goodbye!”
It was just as Seong Ji-won was waving to the Noeuls with a bright smile.
【♩♪♫】
The sound of a whistle echoed from somewhere.
【Let's draw the future together
I've changed since I met you】
Then, the fans began a cappella sing-along.
It was "Colors," a B-side from their Japanese album.
Due to the overwhelming response from Noeuls who felt it was a waste to only release it in Japanese, the group had re-recorded and released a Korean version specifically for the fans.
【Today, tomorrow, and the day after
Because we'll be together】
It wasn't a title track, nor was it an official track from a domestic album.
They hadn't expected an event like this at all.
The fans' voices blended naturally, filling the stadium.
Jeong Da-jun’s eyes went wide before he burst into thick tears, and Kim Seong-hyeon also let out the sobs he had been suppressing. Seong Ji-won quietly wiped his eyes as well.
【My heart keeps fluttering
I want to tell you
That I wish this moment would last forever】
Standing at the very front, Seo Ho-yun neither cried nor laughed.
He simply raised his microphone when his part came and sang along with the fans.
【My personality is a bit bad
And I'm always selfish
But if it's you, I don't mind losing】
No one would ever know, but Seo Ho-yun was actually a bit shaken.
Even though he hadn't written them, there wasn't a single thing in those lyrics he could actually keep.
【I wish this moment was eternal
Can I stay by your side?】
Every time he witnessed that selfless affection, it felt like the conscience he thought had run away was pounding against his heart.
Seo Ho-yun knew.
He couldn't be eternal, and an end would exist someday.
【—I swallow those words and say instead】
But he looked straight ahead, pretending everything was fine.
【Let's draw tomorrow together】
Before his eyes, the blue light symbolizing The Dawn flickered in abundance.
Instead of uttering the countless words and emotions swirling around him, Seo Ho-yun smiled.
【I've changed for you
My Colors】
For now, more than anything else, he just wanted to savor this moment.
*
They were only able to finish after performing several more songs for the encore. It was the same for the second day of the concert.
The fact that they had prepared slightly different blocking for both days also received great reviews.
“Thank you!”
“Great job, everyone~.”
I stepped off the stage, greeting the staff.
According to the planning team’s feedback on the first day, people were surprised by our skills and fan service, but seeing us sob at the end made us feel like true rookies.
‘Does that mean I’m not a rookie?’
Kim Seong-hyeon and Jeong Da-jun were crybabies to begin with, but even Kang Yi-chae had looked choked up today.
I scratched the back of my neck and opened the waiting room door.
I turned on the B App with the members behind me. It was to briefly convey our gratitude and feelings to the fans.
“Waaaaah….”
“Hey, are you crying? Again?”
I teased Kim Seong-hyeon and Jeong Da-jun, who were still shedding tears, shared our thoughts on the first concert, and gave our thanks to Noeul before finally turning off the live stream.
“Let’s go home~.”
“Good work!”
Everyone changed into comfortable clothes and headed to the parking lot.
The time was racing toward dawn.
“Let’s draw tomorrow togetherrrrr~~!!”
“I’ve changed! For you~!”
“Did someone drink already?”
“This is seriously embarrassing.”
I was massaging my stiff shoulders, thinking my stamina had been lacking lately, when Jeong Da-jun, who was squawking at the top of his lungs, clung to me.
“Hyung, how are your eyes so dry??”
“How are yours so swollen?”
When I put my hand over Jeong Da-jun’s eyes, which were bulging like a goldfish’s, they were burning hot.
Ignoring Jeong Da-jun, who said it felt cool and asked me to drag him to the van like this, I strode forward.
‘Vacation tomorrow morning, then straight into comeback preparations.’
Public broadcasts had decreased slightly, but the schedule was still tight.
I arrived at the dorm thinking that being busy might actually be better.
After showering and roughly drying my hair, I walked out to find the living room in the middle of after-party preparations.
Jeong Da-jun was still overflowing with energy, as if the excitement hadn't worn off yet.
“Our night starts now!!”
I caught the kid as he came running and spun him around, pushing him toward Kim Seong-hyeon.
Well, he had been screaming about wanting an after-party for a while now.
“Good job. I’m going to sleep.”
“Eh! Where are you going?! Let’s have the party!!”
“Ho-yun, I even bought that cream liqueur you like!”
Since when did I like that stuff?
I glanced at the table, saw the Irish whiskey, and quietly sat down on the floor.
“Is there milk?”
“Yeah, right next to you.”
“Wow, look at that attitude shift. So your favorite alcohol comes before your youngest member’s request?!?”
“Hyung, I told you, right? This works like a charm.”
“It really does~.”
I ignored their conversation and focused on mixing my drink. Taking a sip, the rich taste of sweet cream and chocolate filled my mouth.
As I was enjoying the aftertaste and mixing another, Jeong Da-jun pulled out another bottle of Irish whiskey from somewhere, slid it toward me, and spoke.
“Um… but hyung, you can’t get mad.”
“Why would I get mad?”
“Well, you see….”
At that moment, ding-dong. The dorm doorbell rang.
“Oh, man~!”
I glanced at the clock; it wasn't a time when anyone should be coming over.
Jeong Da-jun scurried over to check the intercom and then turned his head awkwardly.
‘...What is it?’
He then started pushing me while eyeing my reaction.
“We have a special guest coming today. Hyung, you open the door!”
The maknae’s reaction was highly suspicious, but I figured it was probably just a manager at most. We hadn't moved into this dorm that long ago, and Jeong Da-jun had already checked the intercom.
Thinking I’d find out who it was once I opened the door, I stood up sluggishly, but didn't forget to get a word in.
“The youngest should be the one opening the door.”
“Ah, hyung has to open it~.”
‘Seriously, what is it?’
Seeing Jeong Da-jun continue to push me from behind, I decided to just go along with it. I walked over and swung the door open.
“……Ack!”
Along with the sound of something slamming into the door, I heard a very familiar voice.
“Ugh….”
“Who…?”
It seemed someone had been hit by the door I opened.
Frowning, I poked my head behind the door.
“Hey, that hurts like hell.”
There stood Ju Woo-seong, rubbing his forehead with slightly teary eyes.