Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Even as a Villain, I Want to Debut
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With the recruitment of Kang In-hyeok, our team's lineup was finally complete.
Something about this situation feels strangely perfect.
For some reason, our team ended up consisting entirely of people who never got their moment to shine in the original story, just like the song title.
Won Ji-an, who only existed as a name on the roster in the story; Kang In-hyeok, who was used solely as a tool to make the protagonist look good; and me, who was originally destined to bear the villain's fate.
It's not easy to gather a group like this.
After the top nine picked their teams, the remaining trainees started approaching in groups of five, standing in front of the teams they wanted to join.
As the rankings dropped, more trainees were rejected by the teams they approached.
It's brutal.
The structure was inherently unfair.
Once your ranking slipped, you had to compete under increasingly harsh conditions.
After the top trainees snatched the best songs and positions, the options for lower-ranked ones inevitably narrowed.
If a position's slots filled up, you couldn't even showcase your strengths properly.
In other words, it was a system where climbing back up after falling was incredibly tough.
Of course, there are people who break through those harsh conditions and rise anyway.
I spotted Lee Hyo-seop, standing at the very back among the lowest ranks.
Lee Hyo-seop was near the bottom, so he had no real choice. He was stuck scavenging whatever scraps were left after others picked.
But his eyes were different from the other low-rankers. There was a fierce determination to climb no matter what.
Indeed. He's the underdog character who rises from 59th place to the final debut lineup.
It wasn't until almost the very end that Lee Hyo-seop could finally pick a song.
I wondered when I'd get a chance to talk to him. His lack of connection with anyone felt oddly suspicious, making me even more curious.
Once all teams were formed, the trainees headed to their team areas for meetings.
"Shall we have our meeting too?"
I broke the silence first.
"Positions are already set, so no need to divide parts..."
"Yeah."
"Right."
One advantage of a three-member team was avoiding headaches over part distribution.
With one each in rap, vocal, and dance, there was no fighting to show off more in someone else's position.
"So, who should be the leader?"
At my question, Won Ji-an and Kang In-hyeok just exchanged awkward glances in silence.
In truth, the leader role wasn't all that great. You were the first one called out when problems arose.
Unless you were gunning for the leader spotlight or screen time, it was better to pass if you lacked confidence.
"Me..."
Then Won Ji-an raised his hand.
"Can I make a leader recommendation?"
Won Ji-an recommending a leader?
I had a bad feeling.
"I think Won-woo should be leader."
Why did my ominous hunch ring true? My name came out of Won Ji-an's mouth.
"Me?"
Me as leader?
It wasn't my thing, and I wasn't used to group living yet.
"I think you'd do well, Won-woo."
Kang In-hyeok nodded beside him. He seemed to hate the hat as much as I did.
I wanted to pass it to someone else, but handing it to Won Ji-an didn't feel right either.
"...Fine. I'll do it."
And just like that, I stumbled into the leader role.
"Wooow."
"Congrats."
As I pinned on the leader badge, I felt inwardly confused.
I've never been a leader before.
Shouldn't a leader be someone trusted by all?
But was I really leader material? I wasn't sure.
I was flustered taking on leadership for the first time, but there was no time to dwell.
As leader, I had to take responsibility and lead the team.
"They said they'll incorporate our ideas as much as possible. Got any thoughts?"
"Hmm..."
Won Ji-an spoke first.
"Since it's [Extra Syndrome], maybe something emotional matching the lyrics—a story with a proper setup, build-up, twist, and payoff."
An emotional story.
It was vague and unformed, but not a bad idea.
These small sparks could grow as they piled up.
"How about adding a musical or theater vibe to the intro?"
"Theater?"
"Yeah. Since it's about extras, the hidden stories behind the theater curtain. Something like that?"
Kang In-hyeok nodded at my suggestion.
"A bit Broadway-style?"
"Oh, that's good."
Won Ji-an, listening, chimed in with an arrangement idea.
"Then, jazz for the arrangement? Mix in some jazz?"
"Set the stage like a theater too, and use props effectively..."
Everyone was deep in the meeting when—
"This isn't right, is it?"
A sharp voice cut in from the side.
...What?
All eyes turned to the source.
It seemed a fight had broken out in Lee Hae-won's team.
"You can't divide parts like this."
"Tae-in, what's wrong?"
We paused our meeting to glance over as voices rose.
It sounded like a part distribution dispute.
Tempers are high with evaluations looming. But usually, people hold back. What happened to make them argue on camera?
I quietly observed.
Yoon Hyun-min ran a hand through his hair, staring stiffly at someone.
The target was a trainee yelling back. Kim Tae-in, ranked 31st.
"Tae-in, calm down."
"How can I calm down?"
