The Gates Opened on the First Day of Debut Chapter 27

‘What makes a person charming?’

 

Through dozens of regressions, I constantly pondered the elements that make someone ‘charming.’ 

 

A beautiful smile, rich expressions, a pleasant voice… there are various factors, but the core element is, ultimately, physical appearance.

 

Of course, many idols get evaluated as ‘handsome but lacking charm.’

 

‘But that’s only because they’re only moderately handsome.’

 

Who could ever say someone like Han Teo or Yoo Sung is ‘handsome but lacking charm’? 

 

Anyway, back to the main point: after pulling the Charm Potion, I had a thought.

 

‘If appearance influences charm, what about the opposite?’

 

There are people who are handsome but lack charm, but there are also those who aren’t exceptionally good-looking yet possess a magnetic quality that keeps your eyes on them. 

 

Just as appearance affects charm, wouldn’t charm also influence appearance? 

 

What would happen if I used this Charm Potion before the production presentation’s photo op instead of before a performance?

 

[You have used the Charm Potion.]

 

[The Charm stat will be set to EX-rank for approximately 12 hours.]

 

[Basic Stats 

Vocal: D+ 

Dance: D 

Appearance: A- 

Charm: B > EX]

 

[As a synergistic effect of Charm (EX), the Appearance (A-) stat increases.]

 

[Basic Stats 

Vocal: D+ 

Dance: D 

Appearance: A- > A+ 

Charm: EX]

 

Checking the status window, I smirked. 

 

This was the first time I had ever looked forward to a production presentation this much.

 

*    *    *

 

At the production presentation, we wore the stage outfits for the theme song, HUNT THE STAGE. 

 

A black suit, a white shirt, and a harness. 

 

It was an outfit that had been a massive shock to the viewers. 

 

While changing in the waiting room where dozens of men were gathered, I discovered a major problem.

 

“Hyung? What’s wrong?”

 

“The pants are way too big.” 

 

“Huh? Did you put on the wrong clothes?”

 

Okada Hiro, who had finished getting ready first, asked with a tilted head. He seemed to think I had accidentally put on someone else’s pants.

 

“No, it’s because I lost weight. Hello, excuse me, but could I borrow a belt? The waist is way too loose.”

 

I asked a stylist and borrowed a belt. 

 

The belt securely held up the loose pants. 

 

After finishing my makeup and hair styling, I whipped around to look at Okada Hiro.

 

“Want me to do yours, too?”

 

“Yes!”

 

Okada Hiro answered brightly, as if he had been waiting for the offer. 

 

I let out a chuckle and skillfully handled his makeup and hair.

 

“You’ve got quite a knack for this.” 

 

The stylist, who had finished another trainee’s makeup and hair, expressed admiration.

 

“You’re Chowol, right? Did you study makeup separately?”

 

“I didn’t study it formally; I just had an interest and taught myself through YouTube.”

 

“Self-taught? Did you do your own makeup today as well, Chowol?” 

 

“Yes.”

 

“Wow, incredible! I thought you’d been to a salon. You’re really good. If you get a chance later, please share your secrets or tips.”

 

The stylist said, constantly stealing glances at my face. 

 

I gave an awkward smile and dodged the question.

 

‘It’s not thanks to the makeup, it’s thanks to the item….’

 

Of course, I did put more effort into the makeup than usual. 

 

If my appearance stats suddenly jumped, people might get the wrong idea.

 

“How is it? My face today.”

 

To divert the stylist’s attention, I asked Okada Hiro, who was standing beside us blankly listening to the conversation.

 

“Hyung’s face?” 

 

“Does it look more handsome than usual to you, too?”

 

Today, thanks to the item, I was handsome whether viewed objectively or subjectively. 

 

If it were the usual Okada Hiro who always overestimates me, he would be praising my face until his throat went dry. 

 

However, his reaction was different from my expectation.

 

“Uh….”

 

Okada Hiro didn’t answer the question but instead scrutinized my face with a puzzled expression. 

 

The longer he observed me, the more anxious I became.

 

“I’m sorry. I’m not sure….”

 

“No, it’s fine. That can happen.”

 

I answered nonchalantly, but in truth, I was quite shocked.

 

‘Did the item fail to take effect?’ 

 

I was suddenly struck by that worry, but I calmed down by recalling the clear status window I had seen. Maybe Okada Hiro just has extremely poor taste or something.

 

“You’re always handsome, Hyung!”

 

Since he’s the type of guy who says those things sincerely…. 

 

I tried to shake off the shock and worry with a nod.

 

“If you’re finished getting ready, we’ll be moving.” 

 

“Yes!”

 

The trainees, finished with their hair and makeup, answered loudly.

 

‘Alright, now for the real thing.’

 

I kept checking Yoo Sung’s and Okada Hiro’s positions while we moved. 

 

As we arrived near the building where the production presentation was being held, I saw the crowds swarming around the entrance.

 

“Wow, there are so many people.”

 

“Are they all here to see us?”

 

The trainees murmured in excited voices. 

 

It was only at this level because it was still just the production presentation; once the first episode aired, the number of people recognizing us would grow, and the buzz would explode. 

 

I took a suitable spot and gave my hair one final adjustment. People began to buzz as they noticed our arrival.

 

“The kids, the kids are here!”

 

“Kyaaaa! They’re so handsome!”

 

Perhaps because they weren’t used to receiving attention from this many people, the trainees all acted a bit awkwardly. 

