Chapter 50: Daylight (6)
50. Daylight (6)
A few hours before the mentor evaluations.
"Hyung. I have something to ask."
"Hmm? Me?"
"The third chorus is tough for you, right?"
"......"
"Want to switch parts with me?"
At Hajin's suggestion, Gong Seok hesitated. The third chorus immediately following the intense dance break was indeed a challenging part for him. But between his own struggles and Hajin proposing to switch, there were clear issues to consider.
'Why does he want to switch? Does he think I can't handle the chorus? Well, I do feel myself running out of breath and stamina around that part. But still, I want to fulfill my role to the end. Hajin's part? What was Hajin's part again? Ah, the ad-libs. The ad-lib line has some high notes, but I could probably handle...'
As Gong Seok was lost in thought, Hajin cut in decisively.
"I'm struggling with the ad-lib line. It's a bit too high for me."
"Oh. Is... that so?"
"Since it's just swapping movement lines between us two, it shouldn't be too difficult. I thought it might be better if I take the chorus and you handle the ad-libs."
Hajin made it clear that this wasn't about Gong Seok's inability but his own difficulty, presenting the alternative in a convincing manner. Gong Seok didn't hesitate long before nodding. Yeah, sure! Works for me. You're the one taking the harder part.
"Hardly a hardship. Shall we practice then?"
"Yeah!"
Hajin smiled back at Gong Seok's bright response. Having already decided to carry the early parts alone, he needed tangible progress by the midpoint check. With hints verified by Lee Do-ha, a future top-ten copyright producer, it would be foolish not to try.
Moreover, Hajin judged that Gong Seok would actually benefit from handling the ad-lib section where he could showcase his vocal range, rather than the rapid-fire chorus. With that in mind, Hajin could make the decision to switch parts without any guilt or hesitation.
And the result was, needless to say, a success.
"Hajin is... overwhelming."
Regardless of how many parts he had, no one could deny that Hajin was the driving force behind this stage. Team A's nostalgic, refreshing concept for "Daylight" had transformed under Hajin's powerful vocals, overwhelming volume, and signature clear high notes into a powerful, refreshing anthem.
'It's like an anime OST.'
Someone watching thought. Like the opening of a shounen manga, Team B's "Daylight" delivered an exhilarating rush. As the song neared its end, the final verse arrived.
Hajin, who had started the first verse, stood center stage. Once again, he executed the choreography in reverse so he could see the trainees behind him, smiling as if greeting someone.
Hello, 'me.'
Nice to finally meet you.
"...Ah."
And as Hajin slowly stepped back to press his back against his partner's for the ending pose, Ria realized the subtle nuance she'd sensed.
"...He met another version of himself."
Not introducing himself with "Hello, I'm OOO" but greeting another 'him' he'd finally met. All the paired concepts throughout the performance were for this. Marveling at the song's interpretation, Ria couldn't help but acknowledge Taeil's comment that Team B's stage was interesting.
"Exactly the kind of stage you'd like."
"Right?"
"You wrote the lyrics that way on purpose, didn't you? It feels intentional."
"What does it matter what I intended? It's their song now. Their interpretation becomes the original."
Shrugging, Taeil finished writing his evaluation and set down his pen. To some, it might just be a slight nuance, but that small difference creates worldbuilding, narrative, and changes in production. And those small details creating intricate layers were something Miro valued extremely, extremely highly.
Seeing performers uncover hidden stories in his songs always filled Taeil with pride. Happily picking up the mic, he continued.
"Honestly, after making this song, I had many doubts. Like, should we just keep it for ourselves?"
"Did it feel too precious to give away after making it?"
"Yeah, it did. Especially since our maknae sang it so well. But after seeing today's performance..."
"......"
"I think we made the right choice giving it away. Thank you for making it into such a wonderful song."
"Thank you!"
The sincere praise from the original artist had the effect of doubling the lung capacity of the trainees who had just finished their exhausting performance. Team B's members bowed deeply with booming voices. At their center, Taeil noticed Hajin standing straight with hands politely clasped, listening attentively to feedback.
'Ah... I thought mentioning more might seem like favoritism.'
But after a stage like this, not mentioning him would seem like reverse discrimination. After all mentor evaluations ended, just before Team B left the stage, Taeil picked up the mic again.
"Hajin."
"Yes?"
"You got a bit greedy there, didn't you?"
Hajin responded with his characteristic refreshing smile, looking slightly embarrassed. That moment spoke louder than any elaborate explanation.
"Please everyone return to your seats. The results of the first mission will be revealed shortly."
The scoring that would determine their fates began.
