The Barren Land received two different original songs as well. One had cheerful beats and lyrics that would suit Hyeon-ju, and another had an emo-pop rock style that demanded more rap and dance skills.
The two teams there were pleased to get original songs. However, like in the Greenhouse, not everyone remained happy after the selection part.
Neo and Jinho ended up on the same team. They got the cheerful song, which the two found challenging to match with their vibes.
Hanada and his friends got the song they wanted, so they had been in a cheery mood for the entire morning. When the three met Jinho at the dining hall, Hanada sneakily gave the other a gloating smile. Just based on his arrogant expressions, it is evident that he believed his team had already won.
Jinho pretended not to see them. He made coffee for three people - for himself and the two people following him. In the corner of his eyes, he watched Hanada and his friend leave, then when he was sure they were gone, he indifferently told Neo, "Don't ever become like them. They are big idiots."
Where else would you find survival show contestants actively making enemies for themselves?
JO was still looking in the direction where those three disappeared. He snorted, "They will get their karma for sure. How dare they bully Neo."
The fourteen-year-old teenager sulked and weakly protested, "I was not bullied."
For the boy, admitting that he let others walk over him was embarrassing. However, the two young men knew the truth already, so they cast pitying glances at him. Bae Jinho tapped him on the shoulders and said, "Don't think about it anymore. Anyway, we will win. Then, after this, we can go to the Greenhouse and not see Hanada's ugly face."
JO was silent for some time before he softly and cautiously asked, "Brother, is your mic on?"
According to the fourth mission rules, whichever team lost from the Greenhouse would all become dropouts, switching places with the winners from the Barren Land. This explains why Jinho said they would no longer see Hanada if they won. However, while there was nothing wrong with having confidence, there would be trouble if he was caught on-cam calling someone ugly.
Jinho laughed, "Of course not. Who do you think you're talking to? I checked, and yours is not on either. Same with Neo."
The two Japanese Landers felt amazed. The longer they stayed in the Barren Land, the more they became dependent on Jinho, and the more they saw how meticulous and observant he was as an adult. He was not the best trainee. In fact, if Jinho somehow luckily managed to ascend to Greenhouse, he would definitely become a bottom-feeder there. However, the man was calm and dependable and could remain level-headed even when everyone else was panicking.
Neo was not vocal about it, but he was also truly grateful to the oldest contestant who had always looked after him. Even now that they had to do a mission that was disadvantageous to them, he felt like Jinho would do something to snatch victory from the opponents' hands.
There was also another person who earned his respect. Jinho frankly told him that Jun asked for a favor to take good care of him. He was utterly astonished since he only remembered working with Jun once, yet the latter guessed that Hanada and his friends would try to target him after falling in the Barren Land. It meant that the Top Ranked Inhabitant discovered Hanada's disposition early on.
Maybe to remain Rank 1, one must also need exceptional brain and foresight?
A small wish had formed in Neo's heart.
'I really hope Jinho, JO, Jun, and I could debut together. Jun can be the center, I, the main dancer, and Jinho Hyung, the leader.'
He knew Jun was also a fantastic leader, but he thought that since the other was already an excellent center, he should just pass the leader role to another person, and Jinho would be perfect for it.
Jinho, oblivious to his thoughts, suddenly turned to him, "By the way, Neo. Starting from today, you need to accomplish an important daily mission."
"Daily mission?" Neo came to his senses, instantly sporting a puzzled look.
The oldest, Barren Lander, wore a serious expression as he explained, "It is a mission I also gave to our other teammates. JO already knows it. I believe through this mission, our chances of winning will increase by more than 50%."
Neo turned to his fellow Japanese. When he saw the grimace on JO's face, he strangely felt nervous.
Jinho did not let the other wait. "It is simple. Just chant, 'I'm the cutest and most energetic person in the world' one hundred times in the morning, one hundred times during practice, and one hundred times before going to sleep. You must do the morning and evening ones in front of the mirror. Of course, with matching expression."
"...What?"
As if he anticipated the dumbfounded reaction from Neo, Jinho added, "It is self-hypnosis. Our greatest enemy for this mission is not Hanada or anybody from the other team. It is ourselves. Or maybe the stylists before the performance who might give us terrible costumes. But for now, it is definitely ourselves who have yet to imagine us performing a cheerful song. So we will start doing this today."
"Today?" Neo suddenly wanted to escape.
"Yes," Jinho nodded seriously. JO covered his face, looking like just listening to it was a form of suffering. However, the former was not yet done speaking. "Then, depending on the effect, we would decide how many to add to the routine."
'More will be added?!'
"... somebody, save me." Neo tried to run away, but Jinho easily caught him by holding the back of his shirt.
"JO, you will help me monitor this kid, right?" A sweet smile formed on Jinho's lips.
The other Japanese guy avoided the eyes of the fourteen-year-old boy, who kept shaking his head, hoping JO would reject Jinho's idea.
JO smiled wryly and weakly said, "... Okay."
...
At the same time, in the Greenhouse.
As expected, after Jun and Juwon came out of the practice hall, they found Hyeon-Ju trying to force back his tears. The stairs near the laundry room were deserted, with no cameras installed. All the Inhabitants knew it, so it was no surprise that Hyeon-Ju had gone here.
Jun sat on the lowest step of the stairs. Hyeon-Ju sensed their presence and stiffened in place, standing with his back facing them. This introverted sunshine boy was stubborn about not letting others see his miserable face.
"Is it okay if we stay?" asked Juwon, who silently leaned against the steel railing.