Chapter 24: Nailed It
Everyone must have felt it.
How my voice, which had been full of anticipation just a moment ago, gradually lost its confidence and trailed off at the end.
“…Wow.”
I didn’t see this coming.
I thought of one of those videos where someone pretends to like a disappointing gift.
First, I plastered a smile on my lips and made a light comment.
“How could you give me a gift that suits me so perfectly….”
With a touched expression and politely clasped hands.
“It’s actually one of my staples, I’ve been eating it every day lately.”
“Really?”
As if!
“Did you know sunflower seeds are good for your health? No wonder my heart started pounding wildly the moment I saw the silhouette from afar… Was this all a grand scheme to receive sunflower seeds….”
“Seohan, that’s enough. Good job.”
“If your heart flutters from seeing that, it’s arrhythmia.”
“Yes.”
Failure.
I blinked and confirmed one thing for sure.
“Hyung, I’m not actually a hamster.”
“It’s okay.”
What’s okay?
Seo Haim casually waved his hand and poured a few sunflower seeds into my palm.
“You’re cute. Let’s take a picture. We’ll upload it later with the PD’s permission!”
Judging by his bright eyes, he looked ready to snap a photo any moment.
This hyung is really serious about image-making for the production team.
What’s even more absurd is that Ha Junseo was actively playing along with Seo Haim’s nonsense.
“Yeah, hey. Let’s take a shot.”
He even pulled out his phone and started framing the shot.
Why are these hyungs like this?
As I stood there awkwardly, Ha Junseo continued speaking smoothly.
“Even this kind of concept, it’s all created by your hyungs.”
“Yeah, try eating the sunflower seeds!”
“……”
Is that… so?
Since I’m a bit gullible, I was kind of swayed.
I hesitantly picked up a seed and struck a pose as instructed.
Click.
“Oh, that’s good?”
“This composition is insane. And I take great photos.”
Jin Sehyun, showing off his photography skills, was practically lying on the floor taking pictures.
Taking advantage of the moment, Ha Junseo tucked the hamster doll he gave me between my arms.
And then added Jin Sehyun’s gift, a bright yellow neck pillow.
“Okay, one more shot!”
“Oh, should we post this one?”
“Let’s take just one more. I’ve got a good feeling today.”
I’m starting to wonder whether this is really for my gift or just to satisfy their own desires.
“Anyway, thank you.”
Amid the loud shutter sounds, the gift-giving ceremony was wrapping up.
Stage genius Do Hamjji
Happy Birthday!!!
#Celebrating_Seohan’s_Glory_Takeoff_17th_Birthday
#Let’s_Debut_MamHamjji
♡Happy Seohan Day♡
Our Seohan, who always gives his all on stage
Let’s take it easy and have fun just for today
#Celebrating_Seohan’s_Glory_Takeoff_17th_Birthday #ILoveDoSeohan #PhotoFrom_CenterEvaluation #MamHamjji_YesIt’sHim
Promoting our angel hamster for his birthday
#AngelHamster #HappyBirthdaySeohan #Celebrating_Seohan’s_Glory_Takeoff_17th_Birthday
Though he’s signed with an agency, he’s still a trainee who hasn’t debuted.
Since he doesn’t have a personal social media account, there wasn’t much content aside from a well-taken photo from the broadcast station.
Still, who would’ve thought there’d be so many fans cheering for me.
As I clicked on the hashtags that trended yesterday and read through fans’ supportive posts one by one, I paused in front of a particular post.
It was the photo released on the public account yesterday.
The sunflower seed concept shot.
At the time of the shoot, I really wasn’t sure about it, but despite my shabby appearance, the photo came out looking like a pictorial.
I had to admit one thing—Hyung really did take a good picture.
Below it were waves of enthusiastic comments.
—Found this late at night and got a sudden heart attack
└Ah I’m dying so cute
└Who could hate our Hamgi who brought out a hamster doll and a sunflower seed neck pillow to take a photo just because it’s his birthday?
