The Idol Who Returned from Hell Chapter 190

At my words, Seong-hwi also seemed surprised.

“You? Dancing position with me?”

It made sense for him to wonder. Whether during the survival show or after debut.

When talking about Ryu Si-hwan’s strengths, anyone would definitely say vocals.

I calmly nodded and attached a plausible reason.

“I’ve been thinking for a while that I wanted to show a different side. I even performed a solo vocal song at the fan meeting. So I want to try a position other than vocals this time.”

“Hmm, it’s true that when we distribute parts among ourselves or arrange event stages, Si-hwan has only done vocals a lot.”

“Brother Si-hwan is the main vocal, but his dancing definitely doesn’t fall behind either, so I think it’ll be perfectly fine.”

When Ma Si-hyeok, who serves as our main dancer, said that, Kang Seon-woo asked casually.

“Si-hyeok, are you okay with not going out?”

“Actually, if possible, I wanted to try a different position this time too.”

“A different position?”

“I was wondering if I could go out in rap position with Brother Seon-woo……”

It seems Ma Si-hyeok had similar thoughts to mine.

This makes it much easier to develop the story.

“Si-hyeok also wants to prove a side he couldn’t show in his main position once, right?”

“Yes. I’ve been practicing rap a lot, and since you said you wanted to go for dance, I thought it was a good opportunity.”

Kang Seon-woo nodded with an understanding nuance.

“Then are Ha-ru and Ha-woon okay? Since all six of us can’t go out, if either of you wants to go, I’ll give up.”

“No, no!”

“Absolutely fine.”

The two youngest waved their hands frantically in horror.

Even though they probably hadn’t coordinated beforehand, seeing them react exactly the same was both cute and funny.

“Since it’s representing the team, I naturally think the older brothers should go! I’m still lacking.”

“I hope you seniors properly win and come back from among the other seniors.”

“Okay, I’ll totally crush it including your portions.”

“We believe in you, brothers!”

With that, we decided positions at lightning speed and submitted them.

Seong-hwi, who moved to the dance position seat with me, whispered in a low voice.

“……Honestly, you’re worried about leaving me alone, aren’t you?”

“I won’t deny it.”

“I’m good at self-control in places like this.”

“That’s one thing, but there are other things I’m concerned about too.”

Hearing my meaningful tone, Seong-hwi immediately raised an eyebrow.

He seemed to instantly catch the implications.

This is why quick-witted guys are annoying.

“Because of Baek Joo-won?”

“I have a feeling we can’t just let it slide.”

“Hey, I can handle that well on my own too.”

“It’s like the feeling of parents who left a child alone by the riverside.”

“When did you become my parent?”

Just as we were having a free-flowing conversation.

MC Min Yonghan grabbed the microphone and began introducing the songs to be used in the competition.

“The personnel allocation is 6 people per song.”

“That should be comfortable for us, right? Since many of the formations we usually practice will appear.”

“Mm, that’s true.”

Seong-hwi squinted slightly while examining 〈Frozen Time〉 and 〈OBEY〉, which were selected as dance competition songs.

“Brother. Where do you think we should go to be okay?”

“Hmm.”

I briefly recalled my memories.

〈Frozen Time〉 is a big room genre song. Rather than chopping movements quickly to the beat, it’s more of a style where you ride the rhythm with flexible choreography. It’s characterized by thick, powerful sounds.

On the other hand, 〈OBEY〉 is a jungle terror genre song with very tight dropbeat sounds and EDM beats. It feels like it was made with fast tempo, groovy beats, and demanding rich composition from the choreography performers.

‘If I choose a song with a bit more connection to CENTIX…… the latter would be better.’

{Master, at times like this it’s best to trust your instincts. You’ve never been wrong, have you?}

‘If you say so, I’m grateful.’

{Have confidence, confidence! You know more than I do.}

I smiled faintly at Cerberus and made my decision.

We who emphasize knife-sharp choreography always adopt tight compositions.

〈OBEY〉 would be much better as a way to prove our skills honed through countless practice sessions.

“I think 〈OBEY〉 would be better.”

“You think so too? It definitely feels better to hit hard where everyone can see rather than going with atmosphere.”

After deciding on the song in our hearts, a boring time came.

Since teams with lower rankings from the 1st competition started going to select songs first, we had to wait quite a while.

The production team, having rented such a spacious filming location, used this advantage excellently.

Instead of creating a selection waiting room in the same building, they set it up in a completely different wing.

Since no sound could be heard, we had no idea who got pushed out.

‘What if Baek Joo-won doesn’t come to dance position after doing this? No, even if he picked it, he might choose 〈Frozen Time〉.’

{No, Master. Based on the smell I picked up then, that human is definitely coming here.}

‘Even without any guarantee?’

{Just as Master is judging this situation well, isn’t the red pepper paste head rolling his brain the same way?}

My reason for standing in dance position with Seong-hwi was simple.

Though Seong-hwi is evaluated as an all-rounder, he’s still had considerable pride in dancing since before.

There’s no way Baek Joo-won wouldn’t know that.

If he really intends to cling to Seong-hwi somehow as he warned me, this 2nd competition system is the optimal condition.

So my goal was to be next to him and block Baek Joo-won’s antics.

But if Baek Joo-won actually goes to a different team, it becomes a bit anticlimactic.

“CENTIX dance position, please move!”

We waited about an hour.

Finally our turn came.

