The Idol Who Returned from Hell Chapter 153

It was even hotter than expected.

“Brother, look at this. The number changes so much every time I refresh the page.”

“Right.”

“I can see why the fans said they wander around NeoTube all day long.”

I nodded while checking the phone screen Chae Ha-ru showed me.

Originally, CENTIX and Rave Entertainment’s primary goal was to surpass 〈Chronic〉’s records before activities ended.

Music video views, album initial sales records, and even the number of music show trophies.

Since our debut records were so good, just setting those goals would be enough to bring back the word “legendary pace.”

At the current point, just before the comeback show pre-recording, the 〈Find Me〉 music video was surpassing ten million views in just two days since release.

We even heard that all the albums that had been pre-ordered at the factory were sold through reservations.

‘……At this point, it’s almost scary.’

It feels like it wasn’t that long ago when we heard the news that our first fan signing event cut exceeded 100 copies.

I have a strong feeling we’ll achieve new records this time.

That’s why I need to deeply engrave what I’ve been pledging in my heart for months.

Both the fans watching the stage.

And we who decorate the stage must produce quality that will absolutely satisfy everyone.

I glanced at the members who were doing final outfit checks.

‘I don’t need to worry since everyone worked hard to follow along.’

I felt sorry sometimes for seeming to set new standards for grueling schedules every time.

But since this comeback had such a tight schedule and so many things to prepare that I had to force additional sessions and physical training, it was unavoidable.

They could have complained, but the members who silently followed this hellish practice were admirable.

“Ah, I want to do the pre-recording soon.”

“I miss the fans so much.”

These guys were burning with passion for the comeback show about to open, without showing any signs of fatigue.

Moreover, Yu Ha-woon approached me and declared with an unusually confident tone.

“Brother, I’m not nervous at all right now! Instead, I’m so excited and thrilled about going on stage!”

They know it themselves.

That they’ve made this album so thoroughly that they don’t need to be so nervous.

“Come to think of it, today’s the first day we’ll see all the fans with their light sticks gathered in one place, isn’t it?”

“Huh?”

“Whoa, I completely forgot.”

Everyone was startled by Seong-hwi’s casual comment after finishing his hair styling.

When we occasionally look up post-recording reviews of our music shows, there’s a topic that appears quite frequently.

Since music shows feature numerous idol groups, there are many chances to encounter other group fandoms.

Every time, there were quite a few MILLENNIUM who expressed disappointment that CENTIX’s official light stick didn’t come out during 〈Chronic〉 activities.

Accepting that feedback, Rave Entertainment quickly proceeded with light stick outsourcing, but fans’ opinions gathered that they should focus on quality rather than speed, and the so-called ‘clock stick’ was completed.

We occasionally saw MILLENNIUM who brought clock sticks to big events like KIMA and year-end stages, but such large events don’t allow more than a certain number of people from one group’s fandom to attend.

At most, only about 10 people could participate on-site, so we hadn’t seen an audience section filled purely with MILLENNIUM yet.

That’s why we were looking forward to the beautiful waves that 500 MILLENNIUM coming to today’s comeback show would create.

Outfit and microphone setup were complete.

Shortly after, the standby call came from outside.

“Let’s pump ourselves up before going out!”

Before heading to the waiting room corridor, Kang Seon-woo stopped all of us and made us do a group huddle.

Knowing what scheme he had, I instinctively sighed.

“Are you going to keep pushing that chant?”

“Of course! Hey, teams absolutely need this kind of cheer.”

“We have our greeting.”

“That’s for showing everyone at official events, and this is like our own cheer. You know this, leader.”

“……You do the lead chant.”

There was a cheer that Kang Seon-woo had been shouting since the comeback preparation practice sessions.

I thought it was just a temporary remedy to boost the younger members’ spirits.

But seeing what he’s saying now, he plans to keep using it before every stage.

As everyone put their hands in the center, Kang Seon-woo, who had raised his energy to the max, shouted vigorously.

“Let’s go, let’s go, CENTIX let’s go tear up the stage!”

“Let’s go!”

“Let’s gooo!”

Seong-hwi and Yu Ha-woon, who seemed to be in peak condition today, also shouted along.

After shouting fighting with such excessive enthusiasm, we entered the backstage with more excitement than ever.

“Brother. Do you see that?”

Ma Si-hyeok pointed at the light faintly visible beyond the high stairs.

He had an expression like he was at a loss for words.

I also turned my gaze through the narrow gap following his sight.

Then I saw golden light shimmering beautifully even from a distance.

“……We did well to insist on that design even though it took a long time.”

“I think the same. It’s so pretty.”

I stepped onto the stage while picturing in my mind scenery like the cosmic celestial background from the 〈Find Me〉 music video.

“……?”

MILLENNIUM wasn’t going to just let the historic debut of their light sticks pass by quietly.

I was momentarily speechless, staring at the audience section that had become as dark as if there was a blackout.

‘It was definitely shining gold until just a minute ago, wasn’t it?’

The other guys had similar expressions.

Maybe because there was a considerable height difference between the audience section and stage at this venue, unless you looked closely, it was impossible to confirm if fans were standing over there.

Well, we had to proceed, so let’s start with greetings.

“MILLENNIUM, we’ll give our greeting! Two, three. All eyes on us! Hello, we’re CENTIX!”

“Everyone, it’s been a while!”

“We missed you!”

Usually, enormous cheers would return before our greeting even finished.

But now, an unfamiliar silence lingered.

Wondering if we should continue like this, I glanced at the production team watching the stage from the side.

But what came back was a sign saying ‘We’re going into pre-recording!’

