Chapter 384
Chapter 384
Thirty minutes had passed since Ryu Cheong-woo’s sudden appearance in the Viewer Supplementary Class from behind the dry ice.
“Then, I look forward to seeing an improved version of yourselves in this performance.”
“Yes!”
The assignments for the supplementary class and the team reorganizations were finished. Naturally, there was a short break for moving before transitioning into the practice session.
Of course, the cameras were sticking to me and Ryu Cheong-woo like glue, as if determined not to miss a single moment of our conversation.
They already got plenty of dialogue shots when Ryu Cheong-woo was assigned to Vocal B earlier; they sure are greedy.
—...Hyung, were you surprised?
—Yeah.
—A lot?
—Yeah.
Even without looking, it was obvious how dazed I would appear in the actual broadcast.
And I knew exactly what would be edited in between those shots.
‘They’re going to cram in a ton of interviews...’
Sure enough, I was the first one called for an interview with the production crew, and they dug for answers longer than ever before.
“Did you know beforehand that Cheong-woo would be participating? Any signals? Oh, you had no idea at all?”
“We heard you two live together~”
“Is there anything you’re looking forward to now that Cheong-woo has joined?”
“On the flip side, there must be things you’re wary of or feel you need to be careful about. You’ve become competitors, after all.”
They were having a field day.
I expressed my flustered state in a way that didn't seem too serious and followed up with a moderately mild answer.
“Since we both have to do well, I feel like I need to prepare for this stage even harder.”
There was no need to draw more aggro or exaggerate.
[O-oh, is that so?]
Yeah.
‘Because the moment this airs, it’s going to be a total mess anyway...’
A gold medalist relative who goes to the same school suddenly appearing? Fuck, even I would watch that.
I swallowed a groan and returned to the practice room from the interview area. Then, I pointed out the next target.
Ryu Cheong-woo.
“The writer is calling for you.”
“Hyung.”
I waved him off and, pretending to set down my notebook, showed him a sentence out of the camera’s blind spot.
I had to tell him at least this much.
—Answer everything indirectly and gently.
“...!”
Ryu Cheong-woo gave a slight nod and left the practice room.
‘Looking at that, it’s not like he’s completely lacking in tact.’
What on earth was going on? Why would a guy who was doing perfectly fine in university suddenly show up on a survival program?
‘...I purposely didn't even suggest it to him.’
He seemed to be doing so well, and he didn't seem like the type this agency would like, so I was planning to just leave him be.
So why did he come out here himself? Without a word.
“……”
[Ahem, asking him directly is...]
No, I couldn't throw a straight ball like that while the cameras were rolling. If they added BGM, it would immediately be edited into a conflict segment.
‘I’ll ask as gently as possible later before bed.’
I came to that conclusion and began to revise my strategy.
I had to figure out what to do in this individual match team that now included the variable known as Ryu Cheong-woo.
Because the interviews dragged on, practice started a beat late.
And Ryu Cheong-woo, who returned from his interview, seemed to have picked up on the broadcast atmosphere appropriately, as he offered a soft, voluntary explanation.
“I was going to tell you beforehand, but I suddenly got the acceptance notice that morning... I didn't say anything because I was afraid I’d mess with your condition, Hyung.”
I let this slide easily.
I gave him a pat on the back and let out a small chuckle.
“Fine, I get it.”
“...!”
“You’re not the type to just try anything because it looks fun. I trust that you’ll take this seriously.”
“...Yeah. Of course. I will.”
Ryu Cheong-woo nodded with a faint smile.
This should be enough to create a heartwarming vibe when combined with the interviews.
Of course, anticipating reactions like ‘I don’t like how they’re being lax just because they’re related even though it’s a competition,’ I added one more thing.
“I won’t go easy on you.”
“Haha, alright.”
Good. I don’t have to worry about the cameras for now.
Once the situation was settled, another teammate who had been watching us with a slightly awkward expression spoke up.
The guy who was practically the owner of this team’s performance. The former VTIC main vocal.
“Um... I’d like to tell you about the song now. Is that okay?”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
It was obvious he was annoyed because he felt his screen time was being snatched away, but he quickly smoothed over his expression once the cameras started rolling.
Hmm.
‘He’s not stupid.’
And he started by establishing the song as ‘already decided’ without ever asking for opinions.
‘He’s trying to seize the initiative.’
This guy is two years younger than me. Usually, in a team battle, it’s common to suggest speaking casually to ease the tension, but he kept pushing for mutual formal speech.
