🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 31
Do Heeyoung explained the rules of MenuColor once more.
“At the final ranking announcement, the top four trainees and one trainee selected by the judges will debut. So, the trainee in 5th place isn’t entirely safe. They’re in the debut zone, yes, but it’s possible the judges might not select them.”
If that’s the case, shouldn’t they call them a debut candidate, not someone in the debut zone?
I cursed inwardly.
“That means even trainees whose names haven’t been called yet still have a chance. Please continue to show us your potential. The judges will evaluate based on your potential—potential that may not have been fully shown on broadcast.”
It was basically a consolation for the lower-ranking trainees, but no one looked particularly happy.
“Then, I’ll announce 5th place.”
5th Place
Seo Baekyoung – 213,452 votes
As soon as her name appeared on the screen, Seo Baekyoung wobbled slightly to the side.
Ryu Bora quickly grabbed her to support her.
She didn’t seem that nervous, but she must’ve been more tense than expected.
…Should I say I felt sorry for her?
Seo Baekyoung stepped forward to give her speech.
“I’m the oldest one here… and I felt a bit impatient because I lacked in many areas. I kept wondering what I’d do if I didn’t debut this time. I’m so grateful to the Colorists for giving me this chance. Moving forward…”
A typical Seo Baekyoung kind of speech—calm and sincere.
And characteristically long-winded too.
As soon as she sat in the 5th place seat, the broadcast continued.
“Next, the 4th place trainee.”
4th Place
Ryu Bora – 235,785 votes
When the camera zoomed in on her, Ryu Bora flashed her usual radiant smile.
Sparkling eyes and gently lifted lips.
She looked like a heroine in love from a drama, not someone who just succeeded in a fierce competition.
…Her expression felt oddly out of place.
“I’m so thankful to Team Bubblegum. Especially the leader…”
Ryu Bora gave thanks to her team members and fans in her speech.
It was textbook and concise.
She didn’t even tremble while speaking.
“Next, I’ll announce 3rd place.”
3rd Place
Kim Geum – 284,987 votes
“!”
I could feel the murmurs around me.
Kim Geum had been a strong contender for 1st place, so it was only natural.
Even she seemed a bit shocked—her pupils trembled slightly.
But she quickly composed herself and confidently walked up the stage.
“First of all! I just want to say a huge thank you to the Colorists!”
Wow, what a powerful voice.
She kept a booming tone from start to finish.
…Her spirit really is admirable.
“Now, only 1st, 2nd, and 12th place are left.”
The remaining trainees were me, Kim Ryeoyu, and Bang Suin.
To be honest, everyone had a good idea who 12th place would be.
The person in question, Bang Suin, had her eyes tightly shut.
She was clearly holding back tears.
I always feel this way, but this system really is cruel.
If they just announced 12th place first, at least they’d have time to mentally prepare.
“As we said earlier, 12th place will be given a handicap. The details of the handicap will be revealed during the next mission. Now, the 12th place announcement.”
The screen split into three, showing our faces.
“Bang Suin.”
12th Place
Bang Suin – 45,512 votes
A strikingly low number.
More than the ranking itself, the huge gap in votes was painful to see.
Bang Suin stepped up to the stage and grabbed the mic.
“I know I’m lacking in many ways, but I sincerely thank the Colorists who still voted for me. I’ll work harder to show you my improvement.”
She looked like she was struggling not to cry.
“I think I was too complacent. I’ll work even harder…. I’m sorry to my family and fans who had high hopes for me.”
There was nothing to be sorry about.
It hurt to watch.
All the trainees bowed their heads. We knew exactly how she felt—it was too painful to look at.
Do Heeyoung seemed to feel the same. Her expression was full of sorrow.
“Suin, think of this as just a mid-term evaluation. You’re doing just fine. If you keep improving, many people will come to recognize your true value.”
In the end, Bang Suin couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.
The warmth in Do Heeyoung’s words seemed to open the floodgates.
Do Heeyoung gave her a hug and gently helped her back to her seat.
The other trainees came over to comfort her too.
Just because it’s a competition doesn’t mean our emotions disappeared.
“Now, let’s move on to announcing 2nd place.”
I could sense the camera focusing on me and Kim Ryeoyu.
Our faces split the screen in two.
We both wore calm expressions.
Of course we did.
We already knew the results.
