Chapter 1092: I am New Black, Class of ’18 (16)

"Oh my! You're adorable!"

I smiled as I stroked the rabbit that was happily accepting cabbage from me.

"How is your fur this soft and fluffy? It feels completely different from a cat. You're like a stuffed animal."

The rabbit sat in my arms, nibbling away at the cabbage.

Watching enviously, Jiho cautiously reached out a hand.

SCREEEEEEEEE!

The rabbit immediately turned stone-faced.

As the SNL staff burst out laughing, Jiho slowly withdrew his hand with a wounded expression.

"Wow. Now even animals are judging people by their looks."

"Animals are actually more sensitive to appearances."

Our resident National Geographic expert, Junghyun, provided commentary.

"Animals' standards of beauty aren't all that different from humans'."

"The so-called golden ratio."

Ri Hyuk nodded calmly in agreement.

Meanwhile, Biju turned to the staff.

"Is this little one a girl?"

"Yes."

"I see..."

All of the members stared at the rabbit in my arms with expressions of complete understanding.

I smiled.

"Are we sure it's because of my face? Maybe she sensed the beautiful heart hidden inside me."

"My grandfather used to say this, hyung."

Junghyun spoke solemnly.

"Just because a field doesn't have a fence doesn't mean you're allowed to walk into it. Likewise, just because you have a mouth doesn't mean you should say whatever you want."

"If you're jealous, just say you're jealous, Junghyun! Hahaha!"

"..."

"Tosuni. Do you see those poor souls blinded by envy? Those are my unfortunate younger brothers~~"

I laughed at the expressions that clearly said they wanted to grab me and shake me violently.

Then I looked down.

A white, fluffy rabbit.

She seemed incredibly gentle, so why was she so irritable?

"Are rabbits usually this aggressive?"

"They can be, but this feels a little different."

Junghyun slowly approached.

The rabbit watched him carefully, ears perked up.

"Wow. Junghyun hyung really looks like an animal trainer. You know, one of those people at zoos."

"...You mean a zookeeper."

"Jiho, at least you got the language right this time."

Junghyun placed a few pellets on his palm and quietly held out his hand.

His voice remained as lazy and even as always.

"Rabbits are extremely sensitive animals. You can tell just by looking at their ears. Their hearing is excellent, so they're highly reactive to even small sounds. That's why if you quietly hold out your hand, they'll approach on their own. You shouldn't reach out to pet them right away like Jiho did."

Just as he said, the rabbit hopped onto the table, looked Junghyun over, then trotted over and accepted the pellets.

"That's why animals like grandfathers and grandmothers. They speak softly and don't try touching them first."

As he spoke, Junghyun skillfully examined the rabbit.

After checking her from several angles, he hummed thoughtfully.

"Visually, she seems perfectly fine. She doesn't look stressed from environmental changes either."

After a moment of thought, Junghyun called over the SNL staff.

They approached with the kind of respect normally reserved for a veterinarian.

"Could you hold out your hand for a moment?"

"Huh? Sure."

Even after placing pellets on the palm, the rabbit refused to approach.

In fact, she looked disgusted.

After sniffing the air, she let out an indignant squeak.

Junghyun's eyes widened.

"Ah!"

"What is it? Did you figure something out?"

One of the SNL writers asked.

Junghyun nodded.

"This is a strange request, but would it be alright if I smelled your hand?"

"Sure. Here."

"Hmm."

After lightly sniffing the back of the person's hand, Junghyun spoke.

"I know what the problem is."

"...?"

"Are you wearing lavender perfume?"

"Not perfume. I used some hand cream earlier..."

Our animal doctor nodded.

"Rabbits really dislike the scent of lavender. That's why people often grow lavender in gardens when they want to keep rabbits away."

"Ah..."

"That's probably why she's being so sensitive. The scent might seem faint to people, but animals experience smell very differently."

"I-I see."

The staff immediately started talking about washing their hands.

Then they turned back to Junghyun.

"But how do you know all this? Do you just really like rabbits?"

