Chapter 182
Today was the day of Steel Blue’s local event.
It was the first time they participated in a local event as a complete group of five.
All the fans gathered at the venue with excited steps.
“Ha, I watched the kids’ K-App live today, and their energy was perfect.”
“Right? I spent all my living expenses just to get a KTX ticket. I’ll be eating ramen for a while….”
“A summer outdoor performance? This is unmissable.”
Blue Duck and Prism Homma nodded in agreement.
Since the musical, the two had been through thick and thin together as Yoon Cheong’s top fans.
Before they knew it, their friendship had transcended fandom, feeling almost like comrades.
Because the current activity song was so refreshing, everyone had high expectations for the outdoor performance.
“Oh! The kids are coming out!”
After waiting for seven hours.
Finally, Steel Blue appeared.
‘Crazy.’
The moment Steel Blue appeared, the two covered their mouths in astonishment.
“Today, I’m actually seeing… the much-awaited… summer uniforms… in real life….”
“Ha…. This is my second time, yet I still can’t believe my eyes.”
Coincidentally, today’s outfit was a white shirt with a navy pleated skirt.
It was reminiscent of a typical summer uniform.
“Each member’s tie is different today as well.”
“Maximum grace….”
Yeon Juhong had a big ribbon, Seo Baek-young had a loose necktie, Kim Geum had nothing, Ryu Bo-ra had a small ribbon, and Yoon Cheong had a tightly tied necktie.
The outfits perfectly reflected each member’s individuality.
Kim Geum and Seo Baek-young had rolled up the sleeves of their long-sleeve winter shirts, while the other members wore short-sleeve shirts.
“Bo-ra’s headband is amazing today….”
“And Juhong’s twin tails…! Are you serious, human? When did she get extensions?”
“Baek-young… Baek-young… Even in sneakers, your physique stands out….”
“Geum is even wearing wristbands…! What’s with this accurate portrayal of a volleyball team captain?”
“Full outfit, including the name tag…!”
“Ha…. I even brought my own name tag.”
The name tag included in the album package perfectly matched the retro trend.
It was also Prism Homma’s favorite item.
“Wait a minute. Wait a minute. What is Cheong wearing right now?”
“What… what is she wearing…?”
“Crazy, Yoon Cheong is wearing glasses without lenses.”
“Is she really wearing horn-rimmed glasses? Is this a student council president moment…????”
Yoon Cheong in horn-rimmed glasses.
Of course, it was a look that could often be seen on K-App live or in their content….
But it was the first time she wore glasses on stage.
Seeing this new look, Prism Homma immediately grabbed her camera.
This had to be captured.
Her seasoned fan intuition told her.
Today’s Yoon-bl legendary candid shot was coming…!
“The camera is ready.”
It was 2 PM.
The hottest time of the day, with the sun at its peak.
The members were shining brightly under the sun.
After singing a few lines without the MR, Yoon Cheong nodded, indicating that they were ready, and stood in formation for the intro.
As all the members bowed their heads and clasped their hands behind their backs.
You are my early summer
In the long lethargy
You will become the blazing heat
The song began.
Every ticking clock hand
Every passing season
In the repetitive routine
The one that shines dazzlingly is Only
At the moment when Seo Baek-young’s fingertips rotated like the hands of a clock.
The members also took a step, forming a circle.
When the hands of the clock completed their rotation, Seo Baek-young lowered her hand, and the members closed the circle.
Then, like a blooming flower, the five of them clasped hands.
Give me the endless summer
Our blue season
It will never end
Promise me
Eternal Summer Eternal Wait
Next came the chorus.
The hem of the white shirts fluttered as the members moved.
They gathered their hands to their chests, then extended them as if making a vow.
After repeating the chorus once more,
Every repeating winter
Every repeating wound
As if the mic wasn’t well fixed, she held it with one hand.
Ryu Bo-ra’s part continued.
She looked at the fans, her expression sincere as if speaking from the heart.
The wind blew.
Nevertheless, we
Must go forward dazzlingly Always
As her hair slightly fluttered.
Ryu Bo-ra brushed her hair back with one hand.
As she hit the high note in “Always,” the corners of her eyes folded subtly.
Because you showed me the light
Because you painted me green
At that precise moment when the clouds passed by and sunlight poured down.
Yeon Juhong stood at the center, and the members lined up.
Yeon Juhong poked her cheek with her finger.
This is inevitable
As if she was completely innocent.
Then smiles reappeared on the members’ faces.
Next was Kim Geum’s rap part.
It was a part most fans considered their favorite.
The reason was the choreography where Kim Geum woke up the four frozen members one by one.
In the long saturation
A resting summer
She first nudged Yoon Cheong with her fingertip and grinned,
In the frozen corners of the eyes
A heart that melts
Playfully glancing at Ryu Bo-ra and linking arms,
Sunlight streaming through the leaves
In front of Seo Baek-young, she squinted as if dazzled and leaned on her shoulder,
Vanilla ice cream fluffy clouds
Lightly touched Yeon Juhong’s cheek,
The heart you showed me is just like that
She smiled broadly at the fans.
