Chapter 197: Absence of a Teammate (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 197: Absence of a Teammate (4)
Following the first broadcast, Kang Gi-yeon went on hiatus. He had tried to resist, but he had no choice once the management team staff stepped in to mediate.
After sending Gi-yeon back to the dorm, the rest of us gathered in the company practice room.
The atmosphere was as somber as a funeral, but cruelly, we didn't even have the luxury of worrying about our teammate right now.
Our next music show was tomorrow. We had to re-choreograph a five-member version of the performance by then.
"Choi Je-ho, can you redo the movement paths for a five-man formation?"
"I can't give you a definitive 'yes'."
If Choi Je-ho was the type to see the forest, Kang Gi-yeon was the one who usually looked at the trees—the fine details and specific movements. Furthermore, unlike Je-ho, who specialized in individual techniques, Gi-yeon played a crucial role in structuring group choreography.
"What if Seong-bin helps?"
"…You’re going to tell me to do it even if I say I can't, anyway."
Je-ho gave a grumpy okay.
Since we barely used any recorded vocals on the AR, we just had to redistribute the parts along with the choreography.
"But you—can you even memorize it?"
Je-ho hit the nail on the head.
Lee Cheong-hyeon could probably memorize it the moment he was taught. Park Ju-woo and Jeong Seong-bin wouldn't need much time either.
The only problem was me. No matter how much I had raised my Dance Proficiency, I wasn't at a level where I could master choreography in a single night. I had merely progressed from a 'wooden doll' to looking like a human being. In that sense, Je-ho’s concern was valid.
"It won't be easy."
I checked the wall clock.
It was currently 9:00 PM.
Tomorrow's rehearsal was at 10:00 AM. Before that, we had to spend two hours at the hair and makeup shop.
And the time In My Office would be released on the OTT platform was midnight tonight.
"Still, I'll memorize it no matter what."
I had no choice. I just had to trust my proficiency.
"Iwol-hyung, you have to come forward here!"
"Sorry, let me try again."
As it passed 11:00 PM, my brain started to overload. It was hard enough remembering the choreography I’d just learned, but the steps and directions changed with every part, and it was driving me crazy.
The others were following along just fine, so I was the only one struggling. I even almost tripped over my own feet once.
Even that game called Pump or whatever shows arrows on the screen. Trying to memorize this purely with my head made the difficulty level insane.
If I could just get it organized in my mind, I think I could manage…
Between redistributing the parts in real-time and changing the movement paths simultaneously, my head was a mess. I had no idea how Lee Cheong-hyeon or Park Ju-woo were keeping up.
Perhaps noticing me muttering "left" and "right" to myself, Jeong Seong-bin declared a break.
Lee Cheong-hyeon handed me a water bottle and spoke.
"In My Office is coming out soon."
"Huh?"
I looked at the clock; it was already 11:50 PM. Unless the system was late with its processing, there were only ten minutes left until the time my proficiency would rise.
"Are you okay with not being able to promote it on the official account?"
Cheong-hyeon asked in a low voice.
With a member unable to promote due to health issues, if the official account posted, "Please support Iwol's first acting role!" we wouldn't just be criticized—we'd be pelted with boulders. I thought it was only natural, but Cheong-hyeon seemed to be worried on my behalf.
"I never intended to promote it through the Spark account anyway. I already told the company."
"Why?"
"Because it's an activity unrelated to the group."
Even if it was an activity meant to get Spark's name out there, not all fans would support it. Some were worried about when I might 'fly the coop,' and others just wanted an excuse to curse at me.
The team atmosphere was already chaotic enough; I didn't want to pour gasoline on the fire with my personal business. So, we decided not to proceed with official promotions.
"Then what about Seong-bin hyung's OST?"
"We have to promote that heavily. Seong-bin landed that outside work himself."
"Unbelievable…"
Cheong-hyeon let out a hollow laugh. But Cheong-hyeon, no fan would hate a member for singing a drama OST. They only hate it when a member gets 'greedy' for acting.
"I thought we might be able to watch at least the first episode today, but it's a shame."
"Watch what? I only have two lines."
"I was going to memorize those two lines and tease you for two weeks."
He gave a faint smile. Well, that was certainly something Lee Cheong-hyeon would do.
The break was ending. I stood up and said, "If you're going to tease me, do it with Kang Gi-yeon. That'll have a bigger impact."
At those words, Cheong-hyeon’s brow furrowed. He looked like he was trying to hold back tears.
And over his face, the waiting system appeared.
+
[SYSTEM] 'Quest' has been completed.
▷ Reward: Dance Proficiency increases by 0.16% per episode appeared (Additional maturity points awarded for appearing in all episodes).
▷ Settlement Result: 0.384 point increase for 12 appearances + 0.616 maturity points for appearing in all episodes + 1 additional point for actively securing extra screen time.
[SYSTEM] 'Party B' is notified of 'Dance Proficiency Increase.'
Performance Evaluation (100)
─ Vocal Proficiency: 12(▲)/20
─ Dance Proficiency: 11(▲)/20
─ Self PR: 17/20
─ Attendance Management: 20/20
─ Organizational Adaptability: 15/20
─ Cumulative Fatigue Level: 17%
+
In the original script, my screen time was supposed to be around nine episodes. I didn't have many lines, either.
However, as the character Do Yeong-hwan took shape and built a narrative with Ha Seo-myeong, I ended up appearing in every single episode.
