Debuting by Riding the Returnee’s Bus – Chapter 69

Author: LyraDhani

Trainee No. 66 Jeon Hocheol

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution

Mission Song: [TOP9] Dangerously

Death Performance – 43 Days Prior

[Hocheol, it’s Mom. I’m texting because you aren’t answering your phone. I’m watching the broadcast. I’m worried about how you’re doing there… You’re doing well, right? If you see this, make sure to reply to me.][1:11 PM]

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution

Mission Song: [TOP9] Dangerously

Death Performance – 35 Days Prior

[Hocheol, you really are doing okay, right? Mom is so, so sorry for saying those harsh things last time, but I was just so worried about you. You’re already twenty-five now… I know how important this is to you, my son. I want your dream to come true too… I want you to do well, and I want things to work out for you. But… how can anyone spend their whole life doing only what they want?] [1:17 PM]

—[Don’t contact me if you’re going to say things like that. When did I ever ask you to cheer for me?][1:18 PM]

[Why can’t you understand how I feel…? Do you think it’s easy for a mother to say things like this? I want to support your dream too. But the thing is…][1:18 PM]

—[Since when did you support me? You’ve never supported me. Not once since I was in middle school, not even when I first joined an agency. So why are you pretending to support me now?][1:18 PM]

—[Did I ask you for pocket money to do this?][1:18 PM]

—[Or did I ever ask you to do anything for me? I haven’t taken any money from you. I’ve been handling everything myself. So why are you doing this? Honestly, I don’t even expect support or encouragement from my parents anymore like other kids get, so please stop contacting me over pointless things. I’m giving this everything I’ve got. I really am giving it my all. So please stop killing my motivation.] [1:18 PM]

[Answer your phone, Hocheol. T_T][1:19 PM]

—[Please.][1:19 PM]

—[Don’t.][1:19 PM]

—[Call.][1:19 PM]

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution

Mission Song: [TOP9] Dangerously

Death Performance – 16 Days Prior

[Hocheol. I had a bit of time during lunch, so I’m reaching out again. Mom is sorry for making you feel bad last time. I know my son is working hard. Also, I saw you on the internet and TV the other day. I wondered whose son was so handsome. Hehe.][1:17 PM]

—[I told you not to contact me. And how is that ‘being on TV’? I was on for a few seconds and that was it.][1:20 PM]

[Even so, seeing my son’s face after such a long time gave me so much strength. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep cheering for you; you were really hurt, weren’t you? I’m trying to understand you, too.][1:20 PM]

—[Don’t contact me. Don’t pretend to support me.][2:00 PM]

[I have to go back to work now. I’ll call you after work. I love you, son.][1:20 PM]

—[Don’t call. Don’t you dare call.][9:23 PM]

[Okay. I’ll talk to you later, then.][9:26 PM]

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution

Mission Song: [TOP9] Dangerously

Death Performance – 12 Days Prior

[Son! You’re working hard, right?][1:10 PM]

—[Mom. I was too harsh last time, wasn’t I? I’m sorry.][1:11 PM]

[All of a sudden? Hehe. What does a son have to be sorry to his mother for? It’s Mom who’s sorry.][1:12 PM]

—[Mom, you know Lee Unha, right?][1:12 PM]

[Yeah. I know Lee Unha! Why? Did something happen with him?][1:12 PM]

—[I’m in the same group as Lee Unha this time.][1:12 PM]

[Really?! Wow! That’s great! (Smiling emoji)][1:12 PM]

—[I’m also in the same group as a trainee named Kim Haejun and one named Jung Taehee. I think I can really do well this time. All the team members are skilled. The PD and the writer noonas are all paying a lot of attention to our group, too. I can’t tell you everything, but it’s even more so because there was a bit of an incident. We even picked the song I wanted. I’m really confident this time, Mom. I’m going to work really hard. I’m so sorry for making you suffer all this time, and for being so irritable.][1:14 PM]

[No. Don’t be sorry. Mom is the one who is more sorry. Did I reply too late? Something busy suddenly came up… Fighting, son! Mom believes in you.][1:48 PM]

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution

Mission Song: [TOP9] Dangerously

Death Performance – 8 Days Prior

-Mom….

