In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

The air was unbearably awkward

When we got on the elevator they hesitated and made room for us

“Hello”

Hanjo, who had been in the corner, whispered a greeting

The two leaders exchanged nods while the two main vocalists bowed to each other and then began to create distance

Were they greeting or not

One burrowed into the corner as if digging a cave and the other stood rigid like an ostrich staring only at the floor numbers

I could only force a nervous laugh when

A hearty voice spoke up

“Ah, hello there”

It was Director Park of Street Boys, who had been hidden behind the large box the road manager was carrying

He beamed a friendly smile

“It’s nice to meet you here. Is the New Black road manager the only one who came?”

“Yes, the director is busy”

“Well it must be hectic these days. New Black’s doing well. Your song is doing well and you’re on broadcasts everywhere”

He knew we only appeared on music shows

His teasing tone was gentle and familiar so there was nothing to criticize

If we scowled it would only make us look odd

“I’ve been swamped too. My boys are starting K-Net Reality again. So much to do. I have to eat with the production team, meet with the writers. I feel like two bodies wouldn’t be enough. Whew”

“Yes, you must be working hard”

Mingi hyung responded politely and Director Park let out a soft chuckle, rubbing his nose disappointedly

Was he jealous

With New Black’s success far outpacing Street Boys, Street Boys’ director seemed determined to show something like “but we’re better at this!”

Ding—

12th floor

As the radio center doors opened our conversation naturally ended

Following the sub-writer who came to meet us, we headed toward the studio while hearing grunts from behind

The road manager was sweating under the heavy load

Hanjo approached to offer help but the road manager glanced at Director Park’s back and shook his head

At times like this I felt our company’s atmosphere was different

Lemon started as an actor agency so they place fewer restrictions on singers and managers but DNS, since they began as an idol company, I heard they squeeze their juniors hard

It made me glad I came to our company

Perhaps sensing my look Director Park spoke without being asked

“The fans of Street Boys sent these supports”

“Pardon?”

“These boxes here”

“Oh... yes”

“They went wild when they heard we were on the radio. Even though the company said no they’re so obsessive they sent tons of snacks and drinks for the staff. You should see how many fans are already attached...”

He reminded me of an uncle bragging about his niece who just passed the bar at a family gathering, with his two embarrassed sons in tow

“...Hm?”

The sub-writer, who had been silent until then, froze and turned around

“Are these for us?”

“Yes. The fans sent them for the writers and the producer”

“Oh, right... this is a lot”

The sub-writer smiled awkwardly and Director Park tilted his head

We did too

We’d heard they brought free food but we weren’t exactly overjoyed

What was this

When we finally entered the studio we understood why she’d made that face

A studio with a radio booth

In one corner lay stacks of luxurious-looking boxes

Dessert boxes bearing a hotel logo

On each box, in cute handwriting, “[To the Wonderful Night production team, from New Black’s maknae Ji-ho! Enjoy!]”

I could almost hear the echo

–I’ve sent you a gift so look forward to it!

Only then did I realize what was happening and I laughed

“Producer, the guests are here”

The producer sitting at the console table stood up and welcomed us warmly

“Ah, come on in. I was just about to thank you for the cake you sent...”

Director Park, staring at the expensive dessert containers worth tens of thousands each, was dumbfounded

“...”

He had bragged about his kids, only to find out his nephew, who’d been unemployed, actually passed the civil service exam and was awaiting appointment

Turning his gaze back to us, the producer glanced at Street Boys

“And what is that?”

“Oh, this is...”

The person stumbled over her words and I had to suppress a laugh

As the managers of Street Boys left the studio {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} with faces twisted in mixed emotions we stepped into the radio booth

“Hello, seniors!”

“Oh my, everyone welcome”

Jang So-won waved and greeted us

At the U-shaped table around the DJ’s seat, I and Ri-hyeok sat to her left and Hanjo and Gi-won to her right

Seeing our tense faces she smiled and spoke

“This is both groups’ first radio show, right?”

“Yes”

“It must be nerve-wracking but do your best. I’ll fill in any gaps so even if you feel shy speak confidently! Got it?”

“Yes, senior”

That was it

Jang So-won gave us a winking smile and turned her eyes to the script

The meaning was clear

She wouldn’t save airtime just because we were friends—do well on our own

I nodded

We have to take care of our own bowl

Thinking of our juniors cheering for us at the dorm I looked around

Beyond the soundproof glass the staff were sipping coffee and chatting, a camera filming us in the corner, and in front of me a long microphone and monitor

Adjusting the mic height I glanced at the monitor

The visible radio screen and chat were buzzing. Beside it a note app was open but I didn’t know what for

I’d find out later

Meanwhile I turned to the boy sitting next to me

Still nervous

Seeing him take a deep breath made me smile

His long black lashes fluttered twice per second and one leg trembled under the table

Fortunately his trademark calm expression masked his nerves unless you watched closely

“You nervous?”

“Who? Me?”

