38. Those Who Reach for the Sun (4)

"Kang Hajin, aren't you going to run?"

"Yep. On my way."

My back straightened automatically at the familiar voice. Seeing the infamous Kwon-Goh duo (short for 'PD Kwon and Writer Goh who spend all four seasons at work', their nickname from my past life), this absurd first filming session started making sense.

'They were always the types who loved bizarre concepts.'

As I wondered how this situation came to be, I remembered writing their production company at the very bottom of my recommendation list. Probably got carried away by late-night nostalgia glorifying the past.

But I never actually thought these guys would show up!

"We'll explain the detailed survival rules during the opening recording. First, we're planning 8 episodes for a May premiere. It'll air simultaneously on iTube and NTV channels."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

NTV was a cable channel specializing in idol reality shows and music survival programs. They'd maintained good relations with Miro Entertainment for years, so this wasn't a bad arrangement.

'Actually, for a first survival show, this is major league stuff.'

I nodded at the clearly substantial budget while subtly hiding behind the broad-shouldered Lee Doha.

"You think you can hide behind that frame of yours?"

"Shut up, bastard."

Kim Won-ho, who somehow noticed, gave me a look saying "With your size?" but I ignored him. He wouldn't remember me anyway, and I didn't want to stand out.

"Alright, let's take a short break before recording. See you soon~"

"Yes!"

The Kwon-Goh duo finished announcements and left with smiles. At the mention of broadcast PDs, all the trainees snapped to attention for their greeting, and I casually blended in.

"...?"

Why are we making eye contact?

"Ah, the Three Musketeers of Dodging."

"......"

"Nice work. You dodged well?"

"...Haha. Thank you."

As PD Kwon gave his thumbs-up review, I straightened my previously hunched posture.

So I've already been caught. Haha.

After a brief rest, we were guided back to the top floor. The maze that had exhausted us earlier had mysteriously disappeared, replaced by a green door bearing neon letters spelling "Labyrinth."

"Had I known we were filming, I'd have worn something else."

"Man, I had my glasses on earlier. Good thing I brought contacts."

Some trainees grumbled while waiting. Even I had dressed casually, thinking it was just another workday.

'For the first shoot, they should've told us to dress up ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a bit.'

Only Lee Doha with his athlete-like outfit and always neatly dressed Jung Si-woo looked presentable among the survivors.

'And... those three who could pass as pre-styled for broadcast.'

I scanned Seo Tae-hyun, Joo Eun-chan, and Dan Ha-ru silently observing their surroundings. Though they always had good fashion sense, they were suspiciously well-dressed for guys returning from a three-day break.

'Especially Joo Eun-chan wearing contacts instead of glasses.'

"...What is it, hyung?"

"Nothing, nothing."

I shook my head and patted the shoulder of (today especially disgustingly handsome) Joo Eun-chan. The sharp-eyed Seo Tae-hyun must have tipped him off. Still, credit for showing up camera-ready on his handsome face's first shoot.

"Alright, we'll now enter in the order your groups escaped the maze earlier!"

With the assistant director's guidance, the 'real' first filming began.

"Remember? You just escaped the maze and are entering here. Natural reactions please~"

'Natural reactions.'

As if rookies could pull that off.

Regardless, Joo Eun-chan, Dan Ha-ru, and Seo Tae-hyun walked through the gate with zero tension. After some reaction sounds inside, my name was called with Lee Doha and Kim Won-ho soon after.

"We're second?"

"Would've hurt my pride if we were last after that wall climb."

Guiding a surprised Kim Won-ho inside, we found a set unimaginably different from the maze - a fantastical space like an illustration from Alice in Wonderland.

"...What the hell."

"Suddenly feeling nervous."

"You get nervous?"

"...Meaning?"

"Didn't seem your type."

Compliment? After Lee Doha's cryptic remark, we took seats labeled with our names. The remaining trainees followed with various exclamations.

Then, from the painted woods ahead emerged Seo Tae-il dressed like the Cheshire Cat.

"Those who reach for the sun, soar high."

"......"

"Welcome, Icaruses of the maze gathered here to become Miro's idols. I'm Seo Tae-il, your mentor for this journey and host of Miro Maze."

His fluent greeting drew enchanted applause and cheers. As reactions settled, he continued with program details.

"You'll compete fiercely to debut as Miro's next male idol. Only 7 of these 18 trainees will claim that spot."

"......"

