In the end, I could only take one bite of the ramen before throwing it all away, using an upset stomach as an excuse, and returning to the dorm.
Despite swallowing the bite of noodles instead of spitting it out, my initial intention was still dropped.
As soon as I got back to the dorm, Ryu Jaehee burst into my room and shouted loudly.
“Hyung, the manager told me to let you know there’s a fan signing event the day after tomorrow!”
“I’m not deaf yet, maknae.”
I don’t know why he wastes such a good voice on pointless things.
But a fan signing event? I sighed deeply.
I always seem to drop my initial intention during fan signing events.
It’s like I’m back in the early days of my career when I didn’t know what to say.
The habitually uttered “Ah, really?” had become a forbidden phrase, and the ruthless system that deducts points for even a slightly insincere answer or a moment of zoning out made it impossible to approach it half-heartedly like before.
But now I have the substitute phrase “Ah, really?” so I’m invincible for this fan signing event!
As I chuckled to myself, Seo Yehyun looked at me and sighed, shaking his head.
However, he was the one who informed me about the existence of “Ah, really?” allowing me to give up on the unsuccessful foreign student concept, so I decided to be generous.
“You need to do something about your habitual ‘Ah, really?’. Every time you said it at the last fan signing event, my heart sank. It felt like my life was shortening in real time.”
“Don’t worry, that won’t happen this time. By the way, I’ll ask for our seats to be as far apart as possible at the fan signing event, so you don’t lose any more years off your life.”
As we were having this somewhat amicable conversation, Ryu Jaehee, who was leaning against the door, sighed loudly for us to hear.
“Do you guys have to bicker every day or something?”
“When did we ever fight?”
“Yeah, we never fight.”
Nodding in agreement with my words, Seo Yehyun was met with a pitiful look from Ryu Jaehee.
“So, Seo Ye-hyun hyung has finally adapted to Hyung’s way of speaking… Didn’t I tell you, Hyung? To avoid rumors of discord, you have to show that you can lose sometimes?”
“Is there a camera on right now? That’s for show. Why should I lose outside of the camera too?”
“Hyung, have you heard the saying ‘A leaky pot leaks even when it’s not leaking’? Habits are really scary things.”
Groaning and rubbing my temples at Ryu Jaehee’s relentless logic, I conceded that answering with “Ah, really?” at fan signing events was indeed a habit.
When did I start taking it so lightly?
During the few fan signing events in our early days, when even 30 attendees felt like a lot, I used to engage in long, amiable conversations with the fans.
I scoffed instead of empathizing with our maknae, who’d glare and preach like a zealot about the sin of saying “Ah, really?” at fan signings, during the first event where we filled 100 seats, obviously all there for Seo Yehyun.
I rationalized it then, but now I realize that even the few fans I had must have heard my insincere “Ah, really?”
Reflecting on the 20 points I lost for my habitual responses during the forced return to my rookie days, I had to admit that habits are indeed scary things.
“I’m planning to give you some practice since you kept using the forbidden phrase ‘Ah, really?’ at the last fan signing event.”
Without waiting for my agreement, Ryu Jaehee cupped his cheek with his hand and channeled a fan.
“I skipped school today just to see you, Hyung!”
“Ah, really?”
As I had answered, my initial intention didn’t waver.
Laughing awkwardly and adding, seeing his eyes questioning if that was all I could say.
“I missed a few days of school too, so I didn’t get the perfect attendance award. We’re comrades now.”
Ryu Jaehee’s expression turned very subtle as he moved on to the next line.
“I’m really enjoying your new song. It’s so good.”
“Ah, really? I’m glad it suits your taste. Thank you for loving our REVE songs.”
Thinking I had answered smoothly this time, Ryu Jaehee still had that subtle face as he demanded.
“Please show us some aegyo!”
“Ah, rea…”
Habits are truly terrifying.
Realizing I had attached “Ah, really” to even a non-reply, I trailed off, seeing Ryu Jaehee narrow his eyes at me.
“Hyung, is there a reason you have to start with ‘Ah, really?’”
“It feels a bit empty if I don’t.”
“But why use it even when asked for aegyo? This goes beyond feeling empty.”
“Habits are scary. But Jaehee, are you mad at me?”
This young kid daring to question a hyung who’s been in this industry for seven years…
Clicking my tongue at the apparent insubordination, an all too familiar and worrying sound rang out.
Hearing it at a time like this was never good news.
[The phrase ‘Ah, really?’ has been added to the list of forbidden phrases.]
Damn it.
Jumping up from my seat, I cursed.
“Hey, you little…! If you hadn’t suggested practicing for the fan signing event…!”
Now my substitute phrase is also forbidden! What am I supposed to say without thinking now?
