Becoming An Idol Wasn’T On My Plan [EN]: Chapter 88

88.

As I’ve explained repeatedly, this album is a bit more intense than the last one. Perhaps because of that, unlike the last time when the outfits were mostly light and airy like sweaters, this time they were mainly made of leather-like materials.

It’s terribly uncomfortable clothing. Leather chunks that don’t fulfill the inherent function of clothing, seeming like they’ll reveal everything with the slightest movement, or actually do. I’m deeply pondering whether I can functionally call this clothing.

Clearly, the concept is still those cringeworthy noblemen, but the attire just looks shabby and rude.

Just then.

“I understand this song is also Ji Dong-hwa’s original composition! What was the motivation for writing it?”

A reporter threw a question at me. Ryu Iden was skillfully navigating the crisis with his decent eloquence, so I was lost in thought for a moment, but it seems the answer has already ended.

I straighten my posture and hold the microphone.

I want to answer these questions truthfully, but I now understand to some extent that mentioning the Ouroboros [a symbol of a snake eating its own tail, representing cyclicality and infinity] and talking about the moment when the beginning and end intersect is something I can’t do as a celebrity.

“…Um, Hamin once brought a snake to the dorm. I was inspired by watching the snake shed its skin and stayed up all night in the studio writing the song.”

Therefore, compromising at the midpoint between fact and fiction.

“I have a question for Ji Dong-hwa. The ‘Sorry’ collaboration with senior singer Jun-sung is still a hot topic.”

Hmm, I’m still doubtful whether it’s a good topic for us or a fire that burned everything down, but the statement itself isn’t wrong.

“Jun-sung even said at the showcase that he wants to continue working together. Do you have any thoughts on that?”

“…I always want to maintain a good relationship with my senior.”

I want to say, ‘Do you want me to be a prophet?’ but I don’t want to be burned at the stake, so I answer only to the extent that I won’t be caught out.

But was it from then on that sharp questions with clear intentions started coming in?

Questions like, “There’s talk that the Rookie Award is a foregone conclusion. What do the Blossem members think?” or “You have a strong image as a talented group this time. It’s great to see you appealing to your skills even as idols!”

Compared to Ryu Iden’s sister and them, I wonder why they chose the job of a reporter.

A back-and-forth where Ryu Iden and I block questions that are difficult to answer as much as possible. It’s a terribly boring and uninteresting story of the entertainment industry.

* * *

After the press showcase and while waiting for the upcoming fan showcase, I was quietly reading a book.

“Dong-hwa… I’m so nervous.”

Chae Hamin mutters, drooping over me while I’m sitting on the sofa. He didn’t seem nervous during the press showcase, but he seems particularly nervous because it’s been a while since he stood in front of the fans.

“…Hamin, if you mess up the solo dance because you’re nervous.”

“Stop! Don’t say any more! Dong-hwa! I feel like I’m going to cry just imagining it!”

Chae Hamin gathers his hands and raises them to his face, then starts writhing in agony. Unable to help it, I put down the book I was reading and forcibly stood Chae Hamin up. I toss the cumbersome Chae Hamin to Ryu Iden, who was next to me, and go back to reading the book.

‘…Peaceful.’

The story of the internet world that I recently heard from Lee Hyun-jae.

Everything from being piggybacked on Jun-sung’s composition to sell, to acting up while making promises as rookies, to being propped up as strong candidates for the Rookie Award even though we didn’t want it, is all displeasing.

Ding―!

A familiar electronic sound rings in my ear.

[The Rookie Award is a quest completion condition, so you should want it!]

‘…Damn it, Giseaeng. Have you returned.’

[Thank you for the enthusiastic welcome. It seems the problem has been resolved well while I was away! The crisis Yoon Sung-ho will face has been significantly weakened!]

‘…Is that so. You haven’t completely escaped it?’

I close the book and bury my face in the sofa. Was I arrogant again, this time? I thought I had achieved the best possible result in my own way.

[Human life cannot be established without trials, so it’s hard to see that as your fault! Instead of feeling guilty about that, it’s more reasonable to pay attention to me, who has been imprisoned for hundreds of years!]

I almost burst out laughing in disbelief. So, no matter what I did, I couldn’t completely eliminate the hardships in human life.

…Even if I’m not satisfied, can I rest assured for a moment, just a very short moment? First of all, I think it’s okay to leave Yoon Sung-ho with one blemish.

Ding―!

[By the way, please stop using honorifics unnecessarily. It’s disgusting.]

‘Shh, can’t you think of it as my own courtesy to you.’

And after a long time, Giseaeng sent an alarm.

[I’m sorry! I went to throw up!]

* * *

A male high school student attending an arts high school trembled. After encountering Blossem on the radio, he started lightly stanning [supporting/being a fan of] them because he liked their music, but for some reason, he is currently at the showcase venue.

“…No way, this is happening.”

