episode_0201

After the stage, the remaining schedule of the showcase was a time for communication with fans and Q&A with reporters.

Naturally, the communication with fans ended without any noise and it was a very enjoyable time.

But the Q&A session with the reporters was something we all couldn’t help but feel nervous about.

Because it was clear that reporters would ask questions and pressure her about the Park Yoo-jung incident.

“Yerin Yang’s performance just now stood out on stage. Was it the result of rigorous practice?”

“This time, you only released a digital single instead of an album. Is there a reason for this?”

However, at first, the reporters asked normal questions and pretended not to be interested in Park Yoo-jung’s school violence incident… but soon they showed their true colors.

“The concept of this new song is about deviance and rebellion, so I wonder if any of the Rookies members had any similar experiences during their school days.”

It may seem like a normal question, but… it was clearly an attempt to mock Park Yoo Jung’s recent incident by linking it to the concept of the new song.

School violence, if you look at it broadly, falls into the category of deviance and rebellion.

“I would like one person to tell me what they think.”

“… … .”

At the reporter’s words, everyone’s eyes turned to the far left.

As it so happened that the person sitting on the far left was Park Yu-jeong, silence soon fell upon the audience.

Swish.

Meanwhile, Park Yu-jeong picked up the microphone with the most indifferent expression possible.

and….

“… I think the reporter’s question is about a controversy related to me.”

“… … !”

“I’m sure many of you are curious about my controversy. I’ll answer.”

The unexpected words startled not only the reporters but also the fans.

Nevertheless, Park Yu-jeong continued to answer as calmly as possible.

“I was actually punished at school for school violence.”

First, be honest about your mistakes.

“Of course, it was wrong to use violence in any case… but it was for my friend who was being bullied.”

“… … .”

What Park Yu-jeong said was already known to everyone here.

But the moment they heard her next words, both reporters and fans alike could not help but be stirred.

“That guy is here now.”

“… … !”

Buzzing.

In fact, Kim Young-hee was here at the showcase.

Of course, I couldn’t reveal where I was due to identity protection reasons… but I was definitely watching the showcase stage from among the audience.

“I want to tell that friend… I’m sorry I couldn’t help you sooner.”

To Kim Young-hee, Park Yu-jeong slowly but surely conveyed her feelings.

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t help you sooner and that you hurt your friend so much. And I’m so grateful. For welcoming me, who I haven’t seen in a long time, and embracing me warmly.”

“… … .”

At first, the people who were noisy quickly became quiet when Park Yu-jeong spoke with sincerity.

Park Yu-jeong’s voice had a strong appeal.

People could feel that Park Yu-jeong had no regrets and was rather upright.

but….

“Even if I used violence… , I don’t regret helping my friend. However… .”

There was another emotion in her voice.

It was an apology towards the members.

“For no reason… , Because of me… , Sob… , It seems like our innocent members got hurt… , I feel so sorry for the members.”

“Ah… .”

In NaaA…, Park Yoo-jung, who only showed bright smiles while promoting with Rookies, eventually shed a tear, perhaps out of regret towards the members.

It was heartbreaking to see the innocent-looking girl who always seemed to smile shedding tears.

Above all, this was the Rookies’ headquarters, filled with Rookies’ fans.

“It’s okay-!!”

“Don’t cry-!!”

The members approached and comforted Park Yoo-jung, who was shedding tears… and the fans, moved by the sight of the Rookies, cheered for the Rookies.

Soon, Park Yoo-jung wiped away her tears at the cheers of her fans and spoke with her bright smile again.

“Our members… , we prepared really hard for this activity. Even if you hate me… , please love the other members a lot… , and please do your best for this activity as well.”

“No-! Yoojung, I love you too-!”

“Fighting-!”

“Waaa-!”

At the same time that the fans gathered together and filled the stadium with their thunderous cheers… Park Yoo-jung also put down the microphone.

The reporters wanted to ask Park Yoo-jung more questions and dig up stories, but they were unable to do so due to the pressure from the fans.

Contrary to concerns, the Rookies’ second showcase ended without much trouble.

**

The rookies’ waiting room after the showcase.

As soon as I entered, I hugged Park Yu-jeong’s shoulders, stroked her head, and said.

“Yoo Jung-ah! Great acting! Totally natural!”

In fact, what Park Yu-jeong did during the Q&A session with reporters was part of a plan we had made in advance.

Because it is certain that questions about school violence incidents will come up during the Q&A session with reporters.

Rather than vaguely evading the question, we chose to confront it head on.

of course….

“… Sister, I didn’t act. I’m truly sorry to Younghee and our Rookies members.”

“You know, we all know that.”

