Chapter 249: The Showcase Returns

The showcase site for Stardust’s Mini 3rd Album.

Dusty Yoo Yuna sighed deeply and held her throbbing head.

She had been waiting outside for at least an hour before she got in. Her Deokchin spoke in an annoyed voice.

“Is this standing room showcase for real?”

“Right? This is Dusty abuse….”

She wanted to scold Doubles, asking if they couldn’t have secured a better spot with all the money the kids bring in, but Doubles wouldn’t listen anyway.

“Ugh….”

As expected, Doubles deserves a beating.

Yoo Yuna’s Deokchin murmured this eternal truth while glancing around the stage.

The only relief was that the view was quite good for a standing area. Thanks to their lucky front-row number, they’d be able to see the members up close.

It was nerve-wracking to be at an offline event after such a long time.

Dusty Yoo Yuna gripped her light stick with flushed cheeks.

“Ah, I can’t wait to see them.”

She had already listened to the newly released songs on the way here so many times that she could recite them, but this would be her first time seeing the performances with her own eyes.

She was curious about the point choreography Do Seohan had subtly spoiled during the last live broadcast, flailing around like it wasn’t intentional, and also wanted to see the stage for the perfectly chosen included track.

“What time is it now?”

“Hmm, now it’s….”

In response to Yoo Yuna’s question, her Deokchin checked her wristwatch.

7:58 p.m. Only two minutes remained until the showcase began. The Deokchin answered in an excited whisper.

“Ah. It’s about to start.”

“Crazy…. I’m nervous.”

And just then, the lights went out.

Through the pitch-black darkness, a single beam of light flashed and lit up the stage.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

A heavy rhythm, reminiscent of a heartbeat, pounded in their ears.

It was the intro track of the album. As the MR of the intro echoed across the empty stage, seven shadowy figures walked in with the sound of footsteps.

Even just the silhouettes made hearts race….

The moment the lights turned on at last—

Dusty Yoo Yuna instinctively swallowed a breath.

‘Kang Siwoo, are you insane?’

She already knew her boys were handsome. But Kang Siwoo with blue hair had an especially cold aura today… and even his facial features were making a strong statement.

Was this what it would feel like if a statue came to life?

‘God must’ve gotten stressed making Kang Siwoo and accidentally dropped me in the trash.’

Yoo Yuna was about to make a delulu pun in her head, then wiped the thought. Now wasn’t the time for distractions—it was time to focus on the stage.

Seo Ian’s sweet voice opened the intro.

Nothing visible on this quiet street

Looking for traces but nothing remains

Suffocating silence

A slight light retrieved as I went deeper

Underneath that, Seohan quietly layered his harmony.

Yuna thought maybe the reason those two were the Salvation Duo was because their perfect vocal chemistry truly saved the Dustys.

‘How can a person have a voice like that….’

“You’re doing great, Ian.”

Her Deokchin murmured with a face already moved.

Next came the powerful choreography.

It had reportedly taken three full days just to memorize without mistakes, and it was tougher than expected.

Just looking at the tightly packed beats without a break was enough to make you want to vomit, yet the members didn’t miss a single detail.

Yoo Yuna, who used to be in a broadcast dance club, could see it clearly.

“Do Seohan’s dance lines are insane….”

She could tell just how hard Seohan had worked.

Seeing someone dance like they were breaking their body—it was impossible not to cheer for that. Just seeing them on stage like that made them shine.

“Ha… I love it so much.”

He was such a good dancer.

He wasn’t the main dancer for nothing—on stage, Seohan was flying.

You could tell how much they’d practiced just from their footsteps syncing perfectly. Watching the perfectly timed group choreography gave a strange sense of satisfaction.

“Guys, I love youuuuuu!”

At some point, amidst the deafening screams, she threw herself into the moment too. It was the best stage, a reward for all the time she had waited.

Seohan smiled brightly and waved to the fans.

The members were dancing and singing right in front of her. Their now confident stage manners were driving fans crazy.

Dusty Yoo Yuna screamed the members’ names until her throat gave out.

She probably couldn’t count how many times she did—it all became a blur as she lost herself in the moment.

“Waaahhh!”

“Kyaaaahhh!”

“Kang Siwoo! Siwoo-yaaaah!”

She would probably be moaning in pain all over tomorrow.

Maybe her voice wouldn’t even come out.

Still, one thing was certain….

It was an offline event with no regrets.

“Wow, what a feast for the eyes.”

The host of this showcase threw out a cheerful comment.

To the Dustys who used to be supporters, it was quite a familiar face.

“It’s really been a while.”

“Waaah, I missed youuu!”

Seo Haim responded in an excited voice to Han Dawon’s comment.

He was expected to be busy with a drama shoot, but Han Dawon had gladly made time to MC the Mini 3rd Album showcase.

Back in the Starf era, the boys still had a youthful look, but now they’d grown quite a bit.

Not only had they ranked high on music charts, they had grown into first-tier idols aiming for the Billboard.

Han Dawon held the mic with a pleased smile.

“How have you all been?”

“Great!”

“I’d love to catch up for hours, but we’ve got a truckload of schedules after this, so I’ll have to hold back. Let’s grab a drink sometime soon.”

“……!”

At Han Dawon’s playful remark, Kang Siwoo’s eyes went round. The leader quickly added in a flustered voice.

“Seohan is still a minor.”

“…Seriously?”

The Dustys in the front row snickered. Han Dawon cleared his throat with a flustered face.

