Chapter 65

If we can't debut, we'll get a disease that will kill us - Chapter 65

It was common for groups debuting through survival shows to film reality programs, as they could gain a certain level of character and buzz from the audition shows.

"...Still, I didn’t expect to start filming right after just one meeting."

Even during the meeting, they didn’t get much information.

They just did some interviews about what the members wanted to do.

"At least the accommodation is nice, so that’s a plus."

Perhaps aware of the filming, the accommodation was more luxurious than expected. This was the first time staying in such a large, new apartment with good security.

Of course, cameras were installed in every corner.

"Ah, camera!"

"Hello...?"

The guys, who were taking off their shoes at the entrance and running to the living room, acknowledged the camera. This was an action they were instructed to do beforehand.

"They said it would look unnatural if we didn’t seem to be aware of the camera at all."

With this many cameras, it would be harder not to be aware of them.

Moreover, when they entered the living room, there were a few camera operators and production staff waiting in the blind spots of the unmanned cameras.

Apparently, they were there temporarily to film the initial scenes of the reality show, and then the people would leave, leaving only the unmanned cameras.

"First... congratulations to everyone~"

"Wow~!"

"Let’s take a group photo!"

The qualifiers, who were sitting in the living room, clapped and took a group photo before starting the reality show.

"Wow, it feels like a new team battle has started."

"Except for the fact that this team battle is for five years, I agree."

"Ooh, Rae-bin is taking it well?"

Fortunately, everyone seemed natural.

'Thanks to living with cameras all the time on 'Ajusa'.'

Moreover, the joy of passing the audition made the atmosphere warm and friendly.

The guys, who were less sensitive and more generous than during the audition filming, exchanged compliments and jokes with hearty laughter.

"You all worked so hard."

"Yeah, now we can enjoy most things!"

"Let’s... have a good time together...!"

Then, at the right moment, a robot vacuum cleaner suddenly appeared from the production staff in the camera blind spot.

This was the mascot and a major PPL for this reality show.

"Huh?"

"What’s it holding!"

A card with glitter stuck to it was dangling from the vacuum cleaner’s head.

The quick-handed Cha Yu-jin picked up the vacuum cleaner and pulled out the card.

"What’s written on it?"

"Right!"

Cha Yu-jin, still holding the robot vacuum cleaner under her arm, read the card content enthusiastically.

"Hmm, 'You will... receive missions through cards! Complete the missions to become a true group!'"

"Oh."

"Mi... mission."

The atmosphere became a bit solemn. There was no visible trauma reaction.

Ryu Cheong-woo laughed as if he had reached enlightenment.

"Haha, we passed the audition, but the missions never end..."

I thought with a frown.

'...To become a true group, the agency needs to get its act together first.'

I recalled Tnet, which, just four days ago, had repeatedly changed and canceled our agency assignments three times a day.

The premonition was not good.

'It seems I got my hopes up for nothing.'

Given the popularity of this program, it seemed T1 wanted to create a new direct agency to manage Testa.

However, due to existing contracts with Tnet subsidiaries, it was difficult to take them over easily.

So, they were busy with internal power struggles, and the group was left in a neglected state.

Moreover, the news that we would release a debut song within a month came out in the morning, but we hadn’t even met our manager yet.

'I’m going to lose it.'

I suppressed a sigh.

At that moment, Cha Yu-jin raised her hand.

"Oh? There’s more! 'Today’s mission is... free time!'"

"Oh!!"

The atmosphere immediately relaxed.

I also joined in with a 'I’m enjoying the free time I got today' reaction, high-fiving the people around me.

'Let’s not think about it.'

Anyway, entering T1’s new agency was almost certain now.

A busy rookie has no power. I just had to accept it.

'...Please don’t put your relatives in the planning department.'

I hope the higher-ups handle sales, accounting, and operations themselves and leave the planning alone. I hope they hire experienced people.

"Let’s check out our rooms! Choose a room!"

The qualifiers, holding the 'free time' card, stood up and started touring the house.

Three bedrooms and three bathrooms. A good layout that could be easily shared.

And there were number signs in front of each bedroom.

"Testa’s first... mini-game! The theme is choosing rooms!"

"Same."

"Really, it is."

Every time it reminded them of 'Ajusa,' the kids became wistful. Still, the game proceeded without issues.

Thus, through a few board games with a strong random element, they decided the order and drew slips from a box.

"This feels like a strange déjà vu..."

"Indeed..."

Every time it reminded them of 'Ajusa,' the kids became wistful.

Anyway, I drew the second slip after Cha Yu-jin.

It was number 1.

'I avoided number 3.'

The master bedroom, number 3, was designed for three people. Two people were obviously better than three.

'I hope I can share with someone quiet.'

At least I avoided Cha Yu-jin.

'Just avoiding Big Se-jin will do.'

Just as I thought that, the next person, Lee Se-jin, drew the number 1 slip.

"..."

Just before the tension rose, Big Se-jin and Ryu Cheong-woo drew their slips.

"Ooh, Moon Dae and Se-jin hyung in the same room~"

"Both are straightforward types, so they’ll get along well."

"Right?"

It was fortunate to have perceptive people.

"Please take care of me."

I quickly extended my hand, and Lee Se-jin slowly extended his hand to shake it.

'This filming is a bit worrying.'

The quiet aspect was appealing, but the cameras would be running for 2-3 weeks, and the key was whether this guy could pretend to be warm during that time.

'The production team will handle it.'

Since it’s a reality show, not an audition, I assumed the editing would be well done.

Any controversy would not benefit the production team.

"Let’s draw quickly~"

The remaining room assignments ended with extremes.

