The Idol Who Returned from Hell Chapter 184

“Guys.”

“Yeah?”

A meaningful tone called out to me.

Chae Ha-ru, who was sitting in front of the TV, exuded an unusual atmosphere as he gestured with his finger.

Kang Seon-woo and I, unable to disobey him, obediently sat on the sofa.

“What’s this about.”

“What exactly did you two do out there that fans keep asking about 〈Saturday Today〉?”

“Aha! So that’s what you were curious about, our cute Ha-ru!”

Chae Ha-ru turned his phone screen toward us.

The messages MILLENNIUM was sending in real-time on the Milky Way app were clearly visible.

When I looked through them, excluding the foreign language questions here and there, the words that appeared most frequently were Saturday and Today.

“I don’t understand why they’re sending messages to me when they could just send private messages to you two.”

“Well, that’s because Si-hwan and I promised not to do private messages until the main broadcast airs.”

“What?”

“I was sure this guy would spoil something if he did private messages, so I banned it.”

I lightly smacked Kang Seon-woo’s head.

“A guy whose eloquence is already flashy wouldn’t dare ignore the preview that’s going viral on the internet.”

“You know me too well for my own good, Ryu Si-hwan.”

“So because you don’t go into private messages, the questions are pouring down on me, another member.”

Chae Ha-ru sighed and equipped his dead fish eyes.

It was a clear sign that he was fed up.

“Fortunately, tomorrow is Saturday. But really, what kind of trouble did you cause there? The preview alone looked ominous.”

“You hate getting spoiled, right? Just bear with it for one day, Ha-ru.”

“Don’t make word puns I only heard in kindergarten, Brother Seon-woo.” (+) ^[1] TLN: In Korean, there’s likely a pun involving Ha-ru’s name (하루 means “one day”) and the phrase “bear with it for one day”

Well, it’s true that we went on 〈Saturday Today〉 and had a blast.

Since they said they’d only give us album promotion opportunities if we showed performance worthy of the fixed members’ recognition, we really went hardcore.

The production team’s beautiful editing skills were deployed to make that scene look 100 times more like a battlefield.

And so the weekend arrived.

We all gathered cozily in the living room under the pretext of monitoring.

Of course, I was stuck in the center of the sofa with both arms sealed.

“Where does the main character think he’s trying to sneak away to.”

“Si-hyeok, you grab Brother Si-hwan. I’ll grab Brother Seon-woo.”

“Gah, ahhh! Hey, I’m not running away, so stop pinching my arm!”

It was fine until yesterday.

But when I actually tried to watch the main broadcast, shame suddenly washed over me.

I could feel my face heating up.

Then Yu Ha-woon, who wouldn’t miss this, excitedly spread the news.

“Brother Si-hwan’s face is about to explode!”

“Look at this guy. The one who refused to cry so stubbornly at the fan meeting is embarrassed about breaking down on the variety show he’s appearing.”

“Th-that’s different from this.”

“Ah-ah, such excuses don’t work in this business!”

The guy’s talking a lot even though he’s tied up just like me.

When I glared at Kang Seon-woo, a cheeky eye-smile flew back at me.

Deal exchange failed.

As I was drinking water to calm myself down, the 〈Saturday Today〉 main broadcast started with cheerful BGM.

[Today’s set looks unusually luxurious?]

[No, why did these people who usually claimed to be poor and only gave us milk suddenly splurge like this!]

[They should have used the money for decorating the set to give us coffee instead!]

[Right, right!]

The fixed panel looked around the luxurious set and showed various reactions.

People who were serious about food as usual cried out to invest more in eating.

A few quick-witted ones began inferring the guest’s identity.

[This is definitely for a guest.]

[Anyone having a comeback recently? Or a movie release?]

[Ah! I know right away.]

[Why, why. Tell us too.]

[Yeah, don’t always be sneaky and keep it to yourself!]

The idol senior who always plays the ace role seemed to have already figured out it was CENTIX from this point.

After brief opening talk, the time finally came to introduce the guest.

