Chapter 129: A Small Catalyst (1)
129. A Small Catalyst (1)
The first elimination round would cut four trainees.
The voting that began immediately after Episode 5 would accumulate all points up to that point, with the results announced in Episode 7.
[I knew this would happen]
I knew I'd get too invested like this
I knew it would hurt this much
Just yesterday they were showing all 17 of them happily laughing and playing games at the sports day event, and now suddenly they drop this elimination notice out of nowhereㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
Who are they even going to eliminate hereㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠNoㅠㅠㅠㅠJust stay in Miro Maze foreverㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
Because Miro Maze had always branded itself as a "kind survival show," focusing on the chemistry and relationships between trainees, countless Desty fans felt a profound sense of loss and disappointment upon hearing about the first elimination.
But that feeling was short-lived.
[So guys who are you voting for?]
My head's about to explode
I'm thinking of saving my second favorite but my ult is already high-ranked
Maybe I should just vote for my second and third favoritesㅠㅠㅠ?
└ 22 Don't get complacent just because they're high-ranked
└ 33 Toyoumi includes agency evaluations too so don't relax
To save their favorite trainees, Desty fans began racking their brains intensely. Since this was an agency survival where debuting meant committing to at least 7 years together, fans had no choice but to be extremely careful with their votes.
Hajin's fandom also lit a fire under their voting efforts. His clumsy and defenseless moments shown in Episode 5 actually helped attract new fans. But the fandom's internal cohesion still wasn't great.
Kang Daejang @strongjin
Honestly don't even know
where to begin criticizing this
Just sighing at this point....
If you don't like it just unfollow ㅗ
I'll use up all my Bluebird credits alone if I have to
But I'm getting my boy to debut
Please stop pressuring people to vote
Spamming the same posts isn't helping
People can vote for whoever they want
Why are you acting like you have any right to police others?
Honestly Miro's not stupid
They'll debut Hajin when the time comes lol...
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Kang Hadi @kang_HD
Everyone please vote
Every time I see the gap
Between his video cuts
And voting verification threads
I get so worried and depressed...
The fandom's fatigue skyrocketed as they dealt with trolls and detractors, compounded by some idiots arrogantly claiming "he's not in danger anyway" without basis. Amid this, fabricated conversations from burner accounts of notable fans began circulating.
Rossy Day @rossy_1017
[Official statement]
Regarding the alleged leaked DMs
From my private account with close friends
Posted by @makkiii at 3 AM today:
This controversy is clearly fabricated
We have never once wished
For any trainee's elimination
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The original conversation had simply been fans worrying about Hajin's votes - "What if he really gets eliminated?" "Maybe he needs to be in danger for people to wake up?" But someone had cleverly edited it to make it seem like they wanted Hajin eliminated quickly.
Fortunately, those involved quickly came forward to clarify, and many accounts who'd seen the real-time chat also spoke up, so the controversy died down fast. The account that started it deleted immediately after the clarification.
The real problem came after.
Kang Daejang @strongjin
REST
Temporarily closing this account
I'll be back when Hajin debuts
I'm sorry
One of Hajin's biggest fan accounts, included in that conversation, couldn't withstand the cyberbullying and shut down. With the fandom atmosphere already tense, this incident sent Hajin's fans spiraling into uncontrollable frustration.
[What did GHJ fans even do wrong???]
Seriously why does everyone keep dragging our boy
We're just trying to see him debut
People are so rude and mean...
I don't get why supporting someone makes us targets
And now these sneaky posts bashing Hajin too
These antis are seriously disgusting, it's so upsetting
- Pat pat...you're going through so much...don't know what to sayㅠㅠ
- But honestly is GHJ unpopular??? Doesn't he get mentioned most in Toyoumi???? I thought that elimination talk was just other trainee fans trying to drag him down
└ You really asking that here...?
When external attacks increase, internal unity should strengthen - that's the natural order. But Hajin's fandom had been beaten down so much that even their tight-knit core was shattered. Casual fans started looking at other fandoms, while core fans reduced online activity or disappeared entirely.
And Hajin knew all of this.
[System Notification: ...Are you okay?]
'I'm fine.'
Hajin answered calmly. If anything, Sipsam seemed more anxious than him, making Hajin respond almost exasperatedly.
'I'm seriously fine.'
[System Notification: But...there's not much voting time left.]
[System Notification: o(╥﹏╥)o]
'Really, it's fine for now. It's not like I did anything to make people hate me - these things just happen sometimes.'
