[GO BIG OR GO HOME.]
Heh.
Navi felt proud of herself for coming up with that brilliant 'Project Title.'
She was long done with the details of the "project," and she had already put the data in the alien babies' Status Windows.
In short, she had already fulfilled her role as the kids' Constellation.
I just got stuck with the Project Title because I want to choose something fitting.
She thought she had chosen well, but…
[Shouldn't it be 'GO BIG OR GO DIE?' After all, you and the "children" will die if they don't debut as idols.]
Aigoo.
"You must be fun at parties, Stello-nim," Navi said sarcastically. "Don't worry too much because no one is going to die— I'll raise my alien babies to be successful human idols."
***
VIKI smiled after remembering one of the last conversations that she had with Stello, the Fallen Constellation.
That conversation happened after she and the kids reached the top floor of the Glass Tower.
We needed a reason to trick this world into letting us in without alerting System Sola, so we came up with a project— and that project is for the alien babies to become idols.
It was acceptable because the kids had the voices that could save the world, literally.
Stello-nim used his remaining strength to hack System Sola one last time.
"Mama, is this really our new house?" Chae Baam, who was looking up at the two-story house with wide eyes, asked in disbelief. "It's bigger than our previous house!"
Right?
After all, that house was in a neighborhood for the upper-middle class pre-apocalypse.
"It's big, but it's pretty cold in this neighborhood, Mama," Han Nora complained lightly while rubbing his arms. "Why are the other houses around us empty?"
"Nora-ya, this neighborhood is very close to an E-ZONE area," Viki explained. "That means this neighborhood is susceptible to Sinkholes, Dungeon Breaks, and the likes. So, only a few people like us are brave enough to buy a house here."
"If that's the case, then why does this house cost three billion won?" Nam Juno complained. "Did we get scammed, Mama?"
"No, we didn't get scammed. In fact, we even got lucky," Viki said, sighing. "Inflation has gone crazy post-apocalypse. You can't buy a house as big as this in Seoul for three billion won these days. The houses as big as our new house cost at least seven billion won in neighborhoods deemed by the government as "safe.""
The children, who had been taught the value of money, suddenly went pale.
Aigoo.
Kids shouldn't worry about their family's finances.
"Don't worry— the Items I sold in Incognito Market paid for our new house," Viki assured her children. "Anyway, I know three billion won is a lot. But, luckily, the house is fully-furnished. The former owner maintained the place really well, so all the furniture and appliances that she left are still working."
But I'll replace them if they don't fit my aesthetics.
"Mama, thank you," Yu Gamin said sincerely while holding Viki's hand. "Thank you for working hard to buy this house for us."
"We know that you didn't want to live in Seoul because your old friends and family members are all here, but you still decided to move us here after we passed the audition for Idol Chemistry," Do Eunwoo added while holding Viki's other hand. "Mama, we'll work harder to repay you for all the sacrifices you made for us."
Aww.
The maknaes are really the sweetest.
Viki smiled at the two youngest kids. "Thank you, Eunwoo-ya and Gamin-ah. You don't have to pay me back, but I appreciate you saying that."
It seemed like the hyung line suddenly got competitive.
Nam Juno, Han Nora, and Chae Baam all hugged Viki at the same time.
"Thank you, Mama!"
"We love you, Mama!"
"We're always grateful to you, Mama!"
Pfft.
Viki couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Mama loves you all, too."
***
THE interior of the house was pretty, so Viki didn't feel the need to change anything.
Even the furniture and the appliances suited her taste.
Everything looks brand new, too.
They really got lucky with that house, huh?
"Kids, since this is our first day in our new house, I prepared a special dish for you," Viki said cheerfully after she gathered her alien babies in the living room. The house had a fully functioning dining room, but there was a reason why they decided to have dinner while sitting on the floor of the living room. "I cooked my favorite instant potato soup for our dinner."
The company that created her favorite instant potato soup went bankrupt before she 'died.'
