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After an unsuccessful meeting with CheongRyu, I returned to the apartment. Since it was already three in the morning, everyone should be sleeping.

"...I have to get up at 8 in the morning."

I had to sleep immediately. I lowered the noise of my footsteps and quickly went to my room.

But I got a surprise.

- ...!

- Uh...

Lee Sejin was lying on his bed, looking at something on the phone that he was holding tightly.

The light from the screen illuminated the expression on his face.

"...Maybe he's watching Netplus."

NT: Netplus = Netflix.

Seeing him like this was disconcerting.

- ...

I deliberately took a few steps back and left the room. I wanted to give him time to recover from the surprise.

"I'll go take a shower and then I'll change."

When I came out of the bathroom after taking a shower, Sejin had covered himself from head to toe in his quilt.

He must be ashamed.

"...I'll go to sleep."

I lay in bed and since it was practically dawn and almost everyone was asleep, I didn't put my earplugs in because there was no noise.

But after a while, I regretted not using them.

- ...Wug.

A muffled sob sounded from the bed next to him.

No matter who heard it, everyone would know that he was crying and trying to contain his sobs with the pillow under his face and covered by his comforter.

"It can't be."

I seriously considered whether I should put on my earplugs and go back to bed, but finally got up and walked over to the bed beside me and patted the duvet gently.

- Hyung, what's up?

- ...!!

The blanket stirred and I heard coughing.

"Not only is he crying, his nose is running..."

Apparently, he didn't want me to see him in this state, so I crossed my arms and waited for him to answer me.

- ...Didn't you, uhm, use your earplugs?

- I didn't think I had to use them at this hour.

Again I heard the sound of movement and, when he spoke to me again, his voice had calmed down, sounding more similar to his usual tone.

- ...Yeah, it's not a big deal.

- ...

That means that there is something wrong with him.

At that moment, a warning alarm sounded in my mind.

- ...Hyung, it's not a drug related problem, right?

- Are you crazy?

Hmm, I guess not. Startled, I looked at Sejin, who had pulled the blanket away from him and sat on the edge of the bed.

I usually saw Sejin's face so calm that he seemed to have reached nirvana, but this time he was somber.

- Do I see myself as a drug addict?

- No... Today I met CheongRyu sunbae-nim, he told me some stories of people who fell into drugs. I suddenly remembered and that's why I asked.

- ...

Sejin looked uncomfortable, surely he was thinking about some specific cases of celebrities like that.

- ...It's best not to get involved with it in any way. Keep your distance from strangers.

- Yes, I understand.

I shrugged and pulled up the comforter on my bed.

"It will be difficult to ask you more questions."

Sejin seems to be getting by on his own, if at any point he has a really big problem, he'll let me know.

But just in case, it will be better to reiterate it.

- Hyung.

- Yes?

- If you feel that you are going through a difficult problem, you can...

- ...Okay.

- ...tell CheongWoo hyung.

- ...YA!

I waved my hand goodbye and lay down on my bed, falling asleep instantly.

* * *

As the comeback date got closer, we started to feel more exhausted due to the various practice schedules.

- It's better than the schedule we had for our debut.

- I think so.

Compared to when we had to prepare to release two title tracks in less than a month, our current state might not be wonderful, but it was well received by all the members of the group.

It was definitely much better. It's worth it because at least we have enough time to sleep.

"I also have time to monitor the networks."

I checked the current feedback stream on my phone.

Well, up until a few days ago, fans were developing theories by comparing our concept photos to the recently announced details of the album.

(comments)

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It's amazing, the album has two versions: Side A and B. So the album is called "Choose your side"? This detail makes fans cry

A side is refreshing so I guess B side will have a dream concept

L What about the trailer?

L Isn't it just an intro for the game?

L I think that is related to side B

No, the trailer had too many Magical Boy elements in it ㅠㅠ It's hard to specify that it's just a commercial trailer for the game when we still don't know what it's about because it hasn't been released yet...!

