Chapter 77 - Do You Have a Moment?

A holiday morning.

Baek Hyeon-woo arrived at the train station having put pomade in his hair, styled it in a 2:8 side part, and even put on sunglasses.

‘I kind of look like a suspicious person.’

No matter how he looked at it, it felt awkward, but it couldn't be helped.

Right now, Baek Hyeon-woo was a bit of a celebrity among idol fans.

This was because after episode 6 of 'The Idol', his face had also been revealed in a Shorts video on 'The Idol's' official account.

For that reason, he had no choice but to disguise himself as if he were a celebrity.

“Ah, you're here?”

When he arrived at the meeting spot, Seo Na-eun, wearing thick horn-rimmed glasses, was waiting.

Her hair was tied up in an updo, twisted on top of her head, and her makeup style was also different from usual.

Her clothing style also had a modest feel, so it seemed no one would notice that she was Newstarz's leader, Seo Na-eun.

“You're early. Have you been waiting long?”

“No, but…”

Seo Na-eun stared intently at Baek Hyeon-woo.

“What is it?”

“Oh, it's just that you look pretty cool today.”

“Do I…?”

I thought I looked really awkward.

It seemed it suited Seo Na-eun's taste.

“Th-Then, shall we go now? There's still some time before the train departs.”

“Yeah, it's better to move with time to spare.”

Today, Baek Hyeon-woo and Seo Na-eun were scheduled to take a train and head to a beach on the west coast.

This was because Seo Na-eun had asked him to 'take her to the sea'.

However, it wasn't to go play in the water at the sea.

“Super Marine Festival, I've only heard its name, but thanks to you, Na-eun, I got a chance to see it.”

Super Marine Festival.

It's a festival held every summer on the west coast.

Various events are held, such as a mud experience using the beach's mud, so tourists even come from overseas.

However, this Super Marine Festival also receives considerable attention from people in the music industry.

This is because the music broadcast 'Music Big Show' from the major network MBS holds a special broadcast at the Super Marine Festival every summer.

“I'm sorry. It's because I really wanted to see this 'Music Big Show'...”

“No, you must want to see it since a singer you like is appearing.”

This was the reason Seo Na-eun had said she wanted to go to the sea.

Because it was a rare opportunity to see a live performance by a singer she liked.

“Because there aren't many opportunities to see WAVE in person.”

WAVE is a 4-member co-ed group that has been active for 15 years.

They release a new song every summer, but they barely appear on broadcasts.

The one broadcast that such a WAVE definitely appears on every year is the 'Music Big Show' summer special, held at the Super Marine Festival.

“Because WAVE is a group that thoroughly sticks to the summer sea concept...”

“Sticking to that kind of concept for 15 years is also amazing.”

They say that until now, Newstarz has never appeared on the 'Music Big Show' summer special, so they have never once run into WAVE.

That's why they decided to go see them in person this time.

“Actually, when you suddenly said you wanted to go to the sea, I was a bit nervous.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Because I didn't have a swimsuit and thought I was in big trouble.”

He can't even remember the last time he went to a beach or a swimming pool.

“But if we're just going to see a performance, then it probably doesn't matter.”

If Seo Na-eun had wanted to go swimming, it would have gotten a bit awkward, but fortunately, it seemed Seo Na-eun's only purpose was the 'Music Big Show' summer special.

Even if they watch the Super Marine Festival and come back, there would be no need to get into swimsuits.

That's why in Baek Hyeon-woo's bag, there were no things like a swimsuit or a change of clothes.

Since it was a day trip anyway.

“Uh… then did you by any chance only bring your regular clothes?”

However, Seo Na-eun made a flustered expression.

“Because of the mud experience event there, there are many people walking around covered in mud, and they also do things like water-splashing events, so you have to wear an outfit that's okay to get wet...”

“……”

Baek Hyeon-woo was silent for a moment.

Right now, there isn't enough time to go buy clothes at the shopping mall connected to the train station.

“What should I do...?”

“Y-You can just buy them there and wear them. Though it'll be a bit expensive...”

He hasn't even left yet, and things are getting complicated.

Baek Hyeon-woo felt an ominous premonition for some reason.

……

“By the way, Na-eun-ah, I think we need to be careful with how we address each other.”

“Yes? Ah, you're right.”

As he said that while sitting down in the train seat, Seo Na-eun hurriedly nodded.

“Because if we call each other like we usually do, it'll be too obvious...”

Usually, Seo Na-eun calls Baek Hyeon-woo 'Manager-nim'.

Calling him that here would be like advertising that she's a celebrity.

“Then… may I call you Hyeon-woo-ssi?”

“Hyeon-woo-ssi? Do you think that's better?”

“Would you prefer I call you something else?”

“No, whatever is comfortable for you to call me is good.”

“Ah, I understand, Hyeon-woo-ssi.”

Seo Na-eun avoided his gaze with a somehow shy expression.

“It'll take about two and a half hours, so you can take a nap.”

“Ah, no. It's okay, Hyeon-woo-ssi.”

It was Seo Na-eun who had said she would stay awake, but she fell asleep quickly after they departed.

It seemed the train's vibration and the white noise had induced sleep.

‘She must have been tired from continuous practice even after 'The Idol', so she should get some rest at a time like this.’

Currently, Newstarz is concentrating on practicing their new song.

Because they have to appear once on each music broadcast to coincide with the song's release, they had to become as proficient as possible with the new song by then.

In particular, they were paying a lot of attention to raising the completeness of the choreography.

‘I am correcting each and every movement with my Silhouette ability, but it's still not enough.’

When today's outing is over, they have to go into intense practice again starting tomorrow.

Baek Hyeon-woo was planning on raising the level of completeness while utilizing his Silhouette ability to the fullest.

‘To get 1st place on a music show, we have to appear on a lot of broadcasts too. We're going to get incredibly busy.’

That's not all.

The HBS drama 'Unshakeable Dynasty', in which Kim So-yeong is appearing, will also be entering full-scale filming.

On top of that, he is also scheduled to film the observation variety show with TVX's PD Kim Jun-hyeok.

In this variety show, Baek Hyeon-woo was also scheduled to appear as Newstarz's manager.

‘Ah, I had to hire a new road manager too.’

There were really a lot of things to do.

Baek Hyeon-woo felt a sense of fatigue and closed his eyes.

It seemed he should take a nap until they arrived.

‘It's nice to be able to sleep while traveling. Since I usually had to drive.’

Thinking such thoughts, Baek Hyeon-woo slowly fell asleep.

……

[...we will be arriving at the station. Please prepare in advance. Thank you. We will soon…]

He woke up at the sound of the announcement.

As Baek Hyeon-woo stirred and opened his eyes, a strange sound was suddenly heard.

“Kyaa!”

“……?”

When he raised his head, he saw Seo Na-eun, who had been sitting in the next seat, pulling her body away with a flustered expression.

“What's wrong?”

“Ah, I wasn't doing anything! Really!”

“……?”

Why on earth is she acting like that?

He felt a bit bewildered, seeing that side of Seo Na-eun as soon as he woke up from sleep.

‘Don't tell me she pulled some kind of prank while I was sleeping?’

He had that thought for a moment, but he immediately shook his head.

It would be one thing if it were Laura or Kanade, but there's no way Seo Na-eun, a model student among model students, would do such a thing.

“Ah, we have to get off now.”

Since it was the station where they had to get off soon, he prepared to get off without prying any further.

It seemed most of the other people were also getting off here.

“There are a ton of people.”

“I know...”

As soon as they got off at the station, Baek Hyeon-woo and Seo Na-eun came face to face with an enormous crowd.

It seemed it would be difficult if they got separated from each other while passing through that crowd.

“Na-eun-ah, this won't do. Grab here.”

“Huh?”

“I think it'll be a headache if we get separated here. When there are this many people, cell phone reception probably won't be good either.”

As Baek Hyeon-woo spoke, slinging the crossbody bag he had on his right shoulder diagonally, Seo Na-eun's eyes widened.

“H-Hyeon-woo-ssi, but holding hands is a bit...”

Trailing off her words, Seo Na-eun reached out her hand toward Baek Hyeon-woo's right arm.

She carefully grabbed onto the forearm revealed below his short-sleeved t-shirt and pressed her body close, as if to lean on him.

“I meant for you to grab my bag strap.”

“Ah…!”

Quickly.

Seo Na-eun, who had been about to link arms, hurriedly stepped back.

“I-I'm sorry. I misunderstood.”

“No. It's my fault for not speaking precisely.”

The blushing Seo Na-eun grabbed Baek Hyeon-woo's bag strap, and the two of them made their way through the crowd together.

……

“Where did Si-kyeong go again?”

The leader of the 4-member co-ed group WAVE, Jeong Tae-joon, frowned.

Because the group's main vocalist, Yoon Si-kyeong, had disappeared somewhere.

“Oppa, the call won't even connect?”

“Isn't he in a crowded place? Last year too, the phones became unresponsive when people crowded in.”

Hearing the other members' words, Jeong Tae-joon scratched his head vigorously.

“The rehearsal is soon, so where on earth did he go? He can't even properly handle going on a music show once a year?”

In his frustration, Jeong Tae-joon beat his own chest.

“Sigh, I should just kick him out of the group.”

The other members chuckled at Jeong Tae-joon's mumble.

