Became The Leader of a Girl Group Destined To Fail - Chapter 52

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 52.

Jo Hee-on’s shoulders began trembling visibly.
With such a petty heart, how could she possibly commit such wicked acts?
A bitter laugh escaped me unbidden.

“Just confess to Oh PD and the Production Crew. Then I’ll ask them not to air it. We’ll just quietly bury this and move on. Only you and Ryeo-yu will leave the program.”
“Yun Chung, you’re really funny.”

Kim Ryeo-yu cut me off and interjected.

“You seem to want to claim that Hee-on did something. Fine, I get that far. But why are you dragging me into this? Were you there when you supposedly saw it?”

…This is shamelessness on an extraordinary level.
How could anyone possibly become so utterly depraved?
If Kim Ryeo-yu had simply stayed quiet, she could have debuted without incident.
In my past life or this one.
But Kim Ryeo-yu failed to do so both times.
In my past life, she sprinkled peach skin powder into Yun Chung’s drink.
In this life, she sprinkled peanut powder onto Yun Chung’s chicken breast.
The problem was that Yun Chung’s real allergy was to peaches, not peanuts.
I deliberately ate a peach ice cream in front of Jo Hee-on.
One with an extremely low peach content.
Still, to be safe, I took an allergy medication before eating the ice cream.
Supposedly it would help mitigate the symptoms.
I thought that would be enough to deceive them both while keeping myself safe.
But there was an unforeseen complication.
Yun Chung’s allergy was far more severe than I had anticipated.
Fortunately, it wasn’t as catastrophic as in my past life—her entire body and throat didn’t fail—but her vocal cords swelled considerably.
That’s why I had no choice but to spend two days at the Hospital.
Though it was unexpected, even if I could go back, I would eat that ice cream again.
Because if I hadn’t, a far greater disaster would have come.

“You didn’t know you had an allergy?”
“I didn’t know it would be this severe.”
“Your allergen level is Class 6. The numbers are very high. Within the Class, this is considered high. You could die if you’re not careful. At this level, there’s no way you wouldn’t have known.”
“…I’ll be careful.”

To the doctor’s question, I could only answer that way.
Yun Chung had avoided peaches ever since early childhood.
To do such a thing to someone with such a severe allergy.
It could have truly remained as an attempted murder.
If I hadn’t defended her.
Yet they had the audacity to show such shameless faces.
I stared at Jo Hee-on once more.

“It’s your choice, Hee-on.”

Did you possess even the slightest shred of conscience.

***

Each position’s competition had ended, and all the vote tallies were complete.
The trainees gathered in their respective team rooms.
The Vocal Position Team was naturally no exception.
In fact, the Vocal Position Team still had unanswered questions.
Why had Yun Chung disappeared so suddenly, and how could she have reappeared just as abruptly.
Yet no one showed it.
Everyone sat as if nothing was amiss.
Rather, they all looked relieved and delighted.

“Everyone, I’ve caused you all so much worry.”

But I couldn’t do the same.
Regardless of my circumstances, I had burdened my teammates.
That wasn’t something I could excuse away.

“I’m sorry, everyone. This was such an important stage. I’m sorry for the trouble….”
“I knew you’d say something like that, our Yun Chung.”

But it was Lee Gyeong-a who cut off my words, unexpectedly.

“But seriously, don’t think like that. You couldn’t come because you were sick. Your physical condition isn’t something within your control—it’s just bad luck, really.”
“That’s right.”

Ryu Bora agreed as well.

“There’s something more important than that. Are you really okay now?”
“Yeah. The hospital confirmed everything. I’m really fine now.”
“Then I don’t mind. And honestly, we did really well today.”
“That’s what I’m saying.”

Lee Gyeong-a laughed softly.

“Regardless of the results, what makes me happiest is that we created such a perfect stage together.”
“…Thank you all. For understanding. I think we were able to do this well because of you.”
“You worked hard, Yun Chung. Honestly, I just wanted to bow to you for even showing up.”
“Right. When you appeared, it felt like a drama protagonist had just shown up.”

Why was she laughing so much while saying that? This girl needs to stop watching dramas.
I felt embarrassed.

