---

It was the day of the first anniversary.

So, I left my house early in the afternoon to head to the company studio with the members, which had been a while since we had all gathered.

I heard that the first anniversary celebration would take place at the company studio.

After arriving at the newly expanded studio, we were told to wait in the waiting room until the preparations were complete before the broadcast, so I sat with the members.

Now that I think about it, the waiting room seems to have changed a bit.

The variety of snacks and the improved sofa showcase just how serious The Six is becoming.

“Hey, Soo-hyun, with those sunglasses, you look like a celebrity.”

“Really? I just wore them for the same reason a celebrity would.”

“Oh….”

While we were all chatting in the waiting room, the topic of my sunglasses came up.

Since we had all decided to come to the studio today, I wore them just in case someone noticed.

“Do people recognize you outside?”

“Last time I did, so I got one this time.”

Thanks to the advertising revenue from our Mafia game, I ordered a decent pair.

“Is it a designer brand?”

“Nope.”

Not that I bought a pair that cost hundreds of thousands, but honestly, they all look pretty much the same to me.

“But it looks high-end on you. Where did you get it? Should I buy one too?”

Anna asked, probably thinking the sunglasses looked cool on me.

Well, Anna would probably look good in sunglasses too.

Having been a musical actor, she’s not bad looking at all.

“Don’t you get recognized, too? You used to be a musical actor.”

At that moment, Haru asked Anna that.

Now that I think about it, would anyone recognize Anna?

Although her photos often get posted in the community.

“No, no one recognizes me.”

“Ah….”

“Hey! Musical actors usually don’t get recognized!”

“Y-yeah?”

“I’m serious!”

Well, I don’t know much about musical actors either…

In truth, Anna isn’t that famous of an actress, so it wouldn’t be surprising if people didn’t recognize her outside.

Honestly, I too had a moment when people recognized me, but that eventually faded away.

Popularity is like a bubble, it rises quickly but bursts just as fast.

“By the way, wasn’t there a talk show today? Do you know what kind of format it is?”

Wanting to escape her somber topic, Anna changed the subject.

About today’s broadcast content… I still don’t really know.

“I don’t know either. They didn’t explain it in detail.”

“Soo-hyun doesn’t know either….”

Our manager only told us to look forward to it without going into details.

If we hear anything, it’s considered a spoiler or something.

Seriously, how is it a spoiler if we, who are actually performing, don’t even know?

“Oh, right. Soo-hyun, you collaborated with Haeun yesterday, didn’t you?”

“Yes, we had a meeting.”

“Oh, wow… you’re really close with the juniors.”

“Ahahaha….”

I awkwardly laughed at Anna’s comment that oozed jealousy.

Anna had often mentioned wanting to get close to the second generation members.

“You’re close with Gan, right?”

“Gan? Yeah, we are!”

Look at that, she immediately shines up at the mention of Gan.

If she wants to get close, I don’t understand why she hesitates to just go talk to them.

After all, the juniors have said they love the first generation broadcasts, so wouldn’t they appreciate it if Anna talked to them first?

“You’re so cautious in your relationships. Just go and speak casually with the juniors.”

“What!?”

Honestly, since Anna is a first generation member and older… if she goes and speaks casually, I feel like everyone would just accept it.

I mean, I talked casually with Seo Eun-ha right away and nothing happened.

“Soo-hyun, not everyone in the world is like you.”

At that moment, Loa, who had been listening silently to the conversation, chimed in.

“Of course, but still….”

“There are definitely people like Anna who feel shy about taking the initiative to talk but secretly wish the juniors would come up and talk to them.”

“What do you mean by that, Loa?”

“I didn’t mean anything bad.”

“What’s that!”

Anyway, while we chatted like this, before I knew it, it was almost time for the broadcast.

When we left the waiting room together, the studio was undeniably big.

There seemed to be a lot of equipment, and it didn’t feel like an ordinary CG shooting space filled with green chroma key—there were tables and chairs. It felt like we were on a studio variety show set.

“Okay, please put this on.”

At that moment, a staff member came over and handed us bundles of small band-like objects.

“Wow, it’s been a while.”

“Yeah, I used to wear these a lot.”

These are motion capture bands.

If you attach them to your joints, surprisingly, the camera can recognize our movements.

Having worn them endlessly during year-end live recordings, both Nani and the members are familiar with these items.

