Chapter 217
"This isn't a dream."
The KAMA awards ceremony, where gorgeous lights fall like starlight.
As we went up on stage to the warm welcome of many people, we watched the leader Song Hyung-bin tearfully convey his thoughts.
Yoo Minha, standing next to me, just kept repeating the same thing with a blank expression on his face.
"This isn't a dream."
"...Can I pinch your cheek?"
"Oh, no! I think I'll get a bruise if you pinch me."
"That's too bad."
Fortunately, Yoo Minha came to his senses after being threatened, which wasn't really a threat.
He slapped himself on both cheeks, then looked straight ahead with a bright smile.
"It's not a dream, really."
"Of course."
Album of the Year Award.
One of the awards you can receive at KAMA, and a title that proves that it is the best-produced and best-selling album of the year.
I had spoken to Kang Si-yoon in an unwavering tone offstage earlier, but I had no idea that this would actually become reality.
"... It is all thanks to the fans that we can stand here. It was created by the fans, and it was thanks to the fans that we are able to stand on stage. And it was thanks to the fans that we are able to receive this meaningful and valuable award."
Fan.
Fans are truly amazing.
It has the power to change a person's life completely.
It was so comforting to think that there were tens, no, hundreds of thousands of such beings behind us.
'It's also touching that such words come out of Song Hyung-bin without hesitation.'
Sasaengs who commit inhumane acts under the guise of being fans.
Among the members, the first to suffer damage was Song Hyung-bin.
It is very meaningful to overcome such pain, shake it off, and express gratitude to fans in a place like this.
"To the parents of the seven members who have always supported us without fail, I really love you and thank you. And most of all, to the members who believed in me and followed me despite my shortcomings, I am so grateful."
At Song Hyung-bin's words, we immediately laughed and refuted.
"What is lacking in a leader like you?"
"The greatest leader of this era!"
Of course, since Song Hyung-bin was the only one using the mic, it wasn't very loud, but when he heard our shouts, he stopped crying and started laughing out loud.
Our leader finished his Korean speech by quickly reciting the names of the people in our agency, and now it was my turn again.
'....'
Of course, I have a prepared comment. I had time to go over it with the members before coming to KAMA.
But I don't want to just go on like that.
Today's mood. I want to say something according to the feeling I have right now.
I closed my eyes for a moment and then opened them.
Then I quietly said something in English.
"Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity."
* * *
A dreamlike night passed.
The members who went down after receiving the Album of the Year award were really enjoying the kimchi stew, thinking, 'Surely we won't win another award here,' but unfortunately, this year ended with only three awards.
"Wow, I'm so tired...."
"I feel like I'm going to collapse right away because I'm relaxed...."
When we returned to the hotel, we all groaned and collapsed on the beds and sofas.
Although I was physically a little tired, I stood up and assessed the current situation.
"Look, I know it's hard for everyone. But."
"What's going on, Karis?"
"If you want to sleep, why don't you just go to your own rooms? Why are you collapsing in my room and Siyoon's?"
"Sorry, sorry."
Chae Eun-gyu, who had taken over the bed, closed his eyes and waved his hand.
"Your room is the first one in the hallway. What should I do? I'm going to sleep now."
"No! I don't care about other people, but please, Eun-gyu hyung-nim, please don't fall asleep here!"
"Zzzzz...."
Chae Eun-gyu slept so deeply that he wouldn't even notice if I carried him once he fell asleep, so I tried to stop him somehow.
I sighed, rubbing my forehead.
How did something like this happen?
Fortunately, a few minutes later, our manager came into our room with a tired face and announced our schedule for the future.
"I know you're all tired, so I'll just briefly announce your schedule and go. Could you wake up Eun-gyu?"
"I was just pretending to sleep."
"Thank goodness. If you were really asleep, I would have just left."
"This is too much."
Our manager said that because of the busy schedule scheduled for the end of the year, he couldn't help but give a longer vacation.
We were given free time for two days and one night on the 22nd and 23rd.
