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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: The First Fan
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After a delicious breakfast restored their appetites, the members of Brown Black quickly wrapped up the mysterious baby food from the pot and tossed it into the food waste bin.
"Shall we go out in a bit?"
"An hour or so should be fine."
Seojun woke up from his nap. He had woken up early, played to his heart's content, eaten some delicious baby food, and taken a nap, yet the sun was still high in the sky. Brown Black decided to go to the apartment playground with Kim Hwaryeon.
"Have you ever been to the playground, Seojun?"
"Aboob!"
He had been there with his mom on walks. Since he couldn't walk, he hadn't been on any of the playground equipment. Choi Siyoon said with a bright smile.
"I'll show you my dancing today."
It seemed the effects of last night still lingered. His feet wouldn't stay still, as if he wanted to start dancing at any moment.
Everyone packed formula for Seojun, diapers, and a thick blanket, then headed to the playground.
Though it was a cold winter day, the playground was full of energetic children. Laughter filled the air as kids ran around everywhere.
"I wonder when our Seojun will be able to run around like that?"
Seo Eunchan muttered, watching the rambunctious children. Kim Hwaryeon, who heard him from nearby, dusted off a bench and said.
"He'll be running around before you know it. Children grow up in the blink of an eye."
"I suppose so."
They could see Seojun in Hwang Yejun's arms, staring intently at the playground. He looked adorable in his rabbit fur hat.
"See? I have good taste."
Hwang Yejun gently poked Seojun's cheek. The rabbit hat he'd bought suited him perfectly.
"He's so cute. Seojun."
Kevin squeezed the handle on the rabbit hat, and one of the rabbit's ears shot up! He squeezed the other side, and the ears popped up one after another. Hwang Yejun and Kevin laughed at the perky rabbit ears.
"Seojun's a bunny. A little bunny."
"Ahahaha."
"Alright, Seojun can sit here."
Park Seojin, who had already secured Seojun's baby seat on the bench, called out to him.
They were in a quiet corner of the playground where not many people gathered. Since it was a shady spot that didn't get much sunlight, they wrapped Seojun in a blanket.
"Abubu!"
'It's a bit stuffy, but it's warm!'
Seo Eunchan and Kim Hwaryeon, both holding cameras, sat on either side of Seojun, who looked like a snowman wrapped in his blanket. Kim Hwaryeon filmed Seojun, while Seo Eunchan filmed Brown Black.
Brown Black moved into their positions.
Even though their first stage wasn't a glamorous venue but a deserted corner of a playground, Brown Black wasn't disappointed. In fact, their hearts were pounding so hard they felt like they might stop breathing.
Instead of the company staff who always watched their practices, they had an audience. Seojun, sitting in his baby seat watching them, widened his eyes.
'What are those hyungs up to now?'
Something sparkled above Brown Black's heads. The glittering number began to climb. It was just like last night. Seo Eunchan felt it too. He wished he had a better camera and recording equipment! It was a shame.
The leader, Park Seojin, raised his voice.
"Alright, hello, viewers. Hi, Seojun!"
"Kyahahaha!"
Seojun beamed. *Whatever happens, do your best, hyungs!*
Brown Black smiled brightly and bowed deeply.
"We will now begin Brown Black's performance. Please listen carefully, everyone!"
Choi Siyoon, who was closest, quickly ran over and played music from his phone, and the song flowed from two Bluetooth speakers placed on either side of the bench. Given the location, various other noises overlapped with the music. But,
-Though it's a humble beginning
The moment Park Seojin opened his mouth to sing, all the background noise seemed to vanish, leaving only their music.
[The Orchestra Conductor's Connection has been activated.]
'I knew it.'
Seojun nodded. It wasn't a skill that activated this often, yet these hyungs triggered it so easily.
Seojun leaned back in his seat and enjoyed the song.
They were already this good, but he looked forward to seeing what Brown Black would become in the future if they continued to trust each other, harmonize their efforts, study music, and improve their fundamental skills, all while using this ability.
-Though it's only one step
Hwang Yejun's gentle voice rang out as he began to sing. Choi Siyoon stepped forward.
