"Whoo."

I brushed my hair back.

"The New York weather is bright. Is this the sky a Billboard No. 4 singer looks at?"

"The clouds are really pretty too."

Biju said it with a soft, fluffy expression.

"These are the clouds a Billboard No. 4 singer looks at."

"Jiho’s voice sounds especially nice today. Is this the voice of a Billboard No. 4 singer?"

Before the youngest could even finish, Junhyun rummaged around and pulled out snack bags. American snacks settling neatly into each hand.

Junhyun said,

"These are the snacks handed out by a Billboard No. 4 singer."

"Wow, sweet. So this is what snacks tasted by a Billboard No. 4 singer are like."

"It’s pretty sweet."

Even Ri Hyuk was chewing happily with a satisfied smile.

Watching us, Manager Do Wonseok and Manager Seo Mingi burst into laughter.

We didn’t miss the opening and pointed at them.

"No! Those people laughing over there are the managers of a Billboard No. 4 singer, Seo Mingi and Do Wonseok!"

The youngest held out a snack like it was a microphone.

"How does it feel to be the manager of a Billboard No. 4 singer?"

"Ah, yes. It feels wonderful."

"Very happy."

It wasn’t empty talk. Everyone genuinely looked like they were having fun.

No matter what was said, the mood was cheerful.

It was partly thanks to the CEO calling to say that incentives would be given to the entire NewBlack task force team.

"Wow...."

"The world really is beautiful."

After finishing a hearty meal at a restaurant in New York Chinatown, we were on our way to Broadway.

We were participating in a talk show recorded on Broadway, The Alan Dale Show.

The New York citizens outside the car window somehow looked full of hope, and even the uniquely congested New York roads seemed beautiful.

"This is America as seen by a Billboard No. 4 singer...."

We burst into giggles together.

When we arrived at the broadcasting station, it was packed so tightly with Souffle who had come to welcome us that there was barely room to step.

"Hello, everyone!"

The fans cheered and answered back in Korean.

"Congrats!"

"Do something cool today, not something weird!"

"Spicy pork!"

We raised our fists and shouted back, "Spicy pork!"

As we passed through the glass doors, Ri Hyuk asked,

"But didn’t someone just say to do something cool instead of something weird? I feel like I heard that."

"You must have misheard. When have we ever done anything weird?"

"That’s true."

We were always cool, weren’t we?

When we arrived at the studio lobby, a staff member assigned as our guide led us along. They were almost overwhelmingly kind.

"We prepared a waiting room hoping you’ll feel comfortable. If there’s anything you don’t like, we’ll find a solution right away. Please let us know if anything is inconvenient."

"Thank you."

"Right this way!"

It was a spacious room fit for the arrival of top stars.

We had received a large room before, but nothing this big. Was this the room Hailey had used?

"Wow...."

The managers and staff unpacked their things in awe.

Meanwhile, we sat around the table prepared for singers to rest and burst into laughter.

It was because of the snacks laid out on the table.

"These are all Korean snacks."

"It looks like they prepared them based on our preferences. Look, they put dried sweet potato at Ri Hyuk’s seat."

"How did they know?"

When the managers asked what was going on, it seemed the staff had looked at NewBlack’s favorite snack lists circulating on social media.

How they managed to find Junhyun’s favorite Sols Eye drink in America remained a mystery....

But it was clear they had put in an astonishing amount of effort.

"NewBlack!"

A man with neatly arranged brown hair and an elite aura opened the door and walked in.

It was Alan Dale, the host of today’s talk show.

"Heyyyy!"

He spread his arms wide in an exaggerated gesture, and we responded with our own "Hey~!"

Behind him, the show’s behind the scenes camera followed.

"This is your second visit since Blue Moon, right? Thank you so much for coming to our show first in New York."

"Of course we had to come here first."

We shook hands with Alan Dale, smiling businesslike smiles.

Ever since we released Blue Moon, this show had fully supported us with enthusiastic NewBlack fighting cheers and investments.

So in a give and take, we chose this show first.

