Chapter 57
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 57
Chapter Title After the Sports Day
Good work out there!
Ugh, my whole body aches.
I could sleep like a log for a solid ten hours tonight.
With the sports day filming wrapped up, the trainees headed back to their respective Cells.
I returned to the dorm building with my roommates.
Ah, it was such a shame we didnt win Princess Protection in the end. We were winning, so I wanted to take it all the way.
...I got a bit too excited.
Nah, you did plenty well.
Song Hyeongbin flashed a faint smile before heading into his Cell.
Hmm, back to the Karis I know.
Pardon?
The firedup, competitive Karis was fun and all, but I prefer this side of you.
With that, he waved and shut the Cell door behind him.
The moment I flopped onto my bed inside Cell 12.
All the outrageous things Id said throughout the day came flooding back vividly.
That was way too risky.
It was the kind of thing that nearly had me kicking the blankets in regret.
I knew that when the status ailment kicked in, I couldnt control my words or actions.
In short, it was unavoidable.
But the fact that every bit of it had been caught on camera brought a massive wave of anxiety crashing down.
Ive been steadily building the character of Karis von Walden as an otaku whos dead serious about his concepts, so that should soften the blow to some extent. But...
Karis was genuine about blending into the concepts he admired and loved.
It could even be edited to highlight his competitive spirit and passionate personality.
Still, no matter how okay the other trainees seemed, not everyone would see it the same way.
I clenched and unclenched my fist, replaying the memories.
Even in the previous round, fights had broken out frequently among personal fans.
In a survival showa cutthroat competition for survivalthere was a strong tendency for haters to latch onto anyone rising too fast.
...No matter how I spin it positively, once todays episode airs, itll hand my detractors the perfect ammo to tear into me.
Id only know for sure once it broadcast, but dark clouds filled my mind regardless.
The worry that all my hardbuilt foundations could crumble because of a status ailment.
But those feelings didnt linger long.
Trait, Surpasser of the Demon King is activating. Your situational judgment and rise exponentially.
The clouds parted, and cool air cleared my mind once more.
Objectively speaking, the production team thats been editing me favorably so far is unlikely to suddenly flip.
Cases where a smoothly sailing trainee plummets due to a sudden edit shift were rare.
Even when they happened, it was usually because the trainee caused real trouble for the crew.
Or pulled off something even their fans couldnt defend.
Todays case was a sports day where everyone was fired up.
And it was just a short event clip slotted before the rankings reveal.
Ugh, it feels like my whole bodys breaking apart.
I used up all my energy for today.
Lets crash...
Heo Yubin and Hashimoto Ken stumbled through the door to Cell 12.
Despite their obvious exhaustion, both clutched snacks carefully in their hands.
Karis hyung! How about a little snack party tonight?
Meats great, but snack parties hit different! Oh, and...
Hashimoto Ken rummaged through his carryon and pulled something out.
A premium chocolate bar with eyecatching packaging.
Brought more from my vacation stash. You seemed to love it last time, Karisnim. Hehe. We worked hard today, so lets recharge with chocolate!
I stared down at the chocolate quietly.
Same brand as the one hed handed me back in the first performance, when we were teamed up.
Felt recent, but it had been quite a while already.
...Thanks.
You were so cool today, Karisnim! Like a prince on a white horse.
Hahaha, where do you even come up with these lines?
The internets full of fun stuff!
To think there were guys who called even my crown prince ego running wild cool.
It was stupid, but it didnt feel half bad.
I unwrapped the chocolate and split it neatly in half.
Last time you gave it all to me and didnt have any, so lets share this time.
YYou couldve eaten it all yourself!
WWait, hyung? What about me?!
Heo Yubin pounded my leg, pulling the angriest face he could muster.
I shrugged and pointed to the three bags of peanuts already on his bed.
Yubins stomach is already full of peanuts, so youre good.
PPeanuts and chocolate are totally different!
Chocolates not even on your radar, huh? Thats tragic, Ken.
Hyung, are you ignoring me?
Come on, dig in.
Hyung!
It was a hugely important day for Homma.
The day Idol Training Simulation Episode 7 aired.
The day Kariss arc from Episode 6 wrapped upand proved just how killer their stage had been.
Honestly, not that nervous. I saw it with my own eyes.
Having witnessed the second performance live, Homma knew exactly how insanely dominant Karis had been.
