Debuting by Riding the Returnee’s Bus Chapter 28

“What exactly did trainee Joo Wooyoung even do?”

 

Honestly, from the perspective of those who didn’t know the internal situation of this team, her point was entirely valid. No, even if someone did know the team’s circumstances, it still wouldn’t have been strange to criticize Joo Wooyoung.

 

If you looked at the preparation process of the other teams, this contrast became even more striking. All the other teams had built their performances entirely around their <Nobility> class leaders—practically to the point of dictatorship. Yes, I could confidently say it bordered on tyranny.

 

Of course, since they had to worry about their public image, they might have subtly asked the Slaves for their opinions, but how could a bunch of Slaves dare to oppose the views of the Nobility? The <Slave> class had been ‘bought’ by the <Nobility>, and they were already in a position of inferiority regarding skill. Given the atmosphere of this program, which openly encouraged classism, it would have been difficult for them to voice their own opinions.

 

‘Plus, their biggest fear would be the performance failing because of an idea they came up with.’

 

Even if a Slave somehow found the courage to push aside a Noble’s opinion, it wasn’t easy when they had to consider the backlash if the stage ended up failing. Perhaps the reason Joo Wooyoung was being attacked by the judges was similar. I couldn’t be certain, but they seemed to believe he had avoided taking responsibility.

 

“I’m not criticizing the quality of the performance. The performance itself was excellent. What matters is that Joo Wooyoung’s individual color was nowhere to be seen. Think about why the <Nobility> class trainees were granted so much authority, and why the mission was designed for the <Nobility> to auction off the <Slave> trainees.”

 

‘Honestly, I think the TV station just wanted drama, noona. I doubt there was any grand philosophy behind it.’

 

“It’s not just us judges; the viewers probably wanted to see it too. What is Joo Wooyoung’s color? What kind of performance does he want to show? How will he lead his team, and how will he use the authority given to him? Of course, there may have been unavoidable circumstances due to the accident within the team, but even considering that… this time was too disappointing.”

 

“Especially from the perspective of a fan who was looking forward to Joo Wooyoung’s stage the most.”

 

The atmosphere was chilling. Of course, it didn’t feel like the typical vicious tongue critiques seen in older audition programs, but that only made it feel more like a dagger being driven home. It wasn’t just hitting Joo Wooyoung; it was hitting me, too. It felt like she was questioning who the hell Lee Unha thought he was, acting out and taking over the team as if he were the leader.

 

While I didn’t think she intended it that way, there was a high probability that some of Joo Wooyoung’s fans would pin his failure on me. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t really my place, but I felt like I had to say something. I cautiously began to raise my hand while gauging the mood, but—

 

“Why exactly is trainee Lee Unha trying to speak for trainee Joo Wooyoung? I don’t want to hear from Lee Unha; I want to hear from Joo Wooyoung.”

 

It didn’t take long to realize that my attempt was a mistake.

 

‘Does she… have a grudge against me? Or does she think Joo Wooyoung couldn’t shine because of me?’

 

Her claim that she was a fan of Joo Wooyoung didn’t sound like a lie. Joo Wooyoung also seemed to realize that this was the moment he had to make an excuse that wasn’t really an excuse. He stepped forward and opened his mouth.

 

However, I couldn’t help but feel anxious. Because I knew that Joo Wooyoung—the Joo Wooyoung I knew—would never say something like, ‘I’m sorry, I’ll show you a better side next time’.

 

Sure enough.

 

“It was a choice I made for my teammates, and I don’t regret that choice.”

 

His voice rang out immediately.

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“It was a choice for my team. I also had a vision for this performance, but I believed that what Unha had was better suited for saving the team than what I had. I never delayed a choice or ran away from one. As the leader, I judged what our team needed most and chose the performance that would allow my teammates to shine the brightest. I understand what kind of ability you want from a team leader, but I believe the ability to mediate the opinions of teammates, judge what is most important for the team, and decide which direction will lead to success is also a virtue a leader must possess.”

 

“Haha…”

 

He had taken it head-on.

 

‘Wooyoung hyung, you can’t do that.’

 

“……”

 

‘You can’t do that to a judge, hyung.’

 

“I am very satisfied with this stage.”

 

He even spat out one more line. The hall became deathly silent. He had broken an implicit, unwritten rule of this world. It hardly needed explaining. I had never seen or heard of a contestant contradicting or directly challenging a judge on an audition program. To confront them this directly… you probably couldn’t find a single instance of it in the entire history of broadcasting.

 

The judges were the ones evaluating them, yes, but they were also senior industry veterans who had survived this field for a long time. Naturally, talking back was not tolerated. Or rather, I didn’t even know if it was ‘tolerated’ or not, because as I said, it simply hadn’t happened before.

 

‘Only the broadcasting bastards must be thrilled. F*ck.’

 

As expected, the production crew had smirks on their faces, while Paige stared at Joo Wooyoung as if she were speechless.

 

“The stage was polished. I can’t deny that. Even I was surprised. But we aren’t talking about the stage right now. We are talking about Trainee Joo Wooyoung. This program is a survival show, Trainee Joo Wooyoung.”

 

“Yes, I am aware.”

