The Gates Opened on the First Day of Debut Chapter 36

The trait I chose with my Trait Selection Ticket was ‘Max Hand Dexterity.’

 

While ‘Iron Mental’ or ‘Sharp Eye’ might seem more useful for an idol, what I needed right now was Max Hand Dexterity.

 

[Max Hand Dexterity 

Grade: C 

Description: You can skillfully perform any activity that involves using your hands.]

 

Because makeup was included under “activity involving the use of hands” in the status window’s description. 

 

‘The result was a massive success.’

 

After Yoo Sung’s PR video was released, public opinion flipped 180 degrees.

 

[Wait what, so that special makeup thing he mentioned was actually stage makeup?] 

 

[When and how did Kim Chowol learn to do something like that?]

 

[But seriously, this is the most handsome I’ve ever seen Yoo Sung look… It would be insane if he performed on stage with that exact makeup.]

 

The attitude of Yoo Sung’s fans, who had been gleefully belittling Kim Chowol alongside Han Theo’s fans, changed completely.

 

This was because Yoo Sung’s PR video views surpassed 100,000 in just one day.

 

It was a staggering difference compared to Han Theo, who barely hit 30,000.

 

The easy-to-watch, short length of 30 seconds played a major role in driving up the view count. 

 

[“Something incredible has happened in an ordinary idol survival audition program.”]

 

While scrolling through YouTube for monitoring, I discovered a certain Shorts video through the algorithm.

 

[“A trainee does makeup for a fellow trainee. People are shocked by his skillful hand movements, rivaling a professional makeup artist. However, the finished makeup was truly shocking.”]

 

It was a mass-produced Short made by splicing together my PR video and Yoo Sung’s PR video.

 

[“Trainee fans vented their frustration at the awkward makeup that was hard to look at. However, the situation changes again when the trainee who received the makeup turns on the lights.”]

 

The scene of Yoo Sung turning on the lights appeared.

 

Since it was content I already knew inside out, I quickly checked the comments. 

 

[Whoa? The plot twist is insane.]

 

[Who is this guy? He’s freaking handsome ㄷㄷ]

 

[Isn’t this that ‘EX-Class K-POP Idol’ thing? The program Jang Hyuksoo is doing.]

 

[Crazy, why didn’t I know about something this fun until now? Going to watch it right now]

 

[So what are those trainees’ names?]

 

[The one doing makeup—Kim Chowol, the one receiving it—Yoo Sung.]

 

Checking the views on the Short, it had already easily surpassed 200,000.

 

‘The speed at which the views are rising is almost frightening.’

 

Until now, no matter how much buzz was generated, it was only mentioned a bit on certain social media and community sites.

 

Because current idol survival programs had become shows that only the people who cared to watch actually watched. 

 

However, once it caught the YouTube algorithm, the scale of public buzz and interest was on a different level.

 

‘The view count on my PR video isn’t bad either.’ 

 

It was less than Yoo Sung’s 100,000, but considering the video was over five minutes long, 60,000 was a perfectly fine view count.

 

Surpassing 30,000 meant that even ordinary people who aren’t interested in the broadcast had seen this video.

 

[I came here after seeing some mass-produced Short. Is he really an idol trainee? He’s so good at makeup.]

 

[I’m a student studying makeup and I feel a wall ㅠㅠ This is real talent.]

 

[Look at how thorough the basic care is… I guess you have to be at this level to be an idol.]

 

[Heol, I did my makeup after following this basic care yesterday, and it didn’t break down and stayed tight until the evening ㄷㄷ It’s just insane.]

 

Looking at the comment section, sure enough, I could confirm that ordinary people, not just my fans or regular viewers, had watched the video.

 

It seemed that not only Yoo Sung’s video but mine as well had been chosen by the algorithm.

 

Since it hasn’t been long since the video was uploaded, the views will probably increase even more. Though likely not as much as Yoo Sung’s.

 

‘Hm? Wait, if this is the case….’

 

Can I look forward to clearing a hidden quest again?

 

“….”

 

Contrary to my expectations, however, no familiar notification sound rang out, and no translucent status window appeared.

 

“Right…. Well, it’s not urgent right now anyway.”

 

Maybe there isn’t one. After all, a hidden quest is literally something you don’t even know exists.

 

I roughly shoved my phone into my pocket and slung my bag over my shoulder.

 

A short vacation was granted to coincide with the airing of episodes 3 and 4.

 

Once this break ends, I’ll have to be confined to the filming set and dorms for a while, so I need to get plenty of rest without fooling around.

 

‘I feel bad for Okada, but it can’t be helped.’

 

I felt a bit bothered by my firm rejection of Okada’s suggestion to watch episodes 3 and 4 together, but I had decided to rest fully during this break.

 

As I came out toward the main road to catch a taxi, I spotted someone near the thoroughfare staring anxiously at their phone.

 

“Oh, what? Yoo Sung?”

 

The person who had been messily ruffling their hair in agony snapped their head up.

 

It was indeed Yoo Sung.

 

“What are you doing here?”

 

“Uh….”

 

“Is something wrong?”

 

Yoo Sung kept his mouth shut at my question.

 

However, seeing his violently shaking pupils and trembling lower lip, it seemed he was in quite a difficult situation.

 

“Tell me. I might be able to help.”

 

Yoo Sung had a personality that extremely avoided being indebted to others.

 

It wasn’t out of consideration or altruism, he just hated the feeling of owing someone, but regardless.

 

Usually, a person like this can’t even ask for favors unless it’s someone they are truly close to and trust.

 

But I was the person who had achieved 100% Trust with that very Yoo Sung.

 

“Haaah, the thing is….” 

 

Yoo Sung, letting out a deep sigh, began to confess what was going on.