For now, it was fine. Hajin wasn't just deluding himself.
'This elimination announcement is based on cumulative scores from everything so far.'
From the first broadcast until now, Hajin had never been top-ranked but never bottom-tier either. His team won benefits in the first mission, and he placed first in the second mission.
'With the third mission's first place benefits added, I won't get eliminated this time. Maybe next time, but not now.'
In today's broadcast of the third mission, Hajin's Blue Flare team had won first place with the most votes. Even with all these benefits, ranking bottom four out of seventeen?
'If I'm that hopeless, I might as well hold hands with the regression ghost and live forever.'
[System Notification: Please don't even joke about that.]
[System Notification: Fixed Regressor, you might actually do it and that terrifies me?]
The system window vibrated as if shuddering. Hajin stretched on his bed.
'The real danger starts now.'
After the first elimination, all scores reset. And before finals, three more trainees would be cut.
'If the fandom atmosphere stays like this...making it to debut might be impossible. We just need one catalyst to change the mood.'
What could possibly do that...?
After brief contemplation, Hajin checked the time and left his room.
"Hey hyung, hurry up."
"What, am I last?"
"No, Kyoungho hyung is. He went out somewhere."
Everyone except Kyoungho had gathered in the lounge. They'd decided to watch Episode 6 of Miro Maze together.
"You're the one who suggested watching together but show up last?"
"Protagonists always appear last. Scoot over."
"There's plenty of space over there!"
"I like the center seat."
Hajin lightly shoved Taehyun aside to steal the spot next to him. With a dozen grown boys cramming together, even the spacious lounge felt packed.
As someone turned on the TV, Wonho, Yu-geon and Doha entered carrying armfuls of delivery food.
"Food's here, everyone."
"What? Did Eunchan use his card again?"
Fried chicken, pizza, braised pork - a feast that made Hajin's eyes widen as he instinctively looked at Eunchan. The flustered trainee shook his head desperately.
"No, not me this time!"
"Then what's all this?"
Doha, silently unpacking the food, answered instead.
"Team leader Ji Soo-ho treated us. Said we have to do three hours of cardio after though."
"...Should we eat this or not?"
"Obviously eat it. What kind of question is that, Jayden? We're doing cardio either way."
Hajin casually replied while grabbing chopsticks. Since the elimination announcement, the trainees' morale had plummeted endlessly. That's exactly why Hajin had suggested this group viewing session.
Rather than moping alone in their rooms, forcing themselves to gather and talk was better for mental health.
[System Notification: ...Speaking from experience?]
'If you know, then shut up.'
Hajin shot Sipsam a look. Both the system and Ji Soo-ho were too perceptive. Seeing the trainees depressed, the team leader had probably offered his company card precisely because they were gathering to watch together.
"Hey Seo Taehyun, you not eating?"
"I was just planning to have salad with Siwoo hyung..."
At Hajin's question, Taehyun's eyebrows furrowed conflictedly. Hajin and Taehyun both turned to Siwoo.
The oldest trainee, sitting at the far end, was already holding chopsticks and moving toward the food table.
"Guess Siwoo hyung is eating?"
"Hmm...what to do."
"Hyung, eat with us!"
Eunchan's urging deepened Taehyun's dilemma. Normally Hajin wouldn't pressure anyone, but today was different. If one person refused to eat, others might feel awkward too.
'That's probably why hyung came down first to set the mood.'
Hajin observed Siwoo from the corner of his eye. Though the oldest had come down first, he'd only taken one pizza slice while helping others. Clearly pacing himself.
'...This hyung is seriously impressive.'
Hajin inwardly marveled before nudging Taehyun's leg and whispering:
"Just come down and pretend to eat. I'll pick out chicken breast for you. Or just have a few pork pieces."
"...Fine. Just for today."
Taehyun finally joined them. On Hajin's other side, Wonho returned from washing his hands.
"Kangha hyung, can I have one potato pizza slice?"
"Sure. Pass your plate."
"Thanks."
Hajin absentmindedly gave Wonho a slice. Watching the younger trainee take a huge bite with extra hot sauce, Hajin picked up his chopsticks - then suddenly froze, staring at Wonho.
"......"
"...Uh, wh-what? (Do I have something on my face?)"
"No. Not that."
As Wonho nervously chewed with pizza in his mouth, Hajin shook his head thoughtfully.
'Now that I think about it...'
Why hasn't the [Comrade Recruitment] prompt appeared for him?