I’m a Genius Idol but my Passive is Sunfish Chapter 106

Minseong’s eyes went wide as he looked around at the sudden scream. Allie asked what was wrong.

 

“The fans suddenly screamed… is something happening?”

 

“Did something happen? Naings, what’s going on?”

 

When Allie asked the audience, 1,500 voices shouted different things. The members looked puzzled, but Allie caught the reaction like a pro.

 

“Ah~ because of Mr. Yulmu’s microphone~”

 

“The mic…?”

 

Minseong looked at Yulmu. The black piece of equipment tucked between his thighs looked normal.

 

“What about it?”

 

“Never mind, Mr. Minseong. No need to worry. They’re just doing that because Mr. Yulmu looks so cool.”

 

Minseong didn’t quite get it, but since she said it was fine, he stopped questioning it.

 

“Then, let me introduce the versions~”

 

Jihan held a mic to Yulmu’s mouth for him.

 

“There are two versions in total: the Hunter version and the Vampire version. First, the Hunter version is black, and the moon reflected behind the window is white.”

 

Yulmu introduced the two albums, which had similar designs but different colors and details.

 

Noting the gun on the chair, he pulled out the photobook, and the moon filling the window moved with it.

 

“Ah~ the CD is shaped like a moon.”

 

Yulmu pulled the CD out to show it.

 

“The Vampire version is similar but red, and there’s a single rose instead of a gun. The moon here is red too.”

 

Yulmu held the two CDs side-by-side to compare.

 

“Thank you for the kind explanation, Mr. Yulmu. But you know, before we introduce the album, there’s one thing we always have to check first during an unboxing, right?”

 

Allie acted excited, suggesting they do this before introducing the B-sides.

 

“The Photocards!”

 

When Allie enthusiastically announced it, Baekya applauded along.

 

“Thank you, Mr. Baekya.”

 

Yulmu and Jihan each took an album to check the cards.

 

Yulmu opened the Vampire Version first.

 

“Drumroll, please~”

 

Yooyeon and Cheong held their mics up to provide the sound effects.

 

“Ta-da~!”

 

Yulmu held the card forward with a bright smile. The photo from the Vampire version was Lipstick Jihan.

 

Seeing the card, he picked up the mic he had tucked between his legs.

 

“If I were to name this piece, it would be ‘The Cat Who Ate Lipstick.’ He currently resides in our dorm~”

 

“Lipstick Cat~”

 

Allie burst into laughter.

 

“It was one of my favorite cosmetics, but one day after coming back from a shoot, I found Elegance’s face in a total mess.”

 

“Wait. Is ‘Elegance’ the name of the cat in the photo?”

 

“Yes. I just came up with it. Doesn’t he look sophisticated? Oh! And I took this photo myself, everyone. I did good, right?”

 

“Then Mr. Jihan is— cough.”

 

Allie choked on her own laughter and apologized.

 

Meanwhile, Jihan stared at Yulmu with an expression that clearly said, ‘Let’s see how far you’re going to take this.’ and his grumpy face was captured clearly on the big screen.

 

“Are you done?”

 

Jihan asked in a calm voice.

 

“Yes! I’m done. But seriously, I’m not just teasing Jihan—those who saw the music video know the last scene is really sexy, right? So I strongly insisted that this photo must be a photocard!”

 

A massive cheer erupted in support of Yulmu.

 

“Alright~ We’ve seen the photo by DASE’s official homma, Mr. Yulmu. Now, shall we check Mr. Jihan’s card? I’m so curious to see which card came out of the Hunter version.”

 

Finally, it was Jihan’s turn to reveal his card.

 

“I got Cheong.”

 

It was a photo of Cheong with red lenses, glaring straight at the camera.

 

“Why do you look so angry?”

 

Yooyeon asked Cheong, seeing the photo for the first time.

 

“I’m not angry!”

 

“Isn’t that just his usual face?”

 

Baekya seemed to be trying to help, but his words only made the members laugh.

 

As Cheong pretended to be offended, Allie naturally stepped in.

 

“Oh, no~ He looks so cool! People with sharp jawlines often get misunderstood as being ‘sharp’ when they have a blank expression.”

 

“Exactly! Baekya’s round.” 

 

“What are you talking about? I’m not round. Hey, am I round?”

 

Baekya asked Jihan.

 

Jihan, biting his lip to hide a smile that wanted to creep up, answered half a beat late.

 

“…No?”

 

“See!”

 

“No way! Jihan lied!”

 

In the middle of this sudden debate over face shapes, Minseong mediated.

 

“Okay, okay. You’re both cute.”

 

It wasn’t even much of a fight, but Minseong handled it like a professional. He felt like a veteran babysitter.

 

“You kids are so immature. When are you two going to grow up?”

 

Yooyeon, who had moved up to 4th in the hierarchy after Baekya’s early school enrollment was revealed, acted embarrassed by the younger ones.

 

***

 

“Cute punks.”

 

Today’s showcase food was a hamburger.

 

Baepsae, who had finished trading photocards and picking up food on her way home, was smiling happily at her bias on the monitor.

 

[MC: Alright! We’ve finished the brief album introduction. Now, let’s talk seriously about DASE’s first full album, ‘Eclipse.’]

