The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 37

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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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37

“Everyone, I love you all!”
“Pfft.”

A high-pitched squeal cut through the speakers. Sung Ji-won had laughed despite the microphone being live. The staff quickly adjusted the volume, but the fans had already heard everything.
The stage lights brightened again, and Kang Yi-chae playfully nudged Sung Ji-won. As all the members waved to the audience, cheers erupted from the crowd.
Yoo Ji-a looked at us and smiled.

“I have so much to say….”
“….”
“But first, I’ll just say—I’d love to see you all again.”

At Yoo Ji-a’s words, the members’ tension visibly melted away.

“How did you prepare something like this in just over a week? A musical format with a werewolf concept nobody saw coming. Who arranged the music?”
“Yi-chae handled the arrangement, Da-jun came up with the concept, Hyun-sung choreographed, and Ji-won oversaw the vocals.”
“That’s a perfect division of labor… so what about you, Ho-yoon?”
“I just went along for the ride.”

I meant it sincerely, but everyone burst out laughing.
Kim Sung-hyun picked up the microphone next.

“Seo Ho-yoon oversaw the entire production. He communicated the plans to the production crew and handled all the stage setup perfectly.”
“Yes, it was a truly wonderful performance. Finally, I’d like to ask our audience for a few words.”

Well, looking good on camera in front of the cameras is always fine. I shrugged, and Sung Ji-won picked up the microphone. His expression was resolute.

“We’ve put in a lot of preparation over this past week.”
“….”
“If that effort showed on stage the way Ho-yoon said it would, we couldn’t ask for anything more. Thank you for today.”

Sung Ji-won spoke well today. As he spoke, strangely, all the members’ expressions were filled with determination.
Was I the only one who couldn’t read the room? Why did the audience all look so moved?
Anyway, we did a group bow and exited, when suddenly Jung Da-jun hung from my left shoulder. Everyone else tapped my shoulder or head as they passed by.

‘What the….’

“Today is entering!”

As we headed out, my eyes met with Today’s—they were the last to perform. Everyone had expressions like they’d just bitten into something foul after watching our stage. But perhaps conscious of the egg incident, they passed by without saying a word.
When Today took the stage, the cheers weren’t nearly as loud as ours had been.

“We must’ve done pretty well, huh.”

Jung Da-jun bounced excitedly, laughing.
The camera crew that had attached itself to us seemed intent on capturing an exclusive behind-the-scenes moment, following us closely.
As we tried to head back to the waiting room, performers and staff greeted us with every step. Eventually, we couldn’t even make it back to the waiting room—we had to return to the stage.
We hurried up onto the stage where Today, Refined, Mars, and Nightmare were standing, offering quick greetings. Their gazes pierced right through me.

“Don’t make the kids stand around like this!”

Sorry, guys… I can still stand. Yoo Ji-a pretended not to hear and picked up her card.

“All five teams, thank you for your hard work. Now we must announce the rankings of honor.”

Yoo Ji-a spoke slowly, deliberately announcing from last place first.
Fifth place: Nightmare. Fourth place: Refined. Third place: Mars.
Only Today and The Dun remained.
Jung Da-jun’s expression crumpled.

‘Brother, are we losing?’
‘….’

It’s possible.

“Now we must announce the honorable first place.”

Truth be told, I hadn’t expected this much. I never had any intention of taking first place in the preliminary round.
I had different plans in mind.
Deliberately avoiding looking toward where Today stood, we kept our eyes forward. Though oblivious Jung Da-jun was fidgeting.

“The champion team of the Shining Star preliminary round is….”

A thrilling song reverberated through the competition venue. I felt Today Yoo-hyuk’s gaze boring into me with excessive intensity.
Hey, manage your expression.
That was the moment. Yoo Ji-a took a deep breath and picked up the microphone.

“The Dun has earned 4,700 points—congratulations on first place!”

What?

“Kyaaaah!”
“The Dun! The Dun!”

The Dun came in first?
When ninety percent of the score comes from the audience?
This doesn’t make sense.

I furrowed my brow slightly, and my eyes met Kim Hee-young’s. The production director’s expression was twisted as she looked toward me.

‘What is this.’

My mind spun rapidly.
I couldn’t hear what Yoo Ji-a was saying.

“The Dun, congratulations. You’ve succeeded in capturing the audience’s hearts with remarkably stable vocals and an astonishing concept.”

‘The audience.’

Ah, now I understand.
They were either going to rig it for first place or they weren’t—but the entertainment agency got cold feet after seeing the situation. Since I just took a hit, if Today ends up in first place, it won’t look good for them. Besides, first place in the preliminary round wasn’t that important anyway.
So we can just take first place later?

“Hyung!”
“We got first!”

