Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Genius Idol's Entertainment Conquest Strategy
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Today marks the start of the second training camp for Pick Heart filming.
In other words, it's time for me to leave Grandpa Go Su-jong's place.
I'd told him yesterday while packing that I'd be leaving for good in the morning.
"Is that so. I was wondering when to kick you out, but you're leaving on your own. Good."
...That was his response. Pretty curt.
Still, he seemed a little disappointed.
"What are you looking at me like that for, all creepy?"
Disappointed...
"If you're going, then go already without dragging it out, you slippery punk."
Never mind.
Still, living here wasn't half bad.
I'd help with the chores, then spend the spare time playing phone games I'd never tried before, or playing a few rounds of Janggi with Grandpa. When it got dark, I'd lay out the bedding on the toasty floor and crash.
It was similar to my real-life routine but way healthier and more regular.
I double-checked my luggage one last time to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything when Grandpa, who'd been watching me from the living room, came over from the fridge with a bundle.
It was pretty heavy when I took it.
"What's this?"
"Dried persimmons, tangerines, and whatnot. Eat it on the way."
"You didn't have to..."
"Don't say stuff you don't mean. Take it before I change my mind."
"Thank you. I'll enjoy it."
During the last camp, we'd practice non-stop until midnight, and by then dinner would be fully digested, leaving our stomachs empty.
The trainees endured the hunger by munching on snacks bought from the canteen during the day.
By the end of camp, even the canteen stock was wiped out. Remembering that, I dropped the fake politeness and clutched the bundle like it was survival rations.
Grandpa, who'd grumbled he wouldn't see me off last night, followed me to the front door and watched as I pressed the elevator button.
"Well, I'll be off then. Thank you so much for everything."
"You get it. Good."
"Grandpa, even if you miss me and call, I won't be able to pick up for a while."
"Who said I'd call? Don't go getting ahead of yourself with your kimchi soup this early."
The sun hadn't risen yet, it was dim, and the entry light was off, so I couldn't see Grandpa's face clearly.
Still, somehow I felt like he wasn't wearing his usual grumpy expression.
A moment later, the elevator dinged and arrived. The doors opened, and the light inside spilled out brightly into the dark space.
I gave Grandpa a grateful hug with just the right amount of strength. It took more than a little courage.
Before he could say anything creepy, I pulled away quick and slipped into the elevator. Then a favorability alert popped up.
Only then, through the small window in the elevator door, did I catch a glimpse of Grandpa's wrinkled smile faintly forming on his face.
On the bus to the camp, the sky gradually brightened, but it looked like rain might fall—thick clouds hung low, making the mood feel heavy.
The bad mood might be because the grueling camp that eats away at your nerves is starting again.
This camp lasts five days. I haven't heard the details yet, but it'll probably be for preparing our first evaluation stage in front of an audience.
I got off at the stop near the camp and walked up to the building.
"Huff... huff..."
Tiring. While others ride up this hill, I'm dragging my heavy suitcase on foot.
Just as sweat started beading on my back, I reached the building with the "Pick Your Heart Filming Location" sign.
Inside, staff were greeting the trainees.
I texted Grandpa Go Su-jong that I'd arrived safely, then handed over my phone like last time.
I set my suitcase aside, and another staff member stuck a paper labeled "On Raon" on it.
"Change into your clothes over there, attach your name tag properly, and head that way."
"Got it."
This time's outfit was a mint-colored hoodie with the Pick Heart logo on the chest and black training pants. A small brand logo was visible at the neckline.
The big "B" on the back suggested the colors varied by mentor evaluation rank.
I entered the auditorium, warmed by the heater, and saw trainees in their colorful hoodies gathered in groups, chatting away.
Compared to last time's waiting room, where no one could even start a conversation amid the ice-cold tension, this was a huge change.
Kim Jun-woo, hanging with fellow Wes Music trainee Yoon Myung-soo, spotted me and beckoned me over.
For reference, C-rankers Kim Jun-woo and Yoon Myung-soo's hoodies were light purple.
Unlike the vivid primary-color team shirts, these rank hoodies were all soft pastels—easy on the eyes.
"You made it? 4 minutes 59 seconds, Alley-oop On."
"Yeah. I'm here."
Instead of a greeting, he leads with that, clearly trying to tease me, so I played it bold and shameless.
