Chapter 194
Chapter 194
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 194
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Victory
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Before the announcement of first place.
Seven Arrow’s final performance began.
The music show seemed to have put a great deal of effort into it, a dazzling stage that utilized multiple large screens and maximized the talents of the stage art directors.
On the high-quality stage, which was on par with a concert and looked like a live reenactment of their music video, the members of Answer felt their spirits sink.
“Seriously… how can we beat this.”
“I know, right.”
Even while saying it was okay to lose, a self-deprecating smile formed on the faces of the Answer members who had held out a sliver of hope for first place.
“Kyaaah!”
Soon, Seven Arrow’s performance ended, and the massive reaction from their core fandom left Answer looking utterly defeated.
“Their fandom is on a whole other level.”
“For real.”
At Seul-bi’s words, Ro-si nodded with a weary expression.
Following the staff's instructions, all the performers began to make their way up to their predetermined spots on stage.
The space was limited, and the performers at either end were engaged in a silent war, smiling while trying to inch their way closer to the center.
Though they were smiling, some were even muttering curses at the teams next to them.
Ro-si, who ended up standing next to Seven Arrow's main dancer, Lancy, bowed her head and squeezed into a gap. In the process, her shoulder brushed against Lancy’s arm, and Lancy’s expression twitched.
Lancy immediately checked the camera's angle, then, pretending not to notice, struck up a conversation with a fellow member while stepping on Ro-si’s foot with her high heel.
“Gasp!”
“Oops. Sorry, sorry! You okay?”
Lancy, who had subtly put weight on her foot, smiled playfully as if she truly hadn't known, helping the bent-over Ro-si up.
“…I-I’m fine, Seonbae-nim.”
Though Ro-si was smiling as she spoke, the pain still lingered on her face. Seul-bi, who was standing nearby and noticed the situation, came over and asked Ro-si.
“Did she step on you on purpose?”
Seul-bi spoke loudly, as if to make sure Lancy heard. Lancy, in turn, flashed another sly smile as if to say, ‘What are you talking about?’
“Does it hurt a lot? I’m so sorry! What should I do….”
“It’s alright, Seonbae-nim! …Seul-bi, look at the camera. The camera.”
Ro-si patted Seul-bi’s back as if to say she was fine, then smiled and faced forward.
Seul-bi was suspicious of Ro-si, but she had no choice but to turn her gaze away.
-All the performances from the first-place nominees have concluded. With Fire Emblem-seonbaenim on hiatus, a three-way race has begun between Answer-seonbaenim, Seven Arrow-seonbaenim, and the new powerhouse, Nine One.
Seven Arrow seemed displeased that Answer was mentioned first, clicking their tongues.
-Yes, that’s right. Now, only the announcement of first place remains. The winner is determined by a combination of digital and physical sales scores, video and radio broadcast scores, on-site audience evaluation, and real-time app and text message voting scores.
-Well… it seems this week’s winner was decided by digital streams and real-time text votes. Let’s check the results right away.
-First, the video and radio broadcast scores! Answer with 5,893 points. Seven Arrow with 5,582 points. Nine One with 2,350 points!
A flicker of hope ignited on the faces of the Answer members at the unexpectedly higher score than Seven Arrow.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’d even cry if we won first place. Right?”
Yi-na whispered quietly to Seul-bi.
“Yeah. At our level, we’re already just enjoying the stage. Like Seol-ah Unni said, what’s more important is who’s making more money. It’s not like winning first place makes money fall from the sky.”
“Totally. We’ve all become slaves to money, just like Seol-ah Unni. That’s right.”
Less than a minute after being intimidated by Seven Arrow’s stage, Seol-ah couldn't help but laugh in disbelief at Seul-bi and Yi-na’s whispers as they counted their chickens before they hatched.
-Next are the digital and physical sales scores. Seven Arrow with 3,522 points. Answer with 2,820 points. Nine One with 1,599 points!
However, the next score announced showed that, even with a rough calculation, Seven Arrow’s total was much higher. The triumphant expressions on Seul-bi and Yi-na’s faces turned bitter.
-Finally, all that remains are the on-site audience evaluation and real-time app and text message voting scores. Seven Arrow has 9,104 points. Answer has 8,713 points. And Nine One has 3,949 points!
The members of Answer looked at the members of Seven Arrow and began to applaud in advance. Seven Arrow, as if their victory was a given, gave a slight bow to the camera.
-Now for the final text message voting results! Answer with 1,497 points. Seven Arrow with 1,102 points. Nine One with 589 points. The grand total is…….
The members of Answer, who had thought they were in second place, were surprised to see they had a significant lead in the text votes, their expressions going blank as they tried to do the mental math.
-The final totals are: Nine One with 4,538 points, Seven Arrow with 10,206 points, and Answer with 10,210 points! By a margin of just 4 points, this week’s winner is Answer! Congratulations!
