Chapter 82: Level Up (2)

"Eek? This is our schedule?"

"More practice again."

"We finally escaped being trainees, but we still can't escape the practice room."

We were disheartened when we saw the schedule the manager gave us.

But we still needed to talk about the next activity.

"Manager, what's the plan for our next activity?"

"Curious?"

"Yes!!"

"Hehe, you're so cute. Originally, it was going to be a single. But your reaction was so good that if things go well, it might become a mini-album."

"Wow!"

"Mini! Mini! Mini!"

"Manager, what's the concept?"

"You're really excited, aren't you?"

"Of course, we're excited!"

"Even after seeing the practice schedule?"

"Hehe, that's a problem for future me."

The members were thrilled at the mention of a mini-album.

We debuted with a full album thanks to the company's massive financial support.

But that was unusual in today's trends.

These days, even good songs are consumed quickly and forgotten, like disposable items.

So, most agencies release single albums with 1-2 songs instead of full albums with many tracks.

Even if a full album is released, most people only listen to the title track.

"Do you know what it means for the company to care so much?"

The manager's words made Woo-yeon nod innocently.

"Yes."

"This level of investment is unheard of in our country. We have to make it big overseas. If it's decided to be a mini-album, are you confident you can do well?"

"Of course, we can do well!"

"Trust us. We can do it."

The other members also eagerly agreed, wanting the mini-album.

'It's obvious they've already decided on the mini-album, but these innocent kids don't know and are trying hard to convince us.'

Dealing with energetic kids requires skill, but being the subject of it doesn't feel great.

"Hmm, okay. Then I'll strongly push for the mini-album."

"Wow!! Thank you!"

"Manager is the best!"

"Yes! Mini-album!"

Even the usually calm Kang Jun was excited about the mini-album.

"Will the songs be outsourced again?"

"Songs? Why the sudden interest in songs?"

"It doesn't seem like the concept is set yet, so we thought about what we'd like to do. We discussed it among ourselves."

Jackie carefully handed the manager a notebook with the members' opinions.

"Wow, you thought of all this? Impressive~"

The manager took the notebook like a child delivering a love letter to their parents.

'It's clear what will happen to that notebook.'

He'll read it.

But it won't stay in his mind for long.

He'll just think, "Aww, cute kids," and that's it.

Jackie, still a 19-year-old kid, thinks the manager will take it seriously because he handed it over.

I have to say something.

"We're young and inexperienced, but we've trained hard. We have ambitions. So, please take this seriously."

"…Uh? Oh…really? Okay. I'll take it seriously."

The manager realized I was serious and changed his attitude.

He understood that I didn't want our ideas to be dismissed as childish.

His gaze towards me changed slightly.

'Whatever.'

I met the manager's gaze stoically.

The manager awkwardly smiled and said to us,

"Practice hard. The fans are really looking forward to it, you know?"

"Yes!!"

"We will!"

The members, oblivious to the atmosphere, were touched that the manager would take our ideas seriously.

They're all more skilled than me.

I don't know how much better they want to get.

'Aren't you already good enough among idols?'

If they improve too quickly, it'll be tough for me to keep up.

But I have reliable coins, so it's not a big deal.

"…Is this my schedule? It's so different from the others'."

The manager called me separately and gave me a special schedule.

"You'll be busy with everything except the gym. It might hurt your pride, but you're lacking in singing and dancing compared to the others."

"Yes, I know."

"Don't feel too bad about this."

"I don't. It's the truth. Why are you being so careful? I know I've practiced the least. You don't need to worry about me."

The manager sighed in relief when I responded calmly.

"Anyway, this issue is sensitive because it involves pride. As expected, good-looking people have good personalities too. I think I mentioned this before, but your face is your skill. You know that, right?"

I know. I realized the power of this face during the photo shoot with May.

Those photos were so powerful that I almost became a narcissist.

"I know."

"Haha, you're getting smoother. Looks like you're losing your rookie vibe."

The manager laughed and smiled proudly.

