【I’ll always be by your side
Receiving the warm light that love gives, let’s walk forward together....】
Before the year-end TV variety show Let’s Go on a School Trip even aired its trailer, WH Entertainment had already taken the lead by uploading a video on their official YouTube channel. It featured Black Call, Hi-Five, and The Dawn singing in front of a carousel ride.
[I love WH (crying emoji)]
[Dirty move WH, you fucking bastards... I came here to curse you out and tell you to get your shit together, but you threw the first punch by hitting us with an attack of harmonies in front of a glittering carousel on a dark night... real WH stans got KO’d and are just crying now...]
[Holy shit holy shit holy shit Chae Jungwoo is singing~~~!!!! Looks like his throat is a lot better now]
[Crying in the middle of the night after seeing Jungwoo sing... turns out I really do love you more than I thought...]
Most comments were about Black Call, especially Chae Jungwoo, but in between there were mentions of Hi-Five and The Dawn.
[The Hi-Five babies are all so nervous & excited, it’s too cute, but why does Kang Yeonhoo look so tired LOOOOL]
[The Dawn babies look like a family, the way they tease each other is too adorable]
[LMAO exactly LOLOLOL look at Kang Ichae poking Seo Hoyun while rapping, at this point it’s a habit]
[Sehyeon, I love you TT_TT Hi-Five is seriously so cute, even just breathing tlqkf]
[Meanwhile our leader looks like his energy is getting drained..]
“Hm.”
Not knowing what it was really like, I scrolled through the seemingly harmless posts with my finger.
Hi-Five was scheduled to have their final comeback of the year soon. The Dawn, in the meantime, had plans for activities in Japan.
‘After the album release it was just a few broadcasts, a K-POP concert, and a fan meeting.’
As domestic popularity grew, recognition in Japan also seemed to rise. The company was actively discussing concerts in Japan for next year. On top of that, Sung Jiwon was almost confirmed to participate in the OST of a drama starring a famous actor, and Jung Dajun had recently been picked as a fixed MC for YuYu Bank.
I flicked through my phone, then shut it off and sprawled on the practice room floor.
From one corner of my vision, a gaudy trophy that had appeared recently spun slowly in the air.
[Unknown Idol Tycoon Clear Conditions!
During December–February, win the Grand Prize at one of the top 3 music award shows. (0/1)
Clear all Main Scenarios. (0/1)]
Below that were words lined up as if signaling the final countdown of this world.
‘The Grand Prize at one of the top 3 music award shows.’
“...Get rid of it.”
With a wave of my hand, the spinning trophy scattered like smoke. Just then, Kim Sunghyun walked in and flinched when he saw me.
“W-what, you’re already here?”
I half-heartedly waved the hand I’d raised and closed my eyes. Soon, I heard the rustling of clothes beside me as Sunghyun sat down nearby.
“Seo Hoyun, you finished your individual lesson?”
“Yeah.”
“Really? Did you eat?”
“Yeah.”
“Vitamins and red ginseng?”
“Yeah.”
“...Hmmhm.”
After a barrage of annoying questions, something warm touched my forehead. I opened my eyes to find myself staring directly at Kim Sunghyun, who had his palm covering my bangs like he was checking my temperature.
“What are you doing.”
“...Nothing, just. You’re being so docile I thought maybe you were sick....”
Mumbling, avoiding my gaze, he stood up, swinging his arms like some middle-aged man out for morning exercise.
Then, his phone buzzed in his back pocket. Grateful for the interruption, he pulled it out quickly—but his face twisted.
“Who is it?”
“Jung Dajun.”
[Jung Dajun: (photo)]
[Jung Dajun: ☆Jung Dajun sortie☆]
On the screen turned toward me was a selfie Dajun had uploaded to The Dawn’s group chat. Wearing a white beret, he posed cutely with the YuYu Bank President Card held up clearly.
