Chapter 186: Chapter 186

“Like an apple yum-yum-yum!

Like a pineapple pop-pop-pop!”

Even though only a few lines of the lyrics had been released, everyone hoped it was just a temporary song brought in from somewhere to commemorate the event.

This was despite Seong Jiwon already firmly stating that it was a candidate for the title track.

So, instead of “Second Chance,” they were planning to come back with this?

While everyone shouted and waved their light sticks at The Dawn, their minds were locked on a single mantra: “Daepaseong, you son of a bitch!”

Of course, the stage continued diligently amidst all this.

“Like a mango mang-mang-mang,

I hope this isn’t a failed love,

(Ah ah ah)”

The lyrics, which felt like anyone could have written them better even with their feet, paired with a cute melody, were not something you could get used to, especially with the EDM-heavy tune.

“I’m going to faint for real…”

Even if they had come back with this song, it would have gone viral.

As a viral video.

And they would have been cyberbullied like crazy.

But as they kept watching, whether it was the effect of brainwashing or their faces, it was hard to tell.

In white short-sleeved T-shirts and jeans, with a bit of sweat, the ultimate in innocence combined with cute fruit-shaped hats and their adorable dancing made the fans feel like they were in paradise

“But you know~.”

Next to Kang Ichae, who was playing the role of the mango, Seo Hoyun, who had long tossed aside his pineapple hat, dashed out with a mischievous smile.

In his hand was a unicorn-shaped bubble gun.

Seo Hoyun spun around, shooting bubbles everywhere, then mimed eating an apple with his hand.

“Apples are delicious, yum-yum-yum.”

No, it would have blown up!!

By then, fans unconsciously erased all their previous thoughts.

Damn, their faces are the plot!!!

They screamed wildly.

Not since the Heart-Thumping Salad Challenge had they attempted such a cute concept, so the response was even more enthusiastic.[1]

Since it was a concert organized for fan service and there was no set choreography, the members went from one end of the stage to the other, seeking out every nook and cranny for the Noeuls.

Seo Hoyun was squatting down, singing while making eye contact with fans.

“You’re my pineapple!!!”

At the shout that could even pierced through the loud music, Seo Hoyun widened his eyes and then gently curled them into a smile.

With his expression clearly captured on the big screen, the Noeuls’ cheers grew even louder.

“Like a pineapple pop-pop-pop!”

Seo Hoyun sent bubbles flying towards the fans, then moved next to Jeong Dajun and pressed down the apple-shaped hat he was wearing.

Watching this, Seong Jiwon smiled brightly and picked up the microphone.

“The orchard where you and I could meet,

You picking pineapples Wow Wow Wow,

The thorns hurt, but it’s so lovely it’s amazing.”

The lyrics made no sense, but when sung in Seong Jiwon’s tone, they somehow seemed plausible.

During one of their concert practice, Kim Seonghyeon had murmured that it was a waste of talent, but fans, unaware of such circumstances, even found the song surprisingly romantic.

In the end, the alluring charm and singing skills of The Dawn left the Noeuls utterly enchanted.

“Like a mango, mang-mang-mang!”

This is Billboard No. 1 material…

By the time the song ended, even those who were initially skeptical fell into the grand illusion of understanding why it was once considered a title track.

With five handsome guys singing this, people would flock, exclaiming, “Damn, what is this?!”

And for The Dawn, who desperately needed some buzz at the time, it seemed like a potentially effective noise marketing strategy.

Of course, Daepaseong had no such strategic thoughts, and had they really come out with this, fans would have cursed them to death.

But it’s cute?

Fans found themselves oscillating between being driven mad by The Dawn’s coolness and wanting to tear Daepaseong apart.

As the concert entered its second half, they performed the unit and cover songs they had prepared.

“Follow me and say, ‘You can’t get over me,’

You never said you disliked it, I know what you want.”

First up was Seo Hoyun and Kim Seonghyeon’s cover of Black Call’s “Get Over,” inspired by their self-produced content, “Heart-Pounding Matching Survival!”[2]

Following that, they returned to their original parts, with Seong Jiwon on vocals and Kang Ichae on rap for the cover of ” When We Love,” and Jeong Dajun and Kang Ichae for “Please Let a Meteor Fall Before I Go to Work Tomorrow.”[3]

“Seo Hoyun!!!”

