Chapter 363: Chapter 365:

After Jung-hyun’s cattle-herding technique was broadcast on American news.

“…”

We were at a loss for words at the extraordinary scenes unfolding across English-speaking internet communities.

I let out a hollow laugh.

“Even our national anthem ends after the fourth verse, but these guys are extending a cow’s mooing to sixteen verses.”

“People’s creativity is truly amazing.”

Memes.

Typically, in America, it refers to images made with bold text, often accompanied by fitting pictures.

And now, Jung-hyun and we had become the subject of such memes.

“The usage is incredibly diverse.”

As Lee-hyuk said, there wasn’t just one or two kinds; they were manifold.

The most popular ones were memes adapted for exam studies.

In a split photo, the top showed us broadcasting joyfully among the cows.

Below, our expressions were blank as we watched Jung-hyun communicate with the herd.

[When you had fun the day before a Spanish exam]

[When you realize the friend you played with was from Mexico]

And there were others, like encountering a foreigner on the street.

We burst into laughter at the memes with various captions added.

If our countrymen have a natural talent for wordplay, it seemed these folks had a knack for situational comedy.

“Congratulations, Jung-hyun hyung.”

Lee-hyuk said while browsing a foreign site filled with pictures.

“With this, you’ve become the number one K-pop idol in photo and mention count on this site.”

“Oh. Thank you, thank you.”

Amidst the satisfaction of the person concerned, we felt a numb sensation as we were suddenly flooded with ‘Cow’ memes.

“I didn’t want to become famous like this.”

“They say a strong personality inside is strong outside too. It was already a mess in Korea, what can we do now?”

“I still wanted to appeal to foreigners with something cool…”

We empathized with Bijoo’s downcast words.

Lee-hyuk spoke with a complex expression.

“Well, it’s not bad…”

The rising view count on MiTube and the influx of new foreign fans seemed like a good thing.

But the reason behind it felt a bit awkward.

It was like a restaurant owner beaming at the sudden surge of customers, asking how they found out about the place, only to hear, ‘Oh, we heard your cat is cute…’ 𐍂Ἀ₦Օ₿Ěș

“It’s okay.”

I said energetically.

“Once the fans come in, whatever the reason, they’ll fall for our songs after seeing them.”

“Right. They’ll get tired of unicycles and listen to a song.”

“And see the dance.”

“And before you know it~ we’ll be global superstars.”

“Wow!”

With a hopeful master plan in mind, we regained our lively laughter.

It was a bit embarrassing, but nonetheless, a good turn of events.

Especially since ‘Thousand Dreams’ had just dropped off the Billboard Hot 100 chart after more than 16 weeks, and this was another chance for new fans to join.

This time, not only K-pop fans but also general foreign YouTubers were making a lot of reaction videos to the cattle-herding technique.

We were becoming a curious and fun news topic around the world.

Rupert Dean, the lead actor in ‘Nostalgia’ and our friend, proudly tagged it on social media.

“Joe, it’s a good thing.”

“It seems… like a good thing.”

We tried to brush it off, but the screen before us brutally betrayed our expectations.

It was as if we could hear the laughter from the comment section.

-Where did our Chinese and Japanese friends go? Why don’t they claim their countrymen at times like this?

-Anyway, they’re strangers lol. Definitely strangers.

-Embarrassment level: extreme lol.

-National dignity (declining)

-The national flag: fl…u…tteri…ng…

-If you research idols who only want to export their faces, New Black will surely top the list.

-It’s not my problem, so it’s hilarious lol.

Perhaps because our special album tour’s goal of becoming more approachable to the nation was a success.

Netizens teased us as if they were friends in a group chat.

And thanks to KTN, which broadcasts entertainment news 24 hours a day.

Stories were circulating about how we became the topic of conversation at family gatherings during the holidays.

“…”

It was indeed a happy Lunar New Year.

After the Lunar New Year holiday ended, the day I had eagerly awaited finally arrived—it was Rihyuk’s graduation day.

“Alright,” I said, as we were driving.

The four of us waved our hands towards the selfie stick.

“Hello!”

“We are Rihyuk’s family, minus Rihyuk!”

After shaking our bodies with a collective “Wow!” I extended my fist to the youngest like a microphone.

“What’s the special occasion today?”

“It’s Rihyuk’s graduation day!”

“Indeed. Our youngest is graduating from high school, realizing he’s not so young anymore.”

My satisfied grin made Bi-Joo burst into laughter.

As the Art High School came into view, Jung-Hyun spoke up.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“We’re on our way to surprise him with a camera.”

