Chapter 171


    <em>Waaaaah!</em>


    The screams filled the live hall with just the greeting alone.


    The pressure weighing down on me eased slightly at the thought that we had somehow finished this again.


    “It was a long three months if you think it was long, and short if you think it was short.”


    At the same time, I noticed the fans waving their inverted triangle cheering sticks and slogans, looking at me with tear-streaked faces.


    “At the end, we achieved first ce. It’s all thanks to Noeul. I’m sorry for causing you so much emotional pain these past few months.”


    Many people watching must have been curious about what I would say while shedding tears.


    But unfortunately, my eyes were as dry as dust.


    After expressing my gratitude by listing the names of people I had to mention as a matter of procedure, I hesitated for a moment and then spoke again.“I’m also very grateful to the members. Despite my many unreasonable demands, you silently trusted and followed me.”


    When I nced to the side, Jeong Dajun, who had barely calmed down, started crying again and covered his face with both hands.


    I smiled as I looked at him.


    “I also want to thank my family.”


    This was the perfect time to say what everyone wanted to hear.


    “I always miss you.”


    After spitting out the rehearsed words, I slowly lowered the microphone.


    Then I patted Kim Seonghyeon’s back, whose eyes were red.


    As Seonghyeon stepped forward, Seong Jiwon hugged me from the side.


    I felt a warm and damp sensation on my shoulder.


    “…Hoyun.”


    After calling my name, Seong Jiwon just sniffled, unable to say anything more.


    Iforted him while waiting for Kim Seonghyeon’s speech.


    Since I had already made the usual remarks that Seonghyeon would make, I thought he would share his thoughts on winning first ce.


    “There’s a lot I want to say, but Hoyun already covered it all.”


    However, Kim Seonghyeon said something unexpected and paused for a moment to catch his breath.


    “Just as Noeul is always by our side.”


    The guy, who had bowed his head as if choked up, looked up again, smiling through his tear-streaked face.


    Our leader…


    “The five of us will always be together. Thank you.”


    He really was a good guy.


    .


    .


    .


    “Great job!”


    “Congrattions, The Dawn!”


    “Wow, that was really touching. Congrattions!”


    As we came down from the stage, the staff bustling backstage each threw out a word of praise.


    All the members bowed their heads as they passed by them.


    Then, perhaps because the program had wrapped up safely until the final episode, the AD, who had the brightest expression so far, approached us.


    “Are you going to the after-party?”


    “Haha, the other members will go…”


    When I nced back, the members who had been following me were now a bit farther away, seemingly caught by other group members or staff.


    “I’m a bit tired.”


    “Ah, I see. It’s a shame because the atmosphere really heats up when you’re around, Hoyun.”


    The AD seemed a bit regretful that I wouldn’t be there to show off my drinking skills but didn’t push further.


    Instead, he added, “If there’s another chance…” and then mimed twisting a shot ss with a snap of his wrist before quickly disappearing.


    Watching his retreating figure for a moment, I was about to call the members still caught by others when I noticed the group of mentors gathered at the end of the hallway.


    <em>Wow…</em>


    Lim Hyeonsu, Joo Woosung, Ha Seoyeon, Han Chaeri.


    Even Chae Jeongwoo was there.


    “Hey!”


    I thought about avoiding them to avoid any hassle, but I heard a familiar sound from behind.


    “Hey, Seo Hoyun.”


    When I slowly turned my head, Lim Hyeonsu approached me with a bright smile.


    “You didn’t lose your cool. Congrattions on getting first ce, you brat.”


    “Right. It’s all thanks to you, Ms. Composer.”


    “Wow~, look at you being smooth.”


    It was obvious how I got first ce, but Lim Hyeonsu didn’t mention it.


    However, it was clear what people would whisper behind my back.


    They’d say I sold my family drama to get first ce.


    <em>Well, I admit it.</em>


    Because it was true.


    “The final song was good. It was absurdly good.”


    “…Thanks to whom, again?”


    “Puhaha.”


    I crossed my arms, watching Lim Hyeonsuugh heartily.


    “Why don’t you go to Kang Ichae? He’d like that.”


    “Hmm. Nah, I’ll do itter.”


    Lim Hyeonsu, waving her handszily, nced at where Kang Ichae was and clicked her tongue softly.


    She stood there, exuding a cold aura,pletely ignoring her surroundings.


    As the back of my head tingled, I decided to ignore it for now.


    “Are you going to the after-party?”


    “No. I’m nning to go alone first.”


    It was hard for all the winning team members to skip the after-party, so the other members nned to go.


    However, the person who stirred up all this drama couldn’t very well join the party and show off his drinking skills with a smile.


    Thepany, the manager, and I all agreed on this.


    Even without exining it in detail, Lim Hyeonsu quickly grasped the situation.


    “…Alright. Then let’s grab a meal together once things settle down. My treat.”


    “Of course, of course. I’ll dly ept it.”


    “You’re as cheeky as you are shameless.”


    I averted my gaze from Lim Hyeonsu, who shook her head in disbelief, and my eyes met Joo Woosung’s.


    He started walking briskly toward me.


    “Seo Hoyun.”


    I thought things were getting bothersome, but there was nowhere to hide.


    Joo Woosung approached us, looking oddly tired.


    “Uh…”


    He rubbed his neck awkwardly after starting to speak.


    “…Congrattions on getting first ce.”


    “Well, yeah. Thanks to you, sunbae-nim.”


    “Hey!! You said it was thanks to me earlier!”


    Joo Woosung, his eyes narrowing at Lim Hyeonsu’s interruption, let out a dryugh.


    “What do you expect from this guy, noona? He’s really good at saying empty words.”


