Peninsula Cicada Song Diary

Chapter 5 Itzy

The midday sun streamed in through the 90-degree window, casting a bright glow on the black sofa by the window. Nearby in the corner stood a large potted plant, its vibrant green unaffected by the season, casting a long shadow that fell upon the piano and desk beside it.

Opposite the desk was a display case, and to Pei Xiyan's surprise, it didn't display any personal trophies, but rather an electric guitar lying horizontally. The guitar neck pointed towards a framed collection of photos of Park Jin-young.

"It's smaller than I imagined." Pei Xiyan looked around the office, which was completely open, and estimated it to be only a dozen square meters.

"I actually think it's a bit too big," Park Jin-young said regretfully. "If this room were a little smaller, the staff would have even more space elsewhere."

"It just doesn't seem to fit the image of a senior student and president," Pei Xiyan said.

"I'd rather be called entertainer Park Jin-young than chairman." Park Jin-young pulled out a green tea from the cabinet. "The title of chairman makes me feel constrained, and I don't dare to write songs freely anymore."

"Can you imagine a scene like the host introducing, 'Next, please enjoy Chairman Park Jin-young's book, 'Who is Your Mother?'?"

"Like strawberry dumplings." Pei Xiyan found the idea both incongruous and funny.

He brewed a bowl of green tea for Pei Xiyan and himself, and the two sat on the sofa to start talking about serious business.

"What's the name of your senior's new girl group?"

Park Jin-young blew on the steam rising from in front of him. "ITZY, ITZY."

"Yes?" Pei Xiyan thought the name of the group sounded a bit like the Korean word for "yes".

"Maga means, 'Do we have everything you want? Yes!'" Park Jin-young took a sip, "and that's the confidence we had in creating this girl group."

"Does the senior have any specific ideas about the style of the song?" Pei Xiyan picked up the teacup, then put it down again because it was too hot to handle.

"Yes." Park Jin-young nodded. "After discussions in a meeting, based on the members' charisma and abilities, the preliminary style we've decided on is—teen crush."

"Is it because there are underage members in the group?" Pei Xiyan noticed something amiss.

"They're all underage." Park Jin-young put down his teacup, pulled out the information about the new girl group, and handed it to him.

Pei Xiyan opened the first page of the document, and a very distinctive face immediately came into view.

An oval face, slender eyes with upturned corners, a delicate nose, and kitten-like lips...

[Huang Lizhi (yeji), Position: Team Leader, from Quanzhou City, May 26, 2000......]

"She has very distinctive features," Pei Xiyan thought to herself.

On the second page, [Choi Jisoo (Lia), Position: Main Vocalist, from Incheon, 2000.07.21......]

"She is a stunning beauty."

Page 3, [Shin Ryujin (ryujin), Position: Main rapper, from Seoul, born April 17, 2001...]

"It perfectly fits the teen crush look."

Page 4, [Lee Chaeryeong, Position: Main Dancer, from Yongin City, 2001.06.05......]

"Is she Lee Chae-yeon's sister from IZ*ONE?"

Page 5, [Shin Yoo-na (Yuna), Position: Youngest member, from Suwon City, 2003.12.09......]

"ITZY's Tzuyu".

After glancing through it once, Pei Xiyan had a preliminary impression in her mind.

"It's different," he murmured.

"Different?" Park Jin-young raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"They're all very distinctive, unlike those assembly-line looks." Pei Xiyan looked up at him. "I feel like this will be a very unique girl group."

"So the junior agreed to write a song for them?" Park Jin-young immediately followed up on the conversation.

"Senior, could you take me to see them first?" Pei Xiyan's words took a turn, "Some things are better seen with your own eyes."

"Of course." Park Jin-young took a sip of tea. "But my junior just arrived at my office, so there's no rush to finish your tea first."

Looking at her still steaming cup of green tea, Pei Xiyan thought that Park Jin-young would definitely become a farmer who grows organic vegetables and green tea in his next life.

Wait... maybe this is it for the rest of my life.

......

The speakers in the corner were playing loud music, and the five girls were practicing in front of the mirror, staring intently at their movements to make sure they weren't making any mistakes.

"Knock knock."

The knocking wasn't very noticeable amidst the rousing music, but the girl with her hair tied in a high ponytail noticed it immediately. She first stopped practicing, then took a few deep breaths before running to open the door once her breathing had stabilized.

There was a kind-looking gorilla face at the entrance.

"pdnim?!"

"You haven't gone to eat yet?" Park Jin-young greeted him kindly, and Pei Xiyan, who was standing behind him, recognized the girl who opened the door.

The new girl group's leader – Hwang Ye-ji.

Those sharp, distinctive eyes are truly unforgettable.

"We'll practice a little longer and then go, pdnim."

Huang Lizhi grinned, his sharp eyes softening into slits.

"pdnim?!" *4

The other four girls also came to the door. They all looked at Park Jin-young with respect, mixed with varying degrees of nervousness.

"I've come to see you about something." Park Jin-young gestured with his chin. "Let's go inside and talk."

The practice room was spacious, with a striking red background wall and bright lights that shone on the wooden floor, making Pei Xiyan's fair skin even more noticeable.

He could feel the girls' eyes scanning him, like a surveillance camera scanning him from all angles.

"This is Pei Xiyan." Park Jin-young patted Pei Xiyan on the shoulder and introduced her to them, "She might be the producer of your future debut song."

"He's here to assess you."

Pei Xiyan noticed that the girls' eyes changed in an instant.

"Ani-hanaseyo, producer-nim!" *5

"Hello." Pei Xiyan nodded. "I heard from my senior that you haven't eaten yet?"

"We're not hungry yet..." "Okay~"

Two completely different answers rang out, followed by a moment of silence. Pei Xiyan smiled, "Then I won't take up your lunch time. I'll just ask a few simple questions."

"Ask away, handsome producer~" Shin Yuna laughed cheerfully, revealing her beautiful teeth.

She and Huang Lizhi just disagreed.

"The questions are simple, just tell the truth." Pei Xiyan looked at her. "First, do you like sweets?"

This absurd question left everyone present stunned.

"I like it!" Shin Yoo-na was the first to react, answering loudly as if to show her support.

"I like it." *4, the remaining answers came belatedly.

"Okay." Pei Xiyan continued, this time asking quickly, "Do you guys like Red Velvet?"

There was no time difference this time, "I like it." *5

"He is a respected senior," Hwang Yee-ji added.

"Okay, one last question." Pei Xiyan paused, "Do you see yourselves as apples or watermelons?"

This was a different kind of multiple choice than before. The girls looked at each other, and even Shin Yoo-na, who had been the most outspoken just moments before, didn't dare to speak up.

Huang Lizhi felt she needed to shoulder the responsibility of being the team leader. She looked around at the other members, and only after receiving affirming glances did she tentatively say:

"watermelon?"

His trembling voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

"Why?" Pei Xiyan pressed.

Hwang Yee-ji pursed his lips, forming an inverted V shape.

"Because I...like eating watermelon."

Because I like it, that's my answer—a very simple one.

But then she saw Pei Xiyan put on a stern face, looking as serious as a teacher who had heard a wrong answer in class.

Seeing this, Huang Lizhi secretly twisted his hands into a pretzel behind his back.

Oh no, I should have chosen the apple!

After all, even Eve chose the apple!

Huang Lizhi felt so guilty he wanted to look down at his toes, but Pei Xiyan suddenly smiled.

"I also like to eat watermelon."