He thought going to fan signing events or showcases would require a huge amount of money, so he reduced his food expenses and saved up his allowance to buy just one album, and now he’s here, why.

He heard that Nietzsche Entertainment does random draws for showcases, but even with the best of luck, he doubts if this makes sense.

“Actually… isn’t this organ trafficking?”

He nodded, thinking it was a reasonable suspicion.

“Yeah, no way. How could buying one album…….”

Without even realizing that he was muttering to himself in a daze, he imagines a scene from a crime movie.

He hasn’t even repaid his parents’ kindness yet, but his feet won’t move, and if it’s true, it’s too much of a waste, what should he do.

Such a long time of agony.

With two hours left until the showcase, he sits in a small, shabby cafe a bit far from the venue and begins to agonize.

Still in his school uniform, he sits blankly when.

“I must have vegetable juice today!”

A familiar voice is heard. There’s no way he couldn’t recognize it.

‘…Hamin hyung [older brother/male figure]?’

When he raises his head, for some reason, Chae Hamin is grabbing Ji Dong-hwa’s wrist and heading to the cafe counter.

“…What the hell, is this a dream.”

Vulgar words come out of his mouth involuntarily. He didn’t know when he saw them on the screen, but why are they so handsome.

As if he heard that, Ji Dong-hwa suddenly looks this way. The male high school student is startled when he meets those slightly cold eyes and his mouth trembles.

Is this what a mouse in front of a snake feels like? Fear, expectation, some bizarre emotions begin to rush in.

Ji Dong-hwa, who was watching him quietly, contemplates something, nods once, leaves Chae Hamin behind, and approaches. He slowly approaches, bows carefully, points to my hand with his palm, and quietly opens his mouth.

“…Do you like the official cheering stick [light stick/fan merchandise] ?”

Only then does he realize that he is holding the cheering stick tightly in his hand. Is this shame or glory, or is it half honor and half disgrace?

‘More than that! What’s with Dong-hwa hyung’s voice! Why is it so good!’

“This is the first time we’ve released it, so are there any inconveniences?”

His mouth is parched. What, what is this? Why is my favorite singer taking complaints in front of me? Why is he so polite? Too, words, this, what.

He is slightly flustered by the thought that he must answer something, gets up from his seat, and bows 90 degrees.

“I love you, hyung!”

He definitely thought that he hadn’t started stanning properly until yesterday, but the person who composed ‘Cliff and Boy’ is in front of him, so respect naturally wells up.

“I really, when I was having a hard time! Listening to the songs hyung wrote! So, uh! So comforting! I love you, hyung!”

Still bowing at 90 degrees, he can’t even imagine what Ji Dong-hwa’s expression is like. What if he’s looking at me like an idiot? What if he doesn’t like male fans? What about the atmosphere?

And the voice that comes.

“Thank you. I think you must have been very surprised that I came to find you so rashly, but I should be the one greeting you for liking the song.”

There were so many comments on SNS that Ji Dong-hwa is polite, and it seems to be true. He uses honorifics even though he’s wearing a school uniform that anyone can see.

Only then can he raise his head and look at Ji Dong-hwa. He was smiling faintly and bowing his head with me.

“I! I really! With this one album! Showcase!”

His voice naturally gets louder and trembles. It would have been an absurd nuisance if there were people in the cafe, but fortunately, it was fortunate that there was only himself here.

Clearly, he had only lightly stanned, but why is this happening?

Next to him, sitting and talking, Ji Dong-hwa is squatting and listening, nodding.

“I listen to the radio, and I’ve been uploading fan art to SNS since then.”

Ji Dong-hwa tilts his head once and answers with a smile.

“I saw it. That picture. You drew Iden hyung, didn’t you.”

“Wow, damn, this isn’t a dream, is it?”

While they were talking, Chae Hamin, who had finished ordering, squats next to Ji Dong-hwa.

“Do you know him, Dong-hwa?”

“He’s a Luminous [Blossem’s fan name], Hamin.”

“Wow, really? I came a long way around because I was worried that the fans would gather and get hurt! It’s an honor!”

A bizarre scene continues for a while, with the male high school student sitting alone drinking an Americano, and two of his favorite singers squatting next to him.

“…I, on the way home today, I can die happy…….”

“That’s not good. Please live a long life and be with us.”

“That’s right. Let’s go with us forever!”

Ji Dong-hwa says one word firmly, Chae Hamin takes over, gets up from his seat, bows once more, and says goodbye.

“Then, see you at the showcase.”

“…I’ll be a Luminous forever.”

Watching Chae Hamin holding vegetable juice in his hand and Ji Dong-hwa not holding anything leave, he leans back on the sofa.

“…First of all, let’s draw what happened today into a cartoon.”

He takes out the notebook in his bag and tries to capture the scholarly atmosphere that Ji Dong-hwa exuded. The cartoon that will be shared the most among the showcase reviews begins to be completed like this.