The Gates Opened on the First Day of Debut - Chapter 89

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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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The Gate Burst Open on My Debut Day (89)
Han Theo became the center of the Silk Veil Team.
The voting results were six votes for Han Theo, two votes for Okada, and one vote each for Kang Hae-soo and Seo Ijae.
Contrary to expectations that Han Theo would sweep the votes, Okada and the other two trainees performed reasonably well.
And our Nexus Team was….
“Kim Chowol received five votes, Yoo Sung received four votes, and Jung Yoo-yeol received one vote, so our team’s center will be Chowol.”
Park Jin-seok’s announcement was met with applause from the trainees.
Some trainees seemed to have difficulty accepting the reality, but honestly, it wasn’t my concern.
I’d earned this position fairly through voting.
‘Though I did bend the rules a little….’
I recalled the item I’d used before filming the video.
[Charm Potion+
Grade: A+
Description: For approximately 12 hours, increases your Charm stat to EX grade. Permanently increases your Charm stat by 2 levels.
*Provided in potion form and can be used on others.]
It was the A+ grade Charm Potion Plus.
In addition to the existing charm potion, a new effect had been added that permanently increased the Charm stat.
Thanks to it, even after twelve hours had passed, I could maintain a higher Charm stat than Yoo Sung.
[Basic Stats
Vocal: B+
Dance: B
Appearance: A-
Charm: A+]
Checking my stat window, I couldn’t help but break into a smile.
Beyond the Charm stat that had risen by two levels, my Vocal and Dance stats were also steadily improving.
Training was grueling.
But the more I practiced, the more visible my growth became, and I couldn’t stop.
“Oh? Hello, sir.”
As we all headed to the Cafeteria after finishing morning practice, we encountered the judges in the hallway, each holding a cup of coffee.
My teammates and I greeted them with utmost courtesy and respect.
“Oh? You’re the Nexus Team, right?”
The Vocal Trainer, spotting us, suddenly pointed at us and raised his voice.
My teammates and I lifted our heads, staring blankly at the Vocal Trainer with confused expressions.
“You guys, you really…!”
The Vocal Trainer let out an exasperated sound, his expression frustrated. He seemed to have much to say but couldn’t quite say it.
The expressions of the other judges also seemed off somehow.
While watching the Vocal Trainer, I let out a small chuckle, then drooped my shoulders as if it wasn’t the time to laugh.
“Trainee Kim Chowol.”
Kim Junwoo, the only judge smiling without any concern, walked toward me.
The Vocal Trainer raised his eyes toward me and Kim Junwoo, but soon let out a deep sigh and shook his head in disapproval.
‘What? What is this?’
Bewildered by the judges’ unusually warm demeanor, I widened my eyes and tilted my head in confusion.
Kim Junwoo extended his hand and spoke.
“Congratulations on becoming center. I always believed you would be the one, Kim Chowol.”
“Ah… thank you.”
I grasped Kim Junwoo’s hand and exchanged a light handshake.
It seemed the news of my selection as center had already reached the judges.
“You kept your promise.”
“Promise….”
Just before releasing my hand, Kim Junwoo whispered softly.
Promise?
What promise did I keep… wait, could it be?
‘It will be difficult at Starlight, but if the opportunity comes, I will definitely become center.’
Was he referring to what I’d said back then?
No, he actually remembered that remark—something I was too embarrassed to even call a promise?
“…Yes, I did keep it.”
I answered with an awkward smile.
While Kim Junwoo’s memory and obsession with the center position were remarkable, strangely, I didn’t feel displeased.
It meant he’d been watching me carefully.
No one dislikes being acknowledged by an industry senior of such stature.
“I’m looking forward to the live broadcast stage.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Kim Junwoo disappeared down the opposite end of the hallway with the other judges.
My eyes briefly met the Vocal Trainer’s, who had been glancing at me until the very end, but I simply turned away and pretended not to notice.
“Let’s eat quickly and head to practice.”
Only four days remained until the final live broadcast stage.
I had to carve out practice time even from meals.
I headed to the cafeteria with my teammates.
* * *
Upon arriving at the cafeteria, we discovered the Silk Veil Team already there, eating their meals.
“Hey!”
Okada, who was eating with Han Theo, Seo Ijae, and Kang Hae-soo, raised her hand enthusiastically and called out to me.
After receiving my food on a tray, I took a seat beside Okada.
“How have you all been? It’s been a while, Lee Jae.”
Even though we were on the same filming set, being on different teams meant we rarely saw each other.
I caught up with the four trainees from the other team.
Though “catching up” really just meant asking how their stage preparations were going.
“How’s it coming along?”
At my question, the trainees’ expressions grew slightly darker.
“Um… it’s a bit difficult.”
Okada hesitated for a moment before answering with an awkward smile.
From what Okada had picked up here and there, the Silk Veil Team seemed to be falling significantly behind in their preparations compared to us.
‘It’s just that there’s no one suitable to take on the Leader role.’