[The Orchestra Conductor's Connection] only enhanced their musical abilities. It had no effect on their dancing skills.
However, Choi Siyoon could feel the rhythm and beat of the song with his entire body, far more intensely than usual.
Realizing this, Choi Siyoon moved more powerfully than he normally would.
The other three members moved in sync with Choi Siyoon's intense choreography.
Seojun's eyes widened at the continuous, spectacular dance. It was different from watching dancing on television. The performance unfolding right before his eyes had a unique, vivid quality.
The four of them danced to the music. It was strange. Just like last night, he could feel the members' emotions.
It was a dance they knew by heart, but today, their fingertips and toes were perfectly in sync.
They were having so much fun that they never lost their bright smiles, even while singing and dancing.
The four's dancing was more perfect than ever. Seo Eunchan clenched his fists.
Last night wasn't a one-time thing.
The same skill they displayed yesterday was unfolding right here, today.
'At this rate, they're going to make it big!'
Seo Eunchan unknowingly rose from his seat. He couldn't just sit and film; he wanted to capture these amazing idols from a closer angle.
"Wow…"
Kim Hwaryeon, who had gone home last night, unconsciously turned her camera from Seojun to Brown Black.
She'd heard they were the first idol group from a new entertainment company and hadn't expected much, but this was beyond her imagination.
It was the first time she'd heard the song, but the lyrics stuck in her head, and the spectacular group dance was a feast for the eyes.
-It's just the beginning!
The song, which lasted about four minutes, came to an end. Brown Black bowed deeply to the cameras filming them.
"*Pant, pant.* Thank you!"
Clearly exhausted, the members of Brown Black collapsed onto the ground in front of the bench where Seojun sat. Seo Eunchan handed them water bottles with a puzzled look.
"Weren't you supposed to do two more songs?"
"*Gasp.* Ah, no. *Pant, pant.* It's just so tiring…"
Hwang Yejun waved his hand dismissively as he chugged his water without taking a breath. The other three nodded in agreement. Park Seojin wiped his face with his hands, looking completely drained.
"Yesterday, we just sang the whole thing without thinking, but singing while dancing feels like death."
"I know, right? Wow, how did we even manage it yesterday?"
'It's probably because of me, right?'
Seojun wanted to reach out and pat the hyungs to supply them with some mana, but hmm, his arms were wrapped in the blanket, and he couldn't move. He could only wiggle his fingers.
The skill didn't come without a price. It primarily used mana, but if there was no mana, it would take a toll on their stamina instead.
Yesterday, Seojun and Brown Black were close, so his mana had covered about half the cost, but now they were farther apart.
Today, and in all their future performances, it was something Brown Black would have to handle on their own.
Kevin, who had been catching his breath on the dirt ground, laughed.
"We need to start working out."
"Yeah. I'll get you a gym membership. You need to build up your stamina if you're going to hold a concert."
At Seo Eunchan's words, the faces of the Brown Black members, who were sitting on the ground, all turned in one direction.
It was a word that had felt distant even in their wildest dreams. Choi Siyoon asked back with a dazed expression.
"A c-concert?"
"That's right."
Seo Eunchan smiled brightly.
"You guys are amazing! If you debut like this, you might even have a nationwide concert tour within a year!"
"Really?"
Brown Black looked incredulous. They had been rejected by multiple agencies. Their debut plans had always been canceled, their schedules overturned, always told they were lacking something.
But a concert?
They too felt they had done better than their usual practices just now. It was the same heart-stirring song from last night, with dancing that couldn't have been more perfect. They thought if they performed like this on a music show, it would be an incredible debut stage!
"I think so, too."
It was Kim Hwaryeon. Her face, which had been calm just moments before, was now flushed with excitement.
"Wow. Why haven't you debuted yet? Your singing was amazing, and your dancing was so cool! Here, look. I've got goosebumps, see? You were really incredible."
"Ah…"
Brown Black didn't know how to react to Kim Hwaryeon's praise.
It was then.
"Excuse me!"
A man called out to them. The cheerful atmosphere instantly dissipated.
