Chapter 67: The Techniques of an Idol Who Never Fails

After the final round of the competition, I had a lot to do during the remaining week before the last live broadcast of The Rising.

I think I gained a lot from this competition. But one thing I regret is that while people often said I made the songs 'well,' they rarely said the songs were 'good.'

When I played each track separately, people would say, "This track is good," but when they listened to the entire song, the praise would change to "You made it well."

"Is it a matter of popularity?"

I muttered to myself. I wished the composition roulette would come back, not to gain something but to diagnose my current state.

Feeling lost, I looked out the window of the studio and saw that the leaves had turned red. I hadn't noticed the changing weather while filming The Rising.

I took a picture of the red leaves and posted it in the family group chat.

[Isn't it pretty?]

[Mom ♥: Oh, the leaves are so pretty]

[Dad ♥: The leaves in front of our house are also beautiful. Can't you take a day off?]

[Sister: Idols don't get days off. You have to work hard when you can.]

[Sister: What kind of artist are you, so unromantic?]

[Sister: Money is romance.]

[How is money romance? No, it's not.]

[Sister: I haven't seen anyone say 'no' recently. You're so romantic.]

[Sister: What's wrong? I'm suddenly crying...]

[What's wrong with my sister?]

After that, my parents didn't respond, even though it was the perfect time for their nagging. The conversation just ended there.

I was puzzled, and about 30 minutes later, my brother-in-law called.

-Brother-in-law!

"Yes, brother-in-law."

-Baby is here!

"......What?"

-Grandchild!

"Grandchild?"

-Grand! Child! Honey, grandchild is here!

"I heard you, calm down a bit."

I tried to sound calm, but my hands were trembling. After a moment, my sister took the phone.

-Did you hear? Did I explain well?

"Yes. But tell your husband to be careful with how he pronounces 'grandchild.'"

My sister laughed, and I couldn't help but chuckle too as I leaned back in my studio chair.

"Really?"

-Yes. I just checked, and it's true.

"Wow......"

I looked at the calendar and continued.

"When is it due? I need to go see."

-Not sure, maybe around July or August next year?

"Hopefully, I'll have time then. I'm going to the UK."

-Do you have a passport? I don't need one. Anyway, Mom and Dad were so excited that they asked if it was true just from a message about crying. It's a miracle they didn't bring up the grandchild before.

"They must have been holding back."

-Oh, Tony (Anthony's nickname) is crying. Should I hang up?

"Yes. Ah, take care of yourself."

-You too, you too.

The call ended. I laughed, but it didn't feel real.

After hanging up, my sister called again a little later. I felt a bit uneasy and asked,

"Why?"

-I forgot to say something. Hey, I really liked the song 'Trace'?

"......Really?"

-Yeah, it's great. But Tony has watched it so much that he's a bit tired of it. He's a real sunshine.

My sister said what she wanted and hung up. I laughed, feeling a bit exasperated.

After the call, my mood improved significantly. I was already feeling healed, even though the grandchild hasn't been born yet. I guess that's why they say you do all your filial piety when you're a child.

Feeling better, I remembered I had forgotten to eat and opened the family group chat.

[I'm going to have a late-night snack at the studio. Anyone from the company?]

[Minjo: Brother, I'm at the practice room! I want chicken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

[Anju: I'm with Brother at the studio, I'll go to the company.]

[Only three of us? I want different kinds of chicken.]

[Anju: I didn't write it. Jiho eats three servings.]

[Minjo: Okay, okay ♥]

That's true.

I lay on the studio sofa and ordered different kinds of chicken. But then, people who hadn't contacted me since yesterday started reaching out.

[Haewon, do you remember me? I suddenly thought of you...]

[Long time no see!]

[How are you doing lately?]

"What's going on..."

Feeling overwhelmed by the number of messages, I ordered food first.

While listening to the concert arrangement sent by Yang Hyung and taking notes on what needed to be discussed, Minjiho and Anju arrived with the food. Anju set the food on the table and said,

"Hyung, you really liked the intro arrangement."

"It's good, right? I like it too."

"I haven't heard it yet? Play it for me!"

Minjiho urged, so I played the intro.

The beginning of the concert.

The first music for the long-awaited fans.

The intro and the first stage, 'Turn On the Light,' were arranged from the first track and the first proposal of Firstlight's first regular album.

As soon as Minjiho heard the audio, he said excitedly,

"I can't wait to get on stage. I need to eat the chicken and calm down first."

Anju calmed down the overexcited Minjiho and asked me,

"Can you handle three songs in a row? You don't exercise at all."

"I need to start."

"You really need to."

"Yes, I'll focus only on the concert from now on."

After the final broadcast of The Rising, the concert announcement will be made. The concert was decided quite late, so they had a hard time securing the venue. I hope all the fans who want to come can.

Even while eating with the members, my phone kept ringing. I picked it up and said,

"Why are there so many messages today?"

Minjiho and Anju glanced at me. Then Minjiho said,

"Hyung, you didn't watch yesterday's broadcast, right?"

"Yes. Why? Is there a problem?"

My heart sank, and Minjiho quickly replied,

"No, it's not bad. It's good... Well, given your personality, you might not think it's good."

"Why? What is it?"

When I urged, Anju said,

"Yesterday, during the third mission stage, the fans who read the lyrics of 'Trace' guessed what you did for two years..."

"Uh, uh..."

"From the lyrics about a small room. They thought you didn't go to school, quit being a trainee, and stayed in your room all the time."

No, is that how it connects...

I felt awkward. Since it wasn't intentional, I didn't know what to say.

But thinking more, I wondered if it wasn't intentional.

I'm still a beginner as a composer and not very skilled. So, I don't know how to hide myself when making a song. Even if I didn't think it was my story, the listeners could see me behind the song.

"Ah, I suddenly feel..."

Before I could finish, Minjiho took out an antacid from his pocket.

"Hyung, I thought you might need this, so I bought it."

"Thanks. I really need it."

Wow, he's so considerate.

I alternated between the liquid and the pills as indicated on the packaging.

Anju felt unnecessarily guilty that I couldn't eat.

"I was going to tell you after the meal. Sorry."

"Sorry for what? You even prepared the antacid."

I leaned back in my chair.

"So, what's the reaction?"

When I asked, the two exchanged glances, and Minjiho spoke.

"Honestly?"

"Yes."

"It's almost a new world, the reaction."

* * *

The fans of Firstlight quickly pieced together the puzzle the next day, and it became an entertainment news story.

[Guksun, the 'Trace' of the Villain]

And related posts appeared on various communities.

[An idol wrote the aftereffects of the villain in the idol survival show in the lyrics]

[↳This is causing a stir overseas too, called evil editing]

[↳Did you really not leave your room for two years?]

[↳Given the circumstances, almost...]

[↳I didn't watch Guksun, but were the comments that harsh?]

[↳↳That harsh...]

[↳↳The comments were so harsh that they drove up the ratings, so that's all there is to say]

[What's the reaction of the Firstlight fans now?]

[↳Don't watch the relay, go see it directly. The atmosphere is already bad]

[↳↳I didn't like Jeong Haewon much even before the mid-joining...]

[↳↳↳Since he was a minor, they restrained their insults but still excluded him]

[↳↳↳↳F*ck, even if it's a crime to leave evil comments, I can't really say anything about the members rejecting him... The fandom atmosphere must be f*cked up]

[Firstlight was on the rise with The Rising, it's a shame it didn't work out ㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

[↳? What didn't work out?]

[↳What do you mean lololololololol]

[↳Just ignore it]

[But the editing of Guksun was actually interesting]

[↳It's just clickbait