Translator: MarcTempest
Editor: NicoleTempest
Chapter 236
This part had the most variation among the members, as the movements were fast and delicate.
We had to practice this part over and over again to match each other as much as possible, since we had a short preparation period.
Eventually, we all got so used to it that we would automatically step to the chorus, even screaming in agony.
‘I don’t even have to think anymore, my body moves on its own!’
We became familiar with the song to the point where it controlled our bodies, and we learned where to put and release our strength according to the beat. It was as if we had been working as an eight-member group from the start.
‘But there’s still a slight difference between each of us…’
Normally, they would call it a difference in dancing skills, not a mismatch in choreography.I swallowed my dry saliva and turned around at the right timing, bending and straightening my knees lightly and bowing my head.
[Three, two, one. Shh-.]
[From now on, it’s just us two.]
[Starting from today, it’s just us two.]
[Answer me, knock knock, I’m waiting.]
As we knocked on the door with our fists to match the lyrics of knock knock, it was finally Hwijin’s turn.
[The atmosphere here is too boring.]
[I act like nothing’s wrong, and approach you with a calm expression.]
As soon as Hwijin performed the point dance in front of the relay camera, Yu-geon took over the next part.
[Hi, a common greeting is too familiar.]
[My heart feels like it’s going to explode.]
Yu-geon smiled slyly at the camera, as if he had planned it all along, with a relaxed expression.
Acting with your face on stage was a natural skill for an idol, but seeing him do it so well made me feel a bit annoyed.
‘He’s the kind of guy who can’t be criticized for his skills, even if he deserves to be cursed for his personality.’
He’s really good at it. I tried not to be too conscious of him, and stood in the middle of the stage with my back to him.
[The most shining moment of tonight.]
[Right now, when our eyes meet.]
[A confession of liking you is too common.]
I winked and gestured with my hand as if I was shooting a gun, towards the camera and the audience. Thankfully, flashes went off one after another.
I thought I had accumulated enough experience on stage by now, but I still felt a bit nervous when I stood in the center, where I got the most attention.
It wasn’t because I was afraid of making a mistake or causing an accident… It was still unfamiliar.
I couldn’t believe I was an idol. I still lacked a sense of reality.
‘When did I ever live with a sense of reality?’
It was the same when I lived a fierce life, almost like an orphan, without any adult to help me.
My experience in the world that was created to prevent me from returning to reality was so miserable that I had no luck at all in my early years.
Anyway, regardless of whether I felt it or not, I knew what I had to do now.
I had to deliver a perfect performance as Cheon Ise, the ‘late bloomer idol’ that everyone wanted.
I winked and changed the line, moving to the back. Everyone else left the front where the camera couldn’t catch them, and only Yi-jun remained in the center of the stage.
[You and I, right here, zoom in]
[As if it’s only the two of us, step in]
[Lift your head for a moment, don’t think too much.]
[As soon as you’re ready, go.]
[Custom made for you, don’t hesitate, take it.]
And then, without a break, the ad-lib part of the main vocals followed.
They had to balance each other out because they had such a big height difference, so Naru wore high-tops and the height difference was reduced to half of what it usually was. I could feel everyone holding back their laughter.
‘Don’t laugh.’
I lifted the corners of my mouth just enough, and it was Kyunghwa’s part again.
‘Everyone did well without any mistakes so far.’
Finally, all the prelude was over and it was time to take the ending shot.
We each looked at the designated camera and showed the pushing motion that was the point dance.
After the ending shot, the lights changed and we relaxed our poses. Applause and cheers poured out.
“Thank you!”
“Thank you~!”
We bowed our waists and greeted the stage below. The confetti that had been scattered in the middle of the stage was cleaned up and a simple photo time began.
We took a few group poses, changing the angle, and it felt like I was a product on display on the stage, just like the meaning of the showcase.
‘It’s just posing and standing, but it’s so hard.’
I wanted to sit down. Everyone had a desperate wish in their minds, when we moved on to a brief talk time with the host.
“Now, we’re going to start the Q&A time that the fans sent us directly. The members will peel off one post-it each that is attached upside down and check the content.”
The questions were already reviewed once.
I had a rough idea of what was on the list.
‘But I still don’t know what I’ll get.’
I calmly smiled and asked Hwijin, who was sitting closest to the question board, to pick one.
“Okay, Hwijin, can you show us your question?”
“Uh, yes. Do I have to read it?”
“It would be nice if you did!”
“Um, then… Do you have any hobbies for your holidays? Oh, this is something we’ve already talked about a lot…”
Hwijin hesitated, and Yeongjeong answered with a smile.
“You said binge-watching dramas in the interviews, right?”
“Yes, yes, I was so busy during the promotion period that it was hard to catch up. I subscribe to four OTTs, you know. Just watching the originals takes up so much time.”
“Then, what was the most recent drama that you liked the most?”
At Yeongjeong’s follow-up question, Hwijin thought for a moment and answered with a smile.
