The Idol Who Returned from Hell – Chapter 142

Author: Dawn

This December was particularly harsh with cold waves, but weather like minus 12 degrees Celsius couldn’t interfere with the homma at all.

Having equipped herself with full gear including a long padded coat and fur scarf, she finally checked her bag.

‘Let me see. Got all the special benefits properly. Got the photo cards for sharing too. Got the spare bag to hold things I’ll pick up from the cafe.’

She had to digest quite a busy schedule starting from this morning.

The main-level project that could be pursued domestically thanks to the solidarity of overseas fans among the global projects for Ryu Si-hwan’s birthday event begins today.

‘I never dreamed in my wildest dreams that five birthday cafes would open.’

The representative event of renting privately-run cafes for several days to commemorate your bias’s birthday.

Generally, 1-2 locations are rented and opened for about 3 days, but since this was the first birthday Ryu Si-hwan faced after CENTIX debuted, and he was the leader, the fans’ solidarity was more intense than ever.

As a result, a route was completed that required circling the Hongdae and Sinchon areas all day long.

On the way to the subway station, the homma drew a map in her head.

‘Going from bottom to top would make the route a bit cleaner.’

While squeezing her body into the subway that was still crowded with people, she played a K-Live video.

The homma rechewed all the killing points while rewatching Ryu Si-hwan’s 40-minute birthday commemoration live broadcast that had aired this morning.

‘Ah, I haven’t changed my profile picture in a while. That face with cream on his cheek is so tempting, what should I do.’

Her bias had been frequently producing looks that couldn’t be easily seen recently.

Ryu Si-hwan had a chic and tsundere temperament, seeming to compete with coolness rather than cuteness.

But the pink cone hat and cream smeared on his face created a considerably cute and trivial image.

‘I hope he takes a selfie and uploads it today. Since he promised to leave verification shots, I can look forward to it, right?’

Inside her bag were many self-made photo cards to give out to MILLENNIUM who came to visit the birthday cafe.

It could be confirmed in CENTIX’s NeoTube vlogs that Seong-hwi was performing the role of factory manager, mass-producing Ryu Si-hwan’s photos.

So excellent materials for self-production were continuously overflowing.

‘It’s really fortunate that those two seem to be getting along well.’

While thinking about it, she also rewatched the [Centix 〈Chronic〉 Music Video Filming Behind Vlog by Hwi] NeoTube video.

During break times, Seong-hwi stuck to Ryu Si-hwan’s side like gum and maintained an innocent smile throughout that could hardly be witnessed during 〈Idol Stove League Season 2〉.

When the debut members were first confirmed, unintended public opinion battles often unfolded due to power struggles between individual fans.

But when the lid was actually lifted, there were no conflicts between members at all and they always boasted good teamwork, instantly putting worries to rest.

Watching this video, it seemed people are indeed quite influenced by their environment.

After riding the subway for about an hour, the homma finally arrived at the first destination, a cafe in Hongdae.

Although she could leisurely visit anytime, there was a reason she arrived matching the opening time like this.

Because all of Ryu Si-hwan’s birthday cafes had special set benefits provided to the first 50 people each day on a first-come, first-served basis!

The homma looked at the event guide banner set up at the cafe entrance and took a visit verification shot first.

She had arrived at exactly 9 o’clock thinking she might become the first visitor, but she could already see several silhouettes through the glass window.

‘Everyone’s incredibly diligent.’

As soon as she entered the warm cafe, CENTIX’s songs immediately greeted her.

The piano version of 〈HIT〉 flowing softly seemed to melt even the cold winter air.

“One CENTIX Set C, please.”

Set C, the last of the three benefits, boasted the highest quality with 5 lucky draw chances, 1 photo card set, 6 printed photos, and even an acrylic keyring.

Actually, the homma herself could make fan-produced goods anytime.

But collecting goods provided by other skilled MILLENNIUM rather than her own hands also had solid fun.

