Chapter 160
Our first impression of winning first place was one of confusion and awkwardness.
At the time, Song Hyung-bin had prepared a comment in his head, but he was flustered by the sudden situation that unfolded before his eyes and was unable to show his skills.
"Our Seleves who always stand by the members! Just like I said when I debuted, I promise once again that I will never lose my original intention and only show you my best side. I love you!"
Now, it was the leader who conveyed his thoughts in a very clear manner.
The other members, including me, were able to leisurely enjoy the joy of first place.
Ji Yoon-chul and Heo Yu-bin, who had been startled by the sound of pollen popping, also cheered and clapped this time.
Chae Eun-gyu smiled the whole time and stroked the MBS first-place trophy.
And I watched the status effect being lifted with a very satisfied expression on my face.
'I don't think the top spot on terrestrial TV should end with just this once, but I'm satisfied because we've laid the foundation by achieving solid results.'
As the Crown Prince's ego said, it will take more time to trample on the noses of the crawling insects.
Until the end of the activity, it must be known at every moment who has the upper hand.
The members of Haillight standing next to us and giving us congratulatory applause were mostly smiling, but Go Yoon-seok alone had a slightly dissatisfied expression on his face.
'We need to show him the difference in class that he can't even make that shit-eating expression.'
However, as expected from a team that is doing well in the second division, Haillight has consistently been a candidate for first place with us.
It's understandable that there are some who feel aggrieved in some way.
Both they and their fans must have imagined that it would be a burglary season.
It just so happens that they are up against a rookie who has been setting records since debut.
'Even without us, they wouldn't be able to get past Seo Jeong-sik.'
I think I understand why Haillight's fandom became even more vicious and turned on us.
If they give the first place to a completely different singer, there's nothing left to compare it to.
Seo Joong-sik is not an idol; he is not young, and his genre and preferred age group are completely different.
But when they are continuously pushed back by the same idol, and when they think that the idol is a rookie who debuted less than a month ago, it will make their teeth chatter.
I actually smiled as I thought about this.
Yeah, I hope you feel even more excited watching this scene today.
Later on, you will only feel a sense of defeat so severe that you won't even be able to express your anger.
We performed our encore stage more energetically than ever before and were able to finish all our schedules and return to our dorm in the best mood we could ever have.
"... I can't believe we actually did it."
Yoo Minha still vividly recalled the moment when we were announced as number one and looked at his hands as he spoke quietly, which was unusual for him.
Then, Chae Eun-gyu, who was pouring water, laughed loudly and agreed with his words.
"Honestly, I didn't really feel it. It was only after the pollen started to pop that I realized, 'Ah, we really did win first place.'"
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep today because my heart is pounding so hard!"
"Okay, okay. We definitely need to get some sleep."
Song Hyung-bin tapped Yoo Min-ha on the shoulder.
"Let's let out all that energy at the fan signing later."
"Oh, that's right! Hyung-bin Hyung, have you decided what song you're going to sing for tomorrow's fan signing stage? "
"Weren't we just doing things like we usually do? "
"I want to try something different... Since we got first place today, how about doing something for the first time in a while? "
"That's good."
Kang Si-yoon, who had been in the kitchen in the meantime, nodded while drinking a glass of chocolate milk that Heo Yu-bin had prepared for himself.
"Was it the last time we danced in our debut show? It's been a while."
"That's right. Now that you mention it, it's already been almost a month since we filmed our debut show."
"Time goes by so fast."
"That's.... right?"
Heo Yu-bin, who was so absorbed in the flow of conversation that he didn't even notice Kang Si-yoon's hand, belatedly screamed.
"Hyung! That's my milk! "
"There were about 10 inside? "
"It's called emergency food! "
"But why is milk an emergency food? "
"That, that! "
Heo Yu-bin turned his head and looked at the sofa where Ji Yoon-chul and I were sitting.
It seems like his head is tilted more towards Ji Yoon-chul than towards me.
Ji Yoon-chul, who was actually receiving the gaze, was looking at his cell phone very calmly.
"I still have hope that I can grow tall like Yoon-chul...!"
"Not even white milk, but chocolate milk? Are you eating cereal to cheer up a tiger? "
"That's not it, but cereal contains as many as ten vitamins and minerals! "
"Then eat only that for three meals a day. And only 40-50% of the chocolate milk ingredients are milk."
"Really?"
"It's written exactly as it is on the ingredients list."
Heo Yu-bin looked at the side of the chocolate milk that Kang Si-yoon offered and made a blank expression.
As if pouring salt on the wound, Kang Si-yoon added one more word.
"And to grow taller, you need to exercise, not just drink milk. Exercise. Milk really won't do much."
"Exercise.... Exercise...."
Heo Yu-bin, a thorough homebody, slumped his shoulders as soon as Kang Si-yoon mentioned the word exercise.
"Can't we also count choreography practice as exercise?"
"You'll never grow taller just by dancing. If you overdo it, it might be bad for your growth plate. If you injure your joints, you'll be in big trouble."
"Then what about Yoon-chul? "
"He's just a special case."
"Ugh...."
Kang Si-yoon, who was listening to Heo Yu-bin's groaning, snapped his fingers as if a good idea had occurred to him.
Seeing the two eyes shining brightly, something seemed off.
"I have a good idea!"
"Now, when Siyoon says it's a good idea, I feel strange."
"I'm anxious."
"Hey, guys! Why are you reacting like that? "
"Why?"
Chae Eun-gyu smiled brightly again and hit Kang Si-yoon.
"That's because you always say weird things."
"Now that Karis is still, hyungs are going to eat me."
"So what's your idea, Hyung? "
Only Yoo Min-ha tried to listen to Kang Si-yoon's words until the end.
