"Oh~ What kind of person is the new director?"

"I heard they're a good person."

I overheard the conversation between the manager and Keun Sejin.

'Let's not have any expectations.'

There was a high probability that the new high-ranking person would have the same great mindset as the old director.

In any case, since TeStar's results were good when the former director was here, wouldn't the company send another similar guy again?

However, my predictions were broken in a good way.

"...Like an approval bot?"

"That's right! It seems that the director is careful with their health since they are close to retirement."

//TN: I used 'they' since I'm not sure about the director's gender.

What I heard over and over from the people at the company was that Director Lee had no special interventions or pushes for projects, and they let the working-level staff do what they were doing.

'...Come to think of it, there's no word about calling for us to meet.'

Usually, they would ask to meet the agency's only singers at least once but there was no word about it.

I didn't think the director was going to be around for long but it wasn't bad for now. It was more comfortable to have a superior who just responded with 'okay' than someone with enthusiasm but didn't know what they were doing.

However, one big project was dropped on us due to this influence.

"A concert..."

"We're finally preparing for our solo performance as well."

As large overdue approvals were authorized one by one, the concert date was finally set.

But there was one more problem here.

"...Isn't March a little ambiguous for the date?"

That's right.

It was exactly during the start of the new school year and school semester season... It was held in a season when people wouldn't have enough time to worry about going to watch a performance.

...At first, it was supposed to be at the beginning of the year as a special show, but the company was in such a mess that it failed to properly secure the rental space.

I wasn't sure if I should say this was fortunate, since thanks to the delay, preparations for renting the performance equipment had already been completed.

Fortunately, the members quickly let go of their anxiety over the date.

"But since it's the weekend, wouldn't there be a lot of people who want to come?"

"I-I'm sure there are fans who are fine with the time...!"

"I like it if a lot of people come!"

"I want to prepare well and show a good performance."

The atmosphere flared up.

'...And we have three months left.'

Well, I had seen singers who prepared for their concerts for more than half a year, but three months wasn't bad.

'Realistically, half a year ago, when only the debut song was released, the preparation itself was impossible.'

It might be a bit of a chore, but since it was not a promotion period, I thought I could handle it well.

...As I was thinking about it, a new proposal came from the working staff.

"How about releasing the first performance of your new song at the first concert?"

"...Will we have a comeback in March?"

"Would it be a little too much?"

It was too much.

These people seemed to have forgotten how hard they had to work when the debut album had to be released in a month, but now they were saying some nonsense.

...However, a surprisingly common-sense answer followed.

"But to fill the concert set list, we have to pick out a few new songs anyway, so wouldn't it be nice if it was TeStar's song instead of a cover song of another singer?"

"...Um, yes."

"Also, almost all the songs that are going to be in the album are released, so we only have to work on the title song."

That was true.

In fact, this next comeback... was going to be our first full album.

That's why when we were working on the last album, we also picked out half of the songs for the next album in advance since there was spare time to put in the effort.

Since then, we had been working on the songs in our spare moments.

"We have to shoot the music video and stuff like that with the concert VCR anyway, so it looks like we can do it according to the schedule... Concept photos can also be tailored for concert use."

"..."

Saving costs and time.

It would also be nice to have a concept for the concert. If the concert was organized in a way that related to the concept of our first full-length album, there would be a mutual promotion effect and the fans would enjoy it.

As a result, everyone would be happy if only the working staff and singers were separated.

'This is driving me crazy.'

Sure enough, Kim Raebin, who was listening quietly from beside, was slowly going to raise his hand as a sign of agreement. It was like rabbit meat that was going to voluntarily jump into the fire pit.

Ryu Chungwoo settled the situation for now.

"Is it okay if we discuss it among ourselves and talk to you again?"

"Yes yes. But, please tell us by tomorrow."

And it didn't have to go until the next day. It was because we made the conclusion in the company's practice room.

Surprisingly, it was unanimous.

"We want to try working on it."

"Ah, well thought out!"

The company was pleased.

And it was obvious from the members' faces that they thought 'If we did it once we can do it again.'

It was the harmful consequence that came from the good results of the previous crazy schedule.

'Even Bae Sejin was influenced.'

After doing different end-of-the-year performances every week, it seemed that the experience started to take form for him.

* * *

Soon after, the company sent us a draft of the set list for the concert.

Ryu Chungwoo briefed quickly.

"Even if we included all of our title songs and sub-songs... and added b-side tracks in the fan song, there are only ten songs.

"Hmm~ We need at least 20 songs for a concert, right?"

"I actually think that even 20 songs are too little. Maybe we should add more?"

"Th-that's right."

The empty set list with songs here and there was still meager.

A plan to include songs from the new album without choreography was also considered, but it was rejected because we wanted to do more performance songs.

I was speechless to see those guys, of their own volition, cut off the parts where we could take a breather.

'I'm going to collapse at this rate.'

Fortunately, I remembered the company's recommendation.

"They asked us to include unit songs, so let's fill that up."

In this way, there was a half-forced rest period while another member was performing.

Besides, the company seemed to be painting the bigger picture.

"Ah, they said we were going to shoot our own content with that, right?"

That's right. The process of sharing and preparing for the unit stage would be edited and uploaded on WeTube like a variety show.

And when the concert was over, the plan was to upload the unit performance like a choreography video.

"Then, let's think about the remaining five songs without those three songs. Does anyone have a song you want to do?"

"Me!"

"M-me too!"

After a fierce battle, five songs were selected.

Thanks to Bae Sejin, who exercised the right to remain silent, and Ryu Chungwoo, who chose to yield, the process went very smoothly.

