CH35

The cameras were turned off, and the audience was given time to take pictures and chat with the contestants of Coming Up Next.

"You're so handsome!"

"Oh, uh, cheers!"

"I'll definitely watch when it airs!"

Longtime idol groupie Choi Se-Hee was filled with nostalgia watching Take Scene and Three Months, Hundred Days' members.

Her OG idol group, Drop Out, had gone through a similar phase.

It was a phase where they were surprised and touched by the unfamiliar existence of fans, and they retained an awkward, clumsy freshness.

Of course, these guys would get used to things like this as time passed.

Some might just blankly repeat "Really?" at fan signing events.

But still, isn't it nice to see right now?

However, if there was one person who seemed different...

"Why'd you sign up to be part of the audience?"

"We were looking for date spots in Myeong-dong and stumbled across this by chance!"

"Oh? You two are a couple?"

"Don't we look like it?"

"They say lovers start to resemble each other, but I even thought you were twins."

"Twins?"

"I can't very well say which one of you looks older!"

"Ah, got it now. I was wondering what you meant!"

It was Han Si-on of Three Months, Hundred Days.

'What's up with this guy?' - Thought Choi Se-Hee.

{He's got fan service skills like a seasoned 10-year idol.

It's not something he has done just once or twice, as he naturally leads the conversation when the couple comes to get his autograph.

When two boys who appear to be high school students ask to take a photo, he gets in between them, puts his arms around their shoulders, and dives into convos and laughs.

Just by observing his actions, he seems like the epitome of a popular person, but…

'He's not giving off vibes of a normal human at all.'

Han Si-On's appearance is far from that cheerful social persona, and the vibe he gives off is even further.

I know it's a way too otaku thought, but he seems like the cool, mysterious, undeniably handsome guy in class who has some secrets and doesn't talk much. So it's hard to approach him.

And although that classmate usually appears indifferent to everything…}

'He'd be all sunshine and rainbows if I just started chatting!'

Choi Se-Hee scoped out Han Si-On as she imagined her inner otaku exploding.

Indeed, his gaze towards the audience members was somewhat different from the others. Not with excitement anymore, but with a sense of gratitude.

'Am I going crazy?'

While she was having those thoughts, Han Si-On looked at Choi Se-Hee and smiled at her as if to ask why she was just staring.

Choi Se-Hee found herself gravitating toward that smile as if it were calling her over.

"You're a fan of another group, right?"

"...?! How'd you know?"

"You're here alone."

Choi Se-Hee then realized that among the 50 audience members, those in the same boat as her, who were fans of another group, were all alone.

Come to think of it, that made sense.

They all must have stumbled across the Coming Up Next audience application while browsing idol content.

They would not have asked their friends to come along to an event not even related to their main group but rather come to casually check out the newly debuting one.

Han Si-On caught onto that characteristic.

'Wow, he's quite perceptive.'

Still, it was strange.

How did he know I came alone?

Was he keeping tabs on me?

Or was it just 'cause I was standing by myself?

I could've had a friend in the bathroom or getting autographs from others.

Choi Se-Hee got an autograph and some small talk with Han Si-On while pondering.

"So, you're a Drop Out fan?"

"Yep, a Dreaming right here."

"I heard a rumor Drop Out is making a comeback?"

"Oh? How'd you catch wind of that? It's been circulating just among the Dreamings."

"I overheard it by chance. But the Drop Out comeback song will be amazing, right? Like, Billboard's number one kind of thing."

"...Billboard number one?"

"Yeah. Hmm, it'd be nice if it is a song about a selfish man desperately pining for one woman."

Han Si-On let out a hearty laugh after saying that.

But listening to his description, it did sound like a concept that would suit Drop Out to a tee.

They were the ones who would execute that kind of concept the best in the industry.

'But he's crazy good at this.'

Not only did it seem that way from afar, but having an actual conversation confirmed his conversational skills were top-notch.

The occasional eye contact was masterful, too.

If he conducted a fan signing event with this exact vibe, there would undoubtedly be an outpouring of positive reviews on SNS.

Then, as Han Si-on handed back the autograph book, he smiled brightly and said:

"Next time I see you, I hope you'll say you're both a fan of Drop Out and me."

This guy is weird

Definitely weird.

The audience participation time ended, and the staff dismissed the audience members.

As Choi Se-Hee bounced out of the filming spot, a few thoughts buzzed in her head.

First off, there was not a word about about keeping a lid on the deets.

Usually, at the end of such a session, there would be strict instructions not to disseminate photos taken by individuals or the results of the program.

But Coming Up Next skipped that.

'They must be thirsty for attention.'

It was not a program with major capital investment, nor it was a nationwide audition aimed at the general public.

For an in-house idol survival show, the audience was bound to be niche, so they probably welcomed some buzz marketing.

The next thing that intrigued her was the competition between Take Scene and Three Months, Hundred Days.

She could not fully gauge them based just on singing in an NRB. But overall, to her, Take Scene seemed well-trained, while Three Months, Hundred Days had a quirkier vibe.

Lastly… Han Si-On.

Looks-wise, Lee Ye-On looked like a thug.

It felt like if he could make it big, he would snatch up every ion drink (Word play here. His name 이이온 and 이온 음료 have the same pronunciation) commercial deal on the planet.

But Han Si-On left the biggest impression.

He gave off a different vibe from the other participants.

While she could not yet tell if his singing ability itself was outstanding, the overall impression he gave was pleasing.

