Chapter 35

### Chapter 35: The Idol's Technique That Never Fails

As soon as the alarm went off, regular_1228 turned on the live broadcast and nervously checked the chat window.

[04zu!]

Fortunately, the first comment was positive. Jeong Hae-won smiled and greeted again.

-Yes, it's 04zu.

While admiring his smiling face, the chat window quickly filled up, making it seem like only one person, regular_1228, was there.

[Good morning, Saebi!]

[Can you say some Japanese you know?]

[I love you, Saebi!]

[Do you still remember Chinese?]

[I miss you, Saebi!]

[Have you eaten, Saebi?]

Thinking he needed to write something quickly, Jeong Hae-won spoke.

-Only Saebi and I can drink alcohol. We're only going to have one can of beer each. What do you want to drink? I brought different kinds.

[Stella]

[Heineken]

-Stella and Heineken are the most popular. Which one do you want?

-I'll have Heineken.

[regular_1228, Hae-won, when you're tired at work, look at Hae-won's pictures and get strength]

Did I sound like a normal fan? Did I sound like a normal person?

While regular_1228 was somehow pondering, Jeong Hae-won read the comment.

-Do my pictures really give you strength?

-You said they do, why are you asking?

-Well, I'm really grateful.

-Ah, the Hae-sun. This one says her eyes are bothering her and she wants to get plastic surgery. Scold her a bit.

-Hey, stop saying nonsense.

-Why are you saying that during the broadcast?

[????]

[What are you talking about?]

What? What are you talking about?

While regular_1228 was thinking, the chat window was quickly filling up.

[Hey, Jeong Hae-won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

-Really, I almost cursed.

[Don't touch your face, no matter what]

[Is this kid crazy?]

The reaction was more intense than expected.

Yeah, even non-fans would have to admit the face is something special...

Jeong Hae-won, looking a bit flustered by the overly intense reaction, rolled his eyes and replied.

-Why are you making nonsense sounds?

-You're the one making nonsense sounds. The Hae-sun are angry, you're dead now.

-Really, I didn't expect to get scolded so much.

-You need to be scolded more. What else should I say?

-But, on a different note, I really want to live a day as An Ju-won.

-Ah, I know what you mean. Ju-won is really good-looking, no matter what.

-You're a bit...

-What? I know I'm good-looking, just speak your mind. What's your first impression of me?

-Hwang Saebi has a unique vibe. At first, you only remember the atmosphere, and then you realize how good-looking he is.

-Is that a way of saying he's not that good-looking?

-No, it's just that he has a unique vibe. Just his appearance, not his personality.

[Wow, I totally get it.]

[When I first became a fan of Saebi... Hae-won, are you a sap?]

[04zu is so cute today.]

[Saebi usually acts like an older brother, but with friends, he seems like a 20-year-old.]

[Guys, tell us your alcohol tolerance.]

-I've never gotten really drunk, so I don't know. Jeong Hae-won can drink a lot, though.

-When I was a manager, there were a lot of company dinners. My tolerance has increased... On average, I feel good with about one and a half bottles.

-You can drink well?

-Just enough for social life. If I drink more, I get a hangover.

Ah, right. Hae-won used to be a manager...

While listening to 04zu's ASMR-like conversation, regular_1228 finally snapped back to reality.

[regular_1228, I love 04zu!]

Seeing this comment, Jeong Hae-won smiled and said.

-I love you too.

“Ah, my heart is racing. Hae-won, give us a hint...”

While mumbling this, a harsh comment appeared.

[Jeong Hae-won in Firstlight vs Jeong Hae-won not in Firstlight]

Why would someone ask such a question...

I thought he wouldn't read it, but Hwang Saebi read it immediately and then said.

-I prefer being in it. When the Hae-sun hear the song Jeong Hae-won composed, they'll be shocked...

-Hey! That's not fixed yet!

-Uh... Hae-sun, I didn't say anything. Did you hear it?

Hwang Saebi, rarely flustered, tried to cover up, and Jeong Hae-won covered his face with both hands.

-You really shouldn't do live broadcasts right before a comeback. You'll spoil everything.

-It's not just me.

-Is that something to be proud of?

-Well...

[It's new to see Saebi get scolded.]

[In Firstlight, Hae-won is the only one who can scold Saebi.]

[04zu's combination is so good. Do another drinking broadcast, please.]

“This regular album also has Hae-won's song... Is my kid a genius?”

regular_1228, thinking to himself, remembered the comment about his eyes and quickly wrote in the chat.

[regular_1228, I'll scold the people who say Hae-won's eyes are bothering them.]

[Who are you, bring them here.]

[They must be crazy.]

Fortunately, people who agreed with regular_1228's comment followed. Although the broadcast was ending, from his expression, it was clear he had read them.

* * *

The broadcast was pure healing. I felt like I was walking on clouds the whole time.

After the broadcast, we returned to the dorm and sat on the living room sofa, each drinking another can of beer. I had never tasted the flavor of alcohol before, but drinking a beer to finish the day felt refreshing and good.

“What did you talk about in the boss's office?”

When I asked, Hwang Saebi replied.

“Hyebum said he would contact him. This guy seems to be helpful now, but honestly, you never know with a YouTuber.”

“That's true.”

“If there's anything you need to know, I'll tell you right away.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

I thought, as an entertainment company employee, I wouldn't feel stressed about work, but I was wrong. It was much easier to have Hwang Saebi go to the boss's office and get the information second-hand.

After finishing the beer, I washed up and entered my new room for the first time.