Making the concert setlist wasn’t as hard as one might think.
Even though we only had about fourteen songs from our albums so far.
If we included songs we performed during musicals and survival shows, it was about twice that number.
If there was just one problem….
“How do we organize the units…?”
“….”
It was this.
“It’s better not to include too many unit or solo songs.”
Since it was our first concert, we needed to focus on group performances.
“But.”
At that moment, Kim Geum raised her hand.
“I think Cheong Cheong’s solo song must be included even if the sky falls.”
“I agree!”
“…Agreed.”
“Passed with a three-yes vote.”
Kim Geum, Yeon Juhong, and Ryu Bo-ra spoke consecutively, and Seo Baek-young quickly passed the decision.
Wasn’t I the leader here?
“I said no.”
“Overruled.”
“Then why did you make me the leader in the first place!”
“Because not sharing your voice with the world is a national loss, overruled.”
What kind of nonsense is that?
I roughly rubbed Kim Geum’s cheek.
This little brat, really.
“Honestly, we should at least sing <Falling Flowers>, Cheong Cheong.”
“…Let’s discuss unit performances first. I think two unit stages would be good.”
“Hm. Do you have any unit combinations you’d like to see?”
Seo Baek-young asked the members.
Everyone glared at each other, seemingly lost in thought.
There’s no need to glare like that, though.
“Honestly, I’m not sure about my combination, but there’s one I want to see!”
At that moment, Yeon Juhong raised her hand.
Oh-ho.
“First, the same-age line!”
“Totally agree.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“….”
“….”
Except for the two same-age members, we all smiled slyly.
Their combination was quite popular in the fandom.
Of course, it was a yes.
“How about it? Can you two create a stage together?”
“The two of you have made a lot of songs together, so it should be fine.”
When I went thud, Seo Baek-young followed with a clap.
We were this in sync when pushing others.
“Why do you keep pairing us up? That radio show was maddening too.”
“Do you think you were the only one?”
Again, they’re fighting.
I pushed the two bickering people with my foot.
“Alright, one stage is fixed for now.”
“Hey, who decided-”
“The leader did.”
“….”
At the mention of “leader,” the two reluctantly fell silent.
“I think… it would be interesting if Juhong and I did something together.”
“Oh.”
“Huh. Me and you, unnie?! I would love that.”
Seo Baek-young suggested an unexpected combination.
Yeon Juhong, seemingly surprised that Seo Baek-young chose her, looked happy.
“What kind of combination is that?”
“Small dog and big dog combo?”
“….”
I couldn’t refute that….
“Just kidding, we’re both performance-focused.”
That’s true.
Yeon Juhong had the most charisma among the members, and Seo Baek-young was the main dancer.
Besides, the combination of the eldest and the youngest was always popular.
…If done right, it could turn out to be a great stage.
“Okay. Let’s go for it.”
“And then we’ll include Cheong’s solo.”
“The balance will roughly work out.”
So, it turns out we’ll have three unit stages.
It’s a bit sad that I don’t have a member to perform with….
But with this setup, I think the fans will understand.
“By the way, our concert is in November, right?”
“That’s right.”
“It’s going to be fun. It’ll be our first-anniversary celebration!”
“Ugh. We’ll have to work really hard for the next three months.”
“Feels like we’ll end up just preparing for the concert….”
Indeed.
With Yeon Juhong’s words, the fact that our first anniversary was approaching hit me.
November….
As the end of the year approaches, the thought of the end coming makes me breathless.
But for the members, it’s bound to be an exciting month.
“We also need to prepare well for the fan meeting, Cheong Cheong.”
“Right, right….”
I forced a smile.
If we stay busy, these stray thoughts will disappear.
Anyway, these gloomy thoughts aren’t helpful to anyone.
Baek Juha looked at the pile of documents in her hand with a complicated expression.
Since entering the entertainment industry, she has seen all sorts of things.
She had met all kinds of people.
But this was the first time she encountered something so puzzling.
The tasks she had taken on so far had always had a clear ‘reason.’
But this time, no matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t see the ‘reason.’
The task itself was nothing special.
It wasn’t difficult to find out about an ordinary girl.
…She seemed to be an aspiring entertainer (a trainee under 3er ent).
Her skills and reputation were good.
Especially, she had a great personality and was popular among other trainees.
Why on earth did they want to know about this girl?
Wondering if there was a reason, she even investigated her relationship with Yoon Cheong.
Maybe they had trained together in the same company.
But this girl named Baek Nokha… it couldn’t be her.
Yoon Cheong didn’t seem like the type to assign tasks without a valid reason.
Something felt off.
But there could be connections that weren’t apparent.
Just then.
“You’re here?”
Yoon Cheong got into the car.