‘He’s reasonably smart and has a strong ego.’
That meant there was only one type of stage he would push for.
“Since this team is made up of people aiming for the vocal position, I’ve structured the stage to be vocal-centric.”
“Ah, I see.”
I knew it.
‘This bastard isn't confident in his dancing.’
Even though he’s a third-year trainee, his dance stat is C+ at best. That means he’s at my level back during Idol Inc.
If he wanted to show off only his best skills? Choosing a stage that maximized only vocals was the right move.
‘Since his vocal stat is A-.’
And he probably believes his vocal skills and mine are similar.
‘Then he’ll think the outcome will be decided by the song selection.’
Fine. Do whatever you want. Conveniently, Ryu Cheong-woo’s dance stats are similar to his, so the scale will match.
‘There won’t be much footage of Ryu Cheong-woo struggling to keep up with the dance.’
I pulled up Ryu Cheong-woo’s status window in front of me.
[Name: Ryu Cheong-woo]
Singing: B (S-)
Dance: C+ (A)
Appearance: A- (A+)
Star Quality: B (A)
Trait: Full Draw (B)
It wasn't bad. No, to be honest, it was shocking for a regular university student to have a report card like this.
‘If I were an agency official, I’d grab him and make him sign a contract no matter what.’
...But the thing was.
The problem was that I knew Ryu Cheong-woo’s stats from the real world, as a 5th-year top-tier idol in TeSTAR.
Let’s compare.
[Name: Ryu Cheong-woo]
Singing: A (S-)
Dance: B+ (A)
Appearance: A- (A+)
Star Quality: A- (A)
Trait: Full Draw (S)
He’s a perfect vocal-centered all-rounder.
A lead vocal who could easily be a main vocal in another group, with choreography execution and star quality that wouldn't be lacking even in the center position.
But the Ryu Cheong-woo here was still raw, having not even practiced the basics. Excluding his appearance, his stats were one or two levels lower than they were during Idol Inc.
‘And his trait is strange, too.’
I recalled the original Ryu Cheong-woo’s trait value.
[Full Draw (S)]
- When you pull the bowstring, it will be in the exact right position.
: Performance Composure +150%
It was a correction value that allowed him to express exactly what he wanted on stage and act naturally.
In short, it was the image of a professional.
I was sure this had been an overwhelming S since he appeared on Idol Inc.
‘Why is the grade for the guy here only a B?’
I thought this was a trait he would have possessed since his archery days...
But I didn't have time to ponder further.
We were filming.
The Club Main Vocal, who was looking through the lyric sheet, spoke in a subtle voice.
“Then, as for the parts... well, since the rules are set.”
“Yes.”
I’ll deal with this guy first.
I spoke up, smiling inwardly.
“There are rules, after all.”
He was hesitating to say it himself because he didn't want to look selfish, so he was waiting for me to say it.
I recalled the CEO’s statement.
—The member of the Elite Class, who is the owner of the song, will lead it. Think of the other members as Featuring artists.
“We should obviously follow the rules. Tae-jun, please take half the song as the main. You’re the owner of this song. We’re the challengers.”
“Ah... no. It’s a stage we’re making together, but since the rules are what they are.”
Right, keep appealing to that humble image. I know what kind of image you want to build...
But that means the initiative will pass over.
If you make someone else say it, that person gets the right to speak.
Why would you do this with the parts after picking the song so well? You should have done the opposite.
Well, it’s good for me.
“I think it would be best if you could sing the song as a whole. You need to hold down the performance.”
“Yes... um. Thank you.”
I handed him all the parts except for the bridge, including the climax. He snatched them up immediately.
[Ugh, isn't that giving him too much... Ahhh~ No, it’s not! I get it!]
Yes, it’s appropriate.
I smiled inwardly as I watched the pop-up of the guy who was marveling at my thoughts, then I waved the remaining half of the parts at Ryu Cheong-woo.
“Is there a part you want to do?”
“Ah, I’d like to try singing this part.”
The guy, who had only been nodding without interrupting my conversation with the Club Main Vocal, didn't back down when a question was directed at him.
‘He’s active exactly where he needs to be.’
After listening to all of his opinions, I immediately called over the Club Main Vocal.
“We’re thinking of taking exactly half of the remaining parts each. Would that be okay?”
“Eh? Oh, of course that’s fine.”
He answered readily, but I could tell he wasn't really interested. He figured no matter who took which part, he was already in the advantageous position.
