Chapter 51 of The Idol's Technique That Never Fails

[Is TRV fan signing possible???]

[It's usually possible]

[But I'm not sure about Purra. They all do their personal activities through their former agency... Shin Ji-un's agency absolutely doesn't allow fan signing]

[Still, I think they'll allow it this time]

[I honestly think it should be prohibited... Jeong Hae-won will have a hard time managing his expressions]

[Yeah, I agree. I haven't really accepted Jeong Hae-won joining yet, but thinking about having to manage his expressions at the fan signing makes me feel bad]

[Me too...]

[Ever since I started caring about Jeong Hae-won, I've become a 7-member supporter...]

[But this time, Purra's fan signing cut is higher than expected?]

[The rising atmosphere is enviable. The initial sales will probably be better than expected]

[Not necessarily. I pre-ordered, but the invoice hasn't been issued yet]

[Surely it will be issued during the initial sales period...]

[Why? If the invoice isn't issued, the initial sales won't be counted?]

[Yeah, they won't be counted...]

[?? Even though it's a pre-order?]

[Yeah, even though it's a pre-order...]

* * *

After all seven members came in, we stood up again. Instead of the shy Hwang Saebi, Han Hyosuk greeted the fans.

"Let's start with introductions. Third, Second, First. Hello, we are Firstlight."

The moment the introductions were made, the fan signing venue was filled with cheers. Park Sunjae, holding the microphone, said,

"It's been half a year. I almost had a heart attack from missing you all."

As Park Sunjae made various expressions, the Hwatsaris couldn't help but find him adorable. Our maknae is indeed cute.

After the group and individual photo sessions, there was a brief Q&A session. Most of the questions I received were related to other members. Especially, there were many questions about what gifts I gave to the members whose birthdays were in between, but I couldn't say anything because I gave them gifticons. It was my entire fortune, though...

Anyway, while I was choosing questions, An Joo-won said,

"There's a lot of talk about this songwriting. How I got involved in the songwriting... It was during our Ilround shooting. During the break, Hae-won was looking at the things I had worked on. He saw what I had written and immediately suggested we work together."

As soon as my story came up, I immediately picked up the microphone.

"No, Joo-won wrote the lyrics all by himself and didn't show them to anyone. The Hwatsaris almost didn't get to see them."

"Because I was embarrassed..."

As An Joo-won said this with an embarrassed expression, the Hwatsaris let out a scream. I was frustrated, but it seemed they found it cute, so it was fine.

Fortunately, I found a question before my turn came.

[Three things to bring to a deserted island!]

"Three things to bring to a deserted island? First, can I bring Firstlight?"

As soon as I said that, Hwang Saebi replied,

"No, you can only bring one person."

"Really? Then I won't bring anyone. Either everyone comes, or I go alone."

While thinking about what to bring to the deserted island, Han Hyosuk picked up the microphone and said,

"Hae-won hyung always says he likes it when we gather together, but from our perspective, he likes it the most."

"...It is a bit fun being with you guys."

After I answered, Shin Ji-un asked,

"So, what are you bringing to the deserted island?"

"Oh, right. I'll bring... my MacBook."

Hwang Saebi scolded me,

"Will it work on a deserted island?"

"If not, then I have nothing to bring."

"You really have no survival skills. Not going to the deserted island is the best answer."

"This hyung only has talent as an idol, but he's actually a real incompetent. He can't even cook ramen well."

Feeling wronged by Shin Ji-un's words, I replied,

"Hey, I can cook a single serving well."

"Anyone can cook a single serving well."

Oh, how frustrating...

The small talk ended, and the fan signing began.

The fans started receiving autographs from Park Sunjae, who was sitting at the opposite end from me. Fans brought various props, and the members' heads started to accumulate with items. There were many interesting and cute props.

The fan sitting in front of me also gave me something for the first time.

"This... for my head."

I took the floral crown from the very nervous fan.

"Mine? Really?"

It was clearly a custom-made floral crown. It must have cost a lot since it was made of fresh flowers...

While admiring the floral crown, I asked,

"Isn't it expensive?"

"Not expensive!"

What should I say? I could sense the determination on the face of the fan sitting in front of me. It seemed they had ordered something very pretty because they were worried I would be left out at the fan signing.

Thinking about this made me feel like crying, so I clenched my fists and got through the moment, then put the floral crown on my head. Since I put it on messily, Manager Park Jung-un came over to fix my hair and put it back on. The fan was just looking at me, so I held my hands together and asked,

"Can you take a picture?"

"Huh? Oh, oh?"

While the fan was fumbling with the camera, the time ran out. I immediately put my hands together and said to the event manager,

"Sorry, just 5 seconds. Really, 5 seconds."

Fortunately, the fan found the camera in the meantime and took a picture of me holding my hands together, then left.

The next fan came and sat down. I picked up the pen and asked,

"What's your name?"

"..."

There was no answer to my question. This was the second time today. I bowed my head while signing and said,

"Sorry."

"..."

"Then, let's have a staring contest. Start."

In such situations, I have a few patterns I use. One of them is a staring contest. I rested my chin on one hand and had a staring contest with the Hwatsari who didn't like me. I tried to make cute expressions. I remembered what a staff member said: "When you're at a disadvantage, make cute expressions." Honestly, it's true. Hehe...

It's not that they're bad people; they just have different preferences. Most of them would smile for a moment. Then I would smile and wave. Next time, I hope to meet them with a smile from the start.

* * *

regular_1228 could feel with their whole body that the fans' reactions to Jeong Hae-won were different from the last activity. Even in the fan cafe, it was different, but today it was strangely even more different.

"Is he crazy? Does he... usually look like that?"

"Why does he look like that?"

Today, his appearance seemed different to the fans. Even the 6-member supporters, after having a staring contest with Jeong Hae-won, would return to their seats with a thoughtful expression.

"That's strange, he looks the same to me."

After regular_1228's comment, a friend who had come with them and received a signature first said,

"No... he looks completely different?"

"What's different?"

"Um, just... why does Jeong Hae-won look like this today?"

"He's just as pretty as usual."

"No, today he just looks... perfect?"

"That's what I'm saying, he's always like that."

"Oh, go straight for the handshake. Then he doesn't let go and signs right away."

"Really? But can my heart handle it?"

"So, are you not going to?"

"No, I will."

Even after the fan cafe, regular_1228 had forgotten about reality since the name tag company mentioned remembering them.

Jeong Hae-won was their favorite, but as a Firstlight fan, regular_1228 made jokes and laughed with all the members, receiving signatures with a chuckle. Finally, they sat in front of Jeong Hae-won.

"Oh, you're here?"

And with those words, all the prepared lines flew out of their head.

"What's your name?"

"Um, oh... Jeong Jae-hee."

"Older sister? Younger sister?"

"Older sister! But you don't have to call me that... it's fine."

"Jae-hee older sister."

When I came to my senses, Jeong Hae-won was already holding my hand and signing. After finishing the signature, he stared at me for the remaining time. When I realized the time had passed, tears welled up in my eyes.

"Ah, I had so much prepared..."

As I rambled, Jeong Hae-won smiled, tilted his head, and asked,

"But you couldn't say anything to me, Jae-hee?"

Those words made the tears stop. Heart. Is my heart beating? It doesn't seem to be. Wait, did he just use informal speech with me? Oh, I told him to.

When the time was up, regular_1228 hurriedly took out the prepared gift from their bag and presented it. Jeong Hae-won let go of his hand and said,

"Thank you, see you again."

regular_1228 almost fell down the