The preview shed posted had blown up too.
Even the spoiler comments were buzzing with broadcast hype.
But the real issue was elsewhere.
But honestly, pissed that hes cozying up to SM Hyeongkong....
Whats SM??
Kariss squad
GNKK Anyone could see he was scheming lololol desperate normie trying to snag screentime from 1
Id do the same tbh.... but it came off too tryhard, total fail
Saw his face change the second he was locked in with Kong?? Instant dislike rn
Episode 6 had revealed Karis and Song Hyeongbin teamed up.
Since then, Song Hyeongbins core fans had sporadically claimed Karis did it on purpose, Clinging to 1 for scraps, and the like.
Of course, it was utter nonsense.
There were only three songs from the 2010s to begin with. He picked the one that fit him bestwhy get dragged for that?
Homma just couldnt wrap her head around it.
Naturally, she and Kariss other fansplus some neutral fans enjoying the dramahad clapped back with facts.
Some fans act like the whole world revolves around him.... Obvious S picked Labyrinth cuz it slapped hardest after skimming the options
Lmao exactly, theyre flipping out over nothing
Obsessing like that just looks desperate af.... shows how insecure they are lmao
1. Only 3 songs total 2. Yun Pay team already took one slot so 1 left 3. S picks what suits him and boom, Hyeongnens there
Thats it, right?
Yup seems legit? But Kong stans are extra rn
Extra how?? Lmao if you hate spoilers that bad tag it properly next time so rude
Kong stans just wanna keep 1 on top so they trash every other trainee mindlessly.... Woulda been same no matter who picked LBL? Survivals brutal but that whining just tanks their faves image
Fr and Hyeongkongs lead is so huge nothing short of a scandal takes it still overreacting tho
Yea teaming w Hyeongkong gets eyes but risks stealing leadercenterzero upside tbh
It had quieted the Karis hate posts a bit, but unease lingered.
Homma shifted in her seat, eagerly awaiting Episode 7.
Which slot will they get?
The teams that got huge live cheers had all been pushed to Episode 7.
Especially the socalled Avengers.
She was dying to know if theyd open or close.
After a few other teams passed.
With Episode 7 more than halfway done, epic BGM kicked in.
Hey, check that out.
Whoa, isnt that ranking too high?
Hollow laugh Whatd they do to get Avengers this early?
After Chae Eungyu, Baek Sihwa and Yu Minha crammed into one teamclips of whispering trainees flooded in.
Homma was shocked Avengers went first.
Not saving this for last?
That automade Pathfinder the finale.
Plenty of mustwatch trainees here, so she leaned in hard.
Chae Eungyu Yo, our teams stacked?
Yu Minha So hyped for this stage! Already pumped!
Baek Sihwa Smiling nod
Practice vibes matched expectations.
Certified leader Chae Eungyu smoothly divvied parts.
Rehearsals flowed without visible hitches via trainee meetings.
Or so it seemed.
Baek Sihwa About this rap part, hyung.
Chae Eungyu Wanna tweak something?
Baek Sihwa Wont be a huge issue, but if we add all Minhas bits, the visual before dance break flops.
Chae Eungyu Calling Minha, how many secs total here?
Baek Sihwas points had merit.
He consulted leader Chae first, no drama.
But Homma spotted similar moments.
Baek Sihwa Minha, hold up. Dont step too far forward here.
Yu Minha Pathing off?
Baek Sihwa Pathings fine, but big poses throw the balance from the back.
Maybe cuz they knew each other, but Baek Sihwa seemed hyperfocused on Yu Minha.
Called out every tiny flaw instantly.
Sure, other feedback toobut mostly Yu Minha related.
Is it just me feeling the subtle shade? Nah, it pops up way too often for that.
Homma munched chips, deep in thought.
Could be overthinking.
Avengers nailed mideval and delivered nearperfect stage.
But a nagging unease stuck.
Later for that. Main event incoming!
Homma set snacks aside, leaning forward.
The team bringing 2010s smash Labyrinth to the stagePathfinder, come on up!
As trainees hit the stage postChoi Sia intro.
Screen went black, cut to interview.
Song Hyeongbin ...Would be lying if I said I wasnt worried at all.
Ominous music swelled.
Interviewing Song Hyeongbin shook his head slightly, eyes dropping.
Hommas jaw dropped too.
Why the sudden dread buildup?