└Just thinking about how he fumbled around to pose for that pic is driving me crazy
└Angel hamster loved by his hyungs ㅠㅠ Even from that one photo, the youngest vibes are overwhelming
—So whose idea was the sunflower seed concept shot LOL
└Eating so neatly, too cute
└Hyungs I want to take a photo like that while eating this too (17-year-old baby hamster Do Seohan)
└LOL there’s no way Seohan suggested that himself
└Definitely not
└Zoom in on the pic, his ears are kinda red—no way it was MamHamjji’s idea
└Was it Haim?
└Oh!
└Must be Seo Haim LOLOLOL
—His team hyungs took care of him since it’s his birthday LOL this team would’ve functioned fine without Lee Junhyeok
└Why bring up Junhyeok out of nowhere? Stop dragging someone who’s just minding his business
└So pathetic, Lee Junhyeok
└He was “just minding his business”? He got caught pulling shady moves and now he’s playing innocent
└#LeeJunhyeok_Out
└Don’t bring up Junhyeok in a nice post
—It says photo by Jin, isn’t that Jin Sehyun from the same team?
└Seems like it
└Crazy, they must’ve gotten close. I support our kids’ friendship lol
└While we’re at it, I hope they take a two-shot too. Their visuals together would be insane
└Please release the stage soon lol
Everyone must have felt it.
How my voice, which had been brimming with anticipation just moments ago, gradually lost its conviction and trailed off.
“…Wow.”
I really didn’t expect this.
I thought of those videos where people pretend to like a disappointing gift.
So I plastered a smile on my lips and offered a light line.
“How could you give me a gift that fits me so perfectly….”
With a touched look and politely clasped hands.
“It’s actually one of my staples—I’ve been having them every day lately.”
“Really?”
As if!
“Did you know sunflower seeds are good for your health? No wonder my heart started pounding the moment I saw the silhouette from afar… Wait… was the big plan all about getting sunflower seeds….”
“Seohan, that’s enough. Good job.”
“If your heart flutters from seeing that, it’s arrhythmia.”
“Yes.”
Failure.
I blinked and confirmed one thing.
“Hyung, I’m not actually a hamster.”
“It’s okay.”
What’s okay?
Seo Haim waved his hand dismissively and shook a few sunflower seeds into my palm.
“You’re cute. Let’s take a picture. We’ll post it later with the PD’s permission!”
Judging by his bright eyes, he looked ready to snap a shot any moment.
This hyung is really serious about creating the image for the production team.
What’s even more absurd is that Ha Junseo was eagerly going along with Seo Haim’s nonsense.
“Yeah, hey. Let’s take one.”
He even pulled out his phone and started composing the shot.
Why are these hyungs like this?
As I stood there awkwardly, Ha Junseo continued with a smooth line.
“This whole concept—your hyungs made it happen.”
“Yeah, try eating the sunflower seeds!”
“……”
Is that… true?
Since I’m a bit easily swayed, I found myself wavering.
Tentatively, I picked up a seed and posed as instructed.
Click.
“Oh, that’s nice?”
“This framing is insane. And I’m good at taking photos.”
Jin Sehyun, eager to show his photo skills, was practically lying on the floor to take pictures.
While that was happening, Ha Junseo tucked the hamster doll I’d been given between my arms.
And then added Jin Sehyun’s gift— a bright yellow neck pillow.
“Okay, one more shot!”
“Oh, should we post this one?”
“Let’s take one more. I’ve got a vibe today.”
I started to wonder whether this was really about my gift—or just satisfying their own desires.
“In any case, thank you.”
Amid the loud shutter clicks, the gift-giving ceremony came to an end.
Stage genius Do Hamjji
Happy Birthday!!!