More interestingly, it’s obvious they spent a lot on this new studio.

I briefly wondered why they would build it if we wouldn’t use it much in a year, but I brushed that thought away.

Well, it’ll be fine if they rent it out to other broadcasters.

After all, The Six isn’t just a company managing the celestial realm.

They handle many famous YouTubers too, don’t they?

You could say the celestial realm is just one part of their business.

It seems they are very serious about whatever they’re doing.

Wearing the bands skillfully, we took our seats where there were tables and chairs.

Seated, I noticed a large monitor directly in front of me.

That’s probably where we can monitor the broadcast screen, right?

This truly feels like we’re shooting a variety show.

It’s just a special broadcast, after all.

“Why do I feel a bit anxious?”

“Are you feeling it too? I feel the same….”

Seeing Anna and Mile chatting like that, it seemed other members were just as nervous as I was.

As I was lost in thought, our manager appeared from one side.

“Is everyone ready?”

Having been busy all day and not showing up until now, the manager was now wearing the band too.

Wait, is the manager going to be on the broadcast?

“Are you appearing on the broadcast too?”

To my curious question, the manager nodded.

“Yes, I’ll be the host. Since this is The Six’s official broadcast.”

“Ah, I see… are you sure it’s okay? This isn’t an easy job.”

I know the manager has skills, but I wondered if it would be okay.

The pressure of a live broadcast isn’t a joke.

Especially for a special broadcast that thousands would watch.

“I’m fine. I’ll just follow the script without looking at the chat.”

“Ah.”

So it feels more like a presentation than a broadcast?

After all, the manager is probably doing this because the company assigned it, right?

The planning must have been done by the company.

After a while, the talk show began.

The proceedings were surprisingly smooth.

We just introduced ourselves and simply answered a list of viewer questions compiled by the company for the anniversary.

It felt quite basic but steady.

– Hahaha

– Did Miro not answer properly???

– Wow, such answers here, LOL

Looking at the chat on the screen, it seemed viewers were enjoying themselves, and I thought this mild approach wasn’t bad at all.

In fact, it wasn’t completely bland either.

Some questions were a bit tricky among those prepared.

After a while of taking turns and answering questions, it was about time to transition to the next segment.

“Alright, that brings us to the end of the Q&A session, and now onto the next segment….”

While I was pondering what the next segment would be, the studio lights unexpectedly went out.

What is this?

I didn’t think it was a broadcast accident at all.

Well, since we prepared for so long, this has to be part of a segment.

Is this just getting started?

Of course, nothing ever goes smoothly.

I didn’t know what kind of surprise event they had planned, but I steeled my heart.

After all, the company is probably just a bunch of desk workers with their plans.

We are the front-line soldiers who broadcast every day.

I’m not going to freak out or panic easily.

As I was getting my bearings, one side lit up with a sign that floated up.

Is that the next segment’s content?

I read the text written on the sign, magnificently lit against the dark background.

[Manager Kim Yang’s Exposé Show, managing all of Celestial Realm’s first-generation members for a year]

…Did I read that right?

For a moment, I questioned my eyes as the shocking content sunk in.

Manager’s exposé…?

What kind of planning is this from The Six?!

– This is crazy LOL

– The downfall of Celestial Realm LOL

– What’s about to happen..

“What, what is that?”

“Kyaaa!”

“Please don’t do this!”

“Can’t we just tie?!”

While viewers were buzzing with excitement, we members quickly fell into a collective panic.

After all, this was our manager, who had been with us since our debut.

Each of us surely had our own embarrassing memories.

Of course, since it’s company planning, it wouldn’t be a truly damaging exposé.

It must just be something light-hearted enough for viewers to enjoy to commemorate the anniversary.

Although the fun would likely correlate with members’ awkwardness.

“We’re doomed! This talk show is over!”

I hastily chimed in.

But….

“Shall we start with Miro?”

Was that the trigger from my last words?

The manager’s eyes shifted from host to exposé, landing squarely on me.

“Uh-oh.”

Wait, am I first?

I’m not ready for this yet.

“Uh… let’s go by age!”

“Miro?!”

Can’t we just start with Anna as usual?

The last one is a burden, but at least the first one….

“Then we’ll go in order of age.”

“Aah, please don’t do that.”

“Alright, starting from the initial days of Celestial Realm….”

Thus began the exposé show, kicked off by my manager’s opening remarks.

 

---