Chapter 208

After introducing the title track, the members went down to change their outfits.

On stage, the MC, an announcer, stood alone.

─It may be a short time, but today we got to understand why Debonaire has been considered the top contender even before their debut.

As expected, the MC delivered a very standard comment.

Naturally, most fans were already focusing their attention elsewhere.

Do-hee’s Home Mama was no exception.

“This song will probably be the less promoted one, right?”

“Yeah, I’d say that’s a given.”

Nodding at her friend’s question, Home Mama scanned the album tracklist again.

[1- As Fickle As Fortune]

[2- Debonair]

[3- Born Ideals]

[4- Byeolsatang]

The third track, which is also another title, ‘Born Ideals’.

In a little while, once the announcer finishes and leaves the stage, the dimmed stage would surely unveil a related VCR.

“Like a music video or some behind-the-scenes prep.”

Anticipation grew increasingly.

The first title was great, so this one should be good too.

In the background, there was an interview with Topist representative, Kim Wi-dong.

[Kim Wi-dong: With Jung So-hyun, the newly appointed director of the ‘Debonaire’ team at the helm, this project has been meticulously prepared by Topist for a long time.]

Teams that have prepared for a long time often crash and burn on their second comeback album, though.

Generally, their debut albums were masterpieces.

So, the title of this album… must definitely be a banger.

Moreover, there’s mixed opinions on the strategy of delaying the reveal of the second title to avoid spreading attention too thin, but I somewhat like it.

It clearly conveys the intent to have at least one song hit number one on the charts.

Once a number one is achieved, any criticism tends to quickly fade away.

After all, there wasn’t even any shady tactics involved.

At that moment, a friend unexpectedly asked.

“But what does Jung So-hyun do?”

Home Mama casually answered.

“I don’t know the details, but I think she was the head of the A&R team at Topist? I’ve heard all the big hits like X10 and the number one song ‘Pastel Love’ went through her.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. But that’s probably why she got promoted.”

And just like that…

—I’ll say goodbye here. This has been Hwang Yu-jung. Thank you.

The stage went dark.

*

The running time for the concept photo and the VCR for the second title music video was about 8 minutes.

“5 minutes left!”

Amid the time crunch, the older sisters rushed backstage to change into their new title stage outfits.
“Chiyo, come here! It’s not over there!?”

“Yes, yes! I’m sorry!”

“Miss Woo-ah, if you’re dressed, time for a makeup touch-up!”

“Yes~”

What’s with Woo-ah Unni being so relaxed?

Anyway, as the calm veteran I am, I changed my clothes and sat down quietly.

“Seo-yoon, let’s have a calm coffee together…”

“Shut up. Teacher, I think I need a little cover here!”

Sitting quietly… while getting my makeup touched up, I closed my eyes and began to meditate.

To heal my emotional wounds.

It wasn’t entirely Kim Seo-yoon’s fault for wrapping up my words.

When I had slowly descended under the stage earlier,

I, waving at the fans and making eye contact one by one,

had definitely… locked eyes with someone.

Among them was Do-ah…

She definitely avoided my gaze…

Our little one…

Seems to be dodging her older sister…

Even after blowing kisses…

She blatantly ignored me…

And then snuggled up to Dad…

Is she entering her rebellious phase…? So sad…

“Do-hee, are you crying…? Why? No, why? All of a sudden?”

Coordinator Unni hurriedly brought cotton pads.

Though I prepared leisurely, I ended up being a little late compared to the members.

*

‘Why do they keep staring…! People are looking even now…!’

Even after Unni went down under the stage,

because of her gaze,

there were still a few people sneakily watching Do-ah.

Honestly, Do-ah knew.

That she resembled both Mom and Dad quite a bit, making her pretty.

So, it was no wonder that guys she’d never spoken to once in school confessed to her.

And that she was scouted left and right while walking down the street.

Thus, these kinds of glances became somewhat familiar over time.

She tried to tell herself it was just because she looked pretty.

But looking like Mom and Dad also meant she resembled her Unni.

She had no clue though.

Sometimes her friends would say,

─”Do-a, you look like Do-hee!”

─”Totally! Especially your eyes and when you smile!”

Hearing those comments made her think…

‘I feel like they recognize it… Ugh…’

She had deliberately chosen to sit away from Mom.

─”Why…? Don’t you want to sit with Mom…? Are you leaving Mom behind like your sister…?”

─”No, that’s not it!”

Mom’s face was something that Unni’s fans would definitely recognize.

After all, she was introduced as the beautiful Do-hee’s mom on a show before.

‘Who told her to go on a show…?’

─”They’ll notice if I sit next to Mom!”

