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Today, I went outside starting from lunch.

I squinted slightly under the blazing sun, which made it feel as if we were completely past spring.

Even though I was wearing short sleeves, it was still a bit hot.

It’s not even officially the early summer yet, and already I want to go back home.

…But I must go.

So, I took the relatively quiet subway and arrived at the academy building where I had come with my cousin last time.

It was my instructor’s day off, and he had invited us to practice.

So…

“Oh, sister.”

“What are you doing here?”

Of course, Hyeon-su and the Composer had also decided to gather here.

“Where’s the Composer?”

“Is he not here yet?”

“I don’t know; we’ll find out once we go in.”

I pointed to the building in front of me, and he nodded.

Honestly, he was just walking around like a celebrity, advertising himself.

He had no sunglasses or mask to cover his face; the color of his hair looked like he had splurged on it.

Hyeon-su always kept his blonde hair, but it was becoming absurd with how good it looked.

“By the way, Hyeon-su, don’t people recognize you?”

I casually asked that.

Since he’s Hyeon-su, wouldn’t people stop him regularly on the street?

“Oh, they definitely recognize me a lot.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I just gave out several autographs.”

…I see.

Well, it makes sense for a celebrity to be recognized.

Especially if you’ve been on TV a lot lately.

It feels surreal that that high schooler I first met in that café has become popular so quickly.

It hasn’t been long since all that happened.

“By the way, sister, your broadcast has been really fun lately?”

“Really?”

I knew Hyeon-su sometimes watched my broadcast.

If he said it was fun lately, it must be during the competition, right?

“Yes, the competition is fun.”

….

I expected that, but hearing it feels strange.

It’s like he’s saying that among the chaotic fights, the ‘battle of the low-tier contestants’ is the most entertaining.

Am I paranoid?

“Really? Who do you think will win?”

“Well, the one who sang ‘Calm Lake,’ obviously. Who composed that?”

“Just say it’s me.”

Dude… way to beat around the bush.

So that means it’s me, huh? I was expecting that.

“That Anna? She’s really good too.”

“Sure, she is.”

Honestly, I thought she was good from the first time I saw her sing.

I thought other members also sang well.

Thinking back, it’s kind of amazing to realize that I no longer feel inferior compared to those members.

I guess my singing skills have developed the most over the past year.

“Anyway, let’s go up now.”

“Yep.”

As we went upstairs, we saw some people had already arrived.

“Oh, you both are here.”

“You came early?”

It was the Composer.

Although Hyeon-su and I tend to be punctual, it’s a fact that the Composer arrived early.

“Were you looking forward to this?”

“…I’m just the type to come a little early to appointments.”

At my question, the Composer frowned as if to ask what kind of strange question that was.

…Is that so?

“That’s a good type to have…”

“The instructor is inside.”

“Did you greet him?”

“We did earlier.”

If they’ve already greeted each other, then what remains is for Hyeon-su to greet him, right?

“Let’s just go in.”

So, following the Composer’s words, we took off our shoes and entered the academy completely.

“Oh, you’re here?”

As Hyeon-su and I moved inside, we heard the sound of the instructor coming out.

Dressed in training gear, it looked like he was all set to teach us seriously today.

…That sight jogged some memories from last year; is today going to be intense again?

“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m Slim Gold, Lee Hyeon-su.”

“Oh! Nice to meet you. I’m…”

I watched Hyeon-su and the instructor greet each other while feeling slightly strange.

Up until a year ago, the only person I met properly was Hyejeong.

Now, seeing how friendships are being fostered among acquaintances feels like I’ve broadened my horizons.

Well, I did come here for work, but still.

“Okay, let’s start learning.”

With the instructor’s enthusiastic voice, the real lessons began.

In fact, since it was a challenge dance, the basic choreography was incredibly simple.

But, of course, that’s just compared to other songs…

“Composer, are you bad at dancing?”

“…I just write music in the workshop.”

For people who aren’t used to dancing, it can indeed be difficult to learn from the start.

“Then why do I have to dance at all? I’m only filming challenge videos.”

Though the choreography is simple, the Composer complained of his lack of stamina as he repeatedly practiced.

