novelraw Chapter 112 : Autograph Session? (2)
Chapter 112 : Autograph Session? (2)
Autograph Session? (2)
Sweeties' agency staff bustled about, completing their final checks.
Yoon Nara and the other members checked the positions of the cameras placed everywhere and cleared their throats.
Soon, the red light of the camera came on, signaling the start of the broadcast.
Leader Yoon Nara spoke up.
"One, two, three!"
At her cue, the members raised their voices in unison.
"Make your day sweeter! Hello, we're Sweeties!"
As they cheerfully waved and smiled brightly, the chat window exploded with activity.
― Nunnaaaaaaa!
― So sweet as always, lol
― So cute♡
― So refreshing from the start
― You are all my Goddess :D
― Their beauty level, record-breaking again ㅠㅠㅠ
― Unni! I really enjoyed the concert!
― Please let me be picked......!
Sweeties' fans included men, women, and even some foreign fans.
Faced with the overwhelming messages in the chat, all the members gave sincere smiles. Yoon Nara skillfully grabbed the mic and continued hosting.
"Thank you so much to all our Bricks who came to join us! You all know the reason why we turned on this broadcast today, right?"
Brix was the name of Sweeties' fan club. Fittingly, it was named after the unit used to measure 'sugar content.'
― RGRG
― I really want to go to the fansign this time!
― I love the new album so much the competition must be fierce ㅠㅠ
― I wonder what the fansign cutoff is......
"Yes, today's broadcast is to draw winners for our Sweeties autograph session! So many of you entered again this time."
"Seriously, we were so surprised when we heard."
"Yeah, there are way more than last time."
"Ah, I'm so, so happy. Is it really okay to be this happy?"
The other members nodded along, helping with the broadcast. As they expressed their thanks, countless heart emojis filled the chat.
Yoon Nara glanced at her fellow members, then refocused on the camera.
"Now, just in case there are those participating for the first time, let me briefly explain how the drawing works."
She held up a prepared raffle ticket.
"This raffle ticket comes with our album! If you look here, there's a code that serves as a unique number. Our agency staff have linked all the raffle tickets you sent in to our database."
"Of course, we helped out as well!"
"We did our best not to miss a single one!"
"But actually, our manager did most of the hard work."
The members' ad-libs kept the atmosphere light and friendly, and the chat was full of laughter.
"Out of all the tickets sent in, we'll pick 100 winners! Each member will personally select 25 winners."
"If it were up to us, we'd invite everyone......"
"Should I just go tell the CEO directly?"
"Oh, CEO! That was just Sehee talking on her own. We have nothing to do with that."
-lol immediate disavowal
― The cold, cruel world of idols......!
-lol so funny seriously lololol
― You guys are so cute when you're flustered lol
Yoon Nara chuckled as well and pressed on.
"Before we do the real drawing, we want to take a moment to recognize the enthusiasm and efforts of our Bricks. Wow, this time is really impressive, too."
"Why? Did we break another record?"
Yoon Nara's eyes widened as she read the cue sheet, and the other members piqued up.
So did the viewers in the chat.
After a short pause, she announced:
"The person who entered the most this time sent in a whopping 573 raffle tickets!"
"573 tickets?"
"Seriously? Wow......"
Unlike the surprised members, the chat's reaction was different.
― Bought 573 albums?
― That's like 8 million won
― Honestly, I'd do the same if I had the money lol
― This is why you need to get rich
― Until I get rich, all I can do is do infinite streaming ㅠ
The fans understood; some even apologized for not being able to buy more.
"No, no, even if you buy just one album, we're so grateful."
"Everyone who listens to our music is precious to us!"
"Streaming our songs is also a huge support for us!"
Each member expressed their thanks. Yoon Nara did the same, but added a comment.
"As much as I'm grateful, I also feel a little worried. Lately, we've seen people buy a lot of albums and then donate the ones left over. Honestly, I don't see that in a good light."
