ㅤㅤ

ㅤ

The status anomaly related to the “Rookie of the Year” award was resolved faster than expected.

"I thought I would have to wait until February."

The fact that it was resolved as soon as we received the award at this ceremony…means that we are overwhelmingly recognized and accepted by the public.

Maybe it's because we settled all the controversy about whether we deserved to win that award. I didn't know that it would affect the criteria enough for it to get past the status abnormality.

"Well, it's great to have made it quickly."

On the other hand, I wasn't going to “Check the truth” for quite a while, because I didn't want to be given another status anomaly right away.

—Thank you very much!

While I was thinking, Keun SeJin finished his speech and gave me the space in front of the microphone.

That meant it was my turn to speak.

I walked slowly and stood in front of it.

I could see sparkling waves in front of me. Although they were some distance away, I could recognize that those strong lights were coming from our lightsticks.

"...It feels much stronger compared to the previous ceremonies we attended."

Perhaps it was because VTIC was absent. I finished viewing the panorama and spoke into the microphone.

ㅤㅤ

—

ㅤㅤ

I used to not mind giving a thank you speech for receiving an award, but I've never really wanted to do it before, like I did now.

—

…I didn't mean just those who waited for our debut.

The same thing happened with the controversy over the “Rookie of the Year” award. I knew that there were people who would respond immediately if the situation was reversed... That's why I chose such a fundamental method to prove it.

It is wonderful and strange to always have people waiting to see your good results.

ㅤㅤ

—

ㅤㅤ

Thank you for not giving up even though public opinion was angry and tired of us.

ㅤㅤ

—

ㅤㅤ

I bowed my head to thank them and stayed that way for a long while.

Loud screams spilled over us. The sound, which was as intense as the light power of our light sticks, somehow felt warm.

I could feel my hands patting my back.

"They must be my companions."

Just as I was trying to think positively about us getting a good picture taken, I heard a whisper that was a little bewildered.

—Moo-Moon Dae, are you alright?

—Are you crying?

I'm not crying.

I heard another whisper that spoke to me seriously.

—If you are going to raise your head, cover your face and turn around quickly.

Why the hell do you think I don't hold my head up because I'm embarrassed to be seen crying?

"I thought it was normal to think that if you bow your head for a long time, you would express more emotion and gratitude."

I held in a sigh and raised my head.

Then, the light sticks and cheering cries waved and almost stopped in confusion.

Somehow, everything looked like a giant Milky Way.

—...

"I almost got in trouble."

If I hadn't thought of anything, I would have cried for everything I felt right now.

Thanks to those who misunderstood me and thought I was crying, I appeased my feelings, avoiding being seen in a funny state.

"I'm sweating cold."

I remembered that ability I got a few months ago, but I discarded it as soon as it appeared.

I felt my spine go cold.

"...I hope I don't need it."

Even though I removed it right away, it looks like I'll need it. I wondered for a while if it was necessary… but I soon denied it in my mind.

"I couldn't give up the other abilities just because I possessed that one."

It's okay to feel a little embarrassed.

And? Will it happen to me often? No, I can cry a little on days that have a crossroads of various complex circumstances, like today.

“I will wave my hands goodbye.”

I shook my head at my peers and waved my hands at the audience as if to say, "Did you think I was crying?"

The lights around us became warm and bright to me.

* * *

After the season of award ceremonies ended, preparations for the large-scale concert began.

Among them, of course, there was a process of preparing each presentation of the sub-units filmed with cameras.

—They have even uploaded them to WeTube.

—It's CheongWoo hyung!

As Cha YooJin said, Ryu CheongWoo's commercial appeared on WeTube, which we watched on TV.

CheongWoo, who had CG drawn bird wings behind his shoulders, smiled, winked and shot with his index and thumb fingers.

It was a very good commercial scene in which he appeared as a handsome and cheerful man.

—What?!

—Why was hyung the only one to do something cool?

—...It's because of your animal, right?

The latter was said by Bae Sejin, speaking in a gloomy voice.

CheongWoo laughed and shook his head, perhaps he was a bit embarrassed.

—Haha, I’m not that cool... Fans compared me to a "bird" a lot, so... it ended like this.

But the reactions of my companions were cold.

—You could have chirped like a chicken, but you said something cool.

—You could have tried, but you didn't.

—No, it's not something I decided on, guys!

CheongWoo was taken aback for a moment, but as soon as he realized that it was a typical reaction of mild resentment, he smiled and let the situation slide.

"...I wish they had also related my image to that of a falcon."

But someone associated me with a puppy dog ​ ​ and that's how it happened...

I quickly got rid of the memories of my commercial break and focused on the video that was playing.

A slow and beautiful song flowed on the screen. It was the unit song chosen by Kim RaeBin and Ryu CheongWoo.

Keun SeJin asked in admiration.

—Oh, are you going to arrange that song?

—Yes.

RaeBin nodded and his eyes sparkled.

—I think it's a melody that goes very well with Cheongwoo hyung's voice. If he left the keyboard sound and changed the kitsch rhythm, it would be a very sensual instrumental.

—Yes, I am looking forward to it because RaeBin is having fun.

CheongWoo smiled and nodded his head.

I can guess what kind of atmosphere this team is having.

“He is giving RaeBin freedom to go wild with excitement.”

Since it's an exclusive stage for sub-units anyway, it seems like he doesn't judge it conservatively and fully accepts RaeBin's ideas.

“I think they will do something very interesting.”

It will be something very attractive.

YooJin then searched for an exciting song for all of us to hear.

An old pop song that came from a brown cover album was played.

"...Will they make a pop song?"

I thought that it might be too advantageous for Cha YooJin, a Korean-American, but I soon realized that it was impossible.

