SNS had become as much a part of life as breathing. Boksung was deeply immersed in a wise fan life, scrolling through posts flowing into their timeline.
But something strange caught Boksung’s eye.
‘Neoyeon? Huinya?’
Could it mean Yugyeon and Baekya? Curious, Boksung checked the user’s seal.
An egg-shaped profile picture — the default automatically set when creating an account. Such accounts were called “egg accounts,” or “alkye” for short.
Since Boksung only followed Baekya and DASE members and their friends, this was definitely not one of their friends.
It seemed one of their friends had reshared it, so it drifted into Boksung’s feed.
‘But a fight?’
No wonder reporters got called “giregi” (trash journalists) while publishing sensational headlines.
Boksung felt a strong urge to click.
“Right. It’s my call to judge.”
A strange confidence welled up, certain not to be shaken. So Boksung opened Pandora’s box.
There were quite a few posts on that alkye’s timeline. Between their own posts were frequent reshared posts from other alkye accounts.
└ Of course, center vs popular member power struggle
“Daydol” was a slang for DASE, and “Vyeon” for Yugyeon, apparently.
Though no one explained, Boksung knew by feeling. It was a moment where first-class reading skills in language arts shined.
But the more Boksung read, the more worried they got. Despite promising not to be swayed, the words “rumor of conflict” made their heart sink.
‘Our Peach should only walk on flowery paths…!’
And rumors of conflict!
Though the members seemed friendly among each other, Baekya looked especially close to Yugyeon.
‘The chemistry they showed on Visible Radio can’t be just business!’
After the radio show, the two called “Bingchicks” by fans supposedly jealous and fighting? Nonsense.
Boksung quickly returned to their own timeline. Watching more might damage their mental health.
But as Boksung looked, there wasn’t a single photo of Yugyeon with Baekya. Neither on the way to work nor during breaks. Baekya and Yugyeon always kept distance.
Soon, Boksung’s worry was considerable.
Alright. Since Pandora’s box was open, Boksung decided to search for ‘Huinya.’
The search results poured in even more than expected. With persistence, Boksung found stories presumed to explain the cause of the two fighting.
“Hierarchy rearrangement?”
Boksung’s head grew even more dizzy.
At that moment, the people involved in the rumored conflict.
Baekya approached Yugyeon, carrying lunch for the members along with Jihan.
“Hyung, eat this.”
“Sip! For hyung?”
“…Eat it.”
“Okay.”
The way Yugyeon took the sandwich was arrogantly careless. There was no hesitation in her actions. Only Baekya got irritated by her cocky attitude.
“Hey, didn’t you stop using honorifics with me too?”
Slightly aggrieved, Baekya protested.
“Ahem. I said if you call me hyung for a month, I’ll forgive you with my broad tolerance.”
Including the pre-debut training period, about five months in total. Baekya, who thought Yugyeon was older, found out his birthday was actually a whole month later, making them ‘friends.’
Yugyeon really did grab the back of her neck because of that. But it wasn’t a conflict as rumors suggested.
Both agreed that if Baekya called Yugyeon hyung for a month, they would forget everything and be friends.
Of course, Yugyeon had slyly tried to match Yulmu and Jihan’s age rank, but was stopped by the fortress-like wall of the two.
“Well then, if you have complaints, say it.”
But the guilty party remained silent.
‘Endure it. Endure it.’
Baekya closed his mouth and nodded repeatedly.
“No way, hyung. Please eat comfortably, and if there’s anything uncomfortable, call me anytime.”
Baekya hurriedly backed away. The members watched the two and whispered.
“Are they filming a historical drama…? Why talk like that? They sound like a king and slave, not older and younger brothers.”
Yulmu glanced at Baekya and Yugyeon with a sour expression.
“Leave them be.”
In case Yulmu tried to stir trouble, Jihan shoved a sandwich into Yulmu’s mouth to shut him up.
“See? Isn’t it admirable? They resolved it without fighting.”
Minsung was pleased, as if watching grandchildren’s antics.
“They both talk like grandpas.”
Cheong gave Yugyeon and Baekya a strange look.
Despite some fans’ worries, the waiting room was peaceful — if somewhat lively.
Then suddenly, the waiting room door burst open and someone rushed in. It was Namgyeong, who had been hurriedly called by staff while returning from an outing with Baekya and Jihan.
“Baekya! Baekya, where are you, Baekya!”
Excited Namgyeong immediately started searching for Baekya.
“Me? What’s wrong…?”
Startled, Baekya awkwardly stood up. The members seemed surprised at Namgyeong’s excitement.
