Chapter 52
Jo Hee-on’s shoulders began to tremble noticeably.
How can someone with such a small liver do such terrible things?
A bitter laugh escaped me.
“Confess to PD and the production team. Then, I’ll ask them not to broadcast it. We’ll just end it quietly. You and Ryeo-yu will leave the program.”
“Cheong-ah, you’re really funny.”
Kim Ryeo-yu cut in, interrupting me.
“You seem to want to claim that Hee-on did something. Fine, I get that. But why are you dragging me into it? Was I there in what you saw?”
…Such shamelessness.
How could someone be so evil?
If Kim Ryeo-yu had stayed quiet, she would have debuted without any issues.
In the past life and this one.
But Kim Ryeo-yu didn’t do that in either life.
In the past life, she sprinkled peach skin powder in Yoon Cheong’s drink.
In this life, she sprinkled peanut powder on Yoon Cheong’s chicken breast.
The problem was, the real allergen for Yoon Cheong was ‘peach.’
I deliberately ate peach ice cream in front of Jo Hee-on.
The peach content was extremely low.
Still, just in case, I took allergy medicine before eating the ice cream.
That was supposed to alleviate the symptoms somewhat.
I thought that would be enough to fool them while keeping myself safe.
But there was an issue.
Yoon Cheong’s allergy was far worse than I had thought.
Fortunately, unlike in the past life, it didn’t ruin my body and throat, but my vocal cords got significantly swollen.
So I had to spend two days in the hospital.
It wasn’t part of the plan, but even if I could go back, I would still eat that ice cream.
If I hadn’t, a bigger disaster would have occurred.
‘Didn’t you know you had an allergy?’
‘I didn’t know it was this severe.’
‘The allergen level is Class 6. It’s very high. Even within the Class, it’s on the high end. You could have died. Be careful. You should have known.’
‘I’ll be careful.’
That was all I could say to the doctor’s question.
Yoon Cheong had avoided peaches since she was very young.
Doing such a thing to someone with such a severe allergy…
It could have been attempted murder.
If I hadn’t defended myself.
Yet, they still had such shameless faces.
I looked at Jo Hee-on again.
“It’s your choice, Hee-on.”
I wondered if she had any conscience left.
***
Each position’s contest ended, and the votes were all counted.
The trainees gathered in their respective rooms by team.
The vocal position team was no exception.
Actually, the vocal position team still had unresolved questions.
Why did Yoon Cheong disappear so suddenly, and how could she reappear just as suddenly?
But no one showed it.
Everyone sat quietly.
In fact, they all seemed relieved and happy.
“You all must have been worried because of me.”
But I couldn’t help feeling guilty.
No matter the reason, I had caused trouble for my team.
There was no excuse for that.
“I’m sorry, everyone. This was such an important stage, and I caused trouble…”
“I knew you’d say that, our Cheong.”
But surprisingly, it was Kyunga who interrupted me.
“But really, don’t think like that. You couldn’t come because you were sick. Your health isn’t something you control; it was just bad luck.”
“True.”
Ryu Bo-ra agreed.
“What’s more important is if you’re really okay now.”
“Yes. The hospital confirmed it. I’m really okay now.”
“Then it’s fine with me. Honestly, we did pretty well today.”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
Kyunga laughed.
“I’m just glad we pulled off a perfect stage.”
“…Thank you, everyone. For understanding. Thanks to you, we managed to do this well.”
“You did great, Cheong-ah. Honestly, I felt like bowing when you showed up.”
“Right. When you appeared, it felt like the protagonist of a drama showed up.”
Why was she laughing so much while saying that? This girl should stop watching dramas.
I felt a bit embarrassed.
“We were all protagonists today.”
“Yeah. Anyway! We all worked really hard! Now, let’s just get through this last part and go rest at the dorm!”
As Kyunga spoke, she looked at Jo Hee-on.
“But Hee-on, you’re unusually quiet today. Are you feeling sick?”
“Huh?”
Jo Hee-on was indeed very pale.
“Oh, you’re just very nervous, huh? Waiting for the results must be killing you.”
“Yes… Really. It feels like I’m dying.”
I glanced at Jo Hee-on.
You probably felt like dying not from nervousness but from guilt and anxiety.
I smiled as if nothing was wrong.
“Hee-on, you did well. You worked hard, so there will be good results.”
“We’ll all have good results.”
“Oh, when will the results be announced? I just want this to be over.”
Kyunga cupped her cheeks with her hands.
A writer flipped a cue card at our prompting.
“First, we will announce the MVP of each team here. And each team’s MVP is delivered to the audience in real time. After all teams’ MVPs are delivered, MVP of MVP voting will be held. Of course, the MVP of MVP results will only be broadcast on the broadcast.”
“Okay.”
“Now, we’ll announce the vocal position team’s voting results.”
Simultaneously, the monitor in front of us changed.
Kyunga – 3rd place [10 votes]
Yoon Cheong – ? place
Jo Hee-on – ? place
Ryu Bo-ra – ? Place
First, Kyunga’s result appeared.
“10 votes….”
Kyunga muttered with an awkward expression.
Her voice was filled with mixed emotions.
Relief that she wasn’t in fourth place, but regret at receiving only ten votes out of a hundred.
On the other hand, Jo Hee-on’s face grew increasingly dark.
Then, the screen flickered once more, and part of it changed.
Jo Hee-on – 4th Place [6 votes]
Ryu Bo-ra was confirmed as an MVP candidate.
However, we couldn’t be purely happy about it.
Both of them had worked as hard as we did.
Even Jo Hee-on, despite everything, had given her all with sincerity and effort.
Kyunga’s effort went without saying.