“We told Rihyuk we couldn’t make it today because we have a concert in Japan soon…”

Bi-Joo proudly showed off an envelope.

“He’s going to be so surprised when we meet. I bought perfume and flowers as a gift for Rihyuk.”

“Yes, and we plan to piggyback on Bi-Joo’s gift.”

“Huh? Didn’t everyone say they were buying individual gifts?”

“We intended to.”

Jung-Hyun, Ji-Ho, and I exchanged warm glances.

“Every gift we give gets criticized. ‘Don’t you know his taste after living together for over two years?’ It’s exhausting.”

“Better to be scolded for not giving anything than for giving something unwanted. The former wins.”

So, we just prepared flowers and a handwritten letter, which made Bi-Joo nod with a smile.

“He’s going to love it.”

I was sure he would. Despite saying we couldn’t come due to the concert preparations and wishing him an early ‘Congratulations on your graduation,’ he seemed subtly disappointed.

He even pretended to be asleep when I left in the morning.

“He must be really upset. This morning, he squeezed all our toothpaste tubes from the middle before leaving.”

We laughed at his petty revenge.

As we approached the bustling entrance of the Art High School’s outdoor parking lot, I exclaimed, “Wow, what’s all this commotion?”

“It’s like a festival here.”

Even Won-Seok, who was driving, looked perplexed when we spotted a crowd of about a hundred people.

They were holding banners with [New Black] written on them.

“Ah, they’ve all come to see us.”

But it wasn’t just us. Names like ‘High Color’ and ‘La Vie en Rose’ suggested many idols were among the graduates.

We asked Ji-Ho, “Are there always this many idols?”

“Yes, tons. It’s almost like an idol academy.”

“Interesting.”

True to a school full of celebrities, paparazzi and entertainment reporters were busy covering the event, and there were even broadcast cameras around.

“And why is there a photo wall at a school graduation?”

“I’ve seen it when my older friends graduated; it’s always like this.”

There was even a red carpet laid out.

While the youngest took it in stride, the rest of us felt a culture shock at this unfamiliar graduation scene.

As we got out of the car with gifts in hand, the shouts began.

“New Black!”

“Wow, hey! New Black! Take a picture!”

The cameras charged at us like a herd of elephants, and a hundred people rushed towards us, making our eyes widen in disbelief.

Won-Seok and Min-Ki, who were trying to control the crowd, looked just as stunned.

The reality of Rihyuk’s graduation was nothing like I had imagined.

In the school auditorium, the third-year students were seated, chatting idly as the graduation ceremony was about to begin.

“Wow…”

I was seated in the very front row, where those receiving awards from the school during the graduation ceremony were gathered. Among them, all eyes were drawn to the main vocalist of New Black, sitting right at the center.

‘…Incredible.’

He could pass for the model student straight out of a drama. With flawless skin and delicate hands, he sat with his hands folded, a picture of propriety. His neatly combed hair made him seem lost in thought.

His navy jacket and red-striped tie were undoubtedly part of the same uniform, yet he seemed as if he belonged to another world.

“Wow…”

Every slight flip of his tidy hair accentuated his prominent nose, drawing gasps of admiration. Among all the boy band and girl group members seated in the front row, his visuals stood out the most.

‘But he’s really quiet.’

On broadcasts, he’s often seen chatting boisterously with the other members, but in reality, he was incredibly reserved.

He might appear insignificant on variety shows, but face-to-face, there was something about his aura that made it difficult to approach him.

“My goodness, who is that? He’s incredibly handsome.”

“That’s the guy from New Black. Button.”

“Is that him? I almost didn’t recognize him. He really is handsome.”

While parents and families peeked from the second floor, the murmurs grew louder as Rihyuk, who had been lost in thought, cracked a slight smile.

However, his thoughts were far from contemplative.

‘Indeed, it was a good call to apply the foundation thickly.’

He had also covered his ears well with his hair.

Chuckling to himself, Seo Rihyuk surveyed the other idol members around him.

“Hmph…”

They were all waving back at their group members who were gesturing from the second floor, which only irritated him more.

‘People had no trouble attending Wang Jiho’s middle school graduation.’

I understood that preparing for the concert in Japan was important.

Since the end of last year, whenever there was time, we practiced the choreography to be presented at the Japanese performances, leading up to this small theater tour.

Just when I was wondering if they couldn’t spare even an hour to come…

Waaaaaaah-

A tremendous cheer rolled in like a wave from afar, and the auditorium fell silent for a moment.

“…”

Everyone blinked at the sudden uproar and then nodded, murmuring among themselves.

“It seems like New Black, doesn’t it?”

