Chapter 140: Imminent Official Debut

Several days had passed since Chen Zhe and Krystal’s date and mutual confession. Due to their respective schedules, the two had no time to meet up again since then, leaving the newly established young couple—both experiencing the initial upward surge of budding romance—rather frustrated.

The reason for such intense busyness was that Chen Zhe’s debut on Music Bank was fast approaching. With the date drawing near, he had to spend a vast amount of time every day inside the practice room.

Aside from filming with the production crew, practically all of his remaining time was poured into the practice room. Every bit of this effort was dedicated to crafting the finest possible debut stage.

"No, that won't do. Your pitch started a bit too high, and your movements were a beat behind. Let's take it from the top!"

Inside the practice room at LOEN Entertainment, a crowd had gathered around Chen Zhe. Aside from the company president who had sweet-talked Chen Zhe into joining, the music director, the dance instructor, the company's reigning queen, and the manager were all present.

Their primary reason for gathering was to make final preparations for Chen Zhe's debut stage, watch his performance, and point out areas for improvement based on their experience.

The person who had just pointed out Chen Zhe's flaw was none other than the music director, Bae Soo-yong. As LOEN's music director, he possessed not only profound achievements in music but also a unique mastery of dance.

"Yes, I understand, Instructor Bae. I'll go through it again right away!"

Although Chen Zhe and Bae Soo-yong usually joked and bantered with each other, whenever serious business was at hand, both would slip into a solemn and rigorous work mode, devoid of their usual playful smirks.

Therefore, immediately after Bae Soo-yong pointed out his mistake, Chen Zhe ceased his movements as instructed, returned to the starting positions alongside the backup dancers, and prepared to begin anew.

***

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ocean in Brockville, Ontario, Canada, a young girl resting on her holiday break suddenly bolted upright in bed. Frowning, she glanced around her surroundings.

When her eyes turned to the calendar hanging on the wall, however, her knitted brows instantly smoothed out. A faint, glistening light appeared in her eyes as she looked at the calendar, as if she had spotted something quite interesting.

***

KBS Music Bank

Time flew, and the date quickly advanced to August 17th—the day Chen Zhe would officially debut as a singer.

In the backstage dressing room area of KBS Music Bank, thanks to LOEN Entertainment's arrangements, Chen Zhe had been assigned to the exclusive dressing room of his senior labelmate, Lee Ji-eun.

At the moment, however, IU’s relatively modest dressing room was packed to the brim with people. Because of the sheer number of occupants, the main door stood wide open to ensure proper ventilation.

Artists passing by in the corridor couldn't help but peer into the crowded room, filled with curiosity about who on earth was inside, given that so many senior artists had come to show their support.

"I must say, brat, once you've had your makeup done, you actually look quite decent. You look like a mature young man; that naive, little-kid vibe has faded quite a bit. But this is the only way to match the age your song is meant to portray!"

Watching the reflection of Chen Zhe's face in the mirror—made more mature and captivating than before thanks to the cosmetics—Im Yoona couldn't resist reaching out to pat his shoulder, speaking with a teasing undertone.

"Oh? Well, as my noona, Yoona noona, have you prepared any debut gift to give to your younger brother?"

Chen Zhe certainly wasn't going to let a troublemaker like Im Yoona off easy. He immediately fired back, invoking his status as her younger brother to demand a debut present.

"What? As a younger brother and a junior, you actually dare to demand a gift from a senior and a noona like me? It seems I need to properly fulfill my responsibilities as your senior and noona and teach this ill-mannered brat a lesson."

Seeing Chen Zhe hold out his palm toward her, Im Yoona didn't hesitate for a second before swatting his hand away, only for the recoil to make her own palm sting even more.

"Unnie, stop fooling around with Ah-zhe. It was hard enough for him to get his makeup done, and he has to go on stage soon. Don't ruin his makeup, or the makeup artist will probably want to kill you."

Feeling the lingering sting in her palm, Im Yoona grew increasingly irritated. Biting her lower lip, she readied herself to pounce on Chen Zhe as she often did, ready to wrestle.

Just as she was about to move, however, a pair of strong arms reached out from beneath her armpits, locking her securely in place and depriving her of any chance to strike.

Accompanying this restraining maneuver was a gentle yet unyielding female voice.

"Seohyun, you actually turned on me—the noona who raised you—just for Ah-zhe? Unbelievable, all the affection I wasted on you in the past was for nothing!"

Hearing the voice from behind, Im Yoona realized that the person locking her down wasn't a stranger, but rather Seohyun—the younger sister she had always cherished dearly.

While muttering complaints of dissatisfaction, she frantically twisted her body, attempting to wriggle free from Seohyun's hold.

Right at that moment, a pair of hands appeared on either side of Im Yoona's face, gently pinching her cheeks and pulling them outward in opposite directions, instantly prompting another loud shriek of pain.

"Ah, those two are still the exact same. Not a single bit changed. No, rather than saying they haven't changed, it's more like they've gotten even more eccentric than before!"

Watching the younger girls kick off yet another commotion, Kim Heechul couldn't help rubbing his forehead, offering a helpless complaint to Shindong, who was seated beside him.

"Well, calling them eccentric is rich, when our own group is pretty much the same! Besides, you're just about the last person qualified to say that!"

Gazing at Kim Heechul, who was wearing the expression of an old veteran, Shindong replied first, though upon recalling the antics of his own group, his eyes drifted toward a certain member completely lacking in self-awareness.

"Aren't you going to go over and say a few words to Ah-zhe, Little Bean, like Yoona sunbaenim and the others did to help ease his nervousness?"

Also inside the dressing room, Victoria and Krystal stood somewhat apart from Chen Zhe. Victoria glanced at the youngest member, whose gaze had remained fixed entirely on Chen Zhe.

Giving the younger girl's shoulder a gentle tap, Victoria offered a reminder. Having looked after the members of her group for so long, Victoria had faintly picked up on the sudden shift in the dynamic between Chen Zhe and Krystal recently.

"No thanks, Victoria unnie. Whatever needed to be said, I already said over the phone last night!"

Placing her hand over Victoria's on her shoulder, Krystal's tone was somewhat indifferent, as if she had reverted once more to the little ice queen who kept strangers at a distance.