Chapter 147: 4th Competition: Final Results (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 147: 4th Competition: Final Results (3)
Crisis always strikes without warning.
It was the same during the rehearsal. The half-finished stage, which I had managed easily during practice, felt overwhelming.
That was also when the pain began to spiral out of control. I didn't let it show because I knew the Spark idiots would have pulled me from the stage even right before the live broadcast, but I was drifting in and out of consciousness the entire time I waited backstage before our entrance.
It’s just three minutes. Surely I can endure that much.
And I really did it. I didn't make any mistakes, I caught sight of the slogans the fans had brought to cheer for Spark, and I completed the final picture perfectly.
But I suppose that was my limit. Even though my head knew that collapsing would be a broadcasting accident, my body simply wouldn't move.
My memory after that is hazy. When I finally came to, I was in a hospital again.
I opened my eyes just as a difficult-sounding conversation was drawing to a close.
"Excuse me..."
"I-wol, you're awake!"
Manager-nim, who must have been sitting by the head of the bed, stood up immediately.
I caught my breath and asked my first question.
"Manager-nim, is Idol Dynasty Annals over?"
"Idol Dynasty Annals? They’re probably tallying the votes right now."
"Then... can I watch the broadcast?"
This was a program I had run toward with everything I had, pushing myself to this state just to see it through to the end.
He put on a stern face and said no, but Manager-nim also knew how sincere I was about Idol Dynasty Annals.
After a few more pleas, I was finally able to watch the live broadcast on his phone.
All the contestants were on stage, awaiting the announcement of the rankings. On the tiny screen, I could see the Spark guys huddled together.
『The moment has finally come to put a period on this long history. Right now, we reveal the rankings that will be inscribed in the Idol Dynasty Annals!』
Yur’s voice rang in my ears, but my gaze was fixed on only one spot.
I wonder if they did their interviews well.
It hadn't been long since those guys saw me being wheeled into surgery. That made me worry even more.
Could those mentally fragile idiots hold it together until the end on a stage as big as a live broadcast?
Even if their rankings plummeted in the final vote after performing well throughout the program, would they be able to control their expressions enough to avoid controversy?
Everyone probably knew in their hearts that Parte would win.
In the past, the online voting for Idol Dynasty Annals had strictly followed the order of debut seniority, and among the contestants, Parte held an overwhelmingly large number of votes.
Any viewer or anyone who had ever dipped a toe into the world of survival programs would surely be expecting this result.
And there was no way the contestants themselves didn't know. They probably shared rumors among themselves about how much support each of their agencies was pouring in.
They must feel some resentment. Still, they shouldn't let it show.
『In 6th place... you worked hard. It’s Berion.』
My mind was a mess because I knew how hard the Spark guys had prepared and how naive they were.
While 5th, 4th, and 3rd places were announced in turn, Spark offered their sincere congratulations. At the same time, they looked flustered when only they and Parte were left.
Others might say their humble acting was top-notch, but at least I knew. Their humility was genuine; even if they expected Parte to take 1st, they probably hadn't imagined they would rank so high themselves.
But don't be too disappointed. You're going to get attacked from all sides.
When your turn comes, just say thank you, make sure to mention the fans first, and say you'll keep working hard in the future...
『1st place is... Congratulations, it’s Parte!』
With a loud bang, paper confetti scattered through the air. Yur approached the members of Parte, who were hugging each other, holding the trophy. Of course, the highlight of any competition program is the final ranking announcement and the winner.
『Winning group Parte, please give us a few words.』
Through the confetti covering the screen, I saw him.
Park Ju-woo, who had been standing near Han Ga-un, was smiling brightly and giving him a light hug the moment the rank was announced.
And Jeong Seong-bin, who was gathering the members together with a look of genuine joy.
The five people on the screen were smiling and clapping for Parte, without a single flaw to be found in their reactions.
I watched them blankly.
What are they so happy about?
They must know too. That they had performed every stage perfectly until now.
If you pour that much of yourself into something, it’s only natural to feel regret.
So why do they look so relieved?
The area under my eyes felt hot. Just a little.
...If only I hadn't rushed to appear in the first season of Idol Dynasty Annals just because I wanted to hit #1 on a music show quickly.
If I had waited until our recognition was a bit higher, if we had released a few more albums before going on another program...
Then I could have given you the ranking you deserved.
I should have just endured that stupid headache. I should have held on just a little longer on stage.
Then I could have at least patted you on the back and told you that you worked hard.
I didn't have the courage to look at the screen anymore.
I covered my eyes with the arm that didn't have an IV needle in it. My eyelids felt heavy, as if pressed down.
"I'm sorry..."
I whispered quietly. I meant it.
When I opened my eyes again, I was relieved to see the familiar wooden ceiling.
I'd like to express my gratitude to whoever moved a 183cm-tall man back to the dorm. I can only hope that one of the many healthy, talented individuals in this dorm stepped up.
