Chapter 158

The overall concept of the first season of “Fantasy Land” is ‘travel.’

The story revolves around individuals from different dimensions who meet a magician named Da Ramji and, at her suggestion, come to Earth for a journey.

The anniversary live performance “Illusion” was also structured around this background story.

The intro video of the stage began with visuals of each member’s original worlds.

“──♪───♪”

A sky island wrapped in clouds, a lush swamp, a towering demon king’s castle, a quaint library.

Lastly, a sprite forest filled with gentle fireflies.

The background illustrations created in 2D for the live performance passed by in a first-person perspective.

And at that moment, after the journey from various worlds, they finally arrived at the green planet, Earth.

– Sarek.

“Walking and walking along the morning star─♪”

With the effect of white griffon feathers, Mile appeared.

A few steps followed.

– Wow, the stage quality is incredible, haha.

– That’s it, Mile!

The chat sped up as the quality of the 3D avatar exceeded expectations, and Mile’s pleasant high notes captivated the audience.

The viewer count was steadily approaching 50,000.

So, after a sweet solo part by Mile.

Soon after, with the effect of bouncing blue droplets, Cream appeared on the opposite side of Mile.

The lyrics of a soft-toned song began.

Gentle, soothing voice filled the live audio without a gap.

– Fantasy Land! Fantasy Land! Fantasy Land! Fantasy Land!

– (Dancing dinosaur emoji)X9

– Our Cream has changed!!!!!

– Is that really the Cream who used to throw the listener around…?

Reactions surprised by the noticeably different appearance of the Fantasy Land members.

As scenes worthy of being called a performance continued, the viewer count kept rising.

Afterward, when Yuna appeared with a red lightning effect.

When Ria appeared with a shining magic circle effect, the chat was lively.

– The group song is so well made!

– The Demon King is eating up the stage!

– Seeing that Diah is last, looks like they are in order of age?

– Is the big one coming? Is the big one coming? Is the big one coming? Is the big one coming? Is the big one coming? Is the big one coming?

Thus, Ria’s part was successfully completed without any noticeable mistakes.

At that moment, when all four members present moved to the left.

“Like a star, Like a wind, Like a cloud, Like a flower♪”

With the soft firefly particles, the last member, Diah, appeared on the right side of the stage.

Almost simultaneously, the drum and bass sounds began to speed up.

“I’ll give you a moment like a dream, a memory like an illusion♪”

– (Hotdog giving thumbs up emoji)X11

– Yay, Kitta!

– (Rainbow glowing emoji)X5

– Look at that group dance!

– Diah wiggling is so cute, for real!

As the chorus began, the voices of all the members harmoniously overlapped.

The viewer count had surpassed 60,000 before anyone noticed.

Before long, the five gathered in the center of the huge concert hall captured the same choreography in the frame.

The harmony remained harmonious.

However, when the second verse began.

To be more precise, at the moment when the song proceeded in a slightly different order than the first verse.

“Following the shining star♪ Escape from the darkness♪”

-La, La, La─♬.

Diah’s solo harmony began to support the solo parts of the other members.

Their youthful voices did not waver for a single moment until the end of the performance.

“Promise with a pinky swear♪”

-Cause you saw us, found us─♪

– Is this really live?

– Wow, haha!

– They’re amazing, right?

– Were they this good?

– Viewers surpassed 70,000!

– Da Ramji broke the savings again, haha!

Thus, the climax of the second chorus, more intense than the first, began with Mile’s high-pitched voice, and the other members took turns singing their parts, completing the highlight of the live.

Moments after that, sparkle.

Little fireworks wrapped around the concert venue and were soon shot high into the sky.

– Bang!

– Pervaburg─!

Almost simultaneously, the ending pose was taken.

The colorful fireworks adorned the dark night sky, brilliantly illuminating the figures of the Fantasy Land members.

– Wowwwww!

– Encore encore encore encore encore!

– What’s with the production? This is insane!

– Mom, I want to become Fantasy Land! Mom, I want to become Fantasy Land! Mom, I want to become Fantasy Land! Mom, I want to become Fantasy Land!

