Chapter 56
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: The Performance Order Draw
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Do-hyun's team, gathered in the large rehearsal room for comprehensive evaluation practice, was huddled together in a circle.
They had just finished a run-through and were now reviewing the recorded video to spot issues.
"Ha-na's barely conscious of it anymore, huh?"
Yoon Jong-hoon remarked in amazement, but Song Ha-na, wearing a dissatisfied expression, pointed at the screen with her finger.
"Here."
At her words, everyone widened their eyes, like, what is it? But... nothing was visible.
"What's there?"
Finally, unable to hold back, Moon Woo-hyuk asked.
Song Ha-na stared piercingly at the screen before muttering softly.
"Her pinky finger is sticking up."
Upon closer inspection, Song Ha-na's pinky had been raised ever so slightly throughout the entire scene.
Everyone scoffed, tossing in comments like it didn't matter.
You know the type.
That tiny habit you only notice yourself, one that crops up every time you're tense.
Once you're aware of it, it drives you absolutely crazy.
The team finished monitoring and dove back into practice.
The next scene was the confrontation with Moon Woo-hyuk.
The moment where Moon Woo-hyuk gripped Damios's chin and threatened him.
Elpodi had to step in front to protect Damios.
Standing behind Song Ha-na, who was giving her all in the performance, Do-hyun's eyes caught her pinky finger twitching faintly in front of him.
She's a bit hunched over, too.
"Stop it, Elpodi."
As he lowered Song Ha-na's hand, he naturally straightened her pinky.
She flinched in surprise for a split second, then relaxed, continuing her acting in an even more natural tone than before.
Ever since that day in the dance studio, he and Song Ha-na had grown a bit closer.
Their acting chemistry clicked perfectly, letting practice flow smoothly.
Yoon Jong-hoon watched with a proud expression, while Moon Woo-hyuk, who had already stormed offstage, ground his teeth in contrast.
♬♬♬
Then, suddenly, an announcement blared over the speakers.
The team members practicing all froze and looked up at the ceiling.
"This is an announcement. All first-year comprehensive evaluation teams, please gather in the small theater immediately. This is an announcement."
At the abrupt broadcast, they halted practice and headed to the small theater.
Everyone looked flustered, but Do-hyun alone had a rough idea of what was going on, so he strolled leisurely.
As he wove through the murmuring crowd, Song Ha-na sidled up beside him.
"You look like you know something."
"Me?"
Oops. He felt a pang of guilt seeing Song Ha-na comment on his relaxed face.
Turning around, he saw Moon Woo-hyuk staring at him too.
Staring right back at Moon Woo-hyuk with an expression that said, you see it too?
"I'm just pissed off, that's why I'm glaring."
Moon Woo-hyuk huffed and stormed off.
Even stomping his feet loudly so everyone could hear.
Yeah, power walking's great.
At this point, Moon Woo-hyuk's antics just seemed cute.
Built like a mountain, yet so childish, with every emotion plastered on his face—like a total kid.
Sure, if he ever crossed a line, Do-hyun wouldn't let it slide, but for now, it was still in cute territory, so he decided to let it be.
The students gathered in the small theater and took seats in the audience.
Han Hyo-jin stood on the stage.
Murmurs filled the air.
Not just musical theater majors—students from other departments had mixed in, drawing a sizable crowd to the small theater.
The students, caught off guard by the sudden situation, buzzed nonstop with questions and chatter.
"Quiet down, everyone."
But the murmurs persisted.
Han Hyo-jin twitched an eyebrow and drew in a deep breath.
"QUIET!"
Somehow, Han Hyo-jin seemed to get pricklier as the semester wore on.
Her thunderous shout, backed by professional musical actress projection, silenced the students instantly.
"That teacher's always that scary?"
One teammate from another major whispered to Do-hyun.
You could say it was because the semester was ending, when she always got like this.
Or say no, because she mellowed out at the start of the term.
How to even explain it.
Best to just get used to it.
"The reason you're all gathered here is to determine the order for the comprehensive evaluation performances... Min Woo-sik!"
Woo-sik, on a different team and seated far away, predictably drew Han Hyo-jin's ire today as well.
His presence radiated no matter where he was.
The kids burst into laughter.
The atmosphere actually sharpened with focus thanks to it.
"Okay. Anyone who talks now can come hang out in my office with Min Woo-sik, nice and friendly."
The threat, delivered dead seriously, hushed the audience.
The sudden silence left Han Hyo-jin oddly miffed.
Was coming to my office really that awful?
Like I'd eat someone.
"I can't see a damn thing up front. There are balls in here with random orders written on them. Musical theater kids know the drill, right?"
The scattered musical theater students nodded.
Everyone here wanted to draw a front number.
Early slots got the audience's peak attention and interest.
With evaluations running all day, it was inevitable that attention waned as time dragged on.
Capturing a tired crowd was no easy feat.
The kids stared tensely at the container.
Do-hyun glanced at his teammates, fully getting their mindset.
Everything had pros and cons.
So no matter the slot, he wasn't fussed.
"Each team rep, come up and rock-paper-scissors to pick."
Yoon Jong-hoon went up for their team.
"Yoon Jong-hoon! We believe in you!"
