GIJS

Chapter 164 Myao!

Before the stage lights came on, fans including Yeon-ji had no idea about the concept of the competition.

They had only heard the broad theme of "Weakness Improvement Mission," but they had no clue what weaknesses were being addressed for 7IN.

"Please don't let it be something strange..."

Yeon-ji fervently prayed in her heart. While fans like Yeon-ji would gladly support 7IN even if they became cyberpunk ninjas throwing laser shurikens, antis wouldn't be so forgiving.

A single misstep in concept on such a stage could become prime fodder for antis. Although Yeon-ji had become quite indifferent to the hate she received after surviving the survival debut, she still wanted to enjoy her fandom without unnecessary stress.

Please, please, let it not be something bizarre.

She just hoped for something at least moderately decent. Even if cyberpunk ninjas appeared, she'd accept it as fate.

When the lights came on and revealed the members' outfits...

"...Wow..."

It was a paradise for Yeon-ji, at least.

For the first time, all seven members wore jeans. Tae-woong had ripped jeans, In-hyuk wore nearly black jeans, and Hyun-jae was in blue overalls. Though there were slight variations in details, all members wore jeans.

Their tops were also in pastel tones—oversized shirts and ivory sweatshirts. Each member had colors suited to their skin tone, but the overall palette was blue and white. The moment she saw the outfits, Yeon-ji instantly knew the concept of the third-round competition song.

This is so refreshing!

As Yeon-ji's premonition was confirmed, the upbeat and fresh electric pop intro began. The atmosphere was different from the usually stern and serious performances. The members, each wearing animal headbands, pranced lightly across the stage like dogs out for a walk.

From the intro and choreography, hearts were popping up in Yeon-ji's eyes. Other fans seated in the audience felt the same way. The third-round concept of 7IN perfectly met what fans had subconsciously wished for.

"...Why is this a weakness..."

Why on earth is this a weakness...

Of course, 7IN hadn't done such a concept before. Since they had never been cute on stage, other teams might have seen the refreshing concept as a weakness.

But fans knew. The members of 7IN could be endlessly cute if they wanted to be.

The members on stage were proving that belief. Their white Air Force sneakers glided across the floor, making fans' hearts race. How could they move so lightly?

The seven members all had solid dance basics, which made their performance possible. Additionally, Hyun-jae's intense expressions as the center in the early part of the performance were more than enough to make fans' hearts pound.

"Kyaaa—."

"Hyun-jae! Hyun-jae—!!"

Hyun-jae, the center for the first verse, delivered the performance. In his cute overalls, with curls added to his hair using a curling iron, Hyun-jae looked like a human poodle.

From the moment I first met you

I fell for you.

With confident eye contact,

I ended up retreating first—

Hyun-jae's vocal, which had been strong even in intense songs, shone brightly with the refreshing concept.

Fans' eardrums melted from the first verse. How could he sing so well while bouncing around like that? This couldn't be live, could it? Is this AR?

Despite all the speculation, it was clearly live. Holding a handheld mic, Hyun-jae perfectly delivered the first verse, savoring each lyric.

The V-shaped dance formation split, and the next member was Hyun-Si-woo. In an oversized shirt that looked like a dating look and a dog headband on his blond hair, Si-woo looked like a yellow cheese tabby cat.

Gently turning around

Will I be able to meet you again—

Thinking of you over and over,

Every time I walk that path—.

"Hyun-Si-woo, you're so pretty—!!"

"You're amazing—!!"

As always, Si-woo bombarded fans' hearts with a light smile. Restrained smiles he had saved for heavier concepts were now freely given, making fans who loved Si-woo ecstatic.

"So why is this a weakness—!!"

By now, the song had moved to the pre-chorus. Fans, including Yeon-ji, who adored the scholar, eagerly awaited his part.

From afar, it was visible. The scholar had something different from usual on his face.

Finally, the beat transitioned to a softer variation, and as the scholar took center stage for the pre-chorus, fans discovered what the item was.

"Kyaaaaa—."

"The scholar is wearing glasses—!!"

It was glasses. With slightly curled dark brown hair and round glasses!

Wearing sky-blue swoosh Air Force sneakers, straight-fit jeans, and an ivory sweatshirt with a dog print, the scholar's outfit surprised all the fans.

Why was the scholar, who had only worn traditional Korean or military uniforms before, dressed like this? Did he curl his hair? And glasses too?

What on earth was going on?

