Chapter 71

Chapter 71

‘This is bad.’ I hadn’t expected Only One’s image to be portrayed like this. Of course, the editing wasn’t as blatant as it was in Select Your Idol because The Showcase wasn’t a hyper-drama-focused program. Yet, the viewers watching the show would’ve clearly caught the storyline.

‘They made Only One act like the kingfish in a small pond.’ At best, Only One showed a carefree and leisurely attitude toward the upcoming performance, and at worst, they looked like arrogant snobs who thought they already made it big. I didn’t know if things were going to change later since the episode hadn’t ended yet, but right now, the mood of my surroundings was dreary.

‘What a mess,’ I thought.

“Um...”

“Uh...”

“Let me go to the restroom a bit...”

The other members warily glanced at Only One.

“Haa...”

“Ah...”

“Why did they...with that scene...”

Meanwhile, the Only One members continued to stare at the screen as if they were in disbelief. Park Young-Ho’s eyes looked especially teary, like he was going to cry any moment. He looked angry and regretful. Though I didn’t do anything wrong, I wanted to apologize to him. And because of the guilt that was rising inside me, I had to avert my eyes–to only see Kang Hyun-Sung in another spot. There was no safe haven to run away to. Thus, I moved my eyes away from Kang Hyun-Sung and simply stared at the screen.

Drrr.The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.

Then, I heard someone drag the chair from somewhere. Kang Hyun-Sung was dragging his chair towards me. I thought he was going to crack the beam projector with his chair, but instead, he moved his chair beside me.

“...?” I wondered what he was doing, but he asked, “What do you think about the episode?”

What was this? Was this some kind of high-pressure interview? I didn’t know what he wanted to hear from me, and I thought things could go really wrong if I said the wrong answer. Of course, since the producers took back their cameras the moment our practice ended, there was no way what I said now would come out on the show.

‘Wow, look at his eyes.’ Kang Hyun-Sung looked like he wouldn’t leave me alone until I answered. Of course, I didn’t think he would really attack me or anything like that but perhaps, he would do everything besides that.

‘Why only me?’ I thought regretfully, knowing that I did nothing wrong.

“What do you want to hear?” I asked honestly.

“There’s no answer I want to hear. I’m just asking for your opinion.”

Why was he asking me such an uncomfortable question? Did he want to see me struggle with a difficult question because he was in a bad mood? This was like the way bullies from high school talked to their victims, asking a question with a pre-determined answer. Anyway, I was in a crisis.

“I was quite taken aback by the editing direction of episode 2,” I finally said. Yet, I knew I could overcome it and said my honest thoughts. “I didn’t expect the producers to edit you guys like that.”

But simultaneously, I didn’t think this editing was all bad news for Only One. Though it was disappointing for me as a fellow competitor, the second episode felt like a build-up for episode 4 that would come out the week after next week.

Thus, I said, “But won’t things turn around by episode four? Since you guys won first place by yourselves in the second round, the fourth episode would be edited to put your team in the center. Then, I think the story that had been going against you would turn in your favor again.”

Since episode three was the mini-game, it was an exception, and I expected the show’s storyline to change in favor of Only One on episode 4 again. That meant the producers were drawing up a big, dramatic picture for Only One to rise again. Of course, this could all be my delusion.

“I see,” Kang Hyun-Sung said. But it didn’t seem I was the only one who thought this. Kang Hyun-Sung appeared quite satisfied with my answer. He smiled faintly like a company CEO.

“Thank you,” Kang Hyun-Sung said while tapping my shoulder and getting up. It was ridiculous that he got up like some seasoned businessman and went back to where the other Only One members sat. I still wondered why he asked me a question like that. Perhaps, this was what he felt when I abruptly appeared at the prayer room while he was experiencing a burn-out.

‘What if the system is also ordering him too?’ I wondered and decided to quit my useless delusions. ‘Ah, whatever.’

I waved my thoughts away because it was too ridiculous. I sighed inside my mind and looked at the screen again. The show progressed until it was already the end of the performances. I picked up my phone.

‘I think I can check the responses now at this point.’ After calming my mind down in preparation, I quickly looked through social media sites and community forums to check the responses to episode 2.

***

While The Showcase episode 2 was airing, the internet was in a buzz again. There were already fans forming for each group though Only One and Siren were the only ones who had what could be called proper fandoms. But still, interest in the other groups rose so that they were getting mentioned much more often than before.

—Ah quickly show us the video

—I look forward to seeing all their performances

—I love seeing pretty guys cry

Even those who weren’t fans of the groups had high expectations for the show. When the show started, the first responses were all about how Siren placed last. As soon as the announcement that they became last place was made, there was a close-up shot of the Siren members’ faces.

—Yeon-Hoon is about to cry.

—This is freaking annoying.

—No way this is real!!

They were all angry comments that Siren placed last. Of course, there were also those who jumped at the opportunity to drag Siren down.

—Hahahaha You idiots who keep hyping up Siren to the heavens deserve it

—People who’ve always dragged down Only One are having a field day.

These responses died down a bit when Siren’s performance began to start. At this point, comments about Siren flooded the community forums and social media feeds so that they blanketed even the negative comments about Only One.

—Did you see Siren’s performance?

—I literally screamed from my chair.

—Whaaat? It’s seriously amazing!!

—I can’t believe Do-Seung composed this song, Tae-Yoon wrote the lyrics, Woon made the choreography, Yeon-Hoon sang the high note, and Dong-Jun is just cute.

—Wow, this is seriously a legend.

—How the heck are these guys doomed idols?

The responses that had been dying down because of the stages that came before were heating up again after seeing Siren.

—I truly love Siren

—Look at these guys

—Everyone, look at our cute, squishy peach, Yeon-Hoon

—Our black cat is dominating the stage

—This part kills me (BongTaeYoon’sEnding.jpg)

—How is Dong-Jun not a real puppy? (ParkDong-JunSmiling.jpg)

—I have been replaying this part of Woon erasing the red paint on his lips

Reply: Yeah that part is gold

—Is everyone seeing this? (LeeWoonErasingLipPaint.jpg)

Reply: Ah I love you Woon

Reply: Woon looks like a cute rabbit but is so sexy at the same time

People’s comments poured in, and Siren fans took this opportunity to recruit more members into their fandom; and the part that got the biggest response was the scene of Yeon-Hoon crying after being touched by the audience’s cheer.

—Is Yeon-Hoon crying?

—Whyyy?

—No our cute peach is crying :(((

—I’m so sad :(

—Look at Bong Tae-Yoon rushing to cover Yeon-Hoon’s face haha

—It looks more like they are in a historical period because he’s covering it with his overcoat

—Everyone is gathering to comfort Yeon-Hoon. I’m crying

—How is Yeon-Hoon the oldest? He’s just a cute peach

Like that, Siren swept the viewers’ attention as the main characters of the first-round performances. Luminin’s performance startlingly had no responses from the crowd, and finally came Only One’s performance.

—???

—Did Park Young-Ho just make a mistake?

—Damn, the dance is a mess.

—Why are they dancing out of place??

In Only One’s performance, the editing repeatedly highlighted Park Young-Ho’s mistake. Only One looked like guys who messed up their performance after acting all prideful and arrogant.

—Siren and Only One are both in the first place!

Thus, when the announcement that both Siren and Only One ranked first place was revealed, the comments exploded.

—Damn it, those bastards.

—This is crossing the line.

—This is way too much!