Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Twisty Puzzle
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[Haru looks even more like a hamster when he's next to one. It's driving me crazy. (Screenshot of Haru with a hamster on his shoulder.)]
↳So cute, lol.
↳I can just imagine the hamster saying, "Who told you to leave Hamster Village! Come back at once. See what dangerous things happen when you go outside."
↳lol. Ah, it's so cute just imagining it.
[Why do they look so much like their representative animals?]
↳At this point, I'm sure they're shapeshifters.
↳lol but are those real animals?
↳They couldn't have brought a white tiger... A hamster seems possible, but wouldn't it be too small to manage? If they put it down and it scurried off somewhere weird, they'd never find it.
↳The snake is a bit iffy too, right? I mean, Jung Eun-woo could wear it around his neck, but it probably wouldn't move like that.
↳The quality of the white tiger makes it look real, but it can't be. Well, I guess we'll find out when they release the behind-the-scenes footage.
* * *
"Hello."
"Oh! Hello."
We ran into Creatin by chance at the NTV station.
Creatin greeted us first with friendly faces.
"Hello."
I returned the greeting and was about to walk past when someone suddenly tapped me.
"Senior."
It was Ha-jin, one of the members of Creatin.
"Y-Yes?"
Having re-debuted, the senior-junior relationship had become quite ambiguous, so I was a bit flustered.
"Thank you."
His abrupt thanks made the RE-V members and our manager exchange surprised glances.
‘What’s he thanking me for? Did the PD mention me?’
Since we met at the NTV station, it confirmed that they had been cast in *Twisty Puzzle*, and I was inwardly relieved.
I had taken one opportunity from them, but I'd also given them another, so didn't that mean the burden on my conscience was lifted?
"That's right. We're really grateful."
"We'll be sure to repay this favor someday."
I only did it to ease my own mind; I never expected to receive such thanks.
"Oh, it's nothing."
"I'm very sorry, but we're running late right now. Perhaps we can talk next time..."
Fortunately, we were also at the station for a variety show appearance.
If our manager hadn't cut the conversation short, everyone in the station would have found out that I'd gotten Creatin a spot on the new survival show.
I could already feel eyes on us from all around.
"Ah. Sorry for holding you up when you're busy."
Creatin's manager apologized.
"Not at all. We'll get going then. See you next time."
After exchanging formal goodbyes, we started walking again.
Once we were some distance away from Creatin, our manager turned to me and spoke.
"What was that all about?"
"Ah. It's... it's nothing important."
"If it's not important, you can tell me. What is it?"
I tried to gloss over it, but it didn't seem like that would work.
"The PD from *RED CUBE* is preparing a show to promote rookie groups, so I just recommended Creatin."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Yes."
"Good job. To be honest, both Creatin and their manager must have been anxious after you guys joined the company."
I never dreamed our manager would say something like that so openly to us.
‘I thought he'd try to hide it... Is it because the only thing we're not supposed to know about is the song?’
"Yeah. If you're only a year into your debut and the company says they're launching a new idol group, especially one of the same gender, you'd be nervous. I was."
Jung Eun-woo said, his tone bitter as if recalling the past.
"True."
Honestly, we'd all probably had similar experiences.
From the company's perspective, it's better to invest in promising rookies than to keep managing idols who aren't making money.
"In that sense, our youngest did a good job."
Haru ruffled my hair roughly.
"Haru. I know you're proud of him, but don't mess up his hair."
The manager quickly stopped him.
Then he quickly straightened my hair.
"Is that better?"
Only after lightly fixing my messy hair did the manager let go of my face.
"So, what did you say today's recording was?"
"Today it's 'With Dad'. You just have to play with one kid for exactly one hour."
The manager said it like it was no big deal, but looking after a child was no ordinary task.
It would be best to brace ourselves.
"But who is it? Who's on that show now?"
"Probably a kid you don't know. They're a new addition and haven't been on air yet."
No one asked any more questions after the manager's reply.
We were curious who it might be, but there was no need to rack our brains over it.
It wasn't like we'd remember such minor details anyway, and whoever it was, it wouldn't be a big problem.
"Once we finish this, we're done for the day, so let's hang in there until the end."
"Okay."
* * *
Creatin sat in awkward postures on the studio set, their lips sealed.
They weren't usually shy, but they were so nervous they didn't have the presence of mind to speak to anyone first.
The other rookie idol groups were the same.
Silence hung in the studio.
"Hello."
The PD entered the studio, offering a greeting.
"Hello!"
All the idols who had been sitting shot up from their seats and bowed deeply to the PD.
"Everyone, please sit. No need to be so disciplined. This isn't the army."
The PD gave the rookie idols a friendly smile.
Before the first shoot, they had all heard an earful from their companies about what kind of person the PD was.
But the impression the PD gave in person was a little different from what they'd heard.
Contrary to his reputation for pushing cast members to their limits for the sake of the show without regard for their struggles, he just seemed like a warm, friendly neighborhood guy.
‘Maybe he just has to play the villain for the show?’
Jae-hee, the leader of Creatin, thought to himself, trying to ease his tension.
"Are all six teams here?"
"Yes."
Six teams.
Six rookie idol groups were gathered in one place.
"Then let's start recording right away."
As soon as the PD finished speaking, the red lights on the studio cameras turned on.
"MC, please enter!"
On cue, someone holding a microphone walked into the studio.
It was Tae-seong, a first-generation idol.
"It's a pleasure to be here."
At the sudden appearance of the legendary senior artist, all the idols stood up again.
"Hello, Senior!"
"I'm a fan!"
Flattering comments came from all over.
Tae-seong let out a small laugh.
"All this praise really makes me feel my age."
It was a comment somewhere between sincerity and a joke, but the rookie idols couldn't bring themselves to laugh.
They just stood there with awkward expressions, their lips sealed.
"It was a joke, so relax. I'm not a bad guy."
Tae-seong tried to lighten the mood, but it didn't improve at all.
"Well, I guess I was just as nervous when I was a rookie."
He had no choice but to shift his commentary, explaining to the viewers why they were so tense.
"Back then, everything was unfamiliar, and the pressure to do well was immense. So please look upon them kindly. But more importantly, you've all heard the name of our show, right?"
Like the first-generation idol he was, he knew how to handle a broadcast and kept the show moving smoothly.
"Yes."
"*Twisty Puzzle*. What did you think when you heard that? The youngest member of Creatin, please answer."
"Ah. I looked it up online. It said it's a type of cube."
"That's right. You can think of this program as a spin-off of *RED CUBE*. One face of the cube has been solved, so now it's time to solve another. Did you all watch *RED CUBE*? This time, the leader of Ten by X, please answer."
Tae-seong made sure no one was left out, asking questions to every participating group.
"Now then, shall we explain the game you'll be playing?"
The participants looked at Tae-seong with tense expressions.
They waited desperately for his next words.
"First, I'd like to apologize. Everything you were told before was a lie."
The studio fell into chaos.
"What does that mean?"
"A lie?"
"Wait, then... don't tell me..."
Those who had been talking with their members now seemed to grasp the situation, staring at the PD with wide, startled eyes.
"What you're thinking right now is correct. Let me reintroduce myself. Congratulations on joining the rookie idol survival program, *Twisty Puzzle*."
All the idols gathered there had been tricked by the production team.
Suddenly, the curtain covering one wall dropped.
Behind it was a digital clock set to [5:00:00].
"Exactly five hours from now, you will be performing on stage to determine your rankings. It can be your own song, or it can be another song. Please prepare for the first competition. I wish you the best of luck."