GIJS

Chapter 165 The jazz music begins.

After the refreshing high notes of the current part end, all the members stepped forward and approached the fans.

The final chorus was a group chant centered around Yuchan. The voices blended together without unnecessary flourishes, and the members' closeness made the fans happy.

Waaaaaaa—.

Although it wasn't as intense as the previous competition stage, the cheers were just as loud. Even though Gunja was not known for preparing such ticklish performances, seeing the fans enjoy themselves always made him happy.

Moreover, with the addition of glasses and a cute demeanor, it surprisingly became quite addictive.

···Is this the feeling?

When he winked with a bright expression, the audience erupted in cheers.

···What about this?

This time, as he raised both hands and shot finger hearts, the fans on the opposite side went wild.

Ooo, ooo!

It was fun. And he felt a sense of pride. He thought such things were usually in Hyun-jae and Siwoo's domain, but trying it himself proved otherwise.

"Gunja, you're so cute—."

The word "cute" never seemed to fit him, but he didn't mind. Somehow, he wanted to continue being adorable.

"Eit, eit."

Repeatedly trying winks he wasn't good at, Gunja was putting on the best aegyo of his life. Thanks to this, the one-eyed squinting shot was captured by the ending one-shot camera.

"Ah, look at that wink."

"So cute—!!"

Seeing the large LED screen with that image, fans screamed with joy. Oh, so fans liked this embarrassing side as well. With his spirits lifted, Gunja squeezed his remaining eye shut.

[>[]
The emoji-like face on the large screen made fans cheer and applaud. Yeonji, who had been standing up and clapping vigorously since earlier, was also beaming with pride.

He had always seemed cool, but who knew he had such a cute potential? He might have seemed like he could turn on aegyo at any moment, but what had brought this blessing today?

The subsequent judging comments were full of praise. It seemed the judges also didn't expect 7IN to handle this new concept so well.

"This was an incredibly cute performance! Is this the same 7IN I know? The ones who were rapping fiercely on the last stage? They seemed like they would tear everything apart, but how did they prepare such a refreshing and light stage today?"

"Thank you!"

"I have to commend the song first. Ji Hyun-su is really unbelievable. It's hard to believe he's not a professional composer. I knew he was good at intense electronic pop and 808 bass hip-hop beats, but he's also great at creating tropical and fresh songs. He'll be a copyright tycoon soon."

"Hehe, thank you—!!"

This time, starting with composer Hyun-su, the judges praised each member in a relay fashion.

Yuchan, Hyun-su, and Siwoo received evaluations that they seemed to have found their own styles, while Taewoong and Inhyuk, who were surprisingly large, also received positive feedback.

"Kwon Taewoong, what's your height?"

"185 cm—!!"

"Oh, it's the first time I've felt fruitiness from a 185 cm muscle man."

"Uhaha, thank you—!!"

"Of course, durians are fruits too."

"Ugh, did I look like a durian?"

"Puhahaha, no. Today, you were as fresh as the youngest members! Like a big, sweet melon. I especially liked the cute interactions during the rap part with Hyun-siwoo. Whose idea was that?"

In response to the judge's question, the tallest Inhyuk cautiously raised his hand.

"That was mine."

"Aah, I see. And today, Cha Inhyuk was also very cute! I was worried if his usual charismatic rap would fit this concept, but it was really good. I especially liked how he didn't pretend to be cool and just naturally showed aegyo. It was like a Samoyed who was big and cute everywhere."

"···Thank you···."

Inhyuk looked pleased with the praise and even clenched his fists in happiness.

"Uh, why are you clenching your fists? Was it something unpleasant?"

"No, not at all!"

Though his large fists caused a misunderstanding, the judges did not miss the praise for the ending fairy Gunja. Gunja seemed to have deliberately prepared to be extra cute today, even wearing glasses.

"Yu Gunja."

"Yes, Judge."

"Today's outfit is almost a crime, isn't it?"

"Yes—!?"

Gunja's face darkened at the judge's first comment.

"So, what does this mean for me now!?"

"Pardon?"

"Does this mean I'm going to prison···."

"Puhaha, what are you saying? Why are you making jokes with such a serious face? Using your face to make jokes too."

"?"

"It means you were so cute it was almost criminal~."

Why is being cute a crime? If so, is his first love, the cat Hongsi, a criminal? Gunja was relieved that he wouldn't be going to prison. He still had many stages he wanted to perform.

"First, the glasses! Those round glasses bombarded the hearts of us otaku. There must be many who agree. And Yu Gunja's steps are always neat and clear. For a stage to be alive, it needs to be powerful below the waist even if it's refreshing and cute above the waist. Even though you didn't practice for long, when did you learn such wonderful steps?"

"While practicing swordsmanship, I naturally acquired the footwork as well."

"···I see?"

"Footwork and swordsmanship are originally part of the same system. Without proficiency in footwork, you cannot create a good sword technique."