It was a sensitive topic for an idol, but she held nothing back.
"I know some who receive the donations are happy, but some feel like they got stuck with it against their will. I think that actually insults fan spirit. I hope none of our Bricks are like that."
― Totally agree, lol
― A leader needs to be solid like this
― This is Nara, right here
― Other fandoms get hated for stuff like this
― Not many groups even do fansign drawings live
― Most places just sweep any rigging suspicions under the rug ㅠㅠ
― I love how confident Sweeties is
With the fans' agreement, yoon Nara smiled as she carried on.
"Now, next......"
Other tidbits included someone who toured 49 stores nationwide to buy albums, the oldest participant being a 62-year-old woman, and the youngest an 8-year-old boy. With that, the mood was thoroughly warmed up before the drawing began.
"It's finally time for the drawing! We'll each handle picking our winners separately. If you check the app menu, you can select each member's camera!"
"Please come watch!"
"We'll do our best drawing for you!"
"Ah, I'm more nervous than usual!"
The members then spread out to their respective spots in the studio.
― They're not just pressing a button?
― Nope lol
― Sweeties is totally different from other idols lol
― Who should I watch?
― Keeping it simple is nice for chatting
― For me, it's always got to be Nara nunna!
― Nara unni's camera is always the best
Unlike other groups' draws, sweeties turned it into real content.
There were places in the studio for pressing buttons to draw a number, picking numbers and operators, and even a huge ladder game.
But the drawing method Yoon Nara chose was quite different from the others.
― Oh! Shooting this time
― Classic PE idol class lol
― So she reveals the number if she hits the target?
― Unni, why are you so coolㅠㅠ
― Her stance is insane
Yoon Nara grasped a toy rifle. After checking the BB pellet magazine, she quickly loaded the gun.
"Okay, let's start the drawing! As soon as the winning number is revealed, the winner will be contacted right away!"
She beamed as she shouldered the rifle. Just her stance alone sent hearts flooding across the chat.
― Please! Please! Please! Please!
― Nara nunna, I believe in you!
― Unni! I've bought so many gifts for youㅠㅠ
― Today is the day for religious unity!
― Too many people wishing for the same thing—the gods will have to fight it out
― May the victorious god be my god!
― Is this a sports day or what lol
As the chat scrolled rapidly, she focused her gaze. Targets at various distances began to move.
Yoon Nara took a steady breath.
"I'll start with the closest one."
For most people, hitting would be a question, but she was different. Thanks to her proven athleticism on many broadcasts, everyone expected her to succeed.
As she finished aiming and squeezed the trigger, the pellet flew and smacked the target dead on.
"Ah! Winner number 117963! Congratulations!"
― Oh ㅠㅠ I'm 116963!
― So jealous
― Still 24 winners left!
― Any winners here?
― Wow! Wowww I won!ㅠㅠㅠ
― Congrats!
― Wow! Congratulations!
― Thank youㅠㅠ This isn't a dream, right?
Winners' accounts were marked with a 'V' icon next to their number.
Yoon Nara kept drawing. As the targets fell, more winners popped up and thanked her in the chat.
― Wow...... the fansign cutoff has gotten so much higher.
― There's someone who bought 573 albums, so lol
― For real, sweeties has blown up lately lol
― Uh... I thought I'd be okay this time, but now I'm anxious ㅠㅠ
As the remaining winners dwindled, the chat's mood became a little heavier.
Yoon Nara, keeping an eye on the chat, picked up on this right away.
"Don't give up! Whether you bought one ticket or many, you're precious to us all the same!"
― Our nunna always says things so nicely lol
― It's okay, unniㅠㅠ Next time I'll earn more!
― Fact is, money does matter
― Probability is probability lol
The fans relished her encouragement, but accepted reality.
Even though Yoon Nara felt bad, she couldn't show it. As an idol, staying neutral among fans was best.
She pulled the trigger again.
The target was at a fair distance, but her aim was true as ever.
