Seungho lifted his head.
What was that?
The feeling was gone, but was the monster still coming for him?
He shook his head, it didn't make any sense. He was worried, that was what it was about. He was about to be kicked out for how weak he was, why would a monster chase him?
Right?!
He started laughing and walked off.
A weight off his chest.
Now on the brink of failing, he was sure the Duke wouldn't talk to him. If not combat hunter, what? Yes, the idol route. That was still available. Sangmin was good at it and was standing right now training with the Duke. If Seungho too succeeded, there he would have a chance with the right training to become...something.
Then he noticed how his mind had cleared. How all doubts and confusion vanished as well. He saw a path in front of him and he was going to take it.
.
He walked to the next building over to get ready for his first Meet&Greet. The event will give him the chance to nail a core fandom, and gain potentially more exposure to acquire new fans. He had no idea how that would happen by greeting a bunch of people, but Yuna was sure it was going to be a success.
He stopped, inhaled and let the air out slowly, straightening his spine. And vowed.
Yes, I will make it a success.
And laughed at how he sounded just like the cheesiest trope.
Good. I need to feel positive right now, for the event.
He got to the room, put his hand on the doorknob, and stopped. He remembered his old life.
Let it go.
And opened the door.
He allowed them to do everything they wanted to him. They were surprised. The wardrobe choice was a little daring, although focused on being stylish, the vest unbuttoned low to show off his fit physique. The hairstyle was simple, just a new haircut. But that was enough to show his eyes, glaring lively...magnetic.
"That is magnificent!"
The hairstylist was talking about himself, his own work.
Well, how modest.
"I think the makeup deepens his eyes and highlights his best features. Makeup is your ticket to stardom."
The makeup artist protested. She clearly thought she did a better job.
They bickered jokingly a little longer. Satisfied with the result, they expected Seungho to be satisfied too.
He felt uncomfortable, not used to such clothing and style overall.
Actually the makeup is not the worst of it.
He smiled thanking them, after all they knew how to do their job.
Hwang-manager was shocked when he saw Seungho all dolled up. That was the expression he used.
He looked twice at Seungho to make sure he was the same person.
"Please spin" Hwang-manager had asked rotating his index finger.
Seungho a little reluctant, did so.
Hwang-manager clapped excitedly, not at the look, but because Seungho followed his instructions without protesting.
The staff praised him for being so easy-going and collaborative. Very professional. That's how they had described him. And he liked that, being praised for a job well done, his. So he smiled more sincerely.
They took some pictures to document the look, for future reference. Standing, sitting, leaning against a prop, with the staff, selfies, etc. He smiled all throughout, to show gratitude.
Seungho began to feel the pressure to pose or be ready to pose at every turn.
Be ready…
Hwang-manager took him to the event in a van. Seungho was getting the full idol treatment.
The streets were filled with people carrying shopping bags, all from expensive brands.
The cafe was modern yet cozy. Despite the upgrade in image, he was still a puppy to many.
"Oh, I think this style fits you perfectly," Yuna said excitedly, fussing over Seungho from every angle.
"Ah, thank you." Seungho looked away embarrassed.
"Don't be nervous, you will be great," Hana added.
They moved upstairs, in a room with separations, especially booked for the event.
The room was already crammed with the fans who had bought the ticket to the event.
It is all about money, or is it not?
He was seated on a smaller white table and offered a drink. It was going to be an informal chat, fans asking questions, this was going to be a good chance for having people learn about him, his personality, his likes and dislikes, and more. Whatever he was willing to share. People were curious.
"Fans care about sharing, about sincerity from their idols. Just be yourself."
Be yourself, ha!
That thought made him very nervous.
Although at first he smiled, the more he paid attention to the conversation the more serious he became.
Making sure he understood every question was an immense effort. If he did what he usually did, getting lost in his thought when conversations dragged for too long, he would lose his fans. He needed to keep focus.
Yuna-ssi had selected a varied pool of fans, there are young women but also families and older people.
Seungho liked that, from his outfit he had gotten a different idea of how things were going to be.
He remembered those summers when it was too hot and he spent the afternoons lounging in the living room with his mother and older sister watching dramas and idol shows. When his younger sister woke up from napping, he was the one who would play with her.
The memory hit Seungho like a warm flood. No resentment. He basked in it for a moment.
It should have been always like that….
A young child wiggled out of her mother's arms and rushed clumsily in front of his table and fell. A moment later, the little girl started to cry. Seungho immediately got up and picked her up. Tried to console her until he got a smile from her.
He stared at her. Like the girl on the bus, she was taken aback by his magnetic eyes. She immediately hugged him.
"Oppa, lowe."
Everybody in the room laughed at such bold declaration from the little girl who could barely speak.
To the side, Hana high-fived Yuna. Their phones kept buzzing. A new video of Seungho and the little girl was up, bagging tons of likes and comments.
Seungho popularity was soaring.
The event boosted Seungho's confidence.
I can do this!
Sangmin had arrived a little late, but he stayed for the whole event hiding in a corner. Seungho wondered if it did it on purpose to avoid talking to him.
After wrapping up the event, Sangmin helped clean up.
Seungho found himself nervous, not able to check his stats. To distract himself, he tried to help, but Hwang-manager instructed him to reply to comments online instead.
"Just a few comments sporadic, but make them feel seen."
He filtered the comments for Seungho to reply with more ease and avoid getting bogged down by negative comments.
"Just jealous. Ignore them."
As long as they don't take any future charisma points...
He growled. His eyes sharpened.
"What?" Hwang-manager sounded scared. A look in his face of fear.
Seungho tilted his head, lost about what was going on.
Hwang-manager replied "ahh, nothing. I think I just hallucinated." And laughed it off. "Just go on with the
Seungho replied to the comments diligently.
Sangmin came around and complimented Seungho with a smile.
"I can see you put a lot of effort, well done."
Comforted from such friendly connection, Seungho felt like everything had returned to normal.
"I think you are a natural."
Seungho was confused.
"You paid attention to the fans, they felt it. It was a great move to holding on romantic knight, like the video the other day, and showcase other sides of your personality. Proving to your fans you are someone who cares for each and every of his fans. And the way you picked up that little girl...chef-kiss."
Seungho was embarrassed.
I actually don't understand how I made it that far.
"I can't really say I tried."
"Even better! The Duke will be pleased when she hears about this."
"You think? I doubt it." replied Seungho without much thought.
Yuna rushed to Seungho's side to show him the video stats:
.
Views: 21,890
Likes: 7,301
Comments: 613
.
"Aren't these number lower than the other video?" Seungho asked naively. He hadn't checked the other video again.
"It was posted less than an hour ago. These are serious numbers. I get the feeling you will become a superstar!" She said it jokingly not to jinx it.
Yuna and Hana looked at the stats again together and rejoiced holding hands. They both excited. Kind of forgetting Seungho was even there.
Hwang-manager took Seungho home.
Before Seungho got off the van, Hwang-manager added "with these numbers, the Duke will have to reconsider." He then left.
In his apartment, while getting some water, it suddenly hit Seungho. "Reconsider?!" Seungho said loudly in shock.
Does that mean she has already rejected me? Then why keep me around? Who is pushing me into her team?