GIJS

Chapter 87 Even those crossing the crosswalk raise their hands.

At the MP Play Center in Sangam-dong, preparations for the pre-recording of [M Planet> were in full swing.

Last week, FAVORITE, who had made a comeback with a respectable 5th place on [M Planet>, was also preparing for the pre-recording.

Unlike the live broadcast with no special effects, the pre-recording stage could use various set devices.

Thus, comeback stages for idols or major artists are often grandly decorated in pre-recordings. FAVORITE had also showcased a dazzling stage setup and expensive sets last week.

However, FAVORITE's agency, Curly Music, decided to invest in the pre-recording for this week's [M Planet> as well.

Most importantly, the members' determination was strong. They had a strong will to create a great stage, even if they had to spend their own money.

Although they said it was "for the fans," Curly Music's Manager Kim Eun-pyo knew their true intentions.

"Are you doing this because of those 7IN kids?"

"Not exactly."

"Forget it, you guys. I'll support you properly, so make sure you do a good job on stage."

"Oh, thank you."

"Well, since the music and initial sales were a bust, and the showcase also flopped, we need to do a good job on stage. Right?"

"Hey, Eun-pyo. You're being too harsh. We didn't flop."

"Anyway, do well this time. You guys have experience, so you shouldn't fall behind on stage."

"Of course."

If it weren't for the Lupi incident, there wouldn't have been such a competitive atmosphere. Everyone knew about the explosive power of the 7IN.

The music rankings were already a losing battle. Album sales were expected to be a bit better, but even that was surpassed by double scores.

There was a chance they might even fall behind in the [M Planet> rankings. They were all over the place, so they'd likely already earned plenty of broadcast points.

Even if he didn't want to admit it, 7IN was indeed strong.

However, Min Kang-hoo, whose pride was already hurt once, was determined to get his revenge. He had already forgotten about his younger brother, Kang-yeol.

New rookie female idols could be seen passing by in the distance. They were the ones from [Today's Quiz>.

Normally, they would have rushed over to greet him, but for some reason, they hesitated from afar. Their mouths seemed to be saying "Lupi."

"Damn···."

He couldn't help but curse. If it weren't for that incident, he would have been chatting happily with those cute girls!

Still, the kind-hearted rookie idol members approached Min Kang-hoo shyly and bowed their heads.

"Hello, sunbaenim."

"Oh, hi. We haven't met before, have we?"

"Yes?"

"Back then, it was Lupi, and now it's Kang-hoo! Haha!"

"Ah···."

His attempt at humor failed miserably. Watching their retreating figures, Min Kang-hoo clenched his teeth in frustration.

Anyway, it was all Yu Gun-ja's fault.

This time, Min Kang-hoo was confident. He was determined to firmly suppress Yu Gun-ja and 7IN, whom he found unlikable in every way.

Popularity isn't based solely on skill, and skill isn't solely based on popularity.

7IN might be a bit hot right now, but FAVORITE had the vibe that comes with four years of experience.

Considering that, it didn't make sense for them to be outperformed by 7IN in terms of stage skills.

Just then, the 7IN members approached the FAVORITE members to greet them. Yu Gun-ja, seemingly unaware of Min Kang-hoo's feelings, had a smug smile on his face.

"Kang-hoo hyung!"

However, Min Kang-hoo felt immediately annoyed upon seeing Yu Gun-ja. Though they had only met a couple of times, Yu Gun-ja felt like a long-time adversary.

"Because of you, the girls are avoiding me."

"Hm? Are you talking about the female idol members?"

"Yeah, you jerk."

Though Min Kang-hoo meant to criticize him, Yu Gun-ja was actually pleased and clapped his hands.

"Oh, that's great!"

"What?"

"I heard from Hyun-su. He said that dating rumors between idols are a sin."

"That, that···."

"Now that this terrible risk factor is avoiding you, isn't it great?"

Yu Gun-ja continued to look cheerful while saying this.

"Yeah, you're right."

"Thank you, hyung."

"I'll even raise my hand when crossing the crosswalk."

"Huh? How did you know?"

If the surrounding members hadn't roughly stopped him, he might have spent another three minutes grinning and turning Min Kang-hoo's stomach inside out.

The idea that rumors of relationships between idols are a sin? Who doesn't know that?

Trying to calm himself, Min Kang-hoo prepared for the stage.

Among the idols who came to the pre-recording, FAVORITE had the highest seniority. When it's time to show off, you have to show off. No matter what stage 7IN puts on, FAVORITE should at least be superior in terms of stage skills.

With that self-affirmation, Min Kang-hoo took the stage.

Even though it was a day with a severely shaken mental state, once on stage, he had no thoughts at all.

His body moved as practiced.

Da, daaan—

"Phew, phew—."

With the ending pose, Min Kang-hoo gazed at the camera, immersed in self-admiration.

It was amazing. Honestly, it was incredible.

He was already confident on stage, but today was particularly in sync. His expressions were better than usual, and the fans' cheers were much louder than last week.

After a successful performance and descending the stairs, he saw 7IN members, including Yu Gun-ja, backstage. It seemed like their turn was next.

"Good job!"

"Senior, you worked hard!"