Unable to grab Ryu Jaehee by the collar for fear of losing more points, I shook his shoulders instead, causing him to sway powerlessly while grumbling.
“I was just trying to help… Hyung, are you crying?”
“I want to cry, you brat!”
With the fan signing event just two days away, how am I supposed to find another substitute phrase? Am I going to lose 20 points again and go back to square one?
* * *
Kim Mo Yang anxiously set up her camera and double-checked the writing on her sticky note in the audience seats of the event hall where the fan signing event was to be held.
Having become a fan of REVE only after their fan signing event during the promotion of “Come into My Universe,” this was Kim Mo Yang’s first time attending one of their fan signings.
“They say it was just a one-shot back then.”
Spending 300,000 won on albums for this fan signing event, Kim Mo Yang clicked her tongue in regret.
However, the increased fan signing cuts were proof that her idols had grown, so she quickly erased her disappointment and smiled with pride.
The previous fan signing event barely surpassed 50 attendees, but this one had filled all 100 slots.
Home masters with their large cameras were also in attendance.
Finally, the long-awaited fan signing event began, and REVE appeared on stage.
“Dream of me! Hello, we are REVE!”
The REVE members, wearing the most praised stage outfits from last week, stood in front of the table on stage and greeted enthusiastically.
The hall was filled with enthusiastic cheers in response.
“Silver-haired Eden! Baseball jacket Eden!”
Maybe it was because of the baseball jacket reminiscent of a varsity jacket, but Yoon Eden looked more like a fresh college student than a high-teen character, prompting Kim Mo Yang to press the shutter button continuously.
As soon as the members finished their greetings and sat down, Kim Mo Yang scanned the order of their seats.
It was Yoon Eden – Ryu Jaehee – Gyeon HaJun – Kim Dobin – Seo Ye Hyun. Ye Hyun was first, and Eden was last.
After enduring the wait, it was finally her turn.
“Hello.”
The member who first drew her into REVE, Seo Ye Hyun, greeted her with a slight smile.
“Yes, hello.”
Transfixed by that smile as if she were seeing an epiphany, she nodded in response.
“…As expected, REVE’s visual and bias recruiter.”
His delicate features looked even more distinct up close.
To think she’d confirm that his photos didn’t do him justice.
She wanted to show his real appearance to those who dismissed him as just photogenic.
Receiving his autograph on her album and offering her sticky note with questions, they had a light conversation based on its contents.
Seo Ye Hyun might not have had exceptional speaking skills, but just looking at his face made her smile and enjoy herself.
Feeling good after her first autograph, she moved to the next member.
“Ah, hello.”
Seeing Kim Dobin still stiff with nerves even after ten people before her, Kim Mo Yang stifled a laugh.
The situation seemed reversed, but Kim Mo Yang used her ten years of K-pop fandom experience to skillfully lead the conversation.
“You’re closest to Jaehee, right? The coolest member… Eden-hyung!”
“Not Yehyun?”
“Based on looks, it’s Yehyun, but if you consider overall abilities, Eden-hyung is superior. It’s the difference between focusing all your stats on one or balancing them out, and balancing them is more advantageous for abilities-”
Relaxing somewhat, Kim Dobin, who was now scribbling confidently on the sticky note, answered eagerly.
“Next time, I’ll show you a professional side!”
“Really? Then I’ll come to see Dobin next time too.”
“Really? Promise!”
After hooking pinkies with Dobin, she moved on to the next member, Gyeon Ha-jun, who greeted her with a warm smile.
‘He really looks like an actor.’
In another 3-4 years, she could already imagine reading an article about Gyeon Hajun being cast in a drama and trying his hand at acting, and she was willing to bet on REVE’s debut album for it.
True to his reputation as a member who didn’t talk much, Gyeon Hajun spoke in a calm and measured tone.
But he maintained eye contact, kept smiling at her, and it was evident that he was doing his best to answer her questions. He wrote double the amount of P.S. under the Post-it notes and album autographs compared to the other members, which earned him a passing grade in her book.
Next was Jae-hee.
Although it was crucial for Kim Mo Yang that the next turn was Eden, Jaehee’s words soon made that concern vanish like a whirlwind.
“Hello!”
With a bright greeting, Jae-hee naturally asked her name, age, who her favorite member in REVE was, and which song from the latest album she liked the most, all while signing the album.
His plethora of cute gestures was a bonus.
He was practically like a 10-year veteran idol. Even her former idols, who were entering their 7th year, weren’t this adept, but here was this freshly debuted kid…
“See you again, noona!”
“Yeah, see you again.”
After Jaehee’s turn, who seemed born under the star of idols, Kim Mo Yang finally reached her long-awaited favorite member.
***
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