Chapter 27

How can I show the members' singing skills?

How can I create such an opportunity?

This was a problem I had to ponder as the leader of the team.

The feedback I organized over the past three weeks after appearing on music shows was roughly this:

-Your visuals are top-notch. Each of you has a unique style, so you could all become actors.

-Why only the main vocalist sings?

-What are the others there for? Can't they sing?

-Is this just a group being pushed together?

The situation started off ambiguously.

In fact, the composition of "Something" was done together by me and Jang So-won.

However, when we actually started recording, a problem arose.

It felt strange to have one woman and several men in "Something."

Because of this, we unified the vocals, and that was Lee Hyuk.

But around that time, when we decided to title it 'Jang So-won X Lee Hyuk - Something,' it felt a bit awkward.

After all, both of us had contributed.

To be honest, this happened because I didn't expect the song to do so well.

When the first music show appearance was confirmed, the two agencies apparently only planned to send Lee Hyuk.

But then they faced Jang So-won's strong opposition: "If you do that, I won't do it."

In the end, we all went together.

While the result was good, on the other hand, it left the question: "Why do several men come out and only harmonize? Can't they sing?"

It was a difficult situation.

Our kids can sing well.

The problem is that they don't have the opportunity to prove it.

I can't just change the music show repertoire to show their skills.

While I was lost in my own thoughts, road manager Seo Min-gi glanced at me in the passenger seat.

"Are you tired?"

"No."

"The interview seemed tough."

"The atmosphere was fine."

After the music show ended, I had a solo schedule. It was a joint interview with Jang So-won, the co-composer of Something, but there was nothing special.

"There were a few awkward questions, but it seems like you get used to it after a while. I was less nervous than the first time, and So-won gave me support when there were difficult questions."

"Seo-won did the same when she was in Sugarfish, helping her juniors."

"And the reporters gave good reactions to whatever I said. I thought they would be harsh to a rookie, but they were very kind."

"I kind of expected that."

"What do you mean?"

"That reporter was a woman."

I made a face as if I didn't understand, and Min-gi chuckled.

"It's fine if you don't know. I just thought you looked tired, maybe because of the interview."

"It's not because of that."

I was about to talk about my recent concerns about showing New Black's skills when I looked at the other person.

After all, we hadn't known each other for a month yet.

Looking at the street trees passing by, I smiled.

"I guess I'm a bit more relaxed now."

"It's about time. Three consecutive weeks at number one, after all."

"But we're still rookies. We should be nervous."

As I looked at the other person's face, I remembered something I had forgotten and searched my pocket.

"Hyung, today Jang So-won gave me something to give you. It's from her fans."

"Really? Where is it?"

"Here."

Hyung Min-gi, who had been looking at his empty palm, blinked. His expression was one of confusion.

When I folded and unfolded my palm, a chocolate appeared.

"Ta-da."

"What, what just happened?"

"It's magic."

"You can do that?"

"I learned it from a video on MiTube recently. But I didn't have a chance to use it."

The magic I learned through my mimicry ability.

To be honest, except for dancing, there wasn't much use for it in daily life, so I was just playing around with these little tricks.

When I handed over the chocolate, his gentle face broke into a wide smile.

It looked like all the day's fatigue melted away.

"The on-site manager said that because of the recent busy schedule, he seemed to be low on sugar, so he asked me to pass on the chocolate. It's from Belgium, he said, from a friend who lives there."

"From Belgium? So it must be from Lisa."

"Huh?"

"Lisa from Sugarfish, who quit being a musical actress and moved to Belgium."

Right, this hyung's favorite was Lisa from Sugarfish.

I laughed, finding it amusing.

"Shouldn't you transfer to Hwa Entertainment?"

"Hmm, maybe I should have."

"Come on, you should keep working with us."

At my playful response, Hyung Min-gi smiled and focused on driving.

The streetlights flickered as the car drove by.

It was 10 PM.

We were on our way back to the company.

"Do you have to go to the dorm? You have a music show tomorrow morning, right?"

"It's because I have a meeting with Manager Cho today."

"At this hour?"

"Yes, I'm busy, and Manager Cho is busy, so we finally found a time that worked."

Of course, the issue was about showing the skills I've been thinking about lately.

He might have some answers to my questions.

Beep—

While I was deep in thought, my phone rang.

-Hello, Souffle Man~

The youngest member's cheerful laughter came through the phone.

-Did the interview go well?

"It went well."

-Your answer is completely lacking in sincerity. How can you answer so coldly when your cute youngest calls?

"Cute youngest? I've never had a youngest like that."

-Why not? I'm right here.

"I'm hanging up."

-Wow, I'm so disappointed. I raised you so well.

I burst out laughing at his ridiculous line.

"Hey, when did you raise me?"

-I fed you and put you to bed. Hyung, don't you remember?

"I think I remember."

-See?

"Right, I remember. Two weeks ago, when you came to me saying, 'Hey... can I borrow one pair of underwear?'"

-Why do you have such a good memory?

"It's a family trait. My grandmother has an even better memory."

"Who are you talking to? Jiho?"

I nodded at Seo Min-gi's question.

Upon hearing this, the person on the other end of the line suddenly became solemn.

-Did the manager hear?

"Yes."

-This is supposed to be a secret. If the others find out, they'll tease me like a bone broth for the rest of my life. Especially that viper, Seo Hyuk...

"I saw what you did."

-Ah!

"You want to eat snacks, don't you?"

-Yeah.

"Send me the menu via text. I'll buy them on my way to the company."

-I love you, Hyung~

As soon as the call ended, a message flew in.

It listed convenience store items like instant tteokbokki, sausages, and snacks.

I tilted my head.

That's strange.

The menu is simpler than usual.

