Hard Mode Idol

“Jaehyuk joined another agency’s debut team. I hope that serves as an answer.”

I inwardly admired the Cult Leader’s ability. It hasn’t been that long since he left here, yet he’s already joined another agency’s debut team. I have to give credit where it’s due.

While Director Kim remained tight-lipped about the reason for dismissing the Cult Leader, she made it clear that having him with us is not possible. Seoho’s pupils trembled from the shock.

“He didn’t tell me anything. He didn’t even answer my calls……”

His shoulders slumped like a dog abandoned by its owner. His lowered head and back trembled intermittently before sobs slipped out.

“Seoho……”

Yoochan embraced Seoho’s shoulders with concern. The rest of us could only watch. Even Director Kim just silently observed.

If he wants to see him so badly, he just needs to find a way. Since there is a way, I opened my mouth, having grown tired of the gloomy puppy act.

“If you want to meet that person and talk, then just debut.”

“……Huh?”

Seoho whipped his head around to look at me, a question mark practically visible in his large eyes. A dimwit who needs to be spoon-fed to understand.

“If your active periods overlap, you’ll run into each other on music shows. Even if not at music shows, you could see him on variety shows or radio appearances, right? The spheres of idol activities overlap quite a bit. Even if your active periods don’t coincide at all, you’ll still see him at the year-end award ceremonies.”

Seoho’s eyes blinked rapidly, indicating he was paying attention to my words. Come to think of it, we might even meet sooner than that.

“No, we won’t even need to wait until the award ceremonies. We’ll see each other at the ‘Idol Chuseok Festival’. Since both our groups will be rookies, we’re guaranteed to attend.”

As I said this, I looked towards Director Kim. I had confirmed there is such a program, but attendance might not be mandatory. The belated thought made me check her reaction.

In my previous life as an idol, the two Idol Shuffling programs during Seollal and Chuseok were mandatory. It was well-known that music show PDs and others would penalize you for not participating. Though in my previous life, I was never given that opportunity.

Fortunately, Director Kim nodded in affirmation. I suppose scum is the same everywhere, so should I be grateful?

“See, Director Kim agrees too. You said he’s not answering your calls? Then just meet him directly and ask. To do that, you’ll have no choice but to debut with me. I have no plans of leaving.”

“Who said I’m not debuting? I’m going to debut too! This is my dream……”

I shrugged. Right. There must be a reason you keep going on about Joon Jaehyuk, other than just “I’ll follow hyung!” More like “I wish hyung would come back!” and such ramblings.

In the end, Joon Jaehyuk too, and this current situation – you just don’t want to let go of anything you’ve grasped. It’s a child’s tantrum of wanting to have it all. Seoho noisily pulled out tissues and blew his nose.

“Director, I’m definitely going to debut. You knew that, right?”

“Yes. Let’s work hard.”

“Yes!”

The puppy’s previously gloomy voice had brightened considerably. I just hope he doesn’t end up getting needlessly hurt when they eventually meet. When that time comes, I’ll have to find a way for us all to meet together, no matter what. I need to protect my own members. These members all seem so fragile that I can’t feel at ease.

Because I cannot fail. My dream. And Yooyeon. I recalled the crisp school uniform hanging on the old basement one-room’s wall. I will succeed!

“Alright then, let’s get the contracts done? Read through them carefully, and let me know if there are any clauses you have questions about or need to discuss.”

Director Kim distributed artist contracts to each of us. I felt a tinge of bitterness at having to meet my father again – something I hadn’t anticipated.

Yoochan was the first to hand over his contract. When asked if he had read it through, he just grinned sheepishly while exuding a carefree, intellectual vibe. So careless. You’re supposed to read contracts thoroughly.

“For Seoho, you can sign it yourself once the new year starts, or have your parents sign and submit it. The contract validity period starts next March anyway.”

“Yes!”

Seoho beamed as he hugged the contract to his chest. I wouldn’t be surprised if his butt was covered in fur.

I neatly printed my name in the signature section and stared at the sole remaining blank space. Parents…… Hmm, what should I do? I had turned the page without a second thought, but there was a yellow sticky note attached.

[If it’s difficult to meet your parents, I can visit them on your behalf. You have two choices, so choose whichever is more convenient.]

The moment I saw that, I looked up at Director Kim. Perhaps she had been watching me, because our eyes met, and she smiled at me. When I subtly handed over my contract, she quietly accepted it. I will devote my loyalty to the admirable Director Kim Hyemi!

Thanks to her, I could comfortably observe how the other members fared. Kanghyun seemed to be scrutinizing the contract at first, but soon furrowed his brow as if annoyed by the densely packed text. He then flipped through it cursorily before scribbling his signature.

However, one member, Ilhan, didn’t even turn the page and kept staring blankly at just the first page.

The atmosphere felt strange. As if he might blurt out “I can’t do this” at any moment. But Ilhan remained silent until the end.

