Peninsula Cicada Song Diary

"Our ideas?!" *5

The boy in front of me had handsome features that looked as cold as an iceberg under the lights of the practice room.

Hwang Yee-ji stared at him, so surprised that she didn't even have time to wipe the sweat from her forehead. Her fox-like eyes were wide open, and the four members behind her had the same expression as her, which was the best interpretation of being dumbfounded.

"Yes, since it's your debut song, I wanted to ask for your opinion." Pei Xiyan nodded again.

Park Jin-young confirmed his idea, and then he came to find him.

Pei Xiyan has always had a good memory; she knew where ITZY's practice room was after just one visit. This time, Park Jin-young didn't come along, probably because he was afraid that he would put too much pressure on the ITZY members.

Hearing that the answer hadn't changed, Hwang Yee-ji's mind became even more confused. She believed that the members behind her felt the same way, because no matter what, this matter sounded a bit... too absurd?

When she opened the door, she never expected to receive such devastating news. Although they were one step away from debuting, without a debut stage to officially debut, their status was still just that of trainees! Shouldn't they just accept whatever the company gave them? How could they even have the right to participate in the debut song?

Hwang Ye-ji turned around, wanting to see what the other members thought.

Shin Yoo-na's eyes widened in shock. Shin Ryu-jin made a funny face and gestured towards her with his lips. Lee Chae-ryeong was stunned and couldn't tell what was going on. Choi Ji-soo's eyes clearly said, "You're the leader, you're the unnie, we'll listen to you."

Huang Lizhi pursed his lips with a hint of helplessness. How was this any different from when Pei Xiyan asked them whether it was a watermelon or an apple last time?

"Of course, there is a reward." Seeing their silence, Pei Xiyan added.

"Ani." Hwang Ye-ji hurriedly turned around, waving her hands and shaking her head frantically. Her high ponytail swayed like ears of rice in the wind. "We are already honored that the producer-nim has been so generous in inviting us to participate in the production. Why would we need any compensation?"

"It's only right to pay someone for helping you." Pei Xiyan took out a few candies from her pocket. Park Jin-young said he didn't eat snacks, so he naturally took all the candies. "I haven't thought about the payment after the job is accepted, so consider these as an advance payment."

"Kamsahamnida producer-nim." Seeing this, Shin Yoo-na snapped out of her daze, grinned, and generously took a strawberry-flavored one.

"Yuna?!" Hwang Ye-ji's expression turned serious.

"It's alright." Pei Xiyan smiled and handed out candies to everyone. "You guys just finished practicing, you should replenish your sugar levels."

"Kamsahamida..."

A hand with distinct knuckles was extended in front of him. Huang Lizhi thanked him before accepting the candy with a watermelon slice on the wrapper.

It's the flavor she likes.

Shin Ryujin and Shin Yoona had already started unpacking the food, making a ripping sound. Hwang Yeji didn't eat it, but carefully stuffed it into his pocket. "Producer-nim, if you have any questions, please ask."

She was prepared to answer all her questions without reservation.

"Here's the thing." Pei Xiyan pulled out another hard drive, which she had also borrowed from Park Jin-young. "This is the demo I wrote for your debut song. All you have to do is listen to the melody for the next few days and write down your thoughts."

A demo of their debut song?!

They all stared intently at the inconspicuous hard drive in his hand, realizing for the first time how close their debut was—so close that they could reach out and grab it.

"So...simple?!" Shin Ryujin raised one eyebrow in a funny way.

"Yes, it's that simple." Li Cailing nodded blankly.

"The producer is such a good person~" Shin Yuna smiled brightly. She felt the same way last time, not just because of his face, but because he could ask whether she liked watermelon or apple. Could the guy who brought the demo this time be a bad person?

"Things aren't complicated at all," Pei Xiyan said. "I just feel that there aren't many moments in life as memorable as my debut. If I can be more involved in something this important, why not give it a try?"

His tone was nonchalant, but Huang Lizhi's heart was anything but calm. She lowered her head slightly, for beneath the seemingly calm surface, undercurrents were surging.

"Maga!" Shin Yoo-na excitedly raised her hand in agreement, like a rabbit superhero about to fly away from Earth.

"It's the kind of happiness you'll feel when you look back on it in your old age," Choi Jisoo said, nodding her round head.

Shin Ryujin and Lee Chaeryeong looked at each other, and both could see the joy shining in each other's eyes.

"Producer...Kamsahamnida." Hwang Ye-ji suddenly lowered his head, wanting to bow in thanks, but was stopped by a hand.

She looked up and saw a warm smile.

"It's just a small matter," he said.

But this is a very serious matter for us. Huang Lizhi was in a daze and muttered to himself.

Handing the hard drive to her, Pei Xiyan looked up at the clock hanging on the wall; the hour and minute hands were almost at the number 12.

"I feel a little embarrassed that I always come to see you around mealtimes."

"It's not actually our mealtime yet." Huang Lizhi took the hard drive and carefully put it in his pocket. "We always go to the cafeteria when there are fewer people at the back."

"Won't the food get cold then?" Pei Xiyan didn't like eating anything too cold.

"If the food is cold, it's easier to eat. If you eat faster, you'll have more time to practice," Huang Lizhi said earnestly.

Wildebeest.

Pei Xiyan saw that same unwavering quality in her again, and he suddenly felt an urge to ask her a question.

"Yeji-ssi, if you were sick before going on stage, and you had the right to choose not to go on stage, what would you do?"

"Come up on stage."*5, they answered in unison and quickly, as if hesitating even for a moment would be disrespectful to themselves and their answers.

Why?

"Because for idols, the stage is everything." Lee Chaeryeong said with longing, "We really want to stand on it, and we cherish the opportunity to stand on it."

"Like fish and water, dog and bone, Ultraman and monster!" Shin Yoo-na's straightforward analogy.

"The producer must have watched Ultraman, right? When they have a red glow on their chests, they always think about defeating the monster before leaving."

"Because of duty?"

"Because of liking and loving." Hwang Ye-ji's fingers nervously intertwined behind her back. "It's like being in love. Once you fall deeply in love, you start to think that you'd give anything for the other person."

"You know so much, unnie," Shin Ryujin said teasingly. "Have you ever thought about giving everything for a boy?"

"What? I only saw it in TV dramas."

"Who knows?" Shen Liuzhen continued to joke, "Maybe he has a childhood sweetheart back in Quanzhou..."

"What nonsense are you talking about?!" Huang Lizhi blushed and covered her mouth.

"Pah! Unnie's hands are all sweaty!"

"Ah!" Huang Lizhi exclaimed angrily, covering himself even tighter.

The honeymoon phase? Upon hearing this novel metaphor, Pei Xiyan pondered for a moment, then smiled slightly, "Also."

He hadn't experienced it before, but having received his reason, he was ready to leave.

"I won't bother you any longer."

Understanding the implication, Hwang Ye-ji released his grip and, along with the other members, bowed slightly in farewell.

Goodbye, producer.

"Goodbye." Pei Xiyan walked to the door, paused briefly, and said, "Please believe that your hard work will never let you down."

"Yes!" *5

They responded in unison.

Watching the door being closed behind him, Huang Lizhi silently replied to himself:

"We will not let ourselves down."