No, that’s not it. There’s something more to this.
While I was turning it over in my mind, my members broke into radiant smiles, their faces full of emotion.
Well, we really did prove our skill and win the audience’s hearts. I patted them enthusiastically and took the microphone.

“This is Seo Ho-yoon from The Dun. Thank you so much for voting for us despite our shortcomings.”
“Yes, congratulations indeed! How are you feeling about this?”

I shifted my gaze slightly toward Yoo Ji-a, who was smiling as if wearing a mask, and continued speaking.

“First, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the fans who have always supported us, and to every member of our team. I’m also deeply thankful to all the staff who prepared so hard alongside us, and to the rival teams whose remarkable skills constantly inspire us.”

I was genuinely grateful to the rival team.
Thanks to Today’s aggression, our team’s morale had been climbing steadily.
As the typical remarks flowed out with practiced ease, Yoo Ji-a seemed slightly disappointed, tilting her head. But she continued the proceedings professionally, unfazed.

“Then, shall we check out the first-place privilege?”

I wished it would be money… but there’s no way it could be.

“What is it?”
“Is it Korean beef or something?”

Jung Da-jun asked brightly. Yoo Ji-a’s expression turned apologetic, as if she didn’t know what to do.
Kim Hee-young, the PD, was still watching me with her lips pressed firmly together.

“Well, it’s not quite that… It’s something more special.”

Yoo Ji-a slowly flipped the card over. Then she smiled awkwardly toward the audience.

“The first-place group can select another group and convert their score into a negative!”
“….”

Silence fell over everything. Everyone’s faces showed shock.

“In other words, if a group scored 3,000 points, it becomes negative 3,000 points, which is reflected in the final total. It’s a crucial opportunity to bring down a group you’ve been keeping in check.”

Wow…

‘I did ask for a competitive dynamic…’

That’s harsh.
Really harsh.

‘Wait, is this Kim Hee-young’s doing? Or Today’s agency?’

That could be true. Kim Hee-young wasn’t me, so she was rather soft-hearted. Even when she constructed scenarios, she’d never pushed contestants this far.
So that’s why Kim Hee-young asked if I wasn’t curious about the first-place privilege.
The Dun members were so shocked they couldn’t even open their mouths. To be precise, they couldn’t afford to. If anyone said a word here, they’d catch hell for it.
Only then did the audience snap to attention, and jeers erupted.

“Are the production crew insane?!”
“Do you want to get sued?!”

Something along those lines.
Moreover, except for The Dun’s fans, everyone else stared at me holding the microphone as if they wanted to tear me to shreds.
I was used to hostile gazes, but it had been a long time since I felt such killing intent. Cold sweat trickled down my spine.

“You can decide now.”

What should I do?

“So, The Dun. Which team will you choose?”

No matter who I picked, I’d be torn to pieces. SNS and community forums would burn it all down to ashes.
Now I understood why Today hadn’t taken first place.
In the first round, becoming first place meant becoming the loser.

‘I’ve been played.’

Before raising the microphone, I looked back at my members. They all wore expressions of helplessness.

“Ho-yoon.”
“….”
“Let me answer.”

Sung Ji-won suddenly grabbed my shoulder and whispered. Whoever answered would be torn to pieces regardless.
Deep fear flickered in Sung Ji-won’s eyes, but he deliberately spoke to me with a calm facade. It was his true intention.

“It’s fine. Don’t worry.”
“….”
“Everyone.”

I meet their wavering gazes. Their piercing stares feel like they’re pinning me down, threatening to skewer me where I stand.
I look directly back at them.
I didn’t know it would be needed this quickly, but—.

“You trust me, right?”

A contingency I’d laid down just in case.
The third rule: no matter what Seo Ho-yoon does, trust him unconditionally.
Kang Yi-chae lets out a hollow laugh. Then he nods.
I cut off Sung Ji-won before he can respond, turning my body slowly toward Yoo Ji-a in the audience seating. Yoo Ji-a smiles with a pitying expression.

“Have you made your decision?”

I nod.

“Yes.”
“Then, please tell us the group name.”

I turn my gaze toward where the other groups are. They all flinch. Among them, only Today scoffs. They all seem delighted that I’ve walked into this trap.
Since I’ve already established a rivalry with Today, choosing them here would only destroy my sympathetic public image.

[There was no need for sympathy]
[I kept saying Seo Ho-yoon was strong lolol]

That’s the kind of title that will flood the community.
So they seemed to think I’d choose Nightmare, which has the smallest fanbase, or at best Refined. That’s why Today was just enjoying watching me fall apart.

But… you guys.
What are you going to do?

“I will….”

I smile as I pick up the microphone.

“Senior, I choose Today.”

I’m going to crush one of you bastards.

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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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