"Then let's advance like this."

"Yes!"

And the company confirmed the set list by modifying a few song orders after asking the question 'Are you really sure it's okay as it is?' about ten times.

However, it seemed that they still were not convinced since I heard the news that the VCR time was set to be longer.

'...I'm going to have to work harder on my stamina.'

Looking at the responses of the staff, I was strongly convinced that the concert would be extremely difficult.

And after spending several days deciding on the new album title and concept...

It had been a while since the camera came into our dorm. It was to shoot the scene of dividing the unit for the concert performance.

However, the way it was done was unusual.

"What day is today?"

"The day of changing roommates~"

It was because we decided to change our roommates and perform on stage with those who were matched.

'...This feels like an IdolCo team battle.'

They say that if you stare at the abyss for too long, the abyss will also stare back at you, and it seemed that everyone had been affected by that.

Well, to be honest, it was unexpected and fun. I could feel the confidence in these guys that they could do well with anyone.

"Let's say goodbye to our dear roommates we've become fond of. Aigoo, hyung-nim, dongsaeng~"

Keun Sejin, holding the cue card, hugged Cha Yujin and Ryu Chungwoo while shamelessly pretending to sob.

It was like a skit.

Kim Raebin, who got swept along, greeted Seon Ahyun politely.

"Thank you very much for always responding with a generous and gentle attitude to my noise and work. I hope we can share a room again next time."

"I, I'm also grateful! A-and it was nice to hear you work. I liked the songs...!"

They were harmonious but extremely polite.

The two seemed to get along well and had good feelings for each other but it looked like they failed to openly become close.

I also greeted Bae Sejin.

"I think we were good roommates since we have similar lifestyles, so this is a pity."

"...I know right. I would have liked to keep this as it was."

While Bae Sejin was talking, his eyes were subtly directed at Cha Yujin. It felt like he was going to get a stomach ache if he ended up in the same room as that guy.

'...No way, right?'

It couldn't be.

I ended the conversation by shaking hands with Bae Sejin, assimilating with his thoughts.

"Now then, let's meet our new roommates!"

"Waah!"

After the clichéd applause, Keun Sejin smiled and took out the prepared props from behind.

"The roommate selection method this time... is to flip cards!"

"Oh!"

"See the number behind this? That's the room number! People with the same number will share the room."

Keun Sejin shuffled the cards. He had probably played this game quite a bit since it seemed like he was familiar with doing the motion.

Then, seven cards were turned upside down on the floor.

"Okay, each of you will choose the card you want~"

"OK!"

"I understand!"

Whoever could choose the card first was decided with a karaoke scoring game.

"Yes!"

In fact, the order of card selection didn't really matter, so everyone just focused on getting enough content rather than playing the game.

And the score was completely meaningless.

"First place is... Cha Yujin who scored 100 points!"

"Wow!!"

It was because this guy, who accidentally selected a song he didn't know and made it up, won first place.

"Now, draw a card!"

"Yes!"

"Now then... Oh! It's number 1!"

Anyway, starting with Cha Yujin, each person went out and picked a card.

And I... surprisingly got the same room as Bae Sejin again.

"Oh, Bae Sejin hyung-nim's room is... number 3! You're in the same room with Moondae again~"

"...!!"

Bae Sejin squeezed his hands tightly, then cleared his throat in embarrassment.

"Hum, in the future... I'm counting on you again."

"Me too."

Honestly, I also wanted to avoid Cha Yujin and felt the same way as him, so I had nothing to say.

However, the problem was that it was room number 3.

Just like when we first decided on a roommate in the reality show, number 3 was a room for three people.

And the remaining lineup was... Keun Sejin and Seon Ahyun.

"Ah~ We are the only ones left!"

"R-right."

"Okay, then I'll pick first~"

Keun Sejin, who was before Seon Ahyun in order, put his hand on the remaining card as if he was contemplating really hard.

Then he slid his hand and put it on another card.

"...!"

Wait a minute, that bastard just now...

"I will take this one! Ahyun-ssi, should we turn it over together?"

"Y-yes!"

"Then... one, two, three!"

Swish. Keun Sejin and Seon Ahyun flipped the cards.

The result was...

"Oooh!!"

"Wow! Yujin-ah! Take care of me again!"

And naturally, the remaining number three was... Seon Ahyun.

Seon Ahyun smiled widely and showed his card.

"...! Pl-please, take care of me! I look forward to it!"

"Yes. Let's get along."

Bae Sejin's face instantly relaxed. The room assignment seemed to be satisfactory.

I also said a word.

"It's been a while since we shared the same room."

"Y-yeah!"

Seon Ahyun quickly joined Room 3 while holding the card tightly.

"Then, we have a surprise announcement for our Loviewers! What might it be?"

The members smiled and put in a drum roll.

"Dadumdadumdadum!"

Keun Sejin raised his cue card.

"This time, we will be doing a unit performance with our roommates!"

"Please look forward to it!"

That's how the shooting in the living room ended.

"Phew!"

"Then let's move our luggage first~"

The members immediately began to move their luggage to the changed room.

However, the guy, who seemed to be the first to get moved, did something else.

He took the cards that were on the living room floor.

"Ah! Here you go."

"Yes. Thank you~"

Keun Sejin organized the cards well, arranged them in the original box, and handed them over to the staff.

Then, seeing me still in the living room, he smiled and talked to me.

"Moondae, aren't you moving your luggage?"

"...I'm going."

I followed Keun Sejin to the hallway.

And I thought.

'What did he do with that?'

That guy, he deliberately avoided the number 3.