Chapter 75

Shocking Voting Results

'Yeope' (Beside) vs 'Cottage' (Thatched Cottage)

Do other people feel that these two words are similar? Is there a correct answer to this question?

The Theora members looked at me with expectant eyes, as if they were about to make a historic choice.

At this point, I could clearly see the intentions of the members and fans who were trying to tease me. Is my reaction that unusual?

"Of course, I will choose 'Yeope' (Beside) because it sounds softer."

The driver's seat isn't great, but among the two, it was slightly better.

- *Grin* *Grin* *Grin*

- Sounds softer? Really?

- I won't choose the driver's seat, so I picked the side seat. Hahaha

- It's fun to tease you. Haha

- Everyone, don't tease Iwon. I'll be the only one teasing her! Hahaha

I couldn't read the chat anymore and turned away. It felt like the chat was exploding, but I hoped it was just an illusion and rolled my eyes.

"Should I call you 'Yeope' (Beside) from now on? It feels a bit awkward as a fandom name... Will you not regret it?"

How will international fans feel about the fandom name? It's a bit concerning. It's a grand worry for us, who are just starting out like newborn babies.

Green carefully examined the fandom name candidates appearing in the chat and announced:

"We will narrow down the candidates and open a voting function on our SNS for three days. This is an important vote to decide the name of Theora's fans, so please vote carefully."

Despite his words, a suspicious smile hung on Green's lips.

The fans watching the W Live filled the chat with laughter instead of answering.

Surely, the members and fans won't flip the vote just to tease me, right?

"Today's W Live will end here. We decided to keep it short as it's our first time. I'll come back whenever I miss you, so please set your notifications."

Green didn't forget to guide the notification settings.

"I'll be back soon! Even if my schedule doesn't allow it, I'll come alone!"

Mint smiled, showing her neat teeth, and the chat lit up.

"To show our appreciation for those who want to see Theora often, we've prepared a surprise! Are you excited?"

Olan, with her chubby cheeks blushed pink, kept blinking her eyes.

Is that a failed wink? I've seen Olan wink properly before. Is this part of the act?

I let out a sigh, half in admiration and half in bewilderment.

Olan's thoroughness even extends to this. I didn't want to know...

"I'll post an announcement on our official account, so please wait a week, no matter how curious you are!"

"Once the fandom name is decided, I'll turn on the W Live for a bit. See you then!"

"This is Theora, signing off!"

The members shouted in unison, ending the short live broadcast.

* * *

The manager narrowed down the fandom name candidates to four:

1. Yeope (Beside)

2. Cottage (Thatched Cottage)

3. Fire

4. OORRA

Cottage? It looks plausible when written in English. Changing 'Thatched Cottage' to 'Cottage'?

'Thatched Cottage' means a small, cozy three-room house, so translating it to 'Cottage' isn't wrong, but why does it sound so unnecessarily fancy?

After three days of waiting, when the voting results were revealed, the Theora members, except for me, burst into laughter.

"It was close!"

"It almost got flipped!"

Why are you happy about this? No matter how many times I recheck the results, they don't change.

1. Yeope (Beside) – 33.9%

2. Cottage (Thatched Cottage) – 39.2%

3. Fire – 6.9%

4. OORRA – 20%

"...Does this make sense? This is the winner? Really?"

I thought it was a formal vote with a predetermined answer, but fans united to make 'Cottage,' which means 'Thatched Cottage,' the fandom name. Their unity is unbelievable.

"Cottage, Cottage... It sounds cute the more you say it?"

Green seems to have gotten used to the fandom name.

"Fan bases have different tendencies! Our fans seem to be a bit mischievous! No, we should start calling them 'Cottage' officially!"

Mint, surprisingly, was grinning and worrying if 'Cottage' could beat 'Cheese.'

How could this happen...

"...Are you kidding me?"

Surely, they endured embarrassment just to surprise me?

If we go to award ceremonies, will I have to say, 'We dedicate this honor to our beloved Thatched Cottage'?

I don't want to, so I wrote 'Cottage' down... This is a reasonable suspicion.

"...Can we change it? Green."

"Ha ha, of course not. Our fandom's name is Cottage, another term for Thatched Cottage."

According to Green, a storm raged during the fandom name vote. Was that why the options changed?

"Since we decided to turn on the W Live once the results were confirmed, let's start the broadcast before the shock wears off?"

"Sure!"

"There's no need to ask."

"Of course."

The manager immediately set up the equipment as soon as Green suggested it. I sat in front of the camera, feeling dazed, and then a question arose.

"...Why start the broadcast before the shock wears off?"

"Why? We want to show our Cottage the real Iwon."

"......?"

So, everyone was eager to tease me. The members and fans are all in this together!

"Hello! I'm Green, the leader of Theora."

"I'm Mint, the pride of Theora."

"I'm Jethon, in charge of swag."

"I'm Seohoon, the oldest, though I don't look it."

"I'm Olan, in charge of cuteness and charm!"

"...I'm just Iwon."

