The Idol Who Returned from Hell Chapter 121

“All cast members, please come up to the stage~.”

The familiar announcement sound rang out.

We moved toward the stage while bowing repeatedly to the numerous senior idols who had come out into the waiting room hallway.

Since idol senior-junior culture was still firmly established, this was a natural habit ingrained in everyone’s bodies. I also believed maintaining courtesy was the bare minimum.

But today, the seniors who received CENTIX’s spirited 90-degree bows frequently smiled awkwardly.

Chae Ha-ru seemed to have noticed that feeling too.

“Did we greet them too loudly?”

“I don’t think that’s it.”

“Then why……?”

When I gave him a meaningful look, a slight spark flashed in Chae Ha-ru’s previously lifeless eyes.

“Ah, I think I understand.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes, despite being rookies, our results came out far beyond imagination, so they might feel a bit awkward about how to treat us.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

CENTIX’s market destructive power had reached a situation where they couldn’t help but pay attention even if they tried not to.

Idols only need to be aware of the records their own teams have produced.

If they become curious about other groups’ sales figures, it could actually have negative effects.

However, from the start, articles saying we had shattered Zefa’s debut initial sales record broke out.

Followed by stories spreading that we had rapidly climbed the nowadays notoriously difficult music charts at fast speeds, CENTIX ended up displaying tremendous influence.

Enough to reach all the senior idols’ ears.

How big an indicator album and music sales are in the entertainment industry goes without saying.

Since these facts gained attention here and there, it was natural in a way that seniors didn’t view us as simple rookies.

‘I’m not quite sure how we should react to this though.’

I recalled one principle I had learned during my 50 years living in hell.

‘When things are ambiguous, it’s best to just act as usual.’

What could rookies who haven’t even officially debuted for a month do anyway?

Acting with proper etiquette as we were taught is the right path.

“We didn’t do anything wrong on our side at all, so just keep greeting as usual. That’s courtesy too.”

“Yes.”

After giving Chae Ha-ru another reminder, I walked toward the side of the stage where brilliant lights were flashing.

The music show closing scene I had always only seen in videos.

While most music show stages proceed as pre-recordings, the final closing is live broadcast, gathering all cast members in one place.

I still couldn’t believe I was standing in such a place.

“Now, now. Our beloved members, get ready to go forward. Ah, our youngest, quickly wipe the water from your lips.”

“Ah, oh, yes!”

“Brother Si-hwan. Is my hair alright? I sweated unusually much while singing today, so it feels like my bangs are clumped together.”

“Hmm, come closer.”

Looking at Seong-hwi’s cheeky face while fixing his bangs was just amusing.

“Still, now everyone naturally accepts my bragging, so I feel good.”

“……I can’t really think of any way to disagree either.”

The formidable candidates were now on break.

Zefa, Comet, and Magnus were still maintaining top positions on music charts, but since some time had passed since they ended their promotional activities, they probably wouldn’t receive high scores in broadcast participation points.

〈Music K Showdown〉 was even KNet’s music show that had created CENTIX by airing 〈Idol Stove League Season 2〉.

Everything was smiling toward CENTIX’s first trophy.

“〈Music K Showdown〉 that worked hard again today! Now we only have the 1st place announcement left. First, shall we meet this week’s 1st place candidates?”

“Yes! Then please show us the 1st place candidates for the first week of November!”

Two candidate songs appeared on the large screen facing the stage where the cast members stood.

Starting from the first slot, [〈Chronic〉 ― CENTIX(CENTIX)] appeared right away, eliminating any need to create suspense.

“See, I was right.”

“Fix your bangs! Wipe your sweat quickly!”

“We already did everything, Seon-woo. You just need to do yours.”

“No, why do I always seem to be the slowest? That’s weird.”

“It’s just your imagination.”

As everyone expected, Zefa joined us next to us.

Since only CENTIX was present at the scene, Yu Ha-woon and Seong-hwi’s grinning faces seemed to be captured especially large on camera.

“First, we’ll reveal the music scores!”

I looked at the screen with a calm expression.

Since Zefa was still holding 1st place on most music charts, it was natural that we’d fall behind here.

[2600 points∥ Music Score ∥2812 points]

This much was a manageable difference.

“Please, on albums, please on albums!”

Yu Ha-woon desperately repeated the same words like casting a spell.

And whether some god in heaven found it amusing, CENTIX opened a meaningful gap in scores.

[1668 points∥ Album Score ∥1250 points]

‘We’re currently leading by about 200 points.’

I watched as fan voting scores and media scores were added in order.

These two categories came out with almost similar numbers, making exact calculations difficult.

[1100 points∥ KNet Broadcast Score ∥500 points]

This difference was so large that even a passing elementary student could tell.

“The glorious 1st place after adding KNet broadcast scores goes to―!”

“CENTIX, congratulations!”

Pop! Pop-pop!

