I Became An Idol To Pay Off My Debt

I was filling in for Seo Yoo-jin, and the next part was for Lee Hye-jeong.

-Just like every meeting has an end.

-Just like flowers bloom and wither in winter.

-Oh, destined fate.

The new song of Rookies, [Eternal Rookies], captured the bittersweet emotion of our last activities, presenting a lyrical atmosphere.

As expected from Lee Hye-jeong, who competes for the best vocal timbre in Rookies, her voice was both heart-wrenching and powerful, capturing everyone’s attention.

-But this isn’t the end.

Adding to this was the well-balanced Park Yoo-jung, who harmonized perfectly.

With a constant smile, her face was filled with… even more happiness… and sincerity.

-Just as partings bring reunions.

-Just as spring brings flowers.

After the school violence incident, she practiced harder than anyone else, and her efforts shone brightly, making her stand out on stage.

However, it wasn’t just Park Yoo-jung who stood out on that stage.

-Rookies in your mind.

Na Han-na, who originally excelled only in dance…

Showcased much deeper choreography than before, built upon her stabilized vocals after relentless hard work.

Once a typical hip-hop dancer, Na Han-na became a versatile beauty, able to showcase her emotions and dance lines even in lyrical songs.

-Time to graduate.

As Na Han-na’s elegant choreography concluded, Seo Yoo-jin burst forth.

-But don’t be sad.

-This is for our greater love.

The eternal maknae, Seo Yoo-jin.

Though she didn’t particularly stand out in dance or singing compared to the others…

She connected the members’ parts like grease, enriching the stage even more.

If it were the days of arrogance, she wouldn’t have even dreamed of this…

But now, she became the bluebird of Rookies, playing on stage like it was her playground.

And next up to the center was…

-The important thing is you.

-The important thing is the heart.

It was Yoo Seol.

With a smile, she immediately captivated the audience with her unique details, fully blooming her talents on stage.

-Eternal Rookies.

-As long as you don’t forget.

-The Rookies that will remain in your heart forever.

Yet, it was not excessive.

She didn’t erase the colors of the other members.

Merging harmoniously with the other Rookies while reigning above.

With gentle charisma, she led the members and stirred the audience with her beautiful voice.

However, this was merely a simple act of setting the stage.

‘Now.’

‘Sister.’

‘Ye-rin.’

There are moments in a performance when words aren’t needed to communicate.

Even without making eye contact, despite each doing different moves…

I could feel the members reaching out to me.

Especially, I felt as if Yoo Seol, the protagonist of the previous part, was pushing me forward…

‘Show me.’

I stepped into the center.

-Time to graduate.

-The time to become a legend.

Han Si-woo said.

What matters isn’t just hitting high notes.

If one can convey their emotions to the audience using their unique timbre and dance…

An outstanding stage can be created even without overwhelming vocal ability.

At first, I didn’t understand it and couldn’t imitate it…

-Time to fall.

-The time to embed into your heart.

Now I could understand Han Si-woo’s training.

Confidence arose from what I once saw as a weakness in my vocals.

With solid vocals, my dance lines became more graceful and smooth.

I produced the voice I wanted.

I executed the moves I desired.

I connected with the members.

I engaged with the fans.

-Now it’s time for us to part ways.

-But Eternal Rookies.

-Someday, time to bloom.

-For the day we meet again.

And within that, I was smiling.

I felt joyful.

Even without using Sky Demon Enchantment, I could see the fan’s eyes filled with rapture as they looked at me.

Even without using Sky Demon Moon Shadow Step, I felt as if a beautiful mist was wrapping around my feet.

Though the Sky Demon was born from hatred…

I hated no one on this stage.

‘I’m happy.’

Receiving love from the fans, enveloped in the warmth of my members.

I danced, waved my hands, and sang louder than anyone else.

Then it happened.

[You have met the criteria!]

“……!”

I hadn’t touched anything in the status window, yet it suddenly chimed.

As I concentrated on the stage, I glanced at the content…

[Entering ?? State!]

Was there still an unknown realm I hadn’t discovered in the status window?

The peculiar phrase ?? welcomed me.

But…

[Some criteria are lacking!]

[Failed to awaken ?? State!]

The status window informed me that I didn’t meet all the conditions and failed to awaken what it called ??.