[♥DaebakCutiePartySexyHandsomeKangIchae♥: Krrr... our maknae’s a real man, a real man haha]
[Jung Dajun: True lol]
[Sung Jiwon: Hahahaha Dajun, travel safely!]
“...You saved Kang Ichae as that?”
“What... ahk! What the hell is this! Ugh, Kang Ichae....”
Sunghyun grimaced and rushed to change the contact name. Then, looking up suddenly, he hesitated, frowning a little.
“...Seo Hoyun, you think the maknae’s doing okay?”
He better learn to take care of himself now.
I kept my true thoughts to myself and replied flatly.
“As long as he doesn’t break anything, I’ll call it a win.”
“Ugh...”
***
“Hello, I’m Jung Dajun, the new MC of YuYu Bank!”
Meanwhile, contrary to the leader’s worries, Dajun was faithfully carrying out his schedule without major issues.
He even nailed the special MC performance he had prepared for days. Well, aside from accidentally bumping a fluffy cloud prop and nearly toppling the set wall into a broadcast accident right at the start.
“Wow, Dajun-ssi, that stage felt like we were all wrapped up in a cloud~!”
“Like a fluffy cloud, sweet as cotton candy, I, Jung Dajun, as the new president of YuYu Bank, will bring you warm and soft hosting from now on!”
“I’m already so looking forward to it~!”
A heap of Sunghyun’s patience, Jiwon’s meticulousness, a spoon of Ichae’s slyness, a pinch of Seo Hoyun’s shamelessness, and a mountain of his own freshness!
Dajun even skillfully used the strengths he’d secretly picked up from his hyungs. A little awkward on his first day, but that too came across as fresh charm.
Smiling brightly, he cheerfully read even the most embarrassing lines in the script without hesitation. His senior MC, infamous for being strict, kept praising him whenever the cameras were off.
“Wow, Dajun-ssi, your script delivery is no joke. Impressive~.”
“Ahaha, really?! Thank you! I’ll work even harder!”
Dajun already knew idols were judged mostly on visible image.
So he bowed politely to eye-catching cast members and memorized the script over and over whenever he had a chance.
He clapped passionately for the rookie group that took first place and even smiled warmly at TEW, despite their unpleasant history in Shining Star Season 2.
“Man, choosing Dajun as MC was a good call.”
“Uhuhut, I’ll brag about that when I get back to the company~.”
When the PD said, “Let’s keep working together!” Dajun replied, “From now on I’ll only use crying emojis!!” That silly flattery amused the main PD, who laughed and patted his shoulder before leaving.
“Good work!!”
He bowed 90 degrees, then recalled the road manager’s instructions and went to the waiting room to stay until pickup.
Pulling out his phone on the sofa, he saw messages stacked up from the members.
[Hoyun-hyung: Doing okay?]
“Hmmm.”
Reading the top message, Dajun propped his chin on his hand and stared at the words.
‘Lately, Hoyun-hyung... seems a little suspicious.’
At the core, nothing had changed.
Still cynical, still curt, still throwing mischievous teasing now and then.
But strangely, he gave off a softer vibe.
Even during the recent variety filming. Normally, Hoyun would’ve thrown out a cutting remark or scolded him, but instead he just laughed, saying he had fun.
“...Ugh.”
Thinking about it again gave him chills.
‘It’s probably nothing.’
Shaking his head to dispel the unease, he stood up.
Heading for the restroom, he opened the stairwell door—only to hear someone talking on the phone.
“Ugh, seriously pissing me off.”
Taking a single step down, Dajun came face-to-face with TEW’s main vocal, Jung Wonha.
“They said the MC spot was originally mine, but what the hell is WH. He can’t do shit on his own, just rides on his company and members’ backs, and it pisses me off. I’m bowing my head to the floor greeting people, and he just nods like he’s too important now....”
Wonha’s mouth spilled raw backbiting. But in the cutthroat industry it wasn’t unusual, and Dajun didn’t want trouble, so he tried to slip away quietly.