Moreover, the [Happy Sihwan Day!] text beautifully decorated on the back of the photo cards was at a level her artistic talent could never create.

The macaron set that came with the coffee… the person who planned this felt malicious.

The homma looked at Ryu Si-hwan’s face printed on top of the rainbow-colored macarons and sighed inwardly.

‘How am I supposed to eat this!’

It was comedy that she was thinking about how to eat a product made to be eaten.

But how could she logically eat a macaron with her bias’s face boldly engraved on it like a savage in one bite?

The homma, weighing her morning hunger against her affection for Ryu Si-hwan, chose the option of pushing the macaron set deep into her bag.

First, she sipped hot americano and looked around the inside of the cafe.

All of Ryu Si-hwan’s stage photos from 〈Idol Stove League Season 2〉 were hung on the wall in chronological order.

The homma looked at the printed photos continuing from 〈HIT〉, 〈Volt〉, 〈Back in the Time〉, 〈Winning Shot〉, 〈Royal Road〉 with a pleased expression and fell into reminiscence.

Looking back, they seemed like moments from just yesterday.

Before she knew it, Ryu Si-hwan had passed through harsh survival and become someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with top-tier idols without any inferiority.

The 〈Chronic〉 activity photos were placed in black frames like art pieces.

The homma, who had considerable pride in her own photography skills, fell into awe looking at several photos.

‘This one’s really well taken. It seems like they use the same editing program as me, but their saturation adjustment method is unique.’

Besides the photos, there were limited signed polaroids included in the 3 types of 〈Revelation〉 albums, member ID cards, and collections of dragon balls lined up.

The homma had naturally succeeded in completing a full photo card collection by going to fan signings, but she had no album polaroids due to bad luck.

She couldn’t even imagine how much this MILLENNIUM had invested.

People who visited the cafe early finished organizing verification shots and posts for their personal timelines, then gradually started sharing.

“Hello! Are you by any chance a Si-hwan fan?”

“I brought various things to share, take a look!”

Like MILLENNIUM gathered in one place with the same topic, conversation flowed quickly.

When they gathered the colorfully decorated holders and Ryu Si-hwan’s various photo cards in one place and even took photos, a small sense of happiness washed over them for the first time in a while.

‘I really did well becoming a fan.’

The homma, who knew well how skilled she was at over-immersion, had been afraid to carelessly watch survival programs.

If they walked a path of hardship right after debut, she would obviously cry and follow along.

However, contrary to concerns, CENTIX was sailing smoothly with properly set sails. Of course, winds that shook the ship appeared again whenever she thought she could forget, which was annoying, but ultimately the goddess of victory sided with her bias.

While having such conversations and gauging the timing to go to the next birthday cafe.

Slightly noisy sounds came from outside the cafe.

“Did customers come in a group?”

“I’m not sure, I can’t see well from here—.”

The homma turned her head to try to check who was making the noise.

Through the glass window, she could see the shadows of about two fairly tall people, making her think ‘Did Si-hwan even capture male fans?’ when.

“Hello~ Wow, it’s warm.”

A man wearing a black beanie and mask entered the cafe holding a portable camera.

A face on the verge of disappearing, tall height, and handsome eyes that could be felt even with the mask.

The homma and other MILLENNIUM stared blankly at the man like frozen people for several seconds.

Then the person to her left stood up as if possessed by something and stammered.

“Wa, wa, wait a minute. Isn’t that person Si, Si-hwan?”

“What?”

“Si-hwan?”

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Ryu Si-hwan’s photos decorating the wall gorgeously.

And then returned to the man holding a camera and placing an order at the counter.

‘This is insane.’

The homma barely swallowed the curse that was about to escape her mouth.

It really is.

Those distinctive desert fox-like eyes exist only one person in this world.

Having heard his name being mentioned, Ryu Si-hwan turned around and looked at the 4 MILLENNIUM who were still frozen like stone statues.

“You came out really early despite how cold it is today. The journey here wasn’t difficult, was it?”