L Hello, until now I only thought about paying for the albums, but as soon as the Ruins Factory game is released, I'll check it out...!

L Yes, me too

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And today, the second concept of the new album was released.

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[TeSTAR - Concept Photo "Side B"]

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It showed the members of TeSTAR wearing classic winter school uniforms.

Although the costumes and the stage in which the photos were taken were connected to the previous album, the atmosphere was clearly different.

This is because the classroom setting was not simply aged or destroyed, but was covered in graffiti that glows under fluorescent lighting.

Also, the walls were not painted the usual ivory color for all rooms, but a chrome gray color that looked rusty in places.

The boys also wore gas masks or unique ancillary gear, painted in bright neon colors.

It was a cyberpunk dystopia.

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(comments)

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NT: Cyberpunk is a subgenre of science fiction, which is characterized by presenting a dystopian vision (negative and undesirable) of society, where the system fails and there is a war between rebellious citizens against the authorities.

Uwaaaa

It was cyberpunk, how amazing

I love it

Look how they were careful and chose to wear their winter uniform... Our idols have learned a lot from the past album, they almost got tangled up in their bag straps and fell

ㅠㅠㅠㅠ CheongWoo finally dyed his hair, even though it looks almost jet black... he still maintains a slight blue hue! I'm so happy... I hope everyone is happy

I racked my brain trying to guess the next concept and I thought it would be something dreamy again...

I love both concepts. I already want the album to be released ㅠㅠ

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No measures had to be taken to control public opinion as the fans enjoyed it.

"Looks like the worries you had about the game have disappeared."

In fact, the photos of this concept had a lot of similarities with the trailer, but as people welcomed it, the ominous foreboding was gone.

And in general, the reaction was good in any community on the Internet, not just limited to the opinions of the fans.

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---

[TeSTAR Concept Photos "Choose Your Side"]

Side A (Photo)

Side B (Photo)

According to general public opinion, both are good choices

---

(comments)

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Oh, they are so handsome

Every time I look at Seon Ahhyun, he becomes more handsome

Looks like they spent all their money to make the second concept look awesome.

L Hahahahahahaha that explanation is perfect

L I only liked 2D, but maybe that's why I keep seeing these guys haha

The second concept fits perfectly with RaeBin. More than a bully thug style, he looks decadent

I'm looking forward to the MV! When it comes out, share it here too!

Some people tried to change public opinion in some way, but to no avail.

(comments)

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I don't know... Why do you say they chose well? LOL

L Everywhere, public opinion says it's okay... they did a good job

L Maybe it's just the fans ㅠㅠ

L Are you saying that the millions of comments that support them and are the public opinion, are their fans? LOL

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And so his attempt ended.

"It went bad."

I smiled and walked out of the article he was reading.

- Moo-MoonDae-ya, are you... watching the internet?

- Yes. I checked the reactions to the concept photo we just uploaded.

- I-I see.

AhHyun didn't ask me what the public opinion was saying.

I heard that he is training himself not to pay too much attention to what other people think of him.

He seems like he has adapted very well to his current psychologist's therapy, because he shows a bright expression on his face lately.

"He also mentioned that he will have some serious therapy to correct his pronunciation as soon as we finish our second album activities."

Hmm, I hope he's doing great.

- I-it was very hot when we took the photos.

As soon as AhHyun said that, there were shouts of agreement from all sides.

- True!

- Even though it's autumn, the heat wave meant that the set didn't stay cold even if we understood air conditioning!

- ...

Thank you for responding in my place.

- Even so, Sejin's expression didn't change when the photos were being taken of us. It's incredible.

- He's a great actor!

- Yes.

Lee Sejin, who was praised out of nowhere, almost spit out the water he was drinking, but soon replied in a low voice.

- ...Thank you.

- You did a good job.

Ryu CheongWoo smiled and began to stretch again.

In this way we saved a scene with which we were already familiar. When learning a new choreography, Sejin's progress was very slow as he couldn't keep up without making a mistake.

