Chapter 95

When the time came?

In response to the question of whether the cottages found it amusing to tease, they became one, with a chorus of emphatic "Yeses" and a feast of laughter.

“Accept that the cottages have mischief as a default trait. It’s easier that way. Ewon.”

Glancing at the chat window, the atmosphere suggested that a nerve had been struck.

– Huh!

– How did you know?

– Hahaha

– What to do with the cottage image hahaha

– Right on hahaha

– They’re all genuinely into teasing

“…If even Hyun Hyung does it, I’ll believe it?”

Hyun Hyung answered with a laugh that resonated from his throat.

The members looked like parents watching their children’s antics, so I kept my mouth shut.

There’s no point in talking more here; it would only be to my disadvantage!

“Hmm! Let’s get back to the main topic! It’s late, so I’ll just play a song for you. I plan to edit the video and upload it to Newtube for those who couldn’t see it today. Then.”

I sat down in front of the white grand piano. They said they would arrange a place with a grand piano, and a white one appeared.

I did a check rehearsal, and the staff member filming gave a thumbs up, saying it looked good.

The members watched the test video and applauded the person who arranged the location.

It was my first time seeing a white grand piano, and while it was interesting, I couldn’t understand why it was so special since the sound and quality were the same.

No wonder Theora’s coordinator, Theo, strongly recommended a white tuxedo.

Moreover, he earnestly requested that I sit with the tails of my tuxedo, which looked like a swallow’s, draped behind the piano chair.

In the end, we reached a dramatic compromise with a white suit with a touch of gray and white sneakers that showed my ankles, and my hair was a light blue. To me, it looked like a person who was too pale and lacked charm, but since it was the expert’s opinion, I decided not to argue and follow it.

“I’ve prepared three songs with a Ham Hyun theme. The first two are short, so the performance will be about 15 minutes long. I’ll play them without a break. Enjoy.”

I placed my fingers on the keys, took a deep breath, paused, and then started the introduction as I exhaled.

♪♬♩~

* * *

After finishing the performance and chatting with the members, I ended the live broadcast.

It had been a while since I dressed up and played the piano with a sense of purpose, and I felt drained. I was more nervous than when I participated in a competition.

“Right? You said the fans would know who composed the OST.”

There was such content in the chat. Fans were surprised to hear my voice while watching the drama and searched for it. They said my song for actor Naohyuk fit the drama perfectly.

The songs where my voice can be heard are the three tracks on Theora’s album, and even then, my part is less than a minute per song.

I was amazed by the fans who could distinguish the owner of a voice just by hearing it.

If it were just one or two people, I might think they had a keen sense of hearing, but that wasn’t the case. There’s no doubt that their love for my voice was the foundation.

The fact that there are people who love the voice I inherited from Hyun Hyung gave meaning to my becoming an idol.

I would have regretted it if I hadn’t become an idol.

Did Hyun Hyung think the same way?

“Music genius Ham Ewon, what will you work on next?”

“Music genius….”

The adjective before my name was too much to even say out loud. I’m sure Green Hyung is doing it on purpose to see me struggle.

I always react, and then I realize it. I shouldn’t give him the satisfaction, but it’s hard to control my instinctive reaction.

The members all say they like it this way, so it’s hard to change.

“I’m going to start thinking about personal songs for the members and begin writing songs for the next album.”

“Ah. That makes sense.”

I’m not sure what it will be like once we shed the ‘newcomer’ label, but currently, Theora doesn’t distinguish between active and inactive periods. We perform when there’s a schedule, and otherwise, we focus on studies and practice.

It’s been over four months since our debut album. We can’t keep performing with just one album.

To maintain exposure without getting boring, we need to consistently release new songs.

And to fill the stage with Theora’s songs during events, we need a wider repertoire.

The company’s view is to quickly prepare the next album to continue Theora’s upward trend.

When we appear on music shows with the new album, the staff will likely welcome us with a different attitude.

POT Entertainment might try to apply some light pressure to prevent our appearance, but Theora’s appeal is too tempting.

“To win a rookie award, we need to endure a grueling schedule.”

A typical statement from Olan.

With countless idols debuting every month, only one group per broadcast network gets the honor of winning a rookie award.

If we aim for the rookie award, we’re prepared for the hard work.

Olan and Park Ha were invited as guests for a variety show. The manager offered it to them first since only two members could participate.

I was given a personal schedule to focus on songwriting.

Even if I’m not working on songs, I’m still a high school student, so I need to attend school when I can.

“Won’t the cottages be surprised when we release a comeback album?”

Hyun Hyung, who was listening to the rap practice beat I gave him, suddenly spoke.

“Probably. When idols who have been appearing everywhere announce a new album, it’s a big deal.”

“Thinking about the cottages gives me strength.”

It’s amazing that Hyun Hyung, of all people, is motivated.

“We need to paddle when the broadcasting staff comes looking for us.”

As Green Hyung said, we’re getting more and more prime schedules these days. When preparing an album, we’ll have to carefully choose which broadcasts to appear on.