"I’m already excited about the ratings! It’s no exaggeration to say you’re the hottest rising singers in America right now."

We laughed shyly at the praise dripping with exaggeration.

We were exchanging words about today’s talk and stage with the host who was clearly eager to impress us when—

"By the way."

Alan Dale smiled.

"Did you like the segment we prepared?"

"Yes."

We nodded with smiles.

In this episode of The Alan Dale Show, there was one more promotional segment besides the talk and performance.

Whenever a main guest appears, the show prepares a special segment.

Visiting a cowboy ranch and experiencing life as cowboys with a singer, going bungee jumping, or visiting the practice room of a singer preparing for the Super Bowl halftime show and dancing together.

We had one of those segments this time as well.

"I really liked the idea."

"The Alan Dale Show: NewBlack Episode"

Alan Dale stood in the studio with his hands clasped.

"Today we’ve prepared a very special segment. As you all know, the most popular group from Korea, returning this time with their new song Metro, and global sensations...."

"Waaaaaaah!"

"Screeeech!"

Alan Dale blinked and joked, "I think I just heard a dinosaur," causing the audience to burst into laughter.

He clapped and continued.

"Anyway, you probably already know that Korea’s top group NewBlack is enjoying tremendous popularity in their home country. I hear they’re stars loved by the entire nation. Shall we call them the young Frank Sinatra of Korea?"

Then the special segment began.

"And because of that, they’re here in New York promoting the Pyeongchang Olympics, for which they serve as ambassadors. I, Alan Dale, New York’s most popular star, joined them on site. Let’s take a look!"

With thunderous cheers, the VCR rolled.

New York streets.

The host checked his waxed hair in a shop window and whistled as he walked.

Alan: NewBlack has that cool image, right?

Staff: Right.

Alan: They’re definitely going to do something cool... How do I look? If I stand next to them, won’t I look totally lame?

Staff: You’re perfect. You look cool.

It had the tone of a mock documentary skit.

A nervous Alan Dale arrived at the place where NewBlack was waiting.

Alan: Hi, frie—

NewBlack: You’re here?

But what greeted him was five people wearing mascot costumes.

A shadow fell over Alan Dale’s face as laughter was inserted.

The NewBlack members removed their mascot heads one by one and introduced them to the show host who had come dressed in a top tier tailored suit.

Wooju: This white tiger is Soohorang. The Olympic mascot.

Alan: Sooho...rang.

Wooju: And this half moon bear is Bandabi. The Paralympic mascot.

Cute white tiger and black bear mascot suits.

Listening to the explanation, Alan Dale asked Wooju,

Alan: But Sunny, why is your mascot different?

Wooju was wearing an orange tiger suit.

It was Hodori, the mascot of the 1988 Olympics.

The tiger head that looked different from the others even had a strange hat and ribbon attached.

Wooju: We’re a five member group, so it’s an odd number. That would mean either Soohorang or Bandabi would have one more. But both the Olympics and Paralympics are equally important, so I decided to wear something different.

Alan: That’s thoughtful.

Wooju: Hahaha.

Alan: But if I join, that makes six.

Apparently not having thought that far ahead, Wooju’s face showed discomfort, and the youngest whispered like a scheming courtier.

Jiho: He doesn’t like hearing the truth.

Alan: Ah.

Laughter was layered in.

When an American asked about the ribbon attached to Hodori’s head, Wooju put the head back on and spun it, demonstrating traditional hat spinning, drawing explosive laughter.

Laughing heartily, Alan Dale asked,

Alan: Then what about my costume...?

NewBlack: Ah.

With an explanation that there was no leftover stock so they prepared something urgently, the members handed him a separate costume.

Soon Alan Dale came out changed.

Alan: This looks exactly like a chicken.

NewBlack: No. It’s an eagle.

It was supposed to be a bald eagle representing America... but somehow it gave off the feeling of a walking chicken.

Fortunately, the face area was open.

To conceal his identity, Alan Dale put on thick sunglasses and a fake mustache and said,

Alan: OK. Let’s go!

Hero movie background music played.

The American wearing a bald eagle suit and the Koreans wearing cute bear and tiger suits began striding through the streets.

And then.

The bears and tigers pulled something from their pockets. Objects that looked like blunt sticks.

They brought them to their lips—

Peeeee—

Pee—

Pffft!

Pure dissonance.

The sight of bears and tigers playing recorders on the street made the studio audience burst into laughter.

A subway station in bustling New York.

Sally Headings, coming down the stairs, noticed strange figures inside the station.

Are they filming something?

There were people holding small broadcast cameras, and six figures in mascot suits.

They were dancing with a coin can placed in front of them, as if performing.

Pyeongchang—

Pyeongchang—

The greasy voice echoing the word Pyeongchang.

Sally Headings immediately recognized what it was.

Isn’t this that dance that was famous on MyTube?

She couldn’t remember who started it, but famous celebrities had posted Pyeongchang dance challenges on their Instagram.

To that background music, unfamiliar bears and tigers were dancing.

The man dressed as an eagle stood still, moving slightly to the rhythm, saying, "Pyongchang, Pyongchang."

[2018 Pyeongchang Olympic]

Oh, it’s Olympic promotion. Not Pyongyang.

She stood in a good viewing spot, gripping her bag strap, watching.

The bear and tigers danced well.

And the best among them was the orange tiger shaking his head wildly.

Is it sponsored by cereal?

No.

Is it that tiger from the honey bear cartoon?

It didn’t look like that either.

Tilting her head, she noticed the Olympic rings medal hanging on the chest and realized they were Olympic mascots.

"Wow."

Every time the orange tiger shook his head while dancing, cheers poured out.

"They’re really good."

"This is MyTube material."

"When are the Olympics?"

Many people were filming with their phones.

When the performance ended, people clapped and threw coins and bills into the basket.

Sally was one of them.

The bears and tigers bowed repeatedly.

As people began to disperse, those heading for the subway started moving.

"Huh?"

Sally felt puzzled as the bears and tigers approached.

"Why are you following—"

"This is a token of appreciation from the Pyeongchang Olympics for our biggest donor."

The bears and tigers nodded at the eagle man’s words.

Then the orange tiger in the center spun his head and pulled out a wooden stick from his costume.

A small bamboo flute.

The mascot fingers wiggled.

Wheeeee—

As if he had played only in the mountains all his life, he played fluently.

The other bears and tigers took out instruments too.

A tall bear held a small drum, one tiger had castanets, and the remaining small bear and tiger held recorders.

Peee—

Peelee—

Boom boom!

The Pyeongchang Olympic band followed her as she walked.

Sally and the surrounding people burst into laughter at the same time.

This is fun.

It was slightly embarrassing somehow, but not bad.

When she arrived at the subway platform and boarded the train, she waved at the tigers and bears.

The passengers inside smiled, finding it cute.

"Goodbye!"

And just as the doors closed with a hiss—

Normally the train would have departed immediately, but instead an announcement began.

A voice like one used at award ceremonies.

"Today’s stage sponsored by the New York City Subway!"

"Please welcome!"

Welcome who?

"NewBlack!"

What?

The subway passengers murmured.

If it’s NewBlack...

Weren’t they the singers causing a stir recently?

Anyone who listened to music had probably heard Metro at least once near the top of the charts.

Social media feeds were flooded with posts from fans, to the point that even the leader’s face was becoming familiar.

There were always entertainers in America that were intentionally pushed with capital investment at certain times. NewBlack was exactly that case.

Regardless of love or hate, they were a group everyone was paying attention to.

"Huh?!"

Someone suddenly shouted and pointed.

There, the NewBlack members who had removed their mascot heads were smiling brightly, waving, and taking selfies with stunned passengers.

What, what is this...!

Sally Headings’ eyes widened.

As she placed her hand against the glass of the closed door—

The intro of Metro rang out, and hidden dancers joined NewBlack.

"Waaaaaah!"

But the cheers were short lived.

"The train is departing for the next service."

With a hiss, the subway began moving.