*Bang! Fwoosh!*
Confetti rained down on the dumbfounded members of Answer and the stunned members of Seven Arrow simultaneously.
In that instant, Seven Arrow’s true feelings were exposed in their rotten smiles and the shape of curses forming on their lips, causing the previously quiet live chat of the music show to erupt in flames.
-3574: Lancy’s lips just formed ‘Ah, fuck,’ right?
-1285: Even if it was subconscious, that’s too much, isn’t it?
-1332: I get it, but her character is seriously rotten.
-9832: Come on, people can swear. Do you all live without swearing?
-4563: lol I knew her true colors would show eventually.
-1285: Didn’t one of the Answer members look down with a pained expression earlier? Coincidence? Wasn’t she stepped on by Lancy’s heel?
-3574: That’s a reasonable inference. Ro-si lowered her posture with a pained look, and Lancy was smirking while helping her up. Looks exactly like someone who got stepped on and the one who did the stepping.
-9832: You’re ganging up on someone over one video clip. Are you all Answer fanboys?
-1285: 9832, you should just stay quiet in situations like this unless you want to get flamed back.
-3574: The fact she couldn’t control her expression like that despite her experience must mean she was sure she’d win. Serves her right.
An MC, a former idol, approached the members of Answer, who were staring blankly at the confetti.
-Congratulations on your first win since your debut. It was a nail-biter with only a 4-point difference!
The MC handed a dynamic microphone to Seol-ah, who was already wearing a pin mic. Unlike Seul-bi and Yi-na, who had been whispering that winning wouldn’t be a big deal because nothing would change, Seol-ah was suddenly overcome with emotion and completely broke down.
Seol-ah began to sob, and soon, tears started streaming from Ro-si’s eyes as well.
It was the same for Seul-bi and Yi-na, who had been talking about money. The thrill of winning first place had them on the verge of letting their snot run freely.
“…Second place is, *sob*, good too… *hic*.”
The members of Seven Arrow, hiding their disbelief and humiliation, moved to the back. In a reversal of the rehearsal, the members of N-Pink came forward to hug and comfort the members of Answer.
-2342: Answer looks like they didn't expect to win at all. They were all smiles and then suddenly burst into tears, it’s cute.
-2888: It’s kind of touching, knowing how much they’ve been through.
-9832: Is there any idol who hasn’t struggled? Honestly, if we’re talking about who’s had it rough, isn’t it N-Pink who came back with that embarrassing dance?
-3574: Can this troll function in society?
-2342: lol probably a total bum.
Seol-ah started crying while hugging her members.
“Don’t cryyy. Why are you cryinggg.”
“*Waaah*. You’re the one who should stop crying, Unni. You’re making everyone else cry.”
“*Sniffle*, that’s right. *Waaah*. You started it, Unni.”
Feeling that they couldn’t just end it like this, Seul-bi took the microphone from Seol-ah and turned to the camera.
“Actually… we… we were just saying earlier. That Seven Arrow-seonbaenim would definitely be the winners… so we were so unprepared for this, *sob*…. We’ve succeeded enough just by getting this far, *hic*. We want to thank all our ‘Question’ fans… Isa-nim, Siljang-nim, *hic*. Chaeron Unni, the salon unnis, and more than anyone, the one who saved us from our crisis, *hic*. Our producer, Min-jun. We love you….”
-3789: She’s hiccuping lollll so cute.
-1297: The fact she’s even hiccuping shows how surprised she must be.
-2732: Ah, so refreshing. It feels like it’s been a really, really long time since I’ve seen idols cry after winning on a music show.
Seul-bi tried her best to speak calmly but struggled with her hiccups, which, contrary to her worries, only improved the viewers’ reactions.
“Don’t cry! Don’t cry!”
A thunderous roar of support, several times larger than Answer’s own fanbase, erupted from the audience.
A moment later.
The muffled sound of drums and synthesizers signaled the intro of the encore song.
Unable to skip the song despite their tears, the members of Answer carefully set down their bouquets and began the choreography.
♪♬
The night begins agaiin
But tiiime… is short
♪♬
The sight of the Answer members performing their choreography and singing live while crying made the audience and staff chuckle.
Seeing them deliver their lines while sniffling or hiccuping was a rare experience live, and it won over even the audience members who weren't Answer fans.
♪♬
Time will never come back
Look at me and pfft! you!
♪♬
During her part, a real stream of snot suddenly escaped, and a flustered Ro-si turned her back. Seul-bi, noticing this, took over and sang her part.
Unfortunately, the camera happened to switch to a shot from the back of the stage, and the image of Ro-si swiftly wiping her nose with the back of her hand was broadcasted as is.
-3892: This is a total mess lolllll
-8472: For real, a snotty mess lmao
-2112: You can feel the sincerity in that snot lol it’s the real deal.
