Idol of the Heavenly One - vanish into fiction

When we were nominated for the rookie award, I honestly did not expect anything. It had been over a year, and many boy groups debuted this year as well.

But when our name was called for the rookie award, I was so surprised that I think I literally jumped in my seat. Then Baek Jae-heon, who was sitting next to me, looked at me and smiled. At that moment, I realized maybe he had known we were going to win, which made me feel a little embarrassed. I also thought that since this would be his third rookie award, it probably wouldn’t feel as moving for him.

We laughed together with the members and walked up to the stage. The leader, Joo I-rip, held the trophy in one hand and the microphone in the other, immediately thanking the staff we work with at the company.

Then he looked around to see who should receive the microphone and trophy next. Normally quiet, Baek Jae-heon unexpectedly took the trophy and stepped in front of the microphone.

“Um…”

His face, looking down at the rookie award trophy, was somehow flushed differently than usual. It was as if he were receiving it for the first time.

“I didn’t expect to get this… It’s amazing.”

Was this really his first time? Had he not won in previous rounds?

“I feel even happier and that it is very precious. Thank you very much.”

Judging by his expression, it seemed this truly was his first time receiving it. Even in the previous rounds, YEARZ was already a national idol, but this was their first rookie award. As Baek Jae-heon said, it was amazing. The songs and concepts were probably the same, but why were they able to win the rookie award this time? Perhaps the many events that had happened made the issue more prominent.

“This… will probably be a driving force for us to work even harder. Thank you.”

Baek Jae-heon bowed at a 90-degree angle. Seeing him, the members also bent forward in a bow, and small laughter could be heard around us.

Then Go Hee-min, crying, gave thanks to the fans and our families. We carried the award and headed down to the waiting room.

“Ah, stop crying, hyung. I think we need to redo the makeup.”

Go Hee-min kept shedding tears the entire way, and the members surrounded him, patting him gently. Seeing this, I quietly moved next to Baek Jae-heon and asked softly.

“This is your first rookie award, right?”

“Yes.”

“It’s amazing. When we were first called, I thought this would be your third time experiencing it.”

“Yeah. Really amazing.”

Baek Jae-heon stopped walking in the corridor, then looked at me and the members. I naturally stopped as well, facing him. His eyes seemed deeper than usual.

“Are you crying?”

“…No, I’m not.”

“You are…!”

“….”

Baek Jae-heon’s eyes were red. I laughed and said, “You are crying!” Eight other eyes, including Go Hee-min’s, turned toward us.

“Baek Jae-heon is crying?”

“Crazy.”

“Jae-heon, are you crying?”

“Really?”

As if the members had been waiting for this moment, they ran toward Baek Jae-heon like football players. He was surrounded in the hallway before entering the waiting room, and the behind-the-scenes camera captured everything.

“Ah, don’t.”

Baek Jae-heon, who seemed like he would never cry, was cute as he did, and the members hugged him, smothering him with affection.

“The guy who seems unfazed even if he wins the grand prize is crying because of the rookie award. Cute guy.”

The voice belonged to Joo I-rip. He seemed genuinely proud of Baek Jae-heon, kissing the top of his head as if he were his own child. The hairstylist behind them was frowning, and Baek Jae-heon managed to control his tears before even a drop fully ran down his face.

“Did you give birth to Baek Jae-heon?”

I finally said something, pulling Joo I-rip and the other members away. Once they stepped back, Baek Jae-heon’s hair was quickly restored by the stylists.

After receiving instructions to return to the waiting area, we placed the trophy down and headed toward the singer’s waiting seats. The members went ahead, and Baek Jae-heon and I walked down the corridor together behind them.