“Then Yoochan and Haon can stay for a bit, while the others can go take care of their tasks.”

Ah, this time it must really be about Gomchi. I had a hunch. For some reason, Seoho also seemed to catch on, as he pulled the other two out with him.

It instantly became quiet.

“First, Haon, I’m really sorry.”

Suddenly, Director Kim stood up and bowed to me. Startled, I let out a strange “Uh, uh!” sound in my flustered state. After blinking in surprise, I barely managed to collect myself and respond.

“No, why are you apologizing to me, Director……”

“It was my insistence that got you moved to those dorms.”

Director Kim let out a long sigh. Her feelings towards me were fully laid bare. The back of my neck prickled.

“I never imagined they would do something like that. I’m really sorry. I have no excuse.”

The kind Director Kim. I should let her know I’m fine.

“No, I know you were looking out for me. If I went to the debut team dorms, I would have been using the previous leader’s bed, right? The meaning is different between you assigning me there versus Yoochan bringing me in. Isn’t that right?”

“Why are you the one comforting me?”

A wry smile bloomed on Director Kim’s face. Ah, was I not supposed to say that? Since I couldn’t take back the words I had already spoken, I just grinned sheepishly. Seeing my response, Director Kim seemed unable to hold back her laughter either.

“In any case, Haon has a talent for putting others at ease.”

Me? An unexpected assessment. I’ve always been someone who only caused displeasure to others. I fidgeted with my intertwined fingers, feeling flustered.

“That’s right. It seems you don’t realize it yourself, though.”

Yoochan patted my shoulder. When I turned towards him, his kind crescent eyes regarded me with a warm gaze that seemed to envelop me in comfort just from looking at it.

“Let me get to the main point since you two still need to practice. Kim Jinsu showed no remorse, so his trainee-exclusive contract was terminated. The other trainees from the same dorms also received penalty deductions.”

It was a harsher punishment than I expected. Just Director Kim’s apology to me was already a significant matter, but…… this was the first case where those who had tormented me faced proper consequences.

It made me appreciate this generous place even more. Perhaps I might even gain more fans than antis, as the God had said – I could become a beloved idol. Honestly, I’m a bit excited.

Until the recording of the debut song, I should raise my singing and dancing stats as much as possible. I resolved to maintain only the minimum stamina while devoting all remaining time solely to practice. Since it will be captured for eternity anyway, I obviously need to raise them as high as I can, right?

Strangely, despite feeling the time was sorely lacking, I didn’t feel anxious. For some reason, I had a premonition that something good would happen.

When I left the director’s office, Seoho was waiting for me. Although his lips were pursed in a pout, the atmosphere felt different from usual. The perceptive Yoochan patted my shoulder before stepping aside.

“Hey.”

“What.”

“Thanks for earlier.”

“For what?”

“For letting me know I can meet Jaehyuk hyung. I even went to his old one-room, but it was completely empty. I felt so suffocated, having no choice but to just wait here. Thanks to you.”

As Seoho spoke, he kept bumping his lower back against the wall, seeming embarrassed. I knew the Cult Leader had cut off contact unilaterally, but he had even moved out? No wonder this fanatic went even crazier.

If this was all part of the plan too, then he’s truly remarkable. Intending for no one to easily assimilate into his position, he was determined to cling on until time resolved the situation.

Who knows, maybe around the time this blows over, he’ll reach out again to stir things up once more. Driving a wedge between the company and members until one side gives up completely.

“And……”

Seoho kept glancing at me furtively. After clearing his throat a few times, he lowered the volume of that booming voice.

“Honestly, your singing was good. The audition song was bad, but still.”

“……I know.”

Ah, my embarrassing moment. Director Kim really went too far.

I said I knew about the latter song, but Seoho grumbled that I was being arrogant, saying I needed to learn humility. What is he on about?

“I said I know I couldn’t sing well at the audition. What are you taking me for?”

“A talentless braggart.”

“Is that a compliment or an insult?”

“It’s both a compliment and an insult at the same time. Shouldn’t you be asking that? You were trying to act all clever by yourself, but turns out you’re no different from me.”

“Wow. Isn’t that going a bit too far? I’m genuinely hurt.”

“……You really are annoying.”

For some reason, laughter bubbled up and escaped before I could stop it. Seeing me laugh, Seoho glared at me with furrowed brows. But then he ended up laughing too.

“You’re really obnoxious, but weirdly not that obnoxious. Just practice hard. I’m going to practice too.”

“Same to you. You’re really obnoxious, but cute.”

“I’m the hyung here? Cute, what does that mean? Cute?”

Despite his petulant tone, there was no hostility at all. He was just an adorable, yapping puppy. An extremely fierce yet innocent countryside puppy, at that.

“Then don’t look so cute.”

“Says the paper doll.”

“I guess I do kind of look like a doll.”

Seoho stared at me in bewilderment before shaking his head.

“You know what, never mind. I’m leaving.”

And at that very moment…