The structure of competing against team members was inherently brutal.
We had worked together until just a moment ago, and now, our joy and sorrow depended on vote counts.
In such a situation, the rankings didn’t seem very important.
Honestly, I would have been genuinely happy if Ryu Bo-ra had come in first place.
Yoon Cheong – 1st Place [45 votes]
Ryu Bo-ra – 2nd Place [39 votes]
So, being in first place didn’t bring me pure joy.
I was frozen in place, unable to say anything.
Being first had always been the happiest thing for me.
An achievement I made on my own, without any sadness.
But being part of a team had such a significant meaning.
I wasn’t happy at all. The 45 votes I received just made me feel sorry.
“Congratulations, unnie. Truly. I’ve never been so happy to come in second place.”
So when Ryu Bo-ra hugged me tightly, I burst into tears.
“Everyone… I’m so sorry….”
“What are you sorry about?! Yoon Cheong, just keep walking the MoM (MVP of MVP) path.”
“Right. At this point, the only answer is to become MoM. Let’s break through everything.”
The other team members also took turns hugging me. I just cried in their arms.
It was like my tear ducts had broken.
I wasn’t usually someone who cried so earnestly.
“You worked hard, Cheong-ah. I’m sorry, and thank you.”
Even Jo Hee-on’s words made me tear up.
***
“MVPs from each team, please come up to the stage. The MVP of MVP vote will begin now.”
The sadness lasted only a moment.
PD Oh sent the MVPs of each team back onto the stage.
Climbing up with swollen eyes, I heard the cheers of the audience.
I forced a bright smile, worried the fans might get concerned.
Only then did I see the stage.
The other MVPs who were chosen.
For the rap position, it was, unsurprisingly, Kim Geum.
For the dance position B, it was Lee Juseon, who showed incredible improvement.
I had watched Lee Juseon’s performance belatedly and honestly didn’t recognize her.
Her whole demeanor had changed that much.
I thought he might show significant progress in the next ranking announcement.
And for dance position A—
“Trainee Seo Baek-young.”
“Yes.”
“How does it feel to be the MVP of such a competitive team, dance position A?”
“It was really a close call between the three of us. I’m very grateful and humbled by this position.”
“Congratulations. Your hard work is paying off.”
Do Hee-young smiled broadly and congratulated her.
I clapped softly as well.
Seo Baek-young glanced at me and chuckled.
Why is she smiling like that?
She must be feeling great despite humble words.
“Yes, we’ve introduced the MVPs of each team to the Colorists who joined us today. But it’s not over. The MVP of MVP vote is still left. Please choose the trainee who has colored your hearts the brightest among them.”
With Do Hee-young’s comment, the stage lights shone on each of us one by one.
This was nerve-wracking.
Everyone here was formidable.
They all showed performances beyond expectations today.
I had always been proud of myself.
Proud of the name Baek Nokha and the skills that came with it.
I had thought my rise to that position was solely due to my abilities.
Because I worked harder and had more talent than anyone else.
But now, I saw it wasn’t just that.
I was just luckier.
Lucky to have a voice the public liked, and lucky that people enjoyed the songs I made.
Standing here, I truly felt grounded.
Humbled, even.
“Now, before we start the voting, let’s hear from each trainee. What do you expect from the results? First, Yoon Cheong?”
“I absolutely want to be first, for my team’s sake. Please vote for me.”
“…Yoon Cheong, you seem very desperate.”
But humility was humility.
I had to win today.
I was in a hurry, guys.
“Trainee Kim Geum?”
“Well, I believe our Colorists will vote for me even if I don’t say anything. We’ve already had a heart-to-heart.”
Wow.
Laughter and cheers erupted from the audience.
Hmph.
I noticed some of my fans who had my slogan also joining in.
I understand their feelings, but I wish my fans would only cheer when I spoke.
That’s just how I felt.
“Trainee Seo Baek-young?”
“Number 1, Seo Baek-young. If you vote for me, you won’t regret it…”
“Whoa, this isn’t a campaign.”
“I’ll repay you with my performance! Please vote for me! Number 1, number 1!”
“…Trainee Lee Juseon?”
“For me… just getting this far…”
“Wow?”
Lee Juseon seemed to take a step back unlike the other trainees who had spoken before her—
“But it’s not enough. Since I’ve come this far, I hope you’ll make me MVP of MVP too!”
She wasn’t.
Lee Juseon was just as desperate.
“Traitor!”
“Boo!”
“Everyone, be quiet.”
That’s right.
None of the four of us here weren’t desperate.
So, it wouldn’t be strange for anyone to become the MVP of MVP.
Still.
I wanted to be the MVP of MVP.
“Oh, the counting is finished.”
Do Hee-young whispered briefly with the production team and then nodded at us.
Then, with a closing comment, she announced to the audience that the public recording had ended.
The production team guided the audience out.
From here on, it was only for broadcast.
Of course, the MVPs of each team would be all over the internet as spoilers soon.
With fake spoilers mixed in, people would be curious to find out the truth by watching the broadcast.
As the audience left, other trainees came in.
Our team waved at me, showing their support.
Seeing their faces made me even more nervous.
“Now, let’s announce the results. First, fourth place. This trainee received a total of 17 votes out of 100 and placed fourth.”
Do Hee-young said, looking at the cue card with the results.
Fourth place. Who could it be?
Seventeen votes weren’t bad for fourth place.
It hinted at fierce competition among the top ranks.
It was likely the lowest-ranked among us, Lee Juseon.
Lee Juseon already looked downcast, as if she expected to be fourth.
“Trainee Kim Geum from the rap position. You received 17 votes.”
!
Unbelievable.