"Ah, I see, hahaha."

The judges didn't quite understand Gunja's explanation but nodded along. Whether it had a foundation or not, the fact remained that Gunja was a genius idol.

"Today, it seems like you're fully embracing the aegyo. Did you come prepared for this?"

"Not exactly··· but since the fans liked it, my body naturally moved."

"It's not your usual style?"

"Actually, I'm not very good at winking with just one eye···."

"Was it that ending fairy thing? I thought someone shot a water gun at your eye."

"Puhahaha—."

"Could you show it again just once?"

Gunja shyly recreated the [>[]>] expression. When the emoji-like expression appeared on the large screen once more, fans screamed in high-pitched voices.

Kyaaaa—.

At the cheers, Gunja's face turned red instantly. He had made various expressions excitedly due to the lingering effects of the stage, but doing it suddenly was indeed embarrassing.

However, seeing the fans happy made him proud again. He had definitely delivered a good performance for the effort he put in today.

"Now, we'll conclude the judging comments. 7IN, who showed a lovely performance! They're expanding their spectrum of performances as well as improving quality! Now, let's meet the next team, SHINO's turn!"

As 7IN descended from the stage amid applause, SHINO members narrowed their eyes.

"···Damn···."

SHINO had honestly expected a completely failed performance. They thought 7IN was specialized only in heavy, serious, and solemn stages. So, they threw the 'refreshing' concept at them, hoping to increase SHINO's image while sending 7IN to the bottom.

But once again, 7IN had drawn cheers from the audience and praise from the judges.

Now, SHINO had to deliver a better performance to surpass 7IN.

"Alright, let's go—!!"

"Hi, Leader Sasuke—!!"

Leader Sasuke and the members pumped themselves up as they went up on stage. Despite being assigned the weakness of 'English lyrics,' SHINO had prepared quite a novel performance.

Whi-whoa, whi-whoa—.

As psychedelic lights fell, electronic music reminiscent of EDM started flowing. SHINO had prepared futuristic EDM.

"Hmph, huh···."

Leader Sasuke wore a smile. Such a cybernetic stage was something 7IN could never pull off. They had always decorated their stage with traditional Eastern instruments and samples.

But we can do music from 2077 too!

Whi-whoa, whi-whoa, whi-whoa—.

The electronic sounds intensified, and Leader Sasuke slowly stood up. His face, smeared with silver makeup, was adorned with long horizontal sunglasses.

Everyone—.

Gu-ood Evening—.

"?"

Everyone was thrown into confusion for a moment, but fortunately, subtitles appeared on the large screen.

[Everyone, Good evening.]
The audience's gaze flitted between the LED screen subtitles and SHINO members. With Sasuke's intro narration, the members transformed into cyberpunk ninjas and slowly settled into their positions.

SHINO's identity was ninjas. They mixed this identity with a cyberpunk worldview to create a new character.

The music was EDM fitting for cyberpunk, but the message conveyed was about warm family love. We can do all of this.

SHINO wanted to surpass 7IN in every aspect.

That was why this bizarre creation was presented to the world.

Welcome to my Family World—.

[Welcome to my Family World.]
Our subject··· is about Family—.

[Our subject··· is about Family.]
The confusing English overwhelmed the audience's hearing. Gunja, too, watched the stage with a puzzled expression.

"Taewoong, what language is that?"

"Ugh, hmm—."

Gunja was curious, but Taewoong seemed too occupied with holding his breath to answer. Meanwhile, the cyberpunk ninjas slowly formed their formation.

Father, Mother··· and my Brother—.

[Father, Mother, and my Brother.]
As the first "brother" popped out, the EDM beat started with a thump. Simultaneously, silver-clad ninjas, armed with retro poppin' dance moves, sang out unintelligible English.

Lover, Lover, my Best Lover—.

[My Best Lover.] [Father, Mother, my big big Brother.]
Grandfather, my Grandmother.

We are Family, we Love each other—.

[Grandfather, my Grandmother.] [We are Family, we Love each other.]
The judges had to keep their mouths covered throughout the bewildering performance. Everyone was desperately trying to understand, but SHINO showed no signs of easing their performance.

Ja, Ja, Ja, Ja—.

[Ja, Ja, Ja, Ja—.]
An EDM build-up began with a repetitive 8-bit, 16-bit structure that intensified the atmosphere before the beat changed.

Ja-ja-ja-ja-ja-ja-ja-ja—.

[JAJAJAJAJAJAJAJA—.]
Jazzy Music Start—!!

[Jazzy Music Start—!!]
The saxophone EDM beat started. But what surprised everyone was not the jazzy saxophone beat but the English pronunciation.

"Ja··· what?"

While everyone was struggling to breathe, Gunja alone had a serious expression.

No, that word··· isn't it a crime to say that on broadcast?