Save a Failed Idol’s Life

Chapter 49: Encore? Encore!

Chapter 49 Encore? Encore!

Everyone looked down at the stage with stunned expressions.

Before we knew it, the reporter who had received the microphone came up to the stage and tried to calm the atmosphere.

Alright, thats it for the stage prepared by Climax, and now well start the local singing contest

Encore, encore, encore, encore!

Ah, what are you going to do with that song we sang ourselves?

Chiara, show them what you did earlier.

The protests continued from the elders who couldnt accept that the stage was over.

The manager and the reporter looked at us with shaky eyes.

I was fine because I had practiced the choreography beforehand. But these guys werent. It took them so long to practice one song.

There was no way they had time to practice the other songs. It was too bad to just refuse, but at the moment of hesitation, a status window popped up.

[Tutorial 2 > Sub Quest Do you want to start Finishing Touches?]

[Yes/No]

What is Finishing Touches?

What is that? How do you do that?

While the reporter was temporarily taking the blame from the elders, the PD ran over in a hurry.

It seems like the elders are having a lot of fun, can you sing one more song?

No, they werent ready.

It was after we had peaked with a perfect performance, and if we showed a mediocre stage, the atmosphere could get cold.

Wait a minute But what if I do it alone?

I flashed, and thought of Seong-wons buff skill.

[Buff: <Sound Source Playback> Stable vocal correction effect at the level of sound source when singing]

-Usage point 30pt

This might be possible.

I answered inwardly to the status window in front of me.

Yes.

The status window seemed to accept it and disappeared with a bright light. 

While everyone was embarrassed, I raised my hand to draw attention.

Then Ill sing one song by myself.

What?

What are you talking about? Youre singing alone?

Everyone looked at me with eyes that said I was talking nonsense.

Ill pick one song that the elders will like and try to lead them to the singing contest naturally.

How are you going to do that

Kyunghwa shook his head as if to tell me not to say such nonsense.

Wouldnt it be better to just sing our last single?

Kyunghwa finally offered a second best option, but I firmly refused.

Riverside Apartment, play the intro.

There was no way this song wouldnt have a sound source for the elders singing contest. 

From 40s to 60s, there was no way they hadnt heard this song.

What is that?

Seong-won and Kyunghwa looked at me and the PD with a look of disbelief.

Oh, Riverside Apartment! I got it. Okay, okay.

The PD made an OK sign with his hand and exchanged something with the reporter with a signal.

Anyway, you guys go down, Ill take care of it.

What are you thinking Sigh

They didnt know what it was, but anyway they had no choice but to leave the stage. 

Seong-wons expression was close to contempt, and my chest hurt somewhere.

You dont have to look at me like Im crazy. Ahem, I cleared my throat along with the floating intro.

And I called up the status window.

System.

[Whose Fate Skill do you want to use?]

[Available Fates (11)]

Kang Yugeon was added, so its 11 now.

Son Seong-won Sound Source Playback.

[Usage confirmed. 30 points will be deducted.]

Ugh It was quite a pity to use a 30-point skill But thats what Ive been saving up for so long.

~~-

Riverside Apartment was a sensational city pop that swept the record market in the early 80s.

Well These guys are either 00s or 90s, so they were born long before the hit song.

It was a song with a sophisticated and exciting melody that was not bad even today.

If I had gone with Eternal Love like a one-man singing contest, the atmosphere would have flowed and there would have been another encore request.

So my choice was a song that would bring out some excitement and make them think, I could sing that song too. That was the atmosphere.

Thats what Riverside Apartment is.

The flashy intro ended and the first verse finally started.

[Last night, the stars flowed in the sky]

[My love for you, Im burning]

As soon as I sang the first verse, I felt it. This was it. Of course, it had been my favorite song since Lim Hyun-sungs Eternal Love.

I had never heard anyone sing this song so well, except for the original singer.

When I looked at the audiences reaction, they were surprised but excited.

Oh, these kids know that song?

Wow, he sings well.

Hes a young kid, but he sings very well.

[On this night, I lost my way]

[I walk along the river without a destination]

Following the audience, the members all looked at me with astonishment.

[Your heart has already left me]

[But I cant forget you, I only look up at the apartment]

With the upbeat melody, I naturally reached out to the audience and encouraged them to sing along. 

The unique skill of Koreans was activated by the elders who already knew the lyrics.

Chorus!

It was hard to tell if this was a chorus contest of the elders in Goseong or a village festival.

[The apartment that reaches high in the sky, you who cant reach it]

High in the sky-. The apartment-. Above it! You, cant! Reach! You!

Each of them made their own pitch, tone, and rhythm, but it sounded good anyway when dozens of voices mixed.

Lets sing together!

Now I completely stretched out the hand microphone to the audience.

Your bell that doesnt ring-.

Ah-no one! In your! Apartment!

One more time!

