Four weeks later.
“Good job today, everyone!”
“Thanks for your hard work!”
This week’s music show appearance was wrapping up the rookie group Rookies’ debut album activities.
After finishing our morning studio recording, we collapsed like rag dolls in the waiting room.
But despite our exhausted bodies, our hearts were full.
In the past month, Rookies’ Secret Girl had dominated the charts, leading to a dictatorship of first place on music shows.
Of course, there had been some issues along the way.
[In the third week of July, the top spot goes to…! Congratulations! It’s Python’s Poison Heart!]
Just a few days ago, on one of the music programs, Music Show Show, we had lost our first place to Python.
Honestly, it’s not easy for a newly debuted girl group to maintain first place across all music shows for several weeks in a row.
Our Rookies members had made peace with the idea that we wouldn’t claim first place anymore starting week three….
But losing to Python, a group we had been competing with all along, was indeed a shock.
Still…, it wasn’t like we lost our first place in every single show, plus we had achieved the remarkable record of being number one for three consecutive weeks on all shows….
The members’ faces were filled with satisfaction.
“It’s been really tough for the last month….”
“Right?”
“But I heard the company is going to give us a vacation after this activity.”
“Really? Who said that?”
“Director Jeong!”
So, having now become accustomed to the music shows, we spent the long waiting time napping and chatting to pass the time.
However….
“…Uh-oh, it’s almost 5 o’clock.”
“…Looks like it’s starting soon.”
When the broadcast time approached, my heart couldn’t help but race.
Rookies and Python were in the same debut album activity period.
This meant it was also Python’s last music show, just like ours.
During our activity period, we had, riding on Na Ah Ah’s explosive popularity, utterly crushed Python.
Yet just days ago, we lost our number one spot, and now the situation was neck and neck.
All of us, including me, wanted to finish this last music show with a victory.
So, we watched the broadcast with a slightly tense atmosphere.
Our spot in the lineup was just before the ending stage, which was Python’s.
“Seriously, they’re pulling every trick on us until the end. How unfair….”
“I heard the director of Music Boom Boom is a junior under Shin PD. Apparently, that guy really hates Shin PD, which is why we’re getting the short end of the stick.”
“Ugh…. We also really hated Shin PD….”
Our Rookies group had never had the ending stage on Music Boom Boom before.
I thought it was just hardcore discrimination against cable idols like us, but there was a backstory.
Shin PD was the type of person who would never help us, even after death (but he’s not dead).
Thus, we could only feel more tense.
The music show rankings aren’t really that fair…
It could be influenced by the director’s personal opinions.
“…It’s over.”
Bang!
“Alright, Rookies, it’s time to move!”
Just like that, Python’s last stage ended….
“Let’s go, girls.”
“Yes.”
As soon as we opened the door and stepped outside, we ran into Python members wearing the exact same outfits as we had seen on screen.
“…Uh.”
“…….”
It seemed like the stage we just saw was their pre-recording too.
By the way, after O Ah-ra caught information from me a month ago, she had been ignoring me like a lie.
This time, when O Ah-ra walked past, ignoring me and Rookies….
“Hello.”
“Yes.”
We exchanged only brief and awkward greetings as we headed to the stage.
Standing on stage and looking down at the audience, a myriad of fans welcomed us with deafening cheers.
“Waaaaah-!!”
“Rookies-!!”
“Python-!!!”
The audience was divided between fans waving pink lightsticks representing Rookies and fans waving purple ones for Python.
That scene seemed to illustrate the fierce rivalry between Rookies and Python in the current idol scene.
I think because of that, the gazes of the other idols on stage…, and even the MCs were all fixed on us.
Thanks to that, I gulped nervously.
This wasn’t just an announcement of music show rankings.
It was a matter of pride between Rookies and Python.
No, for me, this was more than just a proud battle.
[Unique Quest]
[Task: Become the best idol.]
[Penalty for failure: Void.]
[Reward for success: One thing you desire most.]
I wasn’t quite sure what exactly being the “best idol” meant….
But I felt if we won this last show, we could take one step closer to completing the quest.
And it wasn’t just me who felt that way….
“…….”
O Ah-ra from Python had a look on her face that said she would never let this first place go as she locked eyes with me.
So, the stage heated up with the rivalry between Rookies and Python.
And also between O Ah-ra and me.
“Alright! Shall we meet the winner of the third week of July on Music Boom Boom?!”
The MC began excitedly.
The MC introduced the top three candidates.
The first candidate was a ballad singer who had never once topped a music show but had managed to stay relevant on the charts.
The second nominee was Python.
“Waaaaah-!”
And the third nominee was our Rookies.
“Waaaaah-!!”
“Ohhhhh-!!”
Perhaps sensing Python’s presence, the cheers from our Rookies fans erupted even louder.
“Phew.”
Of course, it could have been a meaningless act, but it somehow gave me strength.
Suddenly, I felt like we wouldn’t lose.
[So let’s check it out together!]
Chirarararak.
With that, I was able to scan the chart rising on the monitor with a more relaxed mind.
[Digital Music Category]
[Album Sales Category]
‘……Huh.’
Was it because I was intensely focused?
Or was it some skill automatically activated?
Pahat!
Before the results were out, I could already tell which team was leading from the numbers on the chart.
‘We won…!’
Rookies were clearly ahead.
