Chapter 59

June 14.

Gowon’s comeback showcase was scheduled for a weekend just as summer was beginning in earnest.

!6/14 Showcase! CuteSexyDarkBlackHeDoesItAll @go1wayyyy

He debuted on Valentine’s Day and comes back on Kiss Day—what am I supposed to do with this romantic baby jaguar ㅠㅠ

Gowon’s debut had been rushed under pressure from the circumstances at the time. A crisis had struck, and the company had been so busy cutting through only the most urgent procedures that there were countless things it had failed to handle properly.

Even so, Gowon had quietly pushed through the grueling schedule and achieved strong results as well.

And after that, he had endured all kinds of twists and turns, including the conflict with Division Four, before finally reaching his first comeback.

This time, no matter what, we’re going to scrape together everything we failed to do for him last time and let the whole world know just how incredible our boy is.

Division Five poured all its passion and effort into that resolve.

Having won the battle to secure seats for the one-day showcase, Gowon’s fandom, One and Only, began filling the venue one by one.

What incredible dancing and singing had their admirable cat prepared this time?

The fans, who switched gleefully between calling Gowon a jaguar when he was sexy and a cat when he was cute, waited for the performance to begin, each carrying their own expectations.

A fandom’s temperament often followed that of its artist. If the singer was energetic, the fans bounced around and screamed loudly. If the singer was calm, the viewing atmosphere followed suit.

Gowon’s fandom was the same: people who carried enormous flames in their eyes and hearts, yet outwardly maintained cool reason.

“Hello.”

“Yes, hello.”

A fan who had just arrived bowed awkwardly to the fan who had already taken the neighboring seat.

The person beside her was a shyly smiling girl who had worn a pretty long skirt despite the hostile environment of a summer concert venue. Resting on her knees was a cat doll in a black furry hat, unofficial Gowon merchandise.

“This is a snack. Please have some.”

Judging by its appearance, the carefully offered snack was clearly homemade.

“Oh, thank you. I brought a little something too. Please take it.”

What she offered in return was... well, a chocolate bar she had hurriedly bought at a convenience store before arriving.

The difference in effort was enormous, so she could only feel grateful that the other fan accepted it with a gentle smile. The girl beside her, who was difficult to imagine eating a chocolate bar, quietly slipped it into her bag.

In truth, even when things started this awkwardly, there was usually fun in becoming close by the end and saying all kinds of ridiculous fan nonsense together. But somehow, the person beside her did not seem like that type.

I should be careful not to get so excited that I disturb her.

Putting on the persona of a socially competent professional, the fan calmly stared straight ahead.

Onstage, beyond a dark-blue veil, a single word was displayed on the screen.

Record

Wave-like stage decorations, and the theme was records.

Since it was summer, was this going to be a bright youth concept?

Two thoughts crossed in the fan’s mind.

Yes. If it was a youth concept for a twenty-year-old, a marine look was practically mandatory. Gowon in a marine look? A sailor collar fluttering across those broad shoulders? Muscular forearms beneath short sleeves? Abs flashing into view whenever he danced? Whatever it was, it would be incredible.

On the other hand, it was hard to forget the reckless youthfulness that had exploded through his last album as though he meant to shatter his own body, and the gloom that emerged from it. The impact of that dark, refreshing concept had been difficult to erase.

That really was a one-of-a-kind concept. If he doesn’t do it again now, some other group is definitely going to copy it in the fall and then act like we’re claiming a patent on dark imagery...

For that reason, she also hoped he would solidify the image he had built with his debut.

She was thinking all kinds of things, keeping her expression cold while her fingers burned hot as she typed furiously on social media, when the lights began going out one by one from the back of the stage.

“Gasp...!”

Excited breaths rose from every direction.

At last, a spotlight illuminated the stage, and the screen opened to both sides.

A single person walked out from the center.

A black jacket, a white shirt, black trousers.

Gowon, looking slightly slimmer than during his previous promotional cycle.

“Aaaaaaaaah!!!!!”

But there was another reason they instantly lost all reason and screamed.

If There Are Three Gowons, That’s Three Gowon @doublemoney

F-f-fuck what was I even thinking all this time Gowon just do whatever you want!!!!!

│

Why does my opinion matter when you already fulfill every desire I have all by yourself!!!!!

