Chapter 156


    Good work, everyone~.


    Yep! Good work.


    After the performance, The Dawn returned to the dressing room and guzzled some water.


    I finished off a bottle of water as well, plunked it on the table, and then flopped down on the sofa.


    The costume manager, who had approached unnoticed, was holding the velvet ribbon I had brought and tying it back into a bow when Kang Ichae poked me teasingly.


    Such an easy guy~. Untie the ribbon once more, please~.


    Is once enough?


    As I teased back with a sly tone, Kang Ichae let out a snicker.


    Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon, who had been scolded for trying to remove their cumbersome flower crowns and headbands, had to fix their outfits again, while Jeong Dajun roamed around nonchntly.


    Hyung, hyung! When do we get to show off our abs??


    Jeong Dajun, stop hanging out with Kang Ichae.


    The maknae was bing more and more like Kang Ichae.


    Kim Seonghyeon looked at Jeong Dajun, who was sticking close and teasing him, with a look of disgust.


    Whoa?! The High Five-sunbae are starting!


    Aware of the camera following us for our reactions, the members quickly gathered around.


    This team was also known for their hit songs.


    <em>We go High We go High!</em>


    Is this a track by the ck Call-sunbaes?


    How did they end up choosing that one?


    This song, a B-side track by ck Call, was popr despite never being promoted, and a dance video was uploaded on YouTube as fan service.


    Clearly, Try had chosen it, but High Five had snatched it away.


    Perhaps the meme of a roon washing cotton candy will make it into the edit?


    I overheard the staff casually mentioning that Joo Woosung had also given advice to High Five, but it was so cursory andcking in content that it would probably be entirely cut out.


    <em>Are you ready now?</em>


    <em>Its time for me to leap.</em>


    Despite that, High Five soared remarkably.


    Is it a pilot concept?


    Seems like it.


    With an airline pilot concept, their uniforms were perfect for fandom hype, and as expected from a group from a major agency, the bnce of skills among the members was exceptional.


    With a solid fandom and ample financial backing, being from the same agency as ck Call, there would be many others besides Joo Woosung to offer them advice.


    These guys could have pulled off a fiery performance with any song they chose.


    <em>Im jealous.</em>


    Especially the leader, Kang Yeonhu, caught my eye.


    Putting aside my initial impression of him as somewhat shady, his vocals were surprisingly good.


    Seong Jiwon intently watched the monitoring screen.


    <em>If youre scared, dont ride, just watch my move.</em>


    <em>Theyre doing well.</em>


    It seemed it wasnt a lie to call them the next generation representative idols.


    The previous three groups also had excellent performances.


    But High Five was on another level.


    If The Dawn had gone for a simr concept


    <em>We wouldve been buried.</em>


    Crushed, sandwiched from above and below.


    No matter how good our skills were, we were at a disadvantage, whether it was the agency, backing, or capital.


    One mustpensate for what theyck with something else.


    <em>We go High We go High</em>


    Well check the rankings soon!


    At the staffs words, Jeong Dajun sped his hands tightly.


    Not that any group here hadnt worked hard, but under Joo Woosungs guidance, we had practiced until we were practically throwing up, so a hint of expectation flickered on the members faces.


    Meanwhile, I was preupied with other thoughts.


    Only onsite and expert votes are counted?


    After the face-off, that is, before we chose our firstpetition song, I sought out Lee Jihyeon.


    Despite the intense workload, her face was glowing, probably because a troublesome issue had been neatly resolved.


    She tilted her head and said,


    That would be difficult. The Dawn cant win with just poprity.


    Right, thats what worries me.


    Then dont push too hard for the firstpetition. Or do something sopelling that people cant help but vote.


    Does such a thing even exist?


    As I asked half-heartedly, Lee Jihyeon clicked her tongue and exined,


    Tsk, tsk, Seo Hoyun. Youre still a bit nave.


    Go get ready and steel yourself.


    For a former PD, it was a bit humiliating to hear such things.


    <em>Well, in the end, Lee Jihyeon was right.</em>


    Because the onsite reaction was tremendous.


    Although at that time, Lee Jihyeon did say that it might cause a bit of a scandal.


    <em>No.</em>


    That was not something to worry about.


    Hyung! The rankings are out!


    The proof would be in the reactionter.


    Starting from third ce!!


    While Jeong Dajun was making a fuss, I opened a new bottle of water.


    The monitor disyed the shiny <em>Shining Star</em> logo.


    Third ce, TEW! TEW! Audience votes 3,100 points! Expert votes 1,000 points! For a total of 4,100 points!


    As expected


    Next.


    Well announce fourth and fifth ce!


    Given that Kim Seonghyeon had predicted our ranking to be fifth, everyone tensed up.


    We didnt expect to be fourth or fifth.


    Fourth ce, Bercy!


    A scream came from the next dressing room.


    Fifth ce, Try!


    That was okay too.


    Huh?


    I was the only one who remained calm here.


    The announcement for third to fifth ces had ended.


    Only first and second ces are left


    The members expressions gradually turned to astonishment.


    In that moment, a short edited clip of High Five and our stage alternated on the screen.


    What, whats happening?


    The first ce goes to!!


    Jeong Dajuns grip tightened around my sleeve.


    The camera staff in front focused intensively on Dajun, whose reaction was notably vibrant.


    With 4,200 points from audience votes and 1,200 points from expert votes, totaling 5,400 points, congrattions to High Five!!