Because he had such a young image during the Starf era, he thought Seohan had grown up fast—but the youngest was still a minor.

“No way, I really thought you were all grown up, but turns out you’re not quite there yet.”

“Ahahaha! Ahaha! He says you’re not fully grown.”

“When exactly are you going to grow up, Do Seohan~. When are you going to become a real person~.”

“…I am a person already, though.”

At that, Jin Sehyun grinned and asked the audience.

“Dustys! Isn’t Seohan a real person?”

For some reason, everyone was shaking their heads.

“Noooo!”

“He’s a hamster!”

“Do Hamjji, we love youuuu!”

Oh dear.

“No one’s treating you like a person, huh?”

“That’s slander.”

“Nope, sounds like a fact~.”

“What are you talking about!”

He was the kind of youngest member who was perfect for teasing.

Cha Seongbin glanced at trembling Seohan and laughed heartily. Meanwhile, Jin Sehyun stirred the pot even more.

“Seohan, the fans arrived early and waited a long time, didn’t they?”

“Yes.”

“So for those Dustys… do just one ‘Jjik’, please.”

“…Sorry?”

“As cutely as possible, okay?”

“Kyaaaaa!”

A squeal of anticipation burst out from the front row.

Seohan was naturally cute in his usual behavior, but he was never the type to do aegyo as part of his personality.

Even when forced to do it on variety shows, his ears would turn bright red from embarrassment—which ironically became a fan-converting point.

Seohan muttered with a serious face.

“This is an issue of human dignity….”

“Puhahaha!”

But the hesitation didn’t last long.

Seohan turned toward the camera and sparkled his eyes.

“…Jjik.”

And then—

The reality check hit exactly 10 seconds later.

“Haack….”

“Hold on, our Seohan just had a reality crash. I’ll cover his face for him.”

“Kyaaaaa!”

Han Dawon murmured in awe.

“Wow, he really lives so diligently.”

Seohan’s earlobes turned so red they looked like they were about to burst.

Ha Junseo handed Seohan a tumbler filled with iced Americano.

“Seohan, cool down your ears.”

“A true idol of this era….”

“Do Seohan is a pro!”

Han Dawon laughed for a while before collecting himself and checking the script.

“Waaaaaah!”

“Ah, this is fun.”

The energy in the showcase venue had been heating up for a while.

They needed to move on from the talk segment to the next stage, so it was time to proceed.

Han Dawon calmly opened his mouth.

“Hmm, yes. I heard our Stardust did something really fun at their first showcase….”

“The first showcase?”

“Yaja Time…?”

Correct answer.

“Today, we’ll do a quick round of Yaja Time!”

“Waaaaaaah!”

It wasn’t originally planned, but the music quiz segment was scrapped for being potentially too time-consuming, so this was added in last-minute.

Ha Junseo spoke in surprised tones.

“Whoa, we actually talked about Yaja Time in the waiting room.”

“The youngest line is hyped right now.”

“We’re doomed.”

The hyung-line was already nervous. Cha Seongbin dry-swallowed and glanced at his younger members.

Thinking back, he realized he hadn’t exactly lived like a saint.

Han Dawon patted Seohan on the back and encouraged him.

“It’s time to get revenge on your hyungs.”

“Ah, I love it.”

The rules were simple. A total of 5 minutes would be given. Short, but enough time to make them do just about anything.

During that time, the members would reverse ages and become hyungs in descending order—giving the youngest members free rein to tease the older ones.

Seo Haim smiled brightly and added.

“Seohan says he’s got a lot built up today.”

“I’m already excited. Let’s go! Time limit is 5 minutes.”

Piiik!

Han Dawon blew the whistle hard to lift the mood.

And then—

“Hey.”

Seohan’s gaze went straight to Jin Sehyun without hesitation.

The evil culprit who made him do the “jjik” earlier.

His next words were short and firm.

“Head down.”

“Out of nowhere…?”

“You gotta listen to your hyung!”

At that, Seo Haim burst out laughing as if he couldn’t breathe.

“Wahahah! This is insane… absolutely insane!”

“Our Seohan hyung isn’t thinking about the consequences~.”

It was Cha Seongbin who added in his usual sly tone. But Seohan immediately turned his gaze and said,

“You too. Head down.”

“M…me?”

“Oh no…”

The two who always took teasing the maknae seriously had now been executed. Seo Haim’s eyes sparkled in delight.

“Let’s have Seongbin do that one thing. What was it? The spinny spin thing.”

“B-boying?”

“Oh yeah, that’s the one.”

Jin Sehyun, unable to hold back, chimed in.

“How about starting by sweeping the floor with your body?”

“Sehyun, shut it and just bow your head.”

“Ahahaha! Ahaha!”

Our youngest really doesn’t think about the aftermath.

Han Dawon glanced at the clock and spoke.

“Seohan-ssi, 3 minutes left.”

“Do Seohan… you die in 3 minutes.”

“Hurry up! Quickly!”

Even if he was going to die, he had to get his money’s worth before he did. Seohan’s voice had gotten more urgent than before.

Jin Sehyun tilted his head and asked.

“For real?”

That would look a little weird. Seohan waved his hands and corrected himself.

“No, just do a forward roll!”

“Oh. Psh, easy. I’ll do it right away!”

It was at that moment—

“Excuse me.”

Kang Siwoo, who had been staring in one direction for a while, suddenly spoke up.

“Sorry, but… our stylist noona’s face is rotting over there….”

Just try messing up your hair.

A wave of silent killer intent could be felt from that direction.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep