Chapter 82
In a way, it was impressive.
What exactly did she believe in to be that confident?
Just thinking about debuting with her made my vision go dark.
The contract period would be seven years.
I’d have to see her 24/7, like family, for seven years?
I hoped Yoon Cheong’s second wish wouldn’t take too long to come true.
If it took too long…
I’d have to find a way to get her out before then.
“…First, I want to thank the Colorists who chose me. Despite my many shortcomings and inadequacies, you loved and cherished me. I am truly grateful. Though it was a short time… I was happy.”
Huh?
A chilling feeling ran down my spine.
I wasn’t the only one who felt it; the others’ faces were stiffening too.
“And I also want to say I’m sorry.”
…Was she about to apologize for her mistakes?
Would an apology at this point even… work?
It wasn’t even a big mistake.
“I really tried hard, really, really hard. I wanted to debut and repay your love…”
Suddenly, Kim Ryeo-yu started to cry.
We all lowered our heads, not wanting to reveal our own shocked expressions.
We were all probably feeling the same, even if we didn’t say it.
“I don’t think I can meet your expectations. Though I’m ranked fifth in the final vote… I will not be joining this group.”
“?!”
At those words, our heads shot up.
What did she just say?
“However, I want to make it clear that my journey doesn’t end here. I believe that one day all the misunderstandings about me will be resolved. Until then, if you wait for me, if you believe in me…”
What on earth is this situation?
I was momentarily stunned but then realized immediately.
“I will definitely come back.”
CEO Hong.
You’ve made up your mind, haven’t you?
***
It was true that CEO Hong wanted to debut Kim Ryeo-yu.
She thought that by burying minor issues and pretending not to know, they would be forgotten.
Because slight noise gets drowned out by louder noise.
But this time, it wasn’t just slight noise.
“Director Kim has been in this industry as long as I have. You must know what the future holds.”
Director Kim struggled to maintain his composure.
Of course, he knew.
The team’s name was tarnished even before their debut.
Individual core fans might become more loyal, but the group fandom would be in constant turmoil.
Not to mention the public image of the group.
It would take a very long time for this to be completely forgotten.
During that time, they wouldn’t get many broadcast opportunities, and dreams of advertisements were out of reach.
There were plenty of idols with good images.
“…Eventually, it will be forgotten. It always has been.”
“That’s true. It will be forgotten. But it will take a tremendous amount of time and money.”
CEO Hong was genuinely exhausted.
Because of the trembling girl in front of her, his plans were about to be ruined.
Plans that involved a lot of money.
“But, Director Kim. I really… feel like I’ve given Director Kim’s niece many opportunities. I’ve covered for her as much as I could. Don’t you think so?”
“CEO, if you just listen to me once—”
Director Kim urgently raised his head.
“I know that trainee is Director Kim’s biological daughter.”
“!”
“I understand why you’re so particular. But.”
When the word ‘biological daughter’ came up, Director Kim immediately shut his mouth.
“She’s not my biological daughter, so I don’t feel that particular. I don’t want to cover for her at my own expense.”
There was a reason why CEO Hong brought up the word ‘biological daughter’.
It meant that if he refused her offer, she wouldn’t cover up his weaknesses anymore.
If this scandal were to break out, Kim Ryeo-yu would lose her last chance.
“I won’t terminate the trainee contract right away. So, step down for now, and let’s see how things unfold.”
“But…!”
At CEO Hong’s final notification, Kim Ryeo-yu, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
“CEO. I, I really did wrong. But if you give me just one more chance… I will never, ever cause trouble again. If you let me debut, I promise I won’t cause trouble. I just wanted to debut so badly. If you let me debut, I will fix everything. I’ll do whatever you ask. Please.”
She wanted to debut.
So she only tried to guard against others.
CEO Hong looked bored.
“Do you think I’ve seen only a few kids like you with a lack of character?”
“…!”
“I’ve seen plenty. That’s why I was going to let you debut. There are so many kids with terrible character anyway. But, Ryeo-yu, they at least hide it well.”
“From now on, I’ll! I’ll hide it all. Really, if you give me one more chance…”
“I’ve already given you many chances.”
CEO Hong stood up from her seat.
“Right now, you have two choices. You can either personally go up on stage and say you won’t debut, apologizing for the trouble you caused, or have Hee-young say it on your behalf.”
“CEO!”
“The former is better. At least the former gives you a next chance. The latter will take even your next chance away.”
Kim Ryeo-yu looked into CEO Hong’s eyes and realized.
