After regaining his appetite with a delicious breakfast, Brownblack quickly wrapped the unidentifiable baby food in the pot and threw it in the food waste bin.
"Shall we go outside in a bit?"
"An hour should be fine."
Seojun woke up from his nap. Despite waking up early, playing to his heart's content, and having a delicious baby food, it was still midday. Together with Kim Hwaryeon, Brownblack decided to go to the apartment playground.
"Has Seojun been to the playground before?"
"Ah!"
He went with his mother for a walk. Since he couldn't even walk, he couldn't use any of the playground equipment. Chae Siyun smiled widely and said,
"I'll show you my dance today."
It seemed the effects of last night were still lingering. He couldn't keep his feet still, eager to dance.
Everyone prepared the formula, diapers, and a thick blanket for Seojun and headed to the playground.
It was a cold winter, but the playground was full of energetic children. Laughter echoed, and children ran around everywhere.
"When will our Seojun start running around?"
Watching the rambunctious children, Se Eunchan muttered. Hearing this nearby, Kim Hwaryeon brushed off the dust on the bench and said,
"He'll be running around soon. Children grow up in the blink of an eye."
"That's true."
Seojun, cradled in Hwang Yejun's arms, stared intently at the playground. He looked incredibly cute in his rabbit hat.
"See, I picked it well, didn't I?"
Hwang Yejun gently pressed and released Seojun's cheek. The rabbit hat he bought fit him perfectly.
"You're so cute, Seojun."
When Kevin pressed the handle of the rabbit hat, the rabbit's ears popped up. Pressing the opposite side alternately made the ears flicker. Hwang Yejun and Kevin laughed at the rabbit ears standing up.
"Seojun, you're a rabbit. A rabbit."
"Ahahaha."
"Let's have Seojun sit here."
Park Seojin, who had already placed Seojun's baby chair safely on the bench, called out to him.
They were in a corner of the playground where there weren't many people. It was a shaded area, so they wrapped Seojun in a blanket.
"Ahh!"
'Even if it's stuffy, it's warm!'
Se Eunchan and Kim Hwaryeon, holding cameras, sat on either side of Seojun, who was wrapped in a blanket like a snowman. Kim Hwaryeon took pictures of Seojun, while Se Eunchan took pictures of Brownblack.
Brownblack found his spot and stood there.
Even though their first stage was in a corner of the playground where no one came, Brownblack wasn't disappointed. Instead, his heart was beating so fast it felt like it would stop any moment.
There were spectators, not the company employees who always watched their practice. Seojun, sitting in the baby chair, looked at them with wide eyes.
'What are these guys going to do now?'
Brownblack's head sparkled. The numbers kept getting higher, just like last night. Se Eunchan also felt the same way. It was a pity they didn't have a better camera and recording equipment.
The leader, Park Seojin, raised his voice.
"Hello, everyone. Hello, Seojun!"
"Kyaahaha!"
Seojun smiled widely. No matter what happens, do your best, guys!
Brownblack smiled brightly and bowed.
"Brownblack's performance will start now. Please listen carefully!"
The closest person, Chae Siyun, quickly ran over and played music on his phone. The music flowed from the two Bluetooth speakers placed on either side of the bench. Despite the various noises, the music was clear.
- A weak start, but
When Park Seojin started singing, it felt like all the other noises disappeared.
[The Orchestra Conductor's Connection has been activated.]
'I knew it.'
Seojun nodded. This skill usually didn't activate so often, but these guys used it so easily.
Seojun leaned back in his chair and enjoyed the song.
Even now, if they continue to trust each other and study music for a long time, improving their basic skills, and use the skill's abilities, it's exciting to think about what Brownblack will become in the future.
- Just a step, but
Hwang Yejun's voice opened, and a gentle voice was heard. Chae Siyun stepped forward.
[The Orchestra Conductor's Connection] only increased musical ability, not dance skills.
However, Chae Siyun felt the rhythm and beat of the song more intensely than usual.
Feeling this clearly, Chae Siyun moved more vigorously than usual.
The other three moved their bodies to match Chae Siyun's intense choreography.
Seojun's eyes widened at the continuous, dazzling dance. It was different from the dances he saw on TV. The live performance in front of him felt vivid.
The four danced to the music. It was amazing. He could feel the members' hearts, just like last night.
The dance moves, which were familiar to them, felt even more precise today.
They were so happy that they kept smiling while singing and dancing.
The four's dance was more perfect than ever. Se Eunchan clenched his fist.
Last night wasn't a one-time thing.
The skills they showed last night were displayed here today.
'If this is the level, they'll succeed!'
Se Eunchan couldn't help but stand up. He wanted to take pictures of this amazing idol from a closer distance, not just sit and film.
"Wow..."
Kim Hwaryeon, who had gone home last night, unknowingly turned the camera from Seojun to Brownblack.
She didn't expect much from the first idol group of a new entertainment company, but they exceeded her expectations.
Even though it was the first time she heard the song, the lyrics stuck in her ears, and the dazzling group dance was a feast for the eyes.
- This is just the beginning!
The song, which lasted about 4 minutes, ended. Brownblack bowed to the camera filming them.
"Huff... huff... Thank you!"
Clearly exhausted, Brownblack sat down in front of Seojun's baby chair. Se Eunchan, with a puzzled look, handed them water bottles.
"Didn't we agree to do two more songs?"
"Huff... No, huff... It's really tiring..."
Hwang Yejun, who had been drinking water without stopping, waved his hand. The other three nodded. Park Seojin, looking completely exhausted, wiped his face.
