Chapter 9

Idol Guide for the Finale Chapter 9

"Yunjae hyung, let's... go eat."

I woke up to the hesitant shaking of Kang Jihan's hand.

It wasn't a bad place to sleep compared to the joke about it being cold that Yeon Jisoo made.

Although I didn't get much sleep last night.

I put on the T-shirt hanging by the bed and rubbed my stiff neck.

The T-shirt felt cold, probably due to the chill from last night.

"Hyung, did you have trouble sleeping? You were mumbling last night."

"Really, you were groaning and turning restlessly!"

Maybe it was because we switched beds.

I stretched and pulled back the blanket.

Starting today, the real survival begins.

"Hyung, we have to eat by 9 and gather by grade!"

Yang Garan said while putting on a lime green hoodie.

It was the main color for Grade C.

"Do I have to wear that?"

"Apparently, we have to wear it from today. The mic... they'll attach it after breakfast."

"Except at night, we have to wear it."

Kang Jihan, who said this, was wearing a black hoodie, and Kazuma was wearing a yellow one.

"It's in the closet. Do you want Yunjae's uniform too~?"

Yeon Jisoo asked while putting on a sky blue hoodie.

And the hoodie handed to me was a very delicate light pink.

I don't hate pink, but...

"Hyung... it doesn't suit you... at all..."

"Cool tone..."

Following the timid but straightforward Kang Jihan, Yang Garan pinched his lips and muttered.

The clothes are too bright for his face.

It's been two years since Likers debuted, and he dyed his hair pink when they released a summer song.

For some reason, his sallow complexion reminded me of a nightmare from that time.

The visible image is as important as the actions...

The only answer is to get promoted and move to Class A quickly.

The cafeteria was a 5-minute walk from the dormitory.

Our room was a bit late, and ahead of us, trainees in black long padded jackets were swarming like ants.

Above them, black and yellow triangles were floating.

"I didn't go to the graduation ceremony. I came here..."

"Me neither. I wanted to wear my school uniform and take pictures with my friends one last time!"

Kang Jihan and Yang Garan, who were graduating from middle school and high school this year, mumbled gloomily.

They both missed their graduation ceremonies because they were admitted in mid-February.

"Ah."

Their warm conversation brought back memories of the garbage days.

A photo of the Likers' youngest member with his cheek pressed against a female classmate's at the graduation ceremony.

I had to deal with that... how much trouble did I have back then...

My memory is clear only at times like this.

"If you're sad, ask your friends to take a group photo. It's all memories."

Yeon Jisoo suddenly put an arm around Kazuma's shoulder.

Kazuma, feeling something tickle his neck, panicked and ran forward.

The other two chicks chased after him, leaving me alone.

Yeon Jisoo turned her head, looked at me following behind, and smiled.

...I feel uneasy?

"Is Yunjae usually quiet in the morning~?"

"Ah, I'm still half-asleep."

I rubbed my eyes and answered in a dazed manner.

Since it's a fact already verified in the past, Yeon Jisoo has a high chance of debuting this time.

Since I've marked her as a potential member, I need to get closer to her.

"Yesterday, you seemed to have trouble sleeping. You were groaning."

"Ah, was I noisy?"

"I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, so I didn't hear. But the others said? You usually can't sleep outside?"

"Sort of. I get nervous, and I can't fall asleep."

"Sleep is really important for health, you know?"

"I'll get used to it."

Ignoring Kim Doop's window.

"I have something that helps you sleep. A sleep spray, maybe? I'll lend it to you tonight."

"Thanks."

"If I forget, remind me, okay?"

I nodded.

It's been a while since I received such unconditional kindness.

Even though we're only a year apart, Yeon Jisoo keeps trying to take care of me.

So, this is Yeon Jisoo's personality.

Seeing a member of a rival group up close gave me a new perspective.

Yeon Jisoo suddenly stared at me and then spoke.

"Yunjae, I've never thought my face was ugly."

"Really?"

"You're handsome. You hear that a lot, right?"

I felt my face heat up at her sincere admiration.

No matter how much I've been trained by the antics of countless fans after debuting, it's still a bit awkward.

Yeon Jisoo stopped and gave me a burdensome arm around the shoulder, as if expecting an answer.

At that moment, the camera followed us quickly.

It was a chance to show that I'm actually sociable.

"Hyung, I think you're more handsome."

Yeon Jisoo's eyes widened, and she laughed loudly.

It felt like hives were breaking out all over my body.

Ha... It's even more ticklish after saying it.

"Did you hear that? Yunjae said I'm handsome."

Yeon Jisoo smiled widely at the camera.

The white triangle strangely turned sky blue.

No, why...

I walked quickly toward the cafeteria.

Do you think I don't know, Kim Doop?

I, who was already at the top, am now in a relationship where I have to calculate everything, so it's natural to feel itchy all over being among such pure kids.

My thoughts last night were similar.

It feels awkward to be next to kids who genuinely want to become idols.

Of course, I'm redoing the scenario for the sake of the me who wanted to become an idol.

But the me before the scenario and the me now are a bit...

different.

I've changed as a person.

But I have to become an idol.

Even if my motivation is different from others, I've resolved to live as I want from now on.

I had to throw myself into this competition with passion.

Kim Doop's window popped up, interrupting my thoughts.

"Yunjae~! Let's eat together!"

Before I could continue my thoughts, Yeon Jisoo called my name loudly and approached.

Her squinted eyes showed a playful glint.

I've endured being Likers' waste, so I can handle this awkwardness.

I naturally accepted the arm around my shoulder and entered the cafeteria.

* * *

"Choi Hyun?"

After eating in the midst of people eager to tease the gentle Kazuma, on the way back to the dormitory.

Choi Hyun was walking ahead.

He seemed quite happy, having gotten along with the roommates in just one day.

"Choi Hyun!"

"Ah, Yunjae!"

Choi Hyun turned around with a smile after I called him twice.

Choi Hyun, who was talking to the people he was with, walked over to me.

He seemed the same as usual, but I've long noticed that Choi Hyun is uncomfortable.

"How are you?"

"Me? I'm fine. How about you, Yunjae?"

"Me too, I guess."

The awkward silence after this short, embarrassing conversation was palpable.

...It feels a bit daunting to start a conversation.

"Are the people nice to you? The roommates."

Choi Hyun's eyes widened as if he didn't expect to hear such a question from me.

I don't need Choi Hyun to debut as the strongest member by catching me.

It's not just Choi Hyun, but I need to debut with Choi Hyun.

Choi Hyun's lips curled up, and he cleared his throat slightly.

"They're all good people. They're nice and kind. How about you?"

"They're all nice to me too."

"Seems like it."

A shadow fell on Choi Hyun's side face.

I couldn't see his expression clearly, but it felt off.

"But I think you'll adapt quickly."

"...Yeah, I think you'll do well, Yunjae."

"What about you?"

The cameraman nearby was heading in another direction.

The mic wasn't on yet.

"Is everything okay?"

Choi Hyun shrugged without hesitation.

Are you going to pretend you don't know, Choi Hyun?

But I'm not going to back down.

"I was wondering if my sudden improvement in dance skills seemed strange."

"...Ah, that?"

"Yeah, after the grade evaluation, I felt like you were avoiding me."

I spoke honestly, determined to get an answer from Choi Hyun.

If I said this, his personality would make him say it wasn't true, right?

"What? What are you talking about... avoiding?"

Choi Hyun laughed and poked me.

"Well, I knew you were good, Yunjae. I was surprised, but it's not uncomfortable. I would have been more upset if you danced poorly like when we borrowed the practice room."

"Choi Hyun, you..."

Choi Hyun buttoned his collar and continued before I could say anything.

"I was really surprised by you. It was good to see. You seem to have a stage presence."

Choi Hyun kept talking without giving me a chance to respond.

I stared at him, deciding not to interrupt.

I lived with Choi Hyun for three years.

Even though I don't remember much, living in close quarters made me remember a few things about him clearly.

Choi Hyun talks excessively when he's anxious.

Most situations go as he expects, being the naturally talented one, but life doesn't always go as planned.

When he couldn't practice enough or when important results were coming the next day, Choi Hyun would talk to the person next to him to express his anxiety.

It's no different now.

We were already at the dormitory entrance.

Choi Hyun, seemingly trying to avoid me, quickened his pace toward the entrance.

But I wasn't going to let him go like this.

"Choi Hyun, did you feel uncomfortable because you thought I was hiding my skills?"

"Ah, what?"

Choi Hyun stopped in his tracks.

"Back in the practice room, you couldn't even move properly, and then suddenly you danced well in the filming. Did it feel like I was lying?"

"No, that's not it, Yunjae."

"Then what is it?"

"Just a bit of envy. I didn't think you were lying."

"But you seemed really uncomfortable with me, Choi Hyun."

Choi Hyun's face stiffened instantly.

Bingo.

Achievement status (1/8)

- Choi Hyun's 'reason for discomfort': Jealousy

- Yeon Jisoo's 'weakness':

- Yang Garan's 'confidence':

- Mori Kazuma's 'most hated memory':

- Kang Jihan's 'can't do':

- ??'s ??:

It was a relief to finally achieve one of the eight slots in the scenario.

Jealousy, huh.

Is what Choi Hyun is feeling now strong enough to be called jealousy?

After a long deliberation, I continued.

From past experiences, I knew that such situations can't be resolved with tricks.

In this case, a direct approach is needed.

"Choi Hyun, you talk excessively when you're anxious."

"...What?"

"We didn't get along that well, but we lived together for three years. I know that much."

"No, what are you talking about, Yunjae?"

"I understand the feelings you're having. But..."

Choi Hyun's eyes were like an earthquake.

Of course, I planned to resolve this gradually over time.

If not now, Choi Hyun would avoid me like the plague, and even if I caught him, he would waste time talking.

"Let's be more honest."

It was an awkward thing to say, even as I said it.

The road ahead is still long, but I have to debut with Choi Hyun.

"I want to debut with you."

It was the most sincere thing I could say to Choi Hyun.

"So, let's talk about what's bothering you and resolve it."

"..."

"Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Choi Hyun moved his lips and rolled his eyes.

He probably never imagined hearing such words from me.

"Yeah, Yunjae."

"If something's bothering you, say it. We have to debut together."

"…We applied together to debut together."

Choi Hyun smiled less awkwardly.

It was the student council president smile he usually wore.

"Hyun, the elevator is here."

At the moment we were in a strange standoff, another trainee called Choi Hyun from the dormitory entrance.

"…Okay, Yunjae, see you later."

Choi Hyun entered the dormitory with the trainee.

I found out why Choi Hyun was uncomfortable, but the road ahead is still tough.

If this continues, we'll end up in a conflict rumor on the Cyworld board.

For now, it's settled, but I need to find an event to close the gap with Choi Hyun.

I swallowed a sigh and looked at Choi Hyun's triangle through the elevator door.

Choi Hyun's triangle was a deep purple, a mix of red, which means hostility, and blue, which means affection.