"127013! Congratulations!"
Another winner drawn.
But this time, the chat's reaction to the winner was dryer—at least, until the winner themselves spoke up.
― Oh?
― Can't believe I actually won, haha
'What's this?'
Yoon Nara was momentarily caught off guard. Weren't fans usually overwhelmed the instant they won, unable to hide their excitement?
She'd never seen such a dry reaction from a winner in her idol career.
But that oddity didn't last.
― But really, your form and marksmanship are impressive
― You'd probably be great at games too
Yoon Nara flinched at the next comment, but luckily no one seemed to notice.
― Nunna has extraordinary athleticism, lol
― She was amazing at sports events too
― She's not a PE idol for nothing
― Bet she'd beat boy groups if they competed
― Is there anything she can't do ㅠㅠ
Everyone seemed to agree with that comment.
'Why did games suddenly come up? Am I just being paranoid?'
Yoon Nara decided to just take it as a compliment and went at it with renewed energy.
"Okay! It's not over till it's over! Here we go again!"
She deliberately raised her voice, reviving the mood in the chat. With another shot, she knocked down the next target.
After several more winners were drawn—
"135779! Congratulations!"
Her bright voice was soon followed by the next winner appearing in chat.
― Wow! Won again!
Yoon Nara was momentarily at a loss for words. The other fans probably felt the same.
― What? Duplicate winner?
― Did they save the nation in a past life?
― Saved Nara nunna, you mean?
― No, not that Nara lol
― Though maybe it really is that Nara, lol
― If you keep winning in Nara unni's draw, it might be true
― Or maybe it's the one who bought 573 tickets?
― Gotta respect the big spender!
Jealousy swelled in the chat. Yoon Nara quickly regained her composure and spoke.
"Wow, it's been a long time since we had a double winner! In that case, Mr. Lee Gyeongbok can bring one more guest. It'd be perfect to introduce Sweeties to someone new this time!"
The winner replied in chat.
― I'll have to see who to bring
― Not an opportunity you see every day
Other fans joined in.
― Can't resist recruiting new fans!
― If you invite someone to a Sweeties event, they'll fall for them, guaranteed
― Hey, want to get to know me starting today?
― Live friend recruiting, lol
― Ah ㅠㅠ So jealous
Yoon Nara's attention shifted at that point.
A staff member out of camera view updated her on the progress. While there was no need to finish the draws at the exact same time, it'd be ideal to wrap up together.
'The others are almost finished. I need to speed up.'
The fans' focus quickly returned to her as Yoon Nara resumed her shooting.
A little later—
"Hoo, only one winner left now."
Yoon Nara's 25th and last draw—only one winner remained.
'I hurried, but it came down to the last one.'
The other members had finished their draws. Most viewers had now tuned in to her camera.
Wishes and pleas flooded the chat at breakneck speed.
Yoon Nara took a breath.
'Which target should I pick......'
Her eyes scanned the targets. She settled on the farthest one.
'Let's challenge myself with the hardest one for the last.'
She adjusted her stance.
The earlier, closer targets had been manageable, but this one left no margin for error.
Steeling herself, she locked on, holding her breath, her finger smoothly squeezing the trigger without any tremor.
A seamless shot.
Bullseye.
As the target dropped, she called out the number.
"114968! Congratulations on being the last winner!"
"Wow! Congratulations!"
"Congrats!"
"Thank you so much for entering!"
Since it was the last one, the other members also clapped and joined in celebrating.
― Ah ㅠㅠ Didn't make it after all
― So jealous of the 100th winner
― Congratulations!
― Please enjoy it in my place ㅠㅠ
The other fans were disappointed but congratulated the winner anyway.
But then—
― That was a perfect shot haha
― At this level, you'd probably destroy most streamers out there
The winner's comment suddenly turned the chat upside down.