“Hyung? What’s going on?”
Worried it might be bad news, Minsung quickly approached with a serious face. Then Namgyeong grabbed Minsung’s shoulder and shouted.
“One of the MCs suddenly bailed, so they’re looking for a substitute. The PD wants to see Baekya!”
What?!
All eyes turned to Baekya at once.
“W-why me…?”
Baekya froze where he stood.
“Why else? They want to ask if you can be a special MC! Let’s go, get up quickly.”
Though only for one day, Namgyeong was making a fuss, calling it a huge opportunity.
The members who heard the news surrounded Baekya saying he must do it.
“Wait! I’ve never done that before.”
“Is that important?! Do it! Just say yes!”
Yulmu slapped Baekya’s back hard.
“Ugh!”
Startled, Baekya staggered.
Yugyeon, nearby, grabbed him and made a deal.
“Hey. If you do this, I’ll stop calling you hyung for today. Deal?”
“…One day?”
Tempting, but still burdensome.
‘It’s live!’
Better to just keep calling him hyung for a month. Baekya shook his head hard.
“No. I can’t do it. What if I mess up?”
The Sunfish worried a lot. Baekya tried to pass it on to another member.
“Are you kidding? The PD specifically asked for you. Our official cute mascot of DASE!”
Yulmu gently scratched Baekya’s chin. But Jihan stopped him immediately. Minsung quietly observed the situation and stepped in.
“Baekya. Let’s do it.”
“Hyung… I really don’t have confidence.”
“No? You can do it. Think of DASE.”
As a rookie, being exposed first is best. You need to build recognition so people listen to your songs or not.
Minsung’s eyes glowed fiercely for a moment.
‘…Wild rabbit?’
Startled, Baekya stepped back a bit. Then a chest bumped into his back. Expressionless Cheong looked down at him.
“Are you really not going to do it?”
Cheong was indifferent, but observers were not. Especially someone in a disadvantageous position.
Under cold, three-hundred-degree eyes, Baekya frowned.
“Mom… they’re scary…”
The Sunfish was terrified.
[Training: Live MusicSTAY! Hello~ I’m MC Training.]
The PD’s cue started the live broadcast. The music show’s MC seat, always held by two, was alone today.
Training started with a regretful greeting, explaining a colleague couldn’t join for health reasons. So today they specially invited a special MC, turning to look next to her.
[Training: The hottest group these days, the peach you want to bite, Baekya, is with us~]
[Baekya: Hello! I’m Baekya, DASE’s 100% sugar peach appearing on MusicSTAY.]
Inside DASE’s small waiting room.
Minsung, having borrowed a phone back from Namgyeong, was watching live TV.
“100% sugar in his own words. Ah, so funny, haha.”
Yulmu, laughing too hard and snorting, cleared his throat to calm down.
‘He said he can’t do it~ He said he can’t do it~ Scared stiff but dragged there, Baekya is doing well.’
Training, who was hosting with him, debuted 4 years ago as a member of ID’s girl group RoseDay. Like Siyoon, she was a direct senior of DASE.
“Well done!”
Namgyeong, carrying Baekya out of the waiting room, happily said, “How can you pass up an opportunity like this?” He looked pleased watching Baekya on screen.
Just before going live, Namgyeong asked Baekya what was good about being a rookie.
The Sunfish nervously asked if there was even a good side.
[Training: Baekya, no one expects rookies to do well at first. Rookies make mistakes? It’s okay.]
Of course, it would be better not to make mistakes.
[Training: So just do your best and come down. You’ll be a genius idol, right?]
Though the last words sounded embarrassing from Dongman, Baekya definitely felt better. Left alone in front of the camera.
[Baekya: Oh, it’s cold~ Senior. But it’s too cold here.]
Wearing a white, fluffy fur parka, Baekya brushed his arms.
Hooh~ He even pretended to blow on his hands.
For someone moaning, it was pretty convincing.
[Training: It’s okay. Baekya~ MusicSTAY will start soon, so it’ll get hot. Hot hot! Very hot hot stages are waiting for us~]
[Baekya: Then let’s meet soon! I’m really excited!]
Stomping his feet as if begging Training.
Without warning, the special MC Baekya showing off all kinds of antics made fans’ hearts flutter.
With a quest completion notice. Baekya’s effort exchanged for embarrassment was definitely not in vain.
[<I Will Rise! (2)> Completed!]
[Quest reward issued: 1 Star Point]
After the ‘ending fairy’ moment, the count of antics, which had lingered at one, filled up within just five minutes after the broadcast started.