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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: The Results Are In
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“What kind of specific training do you plan to give the trainees?”
“Ah, yes. We’d like to tell Kim Ryeo-yu not to be too considerate of others, but to approach the competition with a more serious attitude…”
“They’re just kids. Logically, why would those kids be mindful of Kim Ryeo-yu? It’s all because of the adults.”
CEO Hong spoke chillingly.
“The proposal you’ve brought is about training the trainees… Isn’t it you who needs training right now?”
“I apologize…”
“I’m a bit disappointed today. I wanted something constructive, but everyone’s just being cautious and not saying what’s truly needed.”
The moment CEO Hong spoke in a calm voice,
“Madam CEO.”
Director Kim entered.
“I heard you’ve visited after a long time. You’ve been enjoying your vacation well, haven’t you?”
A gasp was heard.
And rightly so, as Director Kim’s words were practically a subtle jab.
They were full of the implication, “Why are you interfering now after abandoning the company all this time?”
Of course, CEO Hong couldn’t have been unaware of it.
“Yes. I was enjoying it very much. But it seems I have to end it now.”
“You could always take more time off. The executives and employees here are pouring their passion into their work.”
“Passion is good. And I want to respond to that passion.”
*Crackle.*
A staring contest ensued between Director Kim and CEO Hong.
There was a reason Director Kim could be so aggressive towards her superior.
The shareholders tended to favor Director Kim.
This was because Director Kim was incredibly kind to the shareholders but inhumane to the employees.
Freezing salaries was basic, and if performance wasn’t shown even slightly, she would somehow create an excuse to push them out of the company.
Beyond that, there were her efforts to run the company with the minimum number of staff.
CEO Hong had also left for a while, fed up with Director Kim and the shareholders’ attitudes.
She had truly been running without a break.
But it seemed she couldn’t do that anymore.
“I think I’ve enjoyed my vacation enough for now, and I plan to return to the company. I don’t intend to fully return from the start, but…”
CEO Hong grinned.
She pointed a finger at the presentation monitor screen.
“Don’t you think I need to resolve at least that much to be able to face the shareholders?”
Of course, Director Kim’s expression crumpled.
***
After the second mission, the on-site voting results announcement was held first.
However, the tension was actually less than during the first on-site voting announcement.
Partly because they had already experienced it once—
“Why do they announce rankings twice in one day?”
—and partly because the ‘ranking announcement ceremony’ was right after.
The ranking announcement ceremony and the on-site voting announcement were different.
For the on-site voting announcement, only fans who attended the performance could vote.
This time, a total of 360 fans participated.
That was 60 more than last time.
It felt like, judging by the number, about 30 fans were selected per trainee.
However, this time, only two people could be chosen.
Last time, they had to rank all the trainees.
But this time, it was a method of simply picking the two members they liked the most.
Therefore, the total number of votes was 720.
The twelve trainees divided the 720 votes, and their ranks were determined by the final vote count.
It was a metric that allowed them to gauge the on-site reaction, and the winning team received a benefit for the next mission.
However, what truly made the trainees tremble was the ‘ranking announcement ceremony.’
This was truly a popularity ranking in itself.
If on-site voting involved various elements of luck…
The ranking from the ranking announcement ceremony, which only reflected online votes, was about knowing how many fans genuinely supported them.
Furthermore, the ranking announcement ceremony allowed for voting for all twelve trainees in one day, or just one person.
On-site voting included people for whom you were their ‘second favorite.’
However, the ranking from the ranking announcement ceremony was akin to the number of ‘people who wanted to make you a girl group member.’
So, they couldn’t help but be more nervous.
“It feels like taking both a mock exam and the Suneung in one day…”
Yeon Ju-hong said, lying on the waiting room sofa.
Your analogies are truly like a high schooler, you…
It was at times like these that their age truly hit home.
“Even if it’s a voting ranking that doesn’t directly affect debut… people can’t help but feel bad.”
“True.”
Even if you don’t do well on a mock exam, it’s still upsetting.
I quietly agreed.
“Even if you get a low rank, you can just climb higher next time.”
At that moment, Kim Geum, who had brought four sports drinks, spoke.
“Take one each.”
Kim Geum handed a drink to me and Yeon Ju-hong.
“Hey!”
And finally, she tossed a drink to Lee Ju-seon.
“M-me too?”
“Aren’t you part of our team?”
“…”
“I bought it because I thought you’d feel left out if I didn’t.”
“Why do you hold grudges for so long?!”