“I really enjoyed watching ‘Thrilling Secret Romance’ that came out recently.”
Everyone burst into laughter at the subtle mention of Kyunghwa’s latest work.
“Ah~. Wow. You’re one of the Offbeat family now. Is that it?”
“No, no, I don’t mean it like that. It’s really fun.”
As we moved on to the next person, it was my turn.
“Okay, now it’s your turn, Ise. Please pick a question!”
I walked up to the board and picked up one that was stuck on the edge and flipped it over.
[How do you feel about stealing someone else’s life?]
‘What?’
It was a question that wasn’t there when I checked it last.
What the hell… As I stared at the post-it in my hand, Yeongjeong called me.
“Ise?”
Oops. I was on stage with dozens of cameras watching me. I quickly pulled myself together and read the post-it again. It had a different content than before.
[What is your favorite motto in life?]
“Ah… I’m sorry, I was thinking for a moment. My favorite motto in life… would be ‘Do it right if you’re going to do it.’”
“Wow~. What does that mean?”
“Well, I don’t like doing things half-heartedly. If I’m going to do something, I’ll do it right, and if I’m not going to do it, I won’t do it from the start. Once I start something, I want to do my best.”
“Wow, that’s a very responsible motto for a leader.”
Haha. I barely smiled and erased the nonsense I saw earlier from my mind.
Get a grip. I had Yu-geon’s bombshell confession waiting for me. I don’t know why I had such a weird illusion earlier.
I have to do it right. It’s not just my own thing. I don’t have the luxury of being distracted.
A little later, after the showcase that took up almost the whole day was over, my whole body relaxed.
The other guys were also in a so-so state, and Yi-jun looked at me with a worried expression.
“Hyung, are you okay?”
What’s wrong with me? I didn’t get hit or dragged away. I lifted my head and looked up at Yi-jun. Seon-woo was also next to me, looking at me with a concerned expression.
“Ah, I’m just a bit tired. Don’t worry too much.”
Actually, I was in better condition than usual. The title effect was helping me a lot.
Even though my body was relatively comfortable, I felt like my soul had left me.
It was because of Yu-geon’s family drama that we fought like a war earlier.
‘Did I care that much about Cheon Ise?’
It was because of the nonsense that popped up out of nowhere.
[How do you feel about stealing someone else’s life?]
Stealing… Well, technically, it wasn’t a wrong word. Everything I achieved after becoming Cheon Ise was done by myself.
The original Cheon Ise could never do those things.
‘But who can be sure of that?’
Maybe, like the other Climax members who showed their hidden talents and achieved success, Cheon Ise also had potential.
‘…’
In the end, I couldn’t help but doubt myself.
‘But I can’t check that now.’
Then, all I had to do was fulfill Cheon Ise’s dying wish, and do my best to achieve success as an idol for my revenge.
Whether the real Cheon Ise was happy or jealous of my success. I had no doubt about the direction I had to go.
‘So don’t think about it anymore.’
I shook my head and fixed my complexion to reassure the members. Soon, the managers came to the waiting room.
“We’ve cleared everything outside. We can go back to the dorm now.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Oh, and the phone you walked with earlier. Congratulations on being number one.”
The new manager smiled and spoiled it, making everyone scream at the same time.
“Ahh! Why did you spoil it!”
“Ah, I’ve been holding it in for so long!”
The manager answered nervously, as if he was flustered.
“Oh, you didn’t know? I thought you all saw it through different routes. I’m sorry.”
But they were all too stubborn in this regard, so they didn’t have time to think of such tricks.
I took the phone from the manager and quickly checked the main platform chart. Sure enough, the real-time first place, 24hits, was ranked 13th.
The 24-hour entry was 30th. It wasn’t as good as Floss, but it was a very satisfying result.
All kinds of fan sites, as well as SNS, were turned upside down with our story.
[Real-time Trends]
- Offbeat’s new song
- Dotori’s height measurement
- Husband candidate
- Kang Yu-geon’s father
- Our relationship
- Psychological test
- Climax
- Floss
- Showcase
- Concept jackpot
Seven out of the real-time trends were related to us.
‘Of course, it varies by user, so it won’t look like this on accounts that are not idol-focused.’
But I was happy. I captured it and thought I should give something back to the official account. I called Kyunghwa.
“Let’s post a commemorative photo.”
Kyunghwa naturally took the end of the selfie stick and arranged the seats one by one.
“Since there are a lot of people, we all have to fit in small, so don’t complain that I came out so tiny.”
They all glanced at Naru, who made a popping sound.
“Why, why are you looking at me? I have common sense, you know?”
“Let’s put our youngest in front, he’s the smallest.”
They all laughed at Yi-jun’s remark, which was either considerate or teasing.
“No, I’m not small, okay? I’m bigger than average.”
Naru grumbled and stood in front.
‘Anyway, he gets the front spot.’
I looked at the screen, forgetting the tension for a moment.
A life of misery saved by hand-made food
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