LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 86
Chapter 86
—
Why was that?
Was it because of bad team luck, or because I left what I wanted to do most unfinished?
Even though I was now accustomed to preparing for the competition, my enthusiasm was not as high as before.
‘Am I really burnt out?’
Nevertheless, this competition was going to be broadcast live, and I consciously tried to boost my energy for the people who would be standing all day just to watch the stage.
While alternating between feeling listless and suddenly motivated, the final camp passed by in a flash, just like before.
One day, Yoo Hana and Lee Saet-byeol from YOURS came to the camp to give a brief lecture to cheer us on.
The two, dressed decently with their flashy dyed hair tied back, empathetically shared the struggles of trainees at the crossroads of debut and offered helpful words, receiving a good response.
After the lecture ended, the trainees flocked out of the lecture hall to have lunch.
As I tried to blend into the crowd heading to the cafeteria, the writer called me for a brief interview.
They indirectly asked if I had any complaints about being the sub vocal 3 in the final competition with fewer parts, to which I said no.
Do people still fall for such basic traps?
Anyway, as I finished the interview and headed to the cafeteria belatedly,
“Raon.”
I heard Lee Saet-byeol, who I thought had already left, calling me.
The fragile-looking Lee Saet-byeol, who had calmly given a lecture based on her experiences earlier, now looked somehow uneasy.
I greeted her first.
“Hello, senior.”
Lee Saet-byeol glanced around to make sure no one was passing by.
Then, she quickly spoke in a voice just loud enough for me to hear.
“I have something important to tell you.”
“Yes?”
“It’s something important and potentially helpful to you.”
“To me…?”
“I’m really, really sorry to say this on our first meeting.”
Lee Saet-byeol, who came out of nowhere with incomprehensible words, looked almost on the verge of tears. It seemed she didn’t even know what she was saying.
If I said I wasn’t flustered, it would be a lie.
Was this how my distant relatives felt when they received a sudden call from me and had to listen to my nonsense?
“No, it’s fine. Please calm down. It’s okay. I have plenty of time.”
I calmly responded, taking a cue from my relative who would patiently listen to my ramblings after waking up.
[Due to the effect of the trait ‘Inborn Pitiful天生可憐’, Lee Saet-byeol confirms your harmlessness.]
[The timid Lee Saet-byeol feels a sense of stability. Lee Saet-byeol’s affinity +1. Current affinity +8.]
This trait just keeps coming back.
Lee Saet-byeol, who exhaled a thin, long breath and unclenched her tightly held fists, handed me a note folded multiple times. Her outstretched hand trembled slightly.
“It’s a bit difficult to explain here. I’m sorry. Please contact me as soon as possible after the camp ends… I’ll explain properly then.”
“Yes…?”
“I’m sorry. Please, I really need you to contact me. I’m sorry.”
With that, Lee Saet-byeol hastily left me behind.
I felt like I was caught up in a delicate breeze stirred by a butterfly’s wings.
On the unfolded note, an eleven-digit phone number was neatly written.
Why did she give this to me?
It definitely didn’t seem like she did this because she liked me.
There’s no way my life genre could ever be romance, no matter what happens.
Considering my possession in this cyclical reincarnation and the system windows, wouldn’t it be closer to modern fantasy?
Not all modern fantasy protagonists are devoid of love, but at least I am.
Just because my grandfather nagged me a bit, it doesn’t mean I suddenly developed an interest in youthful affairs.
Anyway, it was clear that Lee Saet-byeol had some other business with me.
So, as soon as I got my phone back after the camp, I sent a message to the number written on the note.
After thinking all through the camp about her intentions, the only thing I could conclude was that Lee Saet-byeol’s attitude of wanting to help me seemed genuinely sincere.
If that was acting, then she should have been an actress, not an idol.
I could confidently say I’m good at reading people…
[You have acquired the trait 《Sommelier》.]
[《Sommelier》 – Sometimes in life, you feel instinctive sensations that are hard to explain logically. Not all of those instincts are true, nor are they all false, but at least your intuition is ‘genuine’. You can detect malicious intent.]
[Tip! Don’t forget that the trait effect activates randomly.]
[The trait 《Sommelier》 did not detect any malice from Lee Saet-byeol.]
…Does this guy think he can just slap on a plausible explanation and that’ll be it?
* * *
Time passed, and the day before the live broadcast, when everyone related to Pick Heart was on edge, arrived.
After finishing the rehearsal for the live broadcast, which felt several times tighter than usual, the trainees went back to their homes or dorms to rest in the evening.
A post was uploaded to a certain community.
[On Raon Growth Character (X) Scam Character (O)]
(Video)
This is a video from when he was in TRUE, he dances so well
He deliberately didn’t dance properly during the mentor evaluation to create a growth character image ㅇㅇ
Also, he’s an overseas Korean American
His life is a scam lol
Although the post was short, the reactions were immediate, as expected during such a sensitive time.
– What the hell; so cunningㅋㅋㅋ He seemed innocent, but the sense of betrayal is real ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
– Lolㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Harmless Onㅋㅋ Those who supported the growth character got totally played by a bratㅠㅠ
– What a fresh controversyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ This is ridiculous and laughable. I always found him annoying since his first broadcast ^_^… #Deceiver_OnRaon_OUT
– If he dances this well, he must have been almost the best in Pick Heart too. Didn’t need a growth narrative (ㅋㅋ) Failed trying to be smartㅋㅋㅋㅋ
– Now we know the intelligence level of those who supported him. Like mother, like son. Have a beautiful love^^!