Some of them had stiff expressions. It suddenly reminded Min Kang-hoo of his rookie days.

It was exactly like that then. When teams like Lunatic or Velocé, who were top-notch from their debut, performed before them, they would inevitably make mistakes out of nervousness.

These guys were exactly in that state.

Min Kang-hoo smirked as he looked at Yu Gun-ja. Surely, if he were a rookie, he would be nervous in this situation...

"Oooh, ooooh, is this the cheering stick!?"

...He should be.

Waving a uniquely designed calligraphy brush-shaped cheering stick, Gun-ja smiled brightly.

"Hyung, hyung! Look at this. This is our cheering stick!"

"..."

"It looks like a brush, but instead of ink, it emits light!"

"..."

"A brush that can't write. It looks quite useless, but I personally love it!"

"...So what..."

Strangely, the more Min Kang-hoo talked to Gun-ja, the more his energy seemed to drain.

"You and I really don't get along."

"Oh, but I just found a common point with you."

"What is it?"

"I was thinking the same thing."

"Huh?"

"Hyung, we don't match. Haha."

"Ah, seriously—!!"

* * *

Min Kang-hoo seemed extremely angry, but in reality, the 7IN members, including Yu Gun-ja, had all watched FAVORITE's stage.

The three stage monitors set up backstage were broadcasting FAVORITE's pre-recording performance.

"Indeed, seniors."

"F-FAVORITE seniors... the harmony is just so good..."

"The AR volume is low, but the live performance is very clean."

"They really handle hand mics well."

They were honestly impressed. FAVORITE's stage was cleaner and more sophisticated than any stage Gun-ja had seen while doing AYUKSI.

The AYUKSI stages were also innovative and energetic. They were exciting to watch, but few left a lasting impression.

However, FAVORITE was different. Not only were their power and skills impressive, but they also seemed well-trained in their expressions.

"I'm learning again like this!"

Gun-ja hoped that Min Kang-hoo would be frustrated by FAVORITE's stage, but instead, Gun-ja was satisfied.

Just being able to see and hear performances from various established idols made the pre-recording scene a huge learning opportunity.

Moreover, there were fans below the stage holding calligraphy brush cheering sticks and waiting for 7IN.

Even from a distance, it was an impressive sight. He wanted to get on stage in front of the fans as soon as possible. With that feeling, there was no time to feel nervous.

"Next stage, 7IN standby."

"Yep."

Before long, the stage setup was completed, and it was 7IN's turn.

"Wow, it's really the M Planet stage."

"...It's crazy."

"Haha, we're on a music show~"

"...C-Can we do well?"

"Yu-chan seems to be stuttering more than usual."

"Train."

"Huh? Why the train all of a sudden, hyung?"

"Let's make a train."

Following In-hyuk's suggestion, the members lined up, placing their hands on the shoulders of the person in front. When Tae-woong at the front placed his hand on In-hyuk's shoulder at the back, the train formed a loop.

"Let's do well."

"We practiced a lot!"

As they massaged each other's shoulders, even the nervous members seemed to relax a little.

Gun-ja, who wasn't particularly nervous, also felt his body become more flexible as his shoulders loosened.

It's nice to have reliable colleagues in times like this.

"Reverse."

At In-hyuk's signal, the members turned their bodies 180 degrees. Now, the roles of massager and recipient were reversed.

"Wow, look at Seon-bi hyung's broad shoulders. So unfair."

"Unfair? What's unfair?"

"It's so broad that there's too much to massage."

"Haha, Hyun-su has bad luck with the spot."

As they continued massaging, the staff sent another signal. It was time to go on stage.

"Okay, let's go."

The circular train turned back into a line. As Gun-ja, who was leading, climbed the stairs, the train disbanded and the members entered stage mode. Their eyes shone brightly in the black and purple stage outfits.

Tonight's performance on [M Planet> consists of three songs: an instrumental and two title tracks, [Concept: 忠> and [Origin>.

The pre-recording will cover [Intro> and [Concept: 忠>, two of the three songs.

The instrumental intro stage is a common format for idol comebacks, preparing a dazzling stage to showcase the team's performance skills to the maximum.

To make a strong impression right from the comeback.

Gun-ja, who stepped onto the stage, drew his sword from his waist. The stage center was adorned with a red-black silk curtain. On it was a landscape painting done in black ink.

It was as if a scholarwould pop out at any moment.

Behind the large, taut curtain, Gun-ja drew his sword. His sharpened focus gathered at the tip of the sword, forming a blade aura.

"Phew."

With a deep breath and a single step forward.

Swish, slash—

In an instant, two swift cuts.

It seemed as if the blade's aura had sliced through the fabric, leaving a cross-shaped scar in the center of the curtain.

The curtain split neatly, and through it, seven scholars emerged to form a formation.

Boom, boom, boom—

The percussion sounds heightened the atmosphere, and the members moved in perfect rhythm with it.

After forming a flawless formation, they all drew their swords.

As if bowing to the audience, they slowly brought their swords to their central bodies.

Kuwung, kuung—!!

In sync with the increasingly amplified percussion sounds, the members moved in unison. This was the beginning of [Martial Arts Manual> Volume 3, Admiral Sword Technique (提督劍法).