Hard Mode Idol

‘But I never imagined even the smart Yoochan would be swayed to this extent.’

Without clear evidence, spreading rumors about a dismissed trainee would only tarnish the company’s image. So SR remained silent. Thanks to that, Joon Jaehyuk had an easy time joining a new agency and reportedly joined an idol group confirmed to debut in the first half of this year as the final member.

Whenever they meet the kids again, if he’s going to sway them once more, it’s better to get rid of him from the start. Forced persuasion would only work that one time. Unless they realize it themselves, it would just repeat.

‘But thankfully, I can take Yoochan with me.’

“Director, can Haon move into our dorm? It seems he’s with Jinsu, and Jinsu followed Jaehyuk a lot too. I’m worried because Jinsu acts aggressive sometimes. Since Haon will be sharing a room with me, he won’t be too involved with the others, and I’ll persuade Seoho. We need to keep interacting to become friends, right? Then the others will realize their misunderstanding too. Haon is a good kid.”

Park Yoochan’s words filled her with joy. This one is a keeper, she thought. Since he said the unfamiliar dorm was uncomfortable, she judged it better for him to room with at least one person he’s comfortable with and allowed it.

As Park Yoochan said, constant interaction is needed to become friends, so there was no reason to stop him from taking the initiative.

Kim Jinsu.

Director Kim Hyemi gritted her teeth audibly. Team Leader Jeon Minsu had assured her that as the trainee leader, he could manage the kids well with his approachable personality.

Kim Hyemi directly managed only the debut team, only seeing the other trainees during evaluations, so she didn’t know their individual tendencies. She merely read the reports submitted by Team Leader Jeon. If she had known Kim Jinsu followed Joon Jaehyuk, she would never have placed him in those dorms.

‘It was my mistake.’

Jin Haon was an innocent victim who got unfairly entangled in this. Despite knowing that, she remained silent for the company’s benefit, because she wanted to give those gems another chance instead of outright discarding them.

As Kim Hyemi thought of Jin Haon, she pressed her lips tightly shut. This blameless victim of her greed had never once looked at her with resentment. If it were her, she would have kicked this dirty company to the curb.

Instead……

“I’ll do it.”

Those eyes that had sunk so deeply when talking in the car clearly understood the implication of her words. And yet, he smiled. He smiled as he answered to heed her request not to leave.

Those affectionate eyes pierced straight through her heart. He should hate me. He should detest me. He should want to run away from a place like this. And yet, the way Jin Haon seemed to like her felt so endearing, leaving her apologetic.

“Arghh! I’m going crazy. Haon, why are you so innocently trusting……!”

Kim Hyemi plunged her hands into her neatly combed hair, thoroughly mussing it up. For Jin Haon’s sake, it might be better to form a new debut team. But she felt attached to these kids she had personally scouted and nurtured to this point. Guilt gnawed at her chest. But at the end of the day, this is a company – an entity driven by profit.

“Phew……”

Anyone can be swayed by emotions.

‘But I’m making progress. I’ll do what I can.’

Kim Hyemi couldn’t dote on each member like a mother. She was keenly aware of that limitation. While the company couldn’t manufacture bonds between members, they could set the stage. She took a black hair tie from her drawer and used it to tie up her tousled hair.

‘Including the observation period, the fastest we could prepare would be April, huh.’

Kim Hyemi gauged the schedule while looking at the calendar. Let’s start debut preparations first, and observe. By working together towards the shared goal of debuting, they’ll naturally have more time to understand each other.

Then Seoho’s view of Haon might change too.

Jin Haon had a talent for making people happy just by being himself. Seeing that pure smile made it feel like everything would work out. Perhaps that’s why he naturally made others smile along with him.

Ilhan’s self-esteem might recover by interacting with the members too, since none of them were the type to trample on others’ feelings. If all goes well, they debut in April. If not, they postpone it.

The CEO had set a deadline of June. If there’s no change by June, they’ll be dismissed. And then a new member will be recruited for debut. The currently confirmed members were only Park Yoochan, Baek Kanghyun, and Jin Haon – just three.

‘Among the current trainees, no one blends with those three as well as Ilhan and Seoho. Whoever you try to add would just get overshadowed. Their visuals, skills – they’re all kids too precious to discard……’

With Jin Haon as the last piece, the picture became complete. But it was still soaked. It would be nice if it dried cleanly, but if it gets disfigured, she’d have to switch to a new canvas.

‘Hmm. But somehow, I feel it will work out.’

Jin Haon felt like the awaited savior she had long anticipated. An April debut, and possibly a Rookie award too. It felt promising.

Having gone to bed early, I was the first to wake up in the darkness. It had just passed 6 AM. Confirming my stamina was full, I quietly got off the bed, intending to get moving right away.