#Celebrating_Seohan’s_Glory_Takeoff_17th_Birthday
#Let’s_Debut_MamHamjji
♡Happy Seohan Day♡
Our Seohan, who’s always earnest on stage
Let’s relax and enjoy today just a little
#Celebrating_Seohan’s_Glory_Takeoff_17th_Birthday #ILoveDoSeohan #PhotoFrom_CenterEvaluation #MamHamjji_YesIt’sHim
Promoting our angel hamster for his birthday
#AngelHamster #SeohanBirthdayCelebration #Celebrating_Seohan’s_Glory_Takeoff_17th_Birthday
Although I belong to an agency, I’m still just a trainee who hasn’t debuted.
Since I don’t have personal social media, there hadn’t been much fodder besides a well-shot photo from the broadcast station.
Yet, who would’ve thought there’d be this many fans supporting me.
I clicked on the hashtags that trended yesterday and read through supportive posts one by one, stopping at a particular post.
It was the photo released on the agency’s official account yesterday.
The sunflower seed concept shot.
When it was taken, I really questioned whether it was right—despite my bleary appearance, the photo looked like a pictorial.
I have to admit one thing: hyung really knows how to take good photos.
Below that were waves of passionate reactions.
—Found this post late at night and got my heart attacked out of nowhere
└ Ah I’m dying this is so cute
└ Who could hate our Hamgi who brought a hamster doll and a sunflower seed neck pillow and took a selfie just because it’s his birthday?
└ Thinking about how he clumsily posed to take that pic is driving me crazy
└ Angel hamster loved by his hyungs ㅠㅠ Even from that one photo alone, the maknae vibes are overflowing
—So whose idea was that sunflower seed concept shot LOL
└ Eating so neatly, too cute
└ Hyungs I want to take a pic like that while eating too (17‑year‑old baby hamster Do Seohan)
└ LOL I don’t think Seohan would’ve suggested that
└ Definitely not
└ Zoom in on the pic, his ears seem a bit red—definitely not MamHamjji’s idea
└ Was it Haim?
└ Oh!
└ Must’ve been Seo Haim lololol
—His hyung‑team celebrated his birthday LOL this team would’ve functioned fine without Lee Junhyeok
└ Why bring up Junhyeok suddenly? Stop dragging someone who’s just staying quiet
└ So pathetic, Lee Junhyeok
└ He “stayed quiet”? He was caught on a sneaky move and now acts innocent
└ #LeeJunhyeok_Out
└ Don’t insert Junhyeok into a nice post
—It says photo by Jin—isn’t that Jin Sehyun from the same team?
└ Looks like it
└ Crazy—they must be close now. I support our kids’ friendship ㅠㅠ
└ While we’re at it, I hope they take a two‑shot too. Their visuals together would be insane
└ Please release the performance soon ㅠㅠ
└ TBN, hurry up and release the personal fancam—we have to drop it by next week because of some law
└ A woman’s been waiting like this like crazy please
“Look, I’m good at taking pictures, right?”
Before I knew it, Jin Sehyun popped in with his head and said suddenly.
Thanks to that, I had teasing material to ride on for a few days.
I bowed my head to give thanks, and a calm line returned.
“Let’s take a joint photo next time.”
“Yes, hyung.”
Up close, Jin Sehyun was naturally sharp-minded.
He might not be overtly cutesy in front of fans like Seo Haim, but he seemed to know how to catch their attention.
‘…it said “I’d love it if they took a two‑shot too; their visuals together would be insane.”’
He must’ve seen that comment, right.
This hyung’s low-key checking everything.
I smirked and skimmed through the remaining comments.
Besides occasional insults about Lee Junhyeok, there didn’t appear to be any notably controversial comments.
We’re not far from the first round elimination selection, so every little comment could feel nerve-wracking right now.
Jin Sehyun, as if understanding my feelings, spoke in a rough tone.
“Stop covering it. Most are compliments anyway.”
“I was just trying to monitor a bit.”
“Monitoring? In the future, mental breakdowns will be everywhere—don’t internalize every little thing.”
