Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 46

#46.

***

“Good work, everyone!”

“You’ve all done great!”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

After the broadcast ended.

A thunderous voice echoed through the MOST waiting room.

Paper confetti from the stage clung thickly to the members’ sweat-soaked faces.

Yet, the members’ faces were bright and clear.

“Good job, guys!”

“You too, Noona [older sister/female friend]! Your outfit today was amazing! Wow.”

“Why is Woo-cheol getting so cheeky?”

“It’s because he takes after Heung-min hyung [older brother/male friend].”

“Hey, why are you suddenly selling me out? Noona, you worked hard.”

“You did a great job.”

“Yeah, Heung-min and Do-jae too.”

The members, after diligently greeting the staff, gathered together before changing their clothes.

Originally, they only gathered when they went on stage, but today they gathered on their own without Ki-joon telling them to.

“Good job.”

Ki-joon said in a calm yet sincere voice.

The members exchanged glances.

They knew each other’s struggles best.

They thought they had suffered during their trainee days, but the things after their debut were on a different level from their trainee days.

They were nervous together backstage and breathed and sweated together on stage.

They wiped away each other’s tears and rejoiced while hugging each other.

Those times made the members closer than ever.

“Today’s performance was really awesome! Right?”

“Of course!”

Woo-cheol chimed in at Louis’ question.

All the members nodded.

Every performance since their debut had been like that, but today again, they did their best on stage without any regrets.

“We didn’t get first place, but……”

Gyu-sung, who was secretly burning with competitive spirit, muttered as if he was disappointed.

Do-jae patted Gyu-sung’s shoulder and smiled.

In fact, it was a result everyone had expected.

It was similar to why Candies, who had gained stable popularity, handed over first place to MOST, who was a rookie.

MOST was at the end of their activities, so their firepower was weakened, and The Origin was in their first week of comeback, when they received the most attention.

When counted on a weekly basis, first place was as good as The Origin’s from the moment the pre-ordered album sales were included.

The Origin’s fans, feeling a sense of crisis due to MOST’s popularity, stayed up all night streaming music for several days.

It seemed that it wasn’t just the fans who felt a sense of crisis, but New’s promotion was also enormous.

‘It was amazing to see them using billboard advertisements even during their debut…….’

This time, they were launching nationwide offline advertisements and were scheduled to appear on all kinds of entertainment shows to coincide with their comeback.

It was no exaggeration to say that the trailers for most entertainment programs this week were for The Origin.

The difference in size between Kingdom and New was palpable.

“But the score difference wasn’t that big.”

Do-jae, who had memorized the score at the moment of the first place announcement, attached great significance to it.

There should have been quite a difference between the first and last broadcasts, but the score difference was very close.

“Oh, right! I was actually a little surprised.”

“We defended well, defended well.”

Woo-cheol and Heung-min said.

Then they added.

“And we all did what Do-jae said?! That’s enough!”

Gyu-sung nodded at Heung-min’s words.

‘Even if The Origin takes first place, please smile.’

The members who heard Do-jae’s request the day before were momentarily stunned.

To the members, The Origin was just a collection of humans who had tormented Do-jae, but in reality, they were senior singers who had debuted two months earlier than MOST, and fellow singers.

It was natural to congratulate a fellow singer on their first place.

But it was also an issue that should not be missed.

Considering that Candies had suffered from just a moment’s capture, it was even more so.

“Well, of course, I was going to manage my expression, but…. If it wasn’t for Do-jae’s request, it might have all been on my face?”

Do-jae laughed lightly at Heung-min’s joke.

“Rather, their expressions didn’t look good for winning first place.”

“They must have been nervous because the score difference wasn’t as big as they thought.”

Woo-cheol replied to Heung-min’s words.

“That’s right! And Do-jae hyung [older brother/male friend] really doesn’t care a little bit…. It felt like only those people were 신경쓰다 [caring/worrying] about hyung.”

Louis, who was quick to notice, accurately caught the situation.

