Parte’s stage was objectively decent. That made her even angrier. Although, it would take skill to copy what someone else did and still fail at it.

The Spark fan seats were quiet, as if doused with cold water. Occasional hollow, disbelief-filled laughs were the only noise.

‘The internet will be in an uproar.’

Just imagining it was exhausting. The saying ‘the one who gets hit can sleep peacefully at night, but the one who hits can’t’ didn’t apply in idol fandoms. This time too, it was obvious the Sparklers—the ones who got ‘hit’—would be the only ones going home bitter.

Spark wasn’t the type to step forward and make things bigger. There was no way Kim Iwol hadn’t noticed the obvious shadiness that even fans could see, but he also wasn’t the type to throw a match on the fire with a ‘Everyone, we’re fine!’ kind of statement.

Just crash into them head-on! The Sparklers will grab torches and fight for you—just say one word about plagiarism being lame, seniority be damned!

But Spark was good because they weren’t that kind of idol. Won Chaehee barely held onto her mind, swinging back and forth like Jekyll and Hyde.

The subsequent stages just slid past Won Chaehee’s eyes. Whether due to anger or truly lack of impressive stages, there wasn’t any terribly enjoyable performance. It seemed generally better than Season 1, but that was all.

Then, just as she stood there thinking ‘whatever, blast it all’, Lee Cheonghyeon came out waving both hands.

“Hello!”

Square retro silver-rimmed glasses on his small, white face suited him surprisingly well. Thanks to the white shirt and black suit pants, he reminded her of a young elite from the early 2000s.

Following him, members appeared in a swarm. Wearing ambiguously neat outfits with absolutely no unity.

“It’s hard to guess the concept just by looking at the clothes. What is Spark’s concept today?”

At Hellas Yur’s question, Jeong Seongbin picked up the microphone. A polo shirt and ivory cotton pants—it was the most un-stage-outfit clothes Won Chaehee had seen Spark wear.

“It’s... the Teachers’ Office concept!”

“Pardon?”

“I’m in charge of Sociology and Culture!”

Jeong Seongbin awkwardly stated the group’s and his own identity. ......There weren’t many occasions to use the word ‘Teachers’ Office’ while being an idol. Understandable.

Now that she knew the concept, it made sense why Choi Jeho had shown up like an anorak ambassador—not that he’d actually worn Nidas; Spark always avoided over-the-top product placement—and why Park Juu dressed like an autumn man.

“What subjects are the other members in charge of?”

At Hellas Yur’s question, members introduced their new personas one by one.

“I took on the role of Technology teacher.”

“Iwol hyung also concurrently holds the position of Head of Student Department!”

“It suits him well, doesn’t it?”

Many people burst into laughter at the back and forth between Lee Cheonghyeon and Hellas Yur. Kim Iwol stood between them with a transcendent, everything-is-fine smile.

“Tech means hands-on practice, right? Is that why your arms are...?”

At Hellas Yur’s words, Won Chaehee’s gaze turned to the forearms under the rolled-up sleeves. The well-maintained appearance without a single ounce of flab, not betraying fan expectations, was magnificent.

‘So it’s a fan-service stage, huh.’

The members had said on Bubble that they’d go all out to make IAD fun every time. If in Season 1 they’d clenched their teeth and pushed through, maybe in Season 2 their goal was to show something more unconventional.

With Spark, she trusted they’d prepared well.

That trust, built up over time, eased Won Chaehee’s heart.

At the start signal, a narration played overhead, sounding like it was being spoken through a low-quality microphone.

“The next order is a surprise stage prepared by teachers for the students!”

“A special stage by Hwaro High School teachers! Starting right now!”

The moment the maknaes’ perfectly timed MC lines ended, the backing track kicked in. An upbeat drum beat and electronic sounds gave the rhythm a lift.

『Recording starts

Start

We’re the lead role!』

From the intro, Lee Cheonghyeon struck out. His specialty, rhythmic sense, shone upon meeting an energetic dance song.

『Right now this is

A page

Of our youth』

『Stay alert

Because it will remain

Forever』

The cheek-poking performance by Jeong Seongbin and Park Juu, in charge of Spark’s fresh freshness, was amazing. The cozy smiles they wore in private were gone, replaced by smiles full of mischief. Rainbow star-shaped glasses, nonexistent until the interview, showed off their presence on Jeong Seongbin’s face.

『Taking the picture

Laugh, smile!』

The sight of all members gathering in the center to the shutter sound was also cute. Choi Jeho, standing in the middle, flashed a grin and bit down on the whistle hanging around his neck, instantly earning first place on Chaehee’s mental ‘must-watch fancam moments’.

『In memories may we

Always

Look bright』

『Whenever seen may we always be

Supremely

Happy』

Kim Iwol took over Kang Giyeon’s swelling voice.