“—Exactly like this guy.”
At that moment, Wonha grabbed his shoulder.
Startled, Dajun turned. Wonha hung up and looked down at him with a tilted head.
“Hey, aren’t you going to greet me?”
“...Me?”
Wonha answered with a jerk of his chin. Dajun scratched his head, then did as asked. It wasn’t that hard, after all.
“You were on the phone, sorry. Hello.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while. Must be nice, Dajun-ssi. Lucked into the YuYu Bank MC gig.”
As The Dawn grew more known, so did the jealousy and envy. And since he seemed like the easiest target, most of it fell on him.
So by now, Dajun could read between the lines.
“Come to think of it, you didn’t really do anything, just happened to join a mediocre company, caught a bus at the right time, and got the title of competition winner, and then turned into a big agency idol.”
That means: I’m jealous of your miracle.
“So, still not dragging your hyungs down?”
That means: I’m jealous you have capable hyungs to support you.
“I don’t think you’re MC material, though....”
That means: I’m just bitter I lost the spot.
As the useless babble went on, Dajun started singing the national anthem in his head.
“Until the East Sea’s waters and Mt. Baekdu dry up and wear away—”
From verse one to four, then even humming Connected’s Icarus version, but the lecture disguised as a scolding showed no sign of ending.
‘When will this be over....’
Truthfully, Wonha had always rubbed him the wrong way. Back in Shining Star Season 2, Wonha’s provocation had rattled him so badly he blanked an entire line on stage.
He’d never told the members, but since then, every time they met at the station, Wonha would sneer or ignore him.
Dajun pretended to rub his ear, deciding he’d lay out today’s events to the hyungs when he got back.
‘But better leave Wonha out. No need to worry them....’
If he did mention it, Jiwon would probably see through him immediately, pat his head and say he endured well. Sunghyun would hover, worried, while Ichae would be curious about his reaction.
And Seo Hoyun would....
“......”
...Smile in that spine-chilling way?
Whenever something irritated him, Hoyun would twitch just one corner of his mouth upward.
Thinking that far, Dajun’s eyes lit up suddenly with an idea.
‘Wait, could it be...?’
Seo Hoyun sensitive to provocations? = O
Seo Hoyun likes rampaging? = O
Does Dajun want Seo Hoyun back to normal? = O
“...Wh-what’s with your face?”
So is Wonha the perfect bait right now? = O? X?
Noticing something off, Wonha narrowed his eyes at him. No way he’d think Dajun was recording after he himself # Nоvеlight # had just grabbed him.
And soon, once people started moving more, with elevator access limited, someone was bound to use the stairwell.
“...By the way, sunbaenim.”
Seizing the chance, Dajun spoke slowly.
“I didn’t mean to overhear, but... I was wondering about what you said. Did you want the MC job but lost it because of me?”
“...What, what?”
The little smirk at the edge of Dajun’s lips looked a lot like a certain someone’s.
“Hmm, then why not appeal to the PD directly? Like, ‘Jung Wonha is the true heir of YuYu Bank! No cloud fluffier, no cotton candy sweeter than me exists!’ Something like that... hehe.”
“Are you insane?!”
Perfect timing—the emergency exit door burst open. Passing music show staff and some rookie idols heard Wonha’s raised voice.
When Wonha reached out again, Dajun exaggeratedly flinched and darted behind a shocked staff member’s back.
“Dajun-ssi, is it okay to speak so rudely to your sunbae?”
“Jung Wonha-ssi, what are you doing?! Were you yelling just now?”
“Hey, do you know what he said to me? Look at him pretending to be all innocent.”
“All right, all right, calm down first!”
Flushed red, Wonha thumped his chest in frustration.
Meanwhile, the one who had triggered this whole mess, Jung Dajun, just blinked in mild daze.
‘Uh oh....’
He really took the bait way too easily....
