I’m a Genius Idol but my Passive is Sunfish – Chapter 105

Author: LyraDhani

***

“You’re staring into space again. Does our Dangbaek feel sick?”

“I’m not sick.”

“How am I supposed to know if you don’t tell me? If you collapse again, hyung is really going to be angry~”

“Stop with the hyung thing. I’m just looking at something.”

“Looking at what? Don’t tell me… you actually see ghosts? They say dogs can see ghosts—urk!”

“I said I’m fine.”

The sunfish, who had recently suffered a pitiful accident, delivered a merciless neck-slice.

Several days had passed since Baekya had received endless lectures and concern from the members for not telling them he wasn’t feeling well. Yulmu, in particular, was obsessively checking Baekya’s condition, likely because he had personally witnessed the sunfish nearly dying.

He had apologized so many times for not noticing all day that Baekya actually felt guilty.

‘Just who is the real dog here…’

Yulmu’s gaze was still fixed on Baekya.

‘Well, I guess it’s a relief I didn’t die.’

▷ Passive: Sensitive Baby Sunfish (R)

Baekya had recently undergone a passive evolution due to failing a Main Quest. He had leveled up from a regular sunfish to a sensitive baby sunfish.

At the emergency room where they had carried the collapsed Baekya, the doctor reportedly said:

“He’s just sleeping. Has he not been sleeping well lately? The test results are all normal. Take him home when he wakes up.”

Although he had looked terrible right before collapsing, what could anyone do if the doctor insisted he was perfectly healthy?

Even when they shook his shoulders or poked his cheeks, Baekya wouldn’t wake up. In the end, Namkyung had to carry him on his back all the way to the dorm.

▷ Stress: 9%

When the sunfish finally woke up, his body felt more refreshed than ever. The only thing bothering him was the stress index, which seemed to be rising faster than before.

‘I only lowered it a few days ago…’

Having stood at the edge of the River Styx, the sunfish was now much more mindful of his status window.

“Did you get some sleep?”

Jihan sat beside him and handed him a vitamin drink.

“Thanks.”

“You won’t be able to sleep once promotions start. Why don’t you try exercising with the others?”

“Uh-huh… I’ll try.”

Sometimes Jihan felt more like an older brother than Minseong did. Maybe it was because of that expressionless face that always looked detached from worldly concerns. Baekya carefully observed the sharp corners of Jihan’s eyes.

“Do you have something to say?”

“No, nothing. Thanks for the drink.”

Baekya popped the cap and took a sip. He could feel Jihan staring at him but pretended not to notice.

DASE was currently preparing for their comeback showcase. After finishing their final rehearsal, the members were in the waiting room getting ready to meet their fans.

ID had announced that tickets would be distributed via a raffle for those who purchased DASE’s first full-length album during the pre-order period. Thanks to the showcase acting as excellent bait, album sales had risen noticeably.

“Jihan, do you think many fans will come?”

“Who knows. The venue seems pretty big.”

“I hope at least the first floor is packed.”

While Baekya and Jihan were worrying unnecessarily, the door opened, and the MC for today’s event appeared.

“Hello~! I just came by to introduce myself.”

It was today’s MC, Allie, whose striking red pixie cut was her trademark.

She was one of the hottest figures in the entertainment industry—a comedian and host active in various fields, known for her witty remarks and unique sense of humor.

“Hello. We were planning to go greet you first…”

Minseong, who was getting his makeup done, rose from his chair and bowed. The other members stopped what they were doing and greeted Allie as well.

“Oh, no~! I didn’t realize you were still preparing and just barged in. I arrived a bit earlier than expected… Excuse me.”

After a brief greeting, Allie left the waiting room, saying she looked forward to working with them.

Then, a status window popped up. A new quest had arrived for Baekya.

[Quest. I Can Hear Your Voice: Achieve a cheer of 110dB or higher]

***

Baeksang, who never even considered the possibility that she wouldn’t make it, had taken a day off as soon as the showcase was announced.

After meeting Hanji and Winsome early in the morning for a food tour, she entered the venue early to take test shots and adjust her camera settings.

The event was set to start at 8:00 PM. Time flew, and now there were only five minutes left.

“Kyaaaaa!”

The lights dimmed, and the NAN teaser video played on the large screen. After the video repeated about three times, the venue went pitch black.

