"The team I want to join is Shin Jaehyun's team."
I chose Cheongryeo's team.
Even the trainer opened his eyes wide. He had an attitude as if he thought I would naturally choose Jin Chaeyul's team.
[Huh? Hyung?]
Even this quiet guy came out after saying, 'I won't interfere while you're filming.'
'What?'
[Uh, well, Chaeyul was your competitor just before, but the atmosphere you guys had was good… I thought you would do great together as a team this time… …]
So, he also imagined his own version?
I laughed inwardly.
'No.'
[Heok! Why?]
'It's a good idea, but it has a lot of pitfalls.'
Because my position would become ambiguous.
First of all, if I got along with Chaeyul, my opinion would definitely be stronger than this guy's. Since I already had a record and I had advantages in both skill and age, there was nothing he could do about it.
Here, If I withdrew and said, 'Since I lost, I'll keep quiet', the image would get weird. If there was no one better than me on that guy's team, I would have to take charge again.
'That can't happen.'
Then, issues would arise from song selection. If we continued with the light and refreshing concept like last time, the president would find problems to nitpick at.
'He'll talk about us rehearsing without getting our acts together.'
Otherwise, people would think we're fighting.
But what if the route was changed to a gloomy concept in line with the president's evaluation? This is exactly what would happen:
-Well, I guess I wasn't expecting something like this.
-I understand why, but it seems like when you try to be considerate, your true colors won't be able to show through, so…
I was sure when episode 3 aired, there would be quite a bit of public opinion opposing the president's harsh criticism and defending me and that I was pretending not to be disappointed because I had let down the expectations of those people.
No matter who I chose, I would lose the advantage I had in the previous team match.
Whether it was consideration or pure perseverance.
[I couldn't even imagine this answer… …]
There was nothing to be upset about though.
'I'm just saying that this time, I thought it would be best if there was someone solidly capable of being the leader other than me.'
And didn't a leader who had proven to be good at his job and had been around for decades or even hundreds of years come along?
I sincerely made a facial expression of gratitude.
"… Thank you."
"I am truly grateful. Hyung, please take care of me as well."
Cheongryeo.
'This edition will be positioned as the #1 team member who works hard.'
That was the best option.
I shook hands with Cheongryeo. The guy was smiling faintly.
'He knew this would happen.'
Did he come here after completing the calculations?
I clicked my tongue on the inside but on the outside…
I continued to look at him with gratitude.
Of course, the follow-up was also essential.
"Gunwoo, do you have anything to say to the other team that chose you?"
Okay. At this point, I knew I would catch the wind.
I immediately approached Jin Chaeyul before the trainer even finished speaking. The guy was nodding his head as if he understood.
"Thank you so much for coming."
"No…"
Here, I changed the point of why I rejected Chaeyul.
"But you don't have to feel guilty or responsible because I lost. Really."
"… !"
Jin Chaeyul raised his head.
"You won because you were good at it. I too will do well this time and move up. Let's work together again on the next stage."
This was to consider whether he may have made an unreasonable choice due to guilt.
'Actually, it's understandable.'
Since this guy was from the supplementary class, he probably didn't know anyone on the team, so he must have had a hard time convincing them to bring me along.
'If I actually go in, there's a high chance that I'll have to talk more because of my part.'
It would be easier in many ways for this guy to go separately. Because his abilities were also good.
"I had fun."
"…! Yes!"
The guy sniffled, but then smiled and nodded. I patted everyone on the back and created a good mood.
… Actually, I was quite grateful.
Even if he was smart, there was no malicious intent.
'Seeing that the other bastard didn't make any noise, won't it mean that things will pass smoothly?'
I didn't think I needed to do any other work.
Another team soon came and picked up the other contestant who was defeated by Kim Raebin, and the distribution of extra contestants ended that way.
But the camera still followed.
Well, it might be better to ask this question.
I asked Cheongryeo as we walked down the hallway.
"Why did you choose me?"
"We work together best when we practice. I wanted to show them."
He lied as easily as he breathed… Wow, this bastard also clenched his teeth to make a big deal out of it.
"And hyung is so good…"
As expected, he was a man who knew how to clean his mouth. I returned the words as if I had made a promise to him.
"I will do better. I won't be a nuisance to the team."
"I don't doubt it. Oh, and there's one more reason."
"… ?"
Cheongryeo laughed heartily.
"I think you'll like our team too."
"… … Hmm. I guess so."
I suddenly had a bad feeling, but let's just smile for now.
And after a while, I got to see the team members that Cheongryeo had gathered.
Click.
"Ta-da, Gunwoo hyung is here."
"Thank you. I'll be in your care."
I knew it would be like this, but the first thing I saw when I opened the door was… It was Kim Raebin.
"It's an honor to team up like this! Please take care of me as well!"
He was a producer, a rapper, and obedient. I knew Cheongryeo would pick him and bring him because he was a good guy to use and didn't overlap with him in any way.
'So far it's good.'
I was already thinking that I had to take care of a lot of things this round.
As I turned my head while listening to how the teams were formed through a mini-game… I saw another VTIC member.
"Hello."
"Yes, yes."
Hmm, it was Ju-Dan. His real name was something else, but I skipped over it and just nodded.
What was surprising was that the last guy who came running out from behind like a bullet was also someone I knew.
"Hyung! Welcome~ Sit down!"
… He even brought Cha Eugene with him.
"I really like our team! We'll do well!"
"Yes, okay."
I didn't expect this. I thought Cheongryeo would throw him away because their positions overlapped, so it must have been quite a challenging choice.
I sat around and checked the final sum.
Two main dancers, main rapper, lead vocalist…
'And is it complete with me as the main vocalist?'
Half VTIC and half TeStar.
In fact, there was no flaw from skill to positioning. If there were no problems, this round would be won and passed smoothly without any major difficulties.
All we had to do was not fight… I had no intention of being the leader, so I could be a mediator instead.
'Good.'
The roles were clearly organized. I nodded.
"First, let me briefly explain the rules on how we'll organize the performance, hyung."
This round had a simple structure in which two teams that selected the same concept competed against each other. And superiority and inferiority were decided on a team basis.
However, I was excluded.
I was told that I would be evaluated separately as either being eliminated or remaining.
And the concept we received was…
"Hmm… It's a sexy concept."
"…"
He chose something very avant-garde.
Cheongryeo smiled apologetically.
"It's a little embarrassing, right? Sorry. Because I'm not good at games."
It seemed like that.
"No! You did a good job, but the circumstances were not good in the end. The concept is… interesting!"
"That's right. It's okay…"
"Really? Thank you for saying it like that."
Leaving aside this abominable performance for the show, the concept itself was not bad.
It was powerful in itself and didn't overlap with previous stages.
'Good.'
During the arrangement discussion, I naturally supported the opinion of Cheongryeo, who was the leader and did not lead general opinion.
Sometimes, all I had to do was gently incorporate Cha Eugene or Kim Raebin's opinions into the flow.
So the direction of the arrangement was quickly outlined as Cheongryeo had envisioned. Thanks to this, he spat out this line faster than expected.
"Then I'll talk about the parts from now on."
This was where the main topic began.
"Does anyone want the high notes on the bridge here?"
I immediately raised my hand.
"I want to do it."
"Ah."
From then on, I volunteered for all the difficult high-note parts.
Since I was the only one in the main vocal position, there was no negative effect even if I got greedy.
'The answer is to show a little combativeness.'
The trick here was to actively challenge only the parts that were difficult enough for others to avoid. It would be difficult to come in later and eat up the space.
I only maintained the image of showing everything to the limit of what I could do.
"Gunwoo hyung, wouldn't it be too difficult?"
"I'll try to do it."
And I wouldn't deny it. Cheongryeo came in at the right time to help me save my image.
"Then, shall we end the distribution of parts like this?"
"Yes!"
He even prepared a pretty good part for Cha Eugene. Even though he gave up quite a bit of parts for himself.
'Hmm.'
As the production crew was checking the filming equipment, I asked Cheongryeo quietly without a microphone.
"I wonder why you chose him."
He put Cha Eugene on the team and gave him many parts
Without even asking what was surprising, the guy answered right away.
"It'll be a good image to see. Because the two people who showed good performances as competitors will become one team this time. Isn't that right?"
"…"
When the death match between the two aired soon, votes would pour in for Cha Eugene.
The intention was to block those viewers before they developed a backlash against him.
'This bastard led the way.'
It was a great choice.
"I think it seemed like a good choice for hoobaenim. Hm, should we share this detailed story now?"
"Stop."
I held back a sigh.
Of course, I had heard a briefing from him about how this survival show would proceed.
However, no further detailed joint plans were made. I recalled the conversation at that time.
-There is no need for further details.
-Hmm?
-Yes, even if we discuss everything and make a plan based on prior knowledge, variables may appear. Because the timing is different and the participants are different.
-Alright.
The guy noticed right away, laughed heartily, and continued his next words.
-And at that moment, if we each have different opinions… Hmm, do you have no intention of giving in?
It was a natural story. He probably thought his ideas were more effective. Bastard.
-So, I'll do what I want.
-Really? Do your best. Hoobaenim will debut anyway, so don't feel pressured.
I was a little annoyed that this guy thought everything was in his hands.
'What's done is done.'
It was good. There would be a taste of natural disaster.
After leaving, I called the next person and went out into the hallway.
"Cha Eugene."
"Hmm?"
"Give me a minute."
I took him aside and had a short conversation.
-On this stage…
It was a small operation that started like this.
Cha Eugene looked at the note for a moment and then shrugged his shoulders.
And he wrote a reply.
-It's not impossible to do.
-[However, I'm only doing this for the team.]
Team.
'He probably means TeStar.'
I chuckled.
I got it, bastard.
"Good. Then, write it here like this."
"Why?"
Why? Well, this would be a fabrication of evidence to be submitted later when the production crew asked about the hallway camera.
And two days later, the midterm evaluation day came.
Preparations had already been completed. My original plan was to make a good impression from here and create an editing point and story.
'It was supposed to be like that.'
However, an unexpected situation occurred.
Active idols came as special judges for the mid-term inspection.
"We have gathered KPOP stars of our time who are actively working."
"No way."
The lineup was so good that trainees who made a fuss appeared.
In the lineup… I saw him.
"Hello, I am Lee Sejin from GY-ROP!"
"… !"
A familiar face.
To be precise, a person with a familiar face but unfamiliar styling was sitting there.
Keun Sejin.
"…"
Yes. I found out that he had already debuted by searching the internet in advance. And of course, I expected to meet him when I was working on a broadcast.
However, I didn't expect to see that guy's face already…
Cha Eugene lightly hit my side.
'We'll need to be careful.'
"…"
Yes. We were being filmed.
I focused on performance. I had been making a living like this for a long time, so a sudden situation like this shouldn't affect me.
"Hoo."
"That's it!"
The first verse performance went well.
And Lee Sejin of GY-ROP left this comment.
"Wow, I think you're better than me~? It was impressive."
"Thank you!"
"By the way, Gunwoo-ssi."
Why.
"It's okay to be a little less nervous~ I think you got a little nervous before and after the stage. I don't think there was any need for that!"
"… Yes. Thank you."
Fuck.
I immediately went out into the hallway during break time.
Because I had to do something, and I didn't want other people around.
[Are you okay??]
Of course, I was okay. But…
'Recruiting companions, companions.'
After episodes 1 and 2 aired, I got 50,000 points. Let's use up that damn reputation exp.
[Recruiting companions]
[1 time / 10 times]
I pressed the button 10 times.
The lights exploded and the list passed by without any sincerity.
One star, two stars, one star, two stars, two stars…
Familiar names did not appear. This situation where I kept seeing unfamiliar companions filled the room…
'Fuck.'
I gritted my teeth and pressed the button again.
[★]
[★]
[★★★]
[★★]
The stars were pouring down endlessly, but it was no one I was looking for. This time, they all disappeared, leaving behind only useless gold.
"…"
I chewed my tongue.
I had to use some common sense. There was nothing I could do if I hired that guy as a companion right now.
'He already debuted with a different group.'
This meant that he was the one with the least chance of joining.
'… Is that why I feel more hesitant?'
Lee Sejin, who debuted in a completely different group? There was no certification mark indicating that this was reality.
"Hoo."
I sighed. As my head cooled, I could see the principles of my actions.
"Ha."
A laugh came out.
Okay.
It would be good if there were more people who were efficient, naïve, and aware of reality.
'… I don't think he will come out, though.'
Still, I smiled, raised my hand, and pressed the button to do a 10 draw again.
It was then.
[~♪♬♪~]
"… !"
An aurora light exploded from the image of the night sky-like pop-up window and soon swirled as if it was about to escape from the pop-up window…
'This.'
It was a visual effect I had seen before.
… When the 5-star Cha Eugene was selected.
"Ah."
However, four stars twinkled on the screen.
[★★★★]
For a moment.
Soon, a star of a different color flew in and attached itself. Then, there were a total of five stars.
And finally… An image and description appeared.
[Ahh!]
[★★★★☆ Lee Sejin / Sub Vocal]
"…"
[※Colleagues with different colored stars have special abilities!]
Special abilities.
In the 〈Section 127〉 game, it meant skills such as exploration or production, not combat. In other words, abilities in other areas rather than the game's main abilities.
Then here…
I moved my hand.
A small pop-up appeared when I passed over the name of 'Lee Sejin'.
[Special ability: Actor]
This… It was Bae Sejin before he had changed his name.