 

[Yulmu: Wahhh~]

 

[MC: First, how many songs are included?]

 

[Minseong: Fifteen songs.]

 

[MC: Fifteen! I heard the pre-order volume alone for this album is 400,000 copies. That instantly beat the first-week sales of your previous album, ‘WANT ME’!]

 

[Group: Thank you~]

 

[MC: This group truly deserves the title ‘Monster Rookies.’]

 

“Oh~ 400,000 copies?”

 

Baepsae, taking a bite of her burger, was also impressed. DASE’s ‘NAN’ had entered the charts at 20th and had already risen two spots to 18th.

 

“The ‘WANT ME’ concept was legendary, after all.”

 

Plus, with the four-octave high note that hit the ceiling, public opinion had already formed that they were a high-skill idol group.

 

With people already talking about a generational shift in the industry, if this comeback promotion went well, they could easily secure that top spot.

 

[MC: Then, shall the members take turns introducing one song each? Let’s start with Mr. Cheong this time.]

 

[Cheong: Yes!]

 

Shortly after, the first song played. It lasted for about 15 seconds before the volume faded down.

 

[MC: What kind of song is this, Mr. Cheong?]

 

[Cheong: It’s the song we sang when we first appeared before the Naings today. The title is ‘Dawn’! It’s about being in love but not knowing it yet. But just as the morning sun slowly rises, we slowly realize our love. That is the content-yo!]

 

[Yulmu: Content-yo? (Laughs)]

 

[MC: No wonder~ the song felt like it was rising up from deep inside the heart.]

 

[Cheong: Oh?]

 

[MC: Oh? Was that a reaction? Thank you. (Laughs)]

 

[MC: By the way, I heard Mr. Cheong lived abroad for a very long time, but your Korean is so good. If it’s not rude, may I ask who taught you your honorifics?]

 

[Cheong: Of course-yo! This guy.]

 

When Cheong pointed to his side, Yooyeon picked up the mic.

 

[Yooyeon: It’s a misunderstanding. I never taught him like that.]

 

[Cheong: Yooyeon said if I don’t know what to do, just put ‘-yo’ at the very end.]

 

[Yooyeon: No, I mean, that’s true, but I told you you can’t just stick it onto every single word like a rat or a dog!]

 

[Cheong: A rat or a dog? Am I a fool? I don’t do that to animals. He’s trying to trick me again. I’m not Baekya.]

 

[Baekya: Me?]

 

[MC: Wait a second. You two aren’t fighting, are you?]

 

[Jihan: No. They always play like that. But with a side of Baekya…]

 

[Baekya: No. I don’t really get involved with them.]

 

[Yooyeon: What, are you drawing a line now? Are you ashamed of us?]

 

[Cheong: Ashamed?]

 

[Baekya: N-no, but Cheong’s Korean has really improved lately. I know because we share a room.]

 

“Agh! So cute!”

 

Baepsae screamed at her bias, who abruptly changed the subject because he found it hard to answer.

 

“Wait, Cheong and Baekya are roommates? Weren’t Jihan and Yooyeon roommates?”

 

But Baepsae quickly remembered that DASE had recently moved dorms.

 

[Cheong: That;s right The members are good at Korean, so I’m learning a lot.]

 

[Minseong: Right. Since we’re Korean, after all…]

 

When Minseong answered seriously, Allie laughed, asking what kind of answer that was.

 

[MC: Mr. Minseong seems to take very good care of Mr. Cheong.]

 

[Minseong: He’s my dongsaeng, so I have to.]

 

[MC: Really~ I think this is what they mean when they say just looking at someone makes you feel full. Then, please play the next song.]

 

[Yooyeon: Yes, this time it’s me.]

 

After Yooyeon’s introduction of the second track, Minseong’s turn arrived. The song to be introduced was the title track, ‘NAN.’

 

[Minseong: This is the title track. It’s a Moombahton Trap genre that highlights DASE’s diverse vocal colors.]

 

[MC: Moombahton~ And what’s it about?]

 

[Minseong: We fall in love with a vampire at first sight. But since humans and vampires have different lifespans, the lyrics are about pleading: ‘Make me a being like you. I want to walk the same time as you.’]

 

[MC: Wow~ perfect. Naings, the narrative is incredible.]

 

Allie raised her hand, saying she had one more question.

 

[MC: Anyone who knows can answer, regardless of order.]

 

[MC: While doing some research, I saw a post explaining DASE’s lore. It seems to be based on a playing-card world or something similar, but some people find it confusing. Would it be alright if I asked about that?]

 

As Allie finished her question, Minseong picked up the mic.

 

[Minseong: Um… I think it’s easiest if you understand it as a ‘Mafia Game.’ There is a Mafia among us.]

 

[MC: A Mafia?]

 

[Minseong: From my perspective, it’s either Jihan or Yooyeon? No, Baekya.]

 

Minseong listed every member except himself.

 

[MC: So you’re saying you suspect everyone but yourself.]

 

[Minseong: That’s right. I’m a citizen.]

 

[Baekya: No. I’m a citizen too.]

 

Baekya looked at Minseong with innocent eyes.