The crazy plan to bring in a new member to VTIC started off as fresh bullshit.
"First of all, you can make a pre-debut. Alone."
(TN: pre-debut: the period when a trainee releases a public song/promotes it for the first time)
"... "
Why was he suddenly talking about going solo?
"If there is no special misfortune this year... It would be rather easy to win the rookie award in the male solo category. Because there will be no competitors."
He was speaking naturally.
"Didn't this agency say that it would not support solo activities?"
"I think a pre-debut is worth persuading for."
Cheongryeo calmly gave a positive answer.
'He's so confident that he even wants to do a pre-debut preview.'
As expected, the fact that this agency excluded solo artists to an extreme level was due to this guy's influence.
I crossed my arms.
"Even if I debuted like that, where is the guarantee that I'd be successful as a male soloist?"
It had been a long time since a male idol without a group of his own made a solo performance and achieved good results.
But Cheongryeo laughed.
"Ah, not a performance-oriented idol, but a vocal-oriented singer."
"... ... !"
"You're the first junior from LeTi after VTIC. I'm sure it'll be a hot topic, right? Since our fields are different, we won't be kept in check."
That was what he said.
Besides being a dance-type solo singer like an idol, a traditional male soloist aiming for the music itself, a ballad or an indie song... The batting average was fine.
But that was only if the song was good.
"And early next year, you will release a collaboration song with the VTIC unit. It would be nice if it was the kind that showed some kind of performance."
"... ..."
Appealing to the performance aspect was possible, but also weaved me together with VTIC.
"There are many cases of collaboration songs within the same agency, so even if there is a backlash, it would be at a level that would pass by. If the results are good and your role is made clear, the fans' disgust will soften."
At this point, I knew what he was trying to say.
I opened my mouth.
"... And when the scandal with your main vocalist breaks out, are you really going to say such bullshit like 'I'd rather have Ryu Gunwoo' and let me join the group?"
"You are smart. That's right."
It meant that Ryu Gunwoo would be put in as a substitute for VTIC's main vocalist in the most natural way possible.
'It sounds crazy.'
It was natural.
The reason I told him about the main vocal case was that it was the most expensive information he was thirsting for.
'Moreover, it's an incident that will happen in a year or two, which was the time period I came from.'
In other words, the verification was convenient. I decided that it would be easy to build trust by proving that I came from the future.
However, this bastard was thinking of switching to me instead of trying to keep his form by avoiding controversy.
I furrowed my eyebrows.
"I don't know why you're suggesting that when you can prevent it from happening."
The guy's expression disappeared.
"People can't be changed."
"… …"
"Remember. It is a fact that will be useful in the future."
'I'm sure he's crazy…'
Let's move on.
In other words, even if the group suffered a blow, he would not leave any seeds of conflict that he couldn't control.
And instead, he said he would add a guy who listened well and was desperate, and a guy who needed to be monitored because he was useful.
"So, are you going to try it?"
Me?
'I had to through something like this.'
I had a chance to be in the same group as this bastard.
I opened my mouth.
"No. I will decline."
"… …"
No matter how I thought about it, the plan would become like shit if I stuck to it.
And wouldn't it be like completely handing over the hilt to him?
'This bastard can flatter me, and if things change, he might put me down after my pre-debut.'
Besides, if it was just a dream, all my actions right now were just trying to find a hint to wake up from the coma. I didn't need to be adventurous.
'It's as similar to reality as possible.'
… Bae Sejin, who couldn't be persuaded, would have another chance to recruited if the
I clasped my hand.
However, there was no need to fight with this guy, so I started with a very plausible excuse.
"I'm not sure if the solo rookie award part will fit into the mission. If they give you the idol group rookie award, I would die just like that."
"Aha."
I thought this would work. Cheongryeo crossed his arms and smiled cheerfully.
"Haha, then next time we can try another method. You still lack a sense of challenge."
"… …"
With this bastard... there was no use talking for a long time.
Afterward, Cheongryeo did not immediately withdraw the proposal. He left the room after saying, 'I will give you a month's time.'
'It sounds like he's pretty sure I'll give up within a month.'
He was an awful bastard. I would rather be a guy in real life who sent pictures of dogs when he was bored.
I held my breath and got up.
'Let's do the next thing.'
Now that I had laid out the groundwork, I would have to bring out the reclusive guy.
… Seon Ahyeon of this dream.
* * *
The hospital room was quiet.
Only the medical machines and the white noise from people moving across the corridor gently enveloped the single-person ward.
It wasn't that he took a private room in consideration of his status as a public figure.
