Chapter 67

Enrollment Ceremony Quest

When you say enrollment ceremony, isn't it an event where students gather and speeches are made? And an idol performance? Is that okay?

"It's a celebratory performance at a university enrollment ceremony."

Ah, so they do celebratory performances at university enrollment ceremonies.

It seems that a friend complained that the university is looking for a singer to perform for the celebration stage, but the budget is not generous. They can't invite famous singers, but they want to boast about having invited a singer?

"The Theora members went to the broadcasting station themselves to promote, right? The Hanul staff who heard that story all praised them. With that passion, they can do anything. That's why Theora came to mind first."

I was worried that we might be making a fuss, but it's encouraging to have our proactive approach supported. I didn't know that Theora's promotional efforts would have such an impact.

"The performance fee won't be much, but since it's an experience, how about giving it a try? The audience will be quite large since it's an enrollment ceremony."

"I'll discuss it with the members and the manager. We'll consider it positively."

As a new idol, we probably haven't even been measured for performance fees. After all, we've only had one performance, and that was a failed event in a blizzard.

Anyway, Theora's top priority is to raise our recognition by appearing as much as possible. Performance fees can increase as we grow.

"Mr. Naohyuk, the actor, will record the OST soon, and I'll let you know the schedule. If you can give us the additional OST by the end of next month, that would be great, but the sooner, the better."

Suddenly, a lot of work is coming in. If I keep working on it in the studio, I can finish it by the end of this month.

"Let me know when you decide. It's just a favor to a friend, so don't feel pressured."

"Thank you for the recommendation, Team Leader."

Alone in the cafe, I stirred my iced tea with a straw as the ice melted, and my manager came in with quick steps.

Even considering the short distance between the dorm and the company, it was an early arrival. Was he that worried about leaving me alone?

I raised my hand to call out to my manager.

* * *

When I told the members and the manager about the university enrollment ceremony, we all agreed to do it unanimously.

The manager was responsible for scheduling, so after that, he took over. The performance was decided immediately due to the tight schedule.

The Theora members agreed to perform two songs. One had to be the title track, but there was a conflict over the second song. In the end, a dance song that could liven up the atmosphere was chosen.

"The response might not be great. Still, don't be flustered and proceed with the performance confidently."

According to Hyun, a senior member, the enrollment ceremony at Han Ye University also has a celebratory performance every year, but the atmosphere is quite solemn. You can't expect cheers. They might clap, but that's about it.

It's hard to get enthusiastic in a place full of strangers.

If a few people react enthusiastically, the atmosphere can spread quickly. But it's not easy to get there.

If Theora were a well-known A-list idol, it might be different...

"Since it's an outdoor stage, it might be a more relaxed atmosphere..."

"I'll remember that."

"Yep! I won't be intimidated!"

"Let's think of it as a restrained performance for an enrollment ceremony."

I decided to give myself a positive suggestion. I'll try to hold back the urge to dance even in a heavy atmosphere. I'll do an internal dance that won't show on the outside.

Even if it's not real, at least our hearts will be at ease.

"Let's consider this a high-difficulty quest. We've been given the quest to get the students to stand up from their seats."

It's okay if we don't succeed, but how thrilling would it be if we did? If we get carried away by the excitement without considering the place and situation? What greater reward can an idol get?

"Great! Let's show them how well we can perform on stage!"

"Let's put our hands together."

In the waiting room next to the outdoor stage, I extended my arm to stack hands with the members.

"On the count of two, let's shout 'Theora Fighting!' Two, three!"

"Theora Fighting!"

We stretched our hands up, determined to show a perfect performance.

* * *

Freshman A attended the university enrollment ceremony, thinking it was a once-in-a-lifetime event, despite feeling heavy. The thought of being gathered on the stone steps in front of the open-air theater for a boring welcome speech made him feel restless.

'Just a little longer. Damn, I should have skipped it. It's pointless.'

Sitting down, he realized he was in the front row. If he left in the middle, he might draw attention from school officials. Plus, he would have to inconvenience several people to get out.

There was one strange thing: there were people who didn't look like freshmen sitting in the outer seats.

He thought they might be family members of the freshmen, but their clothes and group composition suggested they were visitors to the university area.

'What's so interesting about an enrollment ceremony? They're all the same.'

Regretting his decision, he decided to chat with a friend who went to another university.

– Just keep it short! Ours is already over!

– The enrollment ceremony is just a formality, I came for nothing.

– Just bear with it for a bit, then let's have lunch. I'll come over.

– I'll bolt as soon as it's over! Let's search for a good restaurant.

He lowered his head and searched for nearby restaurants. While choosing lunch, he heard the MC's words.

"...There will be a celebratory performance for the enrollment ceremony. It's the idol group, Theora! Please welcome them, freshmen!"

He hadn't heard about this. Looking around, he saw that others were also surprised.

'Theora? I've heard of them...'

Was he not the only one feeling a sense of familiarity? Freshmen were muttering Theora's name here and there.

Those sitting with friends were discussing the idol group 'Theora' with their neighbors.

"They're the ones who starred in the SEED junior's commercial..."

"They were on that last labor show recently!"

"I saw them on Today's Live Information with my mom today?"

