Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Even as a Villain, I Want to Debut
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Position evaluation battle day.
The trainees arrived at the waiting room one by one and took their seats.
Before the competition began, a unique tension hung in the air.
"Whoa, I'm nervous."
"Tell me about it. With penalties on the line this time, it feels even worse."
"I really hope we don't end up last."
I could hear the trainees in the back row whispering anxiously.
It was clear at a glance that many were feeling the pressure from the penalty system.
'Honestly, same here.'
The on-site evaluation panel didn't vote purely on skill, so it was impossible to predict who would get benefits or penalties.
As my thoughts swirled, Kwon Hak-jin nudged my elbow.
"Won-woo. You nervous?"
"Ah, a little."
We exchanged awkward smiles.
Come to think of it, this was the first time we'd talked properly since the room changes.
"How've you been, hyung? Nothing tough happen lately?"
"Me? Nah, I'm always having fun~"
Kwon Hak-jin shrugged like it was no big deal.
Knowing his personality, I couldn't take that at face value, but I nodded anyway.
"Oh, it's starting."
The monitor switched, and the trainees stirred.
The lights came up, the host appeared, and the competition kicked off. After explaining the evaluation and voting to the panel, the host introduced the first team.
'Hyeon Si-woo's team is up first.'
As the MC finished, the first team scampered onto the stage like a train ride.
Their hip styling clashed hilariously with their overly cute stage antics.
"Hello, I'm Hyeon Si-woo, the flower deer here to capture Dream Maker hearts! Please watch us cutely."
Hyeon Si-woo was a pro.
He waved with an expression he'd never make off-stage.
If you didn't know him, you might think he was just a cheerful guy.
'Hope his body's holding up.'
Hyeon Si-woo had applied for the dance position this mission, due to all the concerns about his skills.
From fake concern like "Can he keep up post-debut if he's not recovered?" to outright mockery: "No talent, just selling sob stories."
Plenty of malicious comments questioning how he even passed auditions.
So it seemed he'd decided to prove himself this time.
'Si-woo will do great.'
I wasn't worried.
I remembered how hard he'd pushed during mid-evals and practice.
In the original story, Hyeon Si-woo always lived for effort, and that hadn't changed.
'He's the one closest to the original path, huh.'
The performance began.
As expected, Hyeon Si-woo nailed it.
He might look gloomy usually, but on stage, he sparkled brighter than ever.
"Si-woo hyung's killing it."
"Yeah, seriously good."
Admiring reactions poured from the watching trainees.
He'd said rehab kept him from dancing for years, but his body was loosening up, skills returning.
'He's this good now—what'll happen when he's fully recovered later?'
The stage ended to hot reactions.
"Did great."
"Yeah."
As the ending fairy shot played, Kwon Hak-jin thumbs-upped the screen.
I couldn't help but laugh—then Han I-jae suddenly stood from the front row and slipped out.
'What's up?'
Amid the cheering trainees, I seemed the only one who noticed.
I didn't want to meddle, but something about Han I-jae nagged at me.
'His hands were shaking, I think.'
Deciding to check, I got up and followed him out.
Stepping out, I spotted Han I-jae heading down the hall.
He entered a quiet bathroom at the corridor's end.
'He didn't look good.'
At the door, through the crack, I saw him hunched before the mirror, breathing raggedly.
I'd heard excessive stress could trigger hyperventilation.
'Acting tough, but crumbling like this inside.'
Nothing like that in his character sheet.
So this was a new problem, born from changed fate...
'...Can't be helped.'
The hate piled on him was beyond what anyone could endure. No wonder it broke him.
Watching his struggling back, unease twisted in my chest.
'Is this guilt?'
I couldn't shake the thought.
If I hadn't shown up, maybe none of this.
Truth is, I'd long known the world's cruel structure.
Spots at the top are limited—my rise means someone's fall.
Happiness too: fixed total. One's joy is another's misery.
Escaping unhappiness just passes it on.
Not everyone wins. For villain Do Won-woo to be happy, someone pays. His misery scattered everywhere.
'I'll do anything to debut, claw my way through—but watching others suffer for my happiness hurts.'
I just wanted happiness, not built on ruin.
As I looked up in anguish, Han I-jae turned—our eyes met.
"...Do Won-woo?"
He squinted.
"Why're you here?"
"...Just handling some business."
"You didn't follow me?"
He joked a smile, but I couldn't mirror it.
I'd seen his pain.
"You okay?"
"...It's nothing."
"Sure it's nothing?"
He bit his lip at my press.
"Argh, just go."
"Huh?"
"Go. You're annoying."
Turning, he inhaled sharply, voice weary.
"If it's not nothing, then what can I do?"
"......"
"All I can do is whine. That's why I call it nothing—it becomes nothing. Try it. Easy fix."
Why?
His words ignited anger in me.
I didn't know why. I'd never cared about others' plights, but now...
"Always like this?"
I said it to him brushing past casually.
"Brushing off what you can't control as nothing, lying to yourself and everyone. Does that really make life easier?"
He stopped, scowling back.
"Then what? Whine everywhere and cry?"
"...I mean..."
Words caught, but meeting his eyes, I continued.
"At least don't gasp 'nothing' while barely breathing. You can't even catch your breath now."
Silence fell.
He stared wordlessly.
"...Just."
Gazing upward, a sigh escaped.
"Just embarrassing. That I can't even breathe right."
The real truth, hidden behind the tough-guy mask.
"Strutting like I ace everything, now gasping here. Hate being in this spot. Hate how they pity me."
He looked ready to deny it all.
This misery, the mockery—claiming no control, letting it go.
"Can't shake it. That my value's dropped."
"...Value?"
Honestly, didn't expect it this deep.
Probably market value. Image is everything here.
But his pride this shattered...
'What to say.'
As someone who'd read the original tons, seeing confident Han I-jae like this hurt.
Back then, I'd agree.
Best to dismiss it. Protect your worth above all.
I knew how the displaced get treated.
"...But."
Yet now, I felt changed.
I wanted to say different.
"Sure, visible value matters. But most important? What they can't take from you."
His eyes flickered.
"...What they can't steal from me?"
"Dunno. You'd know best."
He let out a hollow laugh.
"...You're ridiculous."
Still, he seemed comforted, face easing.
I held back surprise at the popup, meeting his gaze.
Then a staffer spotted us from afar. We'd been gone too long.
"Next stage soon. Need you back for reaction cams."
We headed to the waiting room.
Glancing at Han I-jae as we walked side-by-side.
'Glad he seems better.'
Time passed, and our team's turn arrived.
We waited below stage during the MC's intro. Won Ji-an and Kang In-hyeok beside me looked tense, prepping.
'As leader, say something.'
Like Kwon Hak-jin before, compulsion hit.
I had to speak—blurted anything.
"Team azza azza fighting."
They stared, shocked—then burst laughing.
"Azza azza?"
I had nothing.
"Do Won-woo, what's azza azza?"
"Won-woo, hilarious. Cute."
As they laughed at each other, I stared blankly ahead, pretending nonchalance.
Then the MC's final line.
Time to hit the stage.