NOVEL NEXT Chapter 210
[Python is an amazing group. But we believe our Rookies are even better.]
[This time, Python and Rookies have overlapping schedules…. We will show a better appearance while competing fairly.]
The night when the music releases from Rookies and Python simultaneously.
“…What on earth is this sudden acceleration?”
Python’s leader, O Ah-ra, was smirking while watching Ha Ye-rin’s showcase press conference video.
Thanks to that, people’s attention focused on the rivalry between Rookies and Python, which had a positive effect, but… this press conference by Ha Ye-rin was quite baffling.
And, at the same time, it made her uneasy.
The Ha Ye-rin O Ah-ra knew had a cold and fierce impression, but she also had a gentle and tender heart.
However….
‘I will protect Rookies.’
Inside her was an indescribable strength beyond her gentle side.
Above all, the song from Rookies this time was exceptionally good.
Of course, Python’s second album title track, [Love like dark], was a solid track as well…
But this time, Rookies seemed like they had sharpened their knives.
‘…The music will be released soon.’
Of course, if you simply compare the number of fans right now, Rookies is vastly superior to Python.
Rookies’ overall quality has improved, and thanks to Ha Ye-rin’s remarks, Rookies’ fans are fervently fired up.
Objectively speaking, it seemed that Python was absolutely at a disadvantage in the music release…
‘But still, I want to win.’
For Python and O Ah-ra, this activity was equally crucial.
With Rookies having declared open war against them…
O Ah-ra earnestly wished to win this music release performance.
Ding.
“……!”
And the bell signaling exactly 12 o’clock rang….
“Ara-chan! Our song is out! Come out quickly!”
“…Got it.”
Responding to Kanna’s call, O Ah-ra stepped into the living room where the other Python members were gathered.
“Ara unnie. Hurry up.”
“Our song is getting a good reaction!”
They wouldn’t know whether they charted until an hour later and could only see the fans’ general reactions for now.
Whether it was the YouTube music video comments or posts in the music community, the reactions to Python’s new song were incredibly positive.
‘Maybe…? Just possibly…’
O Ah-ra’s anticipation grew stronger.
Rookies’ [Meteor] is a digital single, while [Love like dark] is the title track of the second regular album.
Due to the difference in album sales, of course, on the music shows, Python couldn’t help but to rank above Rookies.
But what if Python outperformed Rookies in the music release rankings too…?
If they win in both music releases and music shows, they could sweep the awards and surpass Rookies by the end of the year awards.
Of course, that was pushing her optimism to the extreme…. but it was not entirely impossible.
So, O Ah-ra prayed inwardly and waited with her members until 1 AM, when the first music rankings are released….
Ding.
“It’s 1 o’clock…!”
“…Let’s refresh.”
When it became exactly 1 o’clock, she refreshed the page with trembling hands.
Boom.
“……!”
Upon glancing at the screen, the Python album cover appeared in the Top 100 rankings.
They had successfully charted.
Now the important thing was whether their ranking was higher than Rookies.
And the result was…!
[95th Love like dark – Python] New!
[71st Meteor – Rookies] New!
“Ah….”
…As expected, Rookies had won.
The ranking was 95 to 71.
The tremendous difference in firepower between the two groups was vividly clear.
O Ah-ra expected to be overwhelmed by Rookies, but seeing the actual difference made her go stiff.
“Wow-! We charted! Sugoi!”
Of course, other Python members were even more thrilled by the fact that they charted.
For them, charting in the Top 100 within an hour as rookie idols was quite an achievement.
O Ah-ra was the only one who seriously considered Rookies as rivals.
To the other members, Rookies was just a natural disaster that debuted with Na Ah Ah’s overwhelming recognition.
“Wow…, Rookies charted at 71st.”
“Awesome…. This is totally unbelievable.”
“Ye-rin’s song was really good.”
Thus, other Python members admired Rookies’ impressive performance and praised them instead.
They were confident that someday their names would surpass Rookies, so they weren’t in a hurry.
But O Ah-ra was different.
“……”
In her previous life, Rookies had never once ranked first in the Top 100.
‘Congratulations! The participant who placed 5th in my Idol Academia final individual voting is O Ah-ra trainee!’
‘Wowww!’