I think SeJin has carefully chosen the compositions and showed them to YooJin so that he could choose the song he would most like to sing from among those options.

"If he has made a concession, then perhaps he is satisfied."

Even though he wanted to confront him before, it seems that he is willing to cooperate.

When our eyes met, SeJin winked at me. Yes, I think he was part of the reason for choosing this pop song.

—I like this song! I already want to do it!

—That's right, let's do a grand performance~

—Let's do it!

When YooJin excitedly raised his hand, SeJin responded with an excited high five.

"Well, I'm glad you're both satisfied."

So far there haven't been any problems.

—Th-then… I'll show the song we chose…!

—Ooooh~

The last ones to present their choice were Bae Sejin, a firmly convinced Seon AhHyun, and myself.

AhHyun beat us to it and did her search on WeTube to showcase the song.

Then it began to flow the rustic and relaxed accompaniment of a band.

—Eh?

Seeing the other guys looking a bit embarrassed, I explained with a smile.

It's “You're amazing” by Miso sunbae-nim.

It was a moderately bright and emotional song by a solo singer who was active in the late '80s.

The chorus of this song, "Uuh, amazing!", was so popular that even teenagers and young people in their twenties have heard it at least once on entertainment shows.

But that was it.

Perhaps both the impact and the atmosphere didn't seem to match a song that would be performed at a concert.

CheongWoo had a slightly surprised expression.

—Will you three sing this song?

—Yes.

I calmly nodded, while my teammates did so with flushed faces.

After looking at us for a while, CheongWoo could barely nod.

—Well… Did you choose it, MoonDae?

—...? No, AhHyun and Sejin hyung chose it.

The two had nominated that song and, after discussing it for a while, they chose it.

—...Hmm. I see.

CheongWoo nodded immediately, but I felt that he was hiding his concern from it.

"If we weren't on camera, I would have already wondered if I was really okay."

Unaware of the signs, AhHyun muttered with an excited face.

—I-I think we'll do just fine. I already want us to present it!

Sejin also seemed hesitant on whether to speak or not, but in the end, she looked at the camera and made up her mind.

—...I think it will be a great performance, so please look forward to it.

CheongWoo, who had rarely seen the two actively expressing his opinions, felt a little calmer.

I don't know why they like that song so much, but I guess there must be some charm to it.

Finally, CheongWoo stared at me and asked with a look hoping that I would confirm his choice.

—...Do you trust you can do it, MoonDae?

—It's hard to have complete confidence that you'll be able to do a very good presentation, but I'll do my best to do it.

—...

—Let's all do our best!

—Let's try our best!

—TeSTAR, fighting!

As soon as we finished filming, CheongWoo came up to me to ask, "Is he really okay?" about three times, and three times I nodded my head to confirm.

Only then did he walk away to drink coffee with a rather relieved face.

"Actually, I wasn’t joking."

I was going to make fun of him for not avoiding the commercial's Russian roulette, but since he had a strong sense of responsibility, this worked out much better than expected.

"Actually, I'm worried about something else."

I was worried about… the performances of the new songs.

“Even before we officially release them, we will be performing them for the first time at the concert.”

We will present a new main song and a secondary one. It was necessary for the public to enjoy two songs that he was completely unfamiliar with.

It was very important to lead and motivate them so that the atmosphere was not lost.

—...Hmm.

After deep thought, a short and clear answer came to me.

"Let's squander the capital."

Fortunately, the agency had a lot of money.

* * *

As TeSTAR prepared for their concert and new album, the concert date was finally announced.

What madness, finally we will have a concert!

— AAAAAAAH

— Wow, you were right

— I hope to get a seat at the concert ㅠㅠ

— Nine months after their debut, they will hold a concert. What the heck is going on with our children?

— I don't want a lot of things, all I want is to go to the concert ㅠㅠ

— I already imagined holding my lightstick while they sang us the fansong that they dedicated to us

Fans were eagerly waiting as they wanted to read some news confirming that the agency had rented a stadium for the concert.

And as soon as the expectation came true, people shouted with joy and immediately began to prepare for ticket sales.

— All Loviewers who want to go to the concert, you'd better stay tuned and buy your tickets as soon as it comes out. If they take it easy, all the tickets will be sold out and they'll get re-sales at overpriced prices ㅠㅠ

— What time does the sale start on the online server?

— Is there anything special I need to prepare in order to enter the pre-sale for fan club members?

— I want to get a ticket, I'm so desperate!

But before they finished preparing for ticket sales, they received another piece of news.

— Hul. Huh. Will you release a new album next month? (ad link)

L?? What?

L Why all of a sudden?

L Did they announce their comeback for the first of April?

L Hul, it's a day after the last concert

L Will you make a comeback after the concert? It's good for the fans... but...

Fans were baffled, but the news wasn't over yet.

— A new article was published… It say they will reveal songs from their new album at the concert (Link to article)

L What...?

L What's going on?

L So, will they do their first performance before their MV comes out?

L Hul, if I don't make it to the concert, I'll go crazy

And there was more.

— TeSTAR will perform sub-unit performances at their first concert. They also announced that they are recording content about it to broadcast it in a reality show on WeTube (Interview Link)

L What?!

L Wait, they are announcing so many things hahahaha

L Will they make a reality show so that we can see the development of each sub-unit?

L Everything is so lovely that I can't stop my doubts. Will T1 be able to make everything work fine?

Fans were struggling to digest the news, but one thing was firmly established.

"There will be extremely high competition to purchase a ticket to the concert!"

And in the midst of the whirlwind of confusion and tension, TeSTAR made a post on their official account.

It would be a great challenge.