I Became An Idol To Pay Off My Debt

Showcase.

Before the album release, it’s an event where idols showcase their stage and songs to reporters and fans, a rite of passage for everyone.

NAS Entertainment has decided the monumental showcase location for the Rookies…

“Wow…, it’s been a while since I’ve been this way.”

“Even though I wasn’t the one driving, I remember this road clearly.”

…which is the Na Ah Ah set.

Thanks to that, we ended up having to experience Na Ah Ah PTSD while moving by car.

“Maybe it’s because we’re on our way to the Na Ah Ah set, but suddenly I remember when Seol unnie sincerely told me to get off if I wasn’t going to take it seriously…”

“……”

As I spoke in a playful tone, Yoo Seol turned a little red and tried to change the subject.

“Do you remember what unnie said to me back then? ‘Ye-rin, get a grip. You and I are competitors. If you’re going to live so half-heartedly, you might as well get off. Just by being here, someone who’s desperate is missing out on a chance….’”

“Stop it…, stop it…!”

And when I reenacted what Yoo Seol said back then in an acting tone, she finally hastily stopped me.

Of course…, the other members had all heard it by then.

“Haha! Did Seol unnie really say that?”

“What to do…, Seol unnie is scary….”

Using this moment, the same-aged member who had been suppressed by Yoo Seol started teasing her.

To this, Yoo Seol replied with a flushed face and a crawling voice.

“I was really desperate back then….”

Seeing this cute side of Yoo Seol after a long time made me think about teasing her more…

‘…Huh?’

…there was something in her previous remark that caught my attention, so I asked.

“…So, does that mean you’re not desperate now?”

“No…, that’s….”

It wasn’t meant to be an attack on Yoo Seol, but once I said it, it turned out to be quite a sensitive comment.

Yoo Seol flinched at my question and then slightly lifted her head to answer.

“Well, it’s not that… just….”

“……”

“Certainly…, it feels a bit different compared to back when we were Na Ah Ah.”

That’s right.

Including me, the six members here were really fierce and desperate in Na Ah Ah.

We lived each day with the resolve to win, to debut.

But now that our debut is confirmed, it feels definitely different…

It’s not that we’re not working hard…, but the fierce rivalry from the Na Ah Ah days feels absent.

‘Maybe it’s because there are no longer competitors who would kill or be killed….’

I thought as I glanced back.

The members who were competitors during Na Ah Ah were laughing and chatting with each other.

As soon as I saw that scene, I couldn’t help but smile.

Yeah, if we’re all smiling and happy together now, then that’s what matters.

What’s the point of having rivalry?

Instead, now we have a sense of relaxation that we didn’t have during Na Ah Ah.

Feeling satisfied with that fact, I held Yoo Seol’s hand, which had changed a lot from the past.

“Unnie. Let’s do well today.”

Yoo Seol looked at my hand tightly holding hers and smiled softly.

“Yeah, let’s do our best.”

Seeing her smile gave me a strong feeling that this showcase was going to go well.

“Wow…, it’s been a while.”

“Nothing has changed here.”

Maybe because the Na Ah Ah set was like my home until a month ago, I was able to prepare with a relaxed mind.

But as the long waiting time that began in the morning came to an end and the showcase start time of 3 PM approached, I had to feel that nervousness again before stepping on stage after a long time.

Thump.

The nervousness that Han Si-woo had told me about before…, the one that wouldn’t fade even after 10 years.

This time, it was marked by the specialness of standing in front of the fans after a month.

I wasn’t the only one having these feelings, as I could see other members shaking a bit too.

Thinking about their expressions brought back memories of Na Ah Ah days before going on stage.

Then…

“Members of Rookies, you need to move soon.”

Director Jeong, who had been running around preparing the showcase, came to our waiting room for the final reminder.

“Everyone, remember the order of the showcase, right?”

“Yes!”

Director Jeong explained beforehand that the weight of the stage won’t be that great in this showcase.

Instead, Q&A and various activities would be the main focus.

“We’ve already prepped with the reporters, but… you never know what tricky questions may come during the Q&A. Those reporters are quite fearless…”

“Ah….”

“When that happens, please respond appropriately without causing any issues based on your spontaneity. Since this is Rookies’ first stage in front of fans, please give it your all.”

“Got it! Understood!”

“So, let’s do our best.”

Whisper.

As we responded, Director Jeong gave a little cheer and gestured to the staff to take us backstage.

It was the backstage we had frequent visits to during numerous performances of Na Ah Ah.

“Alright, when the stage goes blackout and we give the signal, you’ll go out immediately.”

“Yes!”

Maybe it was due to the strong nostalgia for Na Ah Ah I felt since this morning?

Just before stepping onto the stage, I playfully said to the members.

“Shall we do the Na Ah Ah cheer again after so long?”

“What? Haha.”

At that, the other members chuckled lightly and responded.

“Sure, why not?”

“It feels like it’s been ages since we ended Na Ah Ah, even though it hasn’t been long. I’m in!”

“Me too!”

Just as all members expressed their agreement, the stage lights completely extinguished, and as the fans’ cheers grew louder, the staff gave us the go signal.