[Today’s guest is, wow, truly the undisputed top trend these days! Monster idols who break records every time. CENTIX, who’s making a comeback with their first full album!]

“I honestly get a little nervous every time introduction comments come out. This time too.”

“I still vividly remember the aftermath of Ha-ru’s reading session.”

“Reading session? Aftermath—ah, ahaha! I remembered!”

“Wait, you forgot what you made him do?”

CENTIX had drawn all kinds of aggro from reporters when they achieved destructive results.

It was Chae Ha-ru who had read article headlines in front of everyone due to Kang Seon-woo’s intervention.

The very perpetrator of that dark history had forgotten about it, which seemed utterly ridiculous to him.

I said in a half-given-up state.

“You should be grateful you stopped at that level. I was terribly nervous they’d come up with modifiers like ‘monster who tears up stages and fans’ hearts.'”

“Urgh!”

“Just hearing that article title gives me goosebumps! It’s so cringey!”

Having received a strong preemptive shot from the beginning, we quietly monitored the broadcast again.

[Hello everyone. We’re CENTIX, appearing on 〈Saturday Today〉 for the first time!]

[You performed so well on stage! I thought you weren’t rookies but a group that’s been around for years.]

[Oh, senior! Isn’t this you pretending to know again? Your tone sounds severely fake?]

[What do you take me for? CENTIX’s 〈Chronic〉, and 〈Find Me〉. I’ve listened to them all.]

[Ohhh!]

“Brother Seon-woo, why were you so genuinely surprised.”

“I thought the senior with many years of experience wouldn’t know our songs, but he really had listened to everything in advance.”

“That’s a proud moment.”

As Ma Si-hyeok nodded as if he felt rewarded, deals were being exchanged on the 〈Saturday Today〉 scene.

[Since you came back with your first full album, you naturally came to promote, right?]

[Yes! We’ve gone through tremendous preparation time for our first full album—!]

[Wait, wait. We have our rules first, okay? If you want to promote, you need to show performance worthy of it today.]

[There’s really no mercy here! If we think you can’t do it, we won’t even give you time to promote.]

[Of course we came knowing all about that.]

[Huh?]

When Ryu Si-hwan in the screen spoke confidently, even the subtitles were surprised.

[Well, I don’t want to go hard from the beginning. Simply put, I came with the mindset that I’ll definitely promote and go home today. I’m confident about that too.]

[Why, why are you so reliable?]

[Could it be that a distinguished person has descended today?]

[Kids, am I not working today? You can answer everything yourselves, right?]

[Aw, senior! Still, we’d be grateful if you helped us, hehe.]

Kang Seon-woo bowed his head submissively.

Even when I saw it in person it looked quite pathetic, but seeing it captured in a big shot on broadcast made it look even more ridiculous.

“Brother Seon-woo, your neck is gradually bending?”

“Ahaha, why is he like that. He looks like a turtle.”

“Hey, isn’t everyone being too harsh?”

“You should be grateful we called you a turtle. I really felt like you looked like a grandpa.”

“You saying that out loud makes you the worst one, Ryu Si-hwan!”

〈Saturday Today〉 is a variety show mainly about music-related quizzes.

Like listening to a barely audible song verse and guessing the lyrics.

Or suddenly guessing lyrics for blanks that appear out of nowhere.

When the difficulty gets really extreme, you have to use hints to guess the verse that comes after.

Having never slacked off on music studies even after debuting, I had some confidence about appearing on 〈Saturday Today〉.

Fortunately, the most classic and manageable ‘listen and guess’ problem came out, so I was relieved.

[The song we’ll battle with today is! Si-hwan, what era did you say you were most confident about?]

[Well… since I’m currently active, recent songs are good but—.]

[I thought so! CENTIX isn’t active in today’s era, but we brought a song from slightly older idol groups. The original goddess girl group, who proved that this is what beauty means—.]

[Oh, is it senior Fournine?]

[Uh, uh-uh? What?]

When I instantly guessed the group name, the MC stuttered severely.

It seems like they expected me to only welcome same-generation groups.

Maybe it’s because I cheerfully shouted Fournine’s name with such a bright tone.