Yoo Myung-woo was more conscious of Do-jae than he thought.

“We did well on our stage, so that’s enough.”

Ki-joon wrapped up the story with an unpleasant expression.

It was true that even the cold-hearted Ki-joon had bad feelings about The Origin.

“Let’s work harder in the future. Until the next stage.”

“Yes.”

Do-jae replied in a straight posture to Ki-joon’s words.

Other members also replied, “Good!”, “Let’s go!”, showing energy that didn’t seem like they had just finished the stage.

Do-jae put his arm around Gyu-sung’s shoulder, and Gyu-sung put his arm around Louis’…….

The six members gathered in a circle, putting their arms around each other’s shoulders, and 파이팅 [fighting/good luck].

6 weeks.

The journey of their debut activities, which was short if short, and long if long, was coming to an end.

Just as the members, who had regained their composure while promising the next stage, were about to change their clothes.

“Guys!”

The waiting room door burst open and a lively voice echoed.

Team Leader Jung Hee-young and Vice President Jung Hyung-seok were the ones who opened the waiting room door and entered.

Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol was absent, which was strange, but it seemed that he had brought the two of them.

“You did a great job finishing your debut album! Very well done!”

Team Leader Jung Hee-young held out a large flower basket and encouraged the members.

Vice President Jung Hyung-seok also chimed in.

“Thank you for your hard work for over a month. We came to celebrate together as you finished with beauty, even rising to the first place candidate.”

“Thank you. Team Leader, Vice President.”

Ki-joon stepped forward as the representative, received the flower basket, and greeted the two.

“Today, the Vice President is going to treat you to another big meal for your hard work!”

“It’s not me, but the company is treating you.”

“Wow! The ribs were really delicious last time! Totally!”

Louis said in a very excited voice.

Team Leader Kim Seok-cheol, who was standing behind, smiled faintly.

“How about Korean beef instead of ribs today?”

The members’ mouths dropped open.

Even if they said they would buy imported beef, they would have been excited if it was beef.

“헐 [gasp/wow]. Korean beef…….”

“If you want to eat something else…….”

“No! That’s good! That’s it! Let’s do that!”

Woo-cheol blurted out, and laughter erupted among the staff.

Honestly, it may have been laughter that erupted because of the beef, not Woo-cheol’s reaction.

‘Korean beef, it’s been a while.’

Do-jae, who was a gourmet, was also excited.

The staff decided to go to the restaurant first, and the members quickly changed their clothes.

Their hand movements were twice as fast as usual.

***

Before leaving, Do-jae headed to the bathroom to remove the makeup residue.

He could feel the staff who were cleaning up recognizing Do-jae.

Do-jae passed through the 복도 [hallway] and greeted the staff diligently.

As he approached the bathroom, he bumped into someone.

The person coming out of the entrance was similar in build to Do-jae.

“Ah!”

However, the force pushing in was rough.

Do-jae frowned and groaned without realizing it.

When he turned his gaze, Yoo Myung-woo was standing behind Do-jae.

“What is it.”

It was Yoo Myung-woo who bumped into him hard.

But it was also Yoo Myung-woo who was getting annoyed.

Do-jae looked around.

Unlike the 복도 [hallway] side, there were only Yoo Myung-woo and Do-jae at the bathroom entrance.

‘So that’s why he’s acting like this.’

The last time he saw him at New, he was wearing a social mask, but now he didn’t even have that mask.

He had a similar face to the hoodlum Song Hwan.

Do-jae shook his head inwardly, ignored Yoo Myung-woo, and headed to the bathroom.

He was about to.

“You don’t even greet your senior. You pretended to congratulate me earlier. I guess you’re not really sincere?”

Yoo Myung-woo’s sarcastic voice grabbed Do-jae.

Do-jae asked in a soft voice.

“Yoo Myung-woo.”

“……”

“Have you been well?”

Instead of treating him like a senior (only 2 months), which Yoo Myung-woo wanted, he asked him as a trainee who had practiced together.