‘He’s not really interested in guiding others or raising the overall quality.’
His mindset was that as long as he looked good and didn't lose out, he didn't care about the rest. I could see how Cheong-ryeo had controlled him for years.
“Yes. We look forward to working with you.”
From then on, I continued the practice while subtly flattering the Club Main Vocal, and I intentionally didn't create time to talk to Ryu Cheong-woo alone.
‘It would be troublesome if a frame was created where the two of us were being cliquey and isolating that guy.’
I was making sure not to miss the chance to show a picture of me taking good care of this Club Main Vocal.
And Ryu Cheong-woo followed the practice faithfully without any other pushback... but that was all.
[Eh? He’s actually quite good?]
He was decent.
But because he was a civilian and was just following along in a team situation where someone else held all the authority, his impact was weak.
‘Hmm.’
...Since Ryu Cheong-woo had already participated, it would be a lie to say I didn't want to lead him somehow.
But realistically, it was difficult unless I could somehow recruit him as a colleague and trigger an Awakening. The period was too short.
‘Besides, I don’t even know what he’s thinking right now.’
“……”
Nothing can be done.
For now, I should set things up so that Ryu Cheong-woo can go back after having a fresh experience without getting cursed at.
[Ah...]
I slowly adjusted the strategy, nudging the Club Main Vocal to make him modify the stage himself.
Three days flew by just like that.
As is always the case when you’re shut away in a remote place just practicing, time passes like an arrow.
And Ryu Cheong-woo... surprisingly, was improving at an inhuman speed.
[Cheong-woo’s dance stat has become B-...?]
Does this even make sense?
If I hadn't known him, I would have suspected his past, treating his claim of never being a trainee as bullshit.
[...Wait, that’s what people used to say about you during Idol Inc., Hyung...]
That was because of the status window. Ryu Cheong-woo isn't like that.
‘But... even so, it doesn't seem like it’s enough to push through and debut here.’
For someone who joined mid-way like this to push through, they have to be overwhelming.
If people say he made it up there on the back of his gold medalist recognition and the relative bus... I don't know if a guy who hasn't awakened and has no trauma will be okay.
[ㅠㅠ]
It can't be helped.
I smacked my lips and started walking again.
I was walking down the hallway in the early hours of the morning to clear my head.
Doing this reminded me of the days when I was rolling hard, living by the motto ‘Sleep is for the dead’...
[Oh, over there!]
Hm?
I saw a practice room with the lights still on. And that was the practice room I was using until just now.
‘...No way.’
I grabbed the handle and slid the door open.
Slide.
“...!”
I immediately saw my teammate’s face.
It was Ryu Cheong-woo, drenched in sweat.
“Aren't you sleeping?”
“Ah, I thought I’d do a bit more.”
It was 3 AM, a time when even the unmanned cameras had run out of battery and stopped rolling. This guy was still in the practice room.
“What about you, Hyung?”
“I had some things to think about.”
For the record, the Club Main Vocal disappeared exactly when the cameras were turned off. Seeing as he wasn't in the dorm either, he must be doing something with the other trainees.
“……”
Wait, could the reason his skills improved so quickly be... because he was doing this shit every dawn? Relying on his own stamina?
“Have you been doing this the whole time?”
“Well... I felt like I was lacking.”
“Take care of your stamina. You can’t mess up the actual stage because of this.”
“Yeah. I should.”
Ryu Cheong-woo answered obediently and lay down on the practice room floor. Even though he said that, it seemed like he had no intention of returning to the dorm.
‘Good grief.’
I closed the door for now.
Then, the guy who was lying down looking at the ceiling suddenly spoke up again.
“I’m sorry, Hyung. I didn't apply to interfere with your stage.”
“...!”
“A writer recommended Vocal B. ...I should have thought about it more then. It’s a broadcast, after all.”
And I realized.
‘His way of speaking changed.’
He must have been careful to only use informal speech. Because if the broadcast showed someone the same age using formal speech, Ryu Gun-woo might get cursed at for no reason.
“...I know that too, so there’s no need to apologize.”
I sat down quietly next to him and asked bluntly.
“So, how did you really end up participating in this?”
Did the production crew offer to pay your tuition or something?
“That’s...”
Ryu Cheong-woo answered slowly.
“Because you seemed a bit different, Hyung.”
I froze silently.
But as if he hadn't noticed, he continued.
“Do you remember making that sobriety calendar for the New Year?”
“……”
What.
