The Daughter of a Conglomerate Family Has Debuted - Chapter 52

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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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The Chaebol’s Daughter Debuted

Episode 52

Never mind. Let’s not ask right now. If I ask for no reason, I’ll just get more anxious…

I kept my mouth shut and followed where Choi Song-i led.

The set studio where we’d compete in the second round was quite different from the first round.

It had changed from the colosseum format where all trainees seemed to look down at the stage to a more standard stage and audience seating arrangement.

The distance from the audience seats was considerable, so I probably wouldn’t feel as excessively pressured as last time.

Soon after all the trainees filled the audience seats, we heard that filming would begin, and Choi Gyu-jin walked up onto the stage.

And filming started.

“Start Plan trainees, how have you all been doing?”

The trainees responded with their various voices to that now quite familiar smooth voice.

Choi Gyu-jin continued his comments with a satisfied nod.

“You’ve all worked hard preparing for your stages this past week. I heard that trainee participation increased significantly in this round.”

Oh, were there other teams besides us that participated in the production work?

“May Rookie’s leader Ja-yeon!”

“Ah, yes!”

“Ja-yeon, you participated in the arrangement work for this competition song, right?”

Aha, so that’s why they came to spy on us.

They heard rumors that we also did our own arrangement and came to see how well we did.

Now I understand.

“Yes, that’s right. Of course, many people helped us though. Haha…”

“Oh, you’re being modest. I heard your participation was quite substantial! We’ll look forward to seeing just how different the song Ja-yeon arranged will be.”

Choi Gyu-jin finished his comments directed at May Rookie.

“And next, FLORA’s Ji-ye and Da-min!”

“…Yes!”

I hadn’t expected my name to be called right away.

“You two also participated in the arrangement?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Han Da-min naturally took over answering.

“We wanted to do an arrangement that fit us perfectly, and it happened that both Ji-ye and I had experience with music production, so we participated.”

“You had such talent! Amazing. And I heard the other three members also participated in choreography modification?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The three members who participated in choreography modification answered shyly.

Then Choi Gyu-jin exaggeratedly raised his thumb and waved it around.

“Oh my, then all of FLORA participated in the music production. That passion! That talent! How enviable.”

As the comments continued toward us, the cameras briefly turned our way.

“It must have been difficult to do this while practicing. We’ll look forward to FLORA’s transformed stage after all that effort.”

My members and I all showed bashful expressions.

‘So in the end, only us and May Rookie participated in music production.’

And after the comments directed at us finished, the moment the camera focused solely on filming the host.

“Next, let me go over Start Plan’s judging criteria once more…”

The gazes of us FLORA members and May Rookie met in mid-air.

Uncomfortable looks that only May Rookie and I knew were some kind of wariness were exchanged.

A brief eye contact. As if we had exchanged signals, we averted our eyes from each other.

Meanwhile, Choi Gyu-jin had finished explaining the competition format and was talking about determining the performance order.

“Since eliminations start from this competition, the performance order will be very important too. So how do we determine this competition order!”

Choi Gyu-jin’s gaze turned toward May Rookie.

“May Rookie! As the first place team from the first round, May Rookie will determine the order for this round.”

Ah, so this is also a benefit?

‘This works out well?’

The two competing teams are definitely scheduled to perform consecutively.

So we, as May Rookie’s opposing team, would compete according to the advantageous order they set.

May Rookie hurriedly went into discussion.

“May Rookie, once you decide the order, please have your leader come forward as representative to announce it.”

“Yes!”

As May Rookie’s side became noisy, the other teams conversely became quiet.

Everyone was listening intently to May Rookie’s voices.

Which team would they put in which order? Surely May Rookie and FLORA would take the most memorable final slot?

Or maybe they’d choose the first slot which has relatively less pressure.

‘Still, I’d prefer the final slot if possible.’

Soon May Rookie’s leader, having finished deciding, came forward and spoke.

“The teams competing in first order will be us, May Rookie, and FLORA.”

Ah, that’s a bit disappointing.

But first place is also good since it’s the stage that can leave the fastest impression on viewers unfamiliar with the stage.

Clap clap clap. We lightly applauded May Rookie’s leader Ja-yeon to show approval, and Ja-yeon said the next order with relief.

“Second order will be First Year and Romance Story, and final order will be I Meet You and U&DA!”

Ja-yeon listed several reasons for the order decision and returned to her seat.

Even giving the most memorable final slot to I Meet You and U&DA, putting one gap between us seems quite reasonable from my perspective.

“Well then, now that the order is decided, let’s get into the competition proper. Is everyone ready?”

“Yes!”

“Oh my! So energetic and good! Then let’s start Start Plan’s second round right now! The first group to take the stage is May Rookie! Please move to the stage.”

Solemn BGM played as the set studio’s lighting dimmed.

Simultaneously, a spotlight fell on May Rookie heading to the stage, then went completely dark when they reached the stage.

And a short time passed, though it felt quite long subjectively.

Something seemed to be set up on stage, then the lights came on revealing May Rookie.

Members in refreshing casual outfits of white t-shirts, denim jackets, and jeans stood under bright lighting.

Soon music with a refreshing atmosphere that perfectly matched their outfits resonated.

***

In the refreshing sound of rain

Will my confession also be buried

Under the umbrella where you and I stand side by side

I want to shout loudly

Arms and legs extending as refreshingly as the song.

Group dance that looked free yet perfectly synchronized.

I was very impressed in the first round too, but May Rookie really dances amazingly well.

All the other teams dance well too, but May Rookie especially has strong presence from their dancing.

Plus the arrangement that added impact to the dance. It was truly a perfect stage.

Thanks to that, tension reached its peak.

If we lose here, we become elimination candidates, but our opposing team is doing too well? Can we do better than that?

Then Choi Song-i’s hand landed on my thigh with a thud.

“Unnie, you don’t need to be nervous. We practiced a lot. You don’t make mistakes often either.”

“Still…”

Right, you look very calm. I’m envious.

I’m nervous. Twice as nervous as the first round.

First, unlike the first round, our opponents are May Rookie, elite trainees from a major entertainment company.

No matter how much experience I have, someone from a small, no, tiny agency like me who’s never succeeded is bound to feel intimidated in front of a major company.

Despite being confident in our preparation, I naturally started feeling like we were going to lose.

‘But if we lose here, we’ll be elimination candidates.’

Of course, being an elimination candidate doesn’t guarantee elimination, but just thinking about the possibility made my body stiffen.

Just then, the production staff approached from behind us and signaled.

“…They’re so good.”

I relieved my tension with praise for them and stood up from my seat with the members.

For now, let’s not be nervous and not worry too much.

Fretting will only make me suffer.

“Girls, don’t worry too much. Don’t be nervous. Let’s just focus on our own stage for now. Got it?”

Just as Han Da-min said the exact same thing I was thinking as soon as we left the set studio.

I almost let out a slight laugh, but I held back since the atmosphere was incredibly frozen and serious.

Still, it’s oddly comforting to know that everyone, including Han Da-min, is trembling together.

“Will FLORA indeed be able to show an amazing stage that rivals May Rookie! I’ll be watching with truly anticipating hearts.”

As we went up onto the darkened stage, we could hear announcer Choi Gyu-jin’s voice.

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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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