The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 186

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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186

【Like an apple, nom nom nom!
Like a pineapple, pop pop pop】

With just a few bars of lyrics revealed, everyone desperately wanted to believe this was some promotional event track pulled from nowhere. Even though Sung Ji-won had already been nailed down as the title track candidate.

‘So they were planning to make their comeback with this instead of a second chance?’

While everyone screamed toward The Dun and waved their light sticks, their hearts beat in unison with a silent mantra: ‘Dae Pa-sung, you bastard!’ chanted like a prayer.
Of course, the stage continued flawlessly throughout.

【Like mango, mango mango
I hope this isn’t a love gone wrong
(Ah ah ah)】

The lyrics were so bad that anyone could write better ones with their feet, and the melody was adorably catchy—yet the EDM-drenched production never quite settled in.

“I’m literally going to faint….”

If they’d actually made their comeback with this song, it would’ve blown up.
As a real-time trending video.
And they would’ve gotten absolutely slammed with cyberbullying.

But as the performance continued, whether it was the brainwashing effect or just their faces carrying the moment—
White short-sleeved shirt, jeans, a light sheen of sweat. The epitome of pure freshness combined with cute fruit-shaped hats and perky dancing—the fans felt like they’d entered paradise.

【But you know what~.】

Next to Kang Yi-chae, who played the mango, Seo Ho-yoon—who’d long since ditched his pineapple hat—burst onto the stage with a mischievous grin. A unicorn-shaped bubble gun dangled from his hand.
Spinning in circles and shooting bubbles everywhere, Seo Ho-yoon folded his hands and pretended to eat an apple.

【Apples taste so good, nom nom nom】

‘No way, this is absolutely going to blow up!!’

By that point, the fans had unconsciously wiped away every thought they’d held until now.

‘Damn it, his face is pure logic!!!’

They screamed wildly.
Since this was their first cute concept beyond the Heartbeat Salad Eating Challenge, the response was even more enthusiastic.
Since this was a fan service performance with no set choreography, the members traversed the stage from end to end, seeking out the Noeul fans in every corner they could reach.
Seo Ho-yoon was crouched down, singing while making eye contact with the fans.

“You’re my Pineapple!!!!!”

At the shout that pierced through the loud music, Seo Ho-yoon’s eyes widened before his eye corners softened into a smile.
Captured vividly on the large screen, the Noeul fan’s cheers grew even louder.

【Like a pineapple, pop pop pop~.】

Seo Ho-yoon blew bubbles toward the fans, then moved beside Jung Da-jun and pressed down on the apple-shaped hat. Sung Ji-won, watching from beside him, smiled radiantly and picked up the microphone.

【In that orchard where you and I could meet
You picking pineapples Wow Wow Wow
The thorns are prickly but you’re so lovely I adore you】

The lyrics were clearly nonsensical, but with Sung Ji-won’s tone layered over them, they sounded plausible.
During concert rehearsals, Kim Sung-hyun had muttered that it was a waste of talent, but the fans, unaware of such circumstances, found the song subtly romantic.
Ultimately, The Dun’s playful aegyo and vocal prowess melted the Noeul fans into puddles.

【Like a mango, mango mango!】

‘This is Billboard number one material….’

By the time the song ended, even those who had been very serious fell into a grand delusion—they began to understand why this had been mentioned as a title track.
If five awkward guys with faces like that performed something like this, people would flock in saying ‘What the hell is this?!’ and The Dun, which desperately needed an issue at the time, could consider it not the worst alternative as noise marketing.
Of course, Dae Pa-sung had zero such calculated thoughts, and the fans would have cursed them to death if they’d known it was genuinely like this.

‘But it’s cute?’

The feeling of going crazy over how cool The Dun was and the urge to tear Dae Pa-sung to shreds alternated like cold and hot baths.

After that, as the concert moved into its second half, they showcased the units and cover songs they had prepared.

【Follow my lead, you can’t get over me
You never said you hated it, I know what you want】

The first to air was a cover of Black Call’s “Get Over” by Seo Ho-yoon and Kim Sung-hyun from the self-produced content “Heartbeat Matching Survival!”
Following that came a string of stages: a cover of “When We Love” with Sung Ji-won on vocals and Kang Yi-chae on rap, returning to their original parts, and then “A Meteor Will Fall Before I Go to Work Tomorrow, Please Let It Be So” featuring Jung Da-jun and Kang Yi-chae.