“You’re the dancing machine!!!”

Even during their performance of Lea Purple’s “Easy Tempo,” a song that had inspired countless legendary GIFs, Seo Hoyun pulled a long velvet ribbon from his pocket, wrapped it around his neck, and tied it into a bow.

“Love me slowly.”

At the perfect moment, he untied the bow with a dramatic flourish, sending the entire concert hall into a frenzy.[4]

Fans who failed to secure tickets were glued to social media, endlessly waiting for even a single photo or video clip.

And when content did emerge, they gritted their teeth.

Silk shirts with body chains, tight tees with harnesses, fruit hats, suits, ribbon chokers, and more.

Plus, it was their first concert.

The first time held deep meaning for the fans.

The Noeuls who couldn’t attend the concert shed tears, looking at the meager tidbits that trickled down from the scene.

[Don’t even bring up the “con” in “concert” to me right now.

└Pop “corn”[5]

└└You’re gonna die]

Meanwhile, The Dawn was in high spirits.

And why wouldn’t they be?

The massive crowd gathered to see them, the light sticks swaying in every direction, the cheers that could even pierce through their earpieces.

All these things were unfamiliar, yet the pure affection was palpable.

“Thank you! Now it’s the last song!”

“Stardust,” the song that brought them here, began to play.[6]

“We’re not lost, we’re moving forward,

We never saved anything to go back.”

While the final stage of Shining Star Season 2 had been about singing of hope in the face of despair, this time it was much brighter, radiating the perfect summer vibe.

“All the way to the end,

Regardless of what lies ahead.”

Dressed in T-shirts emblazoned with The Dawn logo, the members darted around the stage, towel slogans casually draped around their necks.

In a burst of mischief, Kang Ichae playfully tossed his towel over Seo Hoyun’s head.

But rather than showing any irritation, Seo Hoyun simply smiled, unfazed by the gesture.

Kang Ichae found it fascinating.

He genuinely seemed at peace and in a good mood.

So, he burst into laughter with him as they locked eyes.

“We are becoming Stardust.”

Before they knew it, all the members were gathered, looking into each other’s eyes.

“Thank you! Goodbye!”

With a bright smile, Seong Jiwon waved to the Noeuls.

♩♪♫n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Somewhere, a whistle sound was heard.

“Let’s paint our future together,

Meeting you has changed me.”

The fans began singing along, their voices rising in unison, a cappella.

It was “Colors,” a track from their Japanese album.[7]

The overwhelming response from the Noeuls, saying it was too good to be released only in Japanese, led them to re-record it in Korean for their fans.

“Today, tomorrow, and the day after,

We’ll be together!”

It wasn’t a title track or even part of their domestic album releases.

None of the members had expected this moment.

Yet, the fans’ voices blended seamlessly, filling the stadium with raw, unrestrained emotion.

Jeong Dajun, who was wide-eyed with surprise, burst into tears, and Kim Seonghyeon, who had been holding back, also broke down.

Seong Jiwon quietly wiped his eyes as well.

“My heart keeps pounding,

I want to tell you

I wish this moment could last forever!”

Standing at the front, Seo Hoyun neither cried nor laughed.

He simply raised the microphone quietly when his part came and sang along with the fans.

“I may have a bad temper,

Always doing things my way,

I don’t mind losing if it’s to you.”

Perhaps no one knew, but Seo Hoyun was a bit shaken.

Although he hadn’t written it, there wasn’t a single promise in the lyrics he could keep.

“I wish this moment could last forever,

Can I stay by your side?”

Every time he saw such unconditional affection, it felt like the conscience he thought had vanished was pounding on his heart.

Seo Hoyun knew.

He couldn’t last forever, and there would eventually be an end.

“—I swallow these words and instead.”

But he looked straight ahead, pretending everything was fine.

“Let’s paint tomorrow together.”

In front of him, the blue lights symbolizing The Dawn swayed abundantly.

Instead of letting out the countless words and emotions swirling around him, Seo Hoyun simply smiled.

“I’ve changed for you,

My Colors.”

For now, more than anything, he just wanted to savor this moment a little while longer.

.

.

.

Only after performing a few more songs for the encore could they wrap up.

It was the same for the concert that followed the next day.

The slight variation in choreography for each day received quite favorable reviews.