It wouldn't even cost 10,000 won in total.

Usually, they spend around 30,000 won on snacks.

* * *

Lemon Entertainment.

It was past 10 PM, and the employees had all gone home, but the lights in the practice rooms would still be on.

There's no break.

Performing on music shows eats up the whole day, from early morning rehearsals to evening performances.

Even then, we couldn't rest during the remaining time.

We had to keep practicing.

Just because we performed "Something" live didn't mean we could slack off on our usual group choreography and vocal training.

You'll understand if you try it.

If you skip stretching for just one day, your dance moves will be rough the next day.

In that sense, we, New Black, would return to the company after each music show and dive into practice.

Or rather, that's how it used to be.

"Why are the lights off?"

Something felt off today.

The lights on the stairs leading to the basement were all off, so it was dark except for the green emergency lights.

I stumbled down the stairs, tilting my head.

Did the lights go out?

Since December last year, I've been going up and down these stairs, so I haven't tripped.

Maybe it's because of my mimicry ability.

When my senses became more acute, I would automatically perform the necessary actions for the situation.

The corridor was also dark. Where are they?

There were several practice room doors, but all the lights were off today.

That's strange.

If the kids weren't in the practice room, they would have told me.

Swoosh—

Just as I was about to turn on my phone's flashlight, I heard a sound from the front.

It sounded like a cockroach scurrying.

What is it...?

Swoosh—

This time, it was from behind.

Fear crept over me.

Something was off.

Just as I was about to take a step back, something landed on my shoulder with a thud.

"Ahhh...!"

Before I could scream in surprise, my body reacted again.

It was the same as when I activated my ability on the day of the college entrance exam and performed a suplex on a police officer.

The same movements flowed out of my body.

Thud—!

I heard something hit the ground.

Then, in the darkness, something reached out to grab me.

My body reacted naturally again.

The boxing technique I had watched on MiTube during my free time came out automatically.

Slipping.

It's a technique where you move your upper body left and right to avoid an opponent's attack.

I wish it had stopped there, but my adrenaline-pumped body grabbed the opponent's arm and threw him like a judoka.

"Ah!"

Ah?

"Hey! Turn on the lights! The lights!"

"Why?"

"Hey! Wang Jiho! Turn on the lights!"

"Is the CEO okay?"

With the help of the familiar voices, the corridor lights flicked on.

I was stunned.

A middle-aged man with a bald head and a gentle face was holding his waist and groaning on the floor.

Manager Yoon Seok-hwan was in the same state.

Manager Cho Gyu-hwan was so surprised that he stuck to the wall like a magnet.

And.

"What's going on...?"

The New Black kids, wearing baseball caps, were holding cakes and watching the scene with wide, rabbit-like eyes.

What's happening here?

I was just as confused.

No, what's happening here without any warning?

I looked for the person who had sent me on an errand to come down to the basement.

"Wang Jiho, where are you?"

"......Yes?"

"Explain what's going on here."

After helping the two men up, I finally heard the details.

I didn't really need an explanation.

The cream cake the kids were holding.

It said 'Congratulations on 3 consecutive weeks at number one!'

A surprise party.

They planned a surprise celebration party to commemorate three consecutive weeks at number one on music shows.

I frowned and asked.

"Who came up with this plan?"

"The CEO did."

"Oh, what a great plan."

For a moment, it was chaotic, but fortunately, no one was hurt.

After exchanging songs and congratulations, the adults left, giving us the pre-ordered late-night snacks.

It was touching to see Yoon Seok-hwan and the CEO holding each other's waists as they left.

When the kids tried to wipe the cream off my face, someone handed me a tissue from the side.

"Here."

"Ah, thanks."

Lee Hyuk asked.

"Why do you look so surprised?"

"I was just surprised."

"We should be the ones surprised. If we had made a mistake, the CEO would have been smelling incense behind a screen."

"I was just startled when someone grabbed me from behind..."

Lee Hyuk's expression, seeing me scratching my beard awkwardly, was a perfect embodiment of 'tsk tsk.'

"Still, I was surprised. I didn't expect you to throw a surprise party for me."

"Why wouldn't I?"

Our main vocalist said bluntly.

"Since you composed it, we wanted to thank you with a celebration..."

"Really? You were grateful to me?"

"Do I have to say it out loud?"

"You have to say it. Since we're talking about it, let's hear it. Say thank you."

"Th...ank..."

As Lee Hyuk was about to say it, he picked up a convenience store bag that had fallen to the ground.

"Got some sweet potato chips. I'll enjoy them."

"Hey."

The kid with the sweet potato chip bag ran off.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Biju came over and smiled as if it was a new discovery.

"Lee Hyuk is just not good at expressing his emotions."

"He has a really strange personality."

"But he's kind, the more you see him."

Biju smiled at me.

"Come on, Hyung. There's a lot of bossam and jokbal. The CEO said not to worry about the amount and bought a lot."

I saw Jihun and Jiho setting up the bossam and jokbal on the floor of the practice room with newspapers.

It was a perfect combination with the kimchi and bibimbap.

"Can I eat, Biju Hyung?"

"Not yet. We have to eat together."

"Wow, that hyung is a complete communist...!"

Biju smiled, urging me to come over.

"Ah, Biju."

"Yes?"

"I don't think I can eat with you. I have a meeting soon..."

Seeing his suddenly gloomy expression, I had to change my words.

"I guess I should eat a little and go."

"You made a good decision, Hyung."

His bright smile returned.

As I was led by Biju's hand, I thought to myself.

Everyone is a bit strange.

There's the kid who insists on doing everything together, the kid who can't sleep without taking off his shoes, and the kid who has trouble expressing his emotions.

And the youngest... sigh.

Indeed, I'm the only normal one in this group.