 

I planned to mix the freshness of a trainee with the skill of a regressor to act the part of ‘a trainee who is a bit shy and awkward but has perfect fan service.’

 

“Huh? Who is that? Was there a kid who looked like that?”

 

“Who? Whoa, he’s seriously handsome.”

 

The people who discovered me first began to murmur in surprise. When I whipped my head around and greeted them, they started blushing and snapping photos.

 

‘Judging by the people’s reactions, the item seems to have applied well….’

 

Why did I look the same as usual to Okada Hiro? 

 

Was it because he always thinks I’m handsome, so it looks the same to him whether I use the item or not?

 

‘That’s a very likely possibility.’

 

I was walking along while thinking of various things when I spotted a familiar face in the crowd. It was Milky Way, who had taken my preview and posted it on SNS.

 

‘Did she come to see me?’ 

 

I hoped she would become my fansite master following that preview. 

 

Out of sheer happiness, I smiled radiantly and greeted her. 

 

Milky Way, whose eyes met mine, stared at me blankly while her hands began feverishly clicking the shutter of her cannon camera.

 

‘Uh, did I smile too much?’

 

I should smile moderately, moderately.

 

I’m a trainee who isn’t used to people’s reactions and cheers yet. 

 

I made a mistake because I was so glad to see her.

 

‘It’s always a happy thing to gain a fan.’

 

They are also essential for reaching first place. 

 

Surely, almost no one here came specifically to take photos of me. 

 

But the moment I appeared, people began photographing me as if possessed. 

 

The fansite master next to Milky Way, and even the person next to her holding a Han Teo slogan.

 

‘Is this the power of Appearance A+ and Charm EX?’

 

I gave a light wave to Milky Way and the fansite master next to her.

 

“Chowol-ah! A cheek heart, just one cheek heart please?”

 

A cheek heart? 

 

That was my specialty. 

 

At the request of the fansite master next to Milky Way, I gave her a cheek heart. 

 

Of course, I didn’t forget to fumble my hands a few times, pretending to be a bit awkward. 

 

‘Hm? What’s that?’

 

Milky Way, who had been busily taking photos, suddenly whipped around to look at the fansite master next to her with a dumbfounded expression. 

 

The other fansite master seemed to have a guilty conscience, as she intentionally avoided Milky Way’s gaze.

 

‘Do they know each other? Or did something happen?’

 

I was curious, but it wasn’t as if I could go and ask, so I quickly moved my interest along.

 

“Sung-ah!”

 

I called out loudly to Yoo Sung, who was standing among the trainees, awkwardly glancing around. 

 

As I, the one receiving everyone’s attention, called out to him, the cameras began to whip around to find him. 

 

Startled, Yoo Sung’s brow furrowed at my gesture, but he quickly managed his expression, mindful of the cameras.

 

“What.”

 

“Let’s take a picture together.”

 

“Why should I.”

 

“Because people are taking photos for us?”

 

You really are… Yoo Sung would be the only trainee to ask why we’re taking photos at a production presentation. 

 

Despite having a handsome face and outstanding skills, he tended to be a bit intimidated in front of fans who liked him. 

 

But that was his business.

 

“Hey, you, just doing whatever you—!”

 

“Come on, let’s take it quickly. Everyone is waiting. Smile, smile. Say cheese.”

 

I slung an arm over Yoo Sung’s shoulder and pointed toward the crowd with my other hand. 

 

If I went this far, today’s production presentation reviews would mention how close Yoo Sung and I seemed.

 

“Hyung, take one with me, too!”

 

“Sure. Shall we all take it together? We’re in the same guild, after all.”

 

“He’s a mercenary. There’s only me and you in Kim Chowol’s guild.”

 

Yoo Sung grumbled unnecessarily as if he didn’t want to huddle up for a photo, but Okada Hiro and I ignored him.

 

“Since when did we care about that? Sung, look at that person over there. They’ve been shooting only you for a while; look their way and smile.”

 

Yoo Sung’s head turned in the direction I was pointing. 

 

Yoo Sung’s fansite master was startled when their eyes met and began diligently taking photos.

 

 Unlike me, Yoo Sung, who was living his first life, awkwardly pulled up the corners of his mouth. His lips trembled visibly.

 

The corners of Yoo Sung’s mouth trembled pitifully. 

 

“Be quiet.”

 

Yoo Sung clicked his tongue, looking embarrassed. 

 

With me, standing out thanks to the item, and Yoo Sung, who stood out just by existing, being together, almost everyone was watching us. 

 

Yoo Sung, Okada Hiro, and I thoroughly enjoyed the people’s interest and attention.

 

“It would be great if Yijae Hyung could take one with us too…. Where is he?”

 

Thinking it would be good to have Seo Yijae in the photo as well, I craned my neck to find him.

 

He had been ahead of me, but suddenly he was standing all alone in the back. 

 

As if he had received a massive shock and lost his mind, Seo Yijae was staring blankly at someone in the crowd. 

 

“Yijae Hyung?”

 

Sensing something was wrong, I followed his gaze and stared as if possessed at the person standing at the end of it.

 

‘That person is….’

 

The person Seo Yijae was looking at was a fansite master holding a cannon camera. 

 

She wasn’t just any ordinary fansite master. 

 

That fansite master was someone who had come to see Seo Yijae—a fansite master for Winter Boys.