If I could, I wanted to completely erase the name Diah from Da-yeon’s mind.
Yes, if only I could.
“Feeling this powerless is a first for me….”
Such was the situation where the thought of ‘if only I could’ arose.
Because I couldn’t, Ha Eun was engulfed in complex feelings facing the grim reality.
No matter how hard I wracked my brain, I couldn’t find a solution.
There was no way to prevent the catastrophe of Diah’s voice pack playing from Da-yeon’s pure white wired earphones.
The very fact that Da-yeon possessed and enjoyed a collection of Diah’s cute voice was problematic as it was.
But the biggest problem was the possibility that greater catastrophes could occur.
What if, just what if.
If, really, in case of an emergency.
“Hey, Lee Ha-eun…. You have to listen to this…. It’s cute and fun to hear….”
If Da-yeon played Diah’s cheerful voice for Ha Eun, along with a suggestion to give it a listen.
Surely, Da-yeon’s earphones would be plugged into Ha Eun’s ears at the same moment and would become a source of shame.
Still, all Ha Eun could do was gently refuse Da-yeon’s offer to buy Diah merchandise.
In the miserable reality where she could only be afraid of the calamity that would occur later, Ha Eun eventually covered her face with both hands.
And she lowered her head.
“…Hoo….”
In the end, she let out a moan that she could no longer suppress.
Soon, Da-yeon’s voice, taken aback by Ha Eun’s sudden change, echoed through.
“What’s wrong, Ha Eun? Are you hurt?”
‘…It’s because of you.’
Ha Eun wondered if the hint of laughter in Da-yeon’s puzzled voice was just a fleeting illusion.
After a short while of rustling about, Da-yeon pulled out her phone again and began to browse the upcoming Diah merchandise announcement post.
And almost simultaneously.
“The acrylic stand should go on the bed shelf. I’ll have to attach the keyring to my wallet.”
Da-yeon muttered the list of merchandise she planned to buy as if she wanted Ha Eun to hear.
The moment Da-yeon’s not-quite-solitary mutter reached Ha Eun’s ears.
“Hmm, I wish there was a character cushion too. Why aren’t they selling cushions?”
“…Maybe there were circumstances….”
Ha Eun knew that maintaining a poker face regardless of what Da-yeon said was the only way to hide her true identity.
But for now, the best she could do was to show as little interest as possible in Diah’s merchandise.
Anyway, as lunch hour was drawing to an end.
With the excuse that it was time to prepare for the fifth period, Ha Eun stood up and quickly fled toward her classroom.
And unlike Ha Eun, Da-yeon was still sitting on a bench in the hallway.
In that fleeting moment, a sound escaped Da-yeon.
“…Puhuh.”
Ha Eun didn’t hear the significant chuckle.
*
“Hey, Ha Eun. What happened at school?”
It was Ju Jung-yun’s puzzled voice as he had just put Ha Eun into his van.
To which Ha Eun mumbled that it was nothing.
The conversation turned to the last recording of <Infinite Challenge Music Show> scheduled for next week.
“Next week, we have to go to the broadcasting station instead of the studio?”
“Yeah. We’ll also need to stop by the makeup shop.”
The next week’s recording would be the last meeting before the performance of the <Infinite Challenge Music Show> cast at Gocheok Sky Dome.
Unlike the past where everyone met only with their respective partners at their own studios.
All participants of the <Infinite Challenge Music Show> would gather in the broadcasting studio to talk about their determination and expectations toward the performance.
However, since <Infinite Challenge> was primarily an entertainment program rather than a documentary,
The filming of several mini-games, where benefits related to the performance were at stake, would also be conducted.
‘Didn’t they say that the performance order would be decided at this time?’
Ha Eun remembered hearing that the selection of the performance order was included among the prizes for the mini-games.
In other words, it meant that if she wanted to perform in the order she desired, she had to showcase a good performance in next week’s mini-games.
She wasn’t sure what kind of mini-games they would be.
But regardless of what the mini-games were, she was determined to give her best to earn high scores.
Lost in thoughts about next week’s recording, she soon arrived at a familiar practice room.
Once inside the practice room, she heard a warm greeting from Yoon Si-hyeok, who was waiting for Ha Eun seated on the practice room floor.
“Hey, Ha Eun~.”
“Hello.”
Not long after, the practice of the song “T.R.E.N.D” for the Lee Ha-eun & Yoon Si-hyeok team began.
It was a time to sync up with everyone who would be performing on the Gocheok Sky Dome stage alongside Ha Eun.
As it had been for all the practices after the song “T.R.E.N.D.” was completed, this practice was also smooth.
They successfully finished the movement route practice on stage along with the choreography that Yoon Si-hyeok and Ha Eun had created together without any mistakes.