– If there are 7 billion fans of Diah in the world, I’m one of them…

Faster than ever, the chat flowed.

Finally, after Mile, the eldest sister of Fantasy Land, said, “Hello─!”, the members started greeting, and different fan names filled the chat.

However, due to the nature of the performance studio, it was impossible to read and communicate with the chat in real time.

In the case of this one-year anniversary broadcast, a script had been prepared in advance.

That was why the total manager of Fantasy Land appeared in the center of the left side of the broadcast screen.

After the “Illusion” live performance, the broadcast was scheduled to proceed in the format of interviewing the Fantasy Land members.

“Okay, our members. You all finished the performance you worked hard to prepare, so please share your thoughts!”

Reflections on the one-year anniversary of Fantasy Land began with Mile and proceeded in age order: Yuna, Cream, Ria.

Diah, the youngest in real age and as RP (1st generation), would share her thoughts last.

“Um, I might have troubled the unnis a bit because of my greed. But fortunately─”

However, her voice, slightly calmer than usual, when sharing her thoughts on the “Illusion” performance.

“It wasn’t just a little trouble─!”

“I mean, it was a level of rebellion. No, you rolled the unnis around like a tire─!!”

Yuna and Ria, who had been severely harassed by Diah during the performance preparation, showered Diah with playful jeers.

Strictly speaking, these comments from the two were not in the script.

However, knowing what had happened to Ha Eun during the previous 3D avatar testing, they were aware.

“Um, I’m sorry, unnis!”

“If all you’re going to say is sorry, what’s the police for─!”

“Actions speak louder than words, little one─!!”

Without letting Diah’s awkward apology slide, they ultimately demanded a grand bow from her.

Diah’s voice was slightly flustered due to this.

However.

[ If it’s not excessive, you can do a grand bow. ]

With Jee Hye-min’s OK sign appearing on the monitor at the edge of the studio.

Ultimately, for the fun of the broadcast, Ha Eun made a complete 180-degree turn.

– Swoosh.

– Whoosh!

– Tap.

“Uh… I’m sorry for troubling the unnis…!”

“Wow!”

“I didn’t know a human could do that!”

“Yeah, if you’re going to apologize, you have to go that far!”

Of course, Diah’s 3D avatar was also in a 180-degree position.

Thanks to that, viewers could clearly see what state Diah was in.

– Hahaha!

– No way, they’re really doing that, haha!

– Diah’s core muscles are insane;;

– Wasn’t it a lie that she did a grand bow?

– That reaction is so refreshing, for real!

Again, the broadcast chat became noisy.

Even after Diah returned to her original position, chats amazed by Diah’s grand bow kept flowing.

It wasn’t long after the one-year reflections that the Fantasy Land QnA session began.

The first question that came from the sound was related to each member’s first impressions.

However, since the question was what it was.

“Of course, the youngest was the most shocking.”

“Started out as the youngest, I can’t remember how the others were!”

All members except Diah spoke only about Diah’s first impressions.

The problem was that the next question was not much different from the first.

“Among you all, who has the most different first impression compared to how they are now? Point at them with your fingers on three, one, two, three~!”

– Swoosh.

– Whoosh!

– Thock!

‘…I feel like an imposter.’

Once again, all fingers pointed at Diah.

Strictly speaking, they had different meanings than those from the first question.

“She was cute only on the first day we met.”

“Since the first collaboration, she’s been changing rapidly….”

“Now, she’s just a little devil, a little devil!”

“You’re going too far….”

As a result, the comments received this time were also teasing Diah.

However, only Diah felt wronged.

– For real, lol

– She’s not a little devil, just pure evil, haha.

– She’s only cute when playing games, haha.

– She’ll probably say it’s all No-eul’s fault.

– Isn’t it Diah who hit No-eul whenever she got the chance?

The viewers in the chat unanimously shared the same opinion.

Not a single kind No-eul could be found to defend Diah.

Thus, after all the members and viewers had taken turns hitting her with words and memories.