This was because the patient using this private room was still not awake.
"… …"
Seon Ahyeon quietly sat in the caregiver's chair.
Park Moondae had no relatives. Even after TeStar became very successful, no one claimed to be a distant relative.
So, besides the hired caregiver, only those who had been involved since he started his career in the entertainment industry came into this hospital room.
Focusing on the members who woke up, the company also opened the door occasionally.
However, numerous gifts from fans were still undergoing scrutiny. Thanks to that, the hospital room was empty.
"… …"
Seon Ahyeon put a fluffy doll crocheted on the table. He knitted it himself.
The hand that let go of the doll trembled.
'Let's calm down...'
Seon Ahyeon held his breath.
He was able to visit this room the most often among the other members and take care of him.
Because Seon Ahyeon... Because he was barely hurt.
Unlike the other members who couldn't be there as often for reasons such as fractures or members who were busy fighting with the company, he was able to move from the beginning.
And even though he didn't have to, he felt a burning guilt over it.
'I couldn't say a word...'
When the other members somehow persuaded or reported the former manager, he couldn't bear to say anything.
It wasn't that he was speechless with fear.
It was because he was worried that he, who couldn't speak properly, would get in the way.
"… …"
Seon Ahyeon quietly gathered his hands together and placed them on his lap, and stood firm on the chair.
It was okay that the younger members didn't do anything to persuade the former manager. Because they were the youngest ones.
However, while the two people of the same age were persuading the former manager, there was definitely a problem with Seon Ahyeon not being able to do anything.
It was the same after the accident.
No matter how brilliant or brave an idea was, lack of speech meant that he needed someone else to deal with public opinion and the company.
'Even if I get angry with the company, it doesn't seem to work properly...'
There was nothing else.
However, it was not that he suddenly had medical knowledge and could help with the treatment of Park Moondae.
All he did was lead the members to the ambulance that was dispatched after being reported. Because his body was fine.
However, he was half out of his mind.
Seon Ahyeon clenched his fists.
'I'm pitiful.'
So he was really useless. He felt that way, at least.
However, because of the worries of a bigger reality, his self-loathing was pushed out of the priority.
Park Moondae... He had been unconscious for five days.
Even though he heard that the operation was quite successful, it seemed that it was because the shock was so great and there was a lot of blood loss.
'I should have sat in the back seat then...'
That would have been a much better result. Then Moondae would've been less injured...
"…"
Seon Ahyeon wiped his face.
He couldn't help but cry over this.
At that time, he had to pray.
'Healthily… I hope nothing happens, and that there are no aftereffects.'
He wish that he would come back soon.
* * *
"Wow, seeing you again like this~ Nice to meet you!"
"H-he-hello…"
"… …"
Lee Sejin, who was artificial and sad, and Seon Ahyeon, who couldn't bear to raise his head, said hello.
I closed my mouth and watched them.
I had a headache.
'… Is he speaking formally?'
It meant that Lee Sejin did not feel the need to forcefully become close to Seon Ahyeon.
'With that face, Lee Sejin might try stabbing him once for networking.'
It also meant that there was something wrong with Seon Ahyeon's performance quality and broadcast editing.
Actually, I saw the broadcast, so I knew what happened.
'… He was kept in check too much.'
It was thanks to the fact that in the first team match, the other guys forcibly pushed a part that didn't suit him and treated him like shit.
And the editing wasn't very favorable to Seon Ahyeon, who had suffered from this.
-Seon Ahyeon really developed cancer;
- Just because he stutters doesn't mean he can't convey his opinion.
Seon Ahyeon's team members also received all kinds of curses, but the public opinion that they were 'worthy of being beaten' was formidable.
Thanks to that, comments like "A kid like that shouldn't be on survival show" got the most likes and came up. It made me sick.
And Seon Ahyeon here... He was directly affected by the negative votes and was eliminated at the last minute.
I pressed my temples.
"… …"
'Since he's out, I…'
I already knew this guy's house, so it wasn't hard to go and talk to him.
Fortunately, while he was cleaning out the room, I visited and persuaded his parents as a 'LeTi trainee' to bring him in.
They were so worried about Seon Ahyeon's condition that they fell for the name of the agency that managed their image well with artist care.
Of course, persuasion was attached as a condition.
-We won't debut right away, I thought it would be nice to spend time together while practicing.
- Thank you for your words. However, if Ahyeon says he doesn't like it, we won't recommend it anymore.
- …Would it be okay if I tried to convince him?
That was how I proceeded to persuade Seon Ahyeon.
-At the agency... They said that you have to be included in the group in order for us to debut.