“...This room is really small.”

With two beds and a dresser, it was completely full. I turned on my phone's light so as not to wake Shin Ji-won and went to my bed and lay down.

But Shin Ji-won woke up and sat up, scolding me.

“Hey, come home a bit earlier.”

“Got it.”

“You should come home earlier.”

“You should grow up faster. I'll buy you a drink.”

“Wait six months. I'll make a masterpiece.”

Shin Ji-won lay down again and then got up.

“Right, hyung, think of just one sentence that fits...”

He then handed me a notebook with a dog drawn on it, containing a rap he had scribbled down.

The rap parts were all written out, but one part had a blank.

[Even if I prepare all night, I can't say a word in front of you, it's my first time

I might seem pathetic, but -------]

“After 'I might seem pathetic'?”

“Yeah. I want it to sound pure, but I don't know how to express it.”

“Yeah, you're a bit immature.”

“I'm not asking you to diss me, I'm asking for your thoughts.”

I thought about the lyrics for a while and wrote the following after 'I might seem pathetic'.

[Even if I don't know how to date, I know how to love]

As soon as I wrote it, Shin Ji-won started humming the rap and said.

“Hyung, there are extra characters, but I want to put all the lyrics in, so can you modify the song?”

“You're crazy.”

“I want to put them all in.”

“Are you a kid?”

“Yeah, I'm a kid. Didn't you know?”

Ha, he's making me feel like a kid again. Is this my karma?

* * *

After sleeping on the studio sofa or a foldable bed for a long time, it felt refreshing to sleep in a proper bed. Still, it seems my sleeping habits haven't improved, as Shin Ji-won woke me up in the middle of the night.

Today, we were going to the abandoned school for the music video shoot, filming the Firstlight Company series.

In the meantime, behind-the-scenes content of our activities had been uploaded, and there were many questions about when the Firstlight Company content would be released. I felt secretly proud. Hehe.

Still, maintaining the pink hair was really difficult. The salon manager kept asking.

“Hae-won, does it hurt? If it hurts, really tell me.”

“It really doesn't hurt.”

I answered and then continued texting with the A&R team and Yang Yi.

The first track, a remix of 'First Proposal,' was confirmed, and from the atmosphere, the second track, 'I Only Waited for the Morning,' was almost confirmed. However, there was a disagreement about the title.

[Can't we just go with 'I Only Waited for the Morning'?]

[I'll cautiously raise my hand for Q&A...]

If the title is decided, the members and the A&R team both really like the song, so it seems likely to proceed as is.

Moreover, there was artwork that An Ju-won had created during the lyric writing stage, which looked both unicorn-like and cotton candy-like, sweet and beautiful.

I asked.

[When is the track list meeting?]

[When you make the fan song, Hae-won.]

[What?]

[It's tough, isn't it?]

[Go, Hae-won!]

Am I just slow and can't do it?

[I'm sorry.]

I typed and quickly deleted it. Hwang Saebi told me not to apologize for things that aren't my fault, as it might make the other person uncomfortable.

Well, it's not my fault that the song isn't coming out, right?

...Is that really true? But I was the one who suggested adding a fan song... Ah, it is my fault.

[I'll try to make it quickly.]

After finishing my makeup, I stood up and looked in the mirror. Hearing the Hae-sun say I looked good, I felt a bit better today. Still, I don't really like my face. Well, everyone has different tastes...

I recalled the chat window from yesterday as I left the shop.

Still, the drinking broadcast was helpful. Although it was vague, just looking at the chat window made me feel not only good but also a bit reassured.

When I was about to go to the car, Manager Kang Young-ho panicked and ran over.

“Hae-won!”

“Ah, thank you.”

I took the umbrella Manager Kang Young-ho gave me.

“Hmm...”

While observing the umbrella, Min Ji-ho, who came out behind me, asked.

“Observing the umbrella?”

“Yeah.”

“I want to join.”

He then squatted next to me and looked at it without knowing what it was. The fans love Min Ji-ho's simplicity and focus. Min Ji-ho said.

“But hyung, do you really need to focus on the word 'umbrella'?”

“Still, I need to match it to you guys.”

“Come on, hyung. You know, if I have to say it, it's more like 'superpower.' I was too embarrassed to say it.”

“What's embarrassing?”

Min Ji-ho laughed and continued.

“When I stand on stage and see the Hae-sun, it feels like this is my world. Even if a meteorite falls, I feel like I can block it with my explosive power.”

“Hmm...”

“You've been on stage after two years of waiting. You must have a million thoughts, but not being able to write a fan song doesn't make sense. You can pull out other songs so well.”

“Wow.”

“What, what?”

“I didn't expect to learn something from Min Ji-ho. I'm really disappointed in myself.”

“Ah, why? What did I do?”

Min Ji-ho whined and went back to the car. He's a fun guy to tease.

I stood there and took out my phone. Following Min Ji-ho's advice, I decided to write down all the emotions I felt while looking at the fans on stage, before refining them into lyrics.

[Walked through the rain for so long, I almost forgot the clear day]

[You ran to me, took my hand, and said]

[“Shall we hold hands and wait for the sun to rise?”]

[Your words brought back the moments with the Hae-sun]

[The feeling of being wrapped in warm, dry clothes]

[Even if this rain never stops, I'll remember the clear day in your voice]

[Even if the wet soil never dries, I can imagine an eternal sun]

[You are my eternal sun]

[In endless darkness and rain]

[When I meet you, the world is a clear day]