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SBC Gayo Daejeon ended.

Due to all the scheduling issues we had, I fell asleep in the car on the way back to our apartment. Mind you, my condition was much better than last month.

As soon as the broadcast of the show ended, the manager excitedly told us about the current public opinion.

—The opinion completely changed!

It was worth seeing the expressions of my companions at that moment.

After that, everyone seemed to have slept very well even though we were in the car, probably because we were finally able to relieve our tension.

This time I was not the only one to rest alone in the apartment. In fact, this morning, the agency called me to come to her, although I didn't know why they called me.

"Well, looking at the manager's expression, I don't think it's a bad thing."

Maybe they'll give me a new personal schedule.

But as soon as I entered the back entrance of the agency, I could see the cause of the call.

There were so many boxes piled on the small door that there was almost no room to enter.

They were elaborately packed boxes with ornate decorative ribbons… rather, they were gifts.

It looked similar to what I saw in the entrance of the apartment last vacation, but the number of gifts was much higher.

"Eh?"

Hang for a minute.

One of the employees who was with me spoke to me with a smile.

—MoonDae-ssi, these are your birthday presents~

—...!

…I see.

Today is December 15.

It's Park MoonDae's birthday.

"...I didn’t expect it."

I completely forgot about it because I lost track of the dates due to the busy schedule of endless rehearsals.

Lately I didn't take time to check social networks, so I didn't notice.

"...Especially since it's not my real birthday."

No, even before entering Park MoonDae's body... I rarely celebrated my birthday.

“I only used that date to taste more complex and expensive meals.”

That's why, seeing the huge amount of gifts along two walls of the corridor, my feet became stiff.

Is this all for me?

—I think it would be difficult to keep them all in the apartment... MoonDae-ssi, we can send them to his father's house... Hmm.

As he spoke, the clerk suddenly remembered MoonDae's family history, so he fell silent, but after a while he corrected himself and spoke to me in a kind tone.

—Would you like us to store them in the agency warehouse for now? I will send the electronic devices and luxury items to your apartment. You can open your gifts to choose the ones you want to take.

—...The people who brought all this…did they say anything else?

With the naked eye I could see that there were three or four different packages placed in different places.

"Perhaps one or two people wanted to deliver it directly..."

—Oh no. They used a professional delivery company. I received a call advising about the delivery the day before yesterday.

The clerk didn't give much thought to that.

—Oh, but they told me to let you know that it is not necessary to give any proof that you did receive the gifts… Yes, that was their message.

—...!

It was then that I realized the situation.

"...They delivered the gifts deliberately in silence."

Until the day before yesterday, TeSTAR was at risk of not getting the Rookie of the Year award due to strong rejection from the communities.

If we hadn't won the implicit competition on the SBS show yesterday, of course we would have continued on our way to ruin.

In that situation, it was obvious that I shouldn't show that I received big gifts as it would lead to more attacks.

"They were very aware of that, so they couldn't come see me in person..."

I felt strange.

It was rare that there were people who put so much heart and mind into others, even though they couldn't communicate or interact on a personal level.

But their target…was me. That made it even weirder.

—Won't you open them? Do we take them directly to the warehouse?

—...No, wait a minute.

I walked to get closer to the boxes.

I could see that the wrapping paper they were wrapping the packages with was actually a collage of photos of me printed on paper, while the decorative ribbons were tied to the labels of the brands they bought some of the gifts from.

But all the brand labels also had another label attached that specified what the contents of the package were.

—...

Numerous garments, electronics and accessories were seen on each label.

"... What should I do?"

I was almost overwhelmed. I don't know by what criteria to choose what gifts I should take with me to the apartment.

“...I will choose products that are easy to carry. Maximum three items that are of the same packaging design…”

As I contemplated, a label caught my eye.

It was a label attached to a box that was relatively smaller than the others.

—...

Hesitating, I picked up the box and unwrapped the wrapping paper.

I saw a small book with a gold-colored hard cover that appeared to have been made by hand.

"You came to my heart like a shooting star."

When I opened the book, I saw several sentences neatly written on elegantly designed sheets.

