At the same time.

Koreans were collectively denying reality.

"Chief, did you hear? NewBlack’s Wooju is walking a fashion show runway."

"Where did you get that kind of tabloid rumor...."

"It’s not a rumor. It was officially reported."

"What?"

The man who had scoffed stopped when he saw the smartphone held out to him.

It’s real?

And not just any fashion show, but LeBlanc’s fashion show.

People blinked.

That can’t be.

He just has a handsome face.

At present, a majority of Korean men could say, "I think I dress better than Sun Wooju," without being refuted. That was how bizarre Wooju’s fashion sense was.

If fashion sense were converted into numbers, he would score in the negatives.

And that member was walking Fashion Week as a model?

Everyone was bewildered.

"Is this really real?"

"It must be. The agency wouldn’t prank the entire nation. They wouldn’t lie about something like this."

"How little faith do people have in his fashion sense that prank even comes up."

Laughter spread here and there.

At first, Koreans denied it—Really? Really?—but soon they began nodding.

"Still, he does fit the part. He looks like a model."

"Good proportions."

"He just dresses weird. If you look at his face and body, he matches models. If I were a ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) designer, I’d cast him. Where else would you find an item like that?"

A globally famous boy band singer with a model level physique.

Wouldn’t any designer be tempted?

Still, there were doubts about the designer’s taste.

He’s just handsome. In fashion, he’s a completely false listing....

Anyone seeing Sun Wooju’s daily fashion would backstep.

Curiosity grew about the brand that invited him.

How exactly did this event happen?

Curious netizens began searching. Then they saw posts by Souffle and casual fans.

[Why Wooju Is Walking LeBlanc Fashion Show]

From chief designer Jimmy Robbins interview:

"While preparing this season, I needed inspiration, and Korea, which I visited in the past, was precisely that source. The fashion of Korean people I saw in places like Dongdaemun was truly splendid and beautiful. Then, as if by fate, I saw Wooju in a Pyeongchang promotional video."

...excerpt omitted...

"Wooju and I continuously communicated while preparing this show. I only hope the clothes I made will please him."

Summary: Flower pattern soul duo born

So they really are birds of a feather, I get it now

By the way, the beautiful Dongdaemun fashion he mentioned probably means elderly belly warmers and kimchi making outfits

His taste is unique lol

Maybe LeBlanc just invited Wooju to dominate the Asian market?? They’ve been investing heavily there lately

Yeah that could be it

But guys, the flower pattern he means is not Wooju’s flower pattern lol

(Photo of Wooju wearing Jimmy Robbins design)

Wait, that’s a completely different outfit

Scrolling through comments, ordinary viewers smiled warmly.

So that’s what happened.

But what they were accepting had little to do with the interview.

They’re investing in the Asian market. That must be it. They needed NewBlack’s influence.

Wasn’t NewBlack currently considered the biggest star in Asia?

China, Japan, Southeast Asia. LeBlanc clearly wanted to leverage Wooju as a model to capture those markets.

The public believed that.

There’s no way they genuinely liked Wooju’s fashion.

Such was the distrust in Sun Wooju’s fashion.

It was inevitable.

[Sun Wooju’s fashion when departing for Paris today]

(Photo of Sun Wooju dressed in oversized black clothes and a wide brimmed hat like a grim reaper)

King of the Underworld... going to take someone away

LOLLLLL

It’s even funnier that he looks offended when asked if he’s really going to a fashion show like that

Oppa... four years as an idol and you still dress like this

Sun Wooju age 25, who inhaled his idol experience through his nostrils

He was dressing well lately... why did he regress

Yesterday on Y App he said: Since I’m going to Fashion Week, I’ll allow myself one day of freedom

Freedom revoked

Seeing the photo of Wooju walking with clothes flapping like a grim reaper, the public smiled warmly.

No matter how you look at it, he was invited for money. Obviously.

"Why won’t anyone believe me?"

"Wooju hyung."

The maknae looked at me warmly.

"No matter what happens, I’ll believe you. In any situation, if you say let’s go somewhere or do something, I’ll follow. Especially in a crisis, I’ll move unconditionally with you."

"But...?"

"But clothes are a different story. Hyung is...."

Jiho curled his finger as if telling me to come closer.

Warm breath brushed my ear.

"You’re terrible at dressing."

"...."

"Not just bad... ow ow ow! Ow!"

"You little...."

As I glared at the whining maknae, Biju looked at me worriedly.