“Looks like New Black has arrived.”

“It’s New Black.”

Unless TNT or Teen Spirit had made an appearance, considering the group’s popularity among the graduates, it was a natural flow of thought.

When everyone turned their gaze towards Seo Rihyuk…

‘As always.’

He smirked at the thought of his members who always managed to handle things awkwardly.

Then he cleared his throat and straightened his posture.

Making my way through the crowd to the auditorium felt almost like war.

“Phew…”

I was sweating at the nape of my neck, and it wasn’t even from dance practice.

After finishing interviews in front of the photo wall where we said, ‘We’ve come to celebrate our youngest’s graduation.’

Pushing through people, hearing curses, nearly blinded by camera lights…

“Jiho.”

We said earnestly.

“Just graduate on your own.”

“Ah.”

“I’m half-serious.”

I don’t know what next year will be like, but if we become more famous than this…

“You have no idea how anxious I was every time we bumped into people.”

“I was scared too, hyung. I was afraid the people we bumped into would end up in the hospital for four weeks.”

“I agree with that.”

While we were having this conversation, we smiled and greeted the astonished parents and families around us.

Then, a parent who had been frowning at the commotion turned around and greeted us with a relieved ‘Ah.’

As if they were glad.

“Have you arrived?”

“Yes, we just got here. There was a bit of traffic.”

As we were sharing such stories…

“Uh?”

“Huh?”

We stared at each other with blank expressions before bursting into laughter.

It was because we had greeted each other as if we knew one another, only to realize we were strangers.

“I thought you were someone I knew for a second.”

“Yes, we thought so too…”

My father chuckled awkwardly and bowed, and we bowed in return.

Meanwhile, we also greeted another idol group on the second floor, who were greeting their group members.

“Ah, senior! Hello!”

“Hello to you too.”

We exchanged greetings with the members of the girl group High Color, who had debuted last year and won the Rookie Award.

And then we immediately found our kid.

“Sseuliheuk—”

As Jiho brought his hands to his mouth and spoke, silence fell. Soon, the entire school burst into laughter at our youngest member.

“Hi!”

As we each held up a ‘Congratulations on Graduation’ placard and shook them like a dance routine, Ri Hyeok turned around and…

“…”

He clicked his tongue and turned away.

Perhaps it was the skit-like atmosphere that caused laughter to erupt in the auditorium.

In an instant, the auditorium became as noisy as thousands of buzzing bees.

The teacher at the front picked up the microphone.

-Students, please be quiet!

-I’m sorry, but could the New Black family please put down the placards, no, stop laughing.

It seemed like he was asking us not to laugh.

When the atmosphere calmed down, Ri Hyeok sneakily turned his head towards us and nodded.

Then he swiftly took out his phone.

Ri Hyeok [Please]

Ri Hyeok [Stop doing weird things!!!]

Ri Hyeok [Don’t ruin my graduation ceremony]

He was the main vocalist who was enthusiastically welcoming our arrival.

When the four of us made OK gestures and winked from the second floor, people started laughing again.

What’s going on? Why are they laughing?

During this, the attention shifted to Jiho, who was waving at the third-year students on the first floor.

“Congratulations, Hyung.”

“Congrats on your graduation, sisters!”

“I have a schedule later.”

Our youngest, who seemed to have befriended almost the entire school, was busy greeting everyone with mouth shapes and hand gestures.

“Hello there.”

When Jiho greeted a lady standing on the first floor, she responded with a warm smile.

“Who is that person?”

“She’s the school’s janitor. She, the snack bar lady, and I are best friends.”

I wonder how many friends he has.

I heard somewhere that the maximum number of relationships a person can maintain is around 100, but our youngest seemed to have surpassed that limit in this field.

As I was marveling at his newfound popularity…

“Uh…?”

We too were taken aback as we watched Ri Hyeok chatting with his classmates.

It wasn’t an awkward atmosphere but rather the kind of conversation you’d expect among real friends.

Junghyun asked me.

“Hyung, can you scan his lip movements?”

“Just a moment. ‘I’m a bit nervous. Don’t read my lips during class time, you know.’”

I coughed awkwardly as the guy, who seemed to have caught on, narrowed his eyes at me.

Bi Ju looked amazed.

“Ri Hyeok has friends?”

“Yeah, looks like he does.”

“Jiho said Ri Hyeok didn’t have any friends.”

Jiho nodded and asked back.

“Is he just somewhat friendly with a few classmates? Isn’t that considered having not many friends?”

“Hey, if that’s considered having no friends, then what about us?”

“Huh? Hyungs, did you have friends?”