― Wait, lol, they've got three V icons now
― Triple winner, that's crazy
― Betting this is the 573-ticket person
― Lots of things come into the hands of big spenders
― If they're talking about gaming and streaming, bet they're called "boss" in that world too
― Watch, this person's really a CEO or something
― But honestly, what would Nara nunna ever need with a streaming career, lol!
― Though if she tried, she'd probably crush everyone
― Nara nunna as a gamer? I'd follow forever
People concluded he was a devoted fan who'd invested a lot, and just accepted it.
But Yoon Nara felt a strange sense of dissonance from his comment.
'Not just gaming, but streaming?'
It sounded almost like he knew about her other identity, newtonLord.
'No, I'm just being paranoid.'
After all, it was just a hunch. It was an odd reaction, but not impossible.
Everyone knew about her renowned athletic prowess.
― Ah, need to go to work now
― Enjoyed the broadcast!
Meanwhile, the winner left a short message and disappeared.
― So even big spenders have jobs
― If he works evenings, probably a businessman?
― If it takes 190 albums per ticket for three wins, he must've bought a lot
― This fansign cutoff is confirmed as sky-high, lol
Because the winner was gone, other fans didn't realize—
― I'm the one who bought 573 albums
-??
― Huh?
― Wait, what?
― I only won two times
― Uh?
The triple winner had only sent in three tickets to the agency.
― Then how many did that person buy?
― Over 700 now?
― If so, nara nunna would have said something at the start!
― No, then how lucky are they?
Only three tickets, that's all.
* * *
That night, on Purple's stream.
"It's been a while, but nothing much has changed."
Lee Gyeongbok smiled and shrugged. His comeback match in Gunner Ground had once again ended in a perfect result.
-lol, class never fades
― Purple's physical prowess is legendary......
― He brings chill to the tense world of GunG
― What's that supposed to mean?
― If you meet Purple, death is inevitable lol
-lol it actually gets relaxed because death is a guarantee
― Best to meet him late if you want to rank higher
― Avoiding Purple was the real content, lol
― Uhwooper, is that science?
― He seems even better after the break, lol
Viewers couldn't hide their admiration. But soon, their interest drifted elsewhere.
― Tell us the team members before turning off the stream!
― With Purple and Genome, anyone else is just baggage
― For real, only super skilled people can keep up on Perfect Team
― But even heavy baggage gets carried by the Zero-to-Hundred Bus!
― Ah, that's the Perfect-Bus (nods)
They were talking about the lineup revealed for the Gunner Ground event along with the streamer list.
With names revealed one by one, genome and Purple were known to be on the same team, but the other two members were still secret.
"I'd like to share quickly too, but I can't or it'd be a spoiler."
Lee Gyeongbok refused viewers' requests flatly. But then, with a confident smile, he said,
"What I can say for sure is we recruited some team members who'll really surprise you."
― Guaranteed surprise?
― If Godple says this, who the heck is it? wow
― A big one on top of another big one!
― Come on! How can you tease us like this!
-lol this channel really knows marketing
― It's all viral marketing, lol
― Of course it's viral—they're participants! lol
Lee Gyeongbok smiled and waved at viewers' comments.
"Please wait for the official reveal! I'll see you on the next broadcast. Good night!"
With that, the stream ended.
Returning to reality, Lee Gyeongbok opened a capsule and stepped outside.
At that moment, his Smart Link vibrated.
[〉Hey, we have to go to the fansign together, right?]
The message was from Choi Byeonghun.
[〉Me too? Why?]
He'd already been told about the Sweeties fansign win before the stream. But why did he need Gyeongbok to come too?
[〉Didn't you hear in the draw broadcast?]
[〉Guests can go, but the winner has to come in person.]
[〉But all three tickets were entered under your name.]
[〉And fansign tickets aren't transferable, so you have to go, no matter what, or I can't get in.]
Lee Gyeongbok wrinkled his nose.
[〉Well, guess there's no choice.]
[〉But what do we do with the extra ticket?]
[〉Anyone you want to bring?]