I checked the date on the phone lying next to my pillow.
It was the day after Idol Dynasty Annals ended. It seemed I had slept just the right amount.
I don't think there were any specific schedules... maybe I should sleep more.
Yesterday’s emotional drain had left my mental state a bit exhausted. I needed rest.
However, privacy is a luxury in group living.
No sooner had I closed my eyes again than someone opened the door and walked in. Then, they called out to me in a very small voice.
"Hyung, are you sleeping?"
"I'm awake."
"Whoa, jeez! You scared me."
Lee Cheong-hyeon recoiled in fright.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah. I feel much better after sleeping."
"Really? Your complexion does look better."
Rarely, Lee Cheong-hyeon didn't snap back at me. He just carefully checked my face.
"...About yesterday—"
"If you're going to say you're sorry for not being there for the ending, don't. I don't want an apology from someone who was sick."
"..."
"Don't say it to the other members either. You'll give the older guys wrinkles on their foreheads from worrying."
Quick-witted brat.
Still, I didn't sense any malice in Cheong-hyeon's words. He really is a soft-hearted kid.
"Yang PD-nim said we should all grab a meal with Spark later."
"Why?"
"He said it's because we missed the after-party. We came straight back."
Since one of their members had been carried off, they must have come back immediately. It was their first after-party, so I felt bad... no, wait. There's nothing good about learning the ways of corporate dinners too early.
"If you're up, come out and eat."
"No, I'm going to sleep more. You guys eat."
"Really? Okay."
Surprisingly, Lee Cheong-hyeon backed off easily.
Then, he shouted toward the living room.
"Mom! I-wol hyung says he's going to sleep more!"
...Mom?
"Mom? Do we have a guest?"
"Seong-bin hyung's mother is here. She made samgyetang because she said we need to eat healthy food."
"Why are you only telling me that now!"
No wonder I smelled chicken soup from somewhere.
How could I let the person who is graciously watching over the chaotic idol life of me and Jeong Seong-bin think, 'This hyung is just sleeping his life away and won't even eat the meal a mother prepared for him!'
I hurriedly changed into clean casual clothes. Then, smoothing down my messy hair with my hands, I dashed out of the room.
"Eomonim, you're here?!"
"Oh, I-wol, are you awake? Did I wake you up because I was too loud?"
"Not at all. Have you been well?"
"This isn't the time for you to be worrying about others. My goodness, look how much weight you've lost. Since you're up, eat some food before you go back to sleep, okay?"
Before I could say another word, Eomonim turned back toward the kitchen. I took the chance to quickly wash my face in the bathroom. At the dining table, the guys were each occupying a stone bowl.
As I awkwardly took a seat, Eomonim quickly placed a steaming stone bowl in front of me as well.
"I-wol, do you eat samgyetang? Seong-bin told me you aren't picky."
"Of course, I love it!"
Actually, I don't like it that much. To be precise, I hated the herbal chicken soup I used to eat with coworkers at mountain valleys. The atmosphere was always so uncomfortable that I never knew if the soup was going into my nose or my mouth.
But this...
Two pieces of ginseng, and two legs still perfectly attached.
It wasn't something I had to force down while walking on eggshells; it was a meal prepared solely for me.
"Did you guys all eat ginseng too?"
I asked, looking at a few bowls that didn't have any. Lee Cheong-hyeon answered.
"We all had one. Didn't Mom give you two because you're a patient?"
"That's right, you have to eat a lot to get better quickly. I-wol, there's glutinous rice inside too, so eat it all. I really showed off my skills today."
"Yes, thank you...!"
After that, Eomonim left early. Even after we saw her off—she said she had an appointment—steam was still rising from the stone bowl.
I sipped the broth very slowly, one spoonful at a time. I picked the meat clean and finished all the rice. For the first time, I thought that chicken soup was delicious.
When I came out after showering, Choi Je-ho was in the living room for once.
This was a guy whose daily routine consisted of staying in his room with earphones in, looking at his phone.
At a glance, it seemed only his location had changed to the living room sofa while he was doing the exact same thing, so I didn't bother talking to him.
Leaving Choi Je-ho behind, I went into my room, only to find Jeong Seong-bin standing in an awkward posture between the beds.
Even Jeong Seong-bin, who usually avoids entering other people's rooms without reason, was acting like this, which was suspicious as hell.
I was giving Seong-bin a look that asked what was going on, when Lee Cheong-hyeon, who seemed to have been talking to him from the top bunk, spoke in a mechanical tone.
"Oh, right. Didn't I say I'd play games with Kang Gyeon?"
Then he scrambled down from the bed and dashed out of the room. He really is a terrible liar.
I heard the door close behind him. Jeong Seong-bin’s gaze wandered somewhere on the floor. A long silence followed.
I wondered what our leader wanted to say to me so badly that he chased away both the older and younger members.
I asked, lightly drying my wet hair with a towel.
"Shall we sit down and talk?"