Chapter 301 - 301

Chapter 301

The days of practice passed quickly.

The preparation period, which was short if it was short and long if it was long, was already drawing to a close.

We, each burning with the determination to definitely place in the top ranks, prepared diligently in our respective positions.

I devoted myself to basketball practice with Ji Yoon-chul, and I took time to take simple soccer lessons.

Since futsal is a sport with a high risk of injury, our agency seemed to be looking at me with concern.

I also had no intention of getting injured unexpectedly before a major domestic concert.

Chae Eun-gyu also sincerely requests repeatedly.

So I promised to do my best without putting too much strain on my body.

"I think it would be enough if you only participated in three."

"Three won't give me much screen time. You don't have to worry."

"Well......."

Manager Hyung glanced at my face through the rearview mirror and laughed.

"I heard that Connex is coming out unexpectedly. It could be greed-."

"I'll definitely win and come back."

"As I said yesterday, there's absolutely no need to push yourself too hard."

"I'll definitely come back with a victory report without getting hurt."

"I really can't stop you."

I know why Manager Hyung chose the word 'unexpectedly.'

For idols, whose bodies are their assets, the biggest variable is injury.

That's why many fans don't like their favorite group participating in programs like that require a lot of physical exertion.

Most teams that decide to appear on such large-scale programs probably do so to make their names known.

A group like Connex that has already risen to a high position has no reason to appear on a program that has such risks.

'Of course, if you think about it that way, we don't necessarily have to go either.'

We unanimously agreed to participate because all the members thought it would be fun.

And surprisingly, Connex also said a similar reason.

"I was surprised that Connex was coming out, so I asked. Recently, there hasn't been an opportunity to see this many idols in one place except for music shows, but seemed different and fun, so they decided to come."

"It's similar to us."

"Everyone's excited. We haven't had a large-scale event like this recently."

I looked out the window and thought of Chae Eun-gyu's face.

Chae Eun-gyu was the first among us to show his individuality during our recent promotions.

Knowing his past, I understood how important the Triple Crown was to Chae Eun-gyu.

His determination to defeat the place that had abandoned him must have brought him up a notch.

'...... This program gives me another reason to work hard.'

It's a really coincidental thing, but both Haillight, who has a bad relationship with Ji Yoon-chul, and Connex, who has a bad relationship with Chae Eun-gyu, all meet in one place.

And it's not an ordinary music show stage, but the site of the where competitive spirit is boiling.

I promised myself that I wouldn't overdo it, but I suddenly lost confidence.

I think I wouldn't be able to control myself if I were to compete against members of both teams.

"We're here. Did you hear that other teams are getting lessons today?"

"Yes."

We arrived in front of the archery practice range.

Manager Hyung smiled at me as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

"Go and see how good the other kids are."

I don't know who the idols who are getting archery lessons with me today are, but......

The most important thing in any fight is taking the initiative.

It is necessary to press the nose in advance during the practice process, even before the main game starts.

With this determination, I entered the archery range with a confident step.

"Oh! Hyung-no, senior! Hello!"

"...?"

The first one to greet me was none other than Owen.

When I looked at him with a look of wondering why he was coming out, Owen nodded and smiled faintly.

"Senior, are you participating in the archery? Changhoon and I both thought archery would be the most fun, so we applied, but we never thought we would meet you here."

"Oh, oh....... I never thought I would meet you here either."

"Hello!"

Lee Changhoon of Jerene greeted me from next to Owen, his military discipline firmly in place.

I quickly waved my hand while controlling my expression.

What an incredible coincidence.

"Now that Mr. Karis is here, let's get started for real! First, the bow in front of us......."

The bow we use is a recurve bow that you see in regular archery matches.

It's a bow that has a bit of weight, and the stabilizer, a long part that extends in front, is impressive.

While listening to the instructions on how to use the bow, I was lost in old memories for a moment.

'It's definitely very different from the bow I used in .....

A real bow made of wood that you would see in fantasy games or webtoons.

Ordinary soldiers who couldn't handle magic would shoot ordinary arrows or fire arrows with oiled tips, while archers like me who knew how to use mana would add mana to increase penetration power or create storms.

Even if you knew how to use mana, you needed precise aim and enormous strength, so practicing archery was always essential.

That kind of experience is embedded in my body, so I chose archery.

Because I am confident that I can do it much better than other idols.

But it seemed that I was not the only one who thought this way.

"Doesn't it remind you of the old days, hyung-nim?"

Owen, who was pulling the bowstring in the lane next to me, spoke quietly so that only I could hear.

"You also wrote your name in archery while reminiscing about old memories?"

"Yes. More than anything, I expected you to come here, hyung-nim. Since you are the one who trained the most in martial arts in the royal family, I thought you would definitely do archery."

Owen smiled at me with a genuinely happy expression.

"I am so happy that I can be with you like this, hyung-nim."

"I am glad that you are so happy."

