"Inhabitant Juwon."
Silence.
It was silent for a long while that even if a needle dropped, everyone would clearly hear it.
"What?" A dumbfounded voice leaked out of Jun's lips. He was looking blankly at the face displayed above. "Juwon?"
'How? How does it make sense?' Jun looked at his friend, biting his lower lip nervously.
The person whose name was called was the best visual of the show. When he first appeared on the screen under BOI, he instantly gained the moniker 'BOI's Imperial Prince' because of his classic actor-like facial features. While beauty was subjective, to people of the country, Juwon was the most good-looking out of everyone here. At the opening mission, AKA first gathering, all participants were in awe of Juwon's handsomeness.
Jun also knew Juwon's skills. The latter was never a flower vase. He had the skills and vocals to back it up and constantly ranked high in their previous company's monthly evaluations. Juwon's dancing was also very distinct - characterized by a touch of elegance that cemented his image in fans' minds as an 'Imperial Prince.
'Juwon was good. Because of this, he easily got Part Seven. Had he tried out for better parts, he also had a good chance of getting them.
Among the participants in his previous life, Juwon was never voted off or dropped from the top ranks either.
So, what changed this time?
Jun could not think straight. The saying 'A flap of a butterfly's wings could trigger a hurricane' crossed his mind. He knew exactly what changed. It was himself, and his actions.
"Participant Jun, now that the three people to leave have been announced, is there somebody you want to save?" The MC asked slowly.
He met Juwon's gaze after he fell into a daze.
However, he immediately composed himself, and without even hesitating, he said, "Juwon. I want to use my privilege to save Juwon."
To Jun, who aimed to regain everything he lost, Juwon leaving the GreenHouse is out of the question.
Thankfully, he got the privilege as he could not be sure that Sujin or Min would do the same had it been they who got it.
"Jun, thanks." The other immediately went to him and hugged him. Of course, they separated almost instantly as well.
Xavi, Daeho, and the others clapped, but the majority looked like they were doing it because it was expected of them.
The two who got voted off picked up their bags while wearing a bitter smile. They were ready to exit the door that would surely open up for them soon.
This was part of survival, to accept, move on, and then continue to do their best while they could.When they thought the matter had ended, sounds suddenly echoed from the speakers.
Everyone's eyes automatically turned to the screen.
"There's still more?" Their eyes seemed to be telling the producers in another room who were watching them via the cameras.
"Now that we heard Greenhouse Inhabitant Jun's choice," The MC's nearly robotic voice rang. "It is time to announce the condition behind the privilege."
On the screen, the boys just saw the card containing Juwon's face flipped over again. It slowly faded, replaced by another card. When this new card slowly turned over, Jun's face appeared there.
From here on, a bad feeling assaulted everyone. The participants who did not care much when Juwon's face was revealed now looked slightly surprised, while some were... horrified.
"Wait. Jun... will take Juwon's place?" Kato shook his head in disbelief. The others also visibly hated the idea, which showed on their faces.
"This is not real, right?"
"He's number 1 in terms of score. So it should not be the case."
"Please." Strong reactions came from the nervous participants.
Nobody there wanted to lose a leader who effectively led them. All of them knew that if not for the unfortunate accident, no participant would be sent away from them. Everyone would have remained in the Greenhouse where the best resources could be seen and found. It was all largely thanks to Jun, who led them. Naturally, they wanted him to stay.
However, the devil-like producers betrayed their hopes. The card containing Jun's face flew down to join Xavi's and Daeho's.
"Because the Greenhouse Inhabitants' averaged 79, three people must be sent to the Barren Lands. Greenhouse Inhabitant Jun saved Inhabitant Juwon. Now, in Juwon's stead, Jun would be the one to go to the Barren Lands."
Jun looked around and saw the look of dismay on the boys' faces.
Everything went dead silent. He, too, felt like fate was toying with him.His friend, Juwon, staggered.
"Please wait. He placed first." Sujin frantically raised his hand.
Neo also spoke, although with an accent, "If it's a privilege, then the one who got it should not be penalized."
The MC promptly replied, "The rule is three people have to leave because of the team's average."
Kato, the oldest Japanese trainee in the place, attempted to reason out, "However, Jun decided knowing not the consequence. Please give him another chance to choose."
Nonetheless, the voice remained adamant. "Once again, the rule is that three people must leave because of the team's average."
Jun heard it. After some time, he laughed in hopelessness in the face of the inevitable. 'What the hell? Are the producers and writers insane? Or is this fate ensuring things don't deviate much from what's supposed to happen?'
To others, it appeared like he was extremely dumbfounded and disheartened. Juwon saw that and then hid his face using his hands to cover up his silent cries. He looked as miserable as Daeho because his entire body was shaking.
When Jun recovered from the stupor, he tried to give everyone a confident smile."It's okay. I'll be back."
Jun consoled his friends.The atmosphere became gloomier, as if a cluster of dark clouds appeared directly above their heads.
Then, the mission ended as the screen blackened. Nobody was speaking so it was both awkward and suffocating. Footsteps echoed heading to the door connected to the outside.
In the end, some things did change.
But Jun still ended up leaving the Greenhouse after the first mission.