– He always seemed a bit offㅇㅇ. It doesn’t make sense for someone famous in Applied Dance at Hanyang Arts High School to dance out of rhythm like he did in the first broadcast.
┗ True, it was mermaid levelㅇㅈㄹㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
┗ But it was pretty well done ㅋㅋㅋ
– When was this video taken? On Raon is a private trainee, there was no past video released at all.
– If he’s an American, he doesn’t need to serve in the military, so fans get a big benefit, right?
– “It’s not like he went around saying he was Korean, so what’s the issue with him being American?”
┗ “He didn’t use his real name and came out with a Korean name like On Raon, then performed on overly patriotic stages. It’s deceitful no matter how you look at it.ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ”
┗ “But doesn’t he look Korean? He wouldn’t suddenly make up a completely unused Korean name just to appear here.”
┗ “Welcome, On Raon.”
– “Wow, but dropping this bomb right before the live broadcast? I’m not a fan of On, but the intention is so transparent it’s disgusting.”
– “What’s he going to do? Trainees’ social media is banned, and he doesn’t even have a company to make a statement…”
┗ “He’s just screwed.”
– “One spot in the debut group just opened up^^”
With an unexpected bombshell, On Raon’s fans were in a state of emergency.
The controversy itself wasn’t that severe, and many fans who had tenaciously endured the trials and tribulations presented by PD Jo In-soo were not easily shaken by something that wouldn’t even make the news.
However, the timing couldn’t have been worse.
Antis were already amplifying the severity of the issue and spreading it everywhere, and defending was always more challenging than attacking.
* * *
I had gone to bed early to prepare for the grueling live broadcast and only found out about the controversial post in the morning.
Multiple entertainment news articles titled “Pick Heart 3’s On Raon, Cheating but Not Cheating” were out, and anyone interested in Pick Heart knew about this incident.
“Wow, this is a disaster.”
No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn’t think of a way to resolve this issue gently this time.
If things went south and I made one or two more mistakes, I might not be able to continue my entertainment career.
‘Is the world teaching me that I can’t mess around anymore? Do I really need to shift my career towards making karaoke tracks? What should I say during the live broadcast?’
With all these thoughts swirling around, there was more than one thing bothering me.
One was the message from the Pick Heart production team that arrived early in the morning.
[…This is the writer. PD Jo In-soo said he would handle the controversy and told you not to do anything (omitted)]
Jo In-soo PD didn’t seem to realize that the more he told someone to stay put in such a situation, the more they would want to do something.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much I could actually do this time.
If I took the depression diagnosis I found in my apartment and waved it in front of the live broadcast cameras, the situation might change a bit.
But there was no guarantee it would be resolved, and I didn’t want to use something I struggled with as a shield.
If I had someone to consult, the situation might have been better.
But since there was no such person, it was a meaningless assumption.
‘Well… it’s not the first time I’ve dealt with something like this.’
First, I needed to eat.
Recalling Teacher Kang’s words that a full stomach was necessary before going into battle, I ate my breakfast thoroughly.
I had a feeling that enduring the entire day would be the biggest task today.
Eating a lot without worrying about looking bloated was also because my stomach would be empty by the time the live broadcast started at 9 PM.
But there was a bigger reason.
｜Returnee｜On Raon
Level: 18 Experience: 26.99%
HP: 190/190 Fatigue: 0
Strength: 46 Power: 38 Agility: 128
Intelligence: 67 Wisdom: 81 Charm: EX
Luck: 72 Fame: 724
Will: 203 Acting Skill: 45 Intuition: 55
Remaining Stat Points: 10
The controversy wasn’t the only thing that happened overnight.
[Charm has reached its limit.]
[Remaining charm points are backed up. Also, acknowledging the significant mistake during the initial synchronization process, we are significantly reducing the expected discord.]
Finally, the charm synchronization was complete.
* * *
I went to the competition venue in Kwak Sang-hyun’s car again today.
As soon as Kwak Sang-hyun, who was greeting me from the driver’s seat, saw my face clearly, he opened his mouth wide. Seo Moon-gyeol and Ban Yo-han also widened their eyes.
They were more surprised by the handsome face itself rather than the sudden improvement in my looks.
The system, despite being incompetent, seemed to have handled this matter smoothly. Probably.
The three, who knew enough about my situation (though slightly distorted), didn’t mention anything about the controversy.
“……”
No one spoke first, making the car unusually quiet.
When we arrived at the competition venue, we got out of the car after hearing Kwak Sang-hyun’s brief encouragement, which began with “You guys really worked hard.”
Stepping out of the cool, air-conditioned car into the hot and humid outdoors, I felt my breath catch for a moment.
It wasn’t just because of the weather.
People.
People.
I slowly lifted my head.
“……”
My skin, cooling down as if frost had settled on it.
Gazes filled with suspicion and criticism painfully directed at me, just like before.
“!”
Eyes, shaking violently as if witnessing something unbelievable, became captivated… and then slightly twisted as if unwilling to acknowledge it.
Of course, my intact face didn’t contort along with them.
Ironically, it was only when I started walking through those strange gazes that I could finally acknowledge that this place was indeed my reality.
Then, a faint smile, which had become a habit, naturally appeared on my lips.
‘How long has it been since I last faced people?’
Now, I wouldn’t lose.