“Then, that was Fantasy Land! Thank you─!”

Finally freed after all the segments concluded.

Shortly after waving to the camera like the other members, she collapsed from exhaustion.

“…Huh….”

There were no physical problems, but mentally, she had reached her limit.

Well, it was the first anniversary spent as a member of Fantasy Land, not just as a fan.

Especially performing in the same place and singing the same songs as the people Ha Eun admired made her feel mentally drained.

Of course, it was a good kind of exhaustion; she didn’t feel unwell or anything.

The sense of accomplishment from successfully finishing the meticulously prepared first anniversary was also a good feeling.

However, in that moment when she was sprawled out on the studio floor like a caterpillar.

– Swoosh.

– Shuff shuff.

– Shuff shuff.

“…? Yena unni? Why that—”

“This is revenge for all that time!!”

– Slap!

“Ah?!”

Inevitably, Yena crept up to Ha Eun and struck her butt with genuine intent.

Ha Eun hurriedly covered her behind with her hands and looked over at Yena, half embarrassed and half in pain, only to find a teasing face sticking its tongue out.

Afterward, she was left speechless as Yena quickly fled to the dressing room.

Why do this kind of teasing; it’s not like they’re kids.

“Honestly, Ha Eun, your butt does look hit-worthy.”

“That’s true, but if you’re laying out in front of unnis, you’re basically asking to be hit, right?”

“…What does that even mean….”

The other members joined in teasing Ha Eun, blaming her for it all.

Comments about how her fitted clothes looked were tagged onto the remarks as well.

“…Then I want to hit you once too.”

“If you hit me, it’ll bleed.”

“I’ll have to call 119.”

“I’d probably die of excessive bleeding. Or maybe a fracture.”

“You’re going too far….”

“Isn’t the one ‘too much’ the Ha Eun whose abs show through her fitted clothes?”

“Wow, look at those dense arm muscles.”

The members’ gazes unexpectedly focused on Ha Eun’s body—especially her muscles.

With her ears lightly reddened, Ha Eun ultimately headed to the dressing room to throw off her fitted clothes.

Of course, it was just talk about throwing them off; she couldn’t really throw them.

The fitted outfit Ha Eun wore.

Actually, one shouldn’t underestimate the price of motion capture equipment.

‘I heard it’s hard to get again if it’s overseas.’

Nevertheless, the clothes weren’t at fault.

If anything, it was the person who wore them.

‘…Could muscles be considered dieting?’

Thus, gazing at her bare self reflected in the dressing room mirror for a moment.

But just a few seconds later, she had to hurriedly fully dress up at the playful voices of the other members entering the dressing room.

“Diah’s mid is awesome~.”

“As expected, an idol. Even when undressed, the charisma overflows.”

“…!…!!”

*

A few days after the successful conclusion of the Fantasy Land one-year live performance.

Finally, Na-eul and the second generation members of Fantasy Land stepped into the world of internet broadcasting for the first time.

“Hello~!”

– Wow

– Hair is so soft!

– The modeling is impressive!

Of course, the second generation of Fantasy Land debuted like the first with staggered releases.

Debuting all the members of second generation in one day was quite the task.

However, the debut stream, which Diah would watch.

In short, the debut stream that Ha Eun would watch was already set.

‘…Hida on Tuesday at 6 PM. And Na-eul on Thursday at 7 PM….’

That was why Ju Jung-yun had been holding onto her phone in the van.

Because of the filming schedule for “The Veterans,” she couldn’t watch until the end, but she needed to catch at least a glimpse.

Especially, when it came to Hida.

She found herself worried about whether Hida could do well on the debut stream.

After all, this was Da-yeon’s first time doing internet broadcasting.

They had prepared for it, but it was certainly not an easy task that anyone could handle without any concerns.

‘After all, she’s someone who doesn’t even appear in variety shows.’

In an unscripted situation, like a drama or movie.

Could Da-yeon really pull it off well without any experience?

Thinking about that was just yesterday.

