Debuting by Riding the Returnee’s Bus Chapter 106
It was a bit of a comfort. No, it was definitely a relief.
The fact that even Joo Wooyoung was breaking into a cold sweat from nerves, that even Joo Wooyoung felt regret, and that even Joo Wooyoung was frustrated was, at least to me, an immense comfort.
It was only natural. If a situation was beyond the control of that unparalleled superhuman, a situation where even the hero who saved another world was at a loss, how could Lee Unha, who was a mere slave, be expected to handle it?
Though it felt a bit like I was making an excuse to escape, I realized that I didn’t actually need to be anxious or regretful. Or rather, having regrets was fine, but I didn’t need to sink into self-reproach or depression. It was a thought I could have because I naturally realized there was something more important remaining than this performance.
Just as always, Joo Wooyoung had once again cleared the clutter from my mind.
“……”
“……”
Right. What mattered now wasn’t writing a self-reflection. In the current situation, the most important thing was….
The vote counting that would begin after this stage ended, and the members who would be selected for the debut group.
‘That’s right. This comes first. I can dwell on my feelings afterward.’
Even Joo Wooyoung was saying, ‘I don’t know if we’ll debut together yet, but if we do… I’d really like to do it together next time’, so what more was there to say?
‘Besides, what’s done is already done.’
It felt like the common trope of returning home after an adventure. There were many points to reflect on and many things to review. But regardless, the members of Idol Classism had successfully concluded this adventure.
Calling it a reward ceremony might have been a bit grandiose, but the process of sharing the treasures and items obtained from the adventure was also important.
And probably….
‘It’s only natural that the person who contributed the most gets the most rewards….’
At the very least, Lee Unha and Joo Wooyoung would be firmly within the rankings. That was why I had told Joo Wooyoung with conviction, ‘It will happen’. It was a fact that no one could easily deny, which was why I’d spoken so firmly.
As the cheers from outside began to die down, Joo Wooyoung spoke again.
“Hmm. You really think that’ll happen?”
“…….”
“…….”
‘Of course it will. It would be weirder if we got dropped after coming this far, wouldn’t it?’
I had no idea what prompted him to ask that, but it was a rather unexpected reaction.
There’s such a thing as being too humble. If you’re that lacking in self-awareness while trying to be modest, people will end up disliking it, hyung.
No, perhaps ‘overly cautious’ suited him better.. Then again, maybe that meticulous nature was exactly how he’d achieved so much… Still, this seemed like the right time to give him a little more confidence.
Naturally, I answered with a playful smile, and Joo Wooyoung responded.
“Ah! Yes… well… isn’t there a high probability we’ll debut together?”
“Really? Do you think so, Unha? Will I make it too?”
“Yes. Of course, having only one vote per person makes things a little unpredictable, but I’m sure you’re in the debut zone. Probably. I’m not saying we should take it for granted… it’s just… the chances are really high. You know what I mean, right? I mean, I’ve ranked first in every vote so far, and you’ve consistently been second…”
“Yeah. I see what you’re saying.”
“I think the top three will probably stay within the margin of error even if something unexpected happens. The rankings below that are much more likely to get shuffled around. Since they said the live audience vote will be calculated by points rather than raw vote counts… that’ll probably introduce even more variables.”
“…….”
“In your case, Wooyoung hyung, you have a lot of followers and a solid core fandom… and since you’ve always been at the top… even if you drop a few places… won’t you definitely be in the debut group? Honestly, I don’t even think you’ll drop.”
“What about you, Unha?”
“Me….”
I’m absolutely making the debut lineup.
There was a very high chance I’d finish first by a landslide. Even if I performed poorly on this stage and messed up the on-site vote, I’d likely still be 1st. Even I thought that sounded a little arrogant, the statistics supported it. I’d managed to capture not only the domestic audience but even a portion of the international fanbase…
‘Wouldn’t it be weirder if I wasn’t 1st?’
However, I couldn’t tell Joo Wooyoung exactly what I was thinking. I didn’t want to project an image of a member who was full of himself.
“Like I said, the probability is high. Thankfully, I’ve been 1st in every vote so far… but of course, anything can happen. It’s hard to say it’s a 100% certainty….”
“Right.”
“I like to think positively, so I’m going to keep thinking that way!”
“…….”
“Anyway, we’ll know the results soon. I was incredibly nervous before going on stage, but I think I’m even more nervous now.”
“Mmm… then who else do you think will make it in?”
“I’m not sure about that either. Jegal Hwi hyung, who was in the top 3, will surely make it… and Haejun hyung has a high probability too. The remaining three are the problem… I really don’t know about them. Personally, I’d like people I’m close with to get in, like Taehee… Suhyeon… Yohan hyung, Taeyeol hyung, or Hocheol hyung… but everyone worked so hard.”