Praises for our appearance, songs, and performances flooded the chat. It seems like this happens every time. It's almost like a greeting for the fans.

"Cottage! This is Theora's second live broadcast. Have you all seen the voting results?"

- Yes! Hahaha

- I saw it! Thatched Cottage!

- I participated in the vote. Haha

- Look at Iwon's face. Hahaha She's surprised.

- Hahaha I can't believe it

The chat was filled with laughter. Seeing Theora and Thatched Cottage united, I felt a slight sense of betrayal.

"Why is it the winner... Do you all think the name is okay? We're going to use 'Thatched Cottage' for years, maybe even decades?"

- Yes!!

- We'll work hard!

- We'll consistently work hard for decades. From Thatched Cottage

"Will you confidently introduce yourselves as 'Thatched Cottage' when meeting each other or us?"

- Yes, yes, yes

- We can confidently introduce ourselves!

- ...If it's a trial we must endure to become Thatched Cottage, we'll endure it!

"Why, why did you vote... Was it so fun to tease me?"

- Yes! Of course! Hahaha

- Sorry, Iwon... It was too fun...

- We're okay with being Thatched Cottage!!

It was a pointless question. I confirmed the silent approval from the Theora members and the unhidden approval from the fans.

"What will new fans think...?"

The word 'Thatched Cottage' itself isn't bad...

- It's okay!!

- We'll make it sound cool. Don't worry, Iwon♡

- We were mischievous? Let's use 'Thatched Cottage' as a nickname among us and 'Cottage' as the official fandom name. ^^

- It was too fun... Let's go with Cottage!

This must have been their true intention...

We can't invalidate the vote now, so I could only laugh bitterly at the fans' chats asking to call us 'Cottage' in English.

"I'll definitely call you 'Thatched Cottage' from now on! Just wait and see."

- So cuteeeeee

- Are you pouting? Really, so cute

- Is that fair with that face?

- Please call us!

- I'm going to lose it......

- Is this natural? Mi?da,,,

- Mom, Dad, can I post a video? Oh, why is the police... Clank clank

I had a foreboding feeling that this pattern would repeat.

What if the video of our W Live becomes a must-watch for fans? Then everyone will join this atmosphere full of mischief and unity.

Despite my worries, I felt a sense of closeness from the fans. After all, friends become closer through teasing.

"Cottage, please tag Theora and Cottage and create new meanings. Don't disappoint Iwon, okay?"

- Yes!

- I'll listen to Green!

- I need to start writing... I feel like I'm possessed by a fox...

Green's skill in coaxing and soothing is unmatched.

"I turned on the broadcast to announce the voting results, but we have some time left! If you have any questions for Theora members, we'll answer them!"

Mint took the lead in the proceedings. There was about 30 minutes of free time, and she seemed to want to use it for the fans.

- How is dorm life?

- I'm curious about the room assignments!

- What's the surprise gift you mentioned?

- Tell us the terms you use for each other! Olan calls Iwon by her name, and Mint calls Olan 'Hyung'?

"Terms! I have something to say! When I first met Olan, I assumed she was a year older based on her grade and called her 'Hyung'! But she didn't say anything? Later, I found out she's a fast learner? Still, our birthdays are about 11 months apart, so I decided to call her 'Hyung'!"

- Our cute youngest, Mint~

- Olan seems like the youngest, but Mint calls her 'Hyung'...

- How can a grown man be so fair and round...

"Do you know what Olan said when I introduced Iwon and Olan to the other members for the first time?"

- What did she say?

- ...Hyung?

"She said to call her by her name since we're only a few months apart! She didn't say anything when I called her 'Hyung'!"

Actually, there's a significant age difference, but I just went along with it back then.

Mint seems to be bringing this up to strip away Olan's facade, as she mentioned before.

While there's a chance it could be misinterpreted as rude, her light and cheerful tone made it sound like a complaint from a close friend.

- Oh!! Direct hit

- The cute Olan is actually a tough guy?

- Really?

"So sometimes when I'm angry, I call her 'Hong Olan'! Hehe."

"Cottage, don't misunderstand! What I said about Iwon is true, but I just let Mint call me 'Hyung' without correcting her. I was keeping my distance from Mint at the time..."

Olan, speaking slightly dejectedly, managed to wriggle out of the situation.

- Why the distance?

- Mint seems very sociable?

"Mint approached me a bit too enthusiastically..."

If I didn't know about Mint's efforts to soften Olan's thorns, I might have been fooled.

- Ah, I see. Hahaha

- Mint is the type who pesters people?

- Hahaha, they're completely opposite

"After three years of training together, we've become very close! If it weren't for Mint, I might not have adapted and quit."

- Good job, Mint!!

- We would have missed out if you quit then.

- Olan/Mint is the refreshing line! Haha

"Refreshing line? Me and Mint?"

- Names are refreshing, and so are their appearances!

- How do they fit so well?

- It's fate

"Is it the name of a refreshing drink? Well, mint is a refreshing herb. Wow!"

Olan, placing her palms together in front of her chest and widening her eyes...

I didn't want to mention it further. As long as the fans are happy...