Chapter 138
“Orca, standby!”
SBC had scheduled the ‘Present’ performance for the latter half of the show.
If only Orca were performing, they would have been assigned a much earlier slot. However, with senior singers of high standing participating and the final lineup of the music festival announced, the anticipation for the stage was heightened, and the broadcasting station could not afford to disregard them.
Below the stage, Orca stood in line on the lift that would soon carry them up. They were busy warming up their voices and regulating their breathing.
The year-end stage had struck like a bolt out of the blue, so up until now, they had only focused on preparing for the immediate performance.
However, actually being in the dome, which accommodated over fifteen thousand people, and feeling the unique atmosphere of the venue, even they, as bold as they were, couldn’t help but feel a bit of pressure.
“If the microphone doesn’t work in the middle…”
“Just use mine.”
On Raon, who noticed Gyun Seong-ha trembling while holding the microphone, spoke calmly to reassure him.
‘He’s the type to worry about everything. Just a few soothing words, and he calms down quickly.’
Gyun Seong-ha felt both relieved by On Raon’s words, which made it seem like a trivial matter, and a bit wounded in his pride for needing reassurance from someone younger than him.
In fact, the latter reason was more significant.
Just before getting on the lift, the members gathered their hands at the signal from their leader, Kang Ji-woo.
“Let’s make sure no one falls or gets hurt and finish our first year-end stage in a cool and exciting way.”
Soon, the MC announced their turn.
It was time to head onto the stage.
* * *
‘It’s happening!’
Geum Gyuri barely managed to keep hold of the remote from her family, who were complaining about what was there to see with unknown idols performing.
As the intro of ‘Present,’ which she had listened to so much recently that she could memorize the lyrics, started to play, Geum Gyuri’s eyes sparkled. She quickly pretended to peel the tangerine in her hand diligently, not wanting to show that she had been eagerly waiting for this performance. Even so, her eyes kept sneaking glances at the TV.
Bae Se-il, Kwon Gyeoul, and Hong Seo-ram in Santa costumes, Yoo Si-won in a green dress like a Christmas tree, Tomorrow and Janggo literally dressed as Christmas trees, and Orca in cute reindeer costumes with antlers and red noses roamed between the main stage and the extended stage, singing ‘Present’ enthusiastically.
Due to time constraints, there was almost no rearrangement of the song, but there was one meaningful change.
It was the inclusion of a sing-along section towards the end. If mishandled, this could result in an awkward silence, dampening the mood.
However, there were seasoned senior singers in Seed.
[Alright, let’s all sing together!]
Bae Se-il skillfully prompted the audience to join in.
Others didn’t just stand by.
They matched the tune by humming “na na na-” and ran around playfully, teasing, “If you don’t sing along, we’ll cry!” “If we cry, no presents for you!” playfully threatening the audience.
Within that enthusiasm, the audience, holding light sticks of different colors that shone beautifully, responded.
Yes, today is Christmas
This is a Present for you
Though there were almost no Orca fans at the venue, the song was so catchy that the voices singing along resonated powerfully through the dome.
Geum Gyuri, in her living room with her family, also enjoyed the Christmas night conjured by the Seed artists.
“The song is nice.”
“I think I’ve heard this song a hundred times recently.”
“They’re the best I’ve seen today.”
“Yeah, they should invite more singers like Bae Se-il, Hong Seo-ram, and Kwon Gyeoul instead of these pointless idols.”
Though Geum Gyuri secretly liked Orca, she didn’t voice her opposition to the remark about pointless idols. She knew her family didn’t mean any real harm.
When On Raon’s face appeared in a close-up shot on the TV, her family gasped in admiration.
“How can someone look like that?”
Everyone watching the music festival had the same thought at that moment.
“He looks even better in person.”
Geum Gyuri tried to appear uninterested, replying nonchalantly. Despite her effort to seem indifferent, her mother, amazed that her usually indifferent daughter was commenting on celebrities, asked directly,
“Do you like them?”
Feeling caught off guard, Geum Gyuri quickly shook her head.
“No? I saw them by chance when I passed by the broadcasting station once.”
Luckily, her voice didn’t sound too awkward, so her family didn’t notice anything unusual and continued focusing on the stage.
Geum Gyuri herself didn’t quite understand why she had to hide her liking for Orca.
But somehow, it felt necessary. Liking someone purely wasn’t a crime.
Though it was understandable during her student days, even as an adult, liking idols felt like going against the norm, influenced by her perception that it was unconventional.
Her slight bitterness was relieved as soon as she heard On Raon’s voice ringing out clear as a church bell after Kang Ji-woo’s powerful vocals seemed to break through the stratosphere.
‘Yes, it’s all good.’
* * *
Despite the short preparation time, the response to our diligently prepared stage was overwhelmingly positive. Several keywords related to the “Present” performance at the music festival even appeared on real-time search terms on portal sites, albeit briefly.
“Wow, you all did great work on this cold day.”