    The members remained quiet, as if the result hadnt fully registered in their minds yet.


    Then, a small exmation burst from Dajuns lips.


    Wow.


    Automatically, The Dawns ranking is second ce. Great job!


    Second ce.


    The same rank The Dawn achieved in the firstpetition.


    This is huge!!


    And with that, he sprang to his feet.


    <em>See.</em>


    This ranking proved the good reception to our performance.


    We hadnt set our sights away from first ce, but we knew it would be tough.


    Audience votes were allotted two per person, and ording to the rules, one couldnt cast both votes for the same group.


    It meant that one had to vote for another group beside their own, which worked greatly in our favor, especially since High Five, having dazzledst, followed apletely different path from us.


    <em>There wasnt much of a strategic pick.</em>


    But perhaps, considering that The Dawn was expected to rank fifth, acency might have yed a significant part in our favor.


    Wow~~!!


    We did it, second ce~!!


    Whether High Five came first or not, the thrilled members began circling up for a round of ganggangsue, with even the calm andposed Seong Jiwon joining in.[1]


    Hey, lets go.


    It was about time to head to the stage for the greetings.


    Yeah, lets go!


    Jiwon, still dazed, patted Kim Seonghyeon on the back as they left the waiting room.


    As we passed by backstage, I noticed TEW, who had ced third, ncing over.


    Especially TEWs vocal, he didnt seem too pleased.


    Dajun nced at him before uncharacteristically turning his head away with a snooty flick.


    I kept an eye on the situation, smiling outwardly as we greeted each other.


    Good work.


    Yes, good work.


    Congrattions!


    The cameras were rolling.


    Naturally, the members of TEW paused to look at us before offering their congrattions.


    Being from an agency as big as ck Calls WH, TEW had a sizable fandom and poprity but ended up being outperformed by us today, despite their expectations of ranking simrly to High Five.


    second ce


    Lea PurpleThe Dawn


    As they walked past, I caught snippets of their murmured conversations along with heavy sighs.


    Hmm.


    Seeing our maknae, whose face hardly rested, looking at TEW as they walked ahead expressionless, I brushed my lips with my fingers.


    Was it because he seemed to be unting his worth?


    No, it was to hide a satisfied smile


    It seemed iprehensible to them that we, the ones they thought would rankst and be buried in obscurity, had secured a high position with a song that failed to even make an impression.


    Watching them forcibly smile in front of the camera with twisted expressions was amusing.


    <em>Interesting.</em>


    Kim Seonghyeon, lets go up.


    Ah, okay.


    I had kept the promise I made to Kim Seonghyeon when we selected the song.


    But why do you look so satisfied?


    We got second ce.


    Thats true!


    However, Seonghyeon, who could never guess my real thoughts, simply walked ahead with a face brightened by our high ranking.


    I matched his stride, making sure not to fall too far behind as we ascended to the stage.


    Unlike the ecstatic members, I was excited about what the future held.


    <em>Bang!</em>


    At that moment, fireworks exploded, and confetti fluttered down.


    It was for High Five, who had won first ce in the first round of thepetition.


    And then


    I locked eyes with Kang Yeonhu at the center of it all.


    I was slightly amazed.


    <em>Wow</em>


    The message in his eyes was not merely a jealous guard filled with resentment, seeing someone deemed lesser achieving a higher rank.


    It was a pure sharp warning from apetitor.


    <em>Oh, this is a bit different, isnt it?</em>


    But even that disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving behind only an idol-like sparkling smile.


    I smiled back and took the members back down to the waiting room.


    Good work, lets head back.


    Yap yap~.


    Jeong Dajun hopped next to me and started chatting.


    Hoyun-hyung, you know.


    Hmm?


    We really, really, really worked hard! Im happy because it seems like others recognized that!


    His cheeks, still chubby with baby fat, were flushed with excitement.


    Are you that happy?


    Yes!!


    We had proven our skills and achieved good results during the blind test, but given our lower poprity, we were significantly behind in the preliminary voting and ended upst, so this oue was even more satisfying.


    Of course, who knows what will happen next time. But well still do our best. Hard work will surely pay off!


    No? C-Could it be that we might not win first ce?


    Dajun finished his sentence and then btedly nced at me, as if suddenly second-guessing himself.


    Well, yeah. That I might have been too excited and said something a bit dream-like.


    And I wasnt too pleased with that.


    Jeong Dajun,e here.


    ?


    It felt like I had nurtured him with all my might, but was it still not enough?


    I smoothly untied the velvet ribbon and twirled it around Dajuns head, then tied it into a pretty bow.


    It matched well with his cat ears.


    ???


    Phew.


    Dajun looked at me with a puzzled expression.


    Remembering my own twenties and still seeing Dajun as such a baby, I put my arm around his shoulder.


    What are you doing?


    Jeong Dajun, what are you talking about?


    Huh?


    Thinking it would be nice to post a photo of this on The Dawns official SNS channel, I poked his chubby cheeks.


    Im Seo Hoyun.


    And your point is?


    Dont you get it?


    I was someone who kept my word.


    Alright, Dajun, lets prepare your final thoughts.


    Dajuns eyes widened even more.


    Then he quickly covered his mouth with his hands, ribbon still tied, visibly moved.


    Im really feeling excited


    Getting worked up over something like this.


    I would be taking you on a rollercoaster ride to the very top spot of <em>Shining Star</em>.


    [1] Ganggangsue is a Korean folk dance where people, usually women, danced around by going in circles.