    After disparaging me like that, he just stood still with his mouth slightly open.


    So, I decided to take the initiative.


    “Sunbae-nim, thank you so much for everything.”


    “…Huh?”


    “I really received a lot of help.”


    When I first saw Joo Woosung on TV and targeted him, I never imagined we’d keep in touch and that he’d help me this much.


    Honestly, I still didn’t fully understand it.


    The idea of someone helping their ckmailer without anything in return.


    I smiled slyly at the speechless Woosung.


    “And I believe you’ll continue to help me in the future? I still have a long way to go.”


    “…”


    I thought he would curse or at leastugh, but Joo Woosung just showed a vague expression.


    In that strange atmosphere, just as I raised my eyebrows, Lim Hyeonsu grabbed Joo Woosung by the nape of his neck.


    “Hey, that’s enough. This guy is not just fine; he’s healthier than me. Woosung, let’s go grab a drink at the after-party.”


    “…Ha, I don’t want to.”


    “Let’s go blow some beer bottles~!!


    Lim Hyeonsu, who had also grabbed Chae Jeongwoo, dragged the reluctant Joo Woosung away,ughing all the while.


    I shrugged my shoulders once and approached the other members.


    “What are you doing?”


    The members, who had been chatting with various people just a moment ago, were now huddled together, whispering.


    When I squeezed in, Dajun clung to me.


    Out of habit, I patted his head, and the maknae, rolling his eyes, spouted nonsense.


    “…Hoyun-hyung, can I skip the after-party too?”


    “No.”


    “…I don’t want to.”


    “Just go.”


    Even a top-tier celebrity would have to think twice about skipping such an event without a reason.


    Let alone someone at The Dawn’s level, who would instantly bebeled as rude.


    “Jeong Dajun.”


    Kim Seonghyeon sighed, detaching Jeong Dajun’s arms wrapped around me.


    “Mr. Jeong Dajun, the adult, let’s go.”


    “Ugh…”


    Jeong Dajun moved reluctantly, casting lingering nces my way.


    “Hoyun, be careful.”


    “Yeah.”


    “We’ll be back soon.”


    Seong Jiwon waved while pushing the dawdling maknae along.


    Even then, Kang Ichae hadn’t said a word.


    As I turned around at the manager’s call, an uneasy feeling lingered.


    But soon, my thoughts shifted to how I could erase the public’s sympathy and what steps to take to reshape my image.


    “I’ll head back first, thank you.”


    “You really did a great job! Hoyun, you’re amazing!”


    “Yes, thank you.”


    I maintained a smile as I headed to the van.


    Since I was going straight to the dorm, I didn’t bother changing clothes.


    Our manager was attending the after-party with the other members, so I was with our road manager.


    “You were amazing today!”


    “Haha, Manager Ji, you worked hard too. Take care.”


    I greeted him as I got out of the car when we finally arrived at the dorm.


    “…”


    After entering the password on the door lock and stepping inside, the quiet living room came into view.


    “…Hmm.”


    I carefully hung my clothes on a hanger and took a shower.


    Then, I aimlessly walked around, flopping down on the sofa and turning on the TV.


    After flipping through a few channels, I turned off the TV and picked up my phone.


    <em>Buzz.</em>


    I nned to check today’s reactions.


    As soon as I turned on my phone, a flood of missed calls and unread messages poured in.”


    The name that appeared most frequently was Seo Hojin.


    [Seo Hojin]


    I shook my still-damp hair roughly with one hand and threw myself onto the bed.


    I skimmed through the messages first, then checked the texts.


    While looking at the conversation with Seo Hojin, I suddenly realized.


    – Seo Hojin: Happy New Year


    – Me: ??[1]


    Even on New Year’s.


    – Seo Hojin: Hyung


    – Seo Hojin: Happy Birthday


    – Me: ??[2]


    …Even on my birthday.


    “…Hmm.”


    Since bing an idol, most of my conversations with my dongsaeng started with him texting me first, and me replying briefly muchter.


    At least I could make the excuse that I didn’t text him on his birthday because we met in person.


    <em>Was I really… like that?</em>


    After hesitating a bit, I sent a text.


    – Me: Hey


    As if he had been waiting for it, a call came in immediately, but I ignored it, and with sleepy eyes, I typed again.


    – Me: Hyung won


    But even after a while, there was no reply.


    I stared at the phone until I almost fell asleep, but then the phone vibrated.


    – Seo Hojin: Answer your phone


    “Idiot…”


    I had a feeling I knew why.


    – Me: Let’s meet tomorrow


    – Me: And bring a big bouquet


    I added a joke to lighten the mood.


    If he actually brought it, I couldugh and tease him.


    Since I had no schedule the next day, I also wanted to check on Hojin’s condition myself.


    <em>This should be fine.</em>


    My nerves, which had been on edge recently, loosened up, and sleepiness overwhelmed me.


    <em>Now, I Just need to handle the aftermath well.</em>


    Though I had taken a bit of a risk, it wasn’t a bad oue.


    Getting criticized was inevitable in the entertainment industry.


    This incident made me an idol with a story, someone who could be utilized again in variety shows or other appearances.


    After all, the public always chose the people who appeared frequently in front of the camera—


    Just as I thought that, my eyelids felt incredibly heavy.


    At that moment when my eyes closed, and I was about to doze off.


    “…Huff!”


    With a gasp, I bolted upright.


    “Huff, ha…”


    With trembling hands, I fumbled to touch my shoulders and arms.


    Cold sweat trickled down my back.


    “Ah, shit…”


    My left arm started to go numb.


    [1] Means “yeah”


    [2] Short for “??,” which means “thanks” in Korean