I’m a Genius Idol but my Passive is Sunfish Chapter 7

This was how it all began. Let’s rewind thirty minutes earlier.

 

ID had already distributed press releases announcing that AIM’s junior group would soon debut, and preparations were nearly complete.

 

But last night, a single phone call had put ID Entertainment on high alert.

 

This was also the reason why the CEO, who had been on an overseas business trip, had rushed back to the country.

 

‘I told them to be so careful with their behavior.’

 

At the appearance of the final boss, the waiting staff followed.

 

They had to contain the situation before rumors of a rookie group collapsing before debut reached the investors.

 

“There are no reporters following them yet since they haven’t debuted. However, it seems a few sasaengs have witnessed it, but it’s difficult to confirm.”

 

When a trainee from a major agency—especially one with a confirmed debut—was involved, sasaeng fans sometimes appeared even before debut.

 

“Where is the one who caused the accident?”

 

“Well… his phone is turned off, so we haven’t been able to contact—”

 

As the elevator opened, the door sign of the CEO’s office, written in English, came into view.

 

The desk opposite was the secretary team’s. But there was no one at the desk.

 

“This is inappropriate. If you keep this up, we’ll have no choice but to call security.”

 

“Please. I really have something to say to the CEO.”

 

“I’ve told you several times that the CEO is not in his office right now…!”

 

A scuffle in front of the CEO’s office entrance. Perhaps because they couldn’t bring themselves to harshly push away the trainee who had appeared in a disheveled state, the secretary team’s hands lacked strength, contrary to their firm tone.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

At the sudden voice, the three of them turned around with surprised faces. It seemed they hadn’t noticed his presence because they were so focused on each other.

 

“CEO…!”

 

The pale-faced secretary quickly ran over. Raising one hand to dismiss them, the man walked toward Harang.

 

The girl who’d been with him had reportedly undergone surgery, yet the boy in front of him looked mostly fine, except for the gauze on his face and arms.

 

‘Park Harang. I heard he was the main vocal position for the new group.’

 

The man’s eyes, scanning Harang, were cold.

 

‘Not anymore, though.’

 

Trouble had to be cut off at the root. Even trainees who debuted cleanly tended to cause scandals once they gained some seniority. Who would carry a ticking time bomb?

 

‘You’d have to be insane.’

 

Harang’s lips trembled as he looked up. The man already knew what he was going to say, but he asked anyway.

 

“What do you have to say?”

 

Harang dropped to his knees on the cold marble floor.

 

His two hands, neatly clasped in front of the man’s shoes, trembled noticeably. But the man’s gaze, looking down at Harang, was still cold.

 

“I-I’m sorry! Please just give me one chance.”

 

Not a single word strayed from what he’d expected. A hollow chuckle slipped from the man’s lips.

 

There were plenty of eyes watching, but neither Harang nor the man cared. Harang was desperate to be forgiven; the man had no intention of forgiving him.

 

“Just one more time, if you give me just one more chance, I’ll never let something like this happen again…!”

 

“Yes. I’m sure this incident has taught you a lot.”

 

At Harang’s repeated apologies, the man cut him off. At the fairly positive tone, Harang’s eyes were colored with hope.

 

But the words that followed were merciless.

 

“We will not demand a penalty fee. The fact that you worked hard at ID enough to be in the debut group does not change.”

 

A contract termination notice, dropped without mercy.

 

“We don’t have the right to dictate your life, Mr. Park Harang. If you want to debut at another company after leaving here, we won’t stop you.”

 

“C… CEO…”

 

“But our relationship ends here. It would be best for you to leave while we’re still being civil. The more of a scene you make, the worse it’ll be for you.”

 

A threat disguised as courtesy. Tears welled in Harang’s eyes. A sorrowful cry burst out, and the man who was looking down at him turned away.

 

An annoyed face.

 

The man irritably loosened his tie. He was sitting right in front of the door, so it was awkward to even push past him and go in.

 

“CEO Jung is here.”

 

“Ah, yes. He is currently conducting a joint evaluation at the main practice room.”

 

I thought he’d send a few staff members at most.

 

The man frowned even deeper at the obvious intent behind visiting another company personally.

 

‘A CEO, with no shame at all.’

 

He’d heard US was forming a debut team too—it seemed they were quite serious about it. But perhaps this could be an opportunity for him as well.

