Chapter 16
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 16
Chapter Title Assigning Parts
After finishing our selfintroductions, we waited for the opposing team to arrive.
I wondered how long it would take for the empty seats on the opposite side, the Blue Team, to fill up.
I pictured the trainees somewhere out there, tearing at their hair with despairing expressions.
They probably just gathered all the rejected cells together and sent them to the averagegrade waiting rooms.
On top of the initial shock, if they got rejected again in the second round...
That would paint exactly the picture the production team wanted, in crystalclear 4K.
From that perspective, my competition team was likely packed with lower grades.
It was a relief to avoid the toptier trainees with their risk factors.
But it meant one more challenge.
Our team has no one below Tier 2, so we need to put on an objectively impressive stage to satisfy the viewers. Victory is a given, of course.
As those thoughts ran through my head, I quietly summoned the Lucky Draw coin Id been saving.
I had a feeling it was time to use it soon.
While I sat there with a serious expression, sorting through my thoughts alone, a hand suddenly appeared from beside me.
Um, excuse me. This is delicious. Would you like some?
It wasnt quite as flawless as mine, but the Korean was impressively fluent.
I glanced at the chocolate stacked in its fancy packaging.
The Japanese text on the wrapper stood out.
Just when my blood sugar was dipping. Thanks, Ill have some.
No problem! Thank you for taking it.
Hashimoto Ken bowed his head with a beaming smile instead.
His puppylike face lit up so brightly that I wanted to pat it.
Ththe truth is, Karis. I wanted to get close to you since the first time I saw you.
An honor.
I wanted to approach you during practice sessions too... but I lacked the courage.
I popped the chocolate Ken handed me into my mouth and savored it.
The rich dark chocolate melted on my tongue, lifting my mood.
Maybe because of that, the ingrained habits of the crown prince inside me started thrashing wildly.
Dont worry. Were on the same team now. Lets create a devastating stage together.
Yyes! I love devastating stages!
Before I knew it, I was patting Hashimoto Kens shoulder and saying such reliable words.
With cameras rolling nonstop in the waiting room, our conversation was surely captured.
It was primed for the highlight reel.
Sehan hyung predicted it. That youd pick this song, Karis.
Me?
Yeah! He said no one else could pull off this song like you do. So he explained itd be great to perform together this time.
I whipped my head toward Park Sehan.
Hed been listening and flashed a sly grin back.
...Was I really being stalked?
Had he unconsciously sensed Karis von Waldens potential?
In the first team battlecalled the turning point of the voteshe mustve been dead set on snagging me.
Smart head on your shoulders, but too bad your fate was sealed.
I nearly shook my head at Park Sehan but held back just in time.
How long had we waited? Just as boredom set in, the waiting room door opened, and new faces entered.
Gasp.
...Wow.
What do we do?
Theyd looked miserable even grabbing the door handle.
The moment they saw us, they let out deep, earthshattering sighs.
Judging by their training wear, there were a lot of Tier 3 and 4 trainees.
Exactly as Id predictedrejected everywhere else until they ended up here.
Please take care of us...
Lets make an awesome stage together!
Yeah...
Kang Siyoon tried to greet them energetically, but it only highlighted the gap between our teams vibes.
Realizing it, he clamped his mouth shut until the production announcement.
Idol Training Simulation, all preparations for the first team battle are complete. Everyone happy with your mission song and teammates?
Yes!
We gathered back in the auditorium.
We shouted our responses to Choi Sias predictable question, but the young boys moods showed plainly on their faces.
You have one week to prepare for the first team battle. Practice hard, then deliver a stunning first competition stage before the national administrators who visit the site. Good luck to all trainees!
The Red Team headed straight to the practice room.
But the trainees faces stiffened the moment they saw the sign at the entrance.
Practice Room
Theyd be sharing the room by song, meaning both teams used the same one.
I stayed calm since I knew the rules, but the two sharp ones spun around and spoke in low voices.
Everyone knows we cant let them edit us weird, right?
If were not careful, theyll compare us to the other team, so during group practice, dont even glance their way. Everyone okay?
Yeah, got it.
Kang Siyoon and Park Sehan had predicted the same issue.
When two teams with a clear skill gap practice the same song, comparison edits come naturally.
If the stronger team carelessly gave off a were way better vibe...
The production crews devilish editrubbing their hands in gleewould spawn in a blink.
Arrogant kids who hadnt even competed yet.
Judging others instead of fair play.
The two were prepping the team thoroughly to avoid an image crash.