2nd Place
Yoon Cheong – 293,980 votes
Gasps filled the air, and I could see trainees covering their mouths in shock.
The screen immediately changed.
1st Place
Kim Ryeoyu – 300,609 votes
“By a difference of 6,629 votes, Kim Ryeoyu has taken 1st place.”
A very close margin.
But both of us remained composed.
Especially me—I had known the result since yesterday.
Because I’d gotten an alert on my phone.
[Kim Ryeoyu takes 1st on MenuColor with 300,609 votes… Yoon Cheong falls behind at 293,980]
I had no idea why that fluffball thing sent me this kind of news…
Probably to mentally prepare me.
For sensationalist articles like this.
Why are they sensationalist?
Of course—
Because the real 1st place was—
“Now, it’s time to add the benefit votes.”
—me.
My original vote count was 293,980. Add the 50,000 benefit votes, and that’s 343,980.
Which surpasses Kim Ryeoyu’s 300,609.
Director Kim already knew our vote counts and purposely set the benefit to 50,000.
Not for the next mission, but for this meaningless mid-season popularity vote—on purpose.
To make fans and the public fight.
Kim Ryeoyu’s fans would insist she’s the rightful 1st place. My fans would argue otherwise.
They wanted to stir up controversy and generate sympathy for Kim Ryeoyu.
“First, Kim Geum—who placed 1st in the on-site votes. With the benefit of 50,000 votes, her total becomes 334,987.”
Even Kim Geum seemed uncomfortable, aware of the tense atmosphere. She didn’t look thrilled either.
“Next, MVP selected by the judges: Yoon Cheong. With the benefit of 50,000 votes, her total becomes 343,980.”
Do Heeyoung pointed at the screen, which now showed the updated rankings again.
3rd Place
Kim Ryeoyu – 300,609 votes
2nd Place
Kim Geum – 334,987 votes
(284,987 + 50,000)
1st Place
Yoon Cheong – 343,980 votes
(293,980 + 50,000)
With the benefits added, Kim Ryeoyu—originally 1st—dropped to 3rd.
No one felt good about it.
Even I and Kim Geum, who moved up thanks to the benefits, couldn’t enjoy it.
So this was why they made me MVP.
I tried hard to hide how bitter I felt.
I wondered why they didn’t give MVP to Ryeoyu.
It was just to make me and Kim Geum the targets.
No matter how fairly I got those votes, it was still giving Kim Ryeoyu’s fans an excuse to attack.
“Kim Geum, congratulations on 2nd place. Since you already gave a speech earlier, we’ll skip this one.”
Do Heeyoung congratulated her with an awkward smile.
“Then, Kim Ryeoyu, please give your speech for 3rd place.”
Even after being called 3rd, Kim Ryeoyu’s expression didn’t change as she stepped onto the stage.
You could say she was composed—but to me, knowing the backstory, she just looked shameless.
“First, thank you to my team for believing in me. I was such a lacking leader… they all deserve higher rankings than me…”
Then she suddenly burst into tears.
“I’m so thankful to the Colorists who voted for me. Thank you for believing in me, for cherishing me… I’ll do my best to repay that. Honestly… it’s been really hard… but I’ll remember today forever, and be thankful for this overwhelming opportunity.”
Do Heeyoung handed her a handkerchief.
Kim Ryeoyu buried her face in it, wiping her tears.
“I’ll prove—through my actions—that all the misunderstandings about me were just that: misunderstandings. And also…”
She turned to look at me.
The camera followed.
“Cheong, congratulations on 1st place. I’m genuinely happy for you. It’s so reassuring to have a friend like you.”
I gave her a smile, looking as touched as possible.
Reassuring, huh? Like when you tried to ruin me?
What a piece of work.
“I’ll keep proving with results and actions that everything said about me was wrong. Thank you!”
Is it really all a misunderstanding?
Her loaded speech ended, and she sat in the 3rd place seat.
“Now, 1st place—Yoon Cheong. Please come forward.”
My turn had come.
“First, thank you to all the Colorists who voted for me. 293,980 votes—I’ll never forget it and carry that number in my heart forever. I became an idol because I yearned for moments like this. I believe that if I give it my all, there will be people who sincerely support me. Today proves that.”
I slowly turned my head.
“But today, just for today—I’d like to give the title of 1st place to Ryeoyu.”
