Chapter 902: Hey, where is this? Yes. This is Newniverse. (2)

The first week of music shows was a success.

It had truly been a “trophy collection time” for NewBlack—trophies were pouring in from everywhere.

And it wasn’t just trophies.

—Oh! You’re here? Hahaha!

—I’m Assistant Director Kye Myungho. I’m the CP for this program. Haha... it’s our first time meeting in person...

That’s right.

Starting with K-net’s production director and CP, they now had business cards from the CPs of all three major terrestrial broadcasting stations.

“No, seriously... this is overwhelming.”

“Why aren’t they leaving while we’re eating?”

“I almost choked trying to eat.”

The younger members grumbled and shot accusing looks at Wooju.

“...Sorry.”

“Tsk!”

“Seriously!”

“Sigh.”

Because it really was his fault.

He didn’t know how the rumor had spread, but somehow he had gained a reputation for having a terrifying personality.

—Turns out Sun Wooju’s personality is no joke!

...That kind of absurd rumor.

Thinking his friendly image had taken a hit, he felt a bit bitter.

“Let’s just display the trophies.”

“Okay.”

Junghyun stood on tiptoe and lined up four trophies on the company lounge wall.

They were originally meant to be displayed at the dorm, but after moving to the new headquarters, everything had been relocated.

There were simply too many now.

“Hyung, move it a bit to the side. The Billboard trophy is blocking it.”

“Got it.”

“Oh—wait, now it’s covering the KMA Grand Prize.”

After arranging the newly won “White Night” trophies—

They sat down to drink Junghyun’s homemade tea.

“Junghyun, what kind of tea is this?”

“It helps calm your mind.”

“It won’t make us sleepy, right?”

“No.”

It had a refreshing, peppermint-like scent.

Holding the warm cups, they took deep breaths.

“Phew...”

“Phew.”

They were a little nervous.

Because something important was coming.

Biju looked down at his cup with concern.

“Do you think we’ll drive well today?”

“We’ve been practicing. You’ll do fine.”

Today was the official first shoot of their TV variety show on NBS:

New Universe Project.

First shoot—with acquaintances.

Second shoot—with fans.

They had been practicing driving constantly since getting their licenses.

They could now even drive alone to areas outside Gyeonggi Province.

Still, nerves were unavoidable.

Ri Hyuk’s eyes gleamed as he quizzed them.

“Unprotected left turn?”

“You can turn left when there’s no oncoming traffic during a green light.”

“Optimal side mirror angle?”

They answered one by one, reviewing everything.

Wooju added firmly:

“You have to drive with the mindset of being role models. A lot of people are watching us.”

“Yes.”

“No joking around about driving.”

“Yes.”

“Even if you’ve improved, never let your guard down.”

“Yes.”

“Alright. Fingers.”

The five of them hooked fingers.

“Anyone who breaks this is no longer NewBlack.”

“!”

They swallowed nervously.

Jiho asked:

“What if you break it, hyung?”

“...Then it’s been a good run.”

“Nooo! Don’t go!”

“I’ll follow you wherever you go!”

Wooju winked at Biju.

After a few more reminders—

“Biju, follow the navigation carefully.”

“Yes.”

“Ri Hyuk, don’t be too tense.”

“I know.”

“And Jiho and Junghyun... you’re already good.”

He nodded.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

“Let’s go!”

It was time for their first solo variety show shoot.

The first filming of New Universe Project.

In the underground parking lot, the staff stood with excited, nervous faces.

They approached PD Gu Jaeyoung.

“It’s the first shoot.”

“Yeah... I’m nervous.”

“You too?”

“Even after ten years, first shoots are always nerve-wracking.”

A cameraman poured makgeolli into paper cups.

“Alright! Let’s do a ritual!”

Seeing the alcohol, the members quickly put a mask on Wooju.

“Why?”

Jiho answered:

“Wooju hyung gets happy just smelling alcohol—”

“Good point.”

“He’s basically a lightweight.”

“Hey!”

The staff burst out laughing.

A table was set with rice cakes and makgeolli.

They bowed to a smiling pig head displayed on a tablet.

“O Variety Show God.”

Wooju spoke.

“O Variety Show God!”

“Please grant us safe filming and high ratings.”

“Please grant it!”

After the ritual—

“Who wants to clap the slate?”

“Me!”

Jiho stepped forward.

Clap!

Filming began.

After opening lines—

PD Gu explained the mission.

“You’ve all been practicing driving.”

“Yes.”

“Now it’s time for the real thing.”

“Ugh!”

