Chapter 67
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 67
Chapter Title Baek Sihwas Challenge
At first, it just seemed like she was tagging along without much fuss.
Here, Ive put together the schedule.
Wow!
The schedule Chae Eungyu had personally drawn up was simple yet packed tight.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., group blocking and choreography practice.
From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., individual vocal practice.
And from 10 p.m. until bedtime, gathering again for more hammering it home.
For blocking and choreography, Minha and I will lead, so try to memorize it by watching as much as you can before then. Itll make it easier.
Yes!
With Chae Eungyu, who had tons of leader experience, there were no issues in these areas.
Even during group practice, I kept checking on Baek Sihwa.
She remained expressionless, but hadnt made any unusual moves yet.
Here, keeping your arm angles consistent seems key. From the front, if even one persons off, it jumps right out.
Chae Eungyu eyed our group formation like a hawk.
Sihwa, in the prechorus, it might be good if you step forward one step. Right now, your side feels a bit lagged back.
Yes.
Baek Sihwa accepted even these nitpicky instructions without rebellion.
Well, she was already on the same team as Chae Eungyu in the second team battle. She knows the drill. Messing with Chae Eungyu, whos built a solid leader image, would get her nowhere.
So maybe I could relax a bit.
But the problem hit during individual vocal practice time.
You can do personal practice anytime, so since its the first day, lets all sing through it together and get familiar with our parts.
We sat in a circle in the practice room and ran through the whole song.
The subvocal 1 part Id picked was in a range without explosive high notes.
Still, it had some difficulty with keeping the beat tight and nailing the pitch.
Definitely helped that Id restored my Vocal stat beforehand.
Previously, my Vocal had dropped to B due to penalties, but Id boldly invested to bump it back to B.
A decision made to avoid screwing up the live stage right in front of me.
But even then, Id figured itd pay off longterm too.
And now, that prediction was panning out nicely.
Even at B, it gave this much stability.
I could only imagine the potential once Vocal hit A rank.
I nailed my part cleanly, then looked at Chae Eungyu.
He nodded at me, eyes sparkling.
He didnt show it outwardly, but he seemed extremely satisfied.
Kwon Daehyun and Heo Junoh also handled their parts decently for a first try.
Then, in the first chorus, Yoo Minhas low tone kicked in.
Minha, your tones super low. I had no idea.
Right? I was shocked too when I first heard itdidnt match your look at all.
Kwon Daehyun said in a surprised tone.
Chae Eungyu, in a great mood, nodded proudly, and Yoo Minha grinned sheepishly.
Hehe, I get that a lot!
That gap is enviable. Its just innate.
No, Junoh, you have a cool voice too!
After exchanging compliments, it was Baek Sihwas turn for the part after the chorus.
And when Baek Sihwa sang her lines.
...Short.
That was my immediate thought.
Before subvocal 2 comes in, theres about a 15second chorus.
After that, subvocals 3 and 4 add witty stage bits, so it tends to get buried.
Baek Sihwa seemed aware, her eyebrow twitching slightly.
Sihwa fits cleanly too.
...Thank you.
Chae Eungyu praised everyone evenly, like a true leader.
But Baek Sihwas face showed no joy.
We ran the song a couple more times.
Then, following Yoo Minha, whod perfected verse 1 and chorus choreography, group practice began.
Eungyu hyung, the tempo feels a bit slow here.
Okay. Guys, move faster when Kariss verse 1 part hits. Lets go again.
Yes!
Like Kang Siyoon and Song Hyeongbin, leader Chae Eungyu gave no breaks.
The intense repetition dragged on.
Five, six. Sihwa, like I said, push in faster here. Youre lagging a bit alone.
Ah, sorry.
From Kariss part, lets start over.
Baek Sihwa kept messing up.
She couldnt focus, her mind elsewhere.
I guessed at what was swirling in her head.
Unlike her relatively lightweight part, Yoo Minhas drawing all the attention.
Given her weird attitude toward Yoo Minha, it was predictable.
Already under scrutiny as a trainee, now stuck on the same team with someone higher up.
