The Daughter of a Conglomerate Family Has Debuted - Chapter 197

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“What?”

At my question, Ja-yeon looked at me with a flustered expression.

“If that’s not it, then why are you suddenly bringing up this topic?”

“That’s…”

“We’re not even close enough to have such serious conversations.”

It seemed like Ja-yeon was saying these things to me because there were no cameras around, so I had nothing I couldn’t say either.

Ja-yeon seemed at a loss for words, pressing her lips tightly together before staring at me intently.

Then she lowered her eyelids and nodded her head.

“Now that you put it that way, I think I did want to hear an apology.”

“Yes.”

What other reason would there be for telling me about her delayed debut?

It must mean she wanted me to feel guilty since my debut was delayed because of you.

But you can’t blame me and resent me for something you did wrong.

Well, SU and May Rookie members could grumble and curse among themselves that things turned out this way because of Ryu Ji-ye, but it’s better not to vent resentment that no one would sympathize with to other people.

I looked straight into Ja-yeon’s eyes and said.

“I’m not sorry.”

“Yes, you don’t need to be sorry.”

“The debut being delayed isn’t my fault, it’s because May Rookie got caught manipulating the results.”

“…”

“It’s not like you didn’t know, you knew you were going to win, right? Then there’s nothing to feel wronged about.”

Then Ja-yeon’s expression became dejected.

It wasn’t something to feel wronged about, but she felt wronged anyway. She just needed to debut, but she was frustrated that she couldn’t even do that and wanted to vent her anger on someone.

The easiest target would be me, but since Ryu Ji-ye wasn’t easy to deal with, she couldn’t even do that.

In the end, there was no reason left for her to sit next to me.

“…Yes, we were wrong.”

Then Ja-yeon was silent for a long time.

Then suddenly I heard sniffling sounds.

‘What?’

I flinched and looked to the side to see Ja-yeon crying.

“I practiced for 7 years…”

“…”

“My debut got pushed back… So I was so upset, I think I took it out on the wrong person… Sorry, sob…”

“Ah…”

Should I just go inside? But I want to stay here.

If I go in, I won’t be able to sleep and I’ll just have to lie there helplessly.

Should I just try asking?

I watched Ja-yeon crying like she was the most wronged person in the world, then carefully added.

“Did your debut get cancelled by any chance?”

“…sob.”

Ah, please don’t cry more.

Why does everyone keep crying in front of me? I’m not even good at comforting people.

Don’t tell me their debut really got canceled?

I’ve heard that major agencies frequently scrap groups, but scrapping a group that even appeared on a competition show?

‘Does that even make sense?’

Would the fans just sit still for that? Or are trainees and fans from major agencies already used to even that situation?

“It’s not completely scrapped, but it’s been delayed a lot. The public opinion hasn’t died down…”

I guess that makes sense.

We were quite actively promoting until recently.

We were being called quite frequently with the keyword of being the true winners of Start Plan.

The criticism toward May Rookie naturally increased, and now they’ve become like the representative symbol of manipulation.

“They said they’ll debut the male trainees they were preparing first, and once things calm down, they’ll debut us as the next batch. But honestly, all the trainees know.”

I know. What those words really mean.

When one group debuts, it takes at least over 3 years for the next idol group to debut.

So while the younger members might be okay, Ja-yeon who’s already in her twenties and has practiced for 7 years would have to wait again and miss her golden period.

Even if she endures those 3 years, it’s not certain whether SU will create a girl group at that time.

So usually trainees either quit or the agency introduces them to other companies.

In Ja-yeon’s case, since she practiced at SU for 7 years, her sense of emptiness must be severe.

Since I didn’t say anything, Ja-yeon held back her tears and spoke in a deliberately calm voice.

“Of course it’s not completely scrapped.”

“If it were scrapped, we wouldn’t have participated in something like SPLCON.”

“Yes, they said they’ll decide based on the response this time. But I think it’ll just get scrapped.”

“Why?”

“Because the response is still bad. We might be able to debut as a different group, but May Rookie is difficult. Even among the members…”

Ah, the members are also falling apart.

It’s something that commonly happens when a group collapses. Just like our Choux Cream did at the end.