“Fi, fi, fi, fi—!”

“It was fine! I brought hand warmers so it was warm!”

“That’s a relief. I actually didn’t expect you to already be here this early. But I was surprised hearing you talking inside.”

Ryu Si-hwan took off his mask while raising the GoPro camera in his hand up high.

“I was trying to secretly visit my birthday cafe without MILLENNIUM knowing, but I got caught fair and square! As expected, I can’t escape our fans’ eyes.”

The homma and other MILLENNIUM were still unable to escape their state of shock.

Ryu Si-hwan taking off his mask completely and exploring every corner of the cafe felt like a well-made CG rather than a real person.

But the fact that her bias receiving one of his own photo cards at the lucky draw stand was real and not a hologram gradually began to color reality.

The MILLENNIUM who escaped shock first spoke with a voice trembling like an aspen tree.

“Si, Si-hwan! I watched the KIMA stage so well!”

“It’s rewarding that I worked really hard so MILLENNIUM would like it! I’m more grateful that you watched it positively.”

“Hiik—!”

The MILLENNIUM seemed unable to believe that she had actually succeeded in a one-on-one back-and-forth with Ryu Si-hwan as she covered her mouth and sat back down.

The homma wanted to somehow preserve this moment that would never be tasted again in life.

First, she asked the manager standing near the entrance if she could take verification shots.

“Si-hwan said he visited because he wanted to communicate closely with fans. He told me in advance that photo shooting would be fine, so feel free to take them. We’d be grateful if you just don’t get too close.”

“Th, thank you!”

The answer that came back was Ryu Si-hwan’s message that he had already given an OK sign in advance.

After that, dreamlike time unfolded.

Ryu Si-hwan sang the highlight part live along with 〈Chronic〉 flowing through the cafe speakers.

When 〈Winning Shot〉 came on, he also briefly performed the twin pistol performance he had shown on stage.

And the homma, who witnessed all this with her eyes and even captured video, was soaking in the feeling that she was so fortunate to have planned the birthday cafe route like this.

Ryu Si-hwan picked out one of his printed photos and even left a handwritten signature before preparing to leave.

“Thank you so much for coming, MILLENNIUM! I’ll edit the vlog I filmed today quickly so it can go up, so please wait just a little. I’ll also post the gifts you gave me later, so keep a good watch on Stargram!”

“Si-hwan, I love you!”

“Yo, you have to be careful of catching cold! Si-hwan’s vocal cords are a national treasure, so you absolutely can’t get sick!”

“Haha, I’ll always remember to wear my scarf and not forget. I’ll keep drinking warm water too. Promise.”

When Ryu Si-hwan mischievously stuck out his pinky finger, MILLENNIUM all stretched their fingers forward in unison.

The homma gathered courage after a moment’s hesitation and delivered her final greeting.

“I’ll be waiting for the comeback…! And we’re always behind you, so don’t worry and do all the music you want to do!”

“Of course. I’ll work hard with the members so we can definitely comeback with a good appearance. Ah, before that, we prepared the remaining year-end music show stages really meticulously too, so please watch the live broadcast!”

“I, I won the lottery for live attendance and I’m going to see it in person…! The MBS one!”

“Then I’ll have to work harder on stage. So I don’t disappoint you.”

A response filled with determination came back.

The homma briefly looked at Ryu Si-hwan’s eyes shining with upright will.

‘This is why I can’t help but like him…’

Ryu Si-hwan waved to MILLENNIUM until the very end and even bowed in greeting as he left the cafe.

“Wow, amazing, amazing.”

“I don’t know if this is a dream or reality.”

“His real-life appearance is seriously insane…”

Only MILLENNIUM’s awestruck exclamations remained in the place where a storm had swept through.

After spending several minutes talking about Ryu Si-hwan’s surprise birthday cafe visit, the homma stood up first for her next schedule.

‘Good. I saw Si-hwan right in front of my eyes, my energy is fully charged, so I need to quickly check out the remaining cafes!’