CHAPTER 98: ANTI-FANS

"HYUNG, what are you doing?" Garam complained lightly while patting Song Sihyuk’s arms around his waist. "I need to go now."

"Mmh."

Aigooya.

Song Sihyuk stayed still, hugging Garam from behind while burying his face against his nape.

And it wasn’t just that.

"Hyung, why do you keep sniffing the back of my neck?" Garam asked worriedly. No, he was actually starting to feel conscious. "Do I smell bad?"

"No, not at all," Song Sihyuk answered sleepily— nuzzling his nose against Garam’s nape. "It’s actually the opposite, babe. You smell sweeter than usual. Did you change your perfume?"

"I’m not even wearing one, Hyung."

"Really? How come you smell so good then?"

"Isn’t it only because Hyung likes me so much?"

Song Sihyuk chuckled, and then he finally loosened the arms wrapped around Garam’s waist. "How long are you going to attend those stupid music shows that require you to pre-record so early in the morning?"

Right.

At the moment, there were six music shows being aired almost everyday in both cable and broadcast channels in the country.

Garam only had schedule for four out of those six music shows.

I’m considered ’too popular’ now to attend the other two music shows known for giving rookies and unpopular groups the chance to get a music show win.

The problem was that he wasn’t big or popular enough to compete with Cindy.

Hence, Garam already lost three major music show wins to his sunbae-nim.

I won in the two less popular music shows, though.

Only because Garam attended that broadcasting company’s variety show while Cindy didn’t. His variety show appearance earned him a few points in the final score. Hence, he won.

But since it was a win from an unpopular music show, nobody cared.

Having said that, I’m still grateful for the wins I received. I thanked my fans properly.

But the real fight was in the big music shows of major channels.

"Today is the last music show I’m attending this week, Hyung," Garam said, turning around to face Song Sihyuk. "My next music show attendance is scheduled next week."

"But you’re busy this weekend, too?"

"I have a fansign event, Hyung."

"When will your promotions end?"

"My promotions end next week, but I’m headed to LA after that for a magazine shoot."

"I have a house in LA. Should I come with you?"

"Hyung, you have work."

"Tsk."

"I really have to go now, Hyung," Garam said, tiptoeing to kiss Song Sihyuk on the lips. "See you later. I don’t have a schedule after today’s music show. I’ll probably lose to Cindy Sunbae-nim again, so you have to cheer me up."

Song Sihyuk sighed, and then he nodded. "Alright. I’ll come home early, too."

***

OH, they got my gifts.

Garam smiled while scrolling through his social media account.

Yes, he was using his secret account again to check on his fans. To be precise, he was checking on his fans who went to the broadcasting station so early in the morning for a chance to be a part of the live audience for his performance later.

As a token of gratitude, he prepared a small gift for his fans: a box full of tasty macarons, a steak sandwich, a bottle of fruit tea, and chocolate truffles.

He also prepared a box full of cosmetic products that he was endorsing: a lip balm, a lipstick, a whole bottle of perfume, a pack of sheet masks, and a whole bottle of hand cream. Finally, he also prepared a blanket and a warm pack for the fans.

It’s almost the end of summer, so it’s starting to get cold— especially in the mornings.

Anyway, all the gifts also included a signed Polaroid picture from Garam.

The fans seemed to like the gifts because they posted the pictures along with a caption expressing their gratitude.

He was relieved by the positive reaction from his dedicated fans.

Giving them gifts is the least thing I could do to show them my appreciation.

It was Friday, and the only music show airing for that day was NBC’s Music Stage.

Yes, that Narae Broadcasting Company.

NBC is owned by Jang Boreum-nim’s family— and Jang Boreum-nim is married to SG Group’s Executive President Song Seungsu, Song Sihyuk’s youngest uncle.

Having said that, Garam wasn’t expecting to win in Music Stage later.

I’m sure Jang Boreum-nim won’t pull some strings just to give me a music show win. I didn’t ask for it, and we only met once. That luncheon even ended in a sour note because of Chairman Song’s sudden announcement.

Garam’s thoughts were interrupted when the SUV stopped in front of NBC’s entrance.

To be precise, it was the entrance that all idols performing for Music Stage later used.

Reporters, fansite masters, and fans were already waiting for him behind the barricades.

It’s a tradition for idols attending Music Stage to greet the reporters and the fans before entering the building. So, even idols bigger than me still use this entrance. If not, they’ll be criticized for being ’arrogant.’

Hence, as soon as Shin Geon opened the door for Garam, he flashed a polite smile to the reporters and fans who greeted him enthusiastically.

He was glad he wore a huge pair of dark sunglasses that day.

After all, the flashes of cameras around him weren’t a joke.

I’ll never get used to them.

"Garam-nim, here!"

"Do an aegyo, please!"

"Smile for me!"

Garam did fanservice as he walked towards the entrance— he looked and waved to the people who called his name, did heart fingers as an aegyo, and smiled at everyone.