Even if Three Months, Hundred Days bit the dust, she got a feeling that Han Si-On might just pull through.

"Hmm."

After a quick ponder, Choi Se-Hee whipped out her smartphone and started tapping out a post on an idol fan community.

Since she had quite an enjoyable time, she planned to stir up some heat as the production team desired and to purposefully make it a bit provocative.

<Went to Lion Den's Raw today, LOL. Review + thoughts.>

'Dolpan's been a bit meh lately. Maybe this will cause some buzz?'

As expected, comments started rolling in within minutes of her post.

After the NRB shoot, Take Scene and Three Months, Hundred Days, have a quick chat over coffee and pastries at a cafe on the first floor.

Of course, it isn't a deep convo, it's just the right amount of greetings for the camera.

Even that fades fast too, with members only chatting amongst their own team.

"Bro, Si-On, have you ever debuted before?"

"Of course not, why?"

"You handled the fans like a total pro."

"I just tried my best."

The funny twist here is that we have no clue about others' singing abilities.

Meanwhile, the audience evaluations are done, and we face the results simultaneously upon the face-to-face meeting.

This means that the winners and losers will be decided at this very first meeting.

Here, praises like 'I was just lucky, you sing so well.' are nothing but lip service.

Since we haven't even heard the others sing.

They might as well have shown the footage to get some reaction clips rather than having us just sit here spacing out.

Hmm, maybe I'm getting a bit too emotional again.

My frustration keeps popping up for no apparent reason.

Maybe it's because of Fade.

To chill my mode, maybe I should grate some feelings out on Fade.

As an awkward hush settles in, I decide to break it by throwing a question at Fade under the pretense of making conversation.

"Hey, do you like Wead's songs?"

But Fade's reaction to my question is beyond what I imagined.

"What's your matter? Feeling good about winning?"

The shocked Take Scene folks are taken aback and they try to rein in Fade, while Three Months, Hundred Days' members are stunned and not sure how to react.

The staff members also stir uneasily, eyes shifting to me.

But...

I'm not offended at all.

Actually, I find it pretty funny.

Fade's a smart one.

More like his brain and calculations are lightning-fast when it comes to matters related to his own interests.

This isn't a mistake or a spur-of-the-moment outburst.

He's already made his judgment that whatever he says here won't air anyway on a show meant to promote Take Scene.

It's a program created to promote Take Scene, so they wouldn't air something like him causing a disturbance from his very first meeting.

A writer or producer would probably swoop in soon to smooth things over, right?

And if Fade truly can't hold back his anger, there'd be some swearing mixed in.

In other words, Fade said those things on purpose to deflate Three Months, Hundred Days. To remind us that no matter what results we get, in the end, it's Take Scene who's gonna debut through this show.

And, conveniently, he was able to vent his own frustrations too.

Same old Fade.

That guy's brain only kicks into high gear when it's about messing with others.

"Haha."

With those thoughts, I let out a laugh.

My reaction is so out of the blue that I can feel Fade flinches in surprise.

But what can I say when I find it amusing?

Fade misreads the situation.

Right now, the sunk costs of this Han Si-On are way greater than Fade's.

Lion Entertainment might have to back Fade up by default, but Coming Up Next is a whole different story.

Producer Kang Seok-Woo has already mapped out to release two versions of <Under the Streetlight> and is gearing up to create a buzz with the stage performance of <Flowers Bloom>.

*And, surprise, surprise – the composer of Flowers Bloom is none other than Chris Edwards, a top-tier Billboard composer in the process of negotiating his appearance with prerequisites involving me. (*Chapter 30 --> He wants to hear the song Si-On has in his head)

In this scenario, would they really toss me aside?

The sunk cost is too high.

Well, in this case, it would be more appropriate to use the term "opportunity cost" rather than "sunk cost" for Fade's and my departure.

But whatever, it's not a big deal.

Fade, stunned by my unexpected reaction, squints at me once again.

"Why the smirk?"

"Are you an idiot?"

"...!"

"Isn't it natural to be happy when you win? Should I be bummed about it?"

"You little...!"

It's been quite a while since I let this side of me show.

For a long time, I've been leading a serious life, weighing every move as I aim for 200 million copies alongside GOTM.

But this life is just a temporary one that will pass, isn't it?

Even if I don't grab every achievement, as long as I snag what I need, it's cool to let loose a bit.

"Si-On!"

As Lee Ye-On approaches, probably worrying that a brawl is about to pop off, I wave to assure him that it's all cool and turn back to Fade.

"Apologize. Then I'll let it go."

"What if I don't want to?"

"Then you'll have to withdraw."

"Are you nuts? You're kicking me out?"

He snorts, but I can sense the worry.

Maybe my attitude is too confident, making him imagine all sorts of wild scenarios – thinking I'm the CEO of M Show or something.

Ah, this is a real hoot!

How amusing.

"No, not you. Me."

"...You're threatening to withdraw right now?"

"Yeah."

"You're insane. Do you think you're the main character? You got some mental illness?"

Sure, I've got a bit of regression depression.

But who's to say I can't be the main character at this point?

"I live in Yeoksam."

"So?"

"So you'll have to come and apologize tomorrow. I'm just giving you a heads-up."

Fade blusters something loud, but since I'm in a good mood, I even toss in a helpful tip.

"When you come, take the rails. Traffic's going to be a nightmare."

TL/n - 

You can read 5 chapters in advance on p@treon.com/inkbound