Chapter 280
I looked at the pollen fluttering high in the sky.
Strangely, time seemed to pass slowly.
The cheers of Seleves below, the movements of the MCs coming to hand out trophies, and the few pollens slowly falling on my head.
'Finally....... We finally achieved it.'
After debuting as Seleste, I received numerous awards.
Not only did I receive trophies on various music shows, I also received the Rookie of the Year award, which I only get once in my life, and I even won the Album of the Year award in my first year of debut.
However, I had no connection with the Triple Crown. I often won first place on terrestrial TV, but I had never received awards from all three broadcasting companies at the same time.
Even among the members, the Triple Crown was considered a record that had to be surpassed.
It wasn't simply because of Chae Eun-gyu's determination.
As expected from guys who made it through the tough survival audition, their competitive spirit is so strong that everyone acknowledges it.
The regret we felt when what we wanted slipped away from our fingertips soon turned into determination, and that strengthened determination became the driving force that moves our bodies.
After everyone worked tirelessly, their long-awaited wish came true.
[You completed the linked quest, 'Achieving Triple Crown'.]
[Reward: System Recovery 8%]
My system was also cleared without a doubt, and it congratulated me on completing the quest.
I couldn't hide my delighted smile when I checked the system recovery gauge, which had suddenly risen to around 40%.
My recovery gauge, which had barely been raised by 2% or 3%, went up by a whopping 8% with this one mission.
I was a little nervous because I didn't know what the penalty would be if I failed, but now I don't have to worry about that.
"Our Seleve who sends us unchanging love! I want to tell you how grateful I am for always being by my side....."
While our leader Song Hyung-bin was holding the mic and giving his thoughts, I felt Chae Eun-gyu standing next to me, slightly shaking his shoulders.
When I turned my head, Chae Eun-gyu was staring blankly at the fans standing below the stage, shedding a few tears.
I quickly checked Chae Eun-gyu's condition in a very small voice.
"Hyung, are you okay?"
"..... Yeah."
Chae Eun-gyu slowly turned his head to me.
I was momentarily startled when I looked straight into his eyes.
I felt as if warm sunlight was shining down on my whole body.
For some reason, my head felt lighter and my heart felt relieved.
"Right now, I'm so happy."
I continued to look at Eun-gyu's pupils, as if they were filled with the warmest light in the world.
A sense of stability and warmth that I couldn't explain in words seemed to envelop my entire body.
Like a warm blanket that soothes a tired body and mind, like a parent holding a beloved child in their arms.
He was encouraging me that I could overcome any hardship.
"I'm so happy and glad that our efforts were not in vain."
The moment Chae Eun-gyu's words reached my ears, the world seemed to look brighter as if a filter had been applied.
And then his status window popped up in my field of vision.
Name: Chae Eun-gyu
Age: 27
Singing: B+
Dance: A
Stamina: A-
Appearance: A
Talent: A+
Trait: A Flower Blooming with Confidence (Blooming)
Status Abnormality: Impatience (Disabled)
Chae Eun-gyu's trait, which was blooming before, has finished blooming.
The trait's name is 'A Flower Blooming with Confidence'.
I clicked on the trait to check the detailed effects.
[A Flower Blooming with Confidence (Blooming): The power of the truth increases significantly. When the trait is activated, the support skill 'Petals Left Behind with Every Step' is used.
Petals Left Behind with Every Step (Support): Shares your 'beliefs' with people within a 1m radius.]
The previous trait, 'Unbreakable Belief', felt like it represented Chae Eun-gyu's impregnable mental strength.
As this trait evolved to the next level, a support skill that allows you to share your beliefs and mindset with others was added.
'That's why this warm energy was transmitted to me.'
A support skill that gives a strong will to do anything.
I turned my head to the side and looked at the faces of the other members.
The members were also looking at Seleves with eyes that sparkled several times more than usual, perhaps because they were influenced by Chae Eun-gyu's support skill.
"...No matter what happens in the future, I will always try to show you a good image. I will not be satisfied with my current position, and I will become an idol who continues to develop. Thank you!"
Song Hyung-bin's comments were even more encouraging, and the younger members nodded their heads with bright smiles after hearing them.
This moment, the seven of us felt more united than ever.
I closed my eyes gently, enjoying the strong yet warm feeling that Chae Eun-gyu's heart conveyed.
'For a better tomorrow.'
So that everyone's time is not wasted.
So that everyone's efforts are recognized.
We will continue to move forward.
***
Seleste and Sigma Entertainment have been seeing the effects of what they have steadily built up so far.
The number of people who naturally listened to
Seleste appeared on a weekend entertainment show with high recognition and showed off their cheerful and passionate side, clearly letting the general audience know who they are.