He was almost at the entrance when he heard that loud scream from a woman.

"YOUR SONG IS A FLOP, MR. MAIN VOCAL!"

Oh.

Garam heard that loud and clear, but he pretended he didn’t and continued smiling.

But Shin Geon, who obviously looked pissed by what they had heard, gently pushed him as if he were urging him to walk faster.

He did, but before he could enter the building, he heard the loud commotion.

"HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO OUR GARAM, YOU CRAZY BITCH?!"

Oh.

Garam’s fans attacked— verbally and physically— the anti-fan who humiliated him.

Aigooya.

***

"GARAM-NIM, I already informed Jung Han-nim about what happened earlier. He told you not to worry— the PR Team will make sure the video and pictures of your fans fighting the anti-fan won’t spread on the internet."

Whew.

Garam was relieved.

I wanted to call Sihyuk Hyung, but I didn’t want him to hear my shaking voice.

Hence, he just asked Shin Geon to reach out to Jung Han and inform them of what had happened earlier.

And, yes, he asked Song Sihyuk’s people for that favor.

I can’t have people criticizing my fans for defending me.

"Thank you, Geon Hyung," Garam said, and then he patted him on the shoulder. "Wait here. I’ll just greet Cindy Sunbae-nim."

Shin Geon nodded politely. "Yes, sir."

After that, Garam knocked on the door politely. "Cindy Sunbae-nim, it’s me— Lim Garam."

"Come in, Garam-ah."

And he did.

It’s not a requirement, but I like greeting my sunbaes. Of course, I also greet the hoobaes I meet. Being polite never hurts.

Garam bowed and greeted Cindy politely as soon as he entered the singer’s dressing room.

He also greeted Cindy’s manager and stylist.

His sunbae sent off the staff after he exchanged greetings with him, so only the two of them were in the dressing room now.

Anyway, Garam was nervous because Cindy was a legendary senior.

Omegas dominated the idol industry because most Omegas were born naturally pretty.

However, a Beta like Cindy crushed the Omegas who tried to compete with her in the past through her solid talent and charisma.

Plus, Cindy Sunbae-nim is really pretty.

"Garam-ah, I’m really happy that our schedules overlap this time," Cindy said, smiling. "I get to talk to you like this. It’s an honor."

Garam smiled shyly. "The honor is mine, Sunbae-nim."

"You can just call me ’noona,’ you know? I started early in the industry, but I’m only 3 or 4 years older than you."

Right.

Cindy Sunbae-nim isn’t even in her thirties yet.

"How can I address you casually, Sunbae-nim?"

Cindy laughed softly. "Then how about you call me ’noona’ when there’s only the two of us?"

Oh, that could work.

"I understand, N-Noona."

"You’re so cute, Garam-ah."

"T-Thank you, Noona."

Cindy chuckled, and then she turned a bit serious. "Garam-ah, I really like your voice. That’s why I wanted to feature you in my previous album before, the one I released before you enlisted."

Garam’s eyes widened a little. "Really, Sunbae-nim? I didn’t know that..."

"What do you mean you didn’t know about it? I personally called your company before and asked them if we could collaborate. They turned me down and said you were busy preparing for your enlistment."

"Huh?"

"Oh, you really didn’t know?" Cindy asked, surprised. No, actually, she looked confused. "But when I talked to your CEO then, she told me that you personally turned down my proposal."

Now Garam froze, not knowing how to react to that.

No one told me that Cindy Sunbae-nim wanted to do a collab with me!

***

"I GUESS my timing was bad since it was before you enlisted. And I know that your group went through a lot during that period. So, maybe your CEO was just disoriented then."

That was what Cindy said after Garam told her that he didn’t hear anything from the CEO about the offer that she talked about.

To a degree, he thought it sounded plausible.

Our company was really a mess during Hanseo Hyung’s bullying scandal, after all.

But Garam couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was wrong.

I should ask CEO Myung about it later.

"Congratulations, Lim Garam-ssi for winning #1 for this week!"

Garam flinched in surprise when he heard a loud ’pop,’ followed by the sudden pour of colorful confetti.

Huh?

He was so distracted that he forgot he was standing on the stage with fellow artists while waiting for the result of that week’s #1 song on the chart.

In his defense, he fully expected Cindy to win again.

But Garam won.

I won against Cindy Sunbae-nim in the biggest music show in the country on a major broadcasting channel?!

He was confused, but he accepted the bouquet of flowers and the trophy awkwardly.

Cindy and the other artists on stage clapped for him, but he was still in disbelief.

Is this really happening?

Garam’s mind was a mess, but he managed to give a decent speech and thanked all the necessary people to thank for— especially the fans.

But that win caused a huge controversy that spread like wildfire.

’An unjust win.’

Cindy’s fans claimed that Garam’s win was rigged, even demanding he return the trophy that he— apparently— didn’t deserve.

***

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