The four trainees close to me had flawless skills, but there was something lacking about entrusting them with the leader’s responsibilities.
“Still, it seems fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes. They’re working hard.”
Okada spoke while clenching both fists tightly.
A steadfast determination shone through those sparkling eyes.
‘There’s no need for me to step in, is there?’
It was unfortunate for those four who burned with determination and effort, but soon the plagiarism controversy surrounding Silk Veil would erupt.
It was something I couldn’t prevent or resolve.
All I could do was wait for the Silk Veil Team to overcome it on their own.
‘I know. I know everything….’
Still, I couldn’t help but feel a lingering unease in my heart.
“If you’re having a hard time, tell me anytime.”
“Yes!”
Okada nodded brightly with a radiant smile.
As I gazed at that smile, my thoughts drifted unexpectedly elsewhere.
‘I thought Okada would choose the Nexus Team.’
Okada had always wanted to be on the same team as me.
So I was somewhat shocked when Okada chose the Silk Veil Team.
I even checked my status window several times, wondering if the 100% trust rating had dropped.
But no matter how many times I checked, the trust rating remained at 100%.
Even choosing a different team didn’t diminish my teammate’s trust in me.
It was the same for Han Theo, Seo Ijae, and Kang Hae-soo, not just Okada.
‘They probably just chose based on the song they liked.’
Or perhaps they simply preferred Silk Veil over Nexus.
“We’re going to practice now.”
Okada, who had finished eating first, stood up from her seat with her teammate trainee.
I waved my hand toward the four trainees who were saying goodbye.
‘Well… they’ll do fine on their own.’
They all had the skills, even if leadership was another matter.
* * *
Nexus and Silk Veil Team.
When the moment came to choose between one of the two teams, Okada fell into deep contemplation.
At first, she naturally intended to be on the same team as Kim Chowol, the older brother she admired.
There was no one as reliable as Kim Chowol, nor anyone who looked after Okada as well as he did.
‘I promised myself I wouldn’t act spoiled toward him.’
Had I already forgotten that promise?
Okada steeled herself, closed her eyes tight, and ultimately chose the Silk Veil Team.
Fortunately, familiar faces like Seo Ijae and Kang Hae-soo were there, so blending in with the team wasn’t terribly difficult.
But the real problem was that there was no one to anchor the team.
“We should probably decide on our concept.”
“Wasn’t our concept already decided? Heroes defeating villains!”
Seo Ijae, gauging the mood of the team members, answered carefully.
“But we still need to write the lyrics, and it’s better to nail down the concept first….”
“Write the lyrics? Do you think we can do that well? Can’t we just use the lyrics that the Silk Veil seniors wrote for us?”
However, some team members shrugged dismissively as if there was no real need for all that.
Flustered, Seo Ijae fell silent.
He wanted to tell them that the current concept and lyrics were too simple and lacked depth, that they needed to establish a concrete concept to write good lyrics….
Seo Ijae tried to convince the other team members, but his voice caught in his throat as if it were clogged shut.
“I may not know much else, but I think it’s best to establish the concept clearly before we proceed.”
“Me, me too.”
“Me as well.”
Thanks to Kang Hae-soo stepping forward, Okada and Han Theo were also able to support Seo Ijae’s opinion.
“Okay… fine. Let’s start with the concept then.”
Only then could Seo Ijae let out a sigh of relief.
The Silk Veil Team rolled forward like an old, creaky wagon—rickety but somehow moving ahead.
“Should we take a break?”
“Yes, that sounds good.”
Seo Ijae asked the team members while catching his breath heavily.
The team members wiped away beads of sweat rolling down their cheeks as they answered.
“Ugh, this is exhausting….”
They’d practiced for four hours with barely any breaks.
While it was a shame not to have a reliable leader, everyone worked hard without missing a single practice session.
“Don’t you think our song is really good?”
“Right? I love the concept too. Honestly, heroes are better than villains.”
The team members, leaning against the practice room wall, began chattering away cheerfully.
Okada also caught her breath and smiled softly.
Though there had been some friction at the beginning, now that they were all talking together like this, her heart felt considerably lighter.
But the peace didn’t last long.
“A-are all the Silk Veil Team members in the practice room right now?”
A Staff Member with a grave expression burst through the practice room door.
The startled trainees stared blankly at the Staff Member’s ashen face.
“Yes, we’re all here… Is something wrong?”
Seo Ijae stepped forward as the representative and asked.
The Staff Member, wearing a complicated expression, paused for a moment before pulling out a phone from his pocket and handing it to Seo Ijae.
“Just… look at this first.”
The trainees crowded around Seo Ijae, craning their necks to peer at the phone screen.
[SILK VEIL’s 【Afterimage】 Plagiarism Allegations Raised… “Shouldn’t We Be Checking Their Other Songs Too?” Concerns Spread]
SILK VEIL plagiarized…?
The trainees, struck by shock, frantically scrolled through the article.

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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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