"Wait!"

"You can’t just show the intro!"

"Hey! Hey!"

Before they could properly take in the sight of NewBlack dancing, the New York subway mercilessly departed.

That day, when a friend asked Sally Headings what she had seen in such excitement, she summarized it wistfully as, "Their afterimage."

The promotion in New York had been fun.

The most fun of all was undoubtedly the special segment filmed for The Alan Dale Show.

NewBlack, Pyeongchang Olympics promotion? Mascot suits trending on social media

The filming time hadn’t been long.

The news spread rapidly across social media in both Korea and America, and people gathered like crazy.

So the subway segment was filmed briefly, and then we moved around New York landmarks including Central Park to perform.

Everyone was happy.

We were happy promoting the Olympics, The Alan Dale Show was thrilled at the prospect of ratings, and the New York City Subway was pleased about gaining a positive image.

Most of all—

Thank you, NewBlack. Hahahahaha!

The broadcasting station airing The Alan Dale Show smiled happily.

Having spent a trillion won to secure exclusive broadcasting rights for the Olympics in America, they were also doing their best to promote the Olympics with less than six months remaining.

Our interests aligned with the Olympic broadcasting station that wanted to draw attention and maximize profit.

"Wow, our recognition really did go up."

"It did."

This project was possible because our recognition had surged significantly starting from this year’s Billboard Awards.

Before that it would have been, "NewBlack? Who?"

Now no one was asking who we were. Even if they didn’t know our faces, they had at least heard the name.

Junhyun smiled contentedly.

"I think next time we can do something even more fun."

"I can see a bright future. I see it."

Projects like this would help build a kind and cheerful image.

Americans loved cheerful characters.

The youngest asked,

"But wouldn’t going with a kind and wholesome image be okay too?"

"There would be too many restrictions. Once they fix you as kind, they’ll drag you down over every little thing later."

"That’s the same as Korea. Ugh...."

American entertainment media were famous for praising someone as an angel and then tearing them apart as evil at the slightest displeasing action.

So a cheerful and fun image was far more advantageous.

After wrapping up the three day American schedule—

"Korea!"

"This is so nice. The whole country is like Koreatown...!"

Being able to find spicy pork, pork cutlets, and ramen anywhere was an enormous advantage.

It was about time we were getting tired of American food anyway.

Now that the American promotions were over, it was time to wrap up domestic promotions as well.

We wanted to do more music shows, but with the Japan tour starting in mid September, it couldn’t be helped.

"Still, we’ll do our best."

"Did you see this? The Souffle gained a lot of weight after our music shows started."

"They must be even cuter now!"

I smiled warmly, imagining the chubbier Souffle.

This week too, we had prepared plenty of East Coast American snacks for our fans.

Was this how the witch grandmother from Hansel and Gretel felt? The thought of Souffle gaining weight was delightful.

"Hehehehehe...."

"Hehehehehe."

And the final domestic promotion, the event we were putting the most effort into—

As the fan signing event approached, my heart trembled.

Ri Hyuk inhaled sharply at the smell of freshly printed paper, and we gathered and inhaled too.

"The Souffle coming to the event will love this, right?"

"They’ll probably jump with joy."

What we were looking at were the certificates to be distributed to fans who won the fan signing lottery and to some who didn’t.

Rewards based on the results of the previous NewBlack mock exam!

Like during the Souffle Awards, fans who didn’t win the fan signing would receive theirs by courier.

"Hehehe."

I smiled while looking at the company announcement to be posted.

☆ If Only You Weren’t ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) There..

★ Excellence Award

[To the user ID: Kim CharcoalLick, who placed 2nd nationally with 2nd place in all subjects!]

☆ Fangirling? I Studied the Textbook.

★ Grand Prize

[To the user ID: Seoul Cyber Man University, who achieved full marks in all subjects and ranked 1st!]

☆ When I’m Sad, I Draw

★ Art Award

[To the user ID: Professor ProfessorBro, who drew the supervising professor on the short answer sheet!]

I could already picture the delighted faces of the Souffle.