‘What is this?’

I was curious, but I wasn’t particularly disappointed about failing to awaken.

Honestly… I had achieved many things through Rookies and this stage.

I wanted to receive love from the fans, and I hoped Rookies would show better sides to them.

I wished for Rookies to fill the set time without any problems and end beautifully.

Through our practice and bonding with the members, we had become stronger, and the fans cheered for us even louder.

‘This moment… is so wonderful…’

So I, or rather we.

“Waaaaaa-!!!”

“Rookies-!!!!”

“Ha Ye-rin-!!!!!”

“Kyahhhhhhh-!!”

“I love you!!”

Feeling the utmost satisfaction and happiness, I concluded the performance.

“Haa…, haa….”

Despite my stamina stats being so high, strangely, I was breathless after the stage ended.

I clutched my racing heart and gazed at the audience filled with banners full of support phrases and lightsticks symbolizing Rookies in light pink.

Thump.

Hearing and seeing the fans’ passionate reactions, the heartbeat pounding louder seemed to say it was disappointed.

Was it because I could vaguely see the end of Rookies?

I felt an immense sense of loss seeing the performance come to a close.

Every single stage became incredibly precious.

This last showcase stage was particularly bittersweet yet valuable.

I wondered if this feeling was shared by others…

Hehe.

The members were shedding tears filled with sadness while smiling.

I lightly embraced such members and waved at the fans.

“Waaaaaa-!”

They say a flower is most beautiful just before it wilts.

Through this last showcase stage, Rookies…

Marked the beginning of their most beautiful and radiant moment.

After the stage, during the fan interaction time, a situation eventually erupted.

“…So, uhuh…, thank you so much for coming to our last showcase….”

Despite our promise not to shed tears during the break after the performance…

The oldest sister and most emotional, Lee Hye-jeong, couldn’t hold back the tears at the mention of the last showcase during the fan Q&A.

“Don’t cry!”

“Don’t cryyy-!”

“Uuhhh….”

They say that telling someone not to cry makes them cry even more.

Amidst the fans’ comfort, Hye-jeong buried her head, shedding tears.

Other members trying to comfort her also began to have tears glistening in their eyes.

I didn’t cry, but I couldn’t prevent moisture from gathering in my eyes.

Thus, the fan interaction time wrapped up with a crying party.

Then came the Q&A session with reporters.

Perhaps sensing the atmosphere, the reporters didn’t push sharp questions.

Some reporters, with teary eyes like true Rookies fans or perhaps moved by the emotions, asked their questions gently.

But…

“After Rookies disband, I’m curious about the future of the members.”

As expected, some reporters broke the warm atmosphere with their inquiries.

Many must be wondering where the members would go after Rookies ended.

This was a question we would eventually need to answer.

‘…But it’s not a question for this situation and this atmosphere.’

From the first showcase, many reporters had troubled us with these kinds of questions.

Perhaps because of this.

“I want to focus on our current Rookies activities rather than that right now.”

Yoo Seol, grabbing the microphone to answer, casually deflected the question with her usual smile.

Though less than a year into her debut, her depth was already apparent.

Not just Yoo Seol, but other members had also grown accustomed to odd questions and could respond without issue even when strange inquiries came up.

Next…

“I’d like to ask the leader of Rookies, Ha Ye-rin.”

A reporter pointed at me and threw a question.

“There hasn’t been precise information about Rookies’ final concert yet. Can you share anything with the fans, leader Ye-rin?”

“……!”

The moment the reporter asked that question, the atmosphere became restless.

Rookies’ first and last concert.

It was a significant event the fans wouldn’t want to miss.

“…….”

Since I anticipated this question, I paused for a moment, glancing at Director Jeong below the stage.

Then….

Nod.

After seeing Director Jeong nodding, indicating I could speak, I finally grabbed the microphone.

“Rookies’ concert will take place over two days, on the last day of Rookies disbandment and the day before.”

“……!”

“And the venue will be… Gocheok Sky Dome.”

“……Huh?!”

As I smiled and revealed the dates and location, fans and reporters erupted with excitement.

“…Are you serious?!!”

“Wow…, what the…!”

“W-Wow…!”

I understood the fans and reporters’ reactions.

It was on a much larger scale than we initially thought… We were equally astonished when we first heard the news.

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