As Bi Ju and I snorted, we left it to Junghyun to handle.

I always thought it was a pity that Ri Hyeok’s hyung didn’t have many friends because the youngest always talked about it.

Surprisingly, it felt good to think he had a good social circle.

While I was pondering this…

“Hmm?”

I joined the members of the girl group La Vie en Rose on stage, taking the microphone in hand.

“Hello everyone!”

“I’m Seo Rihyuk from class 3-3, and I’ll be your host for this year’s graduation ceremony.”

Why on earth is there an MC at a high school graduation?

As the MCs proceeded, the girl group High Color performed their title track as a celebratory show.

“…?”

While I, Jung-hyun, and Bijoo blinked rapidly, struggling to adjust, students dressed in taekwondo uniforms suddenly began to kick and dance.

A variety of performances unfolded before our eyes.

But the most bewildering part wasn’t the performances—it was the awards ceremony.

“The Highest Merit Award goes to… 3rd year, class 3, Seo… Ri… Hyuk.”

Rihyuk walked up to the podium with impeccable posture.

“This student is well-behaved and…”

That’s not right.

“…possesses a spirit of volunteerism.”

That’s not right either.

“…and has contributed significantly to the school’s development…”

I suppose that could be true.

It seemed like the school’s most famous person, Rihyuk, was receiving the award.

I wasn’t exactly thrilled that Rihyuk was considered the top output among the 3rd-year students…

The ceremony continued with other awards.

“The Righteous Talent Award goes to… Seo… Ri… Hyuk.”

We clapped with bright smiles.

“The Righteous Talent Award?”

“Righteous Talent…?”

“He’s neither righteous nor particularly talented.”

We just managed to keep our expressions under control amid the inexplicable shower of awards.

[Always like a family, New Black.gif]

(New Black showing a range of expressions with each mention of the Highest Merit Award at the graduation ceremony.gif)

You could hear the murmurs every time the commendation for the Merit Award was read.

“LOL, why are his expressions so cute?”

“Look at his eyes widen when they say ‘well-behaved.’”

“They really are like a family, LOL.”

(Button popping off.gif) “This student is well-behaved and…”

(Rihyuk running away first during a punishment mission on Historical Expedition.gif) “…possesses a spirit of volunteerism.”

-That’s why it’s believable.

-The principal must have had a hard time keeping a straight face while giving out the award.

-But seriously, LOL, considering all the effort the members put in, they shouldn’t be the ones showing such reactions.

-Jen-min and Dae-gil… the lineup of those who are ‘well-behaved.’

-They’re world-class.

-Feels like watching the lineup of infamous instructors from Hyper Study.

After the graduation ceremony and the final class meeting in the classroom, Rihyuk emerged much later.

“Why did you come out so late?”

Rihyuk climbed into the car, arms full of bouquets.

“I had a chat with our homeroom teacher. And then I went to give handwritten letters to the subject teachers, so it took a while.”

“Did they like them?”

“Yes, they all wished me even more success than I have now.”

He then set down a rather heavy eco-bag.

“What’s that?”

“Letters and rolling papers from friends.”

“Oh…”

“It seems they appreciated the letters I gave them before. They all prepared responses.”

Rihyuk looked at the bundle of letters with a pleased smile.

At that moment, we presented the bouquets we had hidden behind our backs.

“Ta-da!”

“Oh, what’s this…”

He trailed off, uncharacteristically bashful and clearly delighted.

He shook his head and coughed to cover his embarrassment, but he looked incredibly happy.

“This is a gift from the members, representing all of us~”

Rihyuk received the gift and handwritten letters from Bijoo with a beaming smile.

Then, gazing intently at the bundle in his arms, he fiddled with his lips.

“…Thank you.”

“Congratulations on your graduation, Ryuk!”

As the chorus of congratulations filled the air, Ryuk sniffled.

“Huh? Are you crying?”

“No, I’m not crying. Why do you ask?”

Clutching a bouquet of flowers, my eyes moistened, but I managed a smile.

I didn’t want to tease him about crying; he might get embarrassed.

“So, to celebrate your graduation, how about we go eat some jjajangmyeon?”

“Jjajangmyeon~!”

While the managers started the car, and Ryuk was lost in thought, I fumbled for my phone.

“So, who won the bet?”

“Since both ‘thank you’ and ‘teary-eyed’ came out, doesn’t that mean Manager Woo won?”

“Since Junghyun guessed the least, he should treat us to the meal…”

Ryuk looked at us, his face now free of tears.

“No, not with this bet…”

Then, as a collective roar of anger erupted, we all playfully covered our ears together.

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