Chapter 1

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Chapter 1
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Everyone dreams of standing at the pinnacle.

"You've waited a long time. The winner of this year's Daesang is,"

But there is only one pinnacle.

"Not just a generation, but an era's beloved artist, who shone brightly this year as well—"

And the moment I stood at that pinnacle—

"Baek Nok-ha!"

I couldn't feel happy at all.

***

"Unnie! Congratulations on the Daesang!"

"Nok-ha, you truly worked hard! Thank you for mentioning us Greenies!"

On the way out from the awards ceremony, fans were waiting for me in the parking lot.

Such grateful people. To wait like this, even in the cold weather.

I greeted the fans, albeit from inside the car, and sent my final thanks.

"Thank you, my Greenies. I'll be back to greet you all again soon."

Normally, I would have greeted them longer, thanked them more profusely... but today, I wasn't in the right state of mind for it.

In fact, I barely remembered how I even got here.

As soon as the car windows were fully up, Manager Unnie turned to face me.

"You did well, Nok-ha. Really. Your heart must have been in turmoil... but you didn't show it at all, you did so well. Your acceptance speech was also... perfectly emotional and well-delivered. Everyone's touched, and the reactions are great."

Manager Unnie, who had been with me for ten years already, comforted me.

But at this moment, none of those congratulatory or comforting words registered.

The Daesang Trophy lay carefully on the seat beside me, but I couldn't even see it right now.

"Unnie, I'm really grateful... but first, let's go to the hospital, quickly."

"Ah, yes. Of course. I'll drive as fast as I can."

"Thank you."

The reason was,

"My mother... how is she doing?"

Because of a phone call that came just before the Daesang award.

'Nok-ha, don't be too surprised. Your mother... there was a fire at home...'

The message was simple.

But it was anything but simple.

A fire had broken out at my mother's house, and my mother, who had been alone at home watching my award ceremony, had been caught in the blaze.

The fire was now suppressed, but my mother was in critical condition.

However, I couldn't go to the hospital immediately.

Because in exactly five minutes, I would be receiving the Daesang.

My third Daesang.

Three consecutive Daesangs.

Just hearing it was an incredible title.

It wasn't just me who had waited for this award; it was a moment everyone who supported me had been waiting for.

"Just 30 minutes. Just accept the award, give your speech, and come down. Then we'll go straight to the hospital." Faced with my agency CEO's persuasion, I couldn't refuse.

'Nok-ha, I'll go to the hospital first. I'll update you immediately on your mother's condition, so you just stay here for a moment, okay? Just receive the award and come out right away.'

It wasn't for the CEO.

It wasn't for myself either.

It was for the fans holding my slogan in the audience right behind me.

As soon as I received the Daesang and came down from the stage, I rushed out in a daze.

The hateful comments that would surely come for not staying until the end already flashed through my mind, but I didn't care about any of that.

"First, about why you left in the middle, the CEO said he'd release an article. That your mother is in critical condition—"

"Unnie. I'm fine. Really. Let's just... go quickly."

"Ah, yes, of course."

Manager Unnie awkwardly looked forward again.

Honestly, nothing else registered in my mind right now except for my mother.

Just then,

Our spring will return again—

A bell sound that made my heart plummet rang out.

My song, the one that won me the Daesang.

I cherished that song so much, but now, why did it sound so terrifying?

'Idiot CEO Seo'

The caller was... the agency CEO, Seo Chang-un.

The person who had gone to the hospital in my stead.

With trembling hands, I answered the call, and

-I'm sorry, Nok-ha... I'm truly sorry...

I had to hear the news I never wanted to hear.

I don't know what I was thinking at that moment.

"Unnie."

"Huh? What did the CEO say?"

"Pull the car over."

"Huh? We're in the middle of the road here? I'll pull over a little further."

"Just... just pull over anywhere quickly. I feel like I'm going to throw up."

With the constant urge to vomit rising, I just blurted out to stop the car.

Manager Unnie, flustered, pulled the car over to the side as quickly as possible.

The moment the car stopped, I opened the door and just threw up.

I hadn't eaten properly for two days due to busy schedules, so only a bit of stomach acid came out.

In emptiness and despair, I simply slumped to the ground and laughed, "Ha."

What is this?

Why is God playing tricks on me?

Today should have been my best moment, so why did it turn into my worst?

I had run so, so far for this day. I hadn't run alone; so many of my people, my fans, had run with me.

Why did it have to be turned into such a terrible moment?

In that moment, a mix of anger and injustice,

-Unfair?

A truly... strange being appeared.

"...What are you?"

I rarely used informal speech. After my debut, I obsessively used formal speech with everyone, just in case I made a mistake.

But this thing in front of me...