"Min-ha, there is no one else but you! "
"Hyu, hyung! I can't breathe! "
Pretending to be sobbing on purpose was almost like an acting grand prize.
"We're going to have a lot of content coming out on our YouTube channel in the future. I thought it would be great if Yubin did a special exercise content."
"Why are you putting me through such an ordeal!"
"No, because you want to grow tall, bro."
"That's true, but...."
"Shall we start with basketball first? "
"That's not it, Siyoon."
I, who had been silent, spoke up.
"Considering Yubin's athletic ability, it would be a bit difficult for him to start playing basketball from the beginning. I think it would be a good idea to start with jumping rope."
"You're right. Yubin, how many jump ropes did you do when you were in school?"
"...."
As everyone's attention focused on him, Heo Yu-bin wiggled his fingers.
Then he answered in a voice as small as a mosquito.
"... 2 in total."
"Yes?"
"Did I mishear that? "
"Two? Really? "
"Why are you all reacting like that!"
"Hmm."
I crossed my arms and shook my head.
"I think growing tall might be difficult, Yubin."
"...Can I just drink milk? "
"I don't think it will work."
"Ack!"
"But Yubin is really amazing."
Song Hyung-bin seemed to be trying to speak as positively as possible.
But even this felt strangely flowing.
"Even though he is not very athletic, his dancing skills improved a lot during the survival show."
"I did it because I thought I really had to do it. It was a matter of life and death."
"...Surely."
At that moment, Ji Yoon-chul, who had been quiet, opened his mouth.
"It's not that Yubin Hyung can't dance. He memorizes quickly, and his movements are quite precise... It's just that his movements aren't smooth."
"This, this is just a confirmation kill."
It seemed like Ji Yoon-chul was trying to protect Heo Yu-bin's pride in his own way, but this comment also fell into Kang Si-yoon's hands.
"So, what you mean is, if you learn to exercise more systematically, the stiff feeling will go away. Right? "
"... That's what it feels like―"
"Okay, I've decided! "
Kang Si-yoon declared in an eager tone.
"I'll go and suggest to Chang-min Hyung that I have an idea! "
"You don't need the opinions of the parties involved? "
"There was no such thing in the first place? "
"Too bad!"
"It's good to build up your basic physical strength first; why are you like that~."
I listened to the conversation flowing into a chaotic atmosphere with one ear and thought briefly about Jacon.
After a busy schedule ends and we enter a break, we have to come up with content that will satisfy our fans in many ways.
Now that the power of TV entertainment has diminished significantly, a lot of independent content is being produced through YouTube, which is easily accessible.
'We're glad that each member has a distinct personality, so we'll be able to produce a lot of fun content. But....'
As we saw earlier, no one knows what kind of outrageous idea will suddenly pop into Kang Si-yoon's head.
If Kang Si-yoon were to actually do the content of digging up my passport that he always half-jokingly talks about, or if he were to make plans to go abroad and film something like a trip to Estonia....
'... When I think about it this way, I really feel like it could become reality.'
I clasped my hands together and thought deeply.
I think I will have to prepare and study thoroughly.
I may also need to be prepared to blackmail the system, as I did when I gained language skills.
"First of all, everyone must be tired. Let's all rest quickly."
"I want to sleep right now! "
"Already, Min-ha? "
"Then you wake up early."
"Isn't tomorrow's pre-recording at dawn?"
"Ah."
"We should go to bed early too."
So the members dispersed to their rooms and got some early rest to prepare for tomorrow.
Ji Yoon-chul and I quickly finished showering and lay down on the bed.
"...Hyung."
"Hmm?"
"Did you see Senior Yoon Seok's expression earlier? "
"I saw it."
"...."
Ji Yoon-chul let out a short sigh.
Then he spoke in a slightly irritable tone.
"... It still annoys me that he keeps looking at me like that."
"I think so too."
"Still, I'm glad he didn't say anything special when we greeted each other today...."
"It's absurd that he still looks at us like that."
As Ji Yoon-chul nodded, a rustling sound of a pillow was heard.
There are a few things I realized while talking with Ji Yoon-chul since debut.
One thing that can be said for sure is that Seleste's youngest is extremely competitive.
His usual indifferent expression may give the impression that he is not very obsessed with winning, but he always harbors aspirations in his heart.
Even when he was being unfairly oppressed by his senior from his agency for the past few years, he still thought about wanting to keep pushing this person down and moving up.
Since he has such a strong will, he definitely wants to do it this time.
He has grown to the point where he no longer has to listen to old-fashioned remarks, and instead, he is now in a position where Go Yoon-seok has to look up to him.
I know Ji Yoon-chul's heart better than anyone else.
"There's still a lot of time left, Yoon-chul."
"... The remaining week? "
"During that time, Go Yoon-seok will definitely look up to you. I guarantee it."
The results of the efforts of not only me but all the members of Seleste were clearly evident.
As time goes by, our album sales will only increase.
If we can stay at the top of the music charts for a long time while receiving good reviews not only from the fandom but also from the general public, then victory will naturally be ours.
"So let's make sure to show it to the end. How much potential do you have."
* * *
As was the natural course of events, the critical comments directed at Seleste disappeared one by one as if by nature.
People who said that it was ranked 4th on terrestrial TV and will continue to go down all went into the rat hole when they saw that it was ranked 1st on MBS.
Of course, there were still forces that tried to disparage Seleste in some way, saying that they are overrated since they only won first place on one terrestrial music show.
But Seleves firmly believed in their idols.
Soon, this kind of malicious flow will come to a complete end.
Even the Haillight fans who are pretending to be Muggles will be silenced.
And when the long-awaited third week of activity arrived, Seleste turned the tables as if everyone was watching.
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