"No, there's a misunderstanding."
Behind the teammate calming Kim Tae-in, Yoon Hyun-min let out a disbelieving scoff.
"What's this about?"
"What I'm saying is, why bother with voting if you're dividing parts like this?"
Kim Tae-in pointed at Yoon Hyun-min and the others, shouting.
"I overheard you in the bathroom earlier. 'How should we do parts? What do you want? If I vote for you, will you vote for me?' That's what you said. And it happened exactly like that. What is this?"
The accused teammates just exchanged glances, saying nothing.
It was a split-second reaction, but hard to fake if you had a clear conscience.
"......"
"For real?"
"No way..."
Lee Hae-won looked uncomfortable, like a bystander caught in a whale fight. He cautiously turned.
"Hyun-min, is it true? What did you guys talk about in the bathroom?"
"Ha..."
Yoon Hyun-min took a deep breath, tilting his head back dramatically.
He acted like he was too stunned to speak, but he seemed to be carefully choosing his words.
"Tae-in."
Finally composed, Yoon Hyun-min spoke.
"I don't know what you heard, but it's a misunderstanding. We just asked what parts everyone wanted. You looked so desperate, so we joked around like 'Not you, Hae-won will pick' or 'Pick me instead.' That's it. Calling it collusion would be really unfair."
Unfair?
Dude, you just admitted asking for votes.
But Yoon Hyun-min played it off casually, like no big deal, downplaying it masterfully.
His social savvy was impressive; outsiders would buy his aggrieved act.
"That's not how it sounded, and Hae-won hyung wasn't even mentioned."
Kim Tae-in trembled with anger throughout.
It was bizarre. The defender seemed relaxed, putting Kim Tae-in on the defensive.
"You must've misheard. You said you overheard by chance on your way to the bathroom. Maybe you only caught the end, leading to the misunderstanding."
Yoon Hyun-min turned to Lee Hae-won.
"Ah, Hae-won. Sorry you got dragged in. I didn't think a casual joke would blow up like this."
"It's fine."
Maybe. He apologized to Lee Hae-won, but to me, it felt like atmosphere-building.
Like telling Kim Tae-in: Look how many people you're inconveniencing.
"But in the end, the vote went exactly as you discussed in the bathroom."
"Pure coincidence. We voted because they're good at it. I only recalled the bathroom talk hearing you now."
"Ha..."
Lee Hae-won stayed silent, and the others just watched awkwardly.
Yoon Hyun-min, meanwhile, grew bolder.
Incidentally, a leader badge gleamed on his chest. I could guess how it went down.
Yoon Hyun-min's politicking.
Even if they called it joking—even if they believed it themselves—the conversation implied traded favors.
They subconsciously knew what others wanted and what they'd get in return.
No loss voting for them after that chat. Not a formal deal, but if they reciprocate, you gain.
And who makes those jokes normally?
Especially in a camera-free bathroom. What a convenient coincidence.
...At this point, I'd call for a revote or bring in outsiders. But no mediator here.
Lee Hae-won and teammates lacked details to intervene.
Only the bathroom group and eavesdropper Kim Tae-in knew the truth.
Kim Tae-in alone vs. the bathroom majority.
Kim Tae-in was at a disadvantage.
The leader should mediate, but that's Yoon Hyun-min.
The bathroom crew started shaping the mood.
"Tae-in, sorry anyway. I get the misunderstanding. If you want, I'll yield my part to you."
"Yeah, Tae-in. You think we'd do something that shady? We're not trash."
"......"
In the end, Kim Tae-in looked like the weirdo.
Yield if you want? In this spot, who'd demand it? Not like he's committing outright.
Watching made me realize these schemers were everywhere.
In the original, Yoon Hyun-min wasn't a full villain—just hot-tempered.
But with the plot derailed and world freedom increased, his true nature was emerging.
...Lee Hae-won looks ten years older right now.
Maybe his pacifism made this uncomfortable.
Anyone could see it. It looked neatly resolved, but Yoon Hyun-min's group had buried it quietly.
Anyone escalating now would seem crazy.
"Glad it's cleared up."
"Let's do well together."
"Yeah, Tae-in. It happens. We're all tense after improv. We get it."
Misunderstanding? You really think that?
Han I-jae, watching, wore a stiff expression like me.
No pretense, but sharp eyes—he could spot the filth too.
Good for Han I-jae avoiding this mess. No meeting needed as a solo—he handles all parts.
His chest badges covered rap, vocal, dance, leader—everything.
Wonder if that's okay. Seems burdensome...
Focus on my own stuff.
I shelved the thought.
Assuming Lee Hae-won and Han I-jae would handle theirs, I refocused.
What mattered: fulfilling my leader duties.
I had to give my all for our team's win.