We're going to enjoy ourselves in Japan until Chae Eun-gyu's birthday and then return to Korea.
"As it was time to start filming the next
"Suddenly like this?"
"Wasn't the concept of our classroom going somewhere? Is it okay to do it overseas like this?"
"Hmm...."
At the members' questions, the manager was slightly flustered but soon managed to explain himself.
"Just say you went abroad to play."
"Ah, I think I know who that wish is."
Heo Yu-bin clapped his hands as if he realized who the next
Then, Yoo Min-ha, who was sitting next to him, grabbed his arm and gestured for him to be quiet.
Hmm. Looks like this week's main character has been decided to be Yoo Min-ha.
"Anyway, we're going to the amusement park tomorrow, so everyone gets a good night's sleep. You'll have to build up your stamina to play loud."
* * *
The next morning.
We headed to a massive amusement park in Tokyo with only light makeup on.
"You know what, hyung? There's a really huge Tyrannosaurus model here, and it just falls down and goes into the Tyrannosaurus's mouth!"
"I've heard that story three times today, Min-ha."
"I did that much?"
Inside the minibus rented by Sigma Entertainment, Yoo Minha tirelessly told the members about the enormous scale of Parallel World.
Kang Si-yoon raised his hand with a tired face and asked our manager, who was putting on a wig.
"Teacher, I know it's hard wearing a wig. Can we hurry up our Yaja tree time? If you force Min-ha to speak informally, I think he'll be a bit quieter than he is now."
"On an exciting day like today, it would be natural to use informal language, right, Siyoon?"
"Wow, you tried it once last time, and now you're crawling back?"
"You said you wanted to have Yaja first."
When Yoo Min-ha acted with a very calm expression, Kang Si-yoon quickly hit my shoulder in shock.
"Hey, something's wrong with Min-ha! Do something about it!"
"It's out of my realm. What a shame."
"Show some motivation!"
The bus ran and ran and finally arrived in front of Parallel World.
Since we arrived right at opening time, there weren't as many crowds as we expected, even though it's a famous tourist destination.
Of course, there were still a lot of people, but I was thinking in my head that the line would stretch all the way to the parking lot.
"We moved the opening to overseas today. What do you think, everyone?"
"Great!"
"It's been a long time since I've been to Japan."
"This is my first time."
Manager Hyung, who was properly wearing a wig and glasses, acted more naturally than before.
When the first episode of
Even a small number of people said they were fans of Manager Hyung and wanted him to appear regularly.
Maybe it was because of that influence, but Manager Hyung seemed more excited than during the Jeju Island episode.
"
"Yes!"
Just like Ji Yoon-chul did before, Yoo Min-ha held up a notebook with everyone's wishes written on it and spoke confidently about what he had written.
"I just want to go and have fun for just one day. Especially an amusement park! I could go, but I always hesitated because I didn't have anyone to go with, but now that I have the members, I think it would be a lot of fun."
It is a conclusion very similar to Ji Yoon-chul's wish.
Because he started his life as a trainee at a young age, he wasn't able to have a normal school life.
Naturally, the opportunities to make friends at school decreased, making it difficult to go to places that other people normally go to.
Ji Yoon-chul, who was listening to Yoo Min-ha's words, nodded vigorously as if he agreed.
Manager Hyung, who captured the scene, asked Ji Yoon-chul a question.
"It seems like Yoon-chul also sympathizes with something?"
"... Actually, I also thought a lot about it. Should I write a school trip or an amusement park on my bucket list?"
"As expected! You and I share the same view, Yoon-chul!"
"Yes ―, ah. Ah.... That, that's right."
Ji Yoon-chul, who couldn't switch to Yaja time mode for a moment, stuttered a few times before finally speaking informally.
The members collectively gave a short laugh, as he looked like a robot caught in buffering.
"Then today, just like Min-ha wished, let's have fun for a day."
Chae Eun-gyu spoke to everyone in a somewhat solemn voice.
