translation by mourningmoor
The beef was cut into large chunks.
Potatoes and carrots were diced into cubes, and onions were prepared to a similar size. To add a touch of green, broccoli was also prepared.
After pouring olive oil into the heated pot, the beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions were all tossed in together to sauté.
Sizzleeeeee.
The ingredients rolled around in the hot pot, creating a delicious sound.
The ingredients were sautéed until the surface of the meat was evenly cooked. Now it was time to add water.
A pinch of salt, a little pepper.
Into the pot, which had been boiling vigorously to ensure the potatoes and carrots were thoroughly cooked, I added the prepared broccoli and stirred. Then, I dropped in the solid blocks of curry sauce.
Just a little more stirring, and the curry rice would be complete.
But what I’m making isn’t just curry rice—it’s a Charming Potion. And not just any kind, but a magical potion with several times its usual potency.
I spread my hands over the pot, channeling energy into my core to amplify my magic. With enough mana at hand, I planned to upgrade the potion to the next level today.
“What are you doing right now?”
A sudden question broke the silence.
With a casual chuckle, as if it were nothing, I glanced at the VJ who was filming me.
“Casting a spell.”
“A spell?”
“A spell so that the magic in the food I make will help the members get through today safely.”
At that, the VJ nodded.
“Ichan-ssi, you’re a good leader.”
And then, they smiled brightly.
Facing them, I returned the same textured smile and reached for a bowl.
It’s amusing.
A world where even if you tell the truth as it is, it’s dismissed as a joke.
A world where mages, high priests, holy knights, and even demon lords don’t exist—or rather, where their existence isn’t even believed.
Maybe that’s why it’s easier to hide my true identity here. After all, in a place where even blatant displays of magic are brushed off as mere pranks.
"Yoon Siu!"
When I called for Siu, the guy who had been waiting in the back quickly approached.
"Yeah."
"Scoop the rice into the bowls."
"Got it."
Siu took the bowl from my hand and opened the rice cooker to scoop the rice.
"Roa."
"Yes."
"You set the spoons and kimchi."
"Yes."
"Jaewon."
"Yes."
"You wake up Hanjoon-hyung."
"Got it!"
Jaewon gave a sort of mock salute and quickly ran into the bedroom.
It’s almost the same scene every day.
When I cook breakfast in the morning, the kids, all ready for school, stand behind me waiting. Siu is in charge of serving the rice, Roa takes care of the utensils and side dishes, and Jaewon… handles the most challenging task of waking up Hanjoon-hyung.
Today, the day started with the same routine.
The only difference is that there are three VJs here with us.
“VJ hyungs, would you like to have breakfast with us?”
“I already ate breakfast… I’ll just have a quick taste.”
Sure, just a taste.
I only offered out of courtesy, but if they’d said yes to eating, things might’ve gotten messy.
This is a precious, top-tier, Grade 1 Charming Potion made exclusively for the kids.
Still, for the sake of capturing a good scene, I generously scooped out a spoonful and handed it to the VJ.
As soon as they took it and had a bite, their eyes grew wide.
“Is it delicious?”
The VJ, their mouth full of curry rice, didn’t answer but instead gave me a thumbs up.
It must be delicious. If this were Armania, it would be priceless—food so rare it couldn’t even be quantified in money.
After all, it’s the top-tier Charming Potion made by the continent's greatest idol, the 9 Circles' Grand Mage, Jesquière.
Maybe it’s thanks to the Charming Potion.
Even Hyerim, who is in charge of styling, the makeup artist, and even Gyuhyung all had something to say.
[Wow, you guys slept really well last night, huh? Your skin is glowing.]
[Your makeup looks perfect today. What kind of products do you use?]
[You guys... is it because your base is so good? The camera loves you. Every day is a new peak. A new peak.]
It’s not because they received a camera massage or slept well. It’s all thanks to my magic, people.
I smiled faintly and leaned my body against the back of the car seat.
"Alright, let's go."
As soon as Gyuhyung spoke, the car started moving.
With my eyes closed, I ran a simulation of the fan signing event in my head.
Until I fell asleep last night, I had watched every video related to fan signings. I checked everything, from SNS to fan communities, thoroughly analyzing the fans' reactions.
First, I have to smile.
Then, listen to what they have to say.
And grant their wishes within reason.
This is exactly what I did every time there was an audience with someone in the other world.
There's nothing difficult about it. Yeah, it's not hard.
It's just doing what needs to be done to level up a step.
* * *
As soon as I opened the car door, a shower of flashes poured in.
Stepping out of the car, I waited for the kids getting out of the back car, alongside Hanjoon.
"Kang Ichan! Hanjoon Over here!"
At the call from the fans, I turned my gaze, and with a scream, the shutters clicked.
I smiled subtly and waved my hand.
Then, a scream that could tear through the ears erupted.
"Over here."
"Ichan-ah, here!"
"Oppas, please smile just one more time."
While responding to each call, the rest of the members arrived.
As Gyuhyung gave a brief glance signaling for them to enter, the kids followed him one by one.
They didn’t forget to wave their hands and give polite bows to the fans along the way.
The shutter sounds kept ringing until they completely disappeared inside, sending a thrill down my spine.
* * *
"Wow, amazing. Why do you guys look so pretty?"
The high school senior home master shouted with an excited voice.
