Chapter 430
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 430
The sun of early June beat down on a small riverside park.
Residents of the neighborhood, seated one by one in plastic chairs lined up outdoors, were turning small wireless remotes over in their hands with curious expressions.
A high school girl, wearing a volunteer armband on her left arm and helping to manage the crowd, glanced at them before turning back to guide more people to their seats.
Normally, she would have been at a cool study hall, pretending to hit the books while scrolling through social media. However, her mother—who had taken a temporary advisory role on the Citizen Park Committee—had blackmailed her, claiming she would "live a life full of regret" if she missed this event. Thus, she was forced into manual labor.
Having been on the move since early morning, the high schooler finally found a moment to rest in the afternoon. She immediately sought out a secluded spot.
Squatting down, she opened Nutube on her phone.
【"Hello, I'm Seo Ho-yun, the lead vocal of the five-member boy group, The Dawn."】
"Seo Ho-yun, you really brought your A-game."
Even though it had been released only recently, the video—an episode of Woo-seong Broadcast—already had well over three million views. She had likely contributed significantly to that count herself. As she watched it again, she couldn't help but giggle.
【"...I'm working really hard and preparing a variety of content."】
[This is the first time I've seen Seo Ho-yun open up about his struggles... He must be really comfortable with Ju-seong ㅠㅠ]
[He even personally thanked the staff. He's so polite... He seems like such a kind person.]
└ [He probably can't tell a lie lol]
└└ [Right? lol He's a prankster with his members, though.]
[Juseong smiling at hoyoon!! SO CUTE (heart emoji)]
[It's so cute how he says he's embarrassed to promote himself ㅠ Our boy might look shameless, but he gets shy when the spotlight is actually on him.]
└ [It feels like Seo Ho-yun is especially shy... haha]
└└ [He's probably just bashful about talking about his own team in front of such a big senior~~ The comeback mention at the end was probably a staff instruction anyway ^^ Round of applause for Ho-yun for handling it like a pro!]
[they were so comfortable on this episode <3<3<3]
[Out of all idols, Seo Ho-yun seems to have the best and gentlest personality.]
"Did they all lose their minds?"
As she scrolled through the comments while watching the video on the small screen, the high schooler rubbed the goosebumps on her arms. She still couldn't get used to people claiming Seo Ho-yun was "gentle."
【"Please look forward to The Dawn's upcoming comeback!"】
The video ended with Seo Ho-yun drawing a heart in the air as the signature Woo-seong Broadcast ending theme played. Humming along, she switched over to Twitter, where she saw her fellow Dawn fans engaged in a heated debate over the song camp tracks.
The first broadcast should be starting soon.
If they opened applications for the audience, she was determined to go.
As she habitually scrolled with her thumb, she heard her name called from a distance and looked up.
"Ga-young! Come over here and help!"
It was the signal that her break was over.
As she busied herself helping out again, the sun set, and the start of the performance drew near.
After finishing her tasks, the high schooler stood in the back row of the audience and tugged on her mother’s sleeve, whispering.
"Mom, what is this that they even made us sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement? Is this really okay?"
"You worry too much. Don't you trust your mother?"
"Ugh, seriously! I just signed that contract, and it's scary. Is it really QBS for sure? Are the clauses legitimate?!"
Looking at the equipment clearly marked with the QBS logo, it didn't seem like a lie, but the NDA still felt unsettling.
"I checked everything myself, so just enjoy the show and go home."
"Fine, fine."
Pouting, she swatted away the midges that swarmed in the summer air. A man who appeared to be a broadcast staff member stepped onto the stage and explained how to use the remotes. He added that there would be six performances and asked the audience to vote for the song they liked best.
From the remotes to the NDA, it seemed all the preparations were for this.
While she wondered what kind of show they were filming to cause such a fuss, the surroundings dimmed, and a pin-light flickered on. Simultaneously, music filled the riverside park.
【"You are my love—..."】
As the figure standing under the pure white light, wearing a Calf mask, began to sing:
【"Wherever you go,
I will go with you."】
A soft, beautiful voice flowed out, blending perfectly with a trot-style ballad.
