Debuting by Riding the Returnee’s Bus Chapter 25

“Ah… I’d actually prefer it if there were at least a few hate comments… Where are all my fans?”

 

“…Are you looking up reactions again? I told you to stop searching for that stuff.”

 

“I know, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.”

 

“…You might think seeing hate comments is better than nothing, but your mental state will get shredded once you actually see them. You know you can’t perform if your head isn’t in the game right before a stage.”

 

“Well, that’s true, but…”

 

“You guys said you wanted more screen time. There’s a high chance you’ll get plenty this time. Are you really going to blow your chance to look good for the fans just because you were busy reading comments? Get it together.”

 

“I mean, obviously that’s… not what I want… but Unha, aren’t you curious?”

 

“……”

 

“I mean, right now, you… in the communities….”

 

“No. Don’t tell me. I am curious, but I’m clenching my teeth and refusing to look for a reason. I can guess the general vibe anyway. It’s probably split 50/50, but generally favorable.”

 

The atmosphere on set told me everything I needed to know. The overall mood was harmonious. The regular staff members, suffering from overwork, always had the same look—like their souls had been sucked out by a necromancer—but the expressions of those directly involved with the production were very bright.

 

Smiles were blooming on everyone’s faces. I didn’t know exactly how big of a hit the show had become, but the results were clearly even better than what they’d expected internally. Crucially, I heard the ratings peaked during my performance….

 

‘At the very least, it means I’m generating buzz.’

 

There had to be arguments breaking out all over the internet. Starting from why Lee Unha was getting so much screen time… fans and anti-fans probably having a grand battle. I wanted to savor every single reaction as quickly as possible, but I didn’t want to fill my head with unnecessary thoughts right before going on stage.

 

“Anyway, give me your phones. I can see you’re losing focus. Holding onto these isn’t going to help you at all. Just leave them in the room.”

 

It was right as I was collecting the phones from the Hopeless Trio. Joo Wooyoung appeared in my field of vision.

 

“Oh?! Wooyoung hyung!”

 

“Come with me for a second.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Everyone, follow me.”

 

“Wh—where are we going?”

 

“You’ll see when we get there.”

 

“Are we… doing something?”

 

“……”

 

‘I see… the costumes must be ready.’

 

A few cameras even started trailing us. I wasn’t sure what it was, but the Hopeless Trio seemed quite happy to see the cameras again after a while. Anyone with any sense would realize something was about to happen, so they immediately started exaggerating every little movement in anticipation.

 

‘Get your reactions ready, boys.’

 

Immediately after the door opened… it was, as expected, Team Joo Wooyoung’s stage outfits. Naturally, I opened my mouth wide in feigned surprise. I was worried if the Trio could pull off the reaction the production team wanted, but hearing the loud shouts that followed, I realized I didn’t need to worry.

 

‘They look genuinely happy. This is… more than just acting for the camera.’

 

“W—waaaaaah!”

 

“Stage costumes!”

 

“Whoa!!”

 

It was a cliché expression, but they were grinning from ear to ear.

 

“Stage costumes!!!”

 

“Daaaaamn!!! F*ck yes!!!”

 

‘Hey, stop swearing. No. 98, I’m talking to you. Cut the cursing.’

 

They were even hugging each other and dancing around. I couldn’t keep up with the high tension of late-teen boys. Everyone was holding hands and rejoicing. Joo Wooyoung just smiled quietly, while I ended up being swept into the group hug by the Trio.

 

I wondered if this was really something to be this happy about… but thinking back to how we had been treated like slaves….

 

‘I guess it’s a natural reaction.’

 

Remembering the previous stage where we were shoved out without any preparation, wearing t-shirts with numbers pinned to our chests, it made sense to be this happy. Given their age and the fact that they were hyper-aware of how they’d look on screen, of course they were ecstatic.

 

‘Wait, haven’t they been screaming for too long?’

 

“UWOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAH!!”

 

“COSTUMES!!!”

 

‘You guys are overdoing it just to get on TV, aren’t you?’

 

“Sob… hic….”

 

‘No. 45 is literally forcing out tears now.’

 

The other two were comforting him with equally fake sincerity. Glancing at the crew, it seemed even the staff thought it was a bit much. Joo Wooyoung, seemingly agreeing that we needed to wrap this up, spoke with his sun-like smile.

 

“The PD told me not to say anything, so I kept quiet… but actually, I’ve been talking to the staff about the stage costumes since the mission started. Our team had so many changes in the middle that our work took longer than the other teams. That’s why the reveal was so last-minute.”

 

“Ah!”

 

“Do you like them?”

 

“Yes! Wooyoung hyung, I love them!”

 

“I like them too.”

 

“Can we try them on now? Hurry!”

 

“Yeah. Actually, we have to change now and head out. We’re going straight to makeup and then the stage. Oh, and the makeup artists will be doing it for us personally.”

 

“R—really?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

‘This really makes it feel like we’ve become celebrities.’

 

The Hopeless Trio seemed to be thinking the same. Their excitement was palpable. They started shouting again, but this time I didn’t join them; I stepped back and looked at the costume I was to wear. I had heard about it from PD Ahn, but….

