Chapter 5
Presence Updated
Presence +10
Current Presence: 45
It went up by 10 already?
Hayan nearly smashed her face into the system window from shock. To everyone else, though, it probably just looked like sudden “turtleneck syndrome.”
It seemed her individual evaluation had raised her presence.
…That stage got me this much attention?
She lifted her head and scanned the gazes directed at her.
After years of watching people, she could roughly read expressions. Amusement. Surprise. Disappointment. Admiration. Curiosity.
From Haemi’s eyes, though, she couldn’t read a thing.
Even if they’re thinking, “Why is Moon Hayan so stiff?” it still raises Presence?
So as long as it wasn’t indifference, it counted.
Kebab is food, and lunchbox is a box—whatever works.
It felt a little bitter.
Well, since it went up, I can afford to use an item now.
A certain desire lifted its head in her mind.
Let’s check the item shop.
Hexagon Idol | Presence 50
Master Singer | Presence 10
K-Hip-Hop No.1 ｜ Presence 10
Silver Tongue｜Presence 5
Escape the Stiff | Presence 5
Expand ▼
“Oh.”
One item caught her eye.
So this was the sweet taste of capital.
If she used it well, she could choose Team 3 and turn a crisis into an opportunity.
And—
…Heera could safely go to Team. 2.
Hayan turned and approached Heera, whispering.
She could feel the other trainees’ stares burning into her.
“Heera. Pick Team 2.”
“…What?”
“Don’t come to Team 3. You’ll understand why after you choose. If you don’t trust me, just ignore it.”
She lightly grabbed Heera’s shoulder, speaking softly so the mic wouldn’t catch it.
Heera’s shoulders trembled.
“Got it?”
“…Okay. For now.”
Hayan stepped back.
Other trainees began whispering.
Guess all you want. It won’t improve your life.
“I’ll go with Team 3.”
When Hayan finally walked to Team 3, the members there tilted their heads.
At least pretend to cheer, guys.
Minsu, already standing there, asked quietly.
“Hayan. You came.”
“Yeah.”
“Hong Heera, please choose your team.”
“I….”
Hayan deliberately looked away.
Is she still hesitating?
Honestly, why would she blindly follow someone who flopped the first evaluation?
If she came to Team 3—
No. Don’t come. If you come, I die.
“I’ll go with Team 2.”
…Whew.
For once, she was grateful Heera was easily swayed.
“Now, we will reveal the mission songs.”
Team 1’s members looked relaxed.
The screen changed to “Sugar poppin!”
“Team 2’s mission song.”
As expected, “Hey, girls” appeared.
Heera whipped her head toward Hayan.
She had realized Hayan gave up Team 2 knowing the song.
Hayan subtly gestured with her chin. Look forward.
Heera quickly turned back.
As expected of Catherine’s choice, rap was important in this song.
For Heera, who at least had rap skills besides producing, it wasn’t bad.
If she’d chosen Team 3… she’d barely get any lines.
Then Team 3’s song was revealed.
“Your Happiness.”
Silence.
“…Ha.”
Jua, next to her, let out an irritated sigh.
While Teams 1 and 2 jumped around celebrating, Team 3 stood frozen.
The reaction of people sensing doom.
Four Days Later
“…Heera.”
“Yes?”
“Help me.”
So much for her cool senior vibe.
Here’s what happened—
***
Team 3—”Your “Happiness”
- Moon Hayan
- Jeon Minsu
- Noh Jua
- Tak Jium
- Cheon Xiaojing
Minsu wasn’t extraordinary but hardworking.
Jium was skilled enough to knowingly choose this song.
Xiaojing followed directions well.
And Jua—
A 10-year trainee.
Six years at another company, four at DIP.
She barely showed up in group training.
“Jua? She mostly trains alone. Practices late at night and goes home right after.”
So she’s crazy hardworking.
Ten years meant she had to be decent.
“Let’s listen first and divide parts.”
As the song approached the chorus, everyone’s faces darkened.
Every time you think it’s manageable, the ending shoots up insanely high.
“Let’s split into main vocal, lead vocal, two sub vocals, and main rapper.”
“Main vocal is center, right?”
“Yes.”
“I want the main vocal.”
Jua said it firmly.
Jium laughed lightly. “So eager!”
Jua didn’t smile.
“Raise your hand if you want the main vocal.”
Hayan and Jua raised their hands.
“Lead vocal?”
Jium and Minsu.
“Subvocal?”
Xiaojing.
No one wanted the rapper.
“Let’s have Hayan and Jua sing the chorus and vote.”
They were evenly matched.
After votes and even rock-paper-scissors—
Hayan got the main vocal.
Good.
But then—
“Hmm…”
“Her nasal tone…”
“It’s kind of ambiguous…”
Jua kept muttering beside her while Hayan practiced.
If you’re going to give feedback, at least make it useful.
Can’t you just practice your own part?
The camera was rolling.
To outsiders, it just looked like Jua giving advice.
So Hayan couldn’t shut her down bluntly.
She tried to brush it off—
“If you replace it with a nasal tone, it breaks the flow.”
“Right, so I’ll fix the pitch first—”
“If it’s hard, just lower the key like in your individual evaluation.”
“…”
Hayan put down the mic and stared at her.
Is she picking a fight?
That comment was clearly mocking her earlier criticism.
The practice room froze.
Instead of getting angry, Hayan forced a bright smile and clapped her hands.
“Everyone, can I suggest something?”
“…Yes?”
“What do you think about Jua being the main vocal?”
“What?”
The sudden cheerful proposal stunned everyone.
“Oh, I should’ve asked you first.”
She turned to Jua.
“What do you think?”
A heavy silence filled the room.