♪♬
Dance for me
Dance with you all night
I came to you as promised
I’ll stand here as promised
Aren’t you *hic*
That’s not snot, it’s tears
♪♬
In the end, Ro-si, holding back her sniffles, messed up the lyrics of her own rap part and mumbled an excuse that wasn’t an excuse.
-3892: LMAOOOOOOO this is a legendary meme. ‘That’s not snot, it’s tears’ lmaooooooo
-3382: She’s throwing some moist snot into this dry world lol. I’m laughing my ass off.
-1129: I welcome this kind of broadcasting accident. Saving this snot meme immediately.
-1322: I hereby acknowledge you as the Snot Rapper.
♪♬
My heart is waiting for you
♪♬
Amidst it all, Seol-ah’s explosive high note during her part was a cathartic release for the viewers.
♪♬
My life is beating for you.
In this short darkness
Hold me
♪♬
-1322: I think I’m becoming a fan today. They make you want to cheer for them.
-2771: I agree. They seem like genuinely pure people?
-2722: They sing well, execute the choreography well, and they’re all center-level visuals.
Despite their vision being blurred by tears, their perfect and synchronized choreography, a testament to their immense practice, received high praise from many viewers as the music show came to an end.
The broadcast had ended, but out of courtesy to the audience, the members of Answer finished their performance with all their might, earning a massive round of applause and cheers.
The production staff also applauded with pleased expressions, and on stage, Answer bowed their heads countless times in gratitude.
As Answer came down from the stage amidst the applause, Min-jun was standing there, smiling warmly.
“Congratulations. You all worked so hard.”
“……”
Seol-ah naturally fell into Min-jun’s arms, and soon the other members joined in the group hug. The sight of Answer and Min-jun was so natural and affectionate, like a father and his daughters.
Even in this moment, the members of Answer were bickering.
“You said you wouldn’t cry even if we got first place.”
“…When did I say that.”
“I heard you.”
“……”
“I thought Yi-na was the only crybaby. Turns out you’re all crybabies.”
“They say Ro-si Unni is a snot-baby.”
At Yi-na’s teasing, the Answer members laughed through their tears.
A manager and celebrities of the opposite gender embracing was a very rare sight, but not a single member of the production staff or other performers passing by looked at them strangely.
Because they, more than anyone, knew just how much hardship and struggle it took to get to this point, despite the glamorous appearance on the surface.
Without exception, they all looked on with warm eyes, cheering for Answer and their manager. Some even left small cheers or claps as they passed.
“Let’s go now. We still have something to do.”
At Min-jun’s heavy words, the members dabbed at their eyes and looked up at the ceiling, swallowing their tears.
A short while later, Answer and Min-jun returned to their waiting room.
“Congratulations!”
“Thank you, Unni.”
The two stylists who had come on-site congratulated Answer, and another round of hugs ensued.
“Ro-si, just a moment.”
“Yes.”
Ro-si turned her back to Min-jun.
“Take off your shoe.”
Unable to resist Min-jun’s suddenly cold expression, Ro-si quietly took off her shoe.
And the injury was revealed. Seeing the area around Ro-si’s left pinky toe red and swollen, Seul-bi exploded in anger.
“What the hell! She did step on you on purpose!”
It wasn’t a major injury that would leave lasting damage, but the pain at that moment must have been considerable.
“Oh! Are you okay?”
“When did that happen?”
Seol-ah and Yi-na, who didn’t know what had happened, asked Ro-si with worried expressions.
*Psssh.*
“Ugh!”
A medical spray, which he had borrowed from the production staff in advance, was applied to Ro-si’s toe. Min-jun had already known the whole situation.
“What kind of crazy bitch is this!”
An enraged Seul-bi was about to storm out of the waiting room when Min-jun stopped her.
“Seul-bi, you stay seated. I’ll go.”
As Min-jun was about to leave, this time it was Ro-si who stopped him.
“Don’t! It was a mistake, just a mistake. And it doesn’t hurt at all now! I even got an apology!”
The fact that Ro-si, the victim, was so flustered and actively trying to stop him made Min-jun give a bitter smile.
Of course, Min-jun knew this was a situation that could be resolved with a single curse word, but he couldn't ignore Ro-si’s hurt feelings.
“It’ll just make things more difficult for me if it gets awkward…. She’s still my senior.”
“You only treat a senior with respect when they act like one. And Answer isn’t so insignificant that we have to be scared of this kind of power play.”
*Tiring!*
[Sudden Quest ‘A Common Power Struggle’ updated.]
A person who is seen as a pushover once will have a difficult life. Get an apology from Lancy.
Reward: Trait ‘Sixth Sense (B)’ linked Active Skill, ‘Appraisal (A)’
Detailed Description: By consuming 1 pt, you can view detailed information or predict outcomes about a specific target without physical contact.