To her, Yoojung, who was packing up the equipment, spoke up.
"Doesn't it feel like they're breaking records every day?"
"Yes."
Yoojung's voice was also filled with excitement.
Seriously, today L.I.T is killing it with their looks.
No, why is the styling so on point? The clothes are just too beautiful.
The start of summer, the tail end of their teenage years, five young men with a hint of boyish charm.
They were following that concept so perfectly.
"I've never seen Ichan wear jeans before. They look so good on him."
"He was wearing jeans with a light green striped t-shirt with 3/4 sleeves. Wow, seriously, how refreshing is that? Did you see the bracelets he layered on his wrist? A string bracelet and a metal one. I wonder if it's the stylist's skill or Ichan's personal taste. Either way, it's killer."
As I recalled Ichan's look in my head, goosebumps ran down my body.
I can't wait for the fan signing event to start so I can take in that look with my own eyes.
"Alright, now we need to draw for seats, so let's go in."
The home masters quickly gathered their equipment and hurried inside HitTracks.
Yoojung, with something urgent to do, sent a message to Juhee, who couldn’t be there to see the members’ arrival.
Where are you? The members just arrived, and we're heading to draw for our seats.
As if waiting for the message, Juhee quickly replied.
Just got off the subway. Wait for me a bit, friend.
And then another message followed.
Did you get good pictures?
Of course. I’m Kwon Yoojung.
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ, awesome.
Yoojung put her phone back in her bag and began gathering the things she had placed in the storage locker.
"The fan event stuff is all good. Ichan’s gift... here it is, and the members’ gifts... Ugh, the box is all squished."
Yoojung carefully packed the gifts for all five members of L.I.T.
Of course, she couldn’t give the same gift to every member. She had to prioritize her bias a little more, and with the budget being what it was, she couldn’t avoid making distinctions.
Well, Juhee said she’d prepared the same gifts for all five members, so she thought she could just live vicariously through that.
"Yoojung-ah."
As she rummaged through her things, someone called her name, and she turned around.
"Ah? Mina unnie."
Kang Mina, the editor in charge of the idol section for <Weekly Music Q>, was walking over with a cameraman.
"You said you couldn’t come?"
Just until last night, she had been desperately trying to make it to the fan sign, complaining about the timing—why 2 PM, why did the fan sign have to be during the editor meeting?
But now, here she was?
"I got permission to cover it."
Mina said, shaking her shoulders excitedly.
"Then, you're officially allowed to cover it?"
<Weekly Music Q> wasn’t just some random, low-tier magazine. Their publication was divided into two categories—popular music and classical music—and they went deep into both.
They were well-known for having a finger on the pulse of everything, from the Billboard charts to Spotify, the domestic PiMang and Daon charts, all the music programs, and even accurately predicting the winners of major awards like the KBS, PMA, HAMA, BMAs, AMAs, Grammys, and Pan-Asian Awards.
To cover L.I.T for Weekly Music Q? That's like a green light.
"Yeah, I showed them a few music videos and content, and when writer Jeong Haeseong showed interest in the team, the editor-in-chief was like, 'Let’s get ahead of this!'"
"Wow, that's amazing."
When <Weekly Music Q> says 'let's get ahead,' it's not just a casual remark. It's a sign that there's potential.
I knew my instincts were right. A wave of emotion hit me at that moment.
"So, does that mean you're doing an interview too?"
"I'll request it first."
With a lot of energy, Mina waved her hand at Yoojung and walked towards the place labeled 'Inside the hallway.'
"See you later?"
"Yeah. Unnie. Fighting!"
My heart raced wildly.
It felt like my baby, who had just begun to walk, suddenly said, "Mom! I'm good at this," and I was filled with a pleasant anxiety wondering if my kid might be a genius.
Anyway, it felt like that.
* * *
Gwanghwamun HitTracks DEX Hall.
In a space that could hold 300 people, 200 Filaments were sitting silently, holding their breath.
Soon, the lights were turned off, and the title track quietly filled the entire hall.
Then, a spotlight poured onto the right side of the stage.
The host, holding a microphone, quietly revealed themselves.
It's him. Announcer Do Junwoo.
"Hello, Filament! I'm Do Junwoo, and I'll be hosting today's opening."
It's rare to have a host for a fan signing event, let alone a famous announcer taking on the role.
It was a moment that made the hearts of the Filaments present at the fan signing swell with excitement.
"Today isn't just any ordinary fan signing event. You all know what today is, right?"
At Do Junwoo's question, over 200 people responded with a cheer-like answer.
"Filament's debut ceremony."
"Yes, that's right. Today is your day, the day that marks Filament's first step forward."
Do Junwoo's voice was full of excitement.
"I'm here as a member of Filament myself."
Do Junwoo said, continuing with surprising words, still speaking in a voice brimming with enthusiasm, as he revealed his fan affection for L.I.T.
"To celebrate the birth of Filament, the best singer will be performing a special celebration performance."
A celebration performance? Not a fan meeting, not even a fan signing event? And would there really be a singer coming to perform at a rookie idol’s fan signing event?
Could it be that Dinaple, from the same agency, is coming to do a friendship performance?
"Everyone, please welcome them with applause and cheers."
But at the words that followed from Do Junwoo, the 200 Filament fans erupted in a roar that could rival 20,000, flipping the atmosphere.
"L.I.T."