"...W-wait. They're insanely good. Doesn't this sound like that drama OST Mom was obsessed with recently?"
"‘It’s Definitely Love’?"
"Yeah, that! The voice sounds so much like the singer who came on during every climax. This is crazy..."
Are they talking about Baek Ji-jun?
The high schooler tilted her head in thought, unaware that her mother was looking at her with a strange expression. She kept her eyes fixed forward.
Well, they really are damn good at singing.
For a moment, she wondered if it really was Baek Ji-jun, but she quickly dismissed the thought.
First, if someone as famous as Baek Ji-jun were here, they wouldn't have set up such a modest stage. Second, based on what she had learned throughout her life—short as it was—she knew she wasn't lucky enough to witness such a moment in person.
It's probably just a talented unknown singer, she thought, clapping for the person in the Calf mask as they finished their final note and bowed.
Next, a person in a Tiger mask appeared.
Boom, ba-doom—boom boom boom!
A strong, fast beat with a subtle hint of old-school rhythm echoed loudly.
"...Is this a club?"
【"Ain’t it fake? Whoa, o’mine
It can never be a fluke."】
The figure in the Tiger mask certainly dominated the stage, running around and spitting out aggressive rap verses.
However—
【"This feeling of helplessness, suck my dXXk!!"】
As a performance for an audience consisting mostly of families, middle-aged people, and elderly residents, it was a very awkward choice.
Sure enough, while the audience waved their colored balloons slightly off-beat, there wasn't much of a response.
Well, he's good. He kind of reminds me of K.voka...
She was giving a lukewarm evaluation as she watched the Tiger-masked figure strike a bold ending pose and disappear behind the backscreen, when a piece of information suddenly flashed through her mind.
...Wait, Baek Ji-jun and K.voka?
For some reason, that lineup felt incredibly familiar.
No way. There's no way.
"Hahaha. What am I thinking!"
She was indulging in a delusional fantasy. Had she spent so many years obsessed with The Dawn that she was imagining things now?
She shook her head as if to tear her hair out, trying to dispel the embarrassment, when a person in a Black Cat mask caught her eye. They were wearing a white T-shirt, a sky-blue jumper, and dark jeans.
Stopping in front of the microphone, the figure held up three fingers to emphasize their number, then drew a heart in the air. The audience erupted in laughter at the cute gesture.
...Wait, no way.
But the high schooler couldn't laugh; the movements were too familiar.
"Mom, is this show—"
【"—The sun that shines hotly upon me!"】
The moment she tried to ask her mother a question, the first line of the song hit her. A slightly husky yet low, resonant voice pierced her ears, sending a thrill through her entire body.
【"Gratitude to this land I tread upon
Even if this path is nothing but hardship, ah, ah-ah."】
It was a song strangely similar to the 1990s folk-rock her mother often listened to, leaving a completely different impression from the previous performances. It was undoubtedly a great stage that enhanced the atmosphere of the early summer night, with stars dotting the black sky and a cool breeze blowing.
"...No, holy shit..."
But the high schooler couldn't process any of that right now.
That incredibly familiar voice, the perfect sense of rhythm, and above all, the aura...
【"Because this, too, is my youth—"】
Realizing the song had ended, the high schooler shouted before she could stop herself.
"I want a remooote, too!! I want to vooote!!"
"Hey! Hey, what are you doing?!"
I should have come as a participant, not a staff member!
Only after her mother grabbed her by the scruff of the neck did she quiet down, weeping tears of blood internally. Her mind was filled with thoughts of the Black Cat mask.
In the meantime, the remaining performances passed, and the votes from the on-site judges were revealed.
First place went to a woman in a Squirrel mask who appeared fifth and received overwhelming cheers for her skillful trot performance. Second place, trailing by only a few votes, was the Calf mask. Surprisingly, third place went to the Black Cat mask she had supported, beating out other formidable candidates.
"Waaaaah!! It's Kang U-rin!!"
The performers took the stage again in reverse order of their ranking, removing their masks to the songs they had performed.