These direct and indirect promotional effects caused
It went from reaching 3rd place in the 2nd week to 1st place in the 3rd and 4th weeks, which all Seleves had hoped for.
It was the first time in a long time that an idol group, and a male idol group at that, made it to the top of the Grapefruit Chart HOT100.
It was a ranking that no one had been able to surpass except for Connex, which is said to be the biggest in its class recently.
Even that Connext only briefly took first place in their recent album and then came down.
However, Seleste did not easily come down from first place.
That meant that there were a lot of regular people who listened to
Sigma Entertainment's marketing strategy came out with the concept of easy listening.
And it was a wonderful collaboration between the Seleste members, who proved their worth without a doubt.
It was something that could not help but make other idol fandoms jealous.
In particular, the fans of Haillight, who had already lost to Seleste in the previous round, really hated hearing news of Seleste's success.
They tried to attract fans of the rookie group Jerene, who was active with Seleste, in order to somehow disparage Seleste.
Thanks to the title song
A rookie male idol group showed the power of rising to the top 20 of the music charts.
And there was one person who was happier than anyone else about Seleste and Jerene's simultaneous promotions.
"Congratulations on finishing this activity well, hyung-nim."
-Yes, thank you. I'm glad you guys finished without any trouble.
"Haha, the members and the company staff were all in chaos. I think we finished with a higher ranking than I expected."
Owen went out to the terrace of the dorm at night while the members were asleep and called his brother, whom he loved so much.
Now, the two of them are not related on the surface, but Owen's heart remembers.
In the previous world, they were brothers who fought together with blood on their sleeves and were prepared to die for each other.
So Owen made a promise to himself.
No matter how different the worlds they live in and how they can't share the same last name, he would protect his brother no matter what happened.
"I'm really sorry that I couldn't help you directly after the challenge, Hyung-nim."
-No. Do you know how much that one challenge helped? It's no exaggeration to say that I achieved everything thanks to you, so don't say that.
"Still..."
Owen Cromwell looked at the moon high in the sky and squeezed his lunch lightly.
"I wish I could go to where you are right now, but...."
-You absolutely must not do that. If you forget your responsibility as an idol, you'll be in big trouble, Owen.
"Haha, that's why I'm barely holding on now."
When Karis was on the battlefield, Owen took over the royal affairs.
Even while doing Owen's best to make sure everything in the empire was going well, a corner of his heart was filled with the desire to go to the battlefield and fight alongside his brother.
That's why he wanted to fulfill that wish now, even if it was late.
There are difficulties in many ways.
"Oh, by the way, hyung-nim. I heard you're going to have a fan meeting soon. Congratulations. Finally, more people will be able to be under your control."
-Domination...... I don't really have any plans to do that.
There seemed to be a brief silence, but Owen didn't really care. He just thought he was touched.
"This is truly a wonderful thing. In order to convey my feelings, I'll have to go to the venue in person... I wonder if I can join as a guest."
-That'll probably be difficult. The set list has already been finalized.
"Hmm.... In this world, sending letters would be inefficient, so maybe I should send a congratulatory wreath or something."
-It's okay, it's okay! I can feel your feelings enough without such a material gift, so don't worry.
Owen laughed lightly when he heard Karis's flustered voice on the other end of the phone.
"I hope that one day I can stand with you, hyung-nim. I live with this thought in mind."
-.....I'm the same way. The opportunity will definitely come, so let's just wait a little longer.
"Hey, hyung-nim. I hope you have a successful fan meeting. I'll call you again soon. Get some rest."
-Thank you. Get some rest too.
Time passed like that, and Seleste's formation day, April 30th, arrived.
***
Seoul Olympic Park, in front of the handball stadium.
Many Seleves were already waiting for the fan meeting that started at 6 PM.
There were many reasons to come quickly.
Not only was there a first-come-first-served MD shop raid, but there was also a special prize draw for Seleste's first official fan club members.
"Please show me your membership card and ticket~."
One scratch ticket was issued to the official Seleves.
They could receive special goods based on the rankings shown there.
The first prize winner was lucky enough to take home a signed Polaroid.
Various exchange posts immediately appeared among Seleves.
Seleves who knew each other exchanged self-made goods and photo cards and chatted with each other to pass the time.
As the sun slowly set, the tightly closed door of the handball stadium finally opened.
'It's about to start!'
Seleves who excitedly went to their seats made their final preparations to watch the fan meeting and looked at Seleste's logo engraved on the electronic board behind the stage.
The moment right before the performance began was probably the most exciting.
That moment when the Seleves' voices died down in the tense atmosphere.
-Pot, Pot Pot
"Waaaaaa!"
The stage, which had been dimly lit, began to darken.
-