However, as this stage practice was also included in the filming scope of <Infinite Challenge Music Show>,
During the break in the practice, they had to fill the filming footage with casual chat talks.
To put it simply, there were no significant issues with Ha Eun’s talk.
Yoon Si-hyeok, her partner, was a veteran entertainer with over ten years of broadcasting experience and also a long-time fan of Ha Eun.
“I’ve always been curious. Did you really perform all the swordplay scenes from start to finish yourself?”
“Oh, yes. There were no scenes with stunts used.”
“Then, did you sweep away the assassins in the palace too?”
“Yes.”
“Wow, I need to be careful then.”
As they talked about Ha Eun’s past works like “Moonlight Through the Clouds,” and also about the drama she was currently filming.
“Didn’t you say there would be action scenes in the drama you’re filming now?”
“Yeah. We’re filming gunfight scenes these days, and the gun is pretty bigger than I expected.”
“It’s different from what you see in videos, right?”
“It is definitely different. It has quite a bit of weight.”
Ha Eun also smoothly transitioned into talking about the drama she was still filming.
She could see why Yoon Si-hyeok had maintained his position in the entertainment industry for more than ten years.
The talk concluded with a conversation about Ha Eun’s daily life.
“Isn’t it tiring to go to school early in the morning? Back in my day, waking up in the morning was the hardest part.”
It was a question similar to the one asked by Kwon Eun-seong VJ during the last filming of <2 Nights and 3 Days>.
As Ha Eun was about to give a similar answer to Yoon Si-hyeok’s question to the one she had given to Kwon Eun-seong VJ long ago.
“Ha Eun’s advertisement will air two weeks before Chuseok. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me.”
‘Oh, right.’
She suddenly remembered the Sears bed advertisement featuring her, which would air during the upcoming fall wedding and moving season.
Perhaps that was why.
“Honestly, I was a bit tired before changing beds. But ever since I changed beds, it’s definitely been better.”
Ha Eun’s answer recorded in the microphone on her chest was slightly different from the one she had given on <2 Nights and 3 Days>.
Clearly, it was natural for Yoon Si-hyeok to show curiosity about her response.
“What kind of bed did you buy?”
“Oh, I didn’t buy it. They sponsored it while I was filming the advertisement.”
Due to various circumstances in the broadcasting industry, she couldn’t mention the exact brand name.
But merely mentioning the advertisement would surely positively affect Sears’ sales.
However, she had no idea what kind of ripple effect Ha Eun’s mention would have in the furniture industry.
She also didn’t realize that the value of Ha Eun as an advertisement model would significantly change.
At that moment, Ha Eun’s focus was solely on the <Infinite Challenge Music Show>, which would air this Saturday.
Since it was her first time appearing in a variety show as a singer rather than an actress, she was most curious about the people’s reactions.
Moreover, since the broadcast of the performance from <Infinite Challenge Music Show> would be during the Chuseok holiday.
‘…Let’s do well.’
She wanted her stage to become an unforgettable memory for those comfortable at home during the holiday.
She aimed to imprint the name ‘Lee Ha-eun’ more vividly in people’s minds.
The goals she had set when she accepted Lee Jun’s proposal to participate in <Infinite Challenge Music Show> remained unchanged.
She dreamed of making the stage at Gocheok Sky Dome, a pivotal moment in her career as an entertainer, into a perfect stage.
So, when Ha Eun finally sorted out her vision as an entertainer once again.
She received a notification related to another turning point in her life through her phone.
[i] “The samples of the fantasy goods have been completed, Ha Eun. They’ll arrive within this week, so let me know after you receive the package~.”[/i]
If Ha Eun as an entertainer was facing the turning point of the Gocheok Sky Dome stage.
Then, as Diah, she was approaching the turning point of the first cover song release and the first merchandise launch.
Regardless of the outcomes, both turning points were significant to Ha Eun.
Thus, she didn’t want to neglect either of the two turning points.
That was why she started to plan more thoroughly related to Diah’s broadcasts.
She pondered over how to connect the two important events of the cover song release and the merchandise launch to achieve better results.
After considerable thought, she reached the conclusion of continuous broadcasting.
‘It seems better to do it all in one day….’
On reflection, the cover song release and merchandise launch for Diah would also be a big event for the fans.
Both events were sufficient to attract the fans’ attention.
So instead of splitting the broadcasts and scattering the fans’ interest.
She wanted to draw their interest to the maximum even if it meant slightly exceeding the usual broadcast time.
That was why Ha Eun contacted the general manager of the fantasy project first.
[i] “If what Ha Eun said is true, it seems like we’ll have to broadcast for quite a long time. Is that okay with your schedule?”[/i]
“Yes. I have no schedule on the day of the cover song release.”