"I'm saying this now, but if there's anyone who says they're scared of roller coasters and avoids them, I'll tie their hands and take them on the ride, so look forward to it."
"Huh―!"
When Heo Yu-bin made a sound as if he had been hit on the nail on the head, Chae Eun-gyu smiled and gestured.
"Karis, catch Yubin."
"Yes."
"No, wait! Wait! Excuse me! Excuse me! That's not right! Excuse me!"
Well, in this situation, I guess I'll just have to go with the flow.
I followed Chae Eun-gyu with an indifferent expression, lifting Heo Yu-bin halfway.
"Hey, hurry up! There's no way around it if the roller coaster line gets too long!"
"I'm already walking as fast as I can, Siyoon."
"Should I come from behind and lift him up with you?"
"That's okay too."
"No, wait a minute! No, I can walk on two feet too!"
Heo Yu-bin's pitiful cries were of no use.
Yoo Min-ha was so excited that he explained to Heo Yu-bin how amazing the roller coaster in Parallel World was.
"There's a roller coaster in Korea that drops almost at a right angle! This roller coaster also drops almost at a right angle, and it has two sections like that! It's going to be fun!"
"No, just listening to you right now makes me feel like throwing up!"
"Don't worry, I'll hold the plastic bag for you!"
"That's not the problem!"
Thanks to running blindly, we were almost the first to arrive at the roller coaster.
The heavy breathing of the VJs who had been following us since morning could be heard from all directions.
"Yubin, it's okay. Once you ride it, you'll want to ride it more, okay?"
"... I don't know."
Heo Yu-bin already had an empty look in his eyes, as if he had given up on life.
I wondered how long this look would last.
"Kyaaa ..."
"Wow!"
"Ya, this is seriously crazy!"
Soon we were falling in groups from 70 meters in the air, screaming.
Heo Yu-bin, who was proud of his ability to throw up no matter what, showed off his incredible vocal power and let out a high-pitched scream without throwing up.
If the roller coaster was just a little bit higher, he could have even talked to bats and dolphins.
"Ahahahahahaha!"
Kang Si-yoon started laughing like a crow again.
But maybe the feeling of fun was greater than the feeling of fear, and it wasn't as noisy as what I saw in Jeju Island.
I did my best to keep my face in check while shouting appropriately with the members.
Whether or not they had made prior arrangements with the amusement park for filming, there were small cameras firmly fixed in the roller coaster car we rode.
That means all of our joyful laughter and crying are being filmed.
Kang Si-yoon alone is enough to have a crazy face.
"Wow, this is seriously no joke. My legs are shaking."
After about two minutes of high-speed running, the roller coaster returned to its starting point.
When Song Hyung-bin showed his trembling legs, Kang Si-yoon laughed and slapped his calf.
"Why are you so weak as a leader? You need to exercise more."
"...."
"What, why are you looking at me like that?"
Song Hyung-bin glared at Kang Si-yoon and then hit him in the face with his words.
"A man who falls down while jumping on a treadmill has a lot to say."
"Ugh!"
Today, too, Kang Si-yoon failed miserably in exchanging deals.
Meanwhile, Heo Yu-bin, who was going down the stairs with my help, groaned and said.
"Seriously, I don't want to ride a roller coaster like that again. I think I'll really throw up if I ride it twice."
"What a pity; I wanted to ride it one more time before leaving."
"Get on without me; get on without me. Please."
Yoo Minha pouted his lips, feeling disappointed, but then quickly recovered with a sparkle in his eyes.
"That's right! There's something else I wanted to do! Everyone hurry up!"
We hurriedly followed Yoo Min-ha and shared our ominous feelings with each other.
"Is that the T-Rex you mentioned earlier?"
"Based on what Min-ha said, I wonder if we'll ride it later? It seems like he's looking forward to it the most."
"... Please. If I ride the roller coaster too many times, my stomach will feel bad."
But the place where Yoo Minha stopped was a place that broke everyone's expectations.
I blinked as I looked into the room, which was filled with flashy lights.
"... Bumper cars?"
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