-What I am isn't important. What you want right now is what's important.

It definitely wasn't human.

It was something like a very small Cotton Ball. A black Cotton Ball, floating around.

"...Am I seeing things because I'm too shocked?"

I instinctively looked for Manager Unnie. If I was really seeing things, it meant I wasn't sane.

"Unnie, Unnie?"

But the reply that would normally come in a second was nowhere to be heard.

I managed to stand up and peered into the car.

Something was wrong.

Manager Unnie wasn't there.

And not just that.

There were no cars on the road, and not a single person on the street.

"...Am I really seeing things?"

-Not seeing things.

Then, the Cotton Ball came beside me and twitched.

"You startled me!"

-We're short on time, so let's get straight to the point.

"You, what exactly are you...?"

-You want to bring your mother back to life, don't you?

"…!"

At the Cotton Ball's words, which pierced through me, I froze, unable to say anything.

-I'll turn this moment that became your worst, back into your best moment.

The Cotton Ball had no face, so it had no expression.

Yet, I could feel it.

That this Cotton Lump was smiling.

"...How?"

-It's simple. I'll make the fire as if it never happened. You'll receive the Daesang, and your mother will be safely at home watching you.

The Cotton Ball zipped around in front of my eyes.

-Then, poof! You'll be able to fully and joyfully enjoy your Daesang, won't you?

"...."

It was clearly a perfect offer.

To the point where I was convinced I must be dreaming, dreaming because I wished for it so desperately.

I just let out a small laugh. If it was a dream, I might as well play along a little longer.

Because once I woke up from this dream... it would be hell again anyway.

"So, what do you get out of this?"

-Ah, that's not very simple.

The Cotton Ball's fluff drooped.

-But I'm sure you can do it.

"...Me?"

What the heck is it?

I looked at the Cotton Ball with skeptical eyes.

Is this dream trying to scam me?

-Baek Nok-ha. A 10-year veteran singer-songwriter and idol. Since her debut, she's swept awards from Rookie of the Year, to Excellence Award, Top Excellence Award, Popularity Award, and even the Daesang. She's received the Daesang, an award given only once a year, twice already. She's undeniably the best female solo artist. Her recognition, fandom, preference, and image are all top-tier. Truly, the terms 'born-to-be idol' and 'born-to-be top star' suit her. Of course, you're more of a hard worker than naturally gifted, but still.

...Why the sudden compliments?

I'd heard it many times before, but hearing it from this Cotton Ball made me feel awkward.

-And then finally today! You were going to win your third consecutive Daesang! Fulfilling everyone's wishes. Ugh, how cool. Reaching the peak as an idol!

So I was.

I smiled bitterly.

-But you see, there's a pitiful soul who wants to be like you.

"Wants to be like me?"

I muttered without thinking.

-Yes. Someone who wants to reach the pinnacle like you. If you help that soul, I'll help you too.

The Cotton Ball regained its vigor and zipped around.

But I was puzzled.

"How can I possibly help them? I might be an idol, but I'm not a god. I don't know how to help a soul."

-That's why I'm here.

The Cotton Ball fluffed up its fibers.

-Don't worry about the method. Just decide whether or not to accept my offer.

I couldn't answer easily.

Even if it was a dream, I had a feeling this Cotton Ball was avoiding the question.

-If you promise to help that soul, I'll help you too. I'll make the fire that struck your mother completely disappear.

But it was an offer I couldn't refuse.

It was offering to give my mother back... how could I not accept?

"...I accept."

It was offering to save my mother, who had lived her entire life for me.

-An excellent choice!

The Cotton Ball let out a strange cackle, then instantly grew enormous.

-Oh, by the way, Baek Nok-ha.

"...Why?"

I was staring blankly at the Cotton Ball as it grew insanely large when it spoke to me.

-If you could take just one thing from your body to your next life, what would you take?

"...?"

-Answer quickly.

"...My voice...?"

-Another excellent choice!

The Cotton Ball laughed eerily again.

And then it suddenly opened its enormous mouth and swallowed me.

Without time to react, I was engulfed by darkness.

***

"Damn it."

And I was definitely scammed.

"What's with this overworked vocal cord?"

I sat idly in the practice room and muttered.

"What's with this body that has no muscle?"

The practice room had an entire wall covered in mirrors.

But it was certainly not my agency's practice room.

This was the practice room of 'Colors', one of Korea's major entertainment agencies.

And I was a trainee at Colors—

"And what are all these... these ridiculous things?"

I had become 'Yun Cheong'.

Destined to be a member of 'StillBlue', a girl group that would debut in a year and disband two years later.

*Ding!*

Congratulations! You have become 'Yun Cheong'.

From now on, you must save the doomed girl group, 'StillBlue'!

Damn it.

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