I Became An Idol To Pay Off My Debt

After the stage ended, the remaining schedule of the showcase was communication with the fans and a Q&A session with the reporters.

Of course, the communication with the fans went smoothly and was a very pleasant time without any noise.

But the Q&A with the reporters was something we all had to be tense about.

The reporters would surely pressure us with questions about the Park Yoo-jung incident.

“Just now, Ye-rin’s performance on stage stood out; was it the result of harsh practice?”

“You presented only one digital single this time; is there a reason for that?”

At first, the reporters pretended to ask normal questions, showing no interest in Park Yoo-jung’s school violence incident, but soon their true nature was revealed.

“The concept of your new song is about rebellion and defiance; do any members of Rookies have experiences like that during their school days?”

That seemed like a normal question, but it was clearly a jab at Park Yoo-jung’s incident by linking it to the new song’s concept.

School violence broadly falls under the categories of rebellion and defiance.

“I would like one of you to share your thoughts first.”

“…….”

At the reporter’s words, everyone’s gaze shifted to the leftmost side.

Unfortunately, the leftmost seat was occupied by Park Yoo-jung, leading to a silence falling over the room.

Brush.

In the meantime, Park Yoo-jung picked up the microphone with the most nonchalant expression she could muster.

And….

“…I think the reporter’s question is related to the controversy surrounding me.”

“……!”

“A lot of people are probably curious about my controversy. I will answer.”

With those unexpected words, both the reporters and fans gasped.

Nevertheless, Park Yoo-jung continued her response as calmly as possible.

“I was actually punished at school due to school violence.”

She began by openly admitting her mistake.

“Of course, in any case, using violence was wrong, but… it was for my friend who was being bullied.”

“…….”

Everyone present already knew this.

But the moment they heard her next words, both reporters and fans couldn’t help but stir.

“That friend is here with us now.”

“……!”

Rustle rustle.

Indeed, Kim Young-hee was present at this showcase venue.

Of course, due to safety reasons, she couldn’t reveal where she was, but she was definitely somewhere among the audience, watching the showcase.

“I want to say to that friend… I’m sorry for not helping you sooner.”

With those words, Park Yoo-jung slowly but surely conveyed her feelings to Kim Young-hee.

“I feel sorry for not being able to help you sooner and for causing you great pain. And I’m very grateful. Thank you for welcoming me, for giving me a warm hug after such a long time.”

“…….”

At first, the murmuring crowd quieted down the moment Park Yoo-jung spoke sincerely.

There was a strong appeal in her voice.

People could feel that Park Yoo-jung had no regrets and was rather proud of her actions.

But….

“Even if I used violence, I don’t regret helping my friend. However…”

There was another emotion in her voice.

It was the remorse for her members.

“I feel bad that… because of me, the members who are completely innocent seem to be suffering… I feel really sorry for them.”

“Ah…”

In Na Ah Ah and while being active with Rookies, Park Yoo-jung, who typically wore only bright smiles, finally shed a tear, perhaps due to the guilt she felt towards her members.

Seeing the innocent-looking girl, who always smiled, crying was heartbreaking.

Above all, this place was the home of Rookies, filled with Rookies’ fans.

“It’s okay-!!”

“Don’t cry-!!”

The members approached to comfort Park Yoo-jung, who was shedding tears, and the fans, moved by their support, cheered for Rookies.

In no time, Park Yoo-jung wiped her tears, and with a bright smile back again, she said.

“Our members… really prepared hard for this activity. Even if you may hate me, please love the other members a lot, and I look forward to your support for this activity as well.”

“No! Yoo-jung, we love you too-!”

“Fighting-!”

“Waaaah-!”

Thus, the fans gathered together, filling the venue with an overwhelming roar… and Park Yoo-jung lowered the microphone.

The reporters wanted to ask more questions and dig for stories, but they were unable to do so, pressured by the fans’ energy.

Rookies’ second showcase concluded without any issues, contrary to our worries.

After the showcase, in the Rookies’ waiting room.

As soon as I entered, I hugged Park Yoo-jung’s shoulder and patted her head, saying,

“Yoo-jung! Your acting was amazing! Totally natural!”

In fact, what Park Yoo-jung did during the Q&A session was part of a plan we had devised in advance.

We knew that questions about the school violence incident would surely come during the Q&A.

We decided to confront it head-on rather than awkwardly deflect from the questions.

Of course….

“…No, unnie, I wasn’t acting. I sincerely feel sorry for Young-hee and our Rookies members.”

“I know; we all know.”

But that didn’t mean Park Yoo-jung’s previous words were a lie.