There were three winning tickets. Even with Gyeongbok and Choi Byeonghun, one spot remained.
[〉No one on my end]
[〉If no one turns up, I'll do a good deed in the Sweeties fan cafe and rescue someone]
[〉Ok]
[〉Edit well~]
With that, Gyeongbok finished the chat and got ready to wash up. The broadcast was over, so his day was done.
Just then, there was a knock at the front door.
"... Who is it?"
No one visited at this hour, so Lee Gyeongbok puzzled as he walked to the door.
He briefly worried it might be an issue, but his divine energy was calm. In fact, as he got closer, he recognized it as a familiar kind.
He opened the door.
"Park Juho?"
Park Juho stood there.
With a very serious face, head slightly bowed, and nothing to say.
"What's wrong? Something happen?"
Gyeongbok asked about his friend's condition.
Park Juho, as if frozen like a statue, finally spoke.
"...want to."
"Huh?"
Gyeongbok asked back, barely catching his quiet voice.
"I want to go too."
"Go? Where?"
Gyeongbok trailed off as his gaze fell to the shopping bag in Juho's hand.
Inside, Gyeongbok's eyes widened at the items.
"... You?"
"Yeah."
Park Juho lifted the bag with a flourish.
"I'm a Brick too!"
A light stick, a fan, a towel, and more.
The bag was full of Sweeties' fan, brick, merch.
"You, you're...?"
It was rare for Gyeongbok to be this flustered. He never expected Juho to be a Sweeties fan.
Juho, noting Gyeongbok's expression, stepped in.
"I've been keeping it secret just in case. Figured I could guess how you and Byeonghun would react."
He sighed and put the bag on the table.
"So I just enjoyed it alone. But how did I, who bought 40 tickets, lose and you win?"
"That's just luck..."
"Last time the fansign cutoff was 30, so I thought I was safe, but I didn't expect you would take three spots."
Juho gave a bitter laugh.
'This guy has been stanning idols?'
Gyeongbok could sense the truth in his reaction. Given how rational and cool-headed he usually was, it was a shock but not something he couldn't accept.
'Byeonghun too... Sweeties must really be popular.'
He had no intention of interfering with his friend's hobby. In fact, it was kind of touching he'd revealed it after all this time.
"When did you start being a fan?"
"Since I started working. Especially when I had those godawful business trips. It was the only thing that helped me de-stress."
"Ah..."
"You might not get it, but it was a huge help to me. So I..."
Juho paused, but then made up his mind.
"I even became a fan cafe admin."
"... Admin?"
"Yeah. I was already a treasurer, so when it came to sending coffee trucks and setting up birthday ads, I ended up in charge."
"Oh."
Hearing about his friend's secret pursuits, Gyeongbok was impressed.
'No wonder he was a pro at managing the fanpage and handling trouble.'
For the Team Perfect president, it was like hiring a newcomer who'd hidden his experience.
"Wait, how did you know I won?"
"You know I check your email, right?"
"Email? Oh...!"
Gyeongbok slapped his forehead. He'd automatically written his usual address when filling in the raffle ticket entry.
No doubt Juho saw the confirmation mail with schedule and venue after the win.
"When did you become a fan?"
"Huh? Ah, well..."
Gyeongbok hesitated, then told him about Choi Byeonghun. No problem—he was a fellow fan now.
"Choi Byeonghun? He was a fan too?"
"Yeah, he hid it because he thought you'd make fun of him. Lied about tossing his raffle tickets too."
"Hmph, he's a newbie then. I'll have to teach him all the efficient streaming tactics."
As Juho's eyes sparkled, Gyeongbok burst out laughing.
"Well, glad it worked out. It's been a while since the three of us hung out together, this'll be good."
It had been ages since the three friends went out together, always busy with work.
"This'll be fun."
Gyeongbok found himself looking forward to the autograph session more than he expected.
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**New Names, locations, skills, and Techniques List:**