On the opposite bed, Park Yoochan was sleeping in a proper posture, his blanket pulled up to his shoulders. He was soundly asleep, his breathing so quiet I had to strain my ears to hear it. The ideal roommate.

Before leaving the room, I used the Sneak Peek skill.

[Park Yoochan]
Talent: Qualified to become a Maestro of Composition!
Blooming Condition: An unstable mind is poison!

In other words, he has a tofu like mentality and is talented at composing songs. I’d love to listen to any songs he’s made. Maybe I’ll ask him about it later.

Using the skill drained 50 stamina, so I went to the living room to replenish it. On the small table, there was a cereal box.

Can I help myself? With no one to ask at this hour, I’ll just eat it for now. If it belongs to someone, I can replace it later.

After having a light breakfast and resting on the sofa, my stamina recovered by around 30. That should be enough. I immediately left the dorms.

It was the end of the year. Trees adorned with twinkling fairy lights exuded a Christmas atmosphere as they glowed through the night. As I got off the bus, a few snowflakes began to fall.

I wonder if it will snow heavily. If it piles up, the roads could get blocked. I should take the last bus back to the dorms later.

I went straight up to the empty practice room and diligently began practicing dance alone. While taking a short break from steadily accumulating dance experience points, it happened.

“Oh? You’re here, hyung?”

“……”

After a momentary pause upon noticing me, Baek Kanghyun came in, closed the door, and asked when I had arrived. Checking the clock on the practice room wall, it was 8:30 AM.

“About an hour and a half ago.”

“You came early.”

“I have a lot to learn.”

After giving that curt reply, I stood up abruptly. My music was still playing through my earphones. I resumed practicing, my movements still quite clumsy at barely keeping the beat. But just from that, Baek Kanghyun recognized the song and connected it to the practice room speakers for me.

“You don’t know how to use the speakers? Or are earphones just more comfortable?”

“I can use those too?”

“Of course.”

I inadvertently gaped at his unexpected response. So I’m allowed to use them. There really were many differences in treatment compared to my previous life.

“Then I’ll use the speakers from now on.”

“You seemed oblivious, but you’re aware of such things?”

“I’m quite attentive, actually.”

Baek Kanghyun scoffed, as if doubting me. But I’m telling the truth. No one is more attentive than me, right?

“But how long are you going to keep practicing just this song? Aren’t you getting bored?”

“Until I’m satisfied with it. Seeing myself improve bit by bit is fun, so I don’t really get bored.”

I can’t stop until I clear the mission. If I keep changing songs, I’ll have to give up the weekly double mission points. As I diligently moved my body, the observing Baek Kanghyun parted his lips.

“?”

He’s not saying anything. What is it?

“What? Do you have something to say?”

“No.”

No what? It seems he has plenty to say.

“Feel free to speak up. I won’t take any offense.”

“……Really?”

“Yes. What is it? Tell me since I’m curious.”

“For the part ‘hidden in the fog’, you should lower your knee angle a bit more when landing. And the transition right after feels awkward, so break down the beat a bit more……”

Is this what he wanted to say? If so, I wholeheartedly welcome it. I diligently corrected my movements based on his instructions, asking “Like this?” until he was satisfied. By repeatedly practicing and fixing my form, time flew by in a blur.

Kanghyun is a good person. In fact, he’s an extremely, incredibly good person. That’s why I’ve decided to call him “hyung” too. Because he’s the express bus driver who will take my dancing stat all the way to S-rank! He deserves to be treated as a senior.

“Huff, huff.”

Panting heavily, I collapsed onto the floor. The cold floor felt refreshing against my heated body. Kanghyun clicked his tongue once before flicking a towel towards me. I gratefully caught the towel that landed on my chest and used it.

“Your stamina is just trash.”

“I know. It must be a chronic condition. No matter what I do, it doesn’t improve.”

I need to clear three more missions to raise my stamina. But the fondness mission has me in a firm stranglehold.

“By the way, hyung.”

“Yeah.”

“Are you free this weekend?”

“Why.”

I’m curious about his schedule. If Kanghyun helps me, I feel I can raise my dancing stat to B this very weekend. To get my dance from B+ to B, I needed assistance.

Going from B to B+ requires 600 points, and I currently have 240 points. Successfully completing this week’s mission will bring me to 280 points. The plan is to grind some experience after that and use points to make up the shortfall.

I can’t just rely on handouts though. I have my pride.

“I have a request.”

“What request.”

“If you’re not going anywhere, can you spend today and tomorrow with me?”

“Why.”

“Why? To keep doing what we’ve been doing so far.”

Hyung silently looked me over. But there was no answer. Is he hesitating? If so, I can’t help it. I’ll postpone my plan for a few days and ask for dance training first thing on Monday instead.