“Today’s protagonist was all of us.”
“Right. Anyway! We all worked so hard! Now let’s just get through the hardest part and head back to the dormitory to rest!”

As Lee Gyeong-a said that, she looked at Jo Hee-on.

“But Hee-on’s been unusually quiet today. Are you feeling sick?”
“What?”

Jo Hee-on looked genuinely pale and worn out.

“Ah, you’ve always been the nervous type. Waiting for the results must be killing you, right?”
“Yes…. Really. I feel like I’m dying.”

I glanced at Jo Hee-on.
Your feeling like you’re dying isn’t from nervousness.
It’s from guilt and anxiety.
I smiled as if nothing was wrong.

“Hee-on, you worked really hard. You gave it your all, so there will be good results.”
“We’ll all have good results.”
“Oh, but when do the results come out? I want to stop doing this kind of thing now.”

Lee Gyeong-a cupped both her cheeks in her hands as she spoke.

At our urging, one of the writers handed over the cue cards.

“First, we’ll announce each team’s MVP here. And the MVPs will be transmitted to the audience in real-time. After all team MVPs are announced, we’ll hold a vote for MVP of MVP. Of course, the MVP of MVP results will only air on the broadcast.”
“Yes.”
“Then, let me announce the voting results for the Vocal Position Team.”

At the same time, the monitor in front of us changed.

Lee Gyeong-a – 3rd Place [10 votes]
Yun Chung – ?th Place
Jo Hee-on – ?th Place
Ryu Bora – ?th Place

Lee Gyeong-a’s results came out first.

“Ten votes….”

Lee Gyeong-a murmured with an embarrassed expression.
Her voice carried a complex mixture of emotions.
Relief that it wasn’t fourth place, disappointment at receiving only ten votes out of a hundred.
Meanwhile, Jo Hee-on’s expression grew increasingly dark.
Then the screen flickered once more, and part of it changed.

Jo Hee-on – 4th Place [6 votes]

That left me and Ryu Bora as the confirmed MVP candidates.
Yet I couldn’t simply rejoice.
These two had worked just as hard as we had.
Even Jo Hee-on had genuinely given her all, pouring her heart into every moment.
And Lee Gyeong-a—there was no question about her dedication.
The very structure of competing within the same team was inherently cruel.
We’d worked together with all our might just moments ago, and now our fates diverged by vote count.
In such circumstances, it felt hollow to care about who placed first or second.
Honestly, I would have been genuinely happy if Ryu Bora had won first place.

Yun Chung – 1st Place [45 votes]
Ryu Bora – 2nd Place [39 votes]

That’s why this first-place finish didn’t feel purely joyful.
I couldn’t say anything and just froze.
First place had always been my greatest joy.
Something I’d achieved alone, pure happiness without a shred of sorrow.
But I never knew that being part of a team could mean something this profound.
There was no joy in it at all. The 45 votes felt only like an apology.

“Congratulations, Yun Chung. I mean it sincerely. This is the first time I’ve ever been this happy about placing second.”

So when Ryu Bora pulled me into a tight embrace, I just burst into tears.

“I’m so sorry to all of you….”
“What are you sorry for?! Yun Chung’s only path is to MoM.”
“That’s right. Since it’s come to this, there’s only one answer—become MoM. Let’s destroy everything else.”

The other team members embraced me one by one. I think I just cried in their arms.
My tear ducts seemed to have broken.
No, I’m really not someone who cries this genuinely.

“You worked hard, Gyeong-a. I’m sorry and grateful.”

Even Jo Hee-on’s words made me cry.

***

“Each team’s MVP, please come up on stage. Now we’ll begin voting for MVP of MVP.”

The sorrow was truly fleeting.
Oh PD sent each team’s MVP back onto the stage.
As I climbed up with puffy eyes, I heard the audience’s cheers.
I forced a bright smile, worried the fans might be concerned.
Only then could I see the stage clearly.
The other people chosen as MVP.
Rap Position went, unsurprisingly, to Kim Geum.
Dance Position B went to Lee Ju-seon, who showed incredible improvement.
When I finally saw Lee Ju-seon’s performance, I honestly didn’t recognize her.
Her posture had changed completely.
At the next ranking announcement, she’ll likely show significant growth.
And Dance Position A was—

“Seo Baek-young.”
“Yes.”
“How does it feel to be the MVP of Dance Position A Team, such a fiercely competitive group?”
“The three of us were decided by such a narrow margin. I’m truly grateful for this position, and I remain humble.”
“Congratulations nonetheless. Your hard work is shining through.”