 

“Trainee Joo Wooyoung has a responsibility to present a polished performance for the team, but you also need to reveal yourself more for the sake of your fans and the viewers. If you suffer a loss because of this mission—no, if you are dropped from this program—could you really not regret that choice? Would you truly have no regrets about failing to show everything you had?”

 

“Yes. I can live without regret.”

 

“Sigh…”

 

“That, too, was my choice, and I am not afraid to take responsibility for the results of my choices.”

 

“The words about wanting to be the world’s best K-POP star…”

 

“Even if I do not debut here, I will continue to challenge myself.”

 

“Trainee Joo Wooyoung…”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You need to have a bit more greed. It might feel like I’m being unreasonable, but if you keep giving way to your teammates, you will eventually find yourself running in place. This is my personal advice. I have nothing more to say.”

 

Was it just my imagination that she sounded like she was projecting her past self onto Joo Wooyoung? Looking at her now, she seemed less angry with him and more frustrated on his behalf. More than being offended that a mere trainee had dared to argue with a veteran like herself, she seemed more pained by his current stance. Her face said, ‘Please, just understand what I’m trying to tell you.’

 

But…

 

‘Joo Wooyoung… isn’t that kind of character.’

 

He was a guy who had risked his life multiple times for his companions; what was a little personal loss to him? He wasn’t a solo player; he was a team player. Not just in missions like this, but on battlefields where life and death hung in the balance, he always thought of the team first. And as I recalled, while Joo Wooyoung’s party had come close to falling, they had never once failed.

 

‘He’ll probably catch some flak for this…’

 

Even so, this time probably wouldn’t be any different.

 

“Hahahaha. It seems there was a small argument. Well then! We must find out what kind of score TEAM Joo Wooyoung will receive. Idol Classism! [Territory War: Domain War]! Please reveal the score for TEAM Joo Wooyoung!”

 

[TEAM Joo Wooyoung]

[Benok: 99]

[Kim Minhyuk: 97]

[Paige: 95]

[Total: 291]

[Current Ranking: 1st Place]

 

“W-Wooooooaaahhhh!!”

 

“WAAAAAAAGH!!”

 

“Yeah!! Unha!! Lee Unha!!!!”

 

“Wooyoung hyung!!!”

 

“Good job, Unha. Good job, everyone.”

 

“You worked hard too! KYAAAAAAAGH!”

 

“Sob… WAAAAAAAOOOOH!!!”

 

“Ugh! AAAAAHH!!”

 

‘Don’t cry. Seriously.’

 

“Sniff… ugh… ugh.”

 

‘Look at No. 45 forcing out tears again.’

 

A total score of 291. I could state with certainty that it was a legendary level of scoring. Of course, I was happy. It was a moment that could only bring joy. Especially for the Hopeless Trio, they couldn’t possibly be happier.

 

You could tell by looking at them making a scene on stage. They had been humiliated in the self-introduction mission and suffered unmentionable disgrace in the slave auction mission. Their self-esteem and confidence had hit rock bottom, and they’d been so broken that they’d probably started thinking it would be better to quit than continue like this. They probably thought this was their last chance. Which was exactly why they’d fought so desperately, but…

 

‘Aren’t you guys being a bit too dramatic?’

 

I was worried they would look like they were overacting.

 

‘Has your debut been confirmed or something?’

 

“We did it. F*ck. We did it… sob.”

 

‘I told you to stop swearing. Seriously.’

 

Since there had been a near-accident earlier, I wanted to show a bit more of a composed side, but it couldn’t be helped. For now, I had to ride the wave of this atmosphere. Joo Wooyoung was smiling from ear to ear himself, so I really had no choice but to join in.

 

Naturally, I quickly claimed the spot next to Joo Wooyoung to create a hugging shot for the cameras. It was a move purely for the screen, but I figured it would be captured as a heartwarming scene.

 

“I’m sorry, hyung. Because of me…”

 

“No. It was because of you that we could get such a high score. What I said to the judge wasn’t a lie. I thought you suited this stage better, and it seems I was right. You’re the one who must have been uncomfortable… I’m the one who should be sorry.”

 

“Ah, no. I didn’t…”

 

“I know you weren’t feeling well, and I know you’ve been going through a really difficult time personally. Thank you for trusting me and for working so hard.”

 

“I feel the same way. I was really glad you were our leader.”

 

“I also felt glad that I chose you in the auction. So, I’m a bit sad.”

 

“Yes? About what?”

 

“I wanted to stand on the same stage with you again next time. I didn’t expect we’d have to part ways this soon.”

 

“Ah!”

 

‘Right.’

 

I had completely forgotten. Sure enough….

 

“TEAM Joo Wooyoung has won [Territory War: Domain War] with a total score of 291. The <Slave> class trainees assigned to trainee Joo Wooyoung will automatically be promoted to the <Commons> class. Congratulations!”

 

I had escaped the Slave class. Since I had never escaped the slave class even in the other world, moving up to the Commoner class felt a bit surreal…. A powerful sense of accomplishment welled up inside me.

 

“Congratulations, Unha.”

 

“Thank you, Wooyoung hyung.”

 

Of course, I couldn’t be sure this was entirely a good thing. Given the nature of this program, which felt like it was modeled directly after that other world, I had a feeling that life in the <Commons> class wouldn’t be easy either.