So, she was pleasantly surprised when she found out that the company— now known as 'YiNa Foods'— had recovered.
But they only sell instant potato soup now.
As far as Viki knew, YiNa Foods recovered when the government— after the Martial Law was lifted— started requiring Hunters to pack instant food as their ration, whether they were entering a dungeon or not.
The sales of the instant potato soup skyrocketed, hence the revival.
Their new company owner must have a powerful backer in the government.
"Mama must really be in a good mood," Do Eunwoo said teasingly. "You only cook this instant potato soup for us during special occasions."
That was true.
Even if there was no shortage of YiNa Foods' instant potato soup these days, Viki still couldn't bring herself to cook it as much as she'd like to.
It brings back many memories I share with Won Yiwon, so I rarely have it.
"I'd like to order Chinese food to celebrate moving to our new house, but the restaurants in this area don't do delivery in our neighborhood," Viki explained to her kids. "Anyway, let's finish our dinner and sleep early. We don't want to be late for your meeting with PD Lim tomorrow."
"Yes, Mama~"
"Mama, can we turn on the TV?" Nam Juno asked politely. "I know Mama doesn't like it when we watch videos while eating. But there's a special broadcast tonight."
Aigoo.
How could Viki turn down her kids' polite request when they were looking at her with sparkling eyes?
They really know their puppy dog eyes are my weakness.
"Fine," Viki said while waving her hand. "Let's watch that stupid show."
The kids cheered, and then it was Han Nora who used his psychokinesis ability to move the remote control and turn on the TV.
Yes, this is why the kids insisted on eating here instead of the dining room.
"Oh, it's starting," Do Eunwoo said excitedly while clapping his hands. "I love how they play the Hunter Ahn Navi: the Girl Who Saved the World Twice Documentary annually."
Yes, that was the show that the kids were excited about.
The documentary of my life as a Hunter.
Every second week of December, anTV— the cable channel— would start playing the thirteen-episode documentary featuring Ahn Navi's life story.
The 13th episode would always be shown during New Year's Eve.
Thanks to that, people all over the world would remember to pay their respects to Ahn Navi on January 1st— her birthday.
If Viki remembered correctly, the documentary first aired seven years ago.
Won Yiwon really works hard so that the world wouldn't forget about my sacrifice.
Yes, the producer of that stupid documentary was Won Yiwon.
"Mama, you're pretty even without a face," Yu Gamin said, his usually black eyes suddenly turning emerald green while staring at Ahn Navi's facelessness being shown on TV. "You're like a huge lump of Mana."
Viki blinked, confused. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
"Of course, Mama," Yu Gamin said, grinning. "Mama's Core is also pretty."
Right.
Sometimes, I don't understand my kids— but it's okay since my love for them won't change.
***
THAT special day was for the kids, so Viki chose a simple outfit: a gray pantsuit with a white shirt underneath, and a pair of white sneakers. She was already pretty, so she just put on some light makeup and tied her hair in a messy bun.
Just like those female leads in most romance books.
"Kids, are you all ready?"
"Yes, Mama~"
Viki smiled while looking at her kids who lined up in front of her.
It's cold outside, so I'll make them wear padded jackets later.
But, for now, each one of the kids wore a plain white T-shirt, denim pants, and a pair of black sneakers.
That's a classic look for idols.
"You all look good, kids," Viki said, crossing her arms over her chest. "Now I want to hear you introduce yourselves. Act like I'm PD Lim."
The kids looked at each other and exchanged knowing nods.
Of course, the first one to speak was Nam Juno— the leader of the group.
"Hello! We're NAVERIE!"
Yes, the kids named their group 'NAVERIE.'
It's actually Navi + reverie. The kids wanted to include a character of my old name in their group name, then they chose 'reverie' because they like the word.
But, of course, that explanation would reveal Viki's real identity.
And, so…
"NAVERIE sounds nice," Viki said, acting like a PD interviewing the kids. "But what does your group name mean?"
"First of all, thank you for saying that our group name sounds nice, sir," Nam Juno said politely, acting like he was really talking to PD Lim instead of Viki. "NAVERIE is a combination of the Korean word 'na,' which means 'I' and 'my,' and the English word 'reverie,' which means 'daydream' or 'to be pleasantly lost in one's thoughts'. By combining those two words together, we're hoping that we become the fans' daydream— that our music gets them lost in reverie."
Bravo.
Viki clapped her hands because even she was amazed by the second explanation for the group's chosen name.
They can't reveal the fact that NAVERIE just means Navi + reverie, so we came up with that explanation.
"Very well," Viki said, nodding approvingly. "Now introduce yourselves one by one."
"Hello," Nam Juno said, bowing his head before flashing his refreshing smile. "I'm Nam Juno— the leader, vocalist, and producer of NAVERIE. I'm eighteen years old."
It was Han Nora's turn to give his greetings using his signature prince bow. "I'm Han Nora— vocalist and producer of the group. I'm the same age as our Nam Juno."
Then it was Chae Baam's turn— his voice was calm and so was his face. "I'm Chae Baam— vocalist, dancer, and choreographer of the group. I'm seventeen years old."
"I'm Do Eunwoo," the red-haired kid said enthusiastically. "I'm the rapper, vocalist, and producer of the group. I'm sixteen years old."
Yu Gamin then bowed when it was his turn. "And I'm Yu Gamin— the rapper, dancer, choreographer, and maknae[1] of the group. I'm fifteen years old."
Heh.
Viki was so proud of her kids for lying so naturally.
Of course, their ages are all fake.
But the kids looked youthful— so their fake ages actually matched their appearances.
Well, my alien babies are taller than boys their age, so they kind of stand out. But whatever. Most idols are tall anyway.
Nam Juno was 183cm tall.
Han Nora was 179cm.
Chae Baam was 174cm.
Do Eunwoo was 184cm.
And Yu Gamin was 185cm.
Yeah, the youngest is also the tallest.
"Very good, children. Just repeat everything you said later," Viki said, smiling encouragingly at her alien babies. "I'm sure PD Lim and the other staff members will love your group at first sight."
***
"I-I'M SORRY, Miss Young— but NAVERIE has been r-removed from the groups that will c-compete in Idol Chemistry…"
Ah.
Viki already had a bad feeling the moment the kids were ushered to the other room, separating her alien babies from her.
The production assistant brought her to a shabby conference room.
Actually, this looks more like a storage room because of all the props and boxes around.
Anyway, as a Hunter, Viki had a sharp hearing.
Hence, she already had an idea of what was happening.
It just sucks when the production assistant confirmed what I already know.
Ah, yes.
PD Lim didn't even face Viki— the bad news was delivered by the poor production assistant who looked like she was about to cry at any moment.
"So, why is my kids' group suddenly removed from the lineup?"
The production assistant avoided Viki's gaze. "T-The PD made a mistake. He didn't realize that all the spots had been taken already before he called a former colleague for a recommendation."
"That sounds like a lie," Viki said calmly. "Is it because PD Lim suddenly added the group named 'Rebelheart' last minute?"
The production assistant flinched, but she only bowed and apologized again instead of answering Viki's question. "I'm really sorry about this, Miss Young."
So, Viki was right.
Of course, I am— I can clearly hear those Rebelheart bastards bullying my kids next door.
Civilians and Hunters were both welcomed to join Idol Chemistry.
Some low-ranking Hunters took advantage of their good looks and joined the showbiz industry that way.
And, if not that…
Then Civilians with relatives who are Hunters take advantage of their family members' status.
Just like the kids from the group Rebelheart.
"No need to apologize," Viki said, smiling until her eyes turned into little crescent moons. "A spot will open again when another group backs out, right?"
***
Please ADD
[1] Youngest member in a group.