Chapter 8: Comeback Triumph and a Playful Selfie Surprise

I stirred in my blankets and woke up. Rubbing sleepy eyes, I checked the time—ten minutes before the alarm.

On important days, I always wake up like this.

“Ugh!”

I stretched hard, straightening my back. Shoulders, waist, legs—no aches anywhere.

Considering I rehearsed late last night, my body feels light. The recovery massage before bed must’ve worked.

I’m in top condition.

I got out of bed and flung open the curtains. Warm morning sunlight flooded the room.

“…What? It’s morning already?”

Juhee unnie, sleeping beside me, rubbed her eyes and sat up. Unlike me, she looked exhausted.

She probably didn’t sleep well from the nerves.

Understandable. Today’s our comeback stage.

Our last song, So What?, was a massive hit, so all eyes are on us now.

Whether we meet those expectations will shape the group’s future. Of course she’s nervous.

In times like these, acting normal is best.

It keeps you grounded.

I washed up and headed to the agency’s gym, as usual.

It was equipped with machines for body maintenance. I hopped on a treadmill and started jogging lightly.

Nothing beats cardio for easing tension. Running clears my head naturally.

Meanwhile, the other members were doing Pilates. They invited me, but static exercise isn’t my thing.

“Phew…”

Sweat dripped from my forehead, rolling down my cheek to the floor.

I was starting to get winded. Overdoing it could ruin my condition, so I stopped there.

Stepping off, I wiped my face with a prepared towel. Then a sharp, disciplined voice came from beside me.

“Good morning, sunbae!”

A brown-haired trainee bowed 90 degrees in greeting.

Seeing junior trainees always makes me a bit awkward.

Debuting early is something else.

“…Uh, your name’s Areum, right?”

I vaguely recalled her from the last agency dinner. Her introduction was memorable.

She said she joined our agency because she admired me.

“You remembered my name!?”

Surprised, she stared at me with wide eyes.

After a brief hesitation, she offered me a banana milk she was holding.

“I-if it’s okay, please take this!”

“Banana milk?”

“W-was that too forward…?”

Her hand trembled slightly. Rejecting her would probably hurt her feelings.

Thinking of her sincerity, I accepted it. But how did she know I like banana milk?

“I was just thirsty. Thanks.”

“N-no, thank you! And I’ll be cheering for your performance today!”

She stepped closer, cautiously offering a handshake. I hesitated.

I’d just finished exercising, so my hands were sweaty.

I used to not care about such things, but being an idol makes you conscious.

Image is everything for idols.

“My hands are sweaty right now… might smell a bit…”

I gave an awkward smile and stepped back.

But she moved closer.

“I don’t mind at all! And there’s no smell!”

“…Really?”

If she’s fine with it, okay. I casually shook her hand.

“I’ve gotta go now. I’ll enjoy the drink.”

I waved and left the gym. There’s a mountain of things to do before the show.

In the concert waiting room, I finished light makeup and put on my outfit with the other members.

I checked myself in the mirror. A one-shoulder top exposing my shoulder and navel caught my eye.

I shot a glare at my stylist, Lee Sua.

“My outfits keep getting skimpier, don’t they?”

She looked guilty, her expression awkward.

“But the fans love it! Cut me some slack, okay?”

She clasped her hands, pleading.

It’s because of that CF I shot last time. The cheerleader outfit caused a huge stir among fans.

“Ruti’s navel” even trended online.

“It’s not a big deal.”

I brushed it off. It’s not that revealing, and the first time’s hard, but the second’s easier.

“Time to head to the stage!”

Following the staff’s guidance, we moved to the stage. It was pitch-black, impossible to see.

Then the lights came on, and the music started. Me and the members performed the song and choreography we’d prepared.

“…Phew.”

As always, effort didn’t betray us.

We nailed the comeback stage.

“To everyone who came today…”

Leader Juhee unnie grabbed the mic to thank the audience.

Meanwhile, I and the other members walked the stage, waving to fans. Then I spotted a familiar face.

“Kyaa! I love you!”

In the front row, Gayoung was screaming my name. She still had no clue I’m Kim Siyeon.

Seeing her like that always sparks my mischievous side.

Guess I’m a bit naughty.

What prank should I pull this time? As I pondered, I noticed the phone she was holding.

She seemed to be filming me, but the crowded seats looked uncomfortable.

A fun idea popped up.

I stepped off the stage and approached Gayoung’s section.

My sudden move startled the security staff.

“W-wait, you can’t leave the stage…”

“Just for a sec.”

Ignoring them, I walked toward Gayoung.

Her face looked like she’d stopped breathing. She never imagined I’d come to her.

“Can I borrow your phone for a moment?”

“…Huh?”

She tilted her head, probably unable to hear over the noise.

I pointed at her phone. Understanding, she handed it to me.

Back on stage, I started taking selfies with her phone.

One, two—changing angles and expressions, I carefully snapped photos.

“Here’s your phone back.”

I went back down and returned it to her.

Gayoung looked between the phone and my face, disbelief written all over her.

“Siyeon, what were you thinking, pulling that stunt on stage? What if something happened?”

After the show, in the van back to the dorm, my manager scolded me.

I’d acted impulsively without checking with her.

“Sorry.”

I quietly admitted my mistake.

Then Juhee unnie, in the back seat, called my name urgently.

“Siyeon! Look at this!”

She showed me her phone, shocked. A headline blared my name.

“A Star’s Ruti, Selfie Fan Service Goes Viral.”

Below was a photo of me taking selfies with Gayoung’s phone.

Thousands of comments flooded in, most praising my spontaneous act.

It was just a playful gesture, but the response was huge.

…Now that I think about it, selfie fan service wasn’t a trend yet.

“Gayoung! That was you on TV yesterday, right?”

Classmates who watched the live broadcast swarmed Gayoung.

She sat in her chair, beaming with pride, her nose practically touching the sky.

“Did Ruti really take selfies with your phone?”

“Show us the pictures!”

Even her close friends begged, but she firmly refused.

“Sorry.”

Those photos were one-of-a-kind, taken by Ruti just for her.

She planned to treasure them forever, showing them to no one.