Do Hee-young smiled warmly and offered her congratulations.
I clapped softly as well.
Seo Baek-young glanced at me and laughed with a little giggle.
Why does she keep grinning like that?
Despite her modest words, she’s clearly thrilled.

“So, we’ve introduced the MVP of each team to our Colorist guests today. But we’re not finished yet. There’s still the MVP of MVP vote remaining. Please choose one trainee from among these who has painted your heart the brightest.”

As Do Hee-young spoke, the stage lights illuminated each of us in turn.
This is nerve-wracking.
Not a single person here lacked brilliance.
Everyone delivered performances that exceeded expectations today.
I had always taken pride in myself.
In the name Baek Nok-ha, and in the abilities that came with it.
I believed that my rise to this position was purely a result of my own talent.
Because I worked harder than anyone, and because I was more gifted than anyone.
But looking at it now, that wasn’t true.
I was simply luckier.
Lucky enough to have a voice the public loved, lucky enough that people cherished the songs I created.
Standing here now, I’ve truly rediscovered my original spirit.
A sense of humility, you might say.

“Well then, before the vote, one last thing. Trainees, how do you predict the results? First, Yun Chung?”
“I absolutely want to place first, for our team’s sake. Please vote for me.”
“…Yun Chung. You seem quite desperate.”

But humility is one thing.
I need to win first place today.
The unnie’s getting a bit frantic, you guys.

“Kim Geum?”
“Ah, well. I don’t need to say anything—I already know our Colorist guests will choose me. We’ve already said everything that needs to be said, heart to heart.”

Ooh.
Laughter and cheers erupted from the audience.
Hmm.
I could see that even the fans holding my slogans were enjoying it.
I understand their sentiment, but I wish my fans would only cheer when I’m speaking.
That’s just how I feel.

“Seo Baek-young trainee?”
“Number 1, Seo Baek-young. If you vote for me, you won’t regret it…”
“Whoa, whoa. This isn’t a political campaign.”
“I’ll repay you with my performance on stage! Please vote for me! Number 1, number 1!”
“…Lee Ju-seon trainee?”
“I… just being here this far is already….”
“Oh?”

Lee Ju-seon seemed to take a step back, unlike the trainees before her—

“That’s not enough. Since I’ve come this far, I’d like you to make me the MVP of MVPs!”

But that wasn’t it.
Lee Ju-seon was just as desperate as the rest.

“Traitor!”
“Boo!”
“Everyone, quiet down.”

That was the truth.
None of the four of us here lacked desperation.
So it wouldn’t be strange no matter who became MVP of MVPs.
And yet.
I wanted it. MVP of MVPs.

“Ah, the tallying is all finished.”

Do Hee-young conferred quietly with the Production Crew for a moment, then nodded at us.
With closing remarks, she announced to the audience that the public recording had ended.
The Production Crew guided the audience toward the exits.
From here on, this portion would be broadcast-exclusive.
Of course, each team’s MVP would soon be plastered all over the internet as spoilers.
But with fake spoilers circulating alongside the real ones, people would be curious enough to watch the broadcast anyway to figure out what was genuine.
As the audience filed out, other trainees filed in to take their place.
My team waved their hands at me in a gesture of encouragement and support.
Seeing their faces only made me more nervous.

“Then I’ll announce the results. First, fourth place. This trainee received a total of 17 votes out of 100, securing fourth place.”

Do Hee-young spoke while reading from the cue card with the results.
Fourth place. Who could it be?
Seventeen votes wasn’t a bad result for fourth place, all things considered.
It also suggested that the competition for the higher ranks would be fierce.
I suspected it was probably Lee Ju-seon, the lowest-ranked among us.
Lee Ju-seon already looked downcast, as if she’d already placed fourth.

“Trainee Kim Geum from the Rap Position. You received a total of 17 votes.”

!
Insane.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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