“You seem better at watching that kind of stuff than anyone else.”
“Ugh. Kids shouldn’t see that stuff.”
“…?”
When I gave him a surprised glance, Jin Sehyun waved it off as a joke.
It felt vaguely unpleasant that he sounded half‑serious, but I decided to let it slide.
Anyway, he wasn’t entirely wrong.
Even today, once the live broadcast ends, a flood of comments will pour in.
If I let every single one sway me, it’ll affect my performance.
If half the world likes me, surely the other half will dislike me.
I calmly shut off my phone and shoved it into my pocket,
Clang—
The waiting room door swung open. Seo Haim burst in, holding bottles of cola in both hands, grinning brightly and waving.
“What’s up? Everyone’s here! Junseo hyung, let’s go in!”
“……”
“Everyone, live broadcast watch party, let’s go!”
That hyung was already pumped.
Nine o’clock in the evening.
We gathered in the empty waiting room just as the live broadcast of ‘Stardust Project’ Episode 3 was about to begin.
The same lineup as always—Seo Haim, Jin Sehyun, Ha Junseo, and me.
They insisted on watching the show together, saying the epic stage is something we must see together—clearly Seo Haim pushed hard for that promise.
Seo Haim shifted a bit to make space for me to sit.
“Did you eat dinner?”
“No.”
“You hungry for pizza?”
Since he even preordered pizza, they were absolutely serious about the live watch party.
“These are delicious. Actually, Sehyun had a coupon so he got it with that.”
“Everyone, appreciate it.”
“Yes, hyung!”
“Ugh… I’ve never had a younger sibling like you guys.”
Jin Sehyun shook his head in disgust at Seo Haim calling him “hyung” so suddenly.
Of course, even if he made that face, I doubt it would hurt anyone.
“Hmm?”
Munching away—
Seo Haim stuffed half a slice of pizza in his mouth regardless.
Seated beside him, Ha Junseo sipped his horrendous coffee and placed Byeoldol next to me.
“Byeoldol, ready for the live broadcast watch?”
Bright yellow Byeoldol’s blank gaze turned toward the TV.
I always feel this way—
That hyung seems totally normal, but somewhere one screw is loose.
As if reading my thoughts, Jin Sehyun quietly approached and offered a paper cup.
“…Just go with it.”
“It’s lucky to have at least one normal person around you.”
“Right? We’re honestly such embarrassing humans.”
In a low voice, Jin Sehyun added:
“All right, then—cheers among the only sane ones.”
“Cheers!”
The cola-filled paper cups clinked in mid-air.
I picked up a slice of pizza with my hand and fixed my gaze on the screen.
Just then,
“Wow, it’s starting.”
“Oh! The adverts are over.”
Clatter, bump.
In the excitement, Seo Haim dropped a bottle that rolled across the room, causing a brief commotion—but as soon as the live broadcast began, everyone fell silent as if on cue.
“……”
Then our faces appeared on the screen.
[We will give our all on this stage.]
Since Episode 2 ended right before our stage, our team’s performance was the opening scene.
As members appeared with determined expressions, narration from other teams played over the screen.
[This lineup is strong.]
[Seo Haim, Jin Sehyun, Lee Junhyeok, Do Seohan, Ha Junseo—aren’t these the ones who got grade A in ranking evaluation?]
[They even have a center. Wow, this group is Avengers-level. Isn’t this basically unfair?]
As soon as the lineup appeared, awe broke out from the members of other teams. A whole roster of well-known trainees—a true Avengers combo.
While most reactions were positive, some trainees delivered overly MSG-laden remarks.
[…Does this combo really fit?]
[Honestly, it’s all just bubble. Their skills don’t stand out?]
The screen switched abruptly.
Jin Sehyun bowed his head slightly and spoke.
[Hello, this is Body Wash.]
“Pfft.”
—Body Wash, seriously lol