Smart move.
Why are there so many panels today?
Do we have to fill out all of those?
Panels for part distribution were attached to the practice room wall.
Leader, center, main vocal, sub vocal, rap.
Crown sticker for center, M for main vocal, L for leader.
The rest had no stickers, blatantly signaling those three as key positions.
We sat on the floor and dove right into discussion without delay.
So, who wants to be leader?
Anyone interested?
Park Sehan and Kang Siyoon spoke at once, eyeing each other.
Then Kang Siyoon laughed heartily and waved it off.
Im fine either way. Want to do it, Sehan?
I dont care much either... but if no one else, Ill take leader.
As if he didnt care, with his lips already curling up.
I wasnt gunning for leader image myself, so I clapped.
Park Sehan slapped the L sticker on his chest with a satisfied look and powered on the production tablet.
Before divvying parts in detail, lets watch the video first?
Sure.
Better to check the vibe and then discuss.
We huddled together to study the choreography video.
One thing jumped out immediately the center had standout screen time.
Even ignoring the exposure, its the key position holding the songs core.
Center demands both looks and skill.
Everyone could want it.
But if someone unfit took center, the whole stage quality would tank.
No one rashly claimed it.
Heo Yubin, lost in the tablet, broke the silence.
The dance... is super hard.
Yeah, seems on the tough side.
Its fine! Ill break down the choreo and teach you step by step. No worries.
Bbut wont that burden Siyoon hyung too much?
I object to that.
Park Sehan raised a hand with a grin.
Honestly, Im confident in vocals, but the high notes here might be tough for me. From practice sessions, didnt I see you sing amazingly, Yubin?
Ththe judges were just being generous.
Nah, too modest. Anyway, I dont want to burden you, but youre the only one who can handle main vocal here. What do you say? Grab the M sticker?
Park Sehan even dangled the M sticker right in front of Heo Yubins eyes.
Heo Yubins eyes spun like a glitching robot, mouth flapping.
Cant just hardpush like that.
If his buffering dragged on, no progressso I stepped in appropriately.
Yubins vocals are great, but how about he sings the main vocal part first, then we decide?
Yeah, he should try it out.
Uh... uh...
Heo Yubin still looked dazed but dutifully practiced the lyrics a few times.
Then he launched into the main vocal part.
Whoa, perfect! Such a clear voice!
Ththank you.
I want to sing like you, Yubin, but I cant. Main vocal suits you.
Hashimoto Ken showered him with praise.
Even the usually quiet trainee flashed double thumbsup, leaving Heo Yubin flustered.
Alright, sticker time.
While Kang Siyoon held Heo Yubin steady, Park Sehan slapped on the main vocal sticker with a flourish.
Heo Yubin shot me a desperate save me look, but it was too late.
I just nodded with a pleased smile.
Before picking center, should we memorize choreo first? Gotta dance to see who captures it best.
Yeah!
Kang Siyoon and Oh Taeyoung took the lead on learning the moves.
Surprisingly, Oh Taeyoung revealed hidden dance skills, aiding Kang Siyoon a ton.
He caught the tiny details Kang Siyoon missed while speeding through the overall choreo.
Looks like we got it. Lets run it once!
Thanks to Kang Siyoons help prepping for final evaluations, I picked up his choreo tips fast.
Matching steps, a past memory flickered.
...When I first did this, it wasnt this smooth.
Still vivid.
Our random group for the first team battle back then was stuffed with selfishness.
Not that I couldnt understand. Every moment tied to survival, so fighting for screen time was normal.
But now, reentering as Karis von Walden in Idol Training Simulation, team luck was insanely good.
Abnormally good.
I glanced at the trainees sweating through choreo repeats.
No greed for parts, yet confident they can shine on skill alone?
Such unique, good kids.
Unlike our disciplined prep, the Blue Team across the room was still hashing out opinions.
I didnt turn, but prickly glares hit us occasionally.
Must be jealous as hell.
After running the chorus one by one, we voted internally on best feel.
Kang Siyoon snagged 3 votes and the crown sticker.
Thanks! Ill do my best.
Even to me, his dance was leagues betterno objections.
Id been thinking of taking sub vocal 1.
A new linked quest, Acquire Center Position, has been generated.
Reward 15 Skill Points
......
I let out a groan at the popup.
A scale worlds apart from the repeat achievements measly 1 point.
Clear it, and I could boost stats in one go.
No helping it now.
Status Window.
Time to invest those carefully hoarded skill points.