Kim Geum clicked her tongue, *tsk, tsk*.
“Ugh, look at her, turning the tables on me.”
The two bickered for a long time like that.
But somehow, their relationship didn’t seem so bad.
Considering they were both smiling slyly and diligently drinking their sports drinks.
“Hey, Ryu Bo-ra!”
“What.”
Kim Geum didn’t stop there and even spoke to Ryu Bo-ra, who was looking at her phone alone in a corner.
“Where do you keep getting these phones from?”
‘Make a New Color’ confiscated all phones once filming officially began.
They were returned after filming ended.
Team missions were an exception, as they needed to contact each other.
“Use your head, Geum-ah.”
“? Is this a brain attack…?”
Kim Geum approached Ryu Bo-ra and quickly peeked at her phone screen.
However, Ryu Bo-ra fiercely hid her phone.
“What is it? Why are you hiding it?”
“Privacy.”
“I said, what is it?”
“My personal life.”
Ryu Bo-ra turned off her phone completely, then glanced at me.
And pointed at Kim Geum.
…Did she want me to… take her away?
“She’s your kid, Unnie. Take her away.”
Since when was she my kid?
However, I silently dragged the struggling Kim Geum away.
“But you too.”
“Me?”
“You be careful too. With your phone.”
It would be a huge hassle if you got caught.
Considering PD Oh’s control-freak personality, his reaction wouldn’t be good if Ryu Bo-ra didn’t listen to him.
“…I’ll handle it.”
Are you going through puberty?
***
The break ended in an instant.
The on-site voting results announcement filming began immediately.
“Everyone, you’ve worked hard. The second mission is already over. All three teams showed excellent performances. As a mentor and a senior, I am proud.”
Do Hui-yeong always had a mature feel about her, as usual.
I never thought of her as mature normally, but seeing her here, why does she seem so mature?
“Today, the Colorists who will color you voted for the two trainees who caught their eye the most. A total of 360 Colorists participated today. Now, I will first announce the total vote rankings for each team.”
After a brief explanation, Do Hui-yeong immediately pointed to the screen.
All the trainees watched the screen with nervous eyes.
Team 3rd place, 140 votes
Team 2nd place, 233 votes
Team 1st place, 347 votes
“!”
A significant ripple, not a calm one, spread among the trainees.
The difference between 1st and 3rd place was considerable.
The on-site voting was conducted without any behind-the-scenes content being revealed.
This meant the results were based solely on the stage performance.
Yet, such a large difference.
Everyone’s expressions were grim.
It meant that the difference in performance capabilities on stage was that great.
It was even more so because it was a stage they had created themselves, from start to finish.
“First, I will reveal the 2nd place team.”
Following Do Hui-yeong’s words, the screen changed.
2nd Place.
Team Bubble Gum
233 votes
-9th Bang Su-in (▲1) 31 votes
-8th Shin Yu-hyeon (-) 34 votes
-4th Ryu Bo-ra (▲1) 80 votes
-3rd Seo Baek-yeong (-) 88 votes
“Two trainees in the debut zone have been announced. Team Bubble Gum. No one’s rank has dropped. Congratulations.”
The fact that no one’s rank dropped in Team Bubble Gum meant…
Conversely, someone’s rank must have dropped in another team.
The atmosphere in Team Bubble Gum was quite good.
It wasn’t exactly a celebratory mood, but everyone generally seemed relieved.
The four of them held each other’s hands tightly.
Ryu Bo-ra entered the debut zone.
Considering my rank was originally 4th and Ryu Bo-ra’s was 5th…
It meant there was a change in my rank as well.
Would it be a good change, or a bad one?
“Then, I will immediately announce 3rd place.”
3rd Place.
Team Love U
140 votes
-12th Park Ha-eun (▼3) 20 votes
-11th Lee Gyeong-a (-) 23 votes
-10th Jo Hui-on (▼3) 27 votes
-6th Kim Ryeo-yu (▼4) 70 votes
“!”
All four members of Team Love U couldn’t utter a sound.
And it wasn’t just them.
Everyone couldn’t make a peep.
Immediately after, the screen changed again.
Next to the 3rd place team, the 1st place team’s vote count also appeared.
1st Place.
Team Four Seasons
347 votes
-7th Lee Ju-seon (▲5) 59 votes
-5th Yeon Ju-hong (▲1) 74 votes
-2nd Yun Cheong (▲3) 105 votes
-1st Kim Geum (-) 109 votes