*A complaint?* Seo Eunchan shot up and hurried over to the man. *Were we too loud?* Seo Eunchan bit his lip. He couldn't let Brown Black's image be ruined before their debut.
"I'm sorr—"
"What's the name of that song?"
"Huh…? What?"
The man, who had come back for some documents he'd forgotten and rushed over after hearing their song, smiled awkwardly and said.
"I've been searching everywhere, but I can't find the song title or the artist's name. You sang several songs last night, but only one today."
"Uh… uh…"
The eyes of Brown Black and Kim Hwaryeon, who had been holding their breath in suspense, widened. Seo Eunchan and Brown Black were both at a loss for words at the man's sudden question.
The man who asked seemed embarrassed and said no more. Only silence followed.
It seemed everyone was too stunned to speak.
"Kyahahah!"
*This is my cue. What's this atmosphere? Can you eat it?* The laughter of a baby, too young to know anything, broke the silence.
Startled, Seo Eunchan quickly answered.
"Ah, yes! The song is called 'Start.' And the artist's name is, uh. One moment."
Seo Eunchan gestured toward the back. Brown Black flinched and hurried over to him. *Introduce yourselves. Go on.* Seo Eunchan whispered.
"Ah, hello. We're Brown Black!"
"Oh, Brown Black. I enjoyed it. You're great singers. And great dancers, too."
"Thank you."
"But I couldn't find the song when I searched for it…"
Seo Eunchan quickly replied.
"We haven't debuted yet."
The man's eyes widened. *Ah. So that's why.* The man, who had scoured music sites all night and even posted questions online, felt a sense of relief now that he had an answer.
"I hope you debut soon. Please release a lot of great songs."
The man smiled and took a piece of paper from his bag. A pen came out of his pocket. He held the paper and pen out to Brown Black.
Unsure what he meant, Brown Black just stood there blankly. Seo Eunchan nudged Kevin in the ribs.
"Autograph, autograph."
"*Gasp!*"
Hwang Yejun stopped breathing. Park Seojin took the paper and pen, his hands trembling.
"If it's not too much trouble, I'd appreciate it."
"No, not at all."
Seo Eunchan waved his hand. Meanwhile, Choi Siyoon, who seemed to be having trouble breathing, signed the paper. As the conversation dragged on, Kim Hwaryeon approached them, holding Seojun.
"Gyaaaaa."
"Oh? It's a baby?"
"Yes. We're filming a childcare variety show for our N-tube channel. Please give it a watch when you have time. This is our N-tube address."
While Seo Eunchan and the man continued their conversation, the autographs were finished. The man took the signed paper and smiled brightly.
"I'll definitely buy your album when it comes out."
"Thank you!"
Brown Black and Seo Eunchan bowed deeply. The man bowed back and left.
Brown Black just stared at the man's back as he walked away into the distance. His figure began to blur.
"Ah…"
It was tears.
Kevin bit his lip. A warmth spread through his chest. It was so intense he felt like he would cry. The youngest, Choi Siyoon, had already started crying. Tears streamed down his face silently.
Hwang Yejun and Park Seojin looked at their members, their eyes welling up as they opened their mouths to speak. But no words came out, so they closed them again.
"You did great!"
Seo Eunchan, the only one who could manage to speak, patted the shoulders of the Brown Black members, who had buried their faces in their hands. He, too, seemed unable to control his overwhelming emotions, repeating, "You did great. You did great."
Kim Hwaryeon, expertly holding Seojun with one arm, raised her camera. She sniffled as well.
"Kyahahah."
Unable to cry along with them, Seojun let out a bright laugh. Brown Black's gazes turned to the baby. Seeing his beaming face.
"Uwaaah. Seojun!"
"The hyungs got a compliment!"
"[He said he'll buy the album! He asked us to sing more!]"
"Uwaah. He said your hyung is a good dancer!"
Starting with Hwang Yejun, they all burst into tears. They gathered around the small baby, hugging each other and crying.
He could endure the stuffiness…
'But you're making me want to cry, too!'
"Waaaaah!"
Seojun also burst into tears. Seo Eunchan wiped his own flowing tears, and Kim Hwaryeon took out a handkerchief.
It was a good day.
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