So ultimately, they decided to have the cover song release broadcast as Part 1 and the Diah merchandise introduction broadcast as Part 2.
Ha Eun intended to merge the attention on Diah’s first cover song and first merchandise into one day to maximize interest for both events.
Of course, she also planned to conduct broadcasts reviewing the cover songs or merchandise of the other members as soon as possible.
Among them, particularly the review broadcast for Yuna’s cover song, which Ha Eun had devoted significant effort into, would surely be a meaningful broadcast.
‘…I am looking forward to it.’
It was exciting in many ways that the song Ha Eun loved the most in her past life would be coached and polished by her before being presented to the world.
Since Diah was the first among the members of Fantasy to reveal a cover song and merchandise, she had to focus on Diah for now rather than on Yuna.
Diah needed to make a good start to ensure the smooth progression of the next members’ broadcasts.
This was also one of the reasons Ha Eun chose the option of continuous broadcasting.
Thus, time passed.
Finally, it was the day of the Diah’s cover song and merchandise release broadcast.
– Bang bang bang bang bang bang bang bang
– Is this where the baby talent show is broadcast?
– Open the door! Open the door! Open the door! Open the door! Open the door!
– FBI OPEN UP!!!!!
– Finally, the day has come for our Diah to sing…
– Diah, I’m too anxious, help me
– There are still 3 minutes left, ugh
Ha Eun, who just finished preparing for the broadcast, re-played the cover song she had recorded in a calm atmosphere back then on her phone once more.
Without saying a word, she simply listened and steadied her heart.
“♪──♪♪───♪♪─♬♪”
The ambiance had shifted from the high tension Diah usually displayed to a slightly calmer and composed mood.
Yet, there was something distinct about her tidy voice, different from the wonderful technique and pure vocal tone of Pinocchio.
She didn’t know how it would sound to others.
But at least to Ha Eun herself, it was a song that expressed “Diah’s serious side” well.
Shortly after that, the countdown finally began.
– 10!
– Finally, just 10 seconds left
– 10 9
– 99999999
– What about the pigeon cooing?
– 99999
– 8!!!!
– 8888888
As the speed of the chat window quickened, Ha Eun softly donned the headset she had around her neck.
When the fans’ countdown ultimately reached zero.
– Click.
Diah’s first cover song “Old Staccato” music video appeared on the previously blank broadcast waiting screen.
A serene illustration soon filled the broadcast screen.
– Oh, what’s this
– Wow
– Look at that illustration
– Kyaaa
– There was a reason for keeping it hidden
– Is that really our baby?
In the past, Jee Hye-min said that they could reveal the illustration of the cover song’s music video in advance.
However, they had kept it hidden until now, believing that revealing it early would lower the anticipation.
Ha Eun’s judgment proved to be correct, as evidenced by the flood of positive comments in the chat window.
Before she knew it, even the introductory part was slowly drawing to a close.
Finally, reaching the first vocal part, Ha Eun began to pour Diah’s song into the broadcast microphone.
“Messy. Chaotic. It was quite awkward…♪”
The broadcast was layered not with the complete music video, but with the MR playing in the background.
However, among the numerous fans, more than ten thousand of them.
– Staccato brings back memories
– Nice adaptation in Korean
– Why does she sing well?
– Awesome Diah
– Look at the chat quiet down while people are enjoying it, haha
None of them realized that the song in the current broadcast audio was Ha Eun’s live performance.
Because she hadn’t told anyone, including Jee Hye-min, truly no one noticed Ha Eun’s surprise live rendition.
Of course, there would have been no problem for Ha Eun to just play the music video instead of singing live.
But because she wanted to realize the reason why she studied to sing in the past, she kept the broadcast microphone on.
Eventually, shifting her gaze slightly away from the broadcast microphone, she found the small Diah acrylic stand on the broadcasting desk.
And behind that were numerous positive comments captured on the monitor.
– It’s different when you sing seriously
– Who even is she? Hahaha
– Who are you! Who are you! Who are you! Who are you! Who are you!
– Was it originally this kind of song?
– Our baby has acquired charisma..!
– ‘Passed the playlist’
All of these were things Ha Eun had long dreamed of.
Perhaps due to getting a bit emotional, her vision had turned slightly foggy without her realizing it.
Though “Old Staccato” didn’t particularly have a sad atmosphere, simply singing it felt.
Like a dream.
“…How was it?”
– Awesome Diah, King Diah
– What an emotional moment, T.T
– It’s calm and nice
– You practiced a lot
– Guess I had a reason to nag Yuna, haha
– Are you going to do singing broadcasts from now on?
– Among the Fantasy members, the one-year-old baby who sings the best is definitely not a bad word, no no no no no
