Chapter 88

Every trainee who was close to Won Yuha felt the same, but Joo Danwoo especially couldn't take his eyes off the situation unfolding around him.

Things only seemed to be spiraling further into the worst possible direction.
Even though Yuha had been the victim of sasaeng harassment on his parents' memorial day, rumors spread as if he were the aggressor, and the public lashed out at him.
Soon after, one part after another of his past was exposed.

And when Baek I-hyeon's interview finally dropped, Danwoo couldn't help but think—
that maybe Yuha would want to withdraw from DEAR DOLLs.

Among the trainees and the public, there were even people who claimed that Yuha's scandal, conveniently timed right before the live broadcast, was something he had planned to secure votes.

Impossible.

Danwoo didn't even consider the possibility.
The Yuha he knew was absolutely not someone who would ever do something like that.

Yuha had never said a single word about his past, from the moment the show began airing.

Even though he had a dramatic backstory the production would drool over, the fact that Yuha's past never became the show's focal point meant only one thing—
Yuha had never brought it up.

Even when he was given a "villain edit" in the 3rd mission, Yuha simply accepted it quietly.
There was no way someone like him would suddenly use his past now to try to salvage his image.

So it was easy to guess how Yuha—whose intentions had never been in this—might react to the worsening situation.

—Don't withdraw, Yuha.

That was why Danwoo had gone to Yuha's house and said those words.

—It's your decision, whatever you choose… but just don't regret it, hyung.

Danwoo simply didn't want Yuha to regret anything.

Thankfully, Yuha had abandoned the idea of quitting and had come to the 3rd ranking announcement today.
But with so many eyes filled with suspicion, pity, and contempt drilling into him, Danwoo couldn't help worrying again.

Plenty of trainees were secretly pleased by Yuha's downfall; after all, from the beginning of the broadcast, he had been rumored to receive favorable screen time and narratives because of some supposed connection between AINET and KRM Entertainment.

But regardless of their personal feelings, the fact remained—Yuha was once again the center of public attention.

And if Yuha survived today's ranking announcement, the production panel would never waste this momentum.
During the final retreat leading up to the live broadcast, they would put him in front of the camera as much as possible.

For the trainees who had only one chance left to gain public recognition, that was the worst possible news.

"At this point, we should thank those sasaengs."

"They timed it perfectly, didn't they? Seriously lucky."

At those words, Danwoo's shoulders jolted and he turned sharply.
Among the gathered trainees, such comments slipped out casually.

When they met Danwoo's gaze, the trainees scanned Yuha briefly.
Even though Yuha had clearly heard them, he didn't react—
he just sat silently in his chair, unmoving.

Since they weren't even wired with mics yet, the trainees didn't bother hiding their hostility.

With the show nearing its end, everyone already knew exactly where each trainee stood.
Just as Serim had predicted, the debut lineup was essentially decided.

Whether they fell short at the final stretch or not, every trainee wanted to build as much recognition as possible before the show ended.
But their attitudes toward those in the debut range varied widely—
some tried to cozy up to the soon-to-be debut members, while others showed open resentment.

"What exactly was your relationship with I-hyeon sunbae when you were young?"

Hwang Yeong-oh seemed to be somewhere between the two—someone who hadn't decided which side to take.
His expression was faintly odd, and though his tone was gentle, his face was stiff, making the question feel like an interrogation.

"…Exactly what Baek I-hyeon sunbae said in his interview."

"Oh."

Yeong-oh's smile immediately turned awkward.
He added a comment, pretending to be impressed.

"That's really fascinating.
You separated at the orphanage and then met again later—
and he even achieved his dream.
Hope you can be like that too."

"Yes."

"But hey, then… was that interview something he did to support you?
Did he tell you ahead of time?
That he'd talk about you…?"

"Hyung."

Before he could continue, Yuha turned to look at him—expression calm, voice firm.

"If you have something you want to say, don't circle around it.
Say it properly."

"…What?"

"If you say it clearly, I can answer.
But if you keep beating around the bush like that, it's hard to grasp what you want."

"I—I was just—"

"If you were just worried about me, then thank you."

Yeong-oh immediately shut his mouth.
Then, shooting Yuha a sharp glare, he left.

Watching this, Danwoo felt stunned.
He hadn't expected Yeong-oh—who had once been on the same team as them—to act so blatantly.

What he was doing just now…

Even Danwoo, as oblivious as he tended to be, knew exactly what Yeong-oh had been fishing for.

He wanted to confirm whether Baek I-hyeon's interview had been coordinated—
if Yuha had planned everything.

And the reason he wanted to know was so he could believe that Yuha had orchestrated the entire situation.

"Hyung, don't look at them."

Danwoo flinched.
He'd unknowingly been staring toward the group of trainees who had badmouthed Yuha earlier.
Yuha remained unnervingly serene.

"If you look, this time they'll start badmouthing you, hyung."

"But…"

"There's no need to get cursed at for no reason."

"…Are you okay?"

Unable to hold back his concern, Danwoo finally asked.
Yuha stayed silent for a moment.
Then—

"Yes. Actually… I feel good."

