Chapter 43: The Competition Is All About Song Choice

I blew out all forty candles and scored minus forty points with the “Touch Me” team.

Even afterward, there were one or two trainees who shattered candles… but…

“Won‑shot‑won‑kill—Seohan, you were the first.”

Breaking the minus‑forty‑point record was by no means easy.

Automatically, the Touch Me team placed last.

“…….”

Far from a last supper, there wasn’t even a corner of a buffet table left for the five of us.

This was the merciless world of survival. Those damn broadcasting station guys really didn’t seem willing to even yield a single plate at the buffet.

The camera zoomed in on Do Seohan’s face, who was warily picking up rice with soy sauce in his dipping dish.

Blinking.

His trembling eyes probably showed his guilt toward the same‑team seniors.

- Ah lol Do Seohan eating with caution is unbelievably cute. Byo‑Seohan, I should have given birth to you

- Mam‑Seohan, I should have given birth to you too 222

- If I’d born him, that face wouldn’t show up

- Nobody says anything, so why is he being cautious ㅠㅠㅠ so cute ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Even though the youngest was so watchful, the rest of the four were eating whatever they got very well.

Cha Seongbin had already finished one bowl of rice cleanly and muttered with a satisfied expression.

“This place is a soy‑sauce rice restaurant.”

- Infinite positivity Cha Seongbin lol what is that adaptation skill

- Screw it, just eating what they give has such high‑school boy vibe lol

- Seongbini is scraping the bowl clean lol

Then Seo Haim took it one step further.

“Could this be the taste of a big corporation?”

- Ah lol

- Taste of a big corporation lol that fits lol

- Honestly, maybe soy‑sauce rice is unexpectedly delicious?

└ Choco‑Haim saying that, but eyes fixed on the chocolate fountain?

└ Haven’t given up yet lol

While Cha Seongbin chatted with Seo Haim, whose eyes couldn’t let go of lingering regrets, Kang Siwoo and Do Seohan silently shoved soy‑sauce rice into their mouths.

Kang Siwoo murmured faintly with unfocused eyes.

“It was tasty….”

“Really?”

“Still, minus forty points is a bit….”

“…….”

The minus‑forty‑point record was certainly something that would be talked about for a long time.

I carefully tore the kimchi handed over by Betters team and laid it over the rice and argued.

“I told you already. I was in a youth soccer team.”

“…You were good at soccer, right?”

“…….”

“Seohan, why aren’t you answering?”

It was a relief that he was good at dancing with that athletic sense.

* * *

Despite being a cable broadcast, the Stardust Project maintained its position as number one in public buzz.

An idol debut project run by a talent agency. Considering that many had criticized from the beginning, this outcome was very satisfying.

The biggest beneficiary of Stardust Project at the present moment, the rank‑one Kevin was smiling at the camera.

His bright yellow‑dyed hair and distinct features. At a glance his look gave off a “swerve or edgy” impression, but his clumsy charm in contrast drew popularity.

However, unlike his broadcast‑image, Kevin’s personality wasn’t so sloppy.

He let his sharp gaze slowly sweep over PD Lee Young‑chae.

“Trainee Kevin.”

“Yes!”

Kevin sat up straighter and smiled. This was his personal interview segment, which would be inserted in episode 11 airing next week.

PD Lee Young‑chae was provoking him to create a shot worthy of being aired.

“Was there a trainee who was most concerning in the last second evaluation?”

“Probably Sehyun. Performance‑wise, he was very flashy. It seemed our team lost in the previous competition because of that.”

“And among teams with other positions, was there a trainee who stood out?”

“Seongbin is basically a rap genius. He was really good, you know?”

Haha.

Those gleaming eyes trying to catch something.

Kevin already knew what Lee Young‑chae PD wanted to hear.

‘They’re trying anyway to drag Do Seohan’s name out of my mouth.’

I could already see the editing point they’d create to carve out a rivalry.

Kevin swallowed his unpleasant feelings and struggled to keep his expression composed.

‘Why do they keep trying to connect me with that kid?’

If it was someone with genius talent like Cha Seongbin, I’d at least concede. I’d concede a hundred times that Jin Sehyun sang at least one song flawlessly.

But no, neither of those two.

To think I’d be rivaling some kid who just dances decently.

I felt our ages and levels didn’t align at all.

PD Lee Young‑chae, as if unaware of such inner thoughts, kept scraping at his nerves. My patience was about to run out, but the personal interview didn’t end.

Kevin kept smiling at the camera.

The youngest writer had been preparing something and then raised a large placard.

Q. The visual member of Starf I think is?

Was it this question again now?

Kevin rubbed his hands and smiled around his mouth.

“This is… too hard.”

Obviously, isn’t it me?

[Excluding myself!!]

Wouldn’t it be? And sure enough, another placard was lifted right away.

For the sake of broadcast image, I hadn’t thought to choose myself, but it became inevitable.

Kevin stared surprised at the placard with an awkward look.

“Wow… There are so many handsome friends….”

Ha Junseo? Cha Seongbin?

While he was debating picking one of these two at random, the youngest writer cheerfully preempted.

“You look very troubled, so we’ll reveal the current rankings!”