-Oh?! Son. Why did you call so suddenly? Mom is working right now, can I call you back?

-I want to stop doing this. Sob… hic… waaah….

-Why? What’s wrong? Huh? Why are you crying all of a sudden, son?

-Sob… hic… Moooom… sniff… waaaaaah….

-Stop crying and talk to me properly. Should Mom go there right now? Are people bullying you? Hmm?

-I’m sorry. I… I kept being stubborn… hic… I was so stubborn. But I guess it’s not meant to be. I really wanted to work hard this time and debut… but I guess I just don’t have talent. The eval… hic… sob… We had the interim evaluation… uugh… and the judges… hic….

-Why? What did they say?!

-They… they said I have no style… hic… waah….

-What?!

-They said I have no style… I’ve been pretending not to know all this time… but actually… sob… I knew Mom was right… hic… uugh… sob… I just kept being stubborn… I guess I have no talent, no nothing. I’ll just… sob… hic… I’ll just give up.

-…….

-I’ll just do what Mom said, go to the military, study, and get a job… hic… uugh… I want to leave the show. Sob… waaaaaah….

-…….

-Don’t you dare leave.

-Huh?

-Don’t withdraw. Who… who says my son isn’t cool and has no talent? Don’t you dare quit!

-…….

-Stick it out there no matter what! What? No style? Who is that bastard! Who was it! Was it Benok? Or Writer Jung? Huh? Was it that Kim Minhyuk guy?! Who are they to tell my son he has no style?!!! Mom is going to call Writer Jung right now! I’ll write a post on the internet too!

-No, Mom, don’t! Don’t write anything!!!

-Who says my son can’t debut?! Huh?! Never leave that show!!!!

-Mom….

-Our family doesn’t know the word give up! Mom will keep working and help you until you debut, whether you’re thirty or forty! Never give up! Do you understand?!

-Huh?

-Don’t even think about coming home until you debut!!!

-Huh? Uh… wait… Mom.

-My son is the coolest in the world! He’s the best dancer in the world! He’s the best singer in the world! So don’t be swayed by what others say! Do everything you want to do! Don’t you dare quit!!!

-Mo-Mom, I’m hanging up. Just for a second….

-Don’t even dream of withdrawing!!!

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution

Mission Song: [TOP9] Dangerously

Death Performance – 7 Days Prior

-Son!

-Yeah. Mom….

-Son. Mom saw you on TV! There’s been a lot of talk about you on the internet lately, too!

-Hey, that’s not being on TV. I was only on for a few seconds…

-Lee Unha was on TV a lot, though. Since you’re in the same group as him now, you’ll be on a lot too. But why is that Lee Unha on so much?

-It’s just because he’s popular. He’s good… and honestly, he has a cute face.

-So are things okay lately?!

-Yeah. Unha is helping me with a lot of things. The other team members are following well and cooperating too.

-But son.

-Yeah?

-On the internet, there are a lot of pictures of you and a trainee named Na Younghun together, and people are saying the two of you are dating. Did my son get a boyfriend?

-Ah, stop using the internet! Mom! You’re looking at weird things!

-It’s just because people are talking about it so much.

-Ah! Anyway, I’m preparing really hard for this stage. Mom. So don’t worry.

-Mom isn’t worried about her son at all! Don’t have any regrets! Give it your absolute best!

-Yeah.

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution

Mission Song: [TOP9] Dangerously

Death Performance – 5 Days Prior

-Yeah. Oh, son!

-Are you working, Mom?

-Yeah! I stepped out for a second because you called! Lately, the people at the office are making a fuss because my son is on TV! Everyone keeps asking me why he’s so handsome.

-You shouldn’t tell them everything, Mom.

-Of course I won’t! But why did you call? Did something happen again?

-No, just… I don’t think I’ll be able to contact you much for a while.

-Oh, why?

-The arrangement for this performance came out, and we all agreed to focus only on this. The arrangement turned out really well, Mom.