Gowon stepped forward and raised his head to look out at the audience.

His platinum-blond hair, reflecting the light, swayed softly.

The black jaguar and black cat had undergone a shocking transformation.

So that’s why he’d been pulling beanies down over his head in every recent photo!

No one could deny that the platinum hair scattered over his snow-white skin suited Gowon perfectly.

Then the intro began over the speakers. It was his previous title track, <Unlimited(∞)>.

Within lighting that shot across the stage like dark-red lasers, his relentless footwork and live vocals continued without pause.

Perhaps because he had kept his hair black throughout his last promotional cycle, even the stage for a song they already knew felt new now that he had been painted in the completely different color of blond.

And one fact came through unmistakably.

He’s grown.

Gowon performed the stage even more perfectly than he had at the end of his previous promotional cycle.

The comeback showcase was also being streamed live online, and the live chat was blazing.

Thank you so fucking much for making this available online, Taeyoung

It’s shocking that his vocals improved, and just as shocking that his dancing somehow got even better from where it already was

After the intense dance ended, blue lasers poured over Gowon as he caught his breath amid the cheering.

Driving the fans’ dopamine to its absolute limit, Gowon moved directly from <Unlimited(∞)> into a performance of <DRIFT>.

As the dancers gathered and scattered, Gowon kicked off the floor and flipped through the air. The difficult move had not been part of the original stage arrangement, and another scream-like roar erupted.

He’s dancing hard enough to break every bone in his body and you can hear his breath rattling in the mic, proving it’s live, but the vocals are still clean as hell

The moment K-pop corruption is purged

All you bastards faking live vocals, learn from our boy dancing and singing alone for six minutes

-Woo-! Drift into you!

Flames burst with the final line.

After finishing two intense stages in a row, Gowon panted, unable to calm his breathing.

The fans filled every gap with cheering. Even the two fans who had shyly greeted each other in their seats were now screaming until their throats tore.

Gowon, who had turned his head sideways for the ending pose, slowly brought his gaze back to the front. Shyness settled over the face that had been sweeping across the stage with fierce determination only moments ago.

...Hello, One and Only. I’m Gowon.Calling his fandom by name for the first time, Gowon smiled and waved.

His flushed expression appeared exactly as it was on the screen. The scream-like cheering grew even louder.

Ah, it’s such a shame the light stick isn’t out yet!

Since the fandom name had only just been decided, work on the light-stick design had probably begun. Hoping she could open her wallet as soon as possible, the fan wildly waved the fan light she had received before entering.

I’m so happy that I can introduce a new album as One and Only’s Gowon.“Of course! Who else would even be an idol if not youuuuuugh!”

She shouted in excitement, but unfortunately, her voice rang thunderously around the venue and turned into a solo comment.

Gowon’s eyes widened toward the embarrassed fan before a smile slowly returned to his face.

Thank you.While the fan burned with embarrassment, the chat window filled rapidly again.

Why did our baby grow up this much? ㅠㅠㅠㅠ

The Baby Demon King is all grown up, all grown up, you can conquer Earth now

Yes, we’ve just seen a perfect performance unique to our Gowon, along with the passionate cheers of One and Only. I’m Kim Minseo, your host for today’s comeback showcase.The host was currently rising in popularity on YouTube for clean, thorough interviewing skills.

Soon, two chairs were placed onstage, and Gowon and the host each took a seat.

The new song and music video will be released today at six, correct?Yes, that’s right.Gowon’s answer still held traces of breathlessness.

The sight of him throwing his entire body into the performance from the very beginning without even considering stamina management was yet another admirable attitude that made the corners of the fans’ mouths twitch upward.

What does “Record” on the screen mean?Um... whenever a precious moment happened, I always wanted to take out a camera and press the record button. Today, meeting everyone for the first time as One and Only’s Gowon, feels like one of those moments. That feeling—the desire to create countless new and overwhelming moments together with all of you—is what I put into the title of this album.Gowon smiled amid the fans’ emotional, nasal murmurs.

And when those records have accumulated into something vast, I hope I will still be someone wonderful to you.It was a poetic and beautiful explanation.

But fans were creatures who would find cuteness even in something their artist had delivered with every ounce of emotion and dignity.