“True. Everyone did. Honestly, it’d be harder to find someone who didn’t work hard. I know how desperately Myungjin and Yoon were trying, too.”
“Ah. Park Myungjin hyung and Ha Yoon hyung? You mean the ones who were in the debut zone in the last vote?”
“Yeah.”
“I didn’t know you were close with them, Wooyoung hyung.”
Actually, I did know.
“I wouldn’t say we’re as close as you and I are… We’ve just talked a few times.”
“Oh? Are you and I that close?”
“Yeah. I think so. Why? Do you not feel that way?”
‘Really?’
Stunned by this unexpected gain, I hurriedly continued the conversation.
“How could I not? Of course we’re close.”
“Anyway, there are so many things I’m grateful to you for.”
“Me too.”
Even I had to admit the atmosphere felt nice. The sounds of singing and cheering from the stage were coming in half-muffled, and here we were, just the two of us tucked away in the dressing room hallway, talking privately about the things we’d been keeping inside.
Lately, we hadn’t had the chance to make time for just ourselves because everyone was always together, so this opportunity felt extra precious. I even wanted to set aside an entire day or two just for moments like this. Especially since we were standing at the very end, right before the final finale, I liked the current situation even more.
‘Right. We need more moments like this.’
My image already seemed established as a trusted comrade, a close friend, and a dear younger brother, but there was no harm in getting even closer. No, I actually wanted to be closer. Even before the quest I’d been given, my mind was filled with the desire to get closer to someone I admired, someone who gave me a sense of emotional security.
‘Ah. The quest… right. Now that I think about it, there was that too.’
<< Linked Quest >>
[You, with a 1% contribution to the Demon King’s defeat. Assist the Hero Joo Wooyoung, who had a 99% contribution, and form the optimal members to debut together.]
<<Penalty for Quest Refusal or Failure: Return to the Other World>>
It was a quest I had forgotten about at some point. No, rather than forgotten….
‘I thought I’d already cleared it.’
I had done everything I could. At least among the trainees in the top 10 who had a chance to enter the debut range, there were no unqualified candidates. Everyone was an optimal member. None of them had any flaws.
It wasn’t because I couldn’t judge them objectively out of camaraderie. That was simply the reality. Yes, I had come to know this during our time together. I had seen every single one of them diving into this with their careers on the line. I’d had my moments of doubt, but I didn’t think my judgment was wrong.
“Hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“I just wanted to ask, just in case… Is there anyone you hope doesn’t make the debut lineup?”
“No. Of course, just like you, I’d be happier if it were people I’ve grown attached to or become close with, but I know everyone has worked hard together.”
‘Right. I knew you’d say that.’
It was a very Joo Wooyoung-like remark, and he seemed to truly mean it.
“I feel the same way. Anyway, hyung… well, we should head back in soon. We have to set up again to prepare for the final filming. They announced filming would start once all the audience members have cleared out.”
“Right. I should head back too.”
“Yeah. And hyung, thanks for cheering for me before I went up. I was a total mess then.”
“Hmm? I don’t think that’s something you need to thank me for….”
“No, it really helped a lot.”
“As I said before, I think I’m the one who received more help. I’m so glad you’re here.”
Our eyes met. It felt like the timing to do a fist bump, but it was a bit awkward. It felt like we should shake hands or high-five, but that felt weird too. Joo Wooyoung also seemed to know it was time for something, and he was hovering there stiffly. In the end, we shared a brief, slightly awkward hug before pulling apart.
“See you in a bit.”
“Yeah, Unha. See you in a bit. You worked hard.”
“Yes. You worked hard too, hyung.”
“…….”
“…….”
“We will now begin the final filming! All trainees, please gather on stage!”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
“Got it!”
And so—
<Idol Classism> Final Voting Results
2nd Place – Trainee No. 004 Jegal Hwi
3rd Place – Trainee No. 012 Kim Haejun
4th Place – Trainee No. 111 Joo Wooyoung
5th Place – Trainee No. 098 Kim Taeyeol
6th Place – Trainee No. 123 Jung Taehee
7th Place – Trainee No. 077 Baek Suhyeon
1st Place
Trainee No. 112
Lee Unha
<Idol Classism> Debut Members Determined & Airing Concluded
<< Linked Quest >>
[You, with a 1% contribution to the Demon King’s defeat. Assist the Hero Joo Wooyoung, who had a 99% contribution, and form the optimal members to debut together.]
<<Penalty for Quest Refusal or Failure: Return to the Other World>>
< You have cleared the quest. You obtain a random reward immediately. >
<< Siren’s Voice >> has been promoted from < F-Rank > to < D-Rank >.
A considerable amount of time passed.
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