“Yes, you need to go out now.”

We immediately shouted our short cheer and….

“Show me your dream-!”

Headed towards the stage.

Now it was really our time to show our dream that had come so close.

“Wowwwww—!!”

“Ye-rin—!!!!”

When the showcase start time arrived and the stage lights went off, the fan of Ha Ye-rin let out a loud call for her name.

“Yoo Seol—!!!”

Yoo Seol’s friend next to her shouted for Yoo Seol.

In the past, the two were sharply divided between supporting Ha Ye-rin and Yoo Seol…

But now that both Ha Ye-rin and Yoo Seol are on the same team, their conflict seemed to have washed away.

It seemed the same for other fans as well, as they shouted their supportive members’ names and then…

“Rookies—!!!”

Ultimately united in shouting for Rookies.

And responding to that cheer….

Whoosh—!

“Waaaaaaah—!!”

The stage lights soon lit up brightly, revealing the members of Rookies.

♪♬♬♩-!

With a dreamy melody, it was Lee Hye-jeong who started off with her sweet voice.

-Don’t come any closer
-This is the distance between you and me

“Wow…”

“Her tone is insane…”

As everyone admired Lee Hye-jeong, Ha Ye-rin’s fan checked where Ha Ye-rin was.

Ha Ye-rin seemed to be continuing her movements from the back, as she was not in her part yet.

‘Wow…, Ye-rin’s outfit and makeup today—. This is really blowing my mind….’

The outfit was similar to the Na Ah Ah school uniform but distinctly different in detail.

Plus, it seemed the stylist really went all out with the hair and full makeup, transforming Ha Ye-rin into the very essence of a shoujo manga protagonist.

‘How can someone like that even exist…?’

Naturally, the fan who was watching Ha Ye-rin didn’t feel jealousy but admiration.

She watched Ha Ye-rin as if she had witnessed a mythical creature, focusing on every one of her movements.

Meanwhile, the Rookies stage continued.

-Do you want to know about me?
-Not enough

The playful Park Yoo-jung and….

-If you come closer, I might get mad
-No mercy

Seo Yoo-jin enriches the song, which could feel a bit sluggish otherwise.

Then came Yoo Seol’s bridge.

-But if you’re really curious
-Come follow me

“……!!”

Yoo Seol’s voice, which could melt ears, immediately led into a catchy chorus.

-This is our secret
-Our secret, shh.
-Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh.

With choreography that emphasized a captivating expression like a gumiho, and a voice that tickled the entire body, fans were delighted in both sight and sound.

And as the chorus ended, Ha Ye-rin and Na Han-na jumped forward for a joint dance break.

-If you want to know more
-You need to come closer

With dynamic choreography, both girls were focused under bright lights.

And….

-Then I’ll show you my secret, shh.

Wink.

“……!!!”

Ha Ye-rin, winking and emphasizing her expression as part of the original choreography.

In that moment, the fan felt as if the space had changed.

A classroom at sunset.

The transfer student, Ha Ye-rin, sits silently in the back, looking out the window.

The fan is lost in thoughts while watching Ha Ye-rin.

What is she thinking?

What is she looking at?

What does that expression on her mysterious face mean?

Brush.

“……!”

At that moment, she suddenly makes eye contact with the transfer student Ha Ye-rin.

Not the transfer student Ha Ye-rin.

But the Rookies’ Ha Ye-rin.

‘W-was that eye contact….’

It could be a coincidence or just her imagination, but….

It was clear that she just made eye contact with the real Ha Ye-rin.

“…….”

“…….”

For what felt like an eternity within that mere second, she locked eyes with Ha Ye-rin, maximizing her already high sense of intimacy and connection toward Ha Ye-rin.

And just as she was captivated by Ha Ye-rin’s gaze and gave her all in that moment….

Slide.

Ha Ye-rin placed her index finger on her lips and whispered to her.

-Shh, this is our secret.

Ah.

Nod, nod.

In response, she nodded her head.

Among hundreds of audience members, Ha Ye-rin was looking only at her.

This was a secret just between Ha Ye-rin and her.

‘Wow…!’

Feeling a rush of excitement thinking about that little secret between her and Ha Ye-rin, her loyalty toward Ha Ye-rin soared.

The reason she spent hundreds of thousands of won since Na Ah Ah to see Ha Ye-rin’s stage was for this.

Ha Ye-rin made her feel special.

In her usual life, she was nothing more than an ordinary girl, but… today, she was that beautiful girl’s secret friend.

“Waaaaaaah—!!”

“Gyaaaahhh—!!”

“Ha Ye-rin—!!!”

Thus, the stage for the showcase [Secret Girl] came to an end.

The fans cheered with enthusiasm higher than expected and chanted the members’ names.

To summarize the stage’s impression….

Compared to Na Ah Ah’s performances, there was a lack of roughness and rawness which was a bit regrettable, but overall, it was much more polished and relaxed.

To translate that directly….

Rookies had a strong sense of professionalism.

Even though they were a rookie girl group who had just debuted…, it felt like watching a veteran girl group with a lot of experience.

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