“Ah, what do you like? Hm…. I wonder if I should say this~.”

– Aow

– Aye

– Got it, got it, just deposit it!

– What the witch likes must be quite surprising, haha!

Why is she so skilled?

Not stuttering a single word, it seemed like she wasn’t nervous at all.

‘…Should I be happy about this or not….’

Honestly, it felt a bit deflated.

It was, of course, a relief that Hida’s debut stream went off without any hitches, but, how should I put it?

It felt a little like being betrayed….

‘It’s not like I’m not hiding anything as well.’

Seeing an older friend in an unfamiliar aspect was a rather ambiguous feeling.

Neither overwhelmingly happy as if bouncing for joy, nor so gloomy that it wrinkled her face—a feeling of ambiguity.

However, since that skillful voice had one day to be maneuvered, she couldn’t enjoy Hida’s broadcast.

Hida mode Da-yeon was somewhat intimidating too.

The problem was that Ha Eun didn’t only have to worry about Hida.

[ Just in case, it might be better to meet at the café first before heading home. ]

Another person holding a Diah’s freepass.

At the same time, a bold junior who called Diah less than two weeks after the debut broadcast.

Thanks to Na-eul requesting a cooperated stream with Diah, Jee Hye-min had to carve out some time to watch Ha Eun and Na-eul’s meeting.

After all, if Na-eul discovered Diah’s true identity and blurted something out, it would be a mess.

Thus, on the day of Diah and Na-eul’s streaming.

“I’m here.”

“Oh, Ha Eun. Sit down first. Na-eul is on her way here.”

Jee Hye-min and Ha Eun gathered at a café near Na-eul’s house.

The conversation that began was about Na-eul’s reaction to Diah’s apparent red pill news.

“Even Dong-jin said it, but she didn’t believe it.”

“Honestly, it’s weird to believe it right away.”

“That is true.”

Na-eul did not believe that Diah was the famous actress Lee Ha-eun.

So, it seemed better to calmly furnish her with the existence of Ha Eun first, as guided by the words from Jee Hye-min.

“Na-eul lives with her parents, so we need to explain things to her mom as well.”

“Hm….”

Honestly, Ha Eun felt tense.

Just as Na-eul was about to see Diah’s red pill for the first time, Ha Eun was also seeing Na-eul’s red pill for the first time today.

What if she looked scary? What if she had a really sharp personality?

‘Her voice was just like I remember it.’

In this way, premonitions about Na-eul’s red pill filled Ha Eun’s mind.

However, about ten minutes later, the person she would meet was.

“Um…. Chief Jee?”

“Oh, Jee Hye. I’ve been waiting.”

Far from looking scary, she had an overly harmless impression.

She was slightly shorter than Ha Eun’s height.

‘…She really looks cute.’

Thanks to that, Ha Eun was able to send all her preconceived notions about Na-eul to the distant Andromeda.

Immediately after, she took off her baseball cap, sunglasses, and mask, greeting her.

“Hi, nice to meet you.”

“Oh, this is senior Diah! Hello… wait?”

However, hardly had she finished when Na-eul went rigid.

Then again, she stiffened.

“Eh, uh, um?”

“Um…. are you okay—”

“Hiiiii!!!”

As if she had seen a ghost, Na-eul was shocked and immediately hid behind Jee Hye-min.

Now shaking, she pointed her index finger tremblingly toward Ha Eun.

“Y…Kim Jeong-hyun. No, this… Lee Ha-eun? Is it for real?!”

“…Did Gangjeong not tell you already?”

“No, the thing is, I thought it was a joke… AAAAAAH….”

In a good way, she was at a loss for joy.

In a bad way, it was overly lively.

Thus, after all that.

“…I came hoping for the pancakes Na-eul makes.”

To steer Na-eul’s mind back to the current session, the conversation needed to match the day’s events.

Honestly, it felt a bit cheesy, but there wasn’t much else she could do.

“I want cotton candy….”

“Oh, yeah! Y-yes!! I’ll make it for you!!”

“Uh, Jee Hye! Calm down a little~.”

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