The more she dwelled on being outshone, the quicker her mental stamina would drain.
Thats how the first days group practice wrapped.
Okay, great work everyone! Progress is insane for day onefeels good.
You had the most work, Eungyu hyung.
Minha too, memorizing all the blocking!
In the warm atmosphere, everyone filed out of the practice room.
I chugged water and headed to the dorms.
Instinct nearly took me to Cell 12, but I remembered my new room, Cell 8.
Karis, not eating? Just resting?
Yeah. Not hungry yet.
Haha, stamina monster.
Opening the door, my new roommate greeted me.
Chae Eungyu glanced over while organizing his workout clothes.
No issues with practice?
Minha and you explained well, so it was fine.
Good to hear. Tell me anytime if somethings stuck. Ill help however I can.
Yes.
Hitting that guy with princely lines while he smiled like that.
Memories of the sports day black history flooded back.
I shook my head quick and changed topics.
Do you think well pull off a good stage this time?
With this lineup? Gotta be possible.
Chae Eungyu grinned, zipping his duffel.
Of course, Ive gotta work harder.
Youre already putting in plenty.
Haha, too kind? I still have tons of weak spots. Im always twisting myself up to hide them.
There was an odd emotion in his words.
Meeting my eyes, Chae Eungyu looked down.
...I always think every moments my last. Cant tolerate even tiny mistakes. Have to nail it perfectly.
Just like the resolve Id heard from Han Jihyuk back in Idol Training Simulation.
I could feel the pressure on midtolate trainee Chae Eungyu, always yelling last chance.
We shared a brief silence, then he laughed big.
Haha, sorry, dumb talk. My bad.
No. I get why youre in this survival show.
Thanks.
He stood, stretching his arms.
Gonna grab food downstairs. You resting, Karis?
See you.
Short convo ended.
I lay on the bed, closing my eyes briefly.
Perfecting the bridge would need thorough prep and practice.
Probably no real sleep until midevals.
Rest while I can.
Finished personal practice at 3 a.m., back to Cell 8.
Heard Chae Eungyu showering in the bathroom, so I sat on the bed waiting.
About 10 minutes later.
Oh, back? Sweaty messshower up.
Yeah.
After nearly 15 hours of practice, my body ached all over.
While loosening muscles in hot water.
Eungyu hyung.
Someone knocked, calling for Chae Eungyu.
I paused the water, listening.
Yeah, Sihwa? Come in. Whats up?
About my part.
Baek Sihwa.
Here about parts.
Parts? We wrapped that this afternoon, right?
Practicing alone tonight, subvocal 2 felt too low presence compared to other positions.
Ah....
Sudden situationChae Eungyu sounded a bit flustered.
Want to switch parts?
...Truth is, I didnt show my full skill at center selection. Now Ive mastered the choreo and can bring more feel. If possible, Id like to challenge for center again.
Challenge for center again?
Yes.
I couldnt believe my ears.
Redoing center after its set? Absurd.
And coming to the leader alone, without the current center present? Laughable.
Common sense says Chae Eungyu shuts it down here.
As expected, he replied in a troubled tone.
Its already decided, and weve started practicing. Tough request.
If other members agree, could we reselect center?
I could try if so, but... fairness issue, honestly. Better not.
Chae Eungyu firmer than expectedsurprised me.
Its set, and unfair to Minha. Not like judges demanded a change. Us flipping it internally could cause problems.
Ah... yeah, makes sense.
If Minha couldnt do it unavoidably or asked herself, maybe. But this? No. Ill float it carefully, but thats my stance.
So, unless unavoidable, its hard? Got it.
Thanks for understanding.
No, sorry for barging in at dawnthanks for talking.
They exchanged goodbyes, and I heard Baek Sihwa close the door and walk down the hall.
I turned the water back on, replaying her last words.
Unavoidable situation....
And a few days later.
You want attention that bad? Fuck, you know how hard I worked? I couldve debuted fine in UbiQ, but you fucked it all up and now Im back here? No shame?
The dreaded scenario played out right before my eyes.