 

“I have nowhere to go back to.”

 

“What?”

 

“…I said I don’t have a place to stay during the break.”

 

“How come?”

 

There had been several breaks before, and each time, Yoo Sung had gone home just fine on his own.

 

What reason could there possibly be for him to suddenly be unable to go home?

 

“My family home is in the countryside, so I used to stay at my older brother’s place, since he lives alone in Seoul….”

 

“You stayed there, and?”

 

“My brother left home.”

 

“What?”

 

I didn’t even know Yoo Sung had a brother.

 

But his brother… left home? If he’s older than Yoo Sung, he must be at least in his early to mid-twenties.

 

“How old is your brother that he’s leaving home?”

 

“Twenty-five…. Sigh, it’s, well, complicated. My brother is actually a civil servant. He’s a bit of a… weirdo.”

 

“A weirdo?”

 

“Yeah. To a point that’s a bit embarrassing….”

 

Yoo Sung covered his mouth with a face that looked like he might vomit just from talking about his brother.

 

“I got my phone today and checked my texts, and he said he left his house and ended the lease…. He told me to figure it out on my own.”

 

Yoo Sung briefly showed me the text he received from his brother.

 

[Dear brother. I am leaving to find the dream I have kept in my heart. Adios. Let’s meet again when the opportunity arises.

 

Note: I needed money, so I ended the lease on the room I was staying in. Take good care of your own path. If you ever think of quitting being an idol to join me, you are welcome.]

 

What is… this?

 

Yoo Sung must have seen my bewildered expression, as he quickly turned off his phone screen and shoved it into his pocket.

 

“Anyway, so now I have to find a place to stay during the break, but I’m hesitant about motels because of security. Business hotels are a bit… burdensome price-wise.”

 

I stared blankly at Yoo Sung’s troubled face before blurting out.

 

“Then do you want to come to my house?”

 

“What?”

 

“It’s an apartment and I live alone. Come over if you have nowhere to go.”

 

“Hey, even so, that’s….”

 

“What’s the problem? Just come. If you feel bad, you can just buy me a meal or something.”

 

After thinking for a moment and glancing back and forth between me and the empty air several times, Yoo Sung finally let out a deep sigh and answered.

 

“Then, I’ll be in your debt for a few days.” 

 

“Suit yourself.”

 

I shrugged and answered nonchalantly.

 

“Ah, but, can I ask you one curious thing?”

 

“What.”

 

“That ‘dream he kept in his heart’ your brother mentioned… what is it?”

 

At my question, Yoo Sung, who had been responding brusquely, froze.

 

I only asked casually out of curiosity, but what kind of dream could it be to make him react like that?

 

“If you don’t want to say, you don’t have to….”

 

“…Adventurer.”

 

“Adven… what?”

 

What kind of job ends in ‘-er’ or ‘-ist’?

 

Painter, writer, cartoonist, translator….

 

As various professions flashed through my mind, Yoo Sung, who had been hesitating, continued with a sigh as if he had given up.

 

“An adventurer.”

 

“An adven… what?”

 

“He says he wants to be an adventurer….”

 

I kept my mouth shut.

 

I felt that the version of me from a few minutes ago—who had thought lightly of how much of a weirdo he could be—was far too naive.

 

“Hey….”

 

“What.”

 

“Hang in there.”

 

“….”

 

Yoo Sung shut his mouth at my words.

 

Anyway, he’s alive, so I guess that’s what matters?

 

*    *    *

 

I gave Yoo Sung a guest room.

 

Though it was called a guest room, it was the room my parents had used as the master bedroom before they passed away.

 

Yoo Sung seemed a bit surprised by the size of the room, which was larger than my room—the owner’s—but he didn’t say anything.

 

‘He doesn’t ask anything.’

 

If a twenty-year-old man is living alone in such a large house, one would naturally be curious about the circumstances, but Yoo Sung seemed to either have no interest or was being considerate of me.

 

“What should we eat while watching the broadcast? How about chicken? Chicken.”

 

“If you want.”

 

I ordered chicken and set the table in the living room.

 

As soon as I finished all the preparations and sat on the sofa, my phone notification rang as if it had been waiting.

 

“Oh, it’s Hiro.”

 

Okada Hiro must have finished his preparations to watch the broadcast as well, as he sent a photo of himself making a V-sign in front of a small TV.

 

[Okada: Preparation complete.] 

 

I chuckled and sent a photo of the chicken I’d prepared, making sure the TV screen was clearly visible.

 

[Preparation complete for me too] 

 

[Okada: ?]

 

[Okada: There is someone next to you, Hyung.]

 

Ah.

 

I realized my mistake seeing the two small plates placed in front of the chicken.

 

[It’s Sungie’s]

 

[Something came up with Sungie, so he’s staying at my place for this break]

 

[Okada: Heol]

 

[Okada: This is betrayal.]

 

[Okada: (Crying cat emoticon)]

 

I had nothing to say, so I just laughed.

 

[Sorry]

 

[Let’s definitely watch together next time we get the chance]

 

[Okada: ㅠㅠ]

 

Okada said he lived alone in a studio apartment since his family home was in Japan.

 

‘I should just tell him to watch with us next time.’

 

I left a final apology for Okada and focused on the broadcast.

 

‘I wonder how everyone will react when they find out Yoo Sung and I are in the same guild.’

 

My fans and Yoo Sung’s fans had become a bit awkward with each other due to the PR video incident.

 

In the end, it was a win-win for both me and Yoo Sung, but it couldn’t be helped since Yoo Sung’s fans had hounded mine like cats chasing mice until his PR video was released.

 

‘I wonder how Jang Hyuksoo edited me and Yoo Sung.’

 

I’m a bit curious.

 

I grinned and put a piece of hot chicken into my mouth.