-Did Haejun arrange it? That’s wonderful!

-Yeah. You’ll probably be shocked when you hear it, Mom. I don’t think I can call. I’ll send a text or two every night before I sleep.

-Okay. You have to work hard, son! Mom believes in you!

-Yeah. Thanks, Mom.

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution

Mission Song: [TOP9] Dangerously

Death Performance – 4 Days Prior

-[The stage outfits came out, Mom.][1:12 PM]

-[(Photo of stage outfit)][1:12 PM]

[Wow! Look at you! You look so cool!][1:12 PM]

—[I don’t have makeup on yet and we just checked the fit. Even I think the stage outfits turned out really well. Unha, Haejun, Younghun, and Taehee all seem to like them too.][1:13 PM]

[Can I show this to my friends?][1:13 PM]

—[Absolutely not! Don’t show anyone! I might get kicked off if you do.][1:13 PM]

[Okay. Mom will keep it to herself. T_T][1:13 PM]

—[I’m going back to practice now. Mom, don’t work too hard. Take it easy.][1:13 PM]

[You work hard, son.][1:13 PM]

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution

Mission Song: Dangerously

Death Performance – 3 Days Prior

-[Here’s a picture I took with Unha. You can show this one to your friends.][9:33 PM]

[Son! Wow! That’s great! My friends’ daughters love Lee Unha so much, they’ll be so jealous! Hehe. Mom really raised her son well.][9:33 PM]

—[I’m going back to practice now.][9:34 PM]

[Shouldn’t you be resting?][9:34 PM]

—[No time to rest. I’ll probably pull an all-nighter in secret tonight. I’m managing my condition, so don’t worry too much. Stop worrying and go to sleep early, Mom.][9:34 PM]

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution

Mission Song: [TOP9] Dangerously

Death Performance – 2 Days Prior

-Mom!

-Yeah! Son! You called today for a change! Mom had so much she wanted to tell you! Did you see the broadcast? Idol Classism is so fun….

-No, no. Mom, don’t tell me. All our members and team members agreed not to monitor this week’s episodes and to focus on the performance instead. We’re going to watch the reruns later, so let’s talk then.

-Ah! Right. You’re doing well, right?

-Yeah. I’m doing well. Really. I’m working really, really hard. So you truly don’t have to worry. I just called because I suddenly wanted to hear Mom’s voice.

-Is that so?

-Ah, Unha is calling me. I’m going back to practice.

-Okay. Hang in there, son.

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution

Mission Song: [TOP9] Dangerously

Death Performance – 2 Days Prior

[You’re hanging in there, right, son?][1:34 PM]

—[Sorry for the late reply, Mom. Yeah, I’m working hard.][11:59 PM]

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution

Mission Song: [TOP9] Dangerously

Death Performance – 1 Hour Prior

—[Mom, you’ve had a hard time because of me, haven’t you? I’m so sorry. You told me not to come back until I debut, but honestly, I don’t have the confidence that I will. I don’t think I’ll be able to debut through Idol Classism at least… but I’m going to try not to give up, just like you said. Of course, I might be forced to give up eventually… actually, I don’t know. Anyway, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I’ve made you suffer and have made things hard for you all this time.][1:04 PM]

—[I’m heading into filming soon. I’m supposed to be on standby right now, but I lied and said I was going to the bathroom so I could write this quickly. I really wanted to send Mom a message. It’s not… that I have anything else to say…][1:04 PM]

—[I love you, Mom.][1:04 PM]

[Sorry for the late reply, son. Mom loves you so much too.][Unread]

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution

Mission Song: [TOP9] Dangerously

Death Performance – 10 Minutes Prior

“Hyung! Come quickly. They say we’re going up soon.”

“Yeah, Unha.”

“Aren’t you nervous, hyung?”

“Not nervous at all. I’ve been a trainee for ten years, you know.”

“That’s true. If it’s been ten years, there’s no way you’d be nervous. I’m counting on you, Hocheol hyung.”

“Yeah. Leave it to me.”

<Commons> Rank Mission—Citizen Revolution