Wanting to apologize properly this time, Park Yoo-jung bent her waist again to us.

“…I’m really sorry for causing trouble to our Rookies.”

“…Yoo-jung.”

“And thank you. Thank you for accepting me into Rookies without abandoning me… I’m really grateful.”

“…….”

The tears she shed earlier were not fake; strong emotions were evident in her demeanor.

So we all approached her and warmly hugged her.

“What are you talking about? That’s a given.”

“You’re our team.”

“We’ll never abandon you, never.”

Park Yoo-jung’s school violence incident was undoubtedly a crisis for us Rookies.

In reality, there were still people who spoke ill of us, slandering us, leaving painful scars on Rookies.

But we overcame it.

And….

The bond between our fans and members became stronger than ever.

Isn’t this enough of a bargain to gain?

Grip.

I held Park Yoo-jung’s hand.

With this warm atmosphere, today’s day came to an end….

“Ye-rin.”

“…Yes?”

“Remember we said we’d talk after the showcase? Let’s talk just the two of us now.”

“…….”

Just when I thought it was over.

Yoo Seol held my shoulder with a somewhat cold smile.

‘Come to think of it, Seol unnie was still around.’

Yoo Seol had looked displeased after the showcase performance, and that atmosphere hadn’t changed.

It was a scary look from the usually kind Yoo Seol I hadn’t seen in a while…

“Let’s go somewhere else while the others change their clothes.”

“…Okay.”

I had no choice but to follow her with a bit of a shiver at her commanding tone.

The place Yoo Seol and I headed to was a vacant waiting room next door.

We sat on the couch where no one was around.

And I waited for Yoo Seol to speak.

“…….”

“…….”

However, when Yoo Seol fell into thought and said nothing, I took the initiative to ask her first.

“Unnie, did I make a mistake on stage or something?”

I worked hard to give my best for this performance, and I used all the skills I had for the first time since Na Ah Ah’s final.

The audience’s response had been good, and I was satisfied with it…?

“Ye-rin.”

“…Yes.”

But looking at Yoo Seol’s expression, she definitely didn’t think so.

“I’ve felt this since back in Na Ah Ah… every time I watch your stage, I’m amazed.”

“Amazed…?”

“Yeah, every time I see your stage, it feels like I’m dreaming. During your performance, I don’t think of anything else, just your stage.”

“…….”

…That makes sense.
I use my skills on stage.

“Your performance is excellent to the extent. I could feel you worked hard during this stage as well. But… it was a bit excessive.”

“Ah….”

“While it is true that the focus of this song is you, Ye-rin, on this stage, you might have taken it a bit too far. It felt like the other members were backup dancers for your solo performance. This time, your greed seemed too much, to the point of seeming selfish.”

Surely, I was overly eager during this stage, using my skills recklessly without concern for my parts or others’.

“If you watch the video later, you’ll probably feel that the harmony of the stage was broken. While your individual performance was good, it might have been disappointing when viewed as a team overall.”

Yoo Seol’s expression as she said this seemed a bit bitter.

Like she said, I was being too overreaching in my performance today.

Thinking that it could have bothered the other members, I apologized to Yoo Seol.

“…I’m sorry, unnie. I think I made a mistake. I’ll apologize to the other members later.”

“No, this was a mistake caused by the pressure you felt as the leader. I understand. But…”

“But…?”

It seemed Yoo Seol had something else she wanted to say.

As I waited for her, she thought for a while, sighed, and finally said.

“…Actually, there’s one more thing that I think is a problem.”

“…What is it, unnie?”

“Do you remember? ‘That day’…. When you cried and told us to become the best idols.”

‘That day.’

It could only be referring to the day I abandoned my parents.

The day I abandoned my parents…I received the quest to become the best idol in the Rookies’ dorm.

“Yes, I remember.”

That quest was still active, and my determination to become the best idol hadn’t changed.

“Best idol….”

Yoo Seol repeated the word once before looking at me with a more rational gaze.

And….

“Ye-rin, what’s important for an idol? Is it singing or dancing?”

“……!”

“Is an idol a singer before being a dancer, or a dancer before being a singer?”

Her questions hit me harder than I expected.

“Of course, both are important. It’s rare to find someone who excels in both singing and dancing. But if you’re aiming for the top, shouldn’t you excel at both rather than just one?”

Yoo Seol was pointing out the significant gap between my vocal ability and dance stats, which were about 20 to 30 points apart.

My vocal ability was much weaker compared to my dancing.

While this hadn’t been a significant problem until now, it was undoubtedly my weakness.

---