Recording paused for score tallying, giving the cast a short break. While others chattered about predicted results and returned to their dorms to rest, I went the opposite way, finding Ji Sooho standing alone at the edge of the set.
"Oh, Hajin. Why aren't you in the waiting room?"
"Park Jaeyoung—is Jaeyoung okay?"
"Hmm? Ah, you must've been really worried. His fever's down now, he's getting IV fluids and resting. We got word."
Even during filming, Sooho now casually dropped honorifics with me, patting my shoulder reassuringly. Despite his words telling me not to worry, I couldn't easily relax.
Glancing around cautiously, Sooho carefully continued.
"But he might have to leave the survival show."
"...Why? Because he couldn't participate in the mission?"
"That's part of it... His parents were really shaken by his collapse today. Anyway, this is still being discussed, so don't worry too much and focus on recording."
Hearing that, my breath caught.
[Que?st!]
: I gave you a chance. Take it.
Failure penalty: Mental Care System destroyed -1000000000000000000000000000000%
The red window still flickered. Jaeyoung's sudden collapse.
"Hajin?"
"...Let me know if you hear anything about Jaeyoung."
Leaving only that response, I hurriedly left the set. An inexplicable nausea rose from within.
'You damn...'
I wanted to grab the system window by the collar immediately, but people were everywhere. Swallowing my anger, I went to a little-used restroom on the lower floor and locked the door.
Staring at the accursed flickering window:
"Was it you? Did you do this?"
The infuriatingly flickering window gave no response. But I wasn't about to back down either.
"Hey, talk like you did earlier. Did you chicken out and run? I'm asking if you're the one who did this to Jaeyoung."
Then, with a crackling spark, the system window seemed to sigh in frustration as text appeared and disappeared like errors several times. Soon, the same rude message from before appeared.
[Does it matter?]
[What matters is that with Jaeyoung gone, you got more attention.]
"I didn't need this kind of help."
[Haha, really?]
"What are you? You're not the system, are you? Are you that bastard from before?"
[No idea what you're talking about. What do you even know about this 'system'?]
My precious system couldn't be this trash. Trying to stay calm despite the anger making my throat burn, I pressed on.
"Fine, whatever. Why Jaeyoung? What did that bastard do wrong? He was rank 19, pushing himself to keep up with practice. Who the hell are you to make him leave?"
[Hahahahahahahaha.]
"What's so funny, you bastard?"
[Hahaha, you're still so naive about how the world works.]
With that, the text paused briefly. Simultaneously, the clearly new restroom lights flickered before going out.
[Hajin.]
"...What the fuck do you want?"
[Stop worrying about others and focus on yourself.]
As the chaotically flickering lights stabilized with a pop, brightening the space—
"Those who wish to reach the sun, soar high! Begin your journey to become Miro's Icarus!"
I stood at the center of the studio mid-recording.
"Wh-what?"
"Hajin, what's wrong with you? Are you sick?"
"......"
What is this? Regression? Did I regress? Frantically looking around in sudden fear—no, this isn't regression...
"Now then! For Miro Maze's first mission, Daylight! Let's announce the two teams' results!"
...I'd gone to the future. And it was obvious who was behind this.
[What? Would you rather have gone back a couple days?]
So it's not just rewinding—fast-forwarding works too? Desperately trying to hide my trembling hands by pulling down my sleeves over my clasped wrists.
"For Miro Maze's first mission, Daylight! Which team emerged victorious? Show us the results!"
What's this bastard's aim? What's it trying to say? As I glared endlessly at the system while thinking, the scoreboard alternately lit up Team A and B's profile photos. They'll drag this out for over five minutes anyway.
[Oh? Then let's 'fast-forward' that too.]
What?
The studio flickered again. In what felt like less than three seconds, the results appeared on the board with a bang.
"Yes! With scores of 472 versus 486 out of 500, the Feather tier is victorious! Congratulations!"
"No way!"
"Oh my god, we won! We won!"
Even amidst the celebratory shouts around me, I couldn't smile freely. The red system window crackled violently several times as if tearing apart before reappearing ominously before me.
[Hajin. Do you really think you could've won without this 'opportunity'?]
Another flicker. Suddenly the scoreboard showed individual battle results.
<Lee Yugeon (83.75) WIN! vs Kim Wonho (82.49)>
Another flicker.
<Han Seongwoo (93.15) WIN! vs Kang Hajin (92.99)>
'...What?'
"...Trainee Han Seongwoo wins the battle with 93.15 points, leading Trainee Kang Hajin by 0.16 points. Congratulations."
[I told you, Hajin.]
[Focus on yourself.]
I lost?