If the agency is skeptical and the group members can’t stick together, then May Rookie should be considered finished.

Then the agency might say they’re watching public response, but they’re probably also considering the group’s disbandment. They’re probably forcing through current activities aiming for individual promotional effects for each trainee.

But… Setting aside all pretenses and just speaking honestly.

“But wouldn’t Ja-yeon be okay?”

I don’t know about the other kids, but this one seems like she’d really be fine.

If she just holds on, SU would try to debut her somehow.

You could tell at a glance just from watching Start Plan that SU cherishes Ja-yeon and was pushing this batch of rookies centered around her.

Usually trainees who are held onto and pushed this much would be debuted by their company no matter what, even if May Rookie doesn’t work out.

Then Ja-yeon frowned and shook her head.

“I can’t do it.”

“You can’t do it?”

“No. It’s not that SU said they can’t do it.”

Ja-yeon started crying even more sadly, tears streaming down.

Even though she’s someone I don’t have particularly good feelings toward, seeing someone who’s barely of working age crying so sadly honestly made me feel bad.

“If I can’t debut with May Rookie this time, I can’t endure it. I’ve already practiced for 7 years, how can I do it again?”

Ja-yeon began rambling on about her situation all by herself.

Honestly, she was mumbling so I couldn’t really understand what she was saying, but roughly speaking, this was apparently the 4th trainee group formed around Ja-yeon.

Over several years, they kept repeating formation and disbandment, and she thought May Rookie would be the last one.

“We even went on broadcasts so I was sure we’d debut… We even finished recording all the songs…”

I had nothing to say, so I just scratched my head with a sigh.

Well, thinking about it after listening, when the company was determined to manipulate things, what could a kid who had been training for 7 years with debut right in front of her do?

I also wondered what I would have done if I were in Ja-yeon’s position.

So the conclusion.

‘She is kind of pitiful.’

But what can I do? It’s true that I took advantage of that favorable situation.

“If I can’t debut with May Rookie here, I’m going to leave. I’ll go somewhere that will let me debut as a solo artist. I already asked SU but they said they don’t do solo acts here.”

Ah, she already asked about it.

“But someone of Ja-yeon’s level would have many places wanting you as a solo artist.”

“I know.”

“Oh, you know that.”

“Yes, I know, but it’s such a waste. I trained here for 7 years. I was sure I’d debut at SU. I wanted to debut here…”

“Oh dear…”

I let out a sympathetic sigh and got up from my seat.

“Cheer up. That’s all I can say to you. Calm down a bit and come inside.”

It wasn’t something I could do anything about or help with.

But I could at least give her some time to let out her emotions alone.

I wasn’t very sleepy yet, but I just went inside the house first and lay down.

I could hear Ja-yeon’s crying endlessly from outside the house.

***

The next day, all the members except me and Min Ha-young woke up suffering greatly with stiff, aching bodies.

The person suffering the most was Ja-yeon, who couldn’t even think of getting up with the body aches from helping the elderly people yesterday, plus the headache and facial swelling from crying.

In the end, Ja-yeon could only stand in front of the cameras after heavily arming herself with a mask, hat, and scarf on her face.

“You all look terrible.”

“Haha…”

“Well, idols are human too. You’re all swollen. Is it okay to be filmed by cameras with bare faces?”

“We’re fine. We showed so much during Start Plan.”

Young Il-lin said embarrassedly.

“Ah, during the training camp?”

“Yes…”

“I see. …But why did you all appear together?”

“Oh, us. Can we say it?”

At Young Il-lin’s question, Kim Gwang-cheon looked reluctant but pursed his lips as if telling her to go ahead.

“Actually, we have a Start Plan concert coming up soon.”

“Start Plan Con?”

“Yes, soon we’ll be holding a concert featuring all six teams from our Start Plan cast. We hope many people will show interest.”

“But you guys.”

Kim Gwang-cheon let out a snicker and pointed at us.

“It’s a bit late to ask this now, but is it really okay for you all to be doing things together?”

Ugh, he’s throwing shade right until the very end.

The members laughed awkwardly and mumbled their responses.

After that, Kim Gwang-cheon said it was just a joke and giggled before disappearing.

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