It feels like just yesterday we were worried about not having any schedules, but now we can pick and choose. It’s a surprising change over a few months.

Theora needs to catch two rabbits: a new album and broadcast appearances. I believe we can do it.

“By the way, when we were preparing for the live broadcast, the manager told me that if we have any ideas for the light sticks and other merchandise, we should share them.”

“Light sticks…?”

“Merchandise?”

It seems the manager passed the message to Green Hyung, who is the leader, because we were busy.

“They want to produce them before the next album comes out. But since the next album’s schedule is tight and production time is needed, they want us to decide in advance.”

“Light sticks! Wow! When we have a concert, the cottages will wave them and cheer for us!”

A concert is still a distant dream, but the idea of producing light sticks was exciting.

“Let’s each come up with ideas.”

“Green Hyung! Let’s have the cottages vote on our light stick ideas, vote!”

“Should we?”

The word ‘vote’ reminded me of the fan name vote. If we do another playful vote, who knows what disaster might happen.

Since the cottages will hold them in their hands, maybe this time will be different? It’s hard to trust the fans’ track record.

“I think it would be better if the ideas were anonymous, Green Hyung.”

To prevent a repeat of the previous vote, we need a system. The system I thought of was ‘anonymity.’

When I emphasized the word ‘anonymous,’ laughter erupted from all sides.

“You’re afraid of what the cottages might do!”

“Is there any other way?”

Everyone was busy laughing except me. Even Hong Olan, who usually just smirks, was shaking with laughter.

“Okay, okay. Let’s follow Ewon’s suggestion and keep the identities hidden. Fairly.”

“My light stick, win! If mine is chosen, I’ll brag to the cottages!”

Park Ha was already curious about the results of the light stick discussion. Imagining a future where she was selected.

“A drawing or a description of the design and function would be great. That way, the cottages can understand it better.”

It felt like a light stick survival competition had started.

Even Jiyon, who was writing lyrics in her notebook, flipped the page boldly.

Seeing her draw a long circle, it looked like a light stick. Maybe a futuristic design?

“Think about other items that would be good to make as merchandise.”

“Merchandise… What kind of items are there generally?”

Since I’ve only recently become interested in idols and have been an idol for a short time, I lack detailed information on such matters.

“I know!”

Park Ha started as a fan of an idol group and became an idol out of admiration.

She knows the most about fan culture among us.

“You know light sticks, right? There are also photocards, slogans, mugs, badges, tumblers, keychains, snow globes, hats, fans, umbrellas….”

Listening to the list of merchandise, it seemed like anything could be made.

They can be divided into items used in daily life and collectibles that take up little space.

“However, most idol fans hide their fandom in daily life! They are more for collecting! Some merchandise is used at events like concerts and fan meetings!”

“Is it for collecting? I see why they’re called pretty trash. If you keep them for yourself, they need to be attractive to create the desire to collect.”

So, I should choose items that are small, attractive, and have various versions.

For a few days after the live broadcast, I racked my brain thinking about light stick designs and merchandise ideas.

During this time, a video of me playing ‘Cat Lullaby (Subtitle: Ham Hyun Theme Song)’ was edited and uploaded to Theora’s Newtube channel.

After that, in the cat owner community, there were testimonials that the cat lullaby made their cats fall asleep.

The community was buzzing because of the post, which was clearly the work of the cottages, but we didn’t know about it.

* * *

Finally, the much-anticipated light stick vote day. On the table where the Theora members were sitting, six sketchbooks of the same size were laid out.

Each sketchbook contained a light stick design with a brief description, with no clues to identify who drew it.

The ideas for other merchandise were collected, numbered, and made available for selection.

“Let’s start.”

The mindset for the live broadcast was more serious than ever. After greeting and a bit of small talk, I got to the main topic.

“Everyone! We’re going to make light sticks!”

Park Ha was in charge of the light stick vote, saying she was the best at it.

Even though she was only in charge of the proceedings, our right to speak wasn’t taken away, but she wanted the title of host, so everyone let her.

– Light sticks?

– We’re getting official light sticks?

– The company is making them for us? Already?

– Wow!

“We each came up with ideas and drew them! There are no names, so can you guess who drew what? First, the first candidate!”

Park Ha lifted the sketchbook on top with one arm to show the cottages.

– What is that? Hahaha

– It looks like a person, but it’s terrible

– It’s a microphone shape, right? I get it hahaha

I also saw it for the first time and examined it carefully. It was a simple design made of circles and squares, with a lot of descriptions.

The writing was mature and well-done, but the drawing skills were lacking.

“Speaking of the first light stick! The design is simple, but it will be a state-of-the-art light stick! Basic features like brightness control and mood lighting are included! Wireless charging and automatic Bluetooth pairing for remote control! And there’s a hidden feature!”

– Surprisingly good hahaha

– All the basic features are included

– What’s the hidden feature?

– Almost sold out! Park Ha’s home shopping!

– But the design…

“Right away! The transformation and combination feature!”

……?!