"...I hope the broadcast starts soon. So everyone learns you're not really Alley-oop On."
"Hey, Myung-soo hyung."
I brushed off Kim Jun-woo and greeted Yoon Myung-soo.
"Oh, hey. Heard a lot about you from Jun-woo. Speak comfortably."
"For real? Cool, Myung-soo hyung."
A bit later, Jing Xiao arrived with his Louis Gen Ent labelmate Ok Do-yoon and waved at us as they headed elsewhere.
Nagase Ritsu, who'd politely greeted us briefly, was also grouped with the other Japanese trainees.
"Whoa, thought you were gonna be late."
Ban Yo-han arrived near the gathering time with Seo Moon-gyeol and came our way. A-rank Seo Moon-gyeol's hoodie was light pink.
"Hey."
Seo Moon-gyeol said that much, then leaned against the nearby wall, closing his eyes. Maybe because it was before 7 a.m., he looked pretty beat.
I've noticed before—he doesn't talk much. With a personality like that, getting screen time here must be tough.
Of course, handsome enough that even guys notice, plus A-rank skills—Seo Moon-gyeol doesn't need my worries.
As we chatted about nothing important, filming time arrived.
"Filming starts soon. Line up by the portable stairs over there, A-ranks first!"
At the staff's instruction, trainees lined up on the long four-step portable stairs on one side of the auditorium.
Once everyone was in place, the auditorium doors opened, and the ever-beautiful Director Jena entered with a mic.
"Hello, everyone."
"Hello!"
The trainees bowed from the waist to greet her. Jena smiled warmly and spoke.
"No one's tired?"
"Yes!"
"Really?"
"Yes...!"
"No..."
A mix of "Yes" and "No" came out sounding like "Yesno."
In the relaxed atmosphere, Jena chuckled briefly and said,
"Pick Your Heart camp for evaluations resumes today. You're jumping into the real competition. Everyone ready?"
The trainees, faces tense, shouted "Yes!" in unison this time.
"Then that means you're also prepared not to get eliminated after this mission, right?"
The sudden mention of elimination froze the trainees' faces before they could compose themselves.
Jena paused, then declared,
"The number of trainees surviving the first ranking vote is... 64."
Meaning over a third gone in the first vote. Still, 64 survivors seemed like a lot.
Trainees exchanged tense glances.
"Your second evaluation to decide survival and elimination: mentor song cover assessment."
Gasps erupted from the trainees.
Covering songs from mentors like Jena and Muk Hye-seong as a group? Intimidating.
Jena continued unfazed.
"Jena, Serendipity, Pluto, Jupiter, Rosetta, Chronicle, and even the season 1 debut group UPon. That's one solo and six idol groups—your mission is to cover their songs."
My mind flashed with about 47 insults original fans might hurl if we botched the covers.
"We'll reveal detailed rules later, but basically, two teams will compete per song. First, pick which mentor's song to cover, then the song is revealed."
Jena paused.
"Before choosing a mentor's song, we need to form the teams you'll prepare the stage with, right?"
"Yes!"
"One trainee nominates another, who then nominates the next, until seven are picked. Then next team. Two teams per mentor, total 14 teams."
That leaves two at the end. What happens to them?
As I pondered, scanning us like prey, Jena's eyes locked with mine.
Wrong move. She grinned mischievously.
"Trainee On Raon. You look like you have something to say."
A camera swung my way, and all eyes turned to me.
The vibe said I had to speak, so I replied evenly, not standing out.
"14 teams of 7 is 98... but we're 100, so two left over."
Jena nodded lightly.
"Yes, correct. After 14 teams of 7, two remain. So the last two teams formed each take one extra."
Eight-member teams are at a disadvantage for part distribution compared to seven.
What if no one picks me till the end?
Anxious, I nudged nearby Ban Yo-han and eyed him like,
'Pick me when it's your turn, and I'll pick you!'
Of course, Ban Yo-han, who pulls his weight with looks alone, didn't seem as desperate.
He blinked his clear eyes a few times with an unreadable expression, then turned forward.
'Don't play dumb, you fox!'
No way that smart guy missed my intent.
Meanwhile, Oh Hyun-jin, Heart Attack's overall center, stepped forward first to pick.
I had no choice but to focus.
"The trainee I'll pick is..."
As expected from a big agency kid, he knew to build suspense.
Impatient trainees grumbled softly.