“Thank you!”

“Great job~.”

They waved to the staff as they stepped off the stage.

According to the planning team, the first-day concert reactions were a mix of surprise at their skills and fan service but seeing them cry their eyes out at the end made them seem like total rookies.

Does that mean I’m not a rookie?

Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun were known for being crybabies, but even Kang Ichae got teary-eyed today.

I scratched my neck as I opened the door to the waiting room.

Along with the other members, I turned on the V-Live app.

It was to briefly thank the fans and convey our feelings.

“Wahhh…”

“Hey, are you crying? Crying?”

I teased Kim Seonghyeon and Jeong Dajun, who were still crying, and after sharing my thoughts on the first concert and thanking the Noeuls, I ended the live stream.

“Let’s call it a day~.”

“Good work, everyone!”

We all changed into casual clothes and headed to the parking lot.

The time was nearing dawn.

“Let’s paint tomorrow together~~!!”

“I’ve changed for you! I told you, I lost~!”

“Who had a drink?”

“It’s seriously embarrassing.”

Thinking that my stamina had been lacking lately, I massaged my stiff shoulders, and Jeong Dajun, who had been singing loudly, clung to me.

“Hyung, how are your eyes so dry??”

“And how are yours so puffy?”

When I touched Jeong Dajun’s eyes, which were swollen like a goldfish, they felt warm.

I ignored Dajun’s request to pull him toward the van, as he seemed to enjoy the cool sensation of my hands on his eyes, and instead, I walked briskly ahead.

Tomorrow morning is a day off and then straight to preparing for our comeback.

While our appearances in public broadcasts had decreased a bit, our schedule was still packed.

I thought maybe being busy was better as I arrived at the new dorm.

After showering and roughly drying my hair, I came out to find the living room bustling with after-party preparations.

Still excited, Jeong Dajun was full of energy.

“Our night starts tonight!!”

I caught the running kid and spun him around, pushing him towards Kim Seonghyeon.

Well, he had been yelling about wanting an afterparty for a while.

“Good work. I’m going to bed.”

“Huh! Where are you going?! Let’s have an afterparty!!”

“Hoyun, I even bought the cream liqueur you like!”

When did I ever say I liked that stuff?

I glanced over the table, and after spotting the Iris whiskey, plopped down onto the floor.

“Is there milk?”

“Yeah, right next to you.”

“Wow, look at that quick change. Preferring his favorite drink over the maknae’s request?!”

“Hyung, didn’t I tell you? This will get him for sure.”

“You’re right~.”

Tuning out their banter, I concentrated on preparing my drink instead.

One sip and the sweet cream and chocolate flavors hit hard.

Savoring the lingering taste, I was in the middle of mixing another drink when Jeong Dajun handed me a bottle of Iris whiskey and said,

“Uh… but hyung, please don’t get mad.”

“Why would I get mad?”

“Well, you see….”

Just then—

Ding!

The doorbell rang.

“Oh man~!”

A glance at the clock showed it wasn’t a time for anyone to visit.

Jeong Dajun quickly checked the intercom and awkwardly turned his head.

…What is it?

He sheepishly pushed me towards the door.

“We have a special guest coming today. Hyung, can you open the door?”

The maknae’s reaction seemed suspicious, but I figured it was probably just the manager.

We had only recently moved into this dorm, and Jeong Dajun had already checked the intercom.

I thought I’d find out who it was once I opened the door, so I lazily moved to open it, not forgetting to throw in a comment.

“The maknae should be the one opening the door.”

“Ah, but hyung should do it~.”

Seriously, what is it?

Seeing Jeong Dajun pushing me from behind, I finally decided to play along and trudged over to the door, flinging it open.

“…Ack!”

With a loud thud, something hit the door, followed by a familiar voice.

“Ugh….”

“Who…?”

It seemed someone had bumped into the door as I opened it.

Squinting my eyes, I peeked around the door—

“Hey, that fucking hurt.”

—only to see Joo Woosung, rubbing his forehead with teary eyes.

[1]Episode 114

[2]Episode 106

[3]Episode 107

[4]Episode 155

[5] “Concert” is written as 콘서트 (kon-seo-teu) while “popcorn” is 팝콘 (pap-kon)

[6]Episode 170

[7] Episode 139–140