Kim Rae-bin and Seon Ah-hyun in one room.

"Please take care of me."

"I will take care of you."

Seeing the two who weren’t close doing a greeting battle, I thought they must be uncomfortable too.

Of course, their situation was much better than mine.

At least neither of them had a personality like Lee Se-jin.

"Ooh, our room will be so fun?"

"I like big rooms!"

"Right! Let’s get along well."

And the room for three people, number 3, was assigned to Big Se-jin, Cha Yu-jin, and Ryu Cheong-woo.

It was already noisy, but Ryu Cheong-woo looked somewhat satisfied.

'Come to think of it, Ryu Cheong-woo’s position is a bit awkward.'

Ryu Cheong-woo, except for Cha Yu-jin, didn’t have anyone he met privately among the qualifiers.

It would be better for him to go into a room with more people and quickly get the situation under control.

With Big Se-jin, who is good at attaching and respectful to seniors, it would be even better.

Following the production team’s signal, we moved to the bedroom to unpack and rest.

"Which side of the bed do you want?"

"Any side is fine."

"Really?"

If that’s the case.

I immediately went to the left bed and started unpacking. It was on the opposite side of the living room, so it would have less noise.

Incidentally, Lee Se-jin was also looking at this bed. So, there was no more talk.

"..."

It’s not a survival show, so why should I cater to your whims?

I plan to do what’s comfortable for me, as long as it doesn’t cause trouble.

Lee Se-jin, without a word, went to the opposite side and started unpacking.

I began organizing my belongings with a peaceful mind. Actually, I didn’t have much to organize.

Ah, I bought some clothes because I didn’t have enough. The prize money from our team winning the final with a simple car.

I heard that the program got some criticism online after the final due to the time allocation issue, but since I got the money, it’s fine.

By the way, the kimchi refrigerator... I still haven’t received it. Those scammers.

'I’m a bit angry.'

While I was suppressing a sigh and putting away the last piece of clothing, the quiet room suddenly filled with voices.

"Ta-da!"

"Of course, room 1 is the best. Is it because the first place winner is staying here?"

They were from room 3.

Ryu Cheong-woo, a former national team member, finished unpacking quickly and taught the others, so Cha Yu-jin and Big Se-jin were happily running around the room.

"Do you want to eat anything for dinner?"

Ryu Cheong-woo, smiling, sat on the bed.

"Ribs!"

"Chicken feet!"

While Cha Yu-jin is like that, Big Se-jin seems to be deliberately trying to get more screen time.

...I suddenly had a foreboding feeling that I wouldn’t be able to escape the noise during the reality show.

* * *

We had to cook and eat together for dinner. So, I cooked more than two servings for the first time in a while.

'Cooking is better than going shopping.'

First, going out means more talking. With fewer people.

Moreover, entering a large supermarket with three cameras requires quite a bit of courage.

Anyway, the cooking was quite successful. Surprisingly, the support was good.

Except for Seon Ah-hyun.

"Mi, mi, sorry..."

"There’s no need to be sorry."

You might be a bit sorry to your own hands.

I chased Seon Ah-hyun, who almost cut her hand for the third time, out of the kitchen.

Seon Ah-hyun, who was anxious, was relieved when I gave her the task of setting the table.

'...It’s like an aunt came to the bachelor’s apartment.'

I wondered why they assigned a helper to someone who was good at housework. It was because she was terrible at cooking.

Anyway, the steamed chicken was well done. It was Ryu Cheong-woo’s pick, who won the rock-paper-scissors.

'I tried it on my birthday because I felt the dining out money was wasted, and now I’m using it here.'

I shrugged, recalling my first birthday when I earned money as a data analyst.

"It looks delicious."

"Right."

"..."

Lee Se-jin didn’t respond much to Kim Rae-bin’s comment, but he was surprisingly cooperative in the kitchen.

'Maybe because he’s holding a knife.'

I put away the kitchen knife I was still holding. Meanwhile, the steamed chicken, carried by the shopping team, was moved to the table.

"Ooh, the steamed chicken is really delicious!"

"The soy sauce seasoning is well done and it’s tender."

The dinner was successful.

"Maybe I should learn to cook."

"I’m good at cooking."

"Really? Then cook!"

"But I like shopping more."

With Cha Yu-jin’s cheerful comment, the introduction of the reality show was concluded.

"Good job~"

The production team left, installing a claw machine in the living room.

The stuffed animals inside were all placed with their backs facing up.

'They might look a bit creepy at night.'

Anyway, tomorrow, after being surprised to see it in the living room, I’ll ask to pull one of those stuffed animals.

'It’s a content pull.'

Tomorrow, I’ll meet the manager and start the album meeting with the agency. If I have to do this, I won’t get much sleep.

With the intention of sleeping a lot tonight, I quickly went to the room.

Lee Se-jin was already in bed, looking at his smartphone.

"Good night."

"...You too."

Maybe because we ate well. He seemed a bit more relaxed than in the morning.

I immediately put on earplugs and started to sleep. The last thing I saw was a camera spinning in the corner.

'I hope the people I meet tomorrow don’t just bark.'

And this wish was only half fulfilled.

* * *

The manager was a good person.

"Let me know if you need anything!"

He seemed gentle and had a high threshold. Just by looking, he seemed like the type who wouldn’t hit a child.

'Well, it’s already too late to treat us like rookies.'

"When we start the album activities, another manager will join, so don’t worry!"

"Understood!"

Since the first person to arrive often sets the tone, I decided not to worry about this for now.

And the agency meeting.

This was...

"Are we, the capable Testa, going to compose the songs ourselves?"

"...? What?"

In short, it’s a no-go.