K.voka, LUMA, Kang U-rin.
As the audience buzzed at the appearance of familiar celebrities, the sound of drums and bass spread out, led by an acoustic guitar.
【"Even if it seems vague, I can't give up
Because I don't want to live a life full of regrets
You don't have to be afraid so easily."】
The Black Cat mask was pulled back. Even though his hair was damp with sweat and sticking to his forehead, the man's face made even that look like a calculated aesthetic.
Slowly brushing back his bangs, he gave a bright smile.
"Oh, my God..."
It was him.
The real deal had appeared.
【"—The sun that shines hotly upon me!
Let's push away the anxiety flooding our hearts and smile
Like a scene from a youth movie."】
"Huh? I think I've seen that guy somewhere..."
"Is he an actor? Didn't he appear in that drama Min Ji-heon was in?"
She was in her hometown where she had lived her whole life, barely ten minutes from her house, and in such a humble place, she was facing her favorite idol. Just as her reason was about to detach from reality, the murmurs around her snapped her back to her senses.
"It's Seo Ho-yun! The Black Cat is Seo Ho-yun!!!! My bias, The Dawn's Seo Ho-yun!!!"
She accidentally screamed again and quickly covered her mouth. It would be a total nuisance if her shouting got caught in the audio.
But it seemed it was already too late.
【"Welcoming this cool early summer breeze
I will remember today for the rest of my life."】
Whether he had heard her or not, Seo Ho-yun turned his gaze toward her and let his lips curl into a soft smile.
【"Welcoming the dazzling summer
I will cherish today."】
I'll cherish it for the rest of my fucking life...
Only a few hours ago, she had been grumbling about what a struggle this was. Now, she was profoundly grateful that she was from this area, that her mother was an advisor for the Citizen Park Committee, and that she lived on the same planet as Seo Ho-yun.
Mom, I'll be a good daughter from now on.
She had wondered why her academic-focused mother had insisted she come out, but it must have been because she knew her daughter was a fan of The Dawn.
The dreamlike time passed in a flash. By the time the park, crowded with people leaving the venue, was finally cleared, her mother approached and handed her a small, square object.
"Princess, take this."
"Huh? ...Gasp...!!!"
It was none other than The Dawn's album Wish, signed by all the members.
"M-M-Mom! Seriously... I love this so, so much... How did you get this?"
She was overjoyed. Her hands trembled, and tears pricked her eyes.
But on the other hand, she was worried that Seo Ho-yun might have felt annoyed by a sudden request for an autograph in the middle of his busy schedule.
"Well, I was cleaning up in the back when that boy, Seo Ho-yun? He suddenly came up to me and asked. He asked if I was the family member of the person he saw earlier, and if she was a fan of The Dawn. Then he gave me that and left."
"...Whoa, shit..."
"Watch your language. Anyway, he said he was sorry he couldn't deliver it in person."
Even her mother, who was stingy with praise, commented that "the boy seems kind and gentle."
Normally, she would never have agreed, but today, the high schooler couldn't help but concur.
Seo Ho-yun, is he an angel...?
Stroking the album cover, she carefully looked inside.
I like that your voice is so loud~ ^^
- Black Cat
"Aaaah!!!!"
"What's wrong now?!"
Looking at the written message, she realized it once again.
Seeing his skillful teasing, Seo Ho-yun was definitely still Seo Ho-yun.
*
At the same time, a teaser for the new album was uploaded to The Dawn's Nutube account.
【"You pull me like gravity"】
Amidst the pure, clear voice of Seong Ji-won, Seo Ho-yun appeared wearing shorts and wired earphones. As if he had just stepped out of the shower, a drop of water ran down his slightly long hair that covered the nape of his neck, trailing along his jawline before falling to the floor.
As Seo Ho-yun walked toward the dome-shaped window of a spaceship, the image of Earth—the home he had left behind—was reflected in his eyes.
【"Between disaster and miracle,
We are standing here, holding hands."】
The title track of the full-length album Aeronautics, "Flight."
It was their first comeback in nine months.