─”Alright… got it…”

It’s a similar reaction, as if she wasn’t the same as a ‘Unni-like’ mom.

Yet, she still stubbornly sat far apart.
Even though they were all crammed together.

Now, the older sister on stage has let it slip.

Fortunately, when the lights went out and the music video was revealed on the stage screen,

for a moment, people’s attention turned that way, but…

Do-ah couldn’t focus on the music video at all.

*

[Thrilling smiles, holding our breath, here in this dreamlike world]

[The silhouette becoming clearer still remains shrouded]

‘Insane…’

Home Mama couldn’t contain her excitement, tapping her friend’s shoulder throughout the music video.

“Insane…”

“Right? It’s insane…”

“You crazy girl, that hurts!”

“Oh, sorry.”

It was the complete opposite of the previous music video.

The first title “debonair” had an impressive image, expressing a numb psychopath in dramatic situations, while the second title “born ideals” was just way too cute and pretty.

There didn’t seem to be a special story that needed to be interpreted.

Like a bouncy melody repeating.

Of course, you must like me, so keep tempting me cutely to reveal your heart.

In a red tennis dress.

Styling that seems to express a little devil.

‘Ah, it feels like it’s connecting a bit with the first song…’

A numb psychopath playing with emotions,

with completely opposing natures.

‘There was also a lyric in the first song “calling devil more”…! Did it call her out!? No way, it wasn’t delayed to push Hana… even reflecting the timing…?’

But more than any interpretation, what’s important right now is that the music video was a continuous display of destructive beauty and perfect femininity.

‘Topist really… does what the fans want…’

Honestly, even though the first title was perfect in song, performance, and dance, it wouldn’t be right to say I didn’t feel any regrets.

The rookie idol naturally…

‘Should be doing refreshing high teen…’

It’s a concept that can’t be done later.

If it hadn’t happened, I would’ve been jealous of Ailee fans for life.

“Ah, for real… Today, Do-hee’s face is clearer than the water from a first-grade stream, dipping my feet in might drown me… but even if I die, I have no regrets. She’s totally my ideal type… No, did you see Do-hee’s face painting in the music video? It was so unreal how she embodied refreshing vibes on her face…”

“I couldn’t watch the music video properly because of you. You crazy girl.”

“Oh, sorry?”

Home Mama comforted her, saying it would soon be on the official Topist YouTube channel, so they could watch it together when it was released.
My friend couldn’t quite hide her discontent, but she seemed to hold it together since the stage would be starting soon, pulling out her camera.

“Instead, I’ll snap a legendary shot today and share it.”

“Ugh…”

At that moment, the lights flashed on.

There was the little devil from the music video.

Do-hee struck a pose in a tennis dress, facing Chiyo.

Home Mama quickly raised her camera reflexively, snapping a shot.

‘Damn, she showed up with devil horns…! Ha-ah, why are you so cute? Why are you so pretty? I’m losing my mind here…’

*

Do-ah one day escapes her older sister’s embrace.

She gets a boyfriend…

gets married…

and has kids…

I could already picture that whole process in my mind, but I made the mistake of shedding a tear for a moment.

Yet on stage, I was a pro who wiped away all feelings and focused.

The lights hit the stage.

[Ah – Ah – Ah – Ah – Ai]

The intro played.

Of course, you like me too.

The stage that expresses that feeling began.

*

Home Mama was about to lose her mind watching the stage.

[Ah – Ah – Ah – Ah – Ai (seeing me)]

[LOVE i-i-i-in]

Especially this part.

The catchy chorus was so easy that fans were already singing along… even the dance was cute and straightforward.

‘Are they going to join in on this challenge…? They sure will…! Everyone seems like they’ll be following along…!’

Thumping her pelvis back and forth with both arms while leaning her upper body slightly forward with a pouty expression.

Honestly, I knew.

[Pull me in, right

Your trembling heart, right

The love game from start to finish]

Do-hee was a genius whose expressions could go viral even when acting.

Just watching her daily skits with Seo-yoon was overflowing with everyday acting…

‘But… I don’t know how to put it… Today, she’s even cuter and even more pouty…’

If her usual acting was 100% genuine…

This felt like 200% of her true feelings.

She was totally the little devil, sulking because she felt her feelings weren’t understood…!

‘This photo and the stage are bound to go viral…!’

The song, dance, and concept.

This album was definitely a masterpiece!

*

Do-ah felt as frantic as Home Mama.

Of course, her reasons were the exact opposite.

“Seriously, why is my sister like this! Stop looking at me!”

Every time the cute dance had that thumping pelvis, that pouty expression seemed to slyly turn toward her.

Do-ah covered her face with her hands until leaving the showcase venue.

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