"Well, what they said is not something we made up."

Whenever we needed to create content that required action, Sejin's skills were overwhelming.

Beside me, Keun SeJin playfully grumbled.

--Hey, don't be mean~ Guys, don't forget that SeJin is here too! I also took good pictures~!

- Haha!

- Wow, hyung, you're great.

- You don't sound sincere at all, YooJin.

- I can't lie. ouch!

SeJin put YooJin in a headlock and then released him with a smile. On the other hand, Sejin just turned around to not see what they were doing.

"The relationship between them is still so ambiguous."

It's not like they're going to fight, it's just... they don't want to be together because they don't like each other.

- Now, let's start practice again~

- Okay!

After a short break, we rehearsed the choreography again.

- Look at his feet~

- This way~

The members, who were used to the choreographer's advice, danced to the rhythm of the chorus as they performed their parts of the song. It was a funny sight that they had to look at each other smiling in front of the mirrors as if they were performing in front of an audience, while trying to contain their laughter.

However, Sejin was having a hard time continuing. In silence, I looked at his reflection in the mirror.

"It's understandable."

His dance level was still D+.

It would be difficult for a person who is not very talented in dancing to master the choreography in a short period of time, because his level was low, and if he wanted to reach a good level, he had to climb several levels in an orderly manner.

"But if he continues to push herself like this, I think he'll be able to get over it."

I checked his status window.

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[Name: Lee Sejin]

Singing: C- (B+)

Dance: D+ (B)

Appearance: A+ (S)

Talent: A (S-)

Property: Concentration (B)

Status anomaly: -

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His singing level had reached C. Since his original singing level was higher than his dancing, he was able to raise it relatively faster than the other.

Since the maximum potential his dance can reach is level B, it will increase after he reaches level C.

"And that property that he has..."

It was pretty good.

[Concentration (B)]

I want to do it!

→ 100% concentration

ㅤ

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His skill name and description were very simple, but he looked very versatile. If I had gotten it, it is very likely that he would have kept it to use.

Come to think of it, I should organize my status window at once, so I opened it.

[Name: Park MoonDae (Ryu GunWoo)]

Level: 15

Title: None

Singing: A

Dance: B-

Appearance: B+

Talent: B

Properties: Infinite potential, Sounds good! (C), Bacchus 500 (B), Tuned ear (B)

Status Abnormality: Prize or Death

Remaining points: 3

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It was quite a feat to get those points by achieving one hundred stage performances and five thousand practices.

The popup that appears when a good stage is done has also been updated a couple of times and I got a chance to get one more skill.

And what I got in the skill draw was...

[Special Attribute: Eyes like a faucet (B)]

Open and close them comfortably!

→ Ability to control tears: MAX

I removed it immediately. what the fuck

Anyway, not counting that skill, I got a lot of benefits.

"...It's because the activities we had in our debut were intense."

I knew I'd get rewards for not getting enough sleep, but I didn't think I'd get anything that would surprise me.

It was surprising that my Talent level increased on its own.

...I guess it was because of what I did on the W Live streams and the fansign.

Apart from Sejin and me, the other guys have also raised the level of their talent, but...

- Stop thinking about other things, MoonDae~!

- ...!

I stopped thinking about those things when SeJin called my attention.

"I must concentrate on rehearsal for now."

And after a while, we finished practicing the whole song.

Keun SeJin asked politely as he wiped his sweat.

- Huh, would you like to start over?

- Let's do it

- Yes!

Keun SeJin had raised his Dance level from A- to A, now he was learning the choreography much faster than before.

"I envy him."

At that time, I thought that it would be better to use all my points on the Dance ranking.

The song played again and we went through the initial steps of the choreography, when Lee Sejin fell to the ground.

- ...Ugh!

- Are you okay?

- ...Yes.

SeJin tried to get up, but soon stopped.

Lying on his back on the floor, he grabbed his ankle and bit down hard on his lips.

...I had a bad feeling.