I knew it from the moment I saw the presentation of “A new world”. I thought "That boy will be my idol!" Haha. MoonDae-ya, you always do your best and keep developing your talents more and more, so I support you so much! But it's okay to stop and take a break when the situation gets tough. I always pray for your happiness, MoonDae-ya ♡

You are the beautiful star that I have wanted to see for a long time.

All my problems disappeared when I met you! Looking at you makes me happy, just thinking that I will be able to see you again in person another day, I get very excited...! My love for you will be forever.

I want to thank and apologize because no matter what your fans do, you always care and take care of us. Therefore, we will do everything we can to support you wherever and whenever. If it's for MoonDae, we really are able to achieve all of our goals!

Between the long messages, there were always sentences that shocked me. They seemed to have been written with a positive mindset.

MoonDae-ya, this noona can't forget about you as a Tibetan Fox. I love Moon Puppy but I also love TibeMoonDae so much ㅠㅠ

—Hahaha.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Really… These people are very unusual. They are incredibly friendly.

Of course, emotions are not eternal. They wrote words like "whenever", "for a long time" and "forever", but as human beings, we know that will not be the case.

Although right now, just knowing that there are people who think that way about me, makes me unable to contain my emotions.

I want to do something.

—...

—MoonDae-ssi?

—...Oh, I'm sorry.

As soon as I came to my senses, I quickly grabbed some gift boxes.

I did it just as I had planned… No, actually, I took more presents than I had planned.

—... Could you take me to the apartment, please?

—Sure, I'll go get my car.

The manager who had accompanied me to come… I guess he must be drinking in the lobby or smoking in front of the agency.

—Hmm… It’s done. Then I'll see you another day. Have a happy birthday!

—Thank you.

I walked out of the parking lot with both hands full of gift bags, and on the way, I ran into the manager.

—Did you bring all the presents by yourself? You should have called me!

—It's okay, the agency is close.

—Well, yes… Anyway, it's great that you received so many gifts. Happy Birthday! Do you want me to buy you a coffee?

—No, it will be for another occasion.

—Oh come on, don't turn down the offer.

I ended up laughing. Everything seemed very pleasant to me, as if I had a refreshing and soft wind caressing my head.

—See you then~

—Yes, thanks.

I said goodbye to the manager in front of the main door of the building where my apartment was located. I strapped on the gift packages again and took the elevator up to my floor.

But when I went out, I felt a strange smell in front of the door of the apartment.

—...?

That smell… isn't it from something that has been burned?

"No way."

I stacked the gifts on one side of the hall and immediately opened the front door of the apartment.

And after making sure the fire alarm was activated, I opened the door

—...?!

—Noooo!!

…And I saw Cha YooJin and Seon AhHyun running around the room with a pot that gave off smoke.

I asked with difficulty.

—... What did you do?

—Moo-MoonDae-ya! I-it's nothing...

—Chicken Soup for the Soul!

YooJin yelled at that and started running with the pot back to the kitchen.

AhHyun froze in the living room and a terrible silence flowed between us.

—...

—...

—...Ha-happy b-birthday.

—Thank you.

I appreciate you congratulating me, but I want to hear an explanation about what happened.

* * *

—... Was it my birthday present?

—Yes!

—N-no… I-I have another gift! We just wanted to thank you...

—I also have more gifts.

Hearing YooJin and AhHyun talk didn't solve anything. It seems that they themselves could not communicate well.

The others, woken up by the shock of the pot, tried to get organized.

—So, you were going to cook something delicious because it's MoonDae's birthday and we have free time in the morning, right?

—Yes!

—...Just you two?

When Bae Sejin muttered under his breath to himself, AhHyun tilted his head with a gloomy face.

—I-I thought we could d-do it because the recipe w-was clear.

—...Are you sure the recipe had clear directions?

YooJin happily responded to Sejin's question.

—Yes, it's my mom's recipe! Chickensoup!

—...!

Sejin widened his eyes and quickly added.

—Although... that recipe is great, you as a beginner in the kitchen may not be able to make it.

—We will try again!

—Wait. Sit down.