-… …
- I was wondering if you had any plans to come out for practice. I think you will do well.
Seon Ahyeon did not respond or kept her head down, but in the end she nodded.
He looked very unstable, but… If he ate well and slept well, he'd be much better.
'If he can debut properly through practice, his mentality will be fine.'
This was because Seon Ahyeon was a person with good resilience even though his mentality looked broken at times like this.
'… I've seen it many times.'
Well… All he had to do was read extensively. I made my judgment objectively.
And after a while…
"Ahyeon-ssi, wait a minute."
"… …"
Seon Ahyeon left with his parents to meet the agency officials with his head bowed.
And Lee Sejin asked me in a coy tone.
"Is that friend also included in this group?"
"I guess so."
"Oh~ that's right. I heard earlier that you persuaded him yourself, is that true?"
"… …"
"Hey, you're good at it~"
Lee Sejin sat down next to me. I held back a snort.
'Still, is he mentally recovered?'
The moment when I wondered if it was roughly the same as when we first met in
Lee Sejin, who was sitting next to me, spoke in a sociable tone.
"Hmm… Do you have any other friends in mind to work with us?"
"… Why is that?"
I wondered if he was curious about the other members. However, Lee Sejin shook his hand and replied lightly.
"Uh? Well, that new friend might leave~ Just in case!"
"… … !"
He was sure that Seon Ahyeon wouldn't join us… I felt a strange nuance.
I immediately asked him.
"Why do you think so?"
"Hm? He came here because he was afraid of you."
"… !!"
"He pretended, but… Oh, wasn't it meant to scare and motivate him a bit? Haha, sorry~"
"… …"
I… did it look like that?
'It can't be.'
I persuaded in the most moderate way possible. He wasn't being forced.
'Just saying that I need Seon Ahyeon…'
At that moment, Seon Ahyeon's condition came to mind.
A state in which his self-esteem hit the floor and his mentality was smashed.
And the words I used.
-At the agency... They said that you have to be included in the group in order for us to debut.
… If we couldn't make our debut because he didn't come, it might have sounded like it'd be his fault…
That was why Seon Ahyeon didn't respond and came with me.
"Well, anyway, you don't know who's coming, do you? Okay~"
"… …"
Lee Sejin finished the conversation appropriately and walked out of the practice room while fiddling with his smartphone.
I thought about it.
Was the Seon Ahyeon I knew like that?
Was the Lee Sejin I knew the one who said these things?
'… No.'
They weren't.
At that moment, all of a sudden, the accident suddenly began to break down.
Standing alone, I changed my course of action... I looked back.
'It isn't adding up.'
Why did I start doing all of this just to debut as if it were reality?
Because I was looking for a hunt to wake up from the coma?
Where was the guarantee that I would find one? There was no definite reason why it would go the same as in reality.
'It was just my guess.'
Then, the reason why I tried to make this assumption somehow with certainty...
Fuck. I just did it because I wanted to.
I wanted to embody the life I lived as Park Moondae as it was.
"Hoo."
I sighed and sat down in the practice room.
Then I remembered the message on the status window.
-Enjoy your daydream :) -
'Is this why it was a daydream?'
Daydreaming meant empty daydreaming.
… So, this was my desire.
It seemed that I wanted to take the life I lived as Park Moondae. And make it mine.
But I already knew the answer.
This was what I said to Cheongryeo directly, with my own mouth.
-Even if I started over and built the same team, it would never be the same as now. Because the events and stories shared would be different.
This was impossible.
It could never be the same…
So, why did I justify this shit?
"…"
I put my head on the giant mirror and thought to myself.
And finally admitted.
'It's probably because the past two and a half years have been my life as Park Moondae.'
This was because all choices, thoughts, and experiences were mine, even though they were experienced through the body of Park Moondae.
Because my mind experienced it firsthand. That couldn't be changed.
Even if all this shit was over and I went back to my original body, Ryu Gunwoo... This was all my experience, and it wouldn't change.
Now I understood.
"Hoo."
I lifted my head against the mirror.
The mirror was fogged up and I couldn't see my face.
"… …"
Even though what I should have seen was the face of 'Ryu Gunwoo', this dream was not my life.
'Stop.'
I had been here too long. Now, I wanted to go back to reality.
To 'my reality' in which I lived.
That was the moment.
Bing!
"… !!"
[Feature unlocked!]
[Function: Draw (consumption type)]
A pop-up... floated in front of me.
And one more.
It was what I left behind in reality.
[Remaining Draws: 1]
[Treasure Attribute Draw ☜ Click!]
I raised my hand and hit it.