The Rookies, which O Ah-ra was part of in her previous life, were discussing their disbandment around this time because they could not gain popularity.
‘Huh, thank you for giving me the glorious opportunity of debuting with Rookies…. I will devote myself for Rookies from now on.’
O Ah-ra loved her first group, Rookies.
At the same time….
‘…So remember that.’
‘Team leader…! What do you mean by that…? Early disbandment, what are you talking about…! We’re still…!’
‘It’s already been decided from above.’
‘Please, team leader…!’
‘Give it up. O Ah-ra, you need to find your own path now.’
…She resented Rookies.
The company that abandoned them without support, the members who left without solving their problems…
O Ah-ra hated the name Rookies, which labeled her as a failure and prevented her from making a comeback.
She hated it. So much.
Therefore, after being reborn, she didn’t even look at Na Ah Ah or Rookies.
Since she diligently built her skills from a young age, she entered YW as a trainee, prepared meticulously, and debuted as Python.
But it seemed like the Rookies of this lifetime were mocking her as they showed completely different results compared to her past life.
In her previous life, Rookies had no chance of avoiding early disbandment no matter what O Ah-ra did…
But in this life, they were receiving love from all over the nation, surpassing Python, to whom she belonged.
It felt as if someone was saying this:
Because of you, Rookies of my previous life failed.
‘…No.’
Maybe that was why.
O Ah-ra didn’t want to admit the fact that Rookies in this life were above Python.
No, she couldn’t admit it.
‘I hate it…, I really hate it….’
At that moment, O Ah-ra felt an intense impulse to erase the name Rookies from the chart entirely.
It seemed like she could do anything for that purpose.
This time, our Rookies’ third activity song [Meteor] achieved ‘great success.’
The Top 100 chart ranking was a whopping 71st.
In just 24 hours, it skyrocketed to 3rd place, and the following day it took 1st place.
It matched or surpassed the level of popularity from when Rookies was at its peak with [Secret Girl].
This signified that our Rookies had welcomed a new peak of popularity.
Especially, there were many compliments about my vocals improving significantly in this single.
Along with that, there were plenty of praises for other members, so we could joyfully start our activities in a warm atmosphere.
Perhaps due to this warm atmosphere.
Our Rookies never lost the top spot on the music charts during the first week….
[Let’s check who the Music Boom candidates are this week~]
[Meteor – Rookies]
In just the first week, they became candidates for the top spot on terrestrial music shows without any album sales, which showed how remarkable [Meteor]‘s music performance was.
Of course, they didn’t win 1st place, but just being nominated revealed how impressive [Meteor]‘s music performance truly was.
“Ah~ what a pity!”
“Well, we didn’t expect to win 1st place since it’s a digital single!”
Probably because of that, as our Rookies descended from the music show stage, their expressions were relaxed.
Just like the other members, I moved to the waiting room with a smile.
But at that moment.
“……Huh.”
While we were returning to the waiting room, we unexpectedly ran into the members of Python in the hallway.
“…Hello!”
“We’re enjoying the new song!”
It was a bit awkward, but since we had greeted each other before, we exchanged polite smiles and bowed.
Except for one person.
“……?”
Only O Ah-ra was looking at me with significant eyes.
With her gaze icy enough to sense danger, I tilted my head and greeted her.
Considering my previous remarks at the Rookies showcase could have been perceived as disrespectful, I thought I should apologize.
But….
“Have you been doing well? …I apologize for my previous slip of the tongue….”
“……”
Swish.
O Ah-ra simply walked past me.
“Whoa!”
“Ara-chan!”
“Uh…, goodbye!”
As the leader O Ah-ra passed by, the other Python members were taken aback but soon bowed their heads to follow her.
Our Rookies members, including myself, couldn’t help but be a little startled by O Ah-ra’s angry demeanor.
“…Did we do something wrong?”
“I’m not sure, really.”
“Where’s Python ranked right now?”
“When I checked earlier, they were 2nd in the Top 100.”
“Wow, really? That’s awesome.”
Being 2nd in the Top 100 in just the 1st week was indeed an excellent achievement.
The members moved on to the waiting room thinking that something might have gone wrong.
‘Could it really be because of me?’
I too watched O Ah-ra’s back as she left, then followed my members.
Back then, I had no idea what kind of thoughts were swirling in O Ah-ra’s mind.