Since we’d already decided where to go, there was no hesitation in mine and Seong-hwi’s steps.

The moment we approached the waiting room marked 〈OBEY〉, we heard a startled sound from inside.

I wondered if we should give them some time to prepare mentally, but.

“Hello!”

Seong-hwi, who has no reverse gear in life, immediately opened the door.

Then the Lunatic and RunHigh members who had been sitting inside with their hands politely folded looked up with shocked faces.

“Hello, seniors.”

“Oh, oh! Nice to see you!”

“Did you two come like this? Si-hwan, you’re not going for vocals?”

“Yes, I wanted to try dance this time.”

It seems they haven’t done the push-out yet.

It appears to be split amazingly 2·2/2·2 like this.

I could imagine the production staff already making long faces, which was kind of funny.

The Lunatic and RunHigh seniors were continuously sending very happy applause.

“We watched your 1st competition stage so well! You were really so good…… I found myself watching in a daze without realizing it. Ah, is it okay if I speak casually―?”

“It’s fine.”

“So good! Please take care of us!”

Whether he was really excited or had already forgotten he was speaking casually, he looked cheerful.

From appearances, they seemed like people without big problems, so I also equipped my broadcast smile and earnestly nodded along.

‘I’m curious if this kind of atmosphere can last until the end.’

Now there’s one team left—the anticipated Zefa.

If Baek Joo-won really chooses 〈OBEY〉, 2 people here will definitely have to move to 〈Frozen Time〉.

Whether they thought of that fact belatedly, everyone was quickly returning to stiff postures.

About 5 minutes passed.

Cerberus, who had been riding on my shoulder and sniffing diligently, vomited.

{Ugh! Master, that smell―!}

And with a knock-knock sound, two familiar people entered.

“Hello everyone! Ah, damn. The spots are already all filled.”

“Haha, this is how it turned out.”

The moment Baek Joo-won and Seok Jae-han appeared, sighs leaked from both sides of me.

Since the situation we’d only imagined minutes ago became reality, everyone couldn’t hide their disappointment.

“Sorry. We didn’t know it would turn out like this.”

“Ah, no. It’s really okay!”

Since rules are rules, the RunHigh members with the lowest 1st competition ranking moved to the 〈Frozen Time〉 room with regret.

“〈OBEY〉 has its final members confirmed like this. There’s a practice room right in front, so you can freely exchange opinions there and start practicing.”

After the production staff’s guidance, I briefly made eye contact with Baek Joo-won.

His gaze looking at me as if I was interesting was really irritating.

‘He wants to ask how I knew to come here.’

{Very good, Master! That annoying human’s insides are squirming.}

‘Then that’s good?’

{At least it’s proof that things didn’t go as planned, so we can consider it our 1st victory!}

I was truly grateful for Cerberus sending me infinite positivity.

After brief greetings, we moved to the practice room.

“Does anyone know this song well? First, me.”

Seok Jae-han, holding the tablet with the 〈OBEY〉 choreography video, immediately got to the point.

Including Seong-hwi, 3 people raised their hands.

“Then shall we learn the choreography first and then go to group practice?”

“I learn choreography quickly, so I’ll try to do it as fast as possible!”

“Good, good. Meanwhile, the rest of us should look at how to distribute parts.”

As we scattered to our positions, Baek Joo-won whispered with an attitude like he’d been waiting.

“Junior, you have pretty good instincts? How did you know to come here?”

“As you just said, I really came here trusting only my instincts.”

“Hahaha! You didn’t come because you were worried about that guy?”

“Would you believe me if I said I came because I wanted to see you, senior?”

“Your tongue has gotten sharper since we last met.”

I didn’t lose pace and shot him a sly smile.

When Baek Joo-won glared at me as if slightly displeased, I felt refreshed instead.

Still, since these were idols running in the upper ranks of the industry, they learned the choreography quickly.

Seok Jae-han and Baek Joo-won also had fast absorption skills worthy of being called Zefa.

I diligently followed the choreography from behind while continuously watching Baek Joo-won’s movements.

‘He definitely was like that. I wonder if he can maintain his changed state even under pressure. I still don’t get how he plans to shake up Seong-hwi, who has overcome past trauma.’

Even when 2 hours of choreography practice passed, there were no particular movements.

However, while wiping sweat during a brief break, Baek Joo-won alone stood up and intently examined the tablet.

I instinctively sensed something felt off.

“This dance break section here. This is choreography that ChromeHeat made themselves, right?”

“Uh…… Probably.”

“Then it would be problematic to use this as is. Since this is supposedly a broadcast featuring the best male idols, copying self-made choreography would be a bit much. So I think it would be good for us to create this part ourselves.”

It was a reasonable point.

Seok Jae-han also swiped through the tablet to check the section.

“It’s about 30 seconds. With this length, it might be okay for us to try making it ourselves? I think it would be more meaningful too.”

“If the seniors think it’s okay, then I……”

“What about Si-hwan?”

“I also think remaking it would be better.”

“Alright, then I have choreography I wanted to try.”

Baek Joo-won put down the tablet and briefly rotated his ankle.

Then he quickly showed the choreography.

‘……What is this.’

It was an incredibly difficult level at first glance.

I could probably do it if told to follow along, but the steps were so complex there was potential for mistakes at this difficulty.

My gaze instinctively turned toward Seong-hwi.

He was turning the darkest expression I’d seen recently.