“You can’t stay beginners forever. It’s time to debut as real drivers!”

The assistant producer unfurled a scroll.

Flap!

[Mission]

You who have practiced hard—depart!

With help from your friends, head to the next destination.

The destination: a campsite in the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province.

“Now!”

PD Gu clapped.

“Time to pick up your acquaintances. Good luck!”

“Yes!”

They exchanged glances and got into their cars.

Red, yellow, green, blue, purple.

Wooju climbed into the purple car.

“Ugh... nervous.”

He checked the camera angles first.

“Seriously nervous.”

He rubbed his jeans and gripped the wheel.

“Accelerator on the right. Brake on the left.”

He reviewed basics again.

Vroom—

“Let’s go.”

Time to pick up his friends.

First destination—

[TJ Entertainment, Cheongdam-dong]

Right across the street.

TJ Entertainment’s building was crowded.

“Whoa...”

“Taehyun...!”

“Is that TNT and Jang Seowon?”

Famous celebrities stood outside.

Han Taehyun greeted fans casually.

TNT waved.

Jang Seowon smiled brightly.

And beside them—

“Is that Lee Gyeonwoo?”

A Hallyu star waved.

The crowd grew.

“What’s going on?”

“Why are they here?”

Then—

A purple and blue car arrived.

“Beginner driver?”

“Beginner driver?”

People blinked.

Then—

“Isn’t that Wooju?”

“Wait... Wooju?”

“Sun Wooju?!”

Chaos erupted.

Wooju rolled down the window.

“Hello!”

“Hello!”

“We’re filming New Universe Project!”

The car behind him joined in harmony.

“Do whatever you want~ whatever it is~ New Universe Project!”

“Please show lots of love!”

Beautiful harmony.

A complete waste of talent.

“Oh! It’s that show!”

The PD smiled.

‘Perfect.’

Word-of-mouth began instantly.

Meanwhile—

“Hyung, I don’t want to ride that car.”

“I suddenly feel uneasy.”

Taehyun sighed as he got in.

“...”

‘My image...’

Inside—

“Hyung... what is this?”

“What?”

“Why the flower cushions?”

“Pretty, right?”

Pink floral cushions. Blanket. Road map. Xylitol gum. Flower accessories.

It felt like a grandmother’s car.

“...You’re unbelievable.”

He fastened his seatbelt.

“You can drive well, right?”

“Of course.”

“You didn’t watch Fast & Furious or something...?”

They were suspicious.

Wooju showed a video.

[Wooju drives very well.]

An instructor praised him.

“...Hmm.”

Then—

[As requested, I said it exactly...]

Wooju quickly snatched the phone back.

‘That’s suspicious.’

They grabbed the handles.

“Let’s go.”

The car moved smoothly.

“...He’s good?”

“...He’s actually good.”

Wooju smirked in the mirror.

“Told you.”

“...Unexpected.”

Then—

“Why isn’t that car moving?”

“Oh, Ri Hyuk’s.”

“He takes time to prepare.”

“Prepare?”

In Ri Hyuk’s car—

“Sunbaenim.”

“Hmm?”

“Take this.”

“What is it?”

“Emergency escape tool. You can break the window.”

“....”

Jang Seowon grew nervous.

Wooju drove toward DNS Media.

“Do you drive too, sunbaenim?”

“Yes.”

“I heard you do your own repairs.”

“Well... labor costs were expensive in the U.S.”

“And talking to people is tiring.”

They °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° laughed.

Lee Gyeonwoo guided him gently.

“Do you feel centered?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’re doing well.”

Taehyun added tips.

“Feel the width of the car.”

“Okay.”

“Nice.”

They arrived.

Hanjo got in.

“Does he drive well?”

“He’s good.”

“Really good.”

Hanjo looked disappointed.

“I prepared a whole list of things to nag him about...”

Laughter erupted.

Then—

“Uh...”

Taehyun looked ahead.

A tight alley.

“This is tough...”

Even the PD hesitated.

“Scratching the car might boost ratings.”

“...True.”

Wooju looked ahead.

“I think I can pass.”

“No way.”

He visualized it.

“Maybe...?”

“Let’s try?”

Behind them—

“Let’s watch.”

Wooju reversed—

‘Oh!’

Then—

He slipped through like a fish.

“Wow!”

“Amazing!”

Then—

He disappeared.

“...Wait.”

“...Huh?”

“...We can’t pass there.”

The staff stared blankly.

The small [Beginner Driver] sticker disappeared into the distance.

“?”

“??”

Something felt very wrong.