Seeing that YooJin was about to get up, I ordered him to sit down. Then, I remembered the pot I saw in the kitchen.

"...It burned to black."

Also, looking at the cutting board and the scraps left in the sink, it seems like the cooking process itself was anything but normal.

—By the way, YooJin, didn't you say that you're good at cooking~?

—I'm good at grilling meat, but it was my first time cooking...

—Oh no.

There was nothing else to talk about.

Surprised, Keun SeJin turned around and made eye contact with me.

—Oh happy birthday MoonDae! I will give you a gift coupon.

—...Is it chicken?

—Yes, chicken. It is the second coupon.

He gave me the same thing that he had invited me in August. It is the result of having quickly thought of something he could give me.

—Thank you.

—M-me too! W-wait…!

AhHyun, who had been sitting like a criminal found red-handed, stood up abruptly and hurried to his room, stomping her feet.

He brought a small, well-wrapped gift and handed it to me.

—Ha-happy birthday!

—Oh, thank you… can I open it?

—Y-yes!

When I opened it, there was a department store gift card.

—...

This is... like collecting money from a friend.

But AhHyun felt proud.

—I-I didn't have time to pu-purchase something… S-So you'd better go and choose yourself!

—....Hmm. It's okay. I'll do it when I have time.

—Yes!

Next time I go... I'll use it to buy something from him. Whether it's a gift for a coworker or friend, I'm sure the amount of money you must have put on this card is a bit excessive.

"Now that I remember, he also gave SeJin something expensive on his birthday."

I wonder if I'll ever have to tell her that she doesn't need to give me gifts.

—Oh, I also bought one.

There was no gift as unexpected as AhHyun's, but two unexpected people gave me gifts.

YooJin gave me a big jar of jelly.

"He will eat half the contents."

It was obvious that he simply gave me one of the things he had bought for his own consumption.

And surprisingly, Bae Sejin gave me a hoodie, he's probably the kind of person who remembers other people's birthdays...

—I will use it well. Thank you very much, hyung.

—...You are welcome.

Thus ended the gift-giving ceremony.

Honestly, it was the first time in my life that I received so many congratulatory gifts on the same day.

"I feel strange."

I brought the gift boxes I received from fans and moved them to my room with the guys.

—I'm sorry I was careless with you. I'll treat you to dinner next time. Is there something you like in particular?

—Don't worry hyung. Hmm… I'll eat whatever I feel like at the moment.

—It's okay. Then, I’ll invite you.

It's normal not to know, but Ryu CheongWoo and Kim RaeBin were very sorry and spoke to me with sad voices.

—Forgive me for not knowing about your birthday…!

—...I already said it's fine.

—Recently, I've composed a new instrumental… How about you use it for a solo song, hyung…?!

Are you offering me something to do as a solo song?

…I think I'll have to do some research first to find out how to do it.

—Okay. I think it would be a good song. We'll see when we have time.

—Yes!

RaeBin seemed to have eased the burden on his heart. Sighing, he walked away until he disappeared from my room.

—...

I think I'll get in trouble if he announces we're going to do something great, I'll have to tell him later that I want to keep a lower profile, but don't be too discreet either.

I arranged the boxes next to the bed and then went to bed.

After a long time, I turned on my phone data and got a message right away. It was SeJin's gift.

—...

And after a while, a message came from SeJin that just said "Hahahahahaha".

“This bastard is a…”

He really wanted to hit him.

He answered me immediately.

—...

I got up and tried to run to his room, but stopped myself.

Instead, I kept my cool and gave him a hit that hurt more.

As he expected, it was a direct hit.

I turned off my phone and went to sleep.

Closing my eyes, all the gifts and written messages from the book I received wandered through my mind.

…Somehow, I felt like I could take a good nap.

* * *

However, after a deep and pleasant sleep, the manager called me back with some unwanted news.

—MoonDae-ya, you have a call.

—Eh? Who?

The manager held out his phone to me and silently moved only his lips for me to read.

“VTIC’s CheongRyu!”

Oh, shit.

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stay away from our baby *sprinkles holy water to cheongryu* heh!