translation by mourningmoor
“Why are there so many schedules?”
I held the schedule sheet in my hand and alternated my gaze between Gyuhyung and PD Pyo.
The release date for the mini album was now just three weeks away.
I heard that today, promotional videos for the mini album were put up on subway station billboards and somewhere in Samseong-dong.
This Friday, the tracklist will be revealed, and concept photos will be released one by one each day. A week later, the highlight melody will be unveiled, and pre-orders for the mini album will begin.
In other words, the official activities have already started.
It’s been a little over two months since we wrapped up the official activities for the last album in early August. We’ve been running non-stop to get here.
Now, with just three weeks left, and the Rookie Award on the line for this comeback, all the L.I.T members are working like crazy. But to pile on this many external schedules? I have no idea whose idea this was.
“We have to prepare for the M-start comeback stage right away. When are we supposed to practice with this many schedules?”
“We’ve already cut it down.”
“Yeah, we’ve cut it down a lot.”
As if they had rehearsed it, Gyuhyung and PD Pyo looked at each other and nodded in unison.
“Most of them are interview schedules…”
“Since when do magazine interviews end with just interviews? There are photoshoots too, you know. That takes up an entire day.”
“There are only three of those, and the rest are just interviews.”
PD Pyo would say something, and Gyuhyung would back him up.
“Five interviews, additional CF filming, advertiser meetings, additional concept photo shoots for the signature concept, Halloween photoshoot, poster signing. Poster signing? What’s that?”
“It’s signing the bromides that come as pre-order gifts.”
“It’s better to sign them one by one with care rather than just printing and sending them out.”
Gyuhyung would say something, and PD Pyo would back him up.
“Right, right.”
They seemed satisfied with each other’s answers, nodding and exchanging glances. I looked at them with a mix of pity and exasperation before putting the schedule sheet back on the desk.
“Are you two dating? You’re so in sync.”
Since when did these two become such a perfect duo? They’re like a match made in heaven.
But no matter how much they tried to convince me, I wasn’t ready to agree.
If we follow this schedule, the kids are going to drop dead.
They’re already barely sleeping three to four hours a day preparing for the comeback. I’ve been sharing my mana with them to keep them going, but without that, they would’ve collapsed already.
“Have you seen how much weight the kids have lost?”
“You’ve been making them work out, so their muscles are more defined now.”
“They’re barely sleeping three hours a day.”
“I’ll upgrade the van so they can sleep on the way. To Dinaple’s level. Maybe even better.”
Van upgrade? That’s something I can get behind.
Honestly, the difference between Dinaple’s van and L.I.T’s van in terms of options was like night and day. Finally upgrading it to a similar level? It’s a bit late, but what can you do? That’s the struggle of being a rookie. We’ll have to endure it.
I picked up the schedule sheet again.
Is it even possible to handle all these schedules? As I pondered, PD Pyo dropped the final blow.
“I’ve been looking at houses lately.”
This old man, now he’s showing off about everything.
“Why? Are you moving to a better place?”
“No, I’m moving you guys to a better place.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. I looked up, and PD Pyo, with his eyes crinkled, smiled brightly.
“If you pull off all these schedules and sell over 200,000 copies of this album, we’ll break even. Then the move is confirmed. Got it?”
Move confirmed? Escaping from the trash dungeon?
Then what’s there to think about? This is the best path for the kids.
“Let’s do it.”
There’s no need to think twice.
“I’ll do it.”
I stood up abruptly, neatly folded the schedule sheet, and stuffed it into the pocket of the anorak jacket I was wearing.
“We’ll do it.”
What’s the big deal about a few schedules?
If I cast a time-expansion spell over the entire practice room, we can secure as much practice time as we need. I’ll just be a bit more tired, that’s all.
I’ve been steadily feeding the kids charm potions, and now their visuals are at a level where they won’t lose to anyone.
The music video turned out great, the performance is almost perfected, and their vocals have improved significantly compared to last time.
All that’s left is to grab the Rookie Award that’s waiting for us and move into a house with proper windows. Let’s hope the new place has plenty of rooms.
“But make sure we move before December. It’s starting to get cold at night.”
* * *
I came down to the practice room, humming with excitement about the new dorm, only to frown immediately.
This was clearly the third-floor practice room, but the Dinaple members were sticking their necks out like meerkats, doing something.
Dinaple, the backbone of the company, had the entire second floor to themselves, so we rarely ran into them on other floors. They were treated like royalty, hence the special treatment.