“Seo Ho-yoon!!!”
“You’re the dancing machine, no joke!!”

When they performed Lia Purple’s “Easy Tempo”—a song that had spawned countless legendary viral moments—Seo Ho-yoon pulled a long velvet ribbon from his pocket and tied it around his neck in a bow.

【Love me slowly】

And at the exact same moment, he untied the ribbon with a smooth flourish, sending the entire concert hall into a frenzy.

Many fans who’d failed to get tickets camped out on SNS, endlessly waiting for even a single photo or brief video to surface. But when those posts finally appeared, they could only grit their teeth.
Silk shirts with body chains, form-fitting tees with harnesses, fruit hats paired with formal wear, ribbon chokers.
And it was their first concert.
For the fans, a first held profound meaning.
The Noeul fans who couldn’t attend the concert could only cry as they watched the sparse scraps of content from the venue.

[Don’t even mention the word “con” to me right now

└Pop “con”cert
└└I’m dying]

Meanwhile, The Dun was in exceptionally high spirits.
And for good reason.
The massive crowd gathered to see them, light sticks swaying in every direction, cheers piercing through the in-ear monitors.
Though all of this was still unfamiliar, they could feel the pure affection directed at them so directly and tangibly.

“Thank you so much! This is our final song!”

Stardust—the song that had brought them here—began to play.

【We’re not lost, we’re moving forward
We never saved anything to go back】

During their final stage at Shining Star Season 2, they’d sung hope amid despair, but this time the performance felt brighter and perfectly suited to the season—summer warmth radiating through every note.

【All the way to the end
No matter what lies ahead】

Members wearing t-shirts emblazoned with The Dawn’s logo ran about with towel-made slogans draped around their necks.
Then, mischief suddenly bubbling up, Kang Yi-chae draped a towel over Seo Ho-yoon’s head. Yet instead of irritation, Seo Ho-yoon simply laughed.
Kang Yi-chae found it remarkable—he genuinely appeared serene and content.
So they faced each other and burst into laughter together.

【We are becoming Stardust】

Before long, all the members had gathered, gazing into each other’s eyes.

“Thank you so much! Hello!”

It was when Sung Ji-won greeted the Noeul fans with a radiant smile.

【♩♪♫】

A whistle’s melody drifted from somewhere.

【Let’s paint the future together
Meeting you changed me】

And then, without accompaniment, the fans’ collective singing began.
It was “Colors,” a track from the Japanese album.
Noeul had felt it was a shame to keep something so beautiful confined to Japanese alone, so the group had re-recorded it in Korean and released it for the fans.

【Today, tomorrow, and the day after
We’ll be together】

It wasn’t the title track, nor an official B-side from the domestic album.
They hadn’t even anticipated an event like this.

The fans’ voices blended naturally, filling the stadium to the brim.
Jung Da-jun, eyes wide with surprise, began weeping openly, while Kim Sung-hyun released the tears he’d been holding back. Sung Ji-won quietly wiped his eyes.

【My heart keeps racing
I want to tell you
I wish this moment would last forever】

Standing at the very front, Seo Ho-yoon neither wept nor smiled.
He simply raised the microphone quietly when his part arrived, singing alongside the fans.

【I may have a terrible personality
Always selfish and stubborn as I am
But if it’s you, I don’t mind losing】

Perhaps no one else would notice, but truthfully, I felt a slight tremor within myself.
Though I hadn’t written these lyrics, there wasn’t a single promise in them I could keep.

【I wish this moment could last forever
Could I stay by your side?】

Whenever I witnessed such unconditional affection, my conscience—which I’d believed had run away—hammered against my chest.
I knew the truth.
That I could never be eternal, that an ending would come someday.

【—swallow those words instead and say】

Yet I pretended otherwise, gazing straight ahead.

【Let’s paint tomorrow together】

Before my eyes, the blue light symbolizing The Dun shimmered abundantly.
Instead of pouring out the countless words and emotions swirling around me, I smiled.

【I’ve changed because of you
My Colors】

For now, I simply wanted to savor this moment above all else.

.
.
.

Only after performing several encore songs could we finally conclude. The concert the following day proceeded much the same.
The slightly different stage movements prepared for each night received quite favorable reviews.