However, the instant the name of the artist who won first place appeared on the monitor…!
“……Huh?”
“……What?”
The members and I froze in place.
It was no wonder…
[Wanting to see you and the wildflowers at the same time – Kim Na-bak]
[Congratulations-!! Senior Kim Na-bak’s Wanting to see you and the wildflowers at the same time has taken first place!!]
For the final music show of the season, the winner was not Rookies or Python, but a famous ballad singer.
“AAAH-!!”
“AHH-!”
Rookies and Python fans simultaneously held their heads in despair.
In contrast, my fellow Rookies members and I….
“Phew….”
“Haah…”
Let out sighs of relief.
For the members, this music show ranking had been about pride.
Of course, it would have been nice if Rookies had taken first place, but since Python hadn’t either, we managed to dodge the worst.
I wondered if it wasn’t just us thinking like this; members on Python’s side were also seen heaving sighs of relief.
And….
“……”
O Ah-ra looked at the ballad singer on the screen with a disdainful expression, then…
Swish.
She looked back at me and shook her head.
It seemed like O Ah-ra thought Python would undoubtedly take first place this time.
‘She was definitely that much of a threat.’
Our Rookies debuted with the explosive popularity of the program Na Ah Ah and raced ahead of the other groups.
But Python had followed closely behind us purely on skill.
‘If our next music activity overlaps…, I can’t say for sure we’ll win next time.’
As I worriedly watched O Ah-ra’s departing figure, other Rookies members approached me.
“Sister! You worked hard until now!”
“Great job for the month!”
“Ah…, I’m a bit disappointed we couldn’t take first place for the finale.”
“Still, we held the number one spot for three weeks straight! That’s impressive enough.”
Right….
Even though not winning first place in the final music show was disappointing, as Yoo Seol said, our Rookies had a remarkable record of being number one across all music shows for a month and for three consecutive weeks.
‘Rookies are bound to flop soon anyway.’
O Ah-ra’s words about Rookies crashing soon seemed contradictory to the results.
I smiled and lightly embraced the other Rookies members.
Thus, Rookies’ debut music activities were successfully wrapped up.
“Thank you, everyone!”
“Director Jeong!”
When we returned to the waiting room, Director Jeong was there to welcome us.
As soon as the members saw Director Jeong, they smiled and rushed over.
And….
“Now that the activities are over, we can rest, right?”
“I heard you’d give us a vacation! Are we leaving right away?”
“…Haha, calm down.”
Just like students at the end of a term, they started causing a ruckus.
Seeing the members, Director Jeong smiled awkwardly before continuing.
“First…, I did promise to give you a vacation after this last music show, but I’m sorry to say there are two urgent schedules that need to be handled before the vacation!”
“Excuse me?”
“What do you mean….”
Upon hearing more work was still left, the members expressed their dissatisfaction.
And….
“The first schedule is a fan signing event.”
They were silenced at the mention of the fan signing event.
In fact, Rookies had endured countless pleas for not holding fan signing events until now.
We had to do a fan signing event for the fans who had been waiting so long.
Thus, the members slowly nodded….
“What’s the second schedule?”
They inquired about the second schedule.
“The second will likely be a program you’ve never heard of before. It’s called [Idol One Heart Sports Day]… and it’s scheduled before the fan signing event.”
“[Idol One Heart Sports Day]?”
The unfamiliar name left the members perplexed, and Park Yoo-jung raised her hand to ask a question.
“Is it like [Idol Olympics]?
A famous broadcasting network’s show featuring idols competing in sports, commonly known as the Idol Olympics.
However, Idol Olympics only airs during holidays like Chuseok or Seollal, so the timing was off.
“Oh, it’s not Idol Olympics. This [Idol One Heart Sports Day] is a program from Nnet.”
“Oh, Nnet….”
“Yes. They asked us to attend because they’re apparently quite eager about this one.”
Our Rookies were a girl group born from Nnet’s program Na Ah Ah.
Since NAS Entertainment was also the parent company of Nnet, there was a close relationship too.
It would be difficult to easily turn down a request from Nnet.
“Sure, why not? If they want us, we should go.”
“I like that it has a vibe similar to Na Ah Ah Sports Day.”
Fortunately, the members readily agreed.
To be honest, the members had already appeared on a studio entertainment show once over the past month, so the pressure about being on broadcast was somewhat lessened.
The members didn’t seem to be disappointed there wouldn’t be any vacation and accepted the schedule, causing Director Jeong to brighten up and continue.
“Thank you for your understanding! And this appearance will surely help with Rookies’ future activities. The lineup of participants is quite impressive.”
“Speaking of which, since it’s a sports day concept, it sounds like there will be a ton of idols participating. Which groups are joining?”
“All three major agencies will participate. YW has Python and Black Night joining… and JJ will….”
“…Wait a minute, Director Jeong. Who did you say from YW?”
“Hmm? Python and Black Night….”
Python didn’t concern me.
Even if they were a competing group, they didn’t directly harm us.
But the moment Black Night’s name came from Director Jeong’s mouth….
Shh.
The faces of my Rookies members except for myself began to harden.
And then….
Clump, clump.
With determined expressions, they started to huddle around me in a circle to protect me.
“…Huh? Why are you all acting like this….”
Director Jeong looked puzzled at the members so I wondered why they were so sensitive.
To explain it, I had to dig into the past month’s events.
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