We couldn’t go against their instructions.

When I nodded briefly, everyone moved to positions for the opening first stage 〈Find Me〉 formation.

The lights illuminating the main stage also began turning off one by one, leaving only darkness throughout the venue.

As I finished all preparations by placing my hand on Kang Seon-woo’s shoulder at the opening center position.

“Hey, look ahead.”

“What?”

I quickly looked up at Kang Seon-woo’s quiet voice.

In the audience section that had seemed to show nothing in the blackout, a golden circle was being drawn.

Another golden beam of light bloomed from the center of the precisely made circle.

Right below that, a rather short beam of light was added, creating a shape like a living, moving clock.

As other light sticks around flickered brilliantly, the two beams representing the clock’s minute and second hands began spinning rapidly.

Finally, when both hands stopped at 12 o’clock at the top, the 500 MILLENNIUM filling the audience section raised their light sticks dyed in brilliant gold high toward the sky, brightly illuminating the venue.

“……Whoa.”

An unconscious exclamation escaped my mouth.

While the light sticks were being made, I had heard from the manager that various additional functions would be included in the release.

Among them, they said they’d include a function for Bluetooth remote control, and I wondered what that meant.

I never imagined they could create this kind of spectacle with signals from a command booth somewhere in the venue.

And at the exact timing when the 〈Find Me〉 intro came out, our fans who created a beautiful golden sea showed off the signature group chant we couldn’t leave out.

“Let’s go CENTIX!”

Strangely, it was exactly the same as what Yu Ha-woon had shouted just before going on stage.

I barely stopped the laughter that was about to leak out while perfectly singing the intro.

“The wind brushes against both cheeks.”

Yes, this was exactly the feeling I wanted.

Not just matching rhythm with the six of us on stage, but also with the countless people standing below.

This is what I came back to this place for, risking everything.

‘As expected, it’s fun.’

* * *

“Kyaaaah—!”

“Guys, look over here!”

All kinds of cheers filled CENTIX’s comeback show venue.

Only one title track 〈Find Me〉 stage had just ended, but everyone was screaming like crazy without thinking about their throat condition.

And Song Ji-won was no exception.

“Haa, haa.”

She caught her breath while briefly moistening her throat.

The handle of the clock stick she was gripping tightly in her right hand was already slippery with sweat.

Just before coming to today’s comeback show, an announcement came through the official cafe that a surprise event using light sticks was being planned.

These days all light sticks have Bluetooth functions, so she was curious how they’d use it, but the result came out prettier than she imagined, so she was really satisfied.

Of course, not being able to immediately greet or cheer when the members came out was extremely painful. But seeing Ryu Si-hwan’s surprised expression she captured for that moment made it completely worth it!

While CENTIX went down to change outfits for the next stage, a VCR was currently playing on the large LED screen.

Song Ji-won watched the members taking pictures of each other and playing at the music video filming location with fond feelings while instinctively turning on her phone.

By now, MILLENNIUM who had the same thoughts as her would be rushing to communities in excitement.

Sure enough.

[When all the light sticks turned on together, it was really amazing]

I’m glad I bought two, good job past me lol. I kept one with the batteries out for display in my room and bought one to keep carrying when attending events. Honestly, it is really pretty, right? But somehow staring at just one felt boring, but wow when 500 appeared simultaneously it was no joke lamo. Later there’ll be a video of what we did, I definitely have to watch it.

—Ah really so jealous of those at the venue T_T. How are the kids in real life

└What’s there to say about real life? I just can’t believe they’re the same species as me

└Brown hair Ryu Si-hwan real life review please, how is it

└For real, no lies, looks so damn good. I hope the agency forcibly grabs his head later and bleaches it properly. I think he’d really suit platinum blonde too

└Ah and Ha-ru’s visuals definitely leveled up

└Yeah that kid looks better with his hair neat and clean like that

—How was the choreography difficulty? I couldn’t get a good sense just from the music video

└By my standards it’d be Winning Shot > Find Me > Chronic like this? The dance break doesn’t go crazy but the formation changes are comparable to Winning Shot

└And anyway, being able to hear Ryu’s high note doubling in the chorus is this song’s biggest advantage. What is it with that guy, does he never get tired?

└Today’s pre-recording was all live too??

└They use AR but you can clearly hear the kids’ voices over it. Not to mention Ryu

└Haaah T_T. The more I hear reviews, the more my stomach hurts from jealousy. Don’t know what the next stage is yet, right?

└If I knew that, wouldn’t I be a the staff

The changed style definitely has a big impact.

When concept photos and the music video were released, the debate about Ryu Si-hwan’s black vs. brown hair intensified even more.

Song Ji-won had weakly supported black hair, but seeing him right in front of her eyes like this, the ash brown hair seemed to warmly embrace Ryu Si-hwan’s white skin, causing her tremendous confusion.

As the VCR neared its end, MILLENNIUM at the venue put away their phones one by one and picked up their clock sticks and various support goods again.

Since CENTIX had shown their title track with tremendous energy from the start, everyone was very curious about what the next stage would be.

[Guys, it’ll be spring soon!]

[I love warm spring!]

[I want to go see cherry blossoms!]

[Even if not cherry blossoms, I want to see some kind of wide nature.]

The VCR ended with CENTIX talking about spring while getting denim, denim jackets, white shirts, etc.

‘Spring? Denim? Denim jacket?’

Just when she couldn’t guess what they had prepared, the venue lights dropped sky blue and pink light.

And a completely different intro from 〈Find Me〉’s dreamy and pop atmosphere flowed through the speakers and reached her eardrums.