That doesn’t mean that what Park Yu-jeong said earlier was a lie.

Park Yu-jeong bowed to us again, perhaps wanting to apologize properly this time.

“… I’m sorry. I’m really sorry for bothering our rookies.”

“… Yoo Jeong-ah.”

“And thank you. For not abandoning me and accepting me into the Rookies… , thank you so much.”

“… … .”

As if the tears she shed earlier weren’t a lie… her appearance showed deep emotions.

Then we all went over to her and gave her a warm hug.

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re on our team.”

“Never throw it away, never.”

Park Yoo-jung’s school violence incident was clearly a crisis for our rookies.

In fact, there are still people who gossip about this and badmouth us… It left painful scars on our rookies.

But we overcame it.

and….

The relationship between our fans and members has become closer than ever.

Isn’t this a pretty good deal?

Hug.

I held Park Yu-jeong’s hand.

Today’s day ends with such a warm atmosphere… .

“Yerin-ah.”

“… Yes?”

“We said we’d talk after our showcase, right? Let’s just be alone now.”

“… … .”

…I thought it was over.

Yoo Seol grabbed my shoulder with a smile that somehow felt cold.

‘Come to think of it, Seol was still there.’

After the showcase stage ended earlier, Yoo Seol had an expression on her face as if she was dissatisfied with something, and that atmosphere remained the same.

Because it was the first time in a long time that I saw Yoo Seol’s scary appearance… .

“Let’s go out for a bit while the other kids change their clothes.”

“… Yes.”

I could only follow her, trembling slightly.

**

The place that Yoo Seol and I headed to was the empty waiting room right next door.

We first sat on the empty sofa.

And I waited for Yoo Seol to speak.

“… … .”

“… … .”

But when Yoo Seol seemed lost in thought for a moment and didn’t say anything, I asked her first.

“Sister… , did I make a mistake on stage earlier… ?”

I tried my best on this stage… and actually used all the skills I had for the first time since the Naa Finals.

Obviously, the audience’s response was good and satisfactory…?

“Yerin-ah.”

“… Yes.”

But judging from the look on Yoo Seol’s face, she certainly didn’t think that way.

“I’ve felt this way since I was a kid…, I’m amazed every time I watch your stage.”

“Surprise… , you say?”

“Yeah, every time I watch your stage, it feels like I’m dreaming? When I watch your stage, I don’t think about anything else and only see your stage.”

“… … .”

… I guess so.

Because I use my skills on stage.

“That means your performance is outstanding. I could feel that you worked really hard on this stage. However… , it was a little too much.”

“Ah… .”

“You’re the main character of this song, Yerin… but this stage was a bit too much. It felt like the members were backup dancers for your solo stage, Yerin? … You were a bit too greedy on this stage, unlike usual. … To the point where I thought you were a bit selfish”

I was definitely impatient on this stage, so I used my skills haphazardly regardless of whether it was my part or someone else’s part.

“You’ll know later when you watch the video… , but the harmony of the stage will feel broken. Yerin, your individual appearance was good, but when you look at the team as a whole, the level of completion will be disappointing.”

The expression on Yoo Seol’s face as she spoke seemed a little bitter.

As Yoo Seol said, I was very overworked today.

I apologized to Yoo Seol because I thought the other members might have felt a little offended.

“… I’m sorry, sis. I think I made a mistake. I’ll apologize to the other members later.”

“No, this is a mistake you made because you felt burdened as the leader. I understand. But… .”

but…?

It seemed like Yoo Seol had something else to tell me.

While I was waiting for her to speak, Yu Seol thought for a while, sighed, and said.

“… Actually, there’s one more thing I think is a problem.”

“… What is that, sis?”

“Remember? ‘That day’… . You cried and told us to become the best idols.”

‘That day.’

It’s obviously referring to the day I abandoned my parents.

The day I abandoned my parents… I was given the quest to become the best idol in the Rookies dorm.

“Yes, that’s right.”

That quest still remained… and my thoughts on becoming the best idol still remained unchanged.

“Best Idol… .”

After repeating the word once, Yoo Seol asked me with slightly rational eyes.

and….

“Yerin, is singing or dancing more important to idols?”

“… … !”

“Are idols singers or dancers before they become idols?”

Her question hit me harder than I expected.

“Of course, both are important. It’s rare to find someone who is good at both singing and dancing. But shouldn’t someone who aims to be the best be good at both, not just one?”

Yoo Seol was pointing out the huge gap between my singing ability and my dancing stats, which was about 20 to 30 points different.

Compared to his dancing ability, his singing ability is much weaker.

It hasn’t been a huge problem so far, but… it’s definitely been a weakness of mine.