Perhaps because I didn't skip the ad-libs and utilized the 4-split monitor on set, I even received an extra point.
"Let's get back to practice for now."
I needed to test it. The effect of reaching double digits in Dance Proficiency, a wall I thought I'd never break.
Kang Gi-yeon stubbornly refused the staff's suggestion to stay at the company until the members finished their schedule.
He also stopped them from contacting his parents. He just wanted to be alone.
Once the dorm became quiet, he slumped onto the sofa. He felt as if all the strength had drained from his body.
I'm fine as long as I just stay still like this.
Yesterday felt like a lie. It was hard to admit that such a thing had happened to him—that he hadn't been able to control his own body—because his mind was so calm now.
But when he thought of the stage, he realized the feeling of his breath stopping hadn't been a dream. His hands felt numb.
He also felt a deep sense of guilt.
It was their first comeback in a long time. Everyone had prepared desperately. And he had ruined it after just one broadcast.
He never intended to live his life causing harm to others. So, this was his first major failure.
How should he apologize to the members? To the fans, to the staff…
His chest felt heavy, as if a stone were sitting on it.
What if I can never stand in front of a camera again?
Back when he was a trainee, his only worry was, What if I make a mistake in front of the camera? Now, his anxiety had grown out of control.
He wanted to do this for a living. That was why he had worked himself to death.
He had never fully understood the word 'empty' until now. He felt himself sinking deeper and deeper into the floor.
Nevertheless, Gi-yeon forced himself to sit up correctly.
Then, he turned on the music show—the one he should have been on, but couldn't.
The performances of several groups passed by. Gi-yeon sat with his back against the sofa, staring blankly at the TV.
Before long, he heard a familiar song title in the MCs' comments.
『Min-il, shall we try a mission?』
『A mission? What kind of mission?』
『Winning three times in a row at Rock-Paper-Scissors! How about it?』
The MCs delivered their cliché lines. After a clumsy attempt at the game, they quickly pivoted to introducing Spark.
『Let's meet Spark, returning with 'MISSION'!』
At the gesture of one of the MCs, Song Min-il, the camera cut to the stage.
Five black silhouettes were visible on the darkened stage.
[Ju-woo]
I want the last person
Standing by your side
To be me
In the center of a formation that bloomed like a flower, Park Ju-woo stood tall and sang. It was Kang Gi-yeon's part.
He remembered Jeong Seong-bin, who was in charge of part distribution, smiling as he gave him the intro.
'Gi-yeon, I think it'll look cool if you do it.'
Terms like 'Intro Fairy' or 'The Entrance' didn't exist for nothing.
In a world where dozens of songs are released every day, many people turn off a song after hearing just the first line—or even just the intro—even if idols shorten a four-minute song to two minutes.
Knowing that, the members had readily given him the intro this time. Gi-yeon had been very happy about that.
They must have overhauled everything starting from the intro.
Now, he felt like he had betrayed that kindness. He felt miserable.
Against a backdrop of intense sound, Kim I-wol sang in a whisper.
[Iwol]
I wait with bated breath
For the moment
You call my name
The camera slowly panned up, starting from the back muscles revealed beneath his black crop knit. His back, shoulders, and face were captured on screen in turn.
Perhaps because it was a broadcast, there was no flower painting on his back this time. Instead, a red harness crossed the middle of his waist.
Because it was covered with makeup and leather straps, the scar was barely visible.
'The atmosphere at home was a bit rough, and sometimes it got out of hand. It happened because I was unlucky back then.'
That was how Kim I-wol had answered when Jeong Seong-bin asked about the scar on his back.
Everyone must have been curious, but no member was rude enough to ask to see his back after that. Gi-yeon was the same.
It wasn't until recently that he had actually seen I-wol's scar.
A large, poorly sutured scar that ran diagonally across his back, from about a hand's span away from his side up to his shoulder blade.
Who says something like that happens because of 'bad luck'? What kind of 'rough home' results in something like that?
Gi-yeon had been so shocked he'd gasped involuntarily, but I-wol had been nonchalant. He looked as if it were nothing.
If he was at a point where he felt nothing even after something like that happened, how much more would he have to go through before he would say he needed a break?
On the screen, Kim I-wol looked as flawless as uncracked porcelain.
His downward gaze, sharp choreography, and languid gestures blended perfectly.
Lee Cheong-hyeon walked out from among the members who stood with their backs to the camera in a V-formation, hands behind their backs.
[Cheong-hyeon]
I'll escort you
All the way to the stage
I'll wait
To match your pace
Cheong-hyeon’s hand reached toward Jeong Seong-bin, who was at the front of the formation.
Seong-bin sang as he lightly took Cheong-hyeon’s hand.
[Seong-bin]
Until that indefinite time
Only
For you
The formation changed in a complex manner.
No one made a mistake. Gi-yeon’s eyes kept following Kim I-wol, who usually required the most attention.
He was dancing the opposite of what he had originally learned, and the distances he had to move had changed.
Despite the worries that followed every line, I-wol was doing just fine. The person who used to repeat "I'm sorry" and "Leave me behind" like a parrot every time Gi-yeon taught him something was nowhere to be seen.
"When did he improve so much…?"
Gi-yeon muttered. Their song, which Lee Cheong-hyeon had played for him countless times with an excited face, filled the living room.