As soon as our name was called, splendid fireworks exploded on both sides.

I stared blankly at the flower petals fluttering before my eyes for a moment.

“Leader Si-hwan! Please give us a word about your feelings!”

When an MC next to me tapped my arm and handed me the microphone, my body finally moved.

“……Haha. Ah, I promised the members I wouldn’t get emotional here.”

Honest laughter uncontrollably leaked from my mouth.

Until just a moment ago, I had been calmly watching the results announcement.

Even when we won by over 500 points in the last category, I was thinking ‘Ah, we might get 1st place.’

But when I actually received the honor of 1st place, it didn’t feel real.

“First, I sincerely want to thank those who brought us together despite us dreaming the same dream from different places. Our fans, MILLENNIUM, made it possible for CENTIX to exist. Thank you so much for your unwavering support. We will become a CENTIX that doesn’t lose our original intention so we can continue showing you even better sides!”

“Yes, and Seon-woo, could we get a word from you too?”

Taking the microphone from me, Kang Seon-woo smiled brightly as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“Since Si-hwan already cleanly conveyed what I wanted to say up front. First, there are so many people we need to thank, but thank you to all our Rave Entertainment staff! Especially A&R Director Jeong Hyeon-su who worked hard making our album beautifully, Manager In-seop who reliably supports us from behind, the coordinating team members who always work hard for new styling, and our CEO, thank you all!”

Honestly, I was also wondering if I should mention CEO Go Hyeong-seok, but it seems Kang Seon-woo boldly went for it.

Looking at comment sentiment, MILLENNIUM was speaking casually to him anyway. It shouldn’t be a big deal.

“Actually, I want to fully express this grateful feeling to MILLENNIUM…… but there’s no way to express this in words. Only words like ‘thank you so much and I love you’ come out! MILLENNIUM, we love you! We’ll really work hard going forward, so please continue supporting CENTIX!”

Kang Seon-woo cut his comment at just the right timing.

Since there was still time left for 1st place acceptance speeches, the MCs glanced at the younger members next to Kang Seon-woo.

It was a clear signal to pass the microphone.

“Ah, uh, haa, gasp!”

The one who received the microphone was youngest Yu Ha-woon.

What happened next…… didn’t need much explanation.

While saying thank you to his parents, Yu Ha-woon burst into tears and collapsed right there.

It was exactly the same scene as during the 〈ISL 2〉 finale announcement, nothing had changed.

“……We won’t be satisfied and stop here, but will become a CENTIX that runs toward even higher places. Thank you!”

Fortunately, Seong-hwi, who was holding the trophy next to him, sensibly added a closing comment to fill the sound gap.

“Yes, we’ve heard the feelings of CENTIX, who claimed their first 1st place right after debut!”

“Please prepare for the encore stage! Seong-hyeon, shall we say our farewells now?”

“The place where music comes fastest, 〈Music K Showdown〉!”

“See you again at this time next week, goodbye!”

The intro of 〈Chronic〉 slowly began to flow out.

I surveyed the younger members’ condition once.

‘Should I thank Hwi?’

Maybe it was because Seong-hwi had already applied strong medicine beforehand.

Everyone’s eyes were surprisingly intact.

Except for Yu Ha-woon, who was still sobbing with the momentum to cry snot too.

“My love is chronic, chronic, my heart hurts every time I think of you.”

I gestured to Chae Ha-ru to quickly calm Yu Ha-woon down while singing the intro.

When cheers erupted from the front and I turned my head, I could clearly see slogans with our names in the densely packed audience section.

Among them was a phrase that particularly stuck in my memory.

[I’ll follow you to the ends of hell, Si-hwan]

It was someone who had been there during the 〈ISL 2〉 finale too.

The moment I stared intently at that MILLENNIUM with happy feelings.

The fan who realized their eyes were completely meeting mine was startled and began covering their mouth with their slogan.

“Want to breathe, want to escape.”

Laughter burst out of me at the scene that roughly matched the lyrics.

I quickly stopped before my breathing got affected and barely got through my part, but isn’t laughter highly contagious?

Chae Ha-ru, who was next, was still wiping Yu Ha-woon’s tears.

When snot actually started flowing from Yu Ha-woon’s nose just as his crying had stopped, his pupils shook violently.

“Sniff, sniff. As if possessed by something, my eyes are bli-ind.”

In the end, Chae Ha-ru’s chuckling sound went out over the airwaves.

Witnessing his closest brother unable to hold back laughter right before his eyes, Yu Ha-woon started crying again while doing his arm movements floppily and even in reverse.

“Youngest, youngest, get it together! You need to move your legs, your legs!”

“Huhuhng! Thank you so much for 1st place!”

Kang Seon-woo’s words didn’t seem to reach his ears at all.

CENTIX’s first encore stage was immortalized among fans the very next day as a lifetime treasure along with Yu Ha-woon’s tearful thanks.