"…?"

The sudden statement left Danwoo bewildered.

Seeing his confusion, Yuha laughed quietly.
And with a strange glint in his eyes—one that made Danwoo wonder whether he'd completely lost his mind—Yuha murmured:

"I guess I'm more competitive than I thought."

***

Baek I-hyeon called on the day of the 3rd ranking announcement, just before I was about to head to the filming site.

He'd tried calling several times from an unknown number, so I eventually picked up.
The moment I heard a voice I never wanted to hear again—even in my nightmares—my expression twisted instinctively, but I forced myself not to hang up.

Think of this as an endurance test.

The "relationship chart" Baek I-hyeon created would last a long time—
at least until his downfall.

And as long as I remained active, I wouldn't be able to shake off this hyung–dongsaeng public image between us.
So I needed to build up tolerance early.

[Have you been well?]

"Just tell me what you want."

[Cold, aren't you? I was really worried.]

"You don't sound like someone who was worried.
You went ahead and proceeded with everything with the company without saying a word to me."

[Mm, well your opinion wasn't needed for that.
It was your story, sure—but it was mine too.
And you benefited from it, didn't you?]

"..."

Does this bastard have some kind of supernatural ability to piss people off?

Rage shot straight up to the top of my head, but instead of blowing up, I took a deep breath and forced it down.

I couldn't afford to lose my temper at him.
And if venting my anger didn't affect Baek I-hyeon in the slightest, then it would just be a pointless emotional loss on my part.

"…Say the business you called for."

[I just wanted to call and cheer you on.
Today's the 3rd ranking announcement, right?
So—how do you feel? Think you'll survive?]

"..."

I didn't answer.

If he were asking whether I'd stay in the top 20—
then yes, I could nod at that.
Even with the drop, I'd likely managed to stay above 20th place.

But I had a quest.

I need to stay within the debut range if I want to "survive."

If I fell outside the top 10, it wouldn't matter whether I advanced to the finals or not.
The moment I failed the quest, my life would be decided.

Baek I-hyeon didn't know any of that—but the tone he used made my skin crawl.
It felt like he knew something.

"What rank do you think I'll get?"

[Hmm—well, since everything blew up after you built a strong lead, you'll definitely stay within the top 20.
By the time the rebuttal posts went up, you probably regained some votes.]

Calm, analytical, almost bored—
and then he let out a small laugh.

[But what's the point?
If it's not inside the debut range, it's meaningless.]

"..."

[Actually, if you barely manage to cling to top 20, that could boost people's sympathy even more.
'Unfair downfall'—if that kind of title sticks, people won't be able to stop themselves from voting for you.]

Annoying bastard.

I sighed deeply.
If I stayed on the phone with him any longer, I might collapse from high blood pressure before even getting to the set.

"If you're done, I'm ending the call."

[Oh, and one more thing.
I think I'll be attending the finals.]

Just as I was about to hang up, he finally dropped the actual reason for calling.
I lifted the phone back to my ear in spite of myself.

[Rumors have already spread everywhere…
And it's better PR-wise if I show up to support you.
I'll be going as your family stand-in, so just take note of that.]

"…Family?"

[Yeah, you don't have any family who can show up at the finals, right?
So I thought it'd look nicer if I went.]

"Shouldn't you be busy with your schedule?
Or are you suddenly that free?"

[Ouch. That hurts, Yuha.]

Annoyance slipped into my voice despite myself, but Baek I-hyeon only responded playfully.

[No need to be so sharp.
I even did that interview to help you, you know?]

"…Let's get this straight.
You and the company helped each other out.
Don't act like you did me some huge favor."

Neither the company nor Baek I-hyeon had cared about my opinion—not even once.
And now he acted like some kind of benevolent benefactor.

Even with my irritated tone, Baek I-hyeon didn't seem offended.
He laughed instead, which somehow made me feel more exhausted.

[Haha—Yuha, you really don't trust me.
But I'm telling the truth.]

"That was for me?"

[Well, clearing up our relationship does help soften the backlash from my transfer later…
But you know I didn't have to go that far, right?]

"..."

[I don't lie, Yuha.]

He said that, and then laughed again.

[It really was for you.
Whether you believe it or not—this was the best way.]

When you were younger, you said it yourself.
That if you just listened to me, everything would turn out fine.

[See? Everything turned out just fine.]

When he said that, I could only think one thing:

I'll surpass this bastard no matter what.

As long as he thought he was above me, as long as he handed me these condescending "mercies" like favors—
I would always be beneath him.

If I didn't want that—
I had to crush him.

And from that angle, his call was encouragement—
motivation to climb high enough to finally smack this bastard across the face.

And then, seeing the trainees' reactions today—

Proper motivation.

Following the staff's guidance, I rose from my seat and headed toward the filming hall for the ranking announcement.

I'd found a reason to fight for first place.

And if I could debut and become—just once in my life—
a "well-selling" idol…

—You're a KRM trainee. Of course you must get first place.

Then even my relationship with KRM would change.