 

With the recent incident, ID urgently needed a main vocal. The group wouldn’t fail even if they debuted as-is, but it would be a shame.

 

‘It’s not too late yet.’

 

Having made up his mind, the man decided on his destination.

 

“Let’s go there.”

 

It wasn’t common, but if interests aligned, trading trainees was always an option.

 

Although the trainee’s agency would change, they got a guaranteed opportunity to debut. It was actually a better outcome for them to join another company’s debut group than to tremble with anxiety while waiting for ID’s next group, which might not come out for who knows how long.

 

As far as he remembered, ID didn’t have a trainee with vocals good enough to debut right away. So the only talent that US would covet would be in the dance position at most.

 

‘Their best card is probably already hidden, but we’ll have to try making a deal.’

 

They have time. We don’t.

 

And so, he arrived in front of the practice room. A creamy voice was echoing from beyond the wide-open door.

 

The man asked the staff who was following him.

 

“Who is that? I haven’t seen that face before.”

 

The man’s eyes were fixed on Baekya. At the question of whether he was a trainee from US, the head of the new artist development team, who was nearby, answered.

 

“He’s a trainee from our company. I believe he’s been here for a little over two weeks.”

 

“His vocals are good. Is he from an academy?”

 

“No. He says he’s never learned formally. His voice is naturally good, and we expect even more in a few years. He’s also very diligent in training.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

The conversation ended, but the man didn’t move from his spot.

 

The staff were flustered at the CEO who had stopped right in front of the practice room. The man just stood there until Baekya’s song was over.

 

Then, when the voice no longer echoed, he opened his mouth again.

 

“Let’s go with that friend.”

 

“…Go with what, sir?”

 

The team leader asked back. He didn’t seem to understand the man’s words at all.

 

“His visuals are good… He’ll fit in well wherever you put him.”

 

A smile played on the man’s lips as he looked at Baekya. Ignoring the team leader, he rubbed his chin and turned away.

 

“Are you not going in?”

 

“No. There’s no need. Let’s sign that fellow and have him start living in the dorms right away.”

 

“A contract? Do you really mean for Han Baekya-gun to join the debut group? But his choreography is very lacking.”

 

But the man was firm.

 

“Choreography is just something you have to memorize. And his dancing will improve over time, won’t it?”

 

“Well, that’s true, but…”

 

It was the moment the shortest-term trainee in idol history was born.

 

***

 

After signing, Baekya headed to a small studio inside the company. Standing in front of a white wall surrounded by camera equipment, Baekya took a few test shots.

 

Close-ups, upper body, profile, full body. They urgently needed Baekhya’s profile photos to send to the planning team and the art department.

 

「Actually, this group has had a fairly long preparation period. Most of the work is already done, so only the album concept photos were left…」

 

The team leader continued, saying that one of the members had left the company due to The team leader continued, explaining that due to personal circumstances, one of the members had left the company, and Baekhya would be taking that spot.

 

And while the members had prepared for a full year, Baekhya would have just three months. He had to finish everything in ninety days.

 

「The schedule is very tight, but we will support you as much as possible.」

 

Baekya finished his short recollection. For a moment, he remembered Dongman’s emotional face, his eyes glistening with tears, but he quickly shook his head to shake it off.

 

“Baekya-ssi, you’re about 175 cm tall, right?”

 

“Huh? Yes! I’m 175.2 cm.”

 

At the words that the shoot was over, Baekya approached the monitor. His own face, filling the screen, was unfamiliar. Anyone could see that he was dying of awkwardness.

 

The photographer selected a few of the better shots and added Baekhya’s physical stats beneath them.

 

[Height 175 cm / Weight 60 kg]

 

He had clearly said 175.2 cm, but the 0.2 cm was omitted.

 

A face that said, ‘It’s a trivial number, but it’s precious to me, how could you omit it?’ was directed at the man. His resentful eyes trembled slightly.

 

To make matters worse, the man had written down his weight—something Baekhya himself didn’t even know.

 

“How do you know my weight…”

 

When Baekya carefully spoke up, the man shrugged.

 

“You just get a feel for it when you do this job for a long time. Good work.”

 

“Y-yes… thank you for your hard work….”

 

Baekhya replied weakly.

 

Though he couldn’t let go of the decimal point, he didn’t dare say anything to the photographer, who wasn’t even looking his way.

 

When their eyes finally met, the man simply told him that since the shoot was over, he should head down to the dance practice room.