"Last night, we sang all the songs without knowing, but singing and dancing at the same time feels like dying."
"Right. Wow, how did we sing last night?"
'It must be because of me, right?'
Seojun, as a mana supplier, wanted to pat the guys on the back with both hands but couldn't move because his arms were wrapped in the blanket. He could only wiggle his fingers.
Using the skill wasn't free. Mana was used, but if there was no mana, stamina had to be used as a substitute.
Last night, Seojun and Brownblack were close, so Seojun's mana covered half of it, but now they were far apart.
Today, and in future stages, it was something Brownblack had to handle on their own.
Kevin, sitting on the ground, took a few deep breaths and laughed.
"We need to exercise more."
"Right. I'll start going to the gym. We need to build stamina for concerts."
Hearing Se Eunchan, the Brownblack members, who were sitting on the ground, looked at each other.
It was something they only imagined. Chae Siyun, with a bewildered look, asked,
"Concerts?"
"Right."
Se Eunchan smiled brightly.
"You guys are a hit! If you debut like this, you might do a nationwide concert within a year!"
"Really?"
Brownblack looked disbelieving. They had been rejected by many agencies, always told they were lacking, and their debut plans were canceled.
But concerts?
They thought they did better than usual while singing and dancing just now. It was the heart-pounding song and the perfect dance they performed last night. If they did this on a music show, it would be a great debut stage, they thought.
"I think so too."
It was Kim Hwaryeon. Her face, which had been calm until now, was flushed.
"Wow. Why haven't you debuted yet? You sing so well and dance so beautifully! Look, it gave me goosebumps. You were really amazing."
"Ah..."
Brownblack didn't know what to do with Kim Hwaryeon's praise.
At that moment,
"Hey!"
A man called out to them. The warm atmosphere instantly cooled down.
Was it a complaint? Se Eunchan quickly stood up and ran to the man. Was it too noisy? Se Eunchan bit his lip. They couldn't ruin Brownblack's image before their debut.
"Sorry..."
"What's the title of the song?"
"Huh... What?"
The man, who had come running after hearing their song while fetching some documents, smiled awkwardly.
"No matter how much I searched, I couldn't find the song title or the singer's name. You sang several songs last night, but only one today."
"Uh... Uh..."
Brownblack and Kim Hwaryeon, who had been holding their breath, had wide eyes. Se Eunchan and Brownblack were speechless at the man's sudden question.
The man, feeling awkward, didn't say anything more. Silence filled the air.
Everyone seemed to be in a daze.
"Kyaahaha!"
At such times, I have to step up. What's the atmosphere? Is it about eating? The baby's laughter broke the silence.
Startled, Se Eunchan quickly answered.
"Ah, yes! The song title is 'Start.' And the singer's name is, uh, wait a moment."
Se Eunchan gestured to the back. Brownblack, who had been trembling, quickly ran to Se Eunchan. Greeting. Greeting. Se Eunchan whispered.
"Ah, hello. We are Brownblack!"
"Ah, Brownblack. I enjoyed it. You sing well and dance well."
"Thank you."
"But I couldn't find the song on search..."
Se Eunchan quickly replied.
"We haven't debuted yet."
The man's eyes widened. Ah, that's why. The man, who had been searching music sites all night and even posted a question, felt relieved when he found the answer.
"I hope you debut soon. Please sing more good songs."
The man smiled and took out a piece of paper from his bag. He also took out a pen from his pocket and handed it to Brownblack.
Not knowing what to do, Brownblack stood there. Se Eunchan nudged Kevin.
"Autograph, autograph."
"Huh!"
Hwang Yejun's breath stopped. Park Seojin, trembling, took the paper and pen.
"Could you sign it if it's not too much trouble?"
"No, not at all."
Se Eunchan waved his hand. Meanwhile, Chae Siyun, who was having trouble breathing, signed the paper. As the conversation continued, Kim Hwaryeon, holding Seojun, approached them.
"Kyaah!"
"Huh? A baby?"
"Yes. We're filming a parenting variety show for our YouTube channel. If you have time, please watch it. Here's our YouTube link."
While Se Eunchan and the man continued their conversation, the autograph was finished. The man, receiving the autograph, smiled brightly.
"I'll definitely buy your album when it comes out."
"Thank you!"
Brownblack and Se Eunchan bowed. The man also bowed and left.
Brownblack only watched the man's back as he walked away. The man's back became blurry.
"Ah..."
Tears.
Kevin bit his lip. His heart was burning. It was so hot that he felt like crying. The youngest, Chae Siyun, had already started crying. Silent tears streamed down his face.
Hwang Yejun and Park Seojin, looking at their members, opened their tear-filled eyes but couldn't speak.
"You did well!"
Se Eunchan, who could speak, patted Brownblack's shoulder, his face buried in his hands. He couldn't control his overwhelming emotions and kept repeating, "You did well. You did well."
Kim Hwaryeon, holding Seojun skillfully with one hand, raised her camera. She also sniffled.
"Kyaahaha."
Seojun, who couldn't cry, smiled widely. Brownblack's gaze turned to the baby. Seeing his bright smile,
"Yehhehe. Seojun!"
"Guys, you got praised!"
"[He said he'll buy the album! He wants you to sing more!]"
"Yehhe. You guys dance well!"
Starting with Hwang Yejun, everyone burst into tears. They hugged each other, crying, with the small baby in the middle.
They could endure the stuffiness, but...
'You just want to cry!'
"Yeeee!"
Seojun also burst into tears. Se Eunchan wiped away the tears streaming down his face, and Kim Hwaryeon took out a handkerchief.