Though it was hard to understand, it was good. The outfit perfectly suited the scholar's pure and innocent face. His cheeks were slightly flushed, as if he was awkward in the new clothes and trying to be charming, but it only made it better.

To look good for you,

I even tried wearing awkward clothes—

The scholar's vocal, now free from the Oriental style, was purely refreshing. He had become a perfect idol vocalist. Despite dancing vigorously throughout the first verse, his voice remained steady.

When we meet again, you just stay

Gazing into my eyes—

The scholar's heavenly pre-chorus part ended, and the youngest, Yu-chan, in a pink shirt, took the center as the chorus began.

Slowly, I'll come closer to you.

Will you willingly extend your small hand to me?

Just watching is so nice.

You, who stared at me, answered—

Myao, Myao—!!

Following the cat-like point dance in the last part, fans finally understood the concept of the competition song. It wasn't just any dog; it was a dog who liked cats!

Fans loved that the members became dogs, and that they liked cats as well. If only they could find the cat and possess it!

Since the day we first met,

We met often.

Heartbeats pounding,

Every time I meet you—.

The second verse also began with Hyun-jae's soft vocals, but this time it included a rap part that changed the mood. Tae-woong confidently stepped forward in ripped jeans and a V-neck knit.

Oh, still have the courage.

Now is the only time to get close!

Oh, reach out your hand to me.

If you want, take my hand!

Tae-woong's non-aggressive rap was a first for the fans. Despite wearing a quite neat outfit today, the slight glimpse of his collarbone and chest muscle through the V-neck made fans feel satisfied.

While Tae-woong rapped, the other members, except Si-woo, gathered around him.

Like reaching out to a cat, they playfully extended their hands to Si-woo, but Si-woo responded like a fierce stray cat, swatting Tae-woong's hand away with a paw.

One, two, three, four, five.

Our distance is closing now.

No, don't be afraid anymore.

I won't hurt you... Ouch—.

The playful rap part drew both laughter and cheers from fans. After Tae-woong's rap, In-hyuk's part was also a rap.

No speeding up in physical contact,

You're more cautious than anyone.

Lean on me only when you want,

I might wait longer.

In-hyuk, who usually rapped with a serious tone, also showed a bright and cheerful expression today. In fact, he had always been quite interested in cute things.

"In-hyuk oppa—."

"You look like a big dog—!!"

In-hyuk's expression, which was reminiscent of a small Maltese, looked like a large dog such as a husky or Samoyed to fans.

But even that was charming. A giant's dog-like stage! Even non-fans in the audience watched the moment intently, wanting to capture it.

After the two rap parts, the stage moved to another pre-chorus. The scholar, wearing cute glasses, took center stage and shyly smiled as if taking out a heart from his pocket.

To look good for you

I even brought a red persimmon—

When we meet again, you just stay

Gazing into my eyes—

"Kyaaaa—."

"A persimmon, so cute—!!"

With the persimmon lyrics, a persimmon graphic poured out from the LED background. It was straightforward, but the red persimmon fit well with the boys' cheerful stage.

Slowly, I'll come closer to you.

Will you willingly extend your small hand to me?

Just watching is so nice.

You, who stared at me, answered—

Myao, Myao—!!

The second chorus that followed was even more powerful than the first, and Yu-chan's voice in the chorus was even fresher. Perhaps because they had gotten used to the chorus, fans joined in with "meow" sounds during the cat-like parts.

Following the cat-like point dance, Yeon-ji was completely immersed in the stage. She didn't know who picked refreshing as 7IN's weakness, but she felt like bowing to that person.

To be able to witness such a gracious stage. On the day she won the audience ticket!

Yeon-ji was indeed a lucky fan. If there's a next life, she might be destined for a completely unlucky and failed existence. But it was okay. This life had been so happy!

Before she knew it, the song reached the end of the second chorus and moved into the bridge with only the piano accompaniment. Hyun-jae's soft vocals from the first and second verses made a return, tickling the fans' ears once more.

Finally, you came to me.

Lying with your head on my lap—

The moment I had dreamed of so long,

What are you thinking——.

Hyun-jae's high notes stretched out coolly like summer sky clouds.

After the high notes, the sound of a purring cat sitting on a lap remained.

Purr purr purr...

"Ah, so cute—."

"It feels like I've been chosen—!!"

The boys, looking as if their first love had come true, smiled brightly and dashed toward the final chorus. Except for SHINO, who was rehearsing "Hwa-ja Ma-ja Bu-ra-ja" for the next stage, everyone was smiling happily.