Yoo Myung-woo, who did not accurately read Do-jae’s intentions, frowned.

He was a human who 빠져나오다 [slipping out] like a 미꾸라지 [loach], using Do-jae as an excuse even when kicking out Song Hwan.

Do-jae had no intention of getting angry like Yoo Myung-woo wanted.

Rather, he had the intention of making Yoo Myung-woo reveal his true colors to him.

Yoo Myung-woo, who had been frowning for a while, soon put on a fake smile and replied.

“I’ve been doing too well. I saw you getting first place right next to me, didn’t I?”

“Keep doing well like that. I’m going.”

“Don’t you regret it now?”

“Regret?”

“Pushing away the opportunity and going out of New to struggle in a narrow well like Kingdom. You finally confirmed it, didn’t you? That you can’t beat me. That it’s useless to be good for a short time.”

He was so dumbfounded that he couldn’t even laugh.

The word regret was not to be attached to such a place.

Do-jae looked at Yoo Myung-woo with eyes that were not only dumbfounded but also pitiful.

The reason why Yoo Myung-woo, who had never come to the forefront while tormenting ‘Kang Do-jae,’ was coming out like this to Do-jae was obvious.

He wanted to get confirmation somehow.

That he was winning.

‘He’s getting impatient.’

The Origin, which debuted two months earlier, was being closely chased by MOST, even though it was using much more capital and a solid foundation than Kingdom.

Even today, you could see that the team that made a comeback only had a slight difference from the team that was wrapping up their activities.

Do-jae sneered.

“Shouldn’t you be the one regretting it?”

It was an 어투 [tone/manner] that was used when a high-ranking person scolded a lower-ranking person as if he was admonishing them.

Yoo Myung-woo’s face was completely distorted.

“I should have apologized to ‘Kang Do-jae,’ I should have begged for forgiveness. Then Kang Do-jae might have shown generosity.”

“…What?! What nonsense are you talking about!”

“I forgot the past when you tormented me, and it seemed like you were only thinking about today without tomorrow. I gave you enlightenment.”

“It was Song Hwan who tormented you. You’re just saying anything without evidence…….”

“There’s a good saying in Korea. It’s not over until it’s over.”

“……”

“I’ll see you again soon.”

Do-jae clicked his tongue inwardly and moved away from Yoo Myung-woo.

He felt a instinctive revulsion when he was facing someone who was only shiny on the outside but black on the inside.

‘Let’s hurry back to the waiting room where the members are.’

Do-jae hurriedly washed his face at the sink.

***

The next day.

The members, who had slept in for the first time in a long time, woke up one by one in the afternoon.

It was a perfect day off that had come after a month and a half.

“What’s going on? Do-jae, are you still sleeping?”

It was already dusk because it was winter.

The members who gathered to eat a late lunch and early dinner were rummaging through delivery apps to choose food.

Heung-min, who was taking the lead in ordering the members’ menus, asked Gyu-sung, who came out of the room.

“He must have been tired.”

Everyone was surprised by Gyu-sung’s answer.

This was because Do-jae was always sitting in a straight posture even when everyone was nodding off.

“It seems like Do-jae’s stamina was also running low.”

“He must have relaxed. He ate a lot yesterday, so let’s let him sleep more.”

Everyone nodded at Ki-joon’s 정리 [wrap-up/conclusion].

In fact, 습관 [habit] is so scary, Do-jae, who had started his whole life with early morning greetings, woke up at 4 a.m. today as well.

No one knew that he had gone for a jog to clear his mind and then fell asleep again.

“Then I’ll order two large braised spicy chicken and five bowls of rice.”

“Good…. I’ll do it.”

Louis tried to answer in a loud voice, but he lowered his voice, conscious of Do-jae in the room.

“헐 [gasp/wow]!”

However, Woo-cheol, who was checking the internet articles he hadn’t seen today on his phone, ended up making a loud noise.