Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: The Unfading Blue Aura
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'Can I really wrap my head around this...?'
In truth, people were always putting on some kind of performance in everyday life.
At work, they played the role of the average office worker; among friends, the role of a buddy; and at home, as parents or children. It was just how things were.
But even so, Seonwoo had never seen colors coming from ordinary folks going about their daily routines.
He had his own theory about why that was.
The masks people wore in daily life were, mask or not, just another side of themselves.
So it wasn't really acting—it was simply being themselves, no different from that.
But look at this woman right now.
"You haven't been acting for long, have you?"
"Ah, yeah... It's been about five months now."
"Whoa, that's impressive~! I couldn't even dream of acting like this at five months in. Minhee unnie was just bragging about you a bit, too!"
"...When did I ever brag that much?"
Utterly mundane conversation.
Plain words that didn't even seem like they required any acting. Yet every single one was saturated with sky-blue energy.
Like in a comic where her speech bubbles were all sky blue?
Something was off.
If she'd shown up with some ridiculously over-the-top concept, he might've thought, Oh, she's just acting a role.
But no—these were everyday speech patterns, too natural for that.
Words that didn't call for any performance at all.
So why the hell was she acting through all this?
"...Is there something on my face?"
He must've been staring too intently.
Yeonwoo looked at him with a puzzled expression.
She had a striking yet kind face: clear eyes with sharp lines, naturally upturned lips, and pale, flawless skin.
The kind of beauty that made it impossible for most people not to like her.
Like a model from a refreshing soda ad, maybe.
But...
Seonwoo shook his head.
"No, sorry. I was just thinking about that performance I saw earlier. You were great."
"Oh, really? Thanks for saying that."
Even as she smiled brightly, crinkling her eyes, Yeonwoo's face glowed sky blue.
Seonwoo observed her discreetly, trying not to make it obvious.
He could pretend not to notice and walk away, but that felt rude... and since they'd probably keep running into each other, better to get a read on her character now.
But,
"You guys from Cheongsong seem really tight-knit. It's nice."
"I hope we all make it to the finals together."
"I've been acting as a hobby since middle school. The first time I got on stage... it just felt so amazing."
Everything Yeonwoo said was perfectly ordinary.
No need to analyze her character or anything—she just came off as a normal person.
...If he couldn't see colors, Seonwoo probably would've thought the same: nothing special or weird about her.
There has to be something, though...
He just couldn't spot any cracks.
And no wonder. Ever since she'd arrived here, that blue aura hadn't faded from her once.
Not even for a second.
Meaning she hadn't dropped the act.
In the end, Seonwoo waved the white flag for now.
She wasn't going to show any obvious slips that easily, and they'd only cross paths during this program anyway.
Just be careful not to get too tangled up with her.
"I'll head in first."
"Already?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty beat. Gonna rest up."
"Alright, good work. Sleep well!"
"Good night, hyung!"
With their farewells behind him, Seonwoo returned to the dorm.
And as she watched his retreating back, Yeonwoo muttered softly.
"What a weird guy."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Seonwoo's roommate ended up being Sion.
Thanks to Sion feeling the most comfortable around him.
They'd decided to pair with the kid to accommodate him, and no one objected.
Can't exactly leave him with Seo Jinwook, either.
Putting Sion with Hyungbin would've forced Seonwoo in with Seo Jinwook. Talk about an awkward roommate situation.
This was the best setup for everyone.
Hopefully Seo Jinwook wouldn't grate on Hyungbin's nerves... Though with Hyungbin's sociable nature, he might handle it just fine.
Anyway, communal living with Sion kicked off.
Or babysitting duty, maybe? Either way, it wasn't half bad.
"Don't you miss your mom?"
"I do, but... I'm okay!"
Sion clenched his fist.
"I'm a big boy now, too!"
"...Good for you."
"Thanks, hyung. If it weren't for you, I'd be home right now... You saved me!"
"Sion."
"Yeah, hyung?"
"No more 'thanks' from now on."
"...Huh?"
"You didn't survive because of me. You did it yourself. So if you're really grateful, just keep doing well from here on out. Like you are now. Got it?"
"...Yeah!"
Sion nodded with a determined look.
It might not have been that big a deal, but Seonwoo wanted Sion to build more confidence in himself.
Believing in your own strength mattered more than crediting someone else for your survival.
He's gotta last longer.
He'd realized that watching the other contestants during the four-person skit mission.
Not just winning—even cracking the top 10 wouldn't be easy.
Of course, he hadn't lost his own confidence.