Silhouettes, presumably the members, moved in the dark. Soon, the lights flashed on, and the performance of ‘Dawn’, a B-side from this album, began.

“Whoa~ the venue is packed! Hello everyone! I am Allie, your host for DASE’s first full-length album, ‘NAN’ Showcase!”

“Kyaaaaa!”

“The cheering is already incredible! Everyone, DASE’ performance was amazing, wasn’t it?”

“Yes!!”

As Allie skillfully led the intro, staff members were setting up chairs behind her for the members to sit in.

“The atmosphere is already heating up. But before we continue, I’d like to ask for one favor. Is that okay?”

A thunderous cheer answered Allie’s question.

“I believe the official fan club name is ‘Knight,’ but I heard DASE has a special nickname for you all. It’s ‘Naing’!”

“Kyaaaaa!”

“Oh my, that’s so cute~ So, I’d like to ask if I can join DASE in calling you ‘Naing’ just for today.”

A roar of approval followed.

“Great, thank you! Now, let’s invite the members of DASE to the stage. DASE! Please come out!”

At Allie’s introduction, DASE reappeared.

“For your days! Hello, we are DASE!”

“Yes, welcome! DASE~ I heard this is your first showcase with the Naings. Could you each give a personal greeting before we start?”

At the request to start with Yulmu, he picked up the mic.

“Yes, hello! I’m Yulmu from DASE~ Since this is my first time at an event like this, I’m a bit nervous, but we’ll work hard so you can all have a great time. I really, really missed you~!”

Next, Jihan took the mic.

“Hello, I’m Jihan. Thank you so much to everyone for coming such a long way. I also want to thank the many fans watching via U-App who couldn’t be here today for spending your precious time with us.”

After Jihan’s greeting, which sounded like an award acceptance speech, it was Baekya’s turn.

Baekya, who looked like a peach cosplaying as an apple today, held the mic with both hands and brought it close to his lips.

“Hello, I’m Baekya. Um… Knights, we’ve prepared a lot for today, so I hope you have a great time. Please listen to our first full album, ‘NAN,’ a lot. Thank you.”

Then it was Minseong’s turn.

“Hello, I’m Minseong, the leader of DASE. I really wanted to see you all. Since you’ve waited a long time, we’ve come back with a lot of preparation, so you can have high expectations.”

Next was Yooyeon.

“Hello, I’m Yooyeon. It’s been so long~ It’s touching and nerve-wracking to be in one space with just our Naings. Let’s make some great memories today.”

Finally, the maknae, who had been waiting through his hyungs’ greetings, picked up the mic.

“Hello, I’m Cheong! Naing, I really missed you! We practiced our choreography so hard and prepared so much that you guys won’t be able to sleep now. You’re going to be watching only us every day!”

The venue erupted at the youngest bird-chirping in his clumsy Korean.

“Great! We’ve heard from everyone, so let’s sit down and chat for a bit.”

At Allie’s gesture, the members took their seats.

“You mentioned being nervous since it’s your first showcase with the Naings. How is it? Did you get any sleep last night?”

The DASE members looked at each other, signaling with their eyes to see who would answer.

As they hesitated at the very first question, Minseong quickly grabbed the mic.

“No. I couldn’t sleep very well. The music video and songs were released, and I kept thinking about meeting Naing…”

As Minseong trailed off bashfully, Allie made a fuss about how cute he was.

“Oh, but there’s something I want to ask. Mr. Baekya.”

“Yes?”

“I heard you’re the ‘Founder of Naing,’ the one who came up with the nickname for the official fan club, Knight. But why are you the only one who still calls them ‘Knight’?”

“Ah… well…”

Baekya bit his lip slightly, looking embarrassed. Perhaps wondering the same thing, the members chimed in.

“Yeah, Baekdo, why don’t you say ‘Naing’? Are you shy?”

“Dangbaek gets embarrassed easily~”

“Baekya’s shy!”

“I am not…!”

The crowd cheered at the bickering between the maknaes and Yulmu’s protective comments.

“Dangbaek? Can I ask what that means, Mr. Yulmu?”

“We call him ‘Dangbaek’ as a shorthand for ‘100% Sugar Content Peach’~”

“You’re the only one who calls me that!”

His face turning red, Baekya shook his head and pleaded for them to move on to another topic.

“Alright. Well, trusting the Founder of Naing, let’s continue with the prepared corner. You have to call them ‘Naing’ even more than I do.”