"No. Rabbits can damage crops, so I learned about them. If you want to farm, you need to understand every animal that can harm your crops."

"Ah. So you come from a farming family. That actually suits you!"

The SNL staff nodded in understanding.

It was the first time I'd ever seen anyone look at Junghyun and think farmer was a perfect fit.

Maybe American farmers had a very different image than Korean ones.

After solving the mystery, we waved goodbye to the staff and prepared to leave.

Then—

"Ah."

One of the writers spoke up.

"I heard you're filming a pre-recorded sketch today?"

"That's right."

"Would you be interested in filming something else too? I just came up with an idea. It would only take about ten seconds."

"Of course! Absolutely!"

My face immediately brightened.

"What kind of idea?"

"The sketch we're filming today is based on Rabbit Man."

"Rabbit Man?"

"Think superhero origin story. Like someone becoming a hero after being bitten by a genetically modified spider. Except this guy gets bitten by a rabbit and becomes Rabbit Man."

I could already picture the concept.

While all the cool superheroes flew between skyscrapers and showed off amazing powers, Rabbit Man would be stuck with pathetic rabbit abilities and become a joke.

Jiho bounced excitedly.

"Me! Me! Pick me! I'd be great at that!"

I turned back to the writer.

"So what's the idea exactly?"

"At the end of the sketch, Rabbit Man gives up his powers and decides to return to being a normal person."

"Oho."

"And then he suddenly encounters another rabbit-powered hero."

"Ah."

"Bunny Man appears dramatically with a flowing cape. He also has a beautiful assistant by his side."

"Ahhh."

"The protagonist watches this and screams at the heavens, 'Why wasn't it like that for me?!' Then the sketch ends."

"That's actually pretty good."

Apparently they already had a suitable costume.

The writers pulled out a phone and showed us a picture.

"Here it is."

"..."

A skin-tight black bodysuit and a cape.

The costume somehow managed to make the wearer look ridiculous.

Both Junghyun and I immediately brightened.

"So Junghyun's doing it, right? He's got the physique."

"So Wooju's doing it, right? He's Rabbit Uncle."

"..."

"..."

Neither of us wanted to wear the black bodysuit.

Junghyun and I exchanged a look.

Junghyun.

Yes.

Let's work together.

Absolutely.

Without hesitation, we pointed at someone else.

"Jiho is a great actor."

"Have you heard of NetPlus? Global superstar. Rising star of Korean cinema."

Jiho laughed and waved his hands.

"Actually, I'm a terrible actor. I survive entirely on my face."

Everyone continued dodging responsibility while the SNL staff mischievously asked who wanted the cameo.

Then Biju spoke.

"How about letting the rabbit decide?"

"..."

"The one chosen by the rabbit becomes the true Bunny Man."

"..."

Junghyun and I looked at each other.

Our eyes seemed to say the same thing.

That could work.

Was it my maxed-out animal affinity?

Or just my face?

We dragged Jiho back before he could escape and placed a few pellets into everyone's palms.

"Why am I participating? What about Ri Hyuk hyung?"

I whispered while looking at Ri Hyuk, who was smiling contentedly nearby.

"He's too skinny to be a superhero. He'd be much better as a deranged scientist."

"True."

"You're right. I—wait. What did you just say?"

As we held rabbit food in our palms, all of us stared nervously at the rabbit.

Tap tap tap tap.

The rabbit hopped around, ears twitching as she examined us.

Then she approached—

"Ah... no..."

"Hahahahaha!"

Me.

Junghyun clenched his fist and whispered, "Yes!"

Having survived, he immediately high-fived the youngest member.

The SNL staff cheered.

"Congratulations, Wooju! You've just earned a ten-second role!"

"Thank you."

After shaking hands with everyone, I spoke up.

"Since we're on the subject, may I suggest something?"

"Of course."

"You mentioned Bunny Man would appear with a beautiful assistant, right? Who's playing the assistant?"

"Oh, one of our cast members. She usually plays the attractive woman role."

I spoke seriously.

"I understand why you'd pair the hero with a beautiful woman. The protagonist needs something to envy. But don't you think modern audiences might find that a little outdated?"

"Oh?"

"In today's world, the trend is handsome man plus handsome man."

"...!"

I dramatically swept my arm toward my members.

"Take your pick. Choose my assistant."

"...!"

I smiled brightly while making eye contact with my wide-eyed younger brothers.

That's right.

If I was going down, I wasn't going down alone.

That was the kind of eldest brother Sun Wooju was.

"Life really is unpredictable. We looked after a rabbit for a minute and ended up getting screen time. Think about it. In Living Together terms, it's like helping Producer Gu Jaeyoung and somehow getting five minutes of airtime."

"Is that luck?"

"Of course it is, Junghyun."

Standing beside me in costume, Junghyun stared gloomily into space.

"The colors are awful..."

"That's how American comic book costumes look."

I wore a rabbit mask and black cape.

Junghyun wore a yellow costume with a red cape and looked like he had given up on life.

Meanwhile—

"Hahahahahaha!"

"Ha!"

The others stood at a distance taking pictures with their phones.

Junghyun and I pouted.

Biju raised his phone.

"Hyung. Move a little to the left."

"Like this?"

"Yes... wow! That looks really good."

Well, as long as one person was happy.

Junghyun suddenly stepped in front of me and blocked Biju's camera.

The temperature in Biju's gaze instantly dropped.

"What are you doing? Move."

"That hurts..."

"Stop leaving slowly and just go."

"That really hurts..."

Biju burst out laughing.

"I still don't understand Biju's sense of humor."

"Neither do I."

As Junghyun said that, the SNL cast members who would be playing pedestrians on a fake New York street set began filing in.

Then—

"Hahahahahaha!"

"Hahahaha!"

Junghyun and I simultaneously pointed at someone with enormous satisfaction.

Today's SNL host.

A handsome young man with brown hair and blue eyes.

And he was wearing—

A white rabbit headband.

Fluffy rabbit gloves.

A ridiculously colored cape.

It reminded me of something Jiho had shown me once.

Rabbit Princess?

Something like that.

The man wearing the outfit closed his eyes in despair when he saw my reaction.

"Damn it. We haven't seen each other in ages and this is how we meet again."

"It looks good."

"Shut up."

I greeted him warmly.

"Long time no see, Rupert. Fancy meeting you here."

"Seriously. It's been a while."

The first host of the new SNL season was twenty-something actor Rupert Dean.

His career was thriving.

We had become friends while filming the musical movie Nostalgia and promoting it in Korea.

We didn't meet often, but whenever either of us happened to have spare time in Los Angeles, we'd occasionally grab a meal together.

While the camera crews prepared, Rupert spoke.

"You guys really became superstars. Every party I go to is playing Overcooked these days."

"Seriously?"

"Want proof? Here's a video."

The clip showed a bunch of white guys jumping up and down on couches at a house party while singing Overcooked.

I was busy marveling at the song's popularity in America when filming preparations resumed.

Rupert suddenly became incredibly busy.

He even dry-heaved a few times from stress.

"You look exhausted. You okay?"

"I've been filming since five in the morning. One of the sketches might cause controversy, so we're preparing a reshoot. It's the season premiere and it's live. My brain's completely fried."

He clicked his tongue.

"You'll understand if you ever host this show."

Soon it was time to film the final scene.

Rupert stood there wearing glasses and a plaid shirt.

[Whew. Finally free from Rabbit Man. I'll never be a superhero again.]

The nerdy-looking protagonist walked down the street.

[Thief! Somebody stop him!]

A pickpocket snatched a handbag and ran.

The camera director signaled to Junghyun and me.

Now.

My cape fluttered dramatically as I appeared and seized the thief.

Exactly as rehearsed, I launched myself forward and intercepted the escaping criminal.

[Bravo!]

[Hooray!]

Rupert blinked as the crowd praised me.

The actress whose handbag had been stolen clasped her hands dramatically.