He'd practically declared it to PD Lim Youngdo, hadn't he?
That he'd take the win.
Yeah. I have to win.
Seeing those who'd been eliminated had driven it home.
This chance—this miracle—he couldn't let it slip away.
Seonwoo headed to the plaza with Sion in tow.
Filming was scheduled for the morning again, probably to announce the next mission.
How long had they been waiting in the plaza?
⚙ PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT ⚙ "Looks like everyone's here." An unexpected greeting made him turn, and there was that slightly uncomfortable face.
Yeonwoo. Smiling so prettily as she looked at him. But even in this moment, the sky-blue energy enveloping her hadn't faded.
Meaning even this casual hello was still part of the act.
"Hello."
"Sleep well last night? I was too nervous—barely got any shut-eye."
"Ah, I was fine."
He wasn't usually this dry in his responses, but he had no idea what to say.
Everything about the person in front of him screamed performance. He couldn't play along, and giving a genuine reply felt off too.
And right then...
"Oh, Seonwoo! Yeonwoo too? Hey!"
"Ah, Hyeseong oppa! Sleep well?"
"Nah, couldn't sleep—kept worrying something might go wrong."
"Me too..."
The rest of the Cheongsong crew already seemed to like Yeonwoo a lot.
They'd only met her last night, but she was already calling Hyeseong "oppa."
Freakishly affable.
Well, on the surface, she didn't have a single unlikeable trait.
If Seonwoo couldn't see acting colors, he wouldn't be on guard like this either.
The issue was Yeonwoo kept showing interest in him specifically.
"What'd you do before acting?"
"Just went to school, job hunted, that kinda thing."
"Oh, what major?"
"English Lit."
"Whoa, you must be great at English."
He wasn't exactly opening doors for her, but she kept pressing closer, like she was dead set on getting friendly.
He couldn't outright say it bugged him, and just as his head started throbbing...
"Minhee! Over here! Here!"
Minhee appeared.
Still looking unwell, just like last night.
He'd thought maybe just fatigue yesterday... but apparently not.
"...Senior, you okay?"
Seonwoo asked with genuine concern.
He didn't usually worry about Minhee, but that haggard face made it hard to ignore.
"I'm fine. Don't worry."
"Hard not to when your face looks that rough."
"Just basic makeup."
...I don't think that's the issue?
But if she said she was okay, pressing further would be rude.
Seonwoo stepped back instead of pushing.
And that's when it happened.
⚙ JUDGES' ANNOUNCEMENT ⚙ Sung Junil: Did everyone sleep well last night? Seo Yumi: You must feel proud, like you've accomplished something. Sung Junil: But you can't get complacent yet. Seo Yumi: You all need to sharpen your skills more. Sung Junil: It's not about just surviving—you need to stand out. Shine, be cool. Seo Yumi: So we're giving you a way to judge yourselves: a points system. Sung Junil: Exactly. Points. 'Points system?'
Question marks popped up in everyone's eyes.
A points system in an audition show? Not a familiar concept.
Soon, Yu Miyeon explained the points.
⚙ POINTS SYSTEM ⚙ Yu Miyeon: You'll have ongoing chances to rack up points from here on. Yes. Exactly—chances to build points. Points accumulate. At the end of each mission, anyone below the 'threshold score' gets eliminated entirely. Now do you get what points mean? Seonwoo nodded.
Cumulative scoring.
It meant consistently good showings were key. Even a last-minute flash of brilliance wouldn't save you if your total was low—you'd miss the top 10.
Those at the top couldn't slack off, and those at the bottom had to grit their teeth and push harder.
A system like entrance exams.
⚙ NEXT MISSION ⚙ Sung Junil: Now, the next mission. The screen that had shown their scores shifted, displaying four Chinese characters.
Seonwoo muttered at the sight.
"Joy, anger, sorrow, pleasure?"
📜 MISSION: FOUR EMOTIONS 📜 Joy • Anger • Sorrow • Pleasure
Sung Junil: Pick one of these four emotions and prepare a performance fitting it over the next three days.
Yu Miyeon: Your acting will earn you 0 to 10 points.
Sung Junil: Plus, rankings per emotion: 1st gets +3, 2nd +2, 3rd +1 bonus points.
Yu Miyeon: You have 30 minutes.
Sung Junil: Choose your emotion within 30 minutes.
Seonwoo nodded.
Bonus points by ranking. Smart use of the system. Strategy started from picking the emotion.
If luck favored a less crowded emotion, competing for bonuses would be easier.
The moment of choice.
What emotion should he perform?