"I practice when the others practice, when they rest, and even when they go to the gym, I practice."

"You manage your body well. You don't need to lose weight, and you look better with a bit more weight. So, I minimized your gym time."

"Good decision. I think the same. I don't have a tendency to gain weight easily."

I can manage my body with coins.

So, there's no need to spend too much time at the gym.

"You'll get a healthy diet, not a weight-loss one."

"Completely trusting me, huh?"

"We're not that harsh. We protect new idols because they don't know anything. That's why we pushed you hard."

"Yes. Thank you for your concern."

This is tough.

I was confident with my coins, but today showed me I still have a long way to go.

The team is planning to improve my skills, the weak link in the next album….

'If that's what they want, I'll meet their expectations.'

It was time to level up.

? ? ?

One month into intense practice.

The details of the mini-album were finalized.

August 9th.

We will make our comeback with a newly prepared mini-album.

It's early June now.

With about three months to prepare, the mini-album is becoming more complete each day.

"We should record last. You're improving so fast that if we record now, the song will sound completely different by the comeback. It's not just Hae-sol; everyone's skills are improving rapidly."

The producer of the mini-album praised us.

But the praise didn't make us embarrassed or burdened.

I also thought my singing skills had improved significantly over the past month.

This album includes a high-difficulty song besides the main track, created by Jackie. It's the song the producer mentioned should be recorded later.

"Jackie, what do you think? Your opinion is the most important since it's your song."

"Thank you for considering. Then let's postpone this song."

"Exactly! No matter how long you practice as a trainee, you improve the most during actual activities. You've all improved so much."

"But if we start recording, that's all we'll be able to do, right?"

"Of course. We can't give up on making better songs because of your lack of skill. We have to refine and perfect it. Hahaha!"

Producer Chan Jeong-yeon laughed and scratched his shiny head.

"But how do you improve so fast? Are you taking some kind of tonic? Even with debut experience, this improvement is unbelievable."

"Uh…it's the love for our fans, the gaze of other fandoms, and competition…."

"That's your secret?"

"Yes."

The producer was surprised that there was a secret and that it was something unexpected.

But what Jack iesaid was true.

We don't want to disappoint our fans, so we practice harder. The anxious and fearful gazes of other fandoms keep us motivated.

The members also said they were shocked by my improvement and practiced harder because of it.

"It's true."

"Hae-sol's skills a month ago and now are worlds apart. Seeing that makes me anxious. I can't just sit back and do nothing."

"I'm the least skilled, but you're all ganging up on me. Think about how I feel, you jerks."

I had to speak up. These kids are disrespecting their elders.

"No! You have the looks. But if you improve your skills too, what will we do?"

"Hahaha! Eungyu is right. Hae-sol is already perfect in visuals. If you improve your skills too, the others will be anxious."

"Ugh, are we done recording? I have to go practice."

"Yeah, yeah. You're busy. Go ahead. What about the others?"

"We don't have any schedules after recording. But we still need to practice. We can't let Haesol catch up to us."

"Hae-sol is working hard."

"Thank you for noticing. We don't have much time left, so I'll go. Take care."

I left the recording studio and headed to the practice room.

Normally, the walk to the practice room would be heavy, but today my steps were light.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Is the teacher here?"

"Come in."

I opened the door and saw a familiar woman stretching in a white tank top and leggings.

Why does the singing teacher always stretch?

She likes to exercise, but….

Crack!

"Are you trying to seduce me by exercising when I'm supposed to be here, or do you show this to other men too?"

"! Oh~!"

"Tell me quickly. Do you shake your butt like this for other men too?"

"No!! Who else is here besides you?"

"Hmm, really?"

"Yes."

I needed to check if Bok-soon was telling the truth.

Of course, it was an excuse for sex.

"I need to check to believe you. Take off your panties."

"Did you lock the door?"

"Of course. It's not the first time."

"What if Ahyeon suddenly comes in like last time?"

My meetings with Bok-soon resumed after I debuted and started activities.

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