[Our Si-hwan knows Fournine… well?]

[I listened to the seniors’ music a lot and practiced a lot too.]

[Hey, this is really a distinguished person!]

[The chef has descended, descended!]

[I said it, I’m not working! Strike, you guys figure it out yourselves.]

[Aw, senior! He often acts like this then fails, so please help us—.]

[Yes, I’ll try it on my own.]

[(Ominous rookie’s provocation, is this for real!)]

“Ahaha, should I try that kind of subtle concept on broadcasts too.”

“You can’t do that intentionally even if you tried, right? You naturally show off.”

“My life overflowing with charm and appeal is a bit tiring too.”

“…Brother, that’s annoying!”

Yu Ha-woon effectively blocked Seong-hwi’s nonsense.

While the members’ usual messy conversations went on, Fournine’s 〈Chandelier〉 problem was released.

‘I had a hard time holding back laughter because I knew the song.’

After arranging Fournine’s 〈Back in the Time〉 in 〈Idol Stove League Season 2〉, I had listened to some Fournine songs.

I had looked through B-side tracks while recalling those memories.

I was surprised that a problem actually came from the list Cerberus had casually recommended.

{See, master. My instincts are always right, aren’t they?}

‘I won’t deny that.’

{From now on, you must consult me about everything!}

‘But I was the one who narrowed down that list in the first place, so why are you trying to monopolize the glory.’

{A-ahem! Master, you asked me because you weren’t sure either!}

I shot a chuckling smile at Cerberus, who was chewing gum.

[What, what is this? Why can’t I hear it.]

[(Seon-woo peeking at tablet)]

[Ahaha! Ah, look at what he wrote!]

[Why, why. Did he write a lot? How’s your hearing?]

[Ah, this has to be seen at the very end. Absolutely!]

[Huh? No, the last one absolutely has to be Si-hwan’s?]

[This looks almost like the correct answer.]

The fixed members who saw mine and Kang Seon-woo’s answers had completely opposite reactions.

The idol senior Ran was laughing so hard she could barely breathe, so she didn’t give any particular response.

With the strong recommendation of the seniors sitting next to me, my final turn became Ryu Si-hwan.

[Ah, everyone’s dictation state seems a bit strange today. At this rate, we won’t be able to eat any food today!]

[It’s okay, it’s okay. We have a complete answer sheet here.]

[He’s preparing for a performance right now!]

[(Si-hwan smirking)]

First, Kang Seon-woo’s dictation that made Ran burst into laughter was revealed.

[Th-this is…!]

[Why did he write a poem?]

[Ah, this guy is just natural poet material! He’s just a lyricist, a lyricist!]

Looking at it again, what Kang Seon-woo wrote was quite something.

“Brother, did you really hear it like that? For real?”

“Ah, ahaha. Honestly, I couldn’t hear anything, but I had to write something funny.”

“Even so, who writes lyrics like ‘Oh my false rose’ when they say it’s a song about beautiful love!”

Rational Chae Ha-ru pounded Kang Seon-woo’s back as if he was bursting with frustration.

I don’t know why he’s laughing so happily at his younger brother’s reaction.

After Kang Seon-woo’s emotional poem, my dictation, which was blatantly the correct answer, appeared.

[Oh, his expression is starting to sour!]

[Sister, I know. When that brother’s expression management fails, it means this is just secondary success.]

[…No, Si-hwan. Si-hwan! You said you know recent idols well! Why do you even know Fournine!]

[That brother’s sulking!]

[I have to keep promises I make. I said I’d definitely be active today.]

Even with the MC’s provocation, Ryu Si-hwan just calmly nodded.

And so, with everyone’s enthusiastic cheers, my dictation led to the first success.

“Brother Si-hwan, your expression doesn’t look good.”

“…I’m a bit worried about what’s coming next.”

Ma Si-hyeok looked like he didn’t understand what I was saying, but I knew the ending.

‘I’m regretting that I might have been too careless.’

• 1. TLN: In Korean, there’s likely a pun involving Ha-ru’s name (하루 means “one day”) and the phrase “bear with it for one day”