Because they knew that even though he talked like that, there was no way Jeong Tae-joon would kick out Yoon Si-kyeong.

“What's the point of being so good at singing? When he's always like this.”

Yoon Si-kyeong was a singing genius praised by many industry insiders as 'one of the best vocalists in the country'.

He wasn't one to belt out high notes or use the 'cow-herding' singing style, so to ordinary people he might just sound average, but in reality, he possessed the vocal ability to sing any song in a comfortable way that was pleasing to the ear.

In particular, it was no exaggeration to say that there was no one in the country who could follow his ability to sing in a light and refreshing way.

The reason WAVE has been enjoying popularity for 15 years as 'a group that's good to listen to in the summer' could be said to be entirely thanks to Yoon Si-kyeong.

However, the fact that he wasn't very diligent was a problem.

Even on days like today when he has to perform, he'll stealthily disappear before you know it, making you search for him.

When he was in his twenties, you could understand it as he still being immature, but for him to be acting like that even now, 15 years after debut and almost forty... from the leader Jeong Tae-joon's perspective, he couldn't help but be frustrated to the point of bursting.

“That Si-kyeong kid, I have to check at the rehearsal whether he's properly memorized the choreography.”

“Maybe he ran away because he was scared of getting scolded for not memorizing the choreography?”

“He's been skipping practice a lot lately, so it's possible.”

Just as the other member said, Yoon Si-kyeong had been frequently absent from practice lately.

Unable to bear it, Jeong Tae-joon had scolded him several times, but Yoon Si-kyeong told him not to worry, saying he was practicing separately on his own.

However, Jeong Tae-joon didn't really believe him.

“Why on earth is he like that, that kid.”

As expected, I don't understand these so-called geniuses.

Thinking such thoughts, Jeong Tae-joon went out to look for Yoon Si-kyeong.

……

“Now I can breathe a little.”

“Yes, I know.”

When they arrived at a street lined with lodging establishments, the crowd finally thinned out.

“Hyeon-woo-ssi, I think it would be good for me to go change my clothes now...”

“You think so?”

Come to think of it, there were many people walking around in swimsuits.

There were also many people walking around covered in mud, so it seemed better to change into clothes that were okay to get wet.

“I think there's a changing room over there, so I'll be back.”

“Okay, go ahead. I'll look around this area.”

After sending Seo Na-eun off, Baek Hyeon-woo began to look around the nearby street vendors.

Baek Hyeon-woo was also in a situation where he needed a change of clothes.

‘Should I just wear a rash guard on top, and swim trunks on the bottom?’

However, the things being sold at the street vendors all looked expensive and of poor quality.

He looked around here and there, but there was nothing he particularly liked.

“……!”

Right at that moment.

A status window appeared in the corner of Baek Hyeon-woo's vision.

Actually, he had been able to see status windows several times in the crowd earlier.

Because it was a festival that so many people came to, it seemed many celebrities had also come.

However, with this particular status window, even Baek Hyeon-woo couldn't help but have his gaze stolen.

‘Oh my god.’

There was a middle-aged man eating cup ramen at a street stall.

He was dressed with a floral Hawaiian shirt on top and swim trunks on the bottom.

At a glance, he looked like an ordinary mister who had come to the sea to have fun.

However, that status window was enough to surprise Baek Hyeon-woo.

————

[Yoon Si-kyeong]

Vocal: SS

Dance: C-

Visual: A

Potential: A

Body Condition: 45%

Mental Condition: 70%

————

‘A Vocal SS.’

He knew that there was an SS-class above S-class, but this was the first time he was actually seeing a Vocal SS.

Even within the same S-class there's a large variation, so if it's SS-class, he must have truly tremendous skill.

‘If it's Yoon Si-kyeong, is he the main vocalist of WAVE? But why is he here? Isn't it time for rehearsal by now?’

Feeling that question, Baek Hyeon-woo checked the status window line by line.

However, below the condition stats, there were some concerning sentences.

– Pain and motor impairment are occurring due to a problem with the rectus femoris muscle of the lower limb.

– Body Condition is greatly decreased.

– A minus correction is being applied to Dance.

“……”

Baek Hyeon-woo observed Yoon Si-kyeong in detail with his mouth shut.

They had no connection, and he could have just pretended not to know him and passed by.

“Are you Yoon Si-kyeong-ssi?”

However, in the end, Baek Hyeon-woo spoke to Yoon Si-kyeong.

Because it seemed that if he left him like this, it would hinder WAVE's performance today.

“I am Baek Hyeon-woo, a manager from Haram Entertainment. Do you have a moment?”

“……?”

Yoon Si-kyeong, who had been continuously tapping one knee while eating cup ramen, had a puzzled look in his eyes.