No one~! In your~! Apartment!

Its over.

I finished the perfect stage and quickly wrapped it up as if there was no more encore.

Thats it, that was the climax! Thank you!

As everyone hummed along to the lyrics and immersed themselves in the aftermath, the reporter quickly took over the progress.

Weve just seen the amazing stage of Climax Cheonise! Now, lets continue with the local singing contest of -myeon!

Fortunately, this time the atmosphere went well without any big protests. I stood at the back of the set and sighed, catching my breath.

Wow, you were awesome, hyung!

Seon-woo ran up to me with a big smile. I was about to dodge him, but with his spirit, he might just crash into the wall. I braced myself and endured.

Ugh, I get that youre excited. But its no big deal, so take it easy.

I pushed him away after patting his head a few times as if it was nothing. Then, Oh Ye-juns eyes lit up.

I was going to join you if it looked dangerous! But there was no way to squeeze in.

You worry too much.

Before I knew it, the manager brought me a bottle of water from somewhere. I reached out and took the bottle and drank it whole.

Is our schedule over now?

We had to sing one more song because of the encore, and the time had passed 7:30.

The flight departure time was 10 oclock, so if we were late, we might miss it.

Well. Originally, we were supposed to greet everyone briefly on stage. But since the time was delayed by the encore, we have to pack up and leave quickly.

I nodded and threw the empty bottle into the recycling bin.

Anyone who needs to go to the bathroom, go now, and well leave right after you come back.

The manager scolded us and everyone scattered to take care of their business. I was about to go into the car, but I still had some heat left and wanted to cool off with the sea breeze.

Just then, a quest success message popped up.

[Tutorial 2 > Sub Quest Congratulations on clearing The End of the Beginning. Achievement Bonus Points +30]

[Quest Completion Reward]

[Special Item> Twist of Twist of Twist]

What is this, should I check it out right away?

[Special Item> Twist of Twist of Twist]

[Item Description: Use this item to reverse the overall trend of public opinion.]

It seemed strange, but it might be helpful. 

I couldnt let the same thing happen again like the previous comeback schedule incident.

Well, Ive finished one quest for now.

Phew

I wiped off the cold sweat and brushed up my messy bangs, when I heard a shutter sound from somewhere.

?

I squinted my eyes and looked at where the shutter sound came from. It was two polite middle school kids.

Your schedule is over. Go away.

Before I could react, the manager blocked the way.

Can we get your autograph, please?

The young friends whined, and I had to clench my teeth to keep from laughing.

I wondered where and how they came from.

They proved that they were locals by speaking in standard Korean, but their accent was no different from the old folks in the neighborhood.

It was too cruel to refuse them outright, and there didnt seem to be any more passionate fans who would rush to us besides these two.

Ill do it for you once.

I showed the manager my hand holding something and asked.

Hyung, do you have a pen or something?

Oh, we brought it!

Then Ill sign it with what you gave me.

What they handed me was nothing but a computer sign pen. And it was worn out from being used a few times during the test.

On the front, there were math problems written all over the notebook and the computer sign pen. 

I wondered what they were thinking when they brought them.

I was grateful for their sincerity and opened the pen cap, but I ran into a problem.

I dont know Cheonises signature.

I had been focusing on raising my skills to the idol level, and I hadnt thought about this area.

What should I do? 

I wracked my brain for a moment and ended up writing Cheonise in three letters.

Anyone can tell its my handwriting.

I had no choice but to cover it up with some awkward small talk.

Im so glad I got to meet you guys today. Thank you so much, and be careful on your way home. Its late.

Wow, yes!! Thank you! Ill cherish it forever!

It was a notebook with the math curriculum for the second grade of middle school, but still.

I smiled with a friendly face and waved my hand, then got into the minivan.

And then I quickly searched for Cheonises signature.

There was nothing to be found, so I searched through Google images like crazy and finally found one.

Why do you make your signature so complicated?

Well, actually, it wasnt complicated, it was just that he scribbled his name. But it was a terrible handwriting.

I turned on my phones memo pad and reproduced the signature I had done earlier.

This is much better.

If the previous signature was widely known, I would have to get used to it somehow.

But to pay that much effort There was nothing much known. I asked the manager just in case.

Hyung, can I change my signature to this?

Huh? Theres no problem, but why?

Fortunately, changing the signature itself wasnt a big issue.

Ah. The one Ive been using is too messy.

Hmm Thats true. Well, do whatever youre more comfortable with.

Yes, thank you.

That was the last thing I said, and I fell asleep because I was too exhausted today. 

The kids would be coming in soon. But before I knew it, I closed my eyes.

When I opened my eyes after a nap, we hadnt arrived at the airport yet.

Hyung, if youre awake, look at this quickly! Its a total mess right now!

Ye Jun pushed his phone screen in front of my face, making a fuss.

? What is it?

I looked at his phone with a half-awake mind.