 

‘It turned out even better than I expected?’

 

Since dark mage had been mentioned, I was worried it would look too much like a cheap cosplay, but it didn’t look childish at all. The fabric looked luxurious, and the design felt like a modern interpretation of the theme.

 

I couldn’t take my eyes off it for a while. Come to think of it, this was the first stage costume I had ever worn. Even after awkwardly changing into it and standing in front of the mirror, I felt the same way. Once I went through the hands of the professionals for makeup, I even started to think I looked pretty good. My pale skin looked even paler, making me look gloomier than usual, but I was definitely satisfied.

 

“Unha, let’s take a picture. Come here.”

 

“Ah… okay.”

 

“We all look good, but you seriously pull this off.”

 

“Ah. Really?”

 

“Yeah. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to fit you this well. The makeup looks great too. Especially the eye makeup. The costume is a perfect match….”

 

“You guys look good too, hyungs.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes. Especially Wooyoung hyung, it suits him perfectly.”

 

I turned my head. There was Joo Wooyoung, dressed like a medieval soldier. Fortunately, his outfit didn’t look like a cheap fantasy costume either. I didn’t know who designed these, but I wanted to give them a round of applause. To produce this quality in such an absurdly short time….

 

I didn’t know how long it took or how much effort was required, but I knew it wasn’t easy. The fact that they clearly put effort into it made me feel grateful. Even the details on each costume were slightly different. Leaving aside mine as the dark mage, the fact that the details on the outfits for Joo Wooyoung and the Trio were distinct was impressive. It felt like nothing was overlooked. Sure enough, No. 98 was having a blast comparing the outfits.

 

Meanwhile, No. 78 looked awkward in his costume and makeup. Actually, everyone except Joo Wooyoung, who had worn stage outfits in the first mission, looked uncomfortable. Even I felt strange in what I was wearing.

 

As we were soaking in that awkwardness, No. 45 spoke to everyone.

 

“Hurry! Let’s get a photo. Quick! This is our last chance to get a group photo here.”

 

Normally, I would have ignored him, but….

 

“Sure. Let’s take a picture.”

 

For once, I thought it wouldn’t be bad to have a memento.

 

“Everyone, huddle up. Let’s get the shot.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“W—well, yeah. We should have a photo.”

 

No. 45 finally looked satisfied after cramming all five of us into the narrow screen. He looked like he wanted to take dozens more from different angles, but he seemed to accept that this was enough for now.

 

“Well then… let’s go.”

 

“Yes. Let’s go.”

 

“Whew….”

 

“We can do this, right?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“We’ll do great, everyone. We practiced hard. The rehearsal went well… and the staff reaction seemed positive. I’m not anyone special, but even to me… it felt good. Honestly, everyone worked harder than I expected… I’m really happy.”

 

‘Yeah. Hearing Joo Wooyoung say that makes me feel at ease.’

 

“And most of all, I really enjoyed practicing with you all. Even if it was a short time….”

 

“Me too.”

 

“I enjoyed it too.”

 

“I think I had fun as well.”

 

‘Yeah. I liked it too.’

 

“I’m sure we’ll have a good result. How about you, Unha? You’re not feeling sick anywhere?”

 

“I told you I was fine. I’m perfectly okay.”

 

“That’s a relief then.”

 

We chatted as we walked. Soon, the stage, busy with filming preparations, came into view. Since we didn’t need to be part of the opening, we continued to wait, and a familiar voice rang out.

 

“Only trainees who reach the <Royalty> class can debut! The new concept survival show <Idol Classism>! We will now begin <Territory War: Domain War>! Awaited stages prepared by <Nobility> trainees along with the <Slave> trainees they acquired through the auction are waiting for you… This mission is….”

 

I couldn’t hear it clearly. No, I was trying not to listen.

 

“Whew….”

 

‘Focus.’

 

In a way, since this was my first mission with Joo Wooyoung, I felt the pressure to succeed. But I kept steadying myself.

 

‘It’s easy. This stage is easy.’

 

At the very least, the task assigned to Lee Unha was simple. The choreography wasn’t intense or difficult. It wasn’t physically taxing. There was only one thing I had to do.

 

Mimic the Master—no, that mad dark mage—perfectly.

 

Joo Wooyoung had portrayed the role frighteningly well, but this was the one thing I convinced myself I was better at than he was. I don’t know what kind of dark mages he met or how many he cut down, but I lived for seven years catering to the whims of a lunatic who treated demons as his personal servants.

 

For seven years, I’d lived alongside that mad dark mage, witnessing every one of his movements and observing everything about my deranged master from up close.

 

I could say this with absolute confidence: there would probably never be an easier mission for me than this one.

 

“Ready? Lee Unha.”

 

“……”

 

“……”

 

“Yes.”

 

As I hardened my expression and began to channel the mad dark mage…

 

“Uh… Unha?”

 

I felt the atmosphere around me suddenly turn ice-cold. Joo Wooyoung was staring at me more intently than usual, and the others looked like they found my presence alien… but right now, I had no thoughts other than finishing this stage quickly and perfectly.

 

“Let’s go.”