“You didn't tell me, but since the calendar was stuck right there on the fridge, I found out on my own.”
The me here shouldn't have a reason to quit drinking, so why on earth did he... Anyway, so this guy, could it be.
‘Is he suspicious of me?’
Ryu Cheong-woo’s explanation wasn't over, and I ran several possibilities through my head.
“But you drank so readily, Hyung...”
So.
“I thought you were accepting drinks because things were so hard, but seeing you continue this work anyway, I wondered if it was that fun.”
“...!”
I recalled the patterns of the few conversations I’d had with him.
Questions about being an idol.
—How is it?
—It’s fun. It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life.
He... interpreted it like that?
“And since the start of this year, you’ve been challenging yourself in new fields and seemed to have changed a lot...”
He hesitated slightly but continued.
“I think... I felt a bit of a sense of distance.”
“……”
“And I was envious.”
What?
Ryu Cheong-woo murmured lowly.
“Actually... I don’t really know why I quit archery.”
“……”
“I used to do it like my life depended on it. But suddenly, it felt like it wouldn't matter if I couldn't do it anymore. Probably.”
I reflexively completed the reasoning from his words.
Originally, Ryu Cheong-woo quit archery against his will, crying and even breaking his bow due to an injury.
‘But since the injury disappeared...’
A void was created.
And the most appropriate and mundane reason filled it.
“So I just... felt like I didn't have to do it anymore.”
“……”
I thought he was doing fine in university, but was that how it was?
‘Whew.’
And now, the guy who impulsively jumped into the industry his relative was in spoke with a firm voice.
“So it’s been a long time since I’ve stayed up all night like this. This... I think I’m lacking right now, but I like the feeling of improving every time I do it. It’s been a long time since I felt this, too.”
“……”
“You must have said you liked it for this reason, Hyung. Now I understand.”
Ryu Cheong-woo let out a short laugh. I couldn't answer for a moment and just stayed still, before finally asking.
“Do you want to win here?”
“Huh?”
Do you want to keep going?
Ryu Cheong-woo looked a bit flustered, but he soon burst into laughter.
“Of course! Hyung, no one wants to lose.”
And he added in a quite determined voice.
“I’m the same.”
I stood up.
Actually, I was planning to give Ryu Cheong-woo a moderate Kakdugi position so he wouldn't be compared to anyone, and then take down the Club Main Vocal at a decisive part...
But my mind had changed a bit.
“Alright.”
I’ll have to revise the plan.
The next day, before going to the trainer, I handed the lyric sheet to the Club Main Vocal.
There were new markings on the paper.
“Um, if this performance is going to have this kind of structure anyway... I’d like to offer some suggestions in a direction that raises the stage’s completion.”
“Eh?”
He looked at the new lyric sheet dismissively, but the moment he checked the markings, his focus sharpened.
And what escaped from his eyes, unable to be suppressed... was greed.
‘That’s it.’
“And... I think this would emphasize even more that this is your stage, Tae-jun. Since that fits the theme of the performance. What do you think?”
“Ah.”
He knew too. That it would look better for his image if he declined a few times.
But I was merely offering an opinion, not asserting a position.
The kind of atmosphere where the moment he refused, I would turn away without lingering, saying, ‘I guess so.’
And he couldn't resist.
“Umm... Yes, yes. If it’s for the sake of completion.”
Good. He bit.
[Heeek, then does that mean Cheong-woo can definitely beat this person?]
That’s not it.
I calculated coldly.
Given the nature of this company survival show...
‘I think we’ll have to wait and see.’
[ㅠㅠ Still, I want to have hope...]
Well, that’s up to the individual.
However, I concluded not to look at the situation too optimistically.
‘At the very least, he won’t get cursed at.’
I didn't know that the proposition I had already felt since Idol Inc. would work this time as well.
Which was...
Ryu Cheong-woo had never lost out in a survival program.
The dress rehearsal, the day before the stage.
The CEO spoke as if delivering a sentence.
“Among those who cannot perform the new song, there will definitely be eliminations. And it might not be just one person.”
“...!”
It was a declaration that the reduction of personnel would begin in earnest.
And just as I was thinking that this was the kind of news that would shatter the mental state of the guys who had prepared so hard, telling them not to even dream of the whole team surviving...
The next words followed.
“And I am not the judge of the performance.”
No way.
“It is the public, the coldest critics. It will be decided by the audience’s votes.”
“……”
I briefly clenched my fist.
I’ve won.