Gowon’s eyes are so busy lol teleprompter -> camera -> audience -> host, endless loop

Guess he doesn’t need to work out today, that eye-muscle workout is enough

Gowon would cry if he saw these comments lol ㅠㅠㅠ

Please cry for us, bawl like you did at your first win

Because he looked completely unfamiliar with talking onstage, they could listen even to his fairly bold words with the warm gaze of people watching a children’s talent show.

Ha... this is the joy of stanning a rookie.

The fan nodded in satisfaction.

Sitting ramrod-straight with tension, Gowon looked unlikely to cause any scandal for at least the next ten years. The reassurance her favorite gave her made the fan herself relax.

This entire live hall is filled only with people who love you, Gowon. Performing here must feel truly special. How does it feel?As though answering the question, the fans cheered and waved their fan lights. The dark-blue glow swayed like waves on the sea before dawn.

It’s amazing because a new miracle always unfolds. Thank you. Did I keep my promise to do even better on the next stage?The fans’ answer was practically predetermined.

A thunderous “Yes!” rang out, and Gowon smiled brightly. Then he deliberately put on a startled expression.

But... there’s a problem.Oh, a problem? What kind of problem?Um, I have to fill today’s showcase from beginning to end by myself. But I’ve already performed all my songs... so I’ve run out of material.“New song! Sing the new song!” the fans shouted.

The new song has to come last in the order...Ah, he’s cute. Seriously cute. If I kidnapped him, I think even the judge would say Gowon was the guilty one.

The fan desperately suppressed the savage impulse rising inside her in proportion to Gowon’s cuteness. Even knowing that, given Gowon’s personality, the line had definitely come from the script, it was difficult to endure.

The host also seemed to find Gowon’s terrible acting adorable, because they hid the area below their eyes with the cue card and trembled for a moment.

For Gowon, who’s disappointed about that, we have prepared games that will let him show you a variety of performances today!...!Are you ready?...Yes!<Guess the Song from the Dance Break>

Ba-ba-ba-bam. The words appeared on the screen with a sound effect.

When you think of Gowon, you think of dance, and when you think of dance, you think of Gowon, don’t you? From now on, you’ll listen to the dance-break section of a particular song and identify both the title and the artist. Shall we begin with a practice question?...Yes!Gowon was glaring tensely at the speakers when he raised his hand the instant the music began.

Answer. Dearune’s <Paradox>.Wow, I know it’s only the practice question, but that was incredibly fast.We promoted at the same time. So I had many chances to watch their stages.So there was a connection! Then please perform the correct song for us!Ah...!Letting out a brief sound of realization, Gowon stood up.

As the chorus began, Gowon’s body moved with the famous challenge section.

-Para, Para, Paradox.

Named by Pophos as the 184-centimeter baby who performs girl-group dances best

He preserves every key point of the choreography, but how does he absorb it so completely into his own style;;

Only after cleanly completing the ending pose with the clock hands flowing backward did Gowon return to the face of a shy twenty-year-old.

Wow, that was truly incredible. Shall we begin in earnest now?Then began what was called a quiz, but was effectively Gowon’s personal random-play dance.

The fan was certain.

The fans who had failed to attend today’s showcase would feel wronged until the day they died.

Most of the questions that followed were songs by senior K-Dom artists. Gowon answered easily, and even when he hesitated, he found the answer immediately after one or two hints came flying from the audience.

babamboom @qkqka

List of cover stages performed for us today by our admirable cheese-cat baby

Dearune <Paradox>

Young Ace <EGG>, <What a Waste>

Edelweiss <Cantabile>

Ieum <Insane>

Girls’ Party <Kissing Darling>

Newton <New Moon>

*Note: It’s not over yet

Gowon filled the stage perfectly, making any concern about his being alone seem absurd. How that fist-sized head contained so many dances was a mystery.

This is the final question. Will Gowon show us another incredible performance this time?Following the host’s voice, a somewhat dated hip-hop beat began to play. Its most distinctive quality was the strong sense of summer in it.

......?Gowon froze.

As though asking for help, he cautiously shifted his gaze toward the audience.

But this time, the audience reacted in much the same way. Most of them widened their eyes and wore expressions that said, “What is this?”

Amid them, only a small number laughed awkwardly.

Please stop administering old-person tests

The younger fan I’m watching with asked if I knew this, and I can’t answer;;

Gowon, I’m sorry, but I know it...