“Yes. You”

“Not at all. Don’t worry. I was a bit nervous at the music café but I can handle today’s live broadcast just fine”

“Hey. I’m nervous too How can you not be”

I smiled at him

“Take it easy” 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

“Excuse me?”

“No one’s perfect all the time. You might mess up. Don’t aim to be too perfect. Relax. Let’s just chat and have fun with the listeners today”

“...Okay”

He offered a fist as if to cheer me on

Watching my fist Ri-hyeok grasped it and shook it like a handshake

No, bump it, Ri-hyeok

No wonder he watched me and Jung-hyun earlier

We could use a crash course in skinship

Meanwhile over there it was a madhouse

Where this was clear skies that was cloudy gloom

Gi-won sat stiffly swallowing saliva, clearly terrified

Every five seconds he unscrewed his water bottle cap and took a big gulp, half the water gone before the show even started

And Hanjo, shortening the headphone band for the maknae, looked just as tense

At first I thought it was their first live broadcast jitters but then I realized why

Because of senior Jang So-won

Street Boys’ debut song “Hunger” contains a diss rap aimed at our song “Something”

And Jang So-won wrote that song

I didn’t know if she was aware of the diss or how she felt, but I’d be sweating if I were them

Watching the DJ glance at the script the two of them kept eyeing her nervously made me laugh

Better to be brazen

Like at the showcase Q&A, stick to “No diss. You’re misunderstanding us.” That would be better

If you’re going to be that wary I don’t know why you even came

Oh well

When you start applying logic there’s no end to things you can’t understand so I decided not to care

It wasn’t my concern

I was busy enough watching over my boys, I didn’t want to worry about another group

I only had two concerns

How to leave a good impression on the listeners during this show and how well we’d bring “Night Sea” to life in the fourth segment’s live stage

Nothing else was that important

The producer’s voice came through the talkback button and following the DJ the guests put on headphones

The plush feel

As I enjoyed the worn cozy texture the Girls on Top signal music played

At last the live broadcast began

Seok-hwan hyung once told me this

Entertainment is a war without gunfire

Meaning you must throw out lines, interrupt, do anything to grab airtime every second

But right now

The scene being crafted in the radio studio was far from that

“These two groups are so heartwarming. You get along so well but I’m sure you’ve been disappointed at never having a chance to talk on music shows”

The two leaders answered with smiles

“Yes. We never imagined we’d get along this well”

“Me too. I always wanted to be close with New Black”

The reason for this unexpected performance was simple

That was Seok-hwan hyung’s training

So the manager’s advice was to create a warm atmosphere

After all new groups like us don’t have the skill to snatch airtime with smiles nor the seniority to pull it off

Maybe they got the same advice, the mood over there was warm too

Well

I hate to admit it but our chemistry wasn’t bad either

“The guest positions overlap too. Woo-joo and Hanjo are group leaders, Gi-won and Ri-hyeok are main vocalists, right?”

“Yes, that’s right”

“Interesting combination. The two leaders have similar vibes but the main vocalists have totally different impressions”

Words appeared in the note app on the monitor

The producer typed in amusing listener comments

“User Jeong Da-eun said ‘Their temperature difference is like spring and winter lol’ That’s so true. Gi-won gives off a chick-like cute warm vibe but Ri-hyeok is like an ice princess”

“Can’t I be a prince?”

“No. Ri-hyeok suits princess better”

Ri-hyeok let out a small laugh at the playful remark

“How about you, Gi-won? A listener said you have a springlike warmth”

“...Ah, yes. I like spring too”

Gi-won’s odd answer made the DJ smile

“You can see the temperature difference here too. Hanjo takes care of Gi-won a lot but Ri-hyeok gives an independent vibe”

“No, I take great care of him”

Seizing the timing I interjected

“On the surface Ri-hyeok seems very independent but he’s actually a handful. As the eldest I always look after him”

“That’s not true at all. I’ve always done fine on my own”

“Now you’re even lying”

As we playfully bickered the show’s focus naturally shifted to New Black

The DJ must have decided we were more entertaining than the overthere who kept missing their cues

But

Who made New Black the center of today’s broadcast was not me, not Ri-hyeok, not Jang So-won, but a third party

“Oh? An interesting comment just popped up. User ‘Ri-hyeokIsPiraruku’—looks like a New Black fan?”

Yes he is our maknae

As I worried what he’d say next Jang So-won burst out laughing

“They say ‘Please turn down the lights!! Ri-hyeok’s face is disappearing!’”

“Pardon? My face?”

The moment we checked the monitor everyone burst out laughing

Had the producer raised the lighting? Only Ri-hyeok’s face had vanished like an egg ghost

His skin was so pale it caused the effect

On screen he looked like a bishounen sketch with his face unfinished

While “lol” filled the chat as if they found him cute, Ri-hyeok shyly raised his hand to cover his face

And when the producer dimmed the lights again

Just like someone commented, on screen appeared a perfectly ripe persimmon.