“It was our first music festival too, but we enjoyed it. I hope we get another chance to perform on a stage like this!”
“I’ve always been envious of companies that hold concerts with their artists. Let’s do that too someday. We should!”
“Guys, you all worked hard. You did well.”
Seed’s senior singers, who normally had little interest or ambition for TV appearances, earnestly responded to the sudden year-end stage request partly to avoid repercussions later, but also to support their newly debuted juniors.
Although no one explicitly mentioned it, Orca, sensing the seniors’ goodwill, bowed sincerely.
“It was an honor to share the stage with you, seniors! Thank you so much!”
“Oh, no need for such formalities between us.”
“Have a happy new year and keep working hard.”
After completing the ending stage where all the performers came out to greet the audience, the Seed singers headed home.
Except for Orca, who had to return to the company for their first B-app live broadcast.
“I’m so exhausted.”
“Just a bit more, hang in there.”
“When we get back to the dorm, Ji-woo hyung’s ribs will be waiting!”
“Meat! Snacks! Soda!”
“Party!”
Revived by the thought of the stimulating food awaiting them, Orca arrived at the company, changed into comfortable casual clothes, and entered the practice room where the filming equipment was set up.
“Guys, be careful with your words, your expressions, and the comments.”
With the staff’s final reminders, the broadcast began.
* * *
Since it was their first live broadcast after debut, the fans, starved for content since the end of the ‘Liberation’ activities, were eagerly anticipating it.
The excitement doubled with the expectation that the fan club name would be revealed during the broadcast.
Among the fans who shut their doors and rushed in after the music festival ended was Geum Gyuri.
At 10 PM, the scheduled time announced the previous day, a B-app notification arrived indicating that Orca had started the live broadcast.
[Orca (ORCA) has started a live broadcast.
Orca (ORCA): Lee Gong-gi, your Christmas present has arrived.]
The broadcast title was different from what was announced the previous day.
“No way… is ‘Lee Gong-gi’ the fan club name…?”
Feeling a subtle sense of unease at the unusual term ‘Lee Gong-gi,’ Geum Gyuri immediately clicked the notification repeatedly to enter the broadcast.
Soon after, five handsome faces appeared on the tablet screen, sitting close together against a wall.
It seemed as if the screen brightness on her phone had increased by 30.
“Good thing I turned it on with my tablet instead of my phone.”
Geum Gyuri’s eyes were instantly drawn to On Raon, seated on the far right in the front row.
[Is it working now?]
[Oh, the numbers are increasing.]
[Some people might have received the notification late. Let’s wait another minute.]
[It must be boring since we’re not doing anything.]
On Raon said this as he leaned in close to the camera with a curious expression, causing Geum Gyuri to instinctively lean back.
Although On Raon soon moved back after realizing he was blocking the members’ faces, the sudden ‘face attack’ left her heart pounding for a while.
– Not boring at allㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
– Today’s stage was amazing!
– Hello, Orca!!! Merry Christmas!!
– Raon, your expression is so cuteㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
– Touch your cheek if you see my comment
– I love you even if you just breathe
The members of Orca fixed their gaze on the distant screen to read the rapidly scrolling comments, looking amazed at the fact that they were doing a live broadcast. A faint sound of suppressed laughter from the staff behind the camera could be heard.
[We’ll make sure you’re not bored.]
With that declaration, the members started humming ‘Present,’ as if they had pre-arranged it.
Then, exactly at 10:01 PM, they stopped singing.
Cutting off at the best part of the song, Geum Gyuri cursed the passing minute.
“If only it had gone by a bit slower…!”
Well, she couldn’t blame Orca for being so abrupt.
[Let’s greet everyone first!]
[On and on, ORCA!]
[Hello, we’re Orca!]
[Waaah! First B-app!]
[We missed you too!]
[Guys, let’s sit down first…]
The audio never went silent from the start.
Whether it was because it was their first B-app live, the imminent announcement of the fandom name, or thoughts of the party afterward, the energy was through the roof.
– Guys, why are you so excitedㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
– What’s Lee Gong-gi?? No way, that’s not the fan club name, rightㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ please tell me it’s notㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
– Today’s my birthday
– I love you
– Please do B-app lives oftenㅠㅠㅠ
– Tell us the fandom name quickly
[Did everyone receive their Christmas presents?]
[Us being here is the present, right? We know. …Sorry.]
[Wow, so many people are joining.]
[Thank you for joining us at this late hour. We didn’t plan to broadcast this late either…]
They had originally planned to do the broadcast earlier in the evening on the 25th with a Christmas present concept, but the schedule for the music festival pushed the broadcast to late at night.
[Uh… the reason we’re doing this B-app today is…]
[To announce the fan club name.]
[We worked hard thinking it over with the members, so we hope you like it.]
[We did put a lot of thought into it, but please lower your expectations just a bit…]
[No! Please look forward to it! It’s beautiful! Have confidence!]
Amid the commotion, Kang Ji-woo reached out for the printed material.