Chapter 301: First Full Album (37)

Chapter 301: First Full Album (37)

- And the final champion of this season's Pick Mew Up is...

“Wow, why is this so nerve-wracking?" Gun-Seok commented, his voice trembling with palpable tension.

I sneaked a glance at my teammates. Joo-Han appeared disinterested since his attention was not really captured since there was no prize at stake. However, he managed to feign a mild curiosity while the rest of the members were utterly engrossed.

I mirrored the general anxiety and adopted a tense expression as I turned to face the director. Excluding Joo-Han, everyone’s gaze was intensely fixed on the director as he excitedly made the announcement.

- Team Kang Joo-Han!

“Yeeeeesssss!!!"

“Woooooahhhhh!!!!"

Ji Byeok-San, Kim Do-Rim, and On Jung-Woo erupted in cheers. They quickly lifted me and Joo-Han up and enveloped us in a joyous group embrace. They bounced around jubilantly while sharing their victory in spirited leaps. Team Red Riding Hood Cha Cha was frustrated by their loss, angrily tossing their props aside.

“Ah, I knew it! How could we possibly win against that?"

“How can anyone beat Allure, exaggerated acting, and even a shattered toilet? It's absurd!"

- Today's Slacker is Team Kang Joo-Han. This means that in the next shoot, Team Kang Joo-Han will enjoy beneficial advantages and some delightful snacks.

“Yay!!! But, Director, our Chronos friends also worked hard. Do you have something for them?"

Ji Byeok-San's question sparked a gleam in Joo-Han's eyes.

- Usually, we don’t let people leave empty-handed. We’ve prepared gifts for our Chronos friends as well, though just for the two members of Team Cha Cha.

“Ah! It would be so much better if everyone received the same rewards, considering we all put in the same effort."

“You are so cruel, terribly cruel." Joo So-Dam and Gun-Seok complained with a hint of sorrow in their eyes, but the director merely grinned and playfully dismissed their pleas.

- Byeok-San, could you give us the closing remarks?

“Yes! With that, today's Slacker title proudly goes to our Team “Kang Joo-Han!” We promise to bring even more thrilling competitions to you next week at our first Slacker branch! Until next week, then. Goodbye everyone!”

“Great job everyone!"

“Hard work pays off!"

And with that, the filming for Slacker Number One came to a close. Despite the members having rolled around in laughter during the shoot, the exhaustion was evident as they instantly fell asleep the moment they boarded the car after today’s relentless schedule of back-to-back shoots for songs and variety shows.

“Hyun-Woo, try to get some rest too," Tae-Seong gently suggested.

I let sleep take over after a slight nod, comforted by the rhythm of the moving car.

***

“Great job!"

“Congratulations on taking the number one spot!"

In the immediate aftermath of the music broadcast’s thrilling announcement that declared we got first place, a wave of exuberant celebrations washed over everyone. Amidst the celebration, Yoon-Chan stood apart, his face clouded and expression somber.

“The blue sea, the glaring sun obscured by trees, and you... amidst the shadows..."

These were the lyrics from Yoon-Chan's solo song “Forest” which I had penned for him. He murmured them under his breath. His movements were hesitant as he practiced the choreography he had hastily memorized just hours before.

Moments earlier, he had seemed completely immersed in his performance of “Phantom Spirit” on the broadcast, but now, his anxiety about the upcoming performances was palpable as the studio lights dimmed.

His face was a transparent display of worry. This was typical for Yoon-Chan, especially today, with the looming pressure of his first solo performance recording.

“It's alright, man! Why are you so worried when you are already nailing it? You were flawless during the last rehearsal," Goh Yoo-Joon boomed, his voice echoing off the studio walls as he wrapped his arms around Yoon-Chan in a comforting bear hug. He was trying to shake off his nerves.

- Keywords: Mystical, Dreamy, Beautiful, Fantasy

I'd like to meet in person to discuss the details. Please reply to the email sent and use 'Reply All.' If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Kind regards, Kim Seong-Woo]

“Sirens...?”

What was this? The name hadn’t been decided yet, but the concept was clearly marked as 'Sirens.’

***

The next day, a self-cam shoot for the game variety show Newbie Crew took place. Perhaps due to the show’s low ratings and tight budget, all members had to film themselves up until they met on the actual set, and today's filming location was an internet cafe.

Today was the day for a meet-up in the virtual world of One Hours, not in reality. Some of the cast, who were close, had decided to film together. Ji-Hyuk and I were among them.

“Hyun-Woo!"

“Hey, Ji-Hyuk hyung. Long time no see."

As soon as Ji-Hyuk arrived at the internet cafe, he made a ruckus and darted around before finally settling at the counter and calling out to me.

“Man, it’s my first time at an internet cafe. Do they really sell ramen and fried rice here? Wow, they really have a reception desk over there!”

Our nobleman seemed fascinated by everything. I nodded nonchalantly and took a seat.

“What do you want to eat, Hyun-Woo? It’s on me today. Fried rice? Ramen? Sausage? Fried rice with cheese? Eggs too?"

“I will have ramen..."

“With cheese? Or eggs?"

“No, I’m fine with anything, but hyung, more importantly—"

“I will have the ramen with extra cheese and eggs, please~ And for me—"

“..."

It seemed like Ji-Hyuk was completely preoccupied with food, so I decided to start up the computer and check if One Hours was installed.

After powering up Ji-Hyuk’s PCs and seeing that the game was indeed installed, I sat down and stared intensely at Ji-Hyuk as he continued to obsess over the food menu.

“Uh... Hyung..."

“Should I get some sausage too?"

“No, wait, stop that and come here, hyung."

It looked like he would need to create his character first. But more importantly, does he even know how to play?

“Just a moment, Hyun-Woo. Let me just order this. They have butter egg rice! Wow, that’s no joke."

“No, hyung..." I wondered whether he had come here to eat or to shoot. “...I will also have egg rice."

I gave up and just launched One Hours on both computers.

“Ji-Hyuk, do you like magic wands?"

“Huh? Like Cha Cha?"

“No, magic wands..." I planned to start by finding a class that might interest him.

1. In Korean mythology, "???" (Sirens) are often depicted as mystical and alluring creatures, similar to the Western concept of sirens in Greek mythology. These beings are known for their enchanting voices and beauty, which they use to lure sailors to their doom with their irresistible songs. ☜