[Oh, my hero! What is your name?!]

[I am...]

Remembering the reference video Jiho had shown me earlier, I lowered my voice into a gravelly growl.

[I am Bunny Man. Guardian of this city.]

The SNL staff were desperately trying not to laugh.

My members were giving silent applause with deeply satisfied expressions.

Then I turned toward Junghyun and called out the Robin parody name we'd prepared.

[Come, Robbit. The criminals of New York await us!]

[Yes, Bunny Man!]

Our capes fluttered as we ran away.

We pretended to fire grappling hooks into the sky and leap through the air.

Behind us, Rupert's exasperated voice echoed.

[Seriously!?]

And just like that, our cameo was approved in a single take.

"Bravo! Excellent!"

I smiled through the camera director's enthusiastic praise.

Honestly, I had no idea how American audiences would react.

Junghyun removed his hero mask.

"Do you think people will find us funny?"

"I think it'll turn out well."

"Really?"

"Usually when I'm embarrassed, people seem to enjoy it."

"Oh... ah..."

Junghyun placed a hand on my shoulder.

I patted the back of it.

"Let's finish the sketch and go take photos."

Next came the Rabbit Uncle sketch we'd originally been scheduled to appear in.

After filming a bizarre MyTube-style comedy segment, we headed back to the stage.

The main SNL studio was divided into three sections.

The left stage was ours.

The center stage was where the host delivered the opening and closing segments and performed sketches.

And on the far right sat a small photo booth.

"So this is the place."

Sometimes American fans would look at our concept photos and say things like:

"Wow! This totally feels like SNL!"

The location was famous for producing incredible photographs.

Photos that perfectly captured the charm of the featured guest and turned them into something iconic.

Under the photographer's direction, we began shooting.

"Wow..."

As expected, everyone loved the results.

We stood together in white chef uniforms covered in colorful paint splatters.

I stood in the center holding a pot and ladle while my underlings grinned mischievously around me.

Just looking at the image made people smile.

"Wow. I'm cropping out my part and making it my profile picture."

"Me too."

If someone ever asked what NewBlack looked like in a single image, I'd want to show them that photo.

After a productive day filled with SNL sketches and some of the best pictures of our lives—

The day of the live broadcast finally arrived.

"So today's the day."

Together with our agent, D'Angelo Costa, who looked even more nervous than we were, we returned to Studio 8H.

As we walked toward rehearsal, I asked:

"How many viewers are expected today?"

"Hard to know until it airs, but considering you're appearing, I'd estimate around five million."

"Five million..."

Misinterpreting my reaction, our agent hurried to explain.

"Sounds small, right? It probably feels that way after Supernova Dodgeball, but that's still higher than most award shows. And once you include online engagement, several times that number will see your performance."

I waved my hand.

"No, it's not that it sounds small. It's that it sounds enormous."

"Ah! Right."

"It really drives home how huge this program is."

Five million viewers.

That would be nearly ten percent of Korea's entire population.

Every time I thought about America's population size, it still felt surreal.

When we arrived at the rehearsal stage, D'Angelo spoke again.

"Oh, one more thing regarding the SNL stage. You'll probably need to focus on your vocals more than usual today."

"Any particular reason?"

"SNL has a reputation for terrible audio."

"Huh?"

"Not terrible exactly. Just... brutally honest."

"Ah."

I understood immediately.

Since it was a live broadcast, there wouldn't be any post-processing anyway.

But most music shows used equipment that smoothed over imperfections.

Apparently SNL didn't.

Which was why performing well on SNL carried extra prestige.

We smiled.

"That's actually good news."

"Hm?"

"That works in our favor."

"Oh?"

"We're confident."

Our agent looked impressed.

I shrugged and placed my hand on one person's shoulder.

The rest of the members did the same.

"We believe in you, Ri Hyuk."

"Fighting."

"You can do it, Seo Ri Hyuk! Hahaha!"

"..."

Our main vocalist trembled as he looked at us.

Judging by how much he was shaking, at least we didn't need to worry about his vibrato.