Boosted by the cheers, Yoon Jong-hoon raised his fist confidently, like, leave it to me.
The other team reps climbed onstage too.
But Yoon Jong-hoon lost rock-paper-scissors right away and ended up last.
"That guy's secretly a klutz, huh."
"Rock-paper-scissors isn't a talent."
Do-hyun chuckled, but beside him, Moon Woo-hyuk mouthed something.
"Rock, paper..."
Scissors! The word slipped out unconsciously as he threw scissors.
Moon Woo-hyuk had thrown rock.
Moon Woo-hyuk flashed a victory grin, pinching his fingers together and apart.
Do-hyun looked at him seriously and said,
"Rock-paper-scissors isn't a talent."
Moon Woo-hyuk, unfazed, leaned back in his seat with a smug smile.
Song Ha-na, watching Do-hyun say it so earnestly, seemed to lump him in the same category as Moon Woo-hyuk.
Her pitiful glances flicking between them felt uncomfortable.
No, that's not it.
He quickly turned to Song Ha-na and said,
"No, I mean, rock-paper-scissors really isn't a talent..."
She was already ignoring him, facing forward, leaving a bitter taste.
Somehow felt like he'd been wronged.
Up front, the drawing was in full swing.
Sighs of relief and groans erupted with each number revealed.
Lee Cheong-ha and Kim Sun-woo's team drew 1st.
As the coveted 1st came up, cheers exploded from Kim Sun-woo's team, while sighs rose elsewhere.
In the midst of it, Lee Cheong-ha looked burdened by going first, her face sullen.
Luckily, Kim Sun-woo was consoling her well enough.
Felt like his role had been stolen, somehow.
Still, seeing her prep well with the others eased his mind.
That said, aside from Lee Cheong-ha's personal stage fright, 1st was the ideal slot.
Especially for a confident team.
Peak audience focus meant the least pressure, really.
Even average practice level would feel elevated there—great draw.
Sucks, but unavoidable.
After a few more rounds, every team except theirs had drawn.
Yoon Jong-hoon held the very last ball, so the result was set.
"6th? That's the worst, Yoon Jong-hoon."
"Wow, super cool."
Of course, the last remaining one was the most dreaded 6th.
Lost rock-paper-scissors, bad luck too.
Song Ha-na and Moon Woo-hyuk shook their heads at Yoon Jong-hoon on the podium.
Yoon Jong-hoon, uncharacteristically slumped, clearly hadn't expected this.
Meanwhile, the other teams subtly sighed in relief while eyeing him.
Anyone could see Yoon Jong-hoon's ace-packed team was everyone's rival.
Not a tournament, but going after them would've been the worst.
At least no one had to follow Yoon Jong-hoon's team now.
Plus, Kim Sun-woo's crew took the front.
This left Do-hyun, Song Ha-na, and Moon Woo-hyuk's team at the very end—strong players spread out, at least.
Yoon Jong-hoon trudged back to the team.
"Sorry, guys."
Even he seemed embarrassed by his rotten luck, looking awkward.
"Draws aren't about skill..."
No genius could beat experience there.
Yoon Jong-hoon looked genuinely bummed about closing the show.
Natural to want a prime slot when you're performing.
Especially as his debut stage at Cheongyeom Arts High.
In short, zero strategy on timing.
"Sun-woo's team got first, of all things."
"Yeah. If they'd gone before us, at least they could've re-hyped the audience."
Rarely, Song Ha-na and Moon Woo-hyuk brimmed with worry.
Their sensitivity over order screamed 17 years old.
Last place.
They lacked his innate talent, but he had 16 years of musical experience they didn't.
As an actor, sure, limited stage time—but real production grinding? Unignorable.
Timing when audiences got bored.
How to keep them hooked without losing grip.
Rekindling interest in a weary crowd.
He had the basics mapped out.
Ahem, he cleared his throat.
"Last place? I actually think it's good."
First, boost team morale.
"What?"
Predictably, Moon Woo-hyuk jumped in to oppose.
Perfect reaction.
"Capping off the semester's comprehensive evaluation as our show's finale... It's perfect for a grand finale, right? Leaves a long aftertaste."
The team fell silent at his words.
A proper finale setup—true.
But with a caveat.
They had to trust their show.
A half-baked musical? No finale, no aftertaste—just forgotten.
No afterglow meant zero lingering thoughts post-curtain, especially at day's end.
Last show would fade first.
He added softly to the pensive group,
"High risk, high return."
Big rewards always trailed big risks.
"What're you on about?"
Moon Woo-hyuk sniped as usual.
But his eyes betrayed deeper thought.
The kids pondered wordlessly.
Especially one face shifting rapidly.
Already struck by inspiration.
Yoon Jong-hoon, lead director for this musical, eyes sparkling.
Mouth corners twitching up.
No wonder they called him a genius.
Do-hyun anticipated Yoon Jong-hoon's conclusion.
He'd prepped follow-up words, but no need to intervene now.
Finally, a little prod.
"You guys aren't lacking confidence, right?"
They snapped back like they'd been waiting.
"What bullshit is that? Who's lacking?"
"Me? I'm Song Ha-na."
"As if. With actors this good."
Nailed the effect.
Maybe he could've skipped straight to that.