Chapter 60
Having finished the W-App live broadcast at the company, we were finally on our way to the fan sign event venue.
Perhaps because it was our first fan sign event, the members all wore nervous expressions as they prepared in their own ways.
"Ugh, what if I can't speak properly and we just sit there in awkward silence?"
"In that case... ask them if they've eaten! If they have, ask what they ate. If they haven't, ask what they want to eat, or what their favorite food is!"
"Then Sihyun, you won't ask if they've eaten, right?"
"Huh...?"
"You can't keep asking if they've eaten consecutively."
"AH...! Then... let's do rock-paper-scissors."
"What! Wasn't that for me?"
"N-no! I thought about it all day!"
Kang Ajin and Baek Sihyun were fighting over a single conversation topic that could help them talk with fans without being awkward.
"Mmm... Ah... AHHHHH~"
"Jungwoo, what are you doing...?"
"Ah, I always need to keep my throat warmed up so I can sing whenever fans ask me to."
"I, I see."
'Singing or whatever, should I prepare something too?'
Truthfully, we had been so busy lately that we hadn't had time to separately prepare for the fan sign event.
Our manager had also said that fans come to see our natural selves, so we just needed to not be too nervous and kindly listen to what the fans say.
Though it was difficult to feel at ease following the manager's words, I still hadn't expected to be this nervous.
'If only I hadn't heard that.'
I quietly spoke to Yujin Kim again.
"That... fan sign event cut? How many did you say it was?"
"At least 100 copies."
The term 'fan sign event cut' that I learned for the first time today.
It referred to the minimum number of albums one had to purchase to attend the fan sign event.
And to attend WeUs's fan sign event.
'At least 100 copies, then in terms of money...?'
Going to two fan sign events would amount to money equivalent to Min's college tuition.
The time a single fan could talk with one member was barely 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Since we're 7 members, that's only about 5 minutes total.
'Burn through over 100 for 5 minutes?'
As the amount became realistic, it was impossible not to be nervous.
No matter what I do, I couldn't give satisfaction equivalent to that amount within 1 minute.
But at the very least, I shouldn't disappoint the fans, right?
"But Yujin, aren't you ner-"
Shake shake shake-
"Huh...?"
I saw the phone Yujin Kim was holding, shaking relentlessly even though it wasn't vibrating.
I instantly swallowed the words I was about to say.
"Ah, never mind."
Indeed, today's fan sign event. Will we be able to finish safely?
***
Upon arriving at the fan sign venue, we heard that all the fans had already arrived and were waiting for us.
We hurriedly finished preparing to meet the fans.
After being reminded again of a few things we shouldn't do at the fan sign venue.
"We'll go up now."
Following the MC's guidance, we went up on stage.
KYAAAAAAAHHH-
In a small theater where the distance to the fans was closer than any stage I had experienced so far, where every single fan's face was visible, about 100 fans cheered as they saw us.
"Two, three!"
"Forever together! Hello, we are WeUs!"
Hearing the passionate cheers of the fans along with our greeting, I hid my nervous face and picked up the mic first.
"Thank you so much to all the fans who came to WeUs's first fan sign event!"
"Thank you!"
"Let's have fun together!"
After going up on stage, I saw familiar faces that had been frequently visible since the national idol days.
From the fans sitting in the front row holding cannon-like cameras, to the fans who brought the light sticks we distributed at the showcase.
And.
'A toy gun?'
I saw a fan who, upon meeting my eyes, was eagerly waving the toy gun they had brought.
For some reason, the thought that I would be holding that thing by the end of the fan sign event lingered strongly in my mind.
Following the guidance of the event staff, we took our seats at the long table placed in the center of the stage.
The order from the beginning was Sim Sungha, Park Hanhwi, Woo Jungwoo, Kang Ajin, Baek Sihyun, me, and the last seat was Yujin Kim.
I could see fans starting to come up on stage from the first order.
Fortunately, the fan in the first order was a familiar fan who had been coming to see our stages since the national idol days, enough for me to remember their face.
The fan with a nervous smile took a seat in the chair in front of Sim Sungha, the very first position.
"Was it hard getting here?"
As soon as the fan sat in front of him, I could see Sim Sungha speaking warmly.
'He's really natural?'
While I waved and greeted the fans still waiting for their turn, I continued to observe how the members were talking with the fans.
"Yes, that's right! While waiting during today's music broadcast filming, I dozed off a bit... I just closed my eyes for a moment and the time had already..."
Sim Sungha continuously conversed with the fan in front of him, helping them relax.
"I missed you!"
"Thank you for coming. I missed you too!"
The next was Park Hanhwi, with a bright smile naturally interlacing fingers with the fan.
The fan's face showed they couldn't control their racing heart from Park Hanhwi's gaze.
After passing through the sections of Sim Sungha and Park Hanhwi, who had contrasting styles, it was Woo Jungwoo's turn next.
"Thank you so much for coming to the fan sign event! By any chance, is there a member you like? Ah, it's okay even if it's not me. But other than the autograph, is there anything else I can do for you..."
Woo Jungwoo showed a combination of passion and too much talking, bordering on being almost overwhelming.
"Hahaha, I'm just happy to be able to see you in person like this!"
Surprisingly, even that side of Woo Jungwoo seemed cute to the fan. At the fan's not-bad response, Woo Jungwoo's eyes sparkled with even more excitement.
And then.
"By any chance, did you have a meal today? Yes? You want me to guess? Ah...! Uh um..."
It seemed Kang Ajin had stolen the meal question from Baek Sihyun, confidently asking the fan.
But flustered by the fan's unexpected counterattack, she quickly became embarrassed.