This person was not someone who could be negotiated with.
Why had she underestimated her all this time?
In the end, Kim Ryeo-yu accepted.
“I’ll go up and… withdraw myself.”
“Good decision.”
CEO Hong finally smiled.
“Wait a moment.”
Then, Director Kim stood up.
“So, you’re planning to debut with four members?”
“Why do you ask, Director Kim?”
“The shareholders have always supported a five-member system over a four-member one. Colors has never debuted a group with fewer than five members—”
Director Kim spoke, clinging to his last hope.
He had to hold onto the last straw somehow.
If Kim Ryeo-yu debuted, the company might suffer a bit.
But that’s the nature of the entertainment industry.
If you endure, you’ll see the light.
No matter how much mud you wade through, no matter how many dirty looks you get or harsh words you hear.
Debuting was better than not debuting.
Kim Ryeo-yu’s existence might be a liability now, but eventually, she would become an asset.
Director Kim was confident.
He wasn’t saying this just because Kim Ryeo-yu was his daughter.
Director Kim believed that Kim Ryeo-yu had talent.
“I never said we’d debut as four.”
“…What?”
“I said we’d remove Kim Ryeo-yu, not that we’d go with a four-member system.”
CEO Hong sighed.
“When the fifth place is out, naturally there will be someone to replace her, don’t you think?”
***
Everyone was shocked by Kim Ryeo-yu’s voluntary withdrawal announcement.
Of course, there was one person who wasn’t surprised.
That person was CEO Hong.
From the beginning, CEO Hong didn’t expect Kim Ryeo-yu to step down so easily.
So, while the camera was focused on Kim Ryeo-yu, she sent another cue card to Do Hee-young.
Of course, Do Hee-young couldn’t help but laugh when she saw the cue card.
“Please, believe in me and wait a little longer.”
As it became clear that Kim Ryeo-yu wasn’t going to step down easily, PD Oh signaled Do Hee-young.
‘Cut it short.’
PD Oh was internally cheering at CEO Hong’s decision not to debut Kim Ryeo-yu.
It wasn’t because he disliked Kim Ryeo-yu.
To be honest, PD Oh had no interest in Kim Ryeo-yu.
But Kim Ryeo-yu’s voluntary withdrawal was very entertaining content.
He could already see the ratings skyrocketing.
“Yes, we have heard the final words from trainee Kim Ryeo-yu. Though her journey with ‘Make a New Color’ ends here, we know she will find her own path elsewhere.”
Do Hee-young had to rack her brain to find the most neutral comments possible.
“‘Make a New Color’ is a program launched by Colors Entertainment in collaboration with Mnet to discover the next generation of a five-member girl group. We looked not only at skills and appearance but also at personality, potential, and unique talents.”
Do Hee-young subtly mentioned character.
It was at CEO Hong’s instruction.
“With Kim Ryeo-yu no longer joining, ‘Steel Blue’ now has only four members remaining.”
Do Hee-young smiled and approached the trainees.
“Yeon Juhong, trainee.”
She then stood in front of Yeon Juhong.
Yeon Juhong’s mouth dropped open as her name was suddenly called.
“Yes?!”
“Colors is Yeon Juhong’s first agency. We have watched her from the moment she dreamed of becoming an idol until this very moment. Yeon Juhong possesses outstanding talent, excellent passion, and a warm heart that loves her fellow trainees. Other trainees also have strong trust in Yeon Juhong. The fact that the Colorists awarded Yeon Juhong the sixth place shows their trust and affection for her.”
The longer Do Hee-young spoke, the more Yeon Juhong looked like she couldn’t believe what was happening.
“Colors has always believed in Yeon Juhong and wants to trust her once more.”
“Uh, th-thank you!”
Yeon Juhong’s face was slowly returning to reality.
Half was fear, half was hope.
“So, Colors wants to ask Yeon Juhong.”
After a brief pause, Do Hee-young continued.
“Will you become the next color muse of Colors and be the last member of ‘Steel Blue’?”
Yeon Juhong opened her mouth as wide as possible, then her eyes as wide as possible.
She quickly closed her mouth and shut her eyes tightly.
And then she said.
“Yes. I really… really want to.”
Pop.
As soon as Yeon Juhong finished speaking, confetti burst once more.
Not for the sixth place, nor for the replacement for fifth place.
But for the last member.
In that final moment.
The ten trainees gathered in a circle, arms around each other, blessing each other’s future paths.