That captivating smile. The smiling face while saying I love you in 『The Third Letter』, and now while saying be happy.

When everyday life felt tiring and bleak, even people who had no interest in anything else couldn’t help but feel better just watching Kim Iwol. That was why Won Chaehee was standing here now.

As the song raced towards the highlight, members threw toy glasses or loud flower necklaces behind them. Lee Cheonghyeon’s two eyes sparkled like stars receiving the lighting.

『If you’re still

Just sitting

Get up, run!』

As the famous dance break section appeared, everyone in the audience seats bobbed to the beat. Spark, stretching their legs and stepping as if kicking off the ground, truly looked like a gathering of ‘young teachers who seem ordinary most of the time, but absolutely blow you away once you clear the floor for them’.

When Lee Cheonghyeon shot the money gun received from a backup dancer, sparkling papers flew up onto the stage like Park Juu’s high notes.

This idol...... what would they look like at a company dinner? It was a moment of true curiosity.

Perhaps it was thanks to the Spark teachers who knew how to have fun. Only then did Won Chaehee realize how thirsty she was and finally cracked open the bottled water she’d stuffed into her bag at the entrance, gulping it down.

“My glasses!”

“Who told you to throw them?”

Kang Giyeon scolded Lee Cheonghyeon who was pretending to cry. Ignoring him, Lee Cheonghyeon busied himself fake-wailing over the broken glasses in his hands.

“You decided to do something else instead of throwing glasses performance. Why did you do that?”

“I got too excited......”

When Jeong Seongbin and Park Juu tossed their own rainbow star glasses and melting hologram heart glasses, he probably couldn’t help himself.

“Our Cheonghyeon, I was wondering who you took after, turns out it’s Choi Jeho.”

At my words, Lee Cheonghyeon’s gaze turned to the shattered (former) whistle. The debris diligently picked up after the stage was rolling on the waiting room table.

“How can you say something so heartbreaking?”

“Saying that you look like Spark’s best center breaks your heart? Why? You should be honored.”

“Because your words are full of mockery, hyung!”

“Don’t distort it. I just want to praise your immersion power.”

Lee Cheonghyeon thoroughly ignored my explanation.

“I will get revenge. I won’t let this slide.”

“And what are you going to do if you don’t?”

Choi Jeho, lounging sideways on the sofa, cut in.

“I told you. Giving up this song choice was a strategic retreat for the bigger picture.”

“...Huh?”

“From now on, I control the members’ schedules. I won’t take orders from anyone except Seongbin hyung.”

“At least you’ll still listen to Seongbin...”

Park Juu said as if it was commendable. Just how are these guys’ thought circuits running?

“I should make an announcement in advance while at it. As a matter of fact, for the next stage......”

“Wait, Cheonghyeon!”

Jeong Seongbin, watching Lee Cheonghyeon rummaging through his bag, put on the emergency brakes. Then he pulled out UA’s vlog filming camera installed in one corner of the waiting room.

“When talking about important things, you must hold a camera!”

“Right, almost got ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) in big trouble!”

Hearing Lee Cheonghyeon’s slick retort, Park Juu also bustled about and brought out a cam. Including the cameras held by the video team, a total of four cameras captured Lee Cheonghyeon in a one-shot.

Choi Jeho looked at me with a face that seemed to have a lot to say. I tried hard to ignore his gaze.

The best visuals in survival show history, stage effects with a one-of-a-kind aesthetic, and music that was striking without being gaudy—it was still talked about as IAD’s greatest output to this day.

“......We need to continue this connectivity, is what I’m saying.”

Lee Cheonghyeon said, receiving the light from the beam projector head-on. It was astounding to see him speak confidently while his face turned blue from the light.

“I have a question. What exactly is this connectivity of the 2nd competition the proposer speaks of?”

When I raised my hand and asked, Lee Cheonghyeon applauded me.

“Good question. Click-man, please turn the slide.”

Choi Jeho, who earned the honorable nickname Click-man, turned the screen with an indifferent face. Fancy golden lace was placed on top of a red velvet background slide. This guy wasn’t bad at making PPTs, so that infuriating layout had to be 100% intentional.

『What I Want to Say』 played on a xylophone came out from the speakers. Kang Giyeon asked with a bizarre expression.

“What’s with the background music?”

“I recorded it myself to avoid copyright issues.”

“Can we even get copyright issues with our own music...?”

Park Juu wondered, but Lee Cheonghyeon didn’t answer. Instead, he signaled Click-man again.

Out of nowhere, thick golden letters spun across the screen in an animation that filled the whole frame.

[I want to make new music!]

Hmm.

“Wait... can we cut the recording for a moment?”

“Why! Listen to me a bit!”

Lee Cheonghyeon ran over like a startled deer and stopped me.

But Cheonghyeon, I cannot bear to just watch you getting drunk on excessive artist ego......!