"Yes. I never dreamed that I would be practicing archery next to you after coming to this world."

I turned my gaze to the side and looked around.

Fortunately, the archery instructor was teaching Lee Chang-hoon, who was at the very end, one-on-one, so he couldn't hear our conversation.

"I didn't know I would be using a bow too. Owen, are you still using your old skills?"

"Well, it's definitely different from the bow I used before, so it's difficult...."

Owen tilted his head once and immediately picked up an arrow.

With a smooth motion, Owen fixed the arrow and looked into the scope before firing the arrow.

-Swoosh!

The arrow flew through the wind and hit the target exactly at the 9 point mark.

"I guess it's because it's my first time with this bow; it doesn't go as well as I wanted. I aimed for the center."

"Still, it's great for the first time today."

"No, hyung-nim."

"Huh."

I looked at Owen's humble expression and was slightly stimulated.

I straightened my left arm and aimed the bow as the teacher had told me, and I fired an arrow without hesitation.

-Swoosh!

"I can't do it as I want either. It's a 9 point like you."

"You shot it well without wavering even though it's your first time. You're my hyung-nim after all."

Owen returned my smile and began to cast the next arrow.

"I should also do my best not to fall behind you."

-Swoosh!

"You're getting close to 10, Owen. That was really good."

-Swoosh!

"I think it landed just below the 10 mark. Hyung-nim. What a shame."

-Swoosh!

"10, that's amazing. Then I'm serious now..."

-Swoosh!

"As expected of hyung-nim! Sparring like this makes old memories come back even more."

Suddenly, we entered competitive mode and shot 7 arrows in a row while sending invisible sparks flying.

Meanwhile, the archery instructor who came to help Lee Chang-hoon was speechless for a moment after seeing our target.

"Uh....... Everyone? What is this?"

"I practiced as the instructor taught me! My arms are a little tired because it's my first time."

"You shot an arrow like that already in your first time? Even Mr. Karis?"

I smiled awkwardly as I watched the instructor, who couldn't help but be astonished after checking our target.

I should have adjusted my strength a little.

I felt guilty because I felt like I shot too well for a beginner.

However, these thoughts subsided when I looked at Owen's brightly smiling side profile.

Yes, no matter how much he is my precious younger brother and my unchanging, reliable ally.

I can't lose in a match like this.

***

The day of filming for , a large-scale event that received the expectations of all media and fandoms, has arrived.

The sight of so many idol groups gathered at Jamsil Gymnasium was truly spectacular.

Everyone was waiting for the full-scale filming to begin, wearing their group's official color tracksuits and wearing large name tags attached to their stomachs.

"I can already feel the tremendous heat! We've invited some amazing people to the commentary today. Nice to meet you, Joo Hyun-sik, who wrote the legend of the Beijing Olympics track and field gold medalist!"

"Hello! This is Joo Hyun-sik. I hope you have a great day today."

The broadcasting booth was also raising the tension to match the atmosphere of the scene.

SBM's sportscaster Jung Woo-jin skillfully explained the schedule for today.

"We will also invite guest commentators to help us with commentary with a professional perspective for each event, so please show a lot of interest. Also, idol groups will make surprise visits here and there, so please look forward to it. Oh, Commissioner Joo Hyun-sik. I heard that you have already selected players to watch today."

"I studied in advance for a smooth commentary today. I looked into it."

"Do you think a great star will be born? Just like when you won the Olympic gold medal."

"It will definitely come out! If you don't come out, I will really grant our caster Jung Woo Jin's wish."

Joo Hyun-sik, who is considered to have led the golden generation of Korean track and field, confidently spoke while handing over the materials he had organized all night.

"There were many idols who wrote about their workouts as introductions. In particular, those who wrote in detail about their running records and sports experiences during their school days caught my eye. Among male idols,......."

Joo Hyun-sik, who introduced several idols who wrote about their running records and other things on their profiles, quickly moved on to the peer evaluation category.

"And this is the most reliable way to report. There are certain members whom I am watching more closely than anyone else. Oh, he's really good at sports!"

Joo Hyun-sik pointed to a photo of an idol whose face seemed to shine unusually.

"Karis of Celeste. Ah, this guy is rumored. He's 185cm tall, which is really tall, and according to reports from teammates, he boasts such overwhelming destructive power that every opponent avoids in competitive games. I think he's a player with both physique and brute force, and more than anything, he's a handsome man like me."

"Ah, a handsome face is also a virtue of a star. That's why the commissioner used to be so popular-."

"Hahahaha! That's too much praise, too much praise!"

"Looking at what's listed here.... Karis is competing in five events. Let's see if he'll do as well as Commissioner Joo Hyun-sik said."

"Yes, I understand. Now, who else is there.."

Commissioner Joo Hyun-sik, who keeps giving such praise and expectations, didn't know.

How splendidly the legend of the will be born at this venue today.

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