Chapter 79

No way, as expected.

Our group was assigned the cute-themed song “Slyly.”

“Wow, but how is Unni cute? I can’t understand it.”

Kim Seo-yoon… cute?

I really can’t comprehend it.

“What? I’m totally adorable! I’m literally the goddess of cuteness!”

The atmosphere turned icy from the start, though we diffused it with jokes.

Naturally, Hwang Yeon-ha Unni became our leader as the eldest at 25.

Yeon-ha Unni began assigning positions.

“So, who wants to be the center? Let’s pick one.”

The first hand raised belonged to Gu Eun-hee.

“Me!”

Even though she once said she’d quit idol life, maybe now that she’s in the top 24, hope for debut has sparked again.

Suddenly, Gu Eun-hee showed a desire for the center position.

“One person down. Anyone else?”

Next, Mei-rin timidly raised her hand.

Despite repeated mistakes during the second round, Mei-rin survived thanks to her striking visuals.

Seo-yoon Unni tapped my thigh lightly.

Whether Gu Eun-hee or Mei-rin becomes the center, the team’s future is predictable.

She was hinting for me to try out for the center role.

“Haa… I want to stop being cute already.”

Still, there was no other choice.

We have to win first.

“I also want to be the center.”

Gu Eun-hee scowled at me.

She must’ve really wanted the center position.

“Three people for center? Hmm… this is getting competitive.”

After some thought, Yeon-ha Unni pointed to the lyric “Surrounding our space tightly” and suggested,

“Let’s each act out this center part. Who wants to go first?”

The other two hesitated when asked to perform.

I sighed inwardly but suppressed it.

“I’ll go first.”

“Alright, Do-hee will start?”

Following Yeon-ha Unni’s counted beats, I began singing.

“Surrounding our space tightly~”

Listening to myself, my voice had noticeably improved.

With crossed arms hugging myself and a bright smile, I gave it my best shot at cuteness.

“Cute! So cute!”

Yeon-ha Unni’s reaction.

“Great job, solid work.”

Even Kim Seo-yoon, who usually teases me, praised me this time due to the situation.

“Yeah, you’re cute!”

Only Ye-eun Unni seemed oblivious that she gets teased every time she says such things.

My turn ended, and then Gu Eun-hee’s center performance began.

“Surrounding our space tightly~”

Her expression and movements felt unnatural.

If it weren’t for the first-place reward, she definitely would’ve been eliminated.

“Haha, okay, good job.”

Though Yeon-hee Unni smiled encouragingly, she probably knew herself that she didn’t do well.

Finally, Mei-rin’s turn.

As expected, she performed better than Gu Eun-hee, though still lacking impact.

“Now let’s vote.”

While the three of us who tried out closed our eyes, the other three discussed and voted to decide the center.

“Our center is Do-hee!”

Yeon-ha Unni enthusiastically clapped to lift the slightly deflated mood.

“Thank you, I’ll do my best!”

“Alright.”

“Do-hee, fighting!”

Just as we thought everything ended warmly, an awkward atmosphere started when Mei-rin stared at the wall, away from the camera.

She eventually began sobbing.

“Why are you crying, Meilin?”

Yeon-ha Unni quickly hugged and consoled Mei-rin, but the more she tried, the louder Mei-rin cried.

“…Sorry. I really wanted to do it, but if I don’t become the center this time, I feel like I’ll get eliminated…”

Mei-rin ranked 8th in the first round but dropped to 22nd in the second due to her own mistakes. It made sense she’d feel insecure.

Besides, the 20,000 bonus votes for the winning team didn’t guarantee survival anyway.

Still, she was better off than Gu Eun-hee.

Crying like this meant how much she desired it.

It was definitely better than not trying hard.

“Can I try again, just once?”

Until Mei-rin tearfully pleaded with this question, I had no choice left.

Because of the cameras.

Without them, I could’ve consoled her and aimed for first place together.

But rejecting her in front of the cameras looked bad.

Should we re-vote for the center?

From that moment, the team’s harmony inevitably deteriorated.

Ultimately, all that remained was to resolve it amicably.

Of course, there was no harm to my image or reputation.

In fact, it might even improve my public perception.

Still, will I secure first place this time?

I don’t know.

“Listen up, Mei-rin trainee. The center represents the team’s image. It’s not just about being pretty! Have you even considered what you can show as a center? You should only aim for the center when you’re ready to deliver proper expressions and choreography.”

Even though generations of idols manage their images, Teacher Moon Jin-woo was raising his voice without any regard for appearances.

The harsh critique session ended, followed by another practice session where the choreographer arrived for intensive training.

Gradually, the lines, formations, and rhythms improved, but criticism persisted.

“Everyone’s messing up from the start!”

“You guys, what happens if you still can’t get it?”

“Hurry up and memorize. We don’t have time now!”

“One two three four, don’t look at the side!”

“Eun-hee, what did you do while others were learning? Are you making it harder on yourself?”

Our team’s chaotic situation.

Goo Eun-hee not practicing properly.

Mei-rin unsuitable as a center.

Ye-eun Unni withdrawn due to the atmosphere.

Yeon-ha Unni struggling to care for her teammates as the leader.

Kim Seo-yoon mentally broken because of Goo Eun-hee.

And me, completely detached.

A combination where I don’t know where to begin fixing.

***

Inside the recording booth.

The composer’s voice came through the talkback microphone.

“This time, Idohee Trainee, please sing the entire chorus.”

The MR played through the headphones.

As the pre-chorus rhythm passed, the chorus section began.

“My heart is like a tiny bug”

“Flying lightly”

“Secret trembles, small desires”

“Surrounding our space tightly”

“Could you emphasize ‘tightly’ as ‘tiiightly’ in the last part?”

“Since the previous attempt was good, can you try again without bending the notes and make it smoother?”

“Okay, let’s try again.”

Several attempts following the composer’s requests.

“Wow, that was excellent. Let’s step out for now.”

The composer finally gave the OK sign.

After hearing everyone’s voices, the composer carefully spoke.

“After listening to each voice… the core of this song lies in the center part. Since it’s a cute concept song, if the center part doesn’t convey liveliness and freshness, the overall vibe of the song tends to lose its charm.”

“The center part significantly influences the overall song atmosphere.”

“Honestly, for the sake of the song’s completion, it seems unavoidable. Sorry, Mei-rin, but as a composer, I think Idohee should take the center.”

Mei-rin’s eyes filled with tears upon hearing the composer’s words.

“Yes…”

Sigh…

The conclusion was clear:

After much ado, I’m back as the center.

With only five days left.

Already, the third round with the shortest practice period had a bleak outlook.

For four days, I practiced the sub-vocal3 part, and now suddenly switching to center.

Changed formations, changed parts.

Thinking about having to adjust alone despite lack of sleep makes me want to vomit.

“Sorry, Do-hee…”

Mei-rin embraced me, knowing her mistake, and burst into tears.

Well, whatever.

Even if I don’t sleep, I’ll somehow manage.

I’m confident about that.

But Mei-rin…

Will Mei-rin adapt to her new part?

Fucking hell, I want to punch something.