“Thank you so much!”
“You all did great~.”

I bowed to the Staff Member and descended from the stage.
According to what the Planning Team told me about the first day’s concert response, they said they were impressed by our skill and fan service, but when they saw us crying at the end, they felt we still had that rookie vibe.

‘So I’m not a rookie?’

Kim Sung-hyun and Jung Da-jun were naturally crybabies, but even Kang Yi-chae showed signs of getting emotional today.
I scratched the back of my neck and opened the waiting room door.
I turned on B App with the members afterward. It was to convey our hearts to the fans along with a brief word of thanks.

“Sniff sniff sniff….”
“Hey, why are you crying? Are you really crying?”

I teased Kim Sung-hyun and Jung Da-jun, who continued streaming tears even then, shared my impressions of the first concert, offered words of gratitude to Noel, and only then ended the live broadcast.

“Let’s head out~.”
“You all did great!”

Everyone changed into comfortable clothes and headed to the parking lot.
Time was racing toward dawn.

“Let’s paint tomorrow together~!!”
“I’ll run for you! That’s what I’m saying~!”
“Who drank alcohol?”
“This is so embarrassing.”

I thought my stamina had been declining lately and was massaging my sore shoulders with my hand when Jung Da-jun, who had been shouting loudly, clung to me.

“How are your eyes so dry, hyung??”
“How are yours so puffy?”

When I brought my hand to Jung Da-jun’s swollen eyes that protruded like a crucian carp’s, they were quite warm.
Ignoring Jung Da-jun’s request to take him to the van as is since it felt refreshing, I strode forward with long steps.

‘Tomorrow morning off, then straight into comeback preparations.’

While external broadcasts had decreased somewhat, the schedule remained packed.
I arrived at the new dormitory thinking that perhaps being busy was better than the alternative.

After showering and roughly drying my hair, I emerged to find the living room already bustling with afterparty preparations.
Jung Da-jun was practically vibrating with excitement, still riding high from the performance.

“Our night is just getting started!!”

I caught the guy as he came bounding over and redirected him straight toward Kim Sung-hyun.
Not that he hadn’t been yelling about wanting to do an afterparty for weeks now.

“Thanks. I’m heading to bed.”
“Huh?! Where are you going?! Let’s celebrate!!”
“Ho-yoon, we even bought that cream liqueur you like!”

When had I ever said I liked that stuff?
I glanced across the table, spotted the Iris whiskey, and promptly planted myself on the floor.

“Is there milk?”
“Yeah, right next to you.”
“Wow, look at that pivot. So your own drink takes priority over the maknae’s request, huh?!”
“Hyung, didn’t I tell you? This hits perfectly.”
“Fair point~.”

I tuned out their banter and focused on mixing my drink. One sip and the sweet cream and chocolate flavors bloomed richly across my palate.
Savoring the aftertaste, I mixed another round when Jung Da-jun suddenly produced another bottle of Iris whiskey from somewhere and slid it toward me hesitantly.

“Um… so, hyung, don’t get mad, okay?”
“Why would I get mad?”
“Well, it’s just… you see…”

At that moment, the dormitory doorbell rang.

“Oh man~!”

I glanced at my watch—it wasn’t a time when anyone should be arriving.
Jung Da-jun quickly checked the intercom, then turned away awkwardly.

‘…What is this?’

Then, gauging my reaction, he kept pushing me insistently.

“We’re having a special guest today. Brother, could you open the door for me?”

Da-jun’s behavior seemed suspicious, but I figured it was probably just the Manager anyway. We’d only recently moved to this dormitory, and Da-jun had already confirmed whoever it was through the intercom.
I figured I’d find out who it was once I opened the door, so I trudged forward half-heartedly, though I couldn’t help but say something.

“The youngest should be the one to open it.”
“No, you have to open it, Brother~.”

‘What is this about?’

Watching Da-jun continue pushing me from behind, I finally gave in and walked over to the door, yanking it open.

“…Ow!”

Something crashed against the door with a loud bang, and a voice I’d heard somewhere before rang out.

“Ugh….”
“Who…?”

Someone had apparently crashed into the door I’d opened.
Squinting, I poked my head around the door to look,

“Damn, that hurts.”

And there was Joo Woo-sung, rubbing his forehead with tears glistening in his eyes.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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