"But hyung, are you really okay not eating anything? You’ve been on an empty stomach."

"I just need to hold out until tomorrow."

My stomach rumbled loudly.

Unlike the members who had eaten plenty of in flight meals, I was sipping only minimal water.

After days of restriction, it felt like my stomach skin was shrinking inward.

At night, steaming ramen broth shimmered before my eyes. Watching the younger ones grill beef in the dorm kitchen made me oddly envious. Video calling Grandma made me teary.

Grrrrrrr.

My stomach roared again.

Even Ri Hyuk looked at me pitifully. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out nuts.

"Well... want some walnuts or peanuts?"

"Thanks, but those are high calorie too...."

"What if you collapse again? I really don’t want to go through that again."

He said that, but he knew there was no choice.

In modeling, physique was critical.

I was just a cameo, so not as strict, but it was an industry where even top models could be cut the day before for looking slightly bloated.

I had to fit the standard somewhat.

"It’s okay."

I smiled positively.

"I’ll endure a bit more and then devour all the Paris food."

"We’re flying to Japan right after the show."

"...."

At Junhyun’s words, it felt like tears streamed down. I heard Biju smacking Junhyun’s back.

"Hydration. Hydration...."

As tears fell, I drank more water.

Meanwhile, our flight from Incheon was descending into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Still cold and hungry, but looking at the outskirts of Paris made my heart flutter slightly.

After landing and entering France with help from managers and local security, we saw a new world.

[Bonjour, The New Black!]

[Welcome NewBlack and marry me]

[Souffle EU Federation welcomes NewBlack]

It felt like an EU summit. European flags fluttered everywhere, cheers pouring in.

"Waaaaaaaa!"

"Kyaaaaa!"

When we visited earlier this year for the Europe tour, maybe a few hundred had gathered.

Now it was ten times that.

We were told thousands were outside the airport too.

"Since METRO came out, European fans have grown rapidly. It’s extremely popular in France!"

Apparently chaos had begun even before our arrival.

French gendarmes in charge of airport security had deployed aviation transport units, setting up layered barricades.

"Let’s move."

With help from blue capped gendarmes, our security, and staff, we barely passed through.

"I love you!"

"Happy birthday, Junhyun! Live to five hundred!"

"Eat lots of birthday bread! This is the land of French bread!"

European Souffle swayed like waves, singing Happy Birthday in Korean.

Local press shouted our names too.

We barely got through.

"Breathe...."

"It feels like a giant toad chewed us and spat us out."

After being jostled and crushed repeatedly, sweat coated our bodies.

"Where’s Biju?"

"I’m here."

Biju lifted his bag to show the child safety leash attached to Junhyun’s wrist.

After confirming everyone, including stranded staff, boarded the bus, we headed to the hotel.

Local time was midday.

Ri Hyuk, soaked in sweat, muttered,

"We didn’t even have time for interviews."

"Yeah."

"I studied so much French. I even took a class."

"Say I love the members in French."

"...."

"You didn’t study~ You don’t know."

"He didn’t study French~"

As we teased Ri Hyuk, Seokhwan wiped sweat with a handkerchief.

"METRO seems to be doing better than we expected. Releasing an English track helped. A lot of lighter fans came in."

A truly global hit.

Then the French driver asked,

"There seem to be unfamiliar vehicles following us. Do you know about this?"

"Yes. Stalkers."

"Ah...."

He nodded knowingly.

Through the window, eight or nine cars trailed us.

"Stalker fans went global too."

Bitter smiles spread through the bus.

You cannot take only the good without side effects.

Still, METRO’s success brought interesting experiences.

"Woooooah!"

The luxury suite provided by LeBlanc.

The room was large enough for all five of us.

On the table lay an elegant envelope.

[Dear NewBlack]

A thank you for staying at the hotel, along with a small gift set.

And—

"Woooo!"

The maknae near the window shouted.

"Hyungs! Look!"

"What?"

"LeBlanc sent gifts!"

In boxes labeled with our names were shoes, perfume, clothes.

Happy screams erupted.

Gifts from the brand for me as the runway model and the members attending.

Biju held up his outfit against himself and smiled brightly.

"Wow, it’s so pretty."

"It is. Biju, yours is really nice."

"...."

"What’s wrong?"

"Oh, nothing."

The moment I praised his outfit, he carefully set it down.

"You’re not trying it on now?"

"No. Later."

"...."