"Did you see that? The video of the idol singing in the blizzard. The ones in the video are them."

Was it a coincidence? All the materials mentioned by the surrounding students were ones that Freshman A had seen.

'They were all videos of the same group? Why didn't I notice?'

When he saw the commercial, he thought Hanul Entertainment had launched a major rookie. The rookies seemed enthusiastic, and his mood lifted, making him like them.

The 'Idol in the Blizzard' video he saw through the algorithm only showed the edited ending. He couldn't confirm their faces due to the heavy snow.

'But I watched it several times and still didn't recognize them.'

His observational skills must be rusty.

'They say if you meet someone three times by chance, it's fate. This is the fourth time. Isn't this a sign to become a fan?'

Freshman A raised his phone to enter camera mode. If he had known, he would have brought a camera from home. He felt a bit regretful, but it was too late.

"Hello! We are Theora, full of potential!"

The clear voice echoed through the microphone.

The outdoor stage was large enough for six people to dance and sing, but the lighting was poor.

Freshman A praised his foresight for sitting in the front row. He forgot about his earlier self and focused on filming. The chat notifications from his friend were annoying.

"Freshmen! Congratulations on your enrollment! Just like you're taking your first step in university, we are new idols, so many of you might not know us. So, let's introduce ourselves before we sing!"

"Yay?!"

He shouted enthusiastically and stared at the member who seemed to be the leader. He was glad he was in the front row.

There were large screens on both sides of the outdoor stage, but the quality was poor. They downgraded the beauty of Theora's members by about 1/10.

"The response is very enthusiastic. This is our first university event, but thanks to you, we can make good memories!"

"Wow?!"

The members looked genuinely surprised by the loud response. They were still new, so their innocence stood out. Their unfeigned purity hit a sweet spot.

The student next to him groaned. He was clearly already a fan of Theora.

"I'm the leader and main dancer of Theora, Chorok."

"Ooh?"

The leader, known for his warm smile, chuckled and passed the turn.

"I'm Parkha, the lead dancer and visual of Theora!"

"You're handsome!"

"I know! I'm handsome~."

The charming handsome man won the affection of people of all ages. He looked like an actor, but his words made it clear why he was an idol.

"I'm Seohun, the lead rapper. I'm one year older than you."

"Seohun oppa!"

The member named Seohun couldn't hold back his laughter at the desperate shout. The freshmen burst into laughter, and it took a while to calm down.

"I'm Jeton, the main rapper of Theora. Do you know me?"

"I know! Show Me the Money!"

"Cool. Let's have a great time today. Turn up!"

"Yay!"

The member named Jeton, who had a rapper's groove, was also popular with male students. His deep voice was overwhelmingly powerful.

"Hello! I'm Ora, the lead vocalist! Nice to meet you!"

Ora, the member, was still chubby and cute. Her plump cheeks and clear voice evoked a protective instinct.

"So cute..."

Some students were tapping their feet, clutching their hearts, or pretending to fall backward.

"I'm Hamiwon, the main vocalist. Thank you for welcoming us. I'll show you the best performance!"

"My god..."

The member named Hamiwon appeared on the screen. His white, translucent skin and delicate features were in perfect proportion. His long eyelashes even showed their trembling movements.

The freshmen attending the enrollment ceremony were speechless. They couldn't even cheer, just unconsciously exclaiming in admiration.

The member named Parkha, introduced earlier, was also exceptionally handsome compared to other celebrities. However, his friendly attitude made him seem less distant.

In contrast, Hamiwon's 'beauty' was on a different level. It felt like timeless beauty. He had an aura that made him seem untouchable. Even if he were next to you, you wouldn't dare to speak to him.

"Shall we start? The first song is 'Imprint,' the title track of Theora's debut album."

The intro of the song started, and Theora's members ran around the stage, making eye contact with the students.

When his eyes met Hamiwon's, his heart felt like it dropped. It was lucky he didn't drop his phone.

"Looking for you, waiting for you, I'm here..."

Listening to the beginning of the song, he remembered hearing it several times at the cafe. At the time, he didn't know who sang it or the title, but he liked it and forgot about it.

The leader's voice over the bouncy beat made him nod his head. Then, a desperate shout came from far away.

"Choco! No! Kim Choco!"

The desperate calls for Choco got closer and then farther away.

'What is it?'

He was curious but too focused on the stage to turn his head. He soon found out what was happening through the recording on his phone.

"'In this desolate land, there's still hope~' ...Huh?"

Seohun, the member rapping in the center, hesitated after finishing a line.

Was it a pitch error? That was all he had time to think before blinking.

But in that moment, a brown poodle was in the rapper's arms, looking very comfortable and relaxed.

"..."

"What? A dog?"

It seemed there was an arm movement in the choreography, and the dog jumped into the arm.

"Choco..."

Near the stage, a person who looked like the dog's owner was helplessly calling the dog's name. They couldn't go up on stage and were fidgeting nervously.

When he looked back at the stage, the performance was continuing as if nothing had happened.

Except that the dog, which had been in the rapper's arms, was now in the leader's arms.

Choco, the dog, was dancing peacefully as if in its owner's arms.

"What kind of quick thinking is this...? Are they really new idols...?"