Well… the reason is…

“Majority rule?”

“….”

“Hahaha, just kidding. It’d be nice to learn together while we’re at it. Who knows? It might come in handy later.”

I heard that knowing even one dance perfectly in life can unexpectedly be useful.

Especially when it’s a song you composed? Wow, that would be exceptional.

The Composer appears on variety shows often, so if he goes out and dances, it would definitely be a highlight moment.

“Plus, it’ll improve your stamina; it’s a win-win, right?”

“…Let’s just say that’s true. By the way, I think Soo-hyun dances pretty well.”

“Right?”

Look, the instructor next to us complimented me.

“I wonder how I am?”

“Hyeon-su? Um, I think you’ll learn quickly.”

“Right?”

Hyeon-su also learns quickly.

Since he’s young and has decent physicality, it’s only natural.

“…I’m the problem here.”

“You’ll learn quickly.”

“Being surrounded by young people, what is this nonsense?”

The Composer slightly expressed his self-pity, but it’s fine.

Everyone is a beginner and learning at their own pace.

Looking at the difficulty of the choreography, it seems manageable within today.

And sure enough.

“Mhm, I think we’ve got it down.”

Just as I expected, we managed to grasp a general outline of the choreography with today’s practice.

***

[Results Announcement]

Today is the day I announce the results of the song competition I hosted.

The last few days have been a bit chaotic with the voting and all…

Honestly, I was a bit shocked by the voting results.

“…So it turned out like this.”

– For real..

– How’s the taste? Haha, are you even here?

– Yeah, this is the real deal. Haha!

“Aha.”

Saying that, I looked back at the voting screen.

I don’t know what kind of fandom battles went on while I wasn’t watching, but the results themselves were quite even.

Looking at the graph, most of them were similar.

However, the most important first place was…

[1. Anna]

[2. Miro]

Ultimately, Anna took the top spot.

Does this even make sense?

– Haha!

– Pya pya pya pya!

– This is it, haha!

While my feelings were slightly conflicted, the viewers were having a blast.

But something feels off.

Why do they like her?

I could understand the Anna fandom.

Familiar usernames were also mixed in celebrating.

“Did you all vote?”

– I did, haha!

– Did? Haha!

– Oh, it’s a secret vote~

“This betrayal…!”

– Betray…?

– I just voted for what sounded better (adjusting my glasses).

– Wow~ even a mysterious lurker can’t escape Anna? www

These people… using their personal feelings in a holy competition vote.

And haven’t they been treating me well recently? My back hurts just thinking about this.

However, that pain quickly dulled.

“Well, I get it.”

Thinking about it, I think this is probably okay.

After all, my viewers wouldn’t vote simply, would they?

Placing second would suffice.

“Wow, according to the viewer voting results, Anna came first. Congratulations!”

– And?

– Is there more?

– Ah.

“Then, next will be the score from the other judge and competition host, Miro.”

Being second in the viewers’ vote…

That’s definitely something that can be overturned.

– I

– Rock

– F**k

Sure, good luck with that.

Didn’t I yield during Loa’s time?

“I think Miro is the best, but what do you all think?”

– No, no, no!

– Nah.

– Let’s stick with 2nd place, okay?

“Ah.”

What was it again? Slim Gold? Even he recognized it, so this doesn’t change anything.

– F**k, if you win, what will you do with the prize?

The prize?

Ah, the vocal lessons?

“You can look in the mirror and practice, right?”

– Ah.

As I spoke in a completely nailed-down tone, the viewers started to give in.

What does that mean…

– I

– Maintain fairness

– Rock

– Oh, let’s make Anna win now!

– Honest opinion) Miro is indeed good, haha

– F**k…

That means they’re starting to throw a tantrum.

Well, whether the chat is bustling or not doesn’t bother me.

After all, the people have been working hard for the past few days just to make me second place, haven’t they?

And…

I lightly leaned back in my chair and pulled out my phone to check the schedule.

I normally don’t keep a record of most things.

[Release – D1]

This one’s noted down.

Because from tomorrow on, I’ll be on a break.

 

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