The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol

“This.”

 

I showed a long scar that ran from my forearm to my shoulder.
It was now faded, but if you looked closely, you could clearly see the traces of the wound.

 

Maybe they had seen it during practice.
However, none of the members asked me first.

 

“This, ten years ago… No, it was caused by a car accident a few years ago.
I heard that I might never be able to use my arm.”

 

“…”

 

“I worked hard on rehabilitation, so I can use it without any problem now… I was really scared back then.
Because I couldn’t move.”

 

For the first time, I confided to someone else other than Seo Hojin.
I didn’t know if Sung Jiwon was important to me yet, but looking at him right now, he was a necessary existence.

 

“I know the feeling of not being able to do it no matter how hard you try.”

 

“…”

 

“Still, I felt it during rehabilitation, and I was given a chance.
It’s not fair, but that’s how it is, and at that time, the only ones who could snatch the opportunity were those who were prepared.”

 

It wasn’t just rehabilitation.
After losing my parents, I experienced a lot of absurdities while experiencing social life a little earlier than others.

 

People who grew up in a wealthy family without suffering and took it for granted to put down others under their feet…

 

There were a lot of people like that in my life, so many that I turned disillusioned.
Good opportunities were always taken away by others.

 

Even at this moment, whether it was fair or not, it was an opportunity given to us.

 

But always, if you were prepared, the opportunity would come.
Even if just once.

 

I made eye contact with Sung Jiwon.

 

“You prepared hard.”

 

“…”

 

“Right?”

 

Sung Jiwon hesitated and nodded.
In other words, he was ready to snatch the opportunity.

 

I pulled my sleeves down again.
I tried to straighten it out, but it wrinkled all over.
I needed to talk with the stylist.

 

I took my eyes off the shirt that could no longer be revived and glanced at Sung Jiwon.

 

“That’s enough.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Stop whining and let’s go.”

 

Sung Jiwon clenched his teeth and got up.
Then he whispered to me.

 

“…I’ll do well.”

 

[Sung Jiwon believes in you.]

 

[Your relationship with Sung Jiwon is very close.]

 

‘…I’ve said too much.’

 

It was fortunate that the camera didn’t catch this.
I already regretted showing my scar and talking like an old man.

 

It would probably go down as a dark history, but… Anyway, I got Sung Jiwon’s goodwill, so it was fine.

 

“I should have taken care of such an emotional narrative when the camera is rolling…”

 

“Haha, seriously… You’re still the same.”

 

“…?”

 

Still the same?

 

“Oh, I’m sorry.
Um… Let’s go for now.”

 

Sung Jiwon looked confused after he said it.
I felt strange, but I was in a hurry, so I went back to the waiting room without asking any more questions.

 

It seemed the members were restless because we came late since there was only a short time left before the showcase.

 

“Why are you so late?”

 

“Were you in such a hurry to go to the bathroom?”

 

“Yeah, suckers.”

 

Even though he had already noticed the situation, he was deliberately joking around.

 

‘You’re quick-witted.’

 

Instead of replying, I followed the instructions of the staff who took the members and guided us to walk the dark backstage.
The sound of the VCR, which reflected each member’s face, came out.

 

Kim Sunghyun gathered us like a leader.

 

“Let’s say our slogan.”

 

“…Do we have a slogan?”

 

“We don’t.”

 

“Let’s make one, quick.”

 

Everyone noisily added one word at a time.
Kim Sunghyun sighed deeply and raised his hand in the middle of the members who were gathering.

 

“Put your hands up.
We should do this before we go in.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Five hands were folded in the air.
It was awkward yet natural for me to be in it.

 

What am I saying? Don’t ask me, I don’t really know this feeling either.

 

I could see the faces of the members who were nervous or grinning.
Kim Sunghyun said hesitantly.

 

“You’ve worked hard for a month… Let’s work hard for another month.”

 

“Wow~”

 

“I’m losing energy~!”

 

“Let’s make a better slogan!”

 

“Ah, you guys….
I’m saying let’s do our best.”

 

“Yes, let’s do our best.”

 

“Let’s tear the stage apart.”

 

Kim Sunghyun energetically shouted.
Let’s go, fighting!

 

Because it was our first time, laughter spread as they giggled and teased each other at the slogans that each shouted separately.
It was a relief that the tension seemed to have gone away.

 

As I walked to the dark stage, I heard cheers.
In the dark, I made eye contact with Sung Jiwon.
Sung Jiwon quietly moved his mouth.

 

‘Fighting.’

 

Sung Jiwon cheered for me even though he felt the most nervous.
Who’s talking to whom now?

 

Still, using the points was worth it.

 

I smirked and quickly changed my expression when the beat came out.

 

As the song started, the cheers of the fans grew even louder.
At the same time, the voices of the fans were heard in line with the prelude.

 

“Kim Sunghyun, Sung Jiwon, Seo Hoyoon, Kang Yichae, and Jung Dajoon!”

 

“…”

 

‘Is this a fan chant?’

 

Fans were shouting fan chants from below.
It was so unexpected that everyone was surprised.

 

“The Dawn, Second Chance!”

 

As soon as the fan chant was over, I picked up the microphone and harmonized with Sung Jiwon.

 

[Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance]

 

We would have a second chance.
Sung Jiwon opened his eyes and swayed his head.
Where did his gentle eyes go? They were now totally for the stage.

 

His eyes changed and he looked chaotic, but when he raised his right hand to cover his face and lowered it, his determination was revealed.

 

[I can’t miss this chance.]

 

‘As expected of Sung Jiwon.’

 

Sung Jiwon turned the camera with his hand, and I, who was waiting in the back, raised my head and walked toward the front of the stage.

 

Kang Yichae and Kim Sunghyun sang while pretending to hold cards down in front of their crossed arms and flip them over.

 

‘I’m an idol, an idol, an idol…’

 

I was confident in doing it with gestures like this.

 

[Pick a Card, A Clear Future]

 

Low chances make you anxious, there’s no need to be]

 

“Wooow!”

 

…I was honestly startled.
If I hadn’t practiced a little more, my expression would have loosened up in an instant.

 

I twisted my head expressionlessly and picked up a card.
Then I smiled.

 

[It’s okay, I’ll lead you]

 

Cheers broke out for me.
When I fell behind the line after finishing my part, Kim Sunghyun and Jung Dajoon came forward and harmonized.

 

[Come to me, Come to me,

 

Don’t be Afraid, come to me

 

I have my second chance]

 

I could see Kim Sunghyun dancing to the chorus.
After that, I caught a glimpse of the faces of the fans waving slogans.

 

[ I’ll say it again.
This is the start

 

I will come back every time

 

This strange feeling of déjà vu

 

Don’t be scared

 

No, there is no need to get lost

 

I’ll find a way]

 

My eyes met Kang Yichae, who was waiting behind me.
Kang Yichae gestured with his eyes playfully, his face flushed.
As if saying that everything would be fine.

 

Then, Jung Dajoon lowered his back, and Kang Yichae stepped on it, rose up, spun around, and landed.

 

[Stand up with the target, I have confidence

 

I don’t miss this cold sensation

 

I can see your face even when I close my eyes

 

I ain’t gonna miss this time]

 

He was flying around.

 

Kang Yichae quickly dominated the stage.
As the main rapper, accurate diction and overflowing confidence poured out of the stage.
There was no one who could stop Kang Yichae, who was fearlessly roaring with enthusiasm.

 

Some fans staggered as if they had been shot when he showed a gun-like choreography.

 

I smiled even though I shouldn’t have.

 

[I’ll say it again.
This is the start

 

I will come back every time

 

this strange feeling of déjà vu.
Don’t be scared

 

No, there is no need to get lost

 

I’ll find a way]

 

The things I had been vomiting for and practicing over the past few weeks came pouring out on this stage.
Maybe it could have been better.
Sweat dripped down everyone’s chin.

 

A good song, a good plan, a topic that led to controversy, and earnest members.
And fans.

 

[This time, this life]

 

I looked at the audience.
Slogans that shook like crazy, and strong blind faith in us.

 

Maybe I was thinking too much of this.

 

Sung Jiwon, who stood on the other side of the stage, made eye contact with me.
I was out of breath.
I had a feeling.

 

We could do it.

 

[I will save you (Save you)]

 

I let out a high-pitched voice.
Sung Jiwon solidly followed me with the chorus.

 

At the same time, we turned to the beat and returned to the first formation where everyone gathered.
And slowly, as if being swayed in the wind, I swayed from right and left.

 

[Give me, Give me, Give me Second Chance

 

Give you, Give you, Give you…]

 

Kim Sunghyun showed a motion of shooting at Sung Jiwon, who was standing in the middle.
As Sung Jiwon fell to the floor, the swaying movement stopped.
While the formation was disorganized, I slowly stood up alone.

 

[Second Chance.]

 

The beat ended with a whisper.
Everyone panted and pressed themselves down until the lights dimmed.

 

A moment of silence soon turned into a cascade of shouts.
It was unbelievable.

 

Blind affection that I never thought I would have in my life poured out.

 

“…”

 

We got up and bowed deeply to the fans.
I also lowered my head and tried to control my inexplicable, subtle emotions that felt like they would burst out of my heart and pop out, then I felt a tap on my shoulder and back.

 

Jung Dajoon, who looked like he would go crazy with how proud he was, and Kim Sunghyun, whose expression was saying we had safely overcome the hardships.
Kang Yichae smiled broadly next to Sung Jiwon, who was grateful.

 

***

 

“Wow, that was great.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a team that dances like this.
Right, everyone?”

 

While the members lined up to quench their thirst with water and calm their sense of exhilaration, the staff quickly set up chairs on the stage.

 

When all the preparations were completed, the MC came up to the stage and opened the showcase with praise.
There was an enthusiastic response from the audience.

 

“Then let’s greet them one by one.”

 

Sitting closest to the MC, I somehow ended up being the first to hold the microphone.

 

“Yes, hello….”

 

“Wow! Our bunny is so handsome!”

 

‘…Bunny?’

 

I said just one word, but cheers burst out.
It was louder than me holding a microphone.

 

When I was taken aback and forgot what to say for a moment, the MC quickly joked to fill the gap.

 

“Who gave him the mic?”

 

I’d never been this caught up in someone’s pace in my life, and I was embarrassed several times today.

 

‘Tsk… I must have heard it wrong.’

 

Once I got my act together, I continued to talk.

 

“Um… Hello, I’m Seo Hoyoon, the sub-vocalist of The Dawn.
Thank you very much for coming today.”

 

After the greeting, I handed the microphone to the next member.
Each of them continued the greeting one by one, and they were all bewildered by the cheers of the fans that spread each time.

 

Well, they had never been this popular.

 

“I really have a lot to ask today.
The Dawn is the center of attention right now, right?”

 

The MC carried on with familiarity.

 

“First of all, let’s hear about the long hiatus and how Hoyoon-ssi came in.”

 

It was a question that had been prepared in advance.
The picture would come out prettier if someone else answered it rather than if I said it myself.

 

Sung Jiwon immediately lifted the microphone.

 

“Yes, Hoyoon was a member of the debut group from the beginning, but after taking a break due to health reasons, he resumed his activities with this single.”

 

“I heard you were so energetic when you came in?”

 

…This wasn’t in the script.
No way, did what I said spread out?

 

‘Are you satisfied with referencing my parent?’

 

He said all sorts of provocative things.
The unexpected flow of the interview made me break out in a cold sweat.

 

“Seo Hoyoon-ssi, please say something.”

 

The MC looked at me and smiled strangely.