Spotting Ga Yuna among the skinny members, I slowly approached.
“What brings you here, sunbaenim? This is our practice room.”
Inside the practice room, the members were in the middle of practicing the dance break for the title track.
At the sound of my voice, Dinaple, who had been peeking through the practice room door, turned around in surprise.
Ga Yuna, looking flustered, stepped forward.
“Kang Ichan.”
Judging by her expression, she was about to say something absurd again.
From what I’ve experienced so far, this woman is truly from another dimension—literally. She’s anything but ordinary.
“I’m giving you the glorious opportunity to be a special guest at Dinaple’s year-end concert.”
Look at this. Who would want that?
I answered her with a blank expression.
“No, thanks.”
“What?”
Ga Yuna looked genuinely shocked, as if she hadn’t expected this kind of response. She asked with sincerity.
“Why not?”
“We’re busy. We’re preparing for a comeback. Our comeback is set for November 7th.”
Judging by her expression, she didn’t seem to know.
Well, how could she not know? There’s a giant poster in the company lobby. If she hasn’t seen it, Ga Yuna must be blind.
For a moment, Ga Yuna was silent.
I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but she seemed to be breathing heavily, as if she were about to blow steam out of her tiny nostrils. Then she changed her approach.
“Yaaaaaah.”
Ga Yuna, with a snort, started shaking her shoulders vigorously.
Her attempt at aegyo sent shivers down my spine. It was like watching someone who had no business being cute trying way too hard.
“Ugh, that’s creepy. What are you even doing?”
Aegyo is something only certain people can pull off. Doesn’t Ga Yuna know she’s the last person who should be trying it? If anything, she’d be better at threats.
“Jeongsoo said he’d do it.”
“Then do it with Möbius.”
I brushed off the goosebumps on my arms and pushed past the meerkat-like Dinaple members into the practice room.
Ga Yuna immediately followed me inside.
“Come on, just do it. It’s for ARCHE’s dance break. Let’s do it together, okay?”
“Dance break?”
ARCHE’s dance break? Is she talking about what we did at the last M-start finale?
“Yeah. We’re going to cover it, and we thought it’d be great to do it like you guys did last time. After the dance break, we’ll even give you a chance to perform your new song. Okay?”
The meerkats behind Ga Yuna all nodded in unison, as if they had rehearsed it.
Ga Yuna. As I mentioned earlier, she lives in a 4D world and has a somewhat wild personality.
But I’ve heard that her uncle is the head of KBC’s drama division, her aunt’s husband is an investor in Blade Entertainment, and her aunt is a director at another entertainment company. I also vaguely remember hearing that her grandfather was once the Minister of Culture.
If I can get Ga Yuna to owe me a favor, maybe I can cash it in someday.
“Just like that?”
I tilted my head meaningfully, and Ga Yuna, as if offering a reward, proposed a deal.
“If you guys hold a concert, we’ll make a special appearance.”
“What’s so great about that?”
She’s really something.
“If we hold a concert, requests for special appearances will flood in from everywhere. Why would we need you?”
Besides, who knows if I’ll even still be here by the time we hold a concert?
“Then tell me what you want. Who knows? Maybe I can grant your wish.”
That wasn’t a bad offer.
Ga Yuna has her uses. Getting a wish from her could be like having an insurance policy.
I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes, making it seem like I was about to refuse. Ga Yuna quickly added,
“Anything except going to jail.”
“Anything?”
“Yeah, anything. We really want to do this. We need an image change too.”
She’s desperate.
Reaching out to someone desperate and taking something in return—that’s something a demon king would do in my world.
“So, if we do the dance break together at your concert, you’ll grant me a wish… something like that?”
Ga Yuna nodded so hard it looked like her neck might snap.
“Yeah, not bad, right?”
“Not bad at all.”
Not bad? It’s actually pretty good.
For L.I.T, getting experience on a big stage is quite helpful. That alone makes it a decent offer, but adding a wish on top of it? That’s more than just a good deal—it’s a steal.
Who knows how Ga Yuna might be useful in the future?
“Let’s do it. Okay? I really, really want to do this with you guys.”
Seeing my interest, Ga Yuna became even more persistent.
Alright, let’s do it. She’s younger than me, and she’s begging like this. What’s the harm?
But if I agree too easily, Ga Yuna, who already lives in her own 4D world and is full of herself, might get even more arrogant.
“Alright.”
So, I’ll play hard to get and make her sweat a little before agreeing.
“I’ll think about it.”