Watching Biju avoid my gaze with an awkward laugh, I turned to the others checking their clothes.

Shall I experiment?

"Junhyun."

"Yes."

"The outfit you’re holding is pretty nice."

"...."

Slip.

It slid from his hands.

"Ri Hyuk and Jiho, yours are really nice too."

"...."

Thud.

They dropped theirs too.

I narrowed my eyes at the lackeys.

How did my fashion reputation fall this far?

"Let’s be clear. Your fashion has never been highly rated."

"Hey!"

After a light meal of yogurt,

we headed to the famous Paris museum where LeBlanc’s show would be held tomorrow.

Ri Hyuk explained,

"Fashion Week is almost treated like a national event in Paris. They open famous locations this time of year."

"Oh."

"They’re opening the Louvre, Grand Palais, near the Eiffel Tower. Even setting up buildings at Place de la Concorde."

It showed how important Fashion Week was.

Like using Gyeongbokgung, the National Museum, and Gwanghwamun Plaza entirely for Seoul Fashion Week.

At the museum entrance, security asked,

"ID?"

"Here."

Our managers showed passes. The doors opened.

"Wow...."

Sunlight poured through the glass ceiling, illuminating the interior.

"It’s huge."

"It feels like a palace."

We whispered in awe.

In the vast corridors, among people shouting in French while pushing racks, models, agents, and busy staff, someone called us.

"Over here!"

A neatly dressed Middle Eastern French man waved.

It was Secretary Saif, who had met with our company earlier about Fashion Week.

"I’ll escort you. The chief designer keeps asking by the minute when you’re arriving. He’s eager to meet Wooju in person."

"Really? I’ve been waiting too...."

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The closer we got, the louder my heart pounded.

Like a resonance of souls.

Then deep inside—

"Whoa!"

A young man in floral clothing similar to mine met my eyes.

He wore the same expression.

"Ji... Jimmy!"

"Sun!"

We hurried toward each other and shook hands vigorously.

"Is this not the pioneer of fashion and the world’s greatest designer, Jimmy Robbins!"

"And you are the world’s greatest singer and fashion icon, Sun Wooju!"

"Hahahaha!"

"Hahahaha!"

The cold stares of the members nearby must be my imagination.

"There are two Sun Woojus now."

"Shh. Foreigners understand Korean these days. Teen Spirit almost got caught swearing in Europe."

Hearing murmurs, Jimmy looked over.

"And these...?"

"The children you see are my members. In order: B, Jun, Ri, Ho. Not by protocol rank but power rank: B, Jun, Ho, Ri."

"Nice to meet you. You must be Sun’s Zol-gae!"

He had researched well, but likely did not fully understand the meaning of Zol-gae.

After greetings,

Jimmy and I exchanged warm smiles.

"I needed someone who understood my fashion world. Sun, finding you is like drinking Romanee Conti on a moonlit park bench!"

"It’s an honor to support the world’s greatest designer!"

"Hahahaha!"

"So happy!"

Jimmy trembled with joy and clapped.

"Sun, you have no idea how many outfits I prepared for you."

"Woooo!"

"I’ll show you the pieces I made. Choose the one you like for the show!"

He clapped and shouted toward a curtain.

The curtain parted.

Models began walking out.

And I could only gape.

"My goodness...."

The NewBlack members’ mouths fell open.

"What is that...."

"What is that?"

The first candidate.

A tall male model walked forward in what looked like a flamboyant peacock outfit.

No.

It was not peacock like.

"A peacock?"

"That’s an actual peacock...."

Behind a flamingo like floral garment were feathered wings. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

It looked more suited for Andromeda Fashion Week.

Fashion that alien beings with six arms might applaud with tentacles.

That is absolutely not happening.

At minimum, it had to connect with ordinary sensibilities.

For the dignity of the eldest.

The members looked at Seokhwan.

"Team leader."

"Team leader, that...."

He smiled.

"Don’t worry. Even Wooju wouldn’t choose that."

"Right?"

They nodded.

It’s Wooju hyung.

No matter what, he was meticulous and perfect about work.

Even if his eyes were crooked, he would not pick that.

They looked at him.

"Hyung, that’s...."

"Woooo!"

"Hyung?"

"Woooo!"

Wooju covered his mouth, on the verge of tears from emotion.

We’re doomed.

When he sees floral clothes, his IQ drops to single digits.

Should we just tell him to wear that? It would be his last fashion show.

Concern spread across the members’ faces.