While the seated fans were capturing the sight of Kang Ajin with a red face on their cameras.
Finally, the turn had reached Baek Sihyun, who was right before me.
"Hello. Is there anything you like by any chance...? If you want, I'll draw it for you!"
It seemed Baek Sihyun had changed his strategy after having his question stolen by Kang Ajin.
After signing quite stylishly, Baek Sihyun spoke confidently, but.
"I like Sihyun though?"
"Huh...? Me?"
Like Kang Ajin, it seemed Baek Sihyun hadn't anticipated exceptional situations.
And finally.
"Rin-ah!! Oh, I mean, nice to meet you... hahaha..."
"I'm so happy to meet you too!"
The first fan approached me.
"Kim Soyoung... noona? Can I call you noona?"
"O-of course...!"
"Please speak comfortably with me!"
"Re... really?"
"Yes!"
Looking at her name written on the memo pad, I quickly finished signing.
I spoke to Kim Soyoung, who couldn't meet my eyes.
"You've come to support me often since the auditions. I remember your face because it's familiar."
"Uh... uh..."
'Did I say something wrong?'
While I was worrying, seeing Kim Soyoung freeze without responding to my words.
"Ah. I'm sorry, no, I'm sorry... I'm so touched..."
Time flowed faster than expected.
Seeing the signal from the staff behind telling us to prepare for the next person, I could see Kim Soyoung's regretful expression.
"I'll remember your name from now on too. Thank you so much for coming..."
I held Kim Soyoung's hands and spoke.
Thinking about the money fans had to spend to come to the fan sign event, I couldn't bring myself to say "please come again," so I let the latter words trail off.
"I'm more grateful!"
Seeing her bright smile as she answered, I thought that a fan sign event wasn't necessarily only for the fans.
"Here's a letter..."
"Thank you! I'll definitely read it!"
Kim Soyoung handed over the letter last and moved on to Yujin Kim.
While I was greeting the next fan who came before me.
"Hello!"
"Rin-ah...! Here's a gift..."
The fan handed me the album to sign along with a headband with puppy ears that looked like something one would wear at an amusement park.
'If I put this on...'
Countless thoughts instantly flashed through my mind.
In my life, the only thing I'd ever put on my head was a bulletproof helmet with night vision goggles.
Puppy ears...
Not just any puppy ears, but fluffy ones that looked quite cute.
Of course, the cuter they were, the higher the difficulty of wearing them.
Once I put this on in front of me, the cannon-mounted cameras before my eyes would capture my image at tremendous speed.
And those photos, with the title 'Puppy Ears Sunwoo Rin,' would instantly be seen by many people through SNS and communities.
The thought was long, but the action was quick.
KYAAAAAAAAHHH-
"Thank you for the gift."
Gifts must be worn properly, of course.
***
Directly conversing with close to 100 people.
At first, I thought it would be a difficult task, but ultimately, the conversation partners were fans who liked us.
I quickly realized that fans who would come to a fan sign event must have prepared much more than we had.
The fans' questions were mostly not difficult to answer.
I could immediately feel their consideration for me even in small actions.
Of course, there was a slight crisis too.
My dignity, temporarily set aside for the fans' enjoyable photo time...
To describe my current appearance in words.
First, I was wearing a fancy crown on my head.
Draped over my back was a red cape that medieval princes might have worn to a masquerade ball.
Hanging from my left waist was a toy sword sheathed in its scabbard.
Of course, that wasn't all.
Still laid out at my seat were a toy bow, a shield some Captain somebody would use, various types of headbands and accessories.
"Rin-ah, look over here!"
"Rin-ah---"
At the sound of fans calling me, I hurriedly drew the sword from its scabbard and posed for the camera.
Seeing the satisfied-looking fans diligently pressing camera shutters.
I surveyed the stage that had seemingly turned into a fashion show.
The first thing I saw was Woo Jungwoo enthusiastically playing a toy guitar.
Then I saw Baek Sihyun posing with a flower crown on his head.
Yujin Kim was wearing a cat ear headband, waving at the fans.
And.
'Ajin-ah...'
Standing in the center of the stage, wearing animal pajamas shaped like a dog that someone had given him, receiving the fans' cheers, Kang Ajin looked... rather than embarrassed... somewhat proud.
Gaining a little confidence from seeing Kang Ajin like that, I called all the other members to the center.
"Guys, let's take a group shot!"
When we all gathered in the center, the fans' cheers erupted, and the endlessly flashing camera lights from all directions made me feel like I was in another world.
'It feels a bit strange.'
And so, our first fan sign event came to an end.
***
On the way home after finishing all the schedules.
"It was hard... but it was still fun."
"Right?"
While Kang Ajin and Park Hanhwi were reminiscing about the fan sign event that just ended.
"But manager hyung, why haven't you told us about tomorrow's schedule yet? It shows as empty on the schedule too."
"Huh? Aren't we just resting tomorrow?"
At Woo Jungwoo's words, Kang Ajin answered with wide eyes.
Come to think of it, on the schedule packed for next week, only tomorrow's schedule was completely empty.
Normally, if the schedule slot is empty, it would be right to think we're resting.
'There's no way we'd just rest... with as many schedules as we have backed up.'
"Um... I'm not really sure about that either...? I'll check exactly and let you know."
The manager's answer felt somewhat awkward.
There was no way the manager wouldn't know about tomorrow's schedule. Something was a bit strange.
And even after arriving at the dorm, until we all collapsed right away, the manager didn't say a word about tomorrow's schedule.
WAAAAAAAAHHH-
From early morning, the sound of rustling outside the room woke me from my sleep.
An ominous sound that didn't deviate from my expectations reached my ears.