"As your futures are at stake, I hope you'll show your best."

"Yes!"

Only seven. Only seven would debut.

And I needed to not just be among them, but debut 'successfully' to stop this damn regression.

'Damn. So much to manage.'

For once, I felt slightly sorry for cursing the original regressor's fragile mentality.

"Now, before revealing your first mission, let me explain Miro Maze's basic rules."

As he finished, text floated up from the LED screen beside him.

〜〚WELCOME TO MIRO MAZE〛〜

3-1. Battle Rights holders can challenge higher-ranked trainees for benefit points.

3-2. If a challenged Wings trainee successfully defends, they receive mission benefits.

The unnecessarily complicated survival system was classic Kwon-Goh duo. While I'd admired such details as a rookie assistant PD, being a participant wasn't as fun.

Moreover.

'Why only seven Wings badges?'

Only seven wing-shaped brooches lay before Seo Tae-il. Weren't top 10 supposed to be Wings? An uneasy feeling crept up my neck.

"Previously, we announced the top 10 from monthly evaluations would be Wings class."

"......"

"But after reducing participant numbers, we've made adjustments."

Now I noticed several missing faces. Must've been restructuring during our three-day break.

'...Yoon Tae-hee's gone too.'

Whether Miro cut them or they quit, seeing familiar faces disappear left a bitter taste.

Before I could dwell on it, Seo Tae-il continued.

"So the original top 10's bottom three - 8th Yuki, 9th Kim Won-ho, 10th Kang Hajin."

"......"

"These three automatically receive Miro Maze's first 'Nomination Battle Rights'."

"...What?"

"Top 3 Wings also get Defense Rights, but whether to use them is your choice since winning brings extra benefits."

"......"

"Now please nominate which Wings-class trainee you'll battle."

Holy moly.

Before I could process this, the LED screen flickered to display familiar profiles.

〜〚WINGS OF MIRO MAZE〛〜

Jung Si-woo Han Seong-woo Lee Doha

Seo Tae-hyun Lee Yu-geon Joo Eun-chan Dan Ha-ru

"Note: The order doesn't indicate rankings."

"Choose now? Right now?"

"So we're battling immediately?"

"Damn, insane."

The real-time reactions surely had PDs grinning ear-to-ear. Amidst swirling emotions, I quietly raised my hand.

"Yes, Trainee Kang Hajin."

"If we nominate someone, does the first mission determine the outcome?"

"Correct. While immediate battles would be exciting, this one depends on first mission results."

"Can we hear the mission before nominating?"

"No. After all nominations, we'll announce the first mission."

"......"

"I'll give you time to consider opponents."

So pick your target before strategizing. This would probably fill 10 seconds of episode previews.

'Not many viable options.'

Abandoning deeper thought, I slowly scanned the seven on screen.

'Exclude Seo Tae-hyun - we debut together. Exclude Lee Doha - potential ally.'

After lengthy deliberation, I called Kim Won-ho beside me, who looked equally stressed.

"You decided?"

"...Hyung, I've never ranked 9th before. Who could I possibly...?"

"If you can't decide, just listen."

"...?"

"Alright, time to choose."

I whispered a winnable opponent to the mentally crumbling Kim Won-ho just as Seo Tae-il announced timeout.

"Starting with 8th Yuki, please nominate."

"I choose... Seo Tae-hyun..."

"Seo Tae-hyun has top 3 Defense Rights. Will you accept the battle?"

"No, I'll use my Defense Right."

'Shouldn't have touched that one.'

I watched ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Yuki's wasted Battle Right with pity. He'd probably have lost anyway.

"Next, 9th Kim Won-ho."

Kim Won-ho stiffly rose at his name. After my nod to proceed, he shakily grabbed the mic.

"I... choose..."

"......"

"Lee Yu-geon."

Holy shit.

Is he insane?

Wait, might be doable, why not?

Gasps erupted at Kim Won-ho's choice. Across the room, the nominated Lee Yu-geon looked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠half-surprised, half-baffled.

"Battle confirmed between 6th Lee Yu-geon and 9th Kim Won-ho."

"......"

"Finally, Kang Hajin."

My turn at last.

"Please nominate your opponent."

"The trainee I choose is..."

All eyes and cameras focused on me. Without further thought, I locked eyes with my clear target from the start.

"The trainee I nominate is..."

"......"

"Han Seong-woo."

The regular class leader - and my least favorite among them.