Ta‑da—

Joint 1st: Ha Junseo, Cha Seongbin

Joint 2nd: Kevin, Do Seohan

As expected by Kevin, Ha Junseo with the white‑bear‑like face and Cha Seongbin with the slick “desert‑fox delinquent” face were tied for first,

‘They’re totally different tastes.’

In second place was…

Kevin’s eyes briefly wavered when he saw Do Seohan’s name, then returned to calm as if nothing had happened.

It was a subtle shake that the camera wouldn’t have caught.

‘Here we go again, being tied together.’

Though he seemed to manage his expression well, it looked like he wouldn’t be able to dodge the next question.

PD Lee Young-chae’s face brightened as if she’d gotten a good scoop and asked him.

“Looks like there’s a familiar name in the joint second place, huh?”

It was damn annoying.

.

.

.

.

.

“Kevin-ssi, thank you for your time.”

Creeaak.

Kevin closed the door of the waiting room and trudged down the hallway.

Thinking about that draining interview, he figured he should eat a hearty lunch today… but….

‘Forget it.’

Ugh, lost my appetite.

Kevin let out a cold laugh when he saw Do Seohan walking toward him from afar.

Sauntering.

The guy was swinging his arms as he walked and widened his eyes when he saw Kevin.

They had never been on the same team, nor had they spoken even once during their time at Doubles Entertainment.

So they weren’t close enough to talk casually, but since they were on the same show, maybe he thought it polite to at least greet him, as he walked up with a bright smile.

“Did you just come out from the interview?”

“…Yeah. It ended quickly.”

“Ah. I’m about to go in soon….”

Seohan nodded and naturally tried to walk past him. However, Kevin’s obvious gaze held Seohan in place. It was a kind of psychological battle, but one wrapped in an elegant smile.

“Ah, Do Seohan-ssi.”

“Yes?”

Kevin asked softly, half-jokingly.

Kevin already knew that Seohan had wanted to join Betters but was dropped due to the fan vote.

“I heard you wanted to join Betters?”

“Ah, yeah. I really liked the song.”

“That’s a shame. We almost ended up on the same team.”

Same team, my ass.

That would’ve been a hell of a sight.

Kevin hid his true thoughts and let out a polite laugh.

“But Seohan-ssi really suits ‘Touch Me.’ It feels like the song was made for you.”

“Oh wow, thank you for the compliment.”

“You’re the center, right?”

Seohan nodded and gave a friendly smile.

“Yeah, that’s how it turned out.”

“Congrats. I’m the center of Betters too.”

Kevin grinned slyly and looked Seohan up and down.

‘Wanna compete? Not a chance.’

It was obvious PD Lee Young-chae was going to shake him around using the rivalry concept.

But Kevin had no intention of playing along with those broadcasting folks’ games.

Realistically, competitions came down to song choice.

He let a meaningful smile appear on his lips and dropped a line.

“But… I guess it’s a bit disappointing that ‘Touch Me’ lacks impact.”

“Huh?”

I mean, right?

How are you supposed to compete with a song that lacks punch?

Kevin was confident he could utterly crush ‘Touch Me’ based on song power alone.

“But since it’s a cute concept, I’m sure the fans will like it.”

“Haha, thank you.”

The hamster, watching carefully, quickly smiled and gave a polite reply.

So soft and lacking awareness—typical of a kid that age. It made him easier to deal with.

Kevin lowered his gaze slightly and spoke.

“Seohan-ssi is so good that I think I’ll see you at the final.”

I’ll take first place, so you guys can survive through the viewer votes.

That was the gist of what he meant, but there was no way that soft kid fully understood it.

“I hope I’ll see you at the final too!”

Do Seohan smiled with his eyes and replied brightly.

After Kevin left,

“Did that junkie not sober up yet…?”

What a clown.

Do Seohan muttered briefly with a furrowed brow.

The way he rambled on while calculating everything in his head….

Did he think I wouldn’t notice the power play?

Kevin, age twenty-three, seemed to think he was toying with me from above—but it was the opposite.

I’m the one playing from the top.

Having been through a survival show twice now, battered thoroughly, I could only laugh at Kevin’s childish provocation.

Maybe he aged poorly—he was definitely a notch below Lee Dokyung.

Then again, he’s still just a trainee who hasn’t even debuted.

He must’ve gotten the wrong idea just because he’s been stuck in the trainee phase for so long….

If he gets thrown into the wild jungle that is the entertainment industry, he’ll be pale and speechless within days.

Seohan recalled Lee Doyeon reporter’s excited voice and chuckled.

‘When should I light the fuse? Just say the word when you want first place! Tomorrow? Right now?’

The time bomb was already in place.

All I had to do was pull the trigger. I was still thinking about when to do it.

Seohan stroked his chin and fell into thought.

‘How many extra points does first place get again?’

The team that won first in the concept evaluation would be given 300 personal points.

Considering that the viewer vote was worth a maximum of 700 points… that was enough to potentially flip the final rankings.

I didn’t particularly crave first place….

‘I’ll get you to debut, hyung.’

But there was a promise I had to keep.

Recalling the conversation he just had with Kevin, Seohan clicked his tongue briefly.

Too bad.

“Looks like we won’t be seeing each other in the final.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep