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Chapter 82
In a sense, it was kind of impressive.
What on earth made her so confident?
The thought of debuting with her already made my vision go dark.
The contract would probably last seven years.
Seven years of having to see her 24/7, 365 days a year like family?
I just prayed that Yuncheong’s second wish wouldn’t be something that took that long to come true.
If it really was… if it took that long, then I’d have to find a way to get her out before then somehow.
“…First of all, I’d like to thank the Colorists for choosing me. Even though I’m lacking in so many ways, you still loved me and cherished me. I’m truly grateful. Though the time was short… I was happy.”
Huh?
A chill ran down my spine.
It seemed I wasn’t the only one who felt it—everyone else’s expressions froze as well.
“And I’d also like to apologize.”
…Apologize for her wrongdoings?
At this point, would an apology even… work?
Not that it was some huge crime anyway.
“I really did my best, with all my heart. I tried and tried. I wanted to debut no matter what, so I could repay all the love you gave me, but…”
Suddenly, Kim Ryeoyu burst into tears.
None of us wanted to show our stiff expressions, so we all lowered our heads.
But surely, everyone was thinking the same thing.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to meet those expectations. Even though I’m ranked 5th in the final vote… I won’t be joining this group.”
“?!”
At those words, every lowered head snapped up.
What?!
“However, I want to make it clear that this isn’t the end of my journey. I believe that someday all the misunderstandings about me will be resolved. Until then, if you can wait for me, if you can believe in me…”
What on earth… was going on?
I was stunned for a moment, but then it hit me.
“I will definitely come back.”
CEO Hong.
She’d made up her mind.
CEO Hong had indeed planned to debut Kim Ryeoyu.
She thought that the small controversies could just be brushed aside—people would forget if she kept the girl active.
Small noise always gets buried under louder noise.
But this wasn’t just “noise.”
“Director Kim, you’ve been in this industry almost as long as I have. You should know exactly what’s going to happen next.”
Director Kim struggled to keep a neutral expression.
Of course she knew.
The team’s name had been tarnished before it even debuted.
Sure, her individual core fans might get stronger.
But the group’s fandom would constantly be in turmoil.
And the group’s public image? Utterly ruined.
It would take an enormous amount of time before people forgot.
Until then, TV stations wouldn’t invite them much. Commercials? Forget it.
There were plenty of idols with clean images to choose from.
“…Eventually, people will forget. They always do.”
“That’s true. People do forget. But the amount of time and money it’ll take…”
CEO Hong was exhausted.
Exhausted because of the trembling girl sitting before her with her head hung low.
Her entire plan was about to go up in smoke.
A plan she had poured enormous amounts of money into.
“And Director Kim, I really think… I’ve already given your niece plenty of chances, haven’t I? I covered for her as much as anyone could. Or am I wrong?”
“CEO, please. Just hear me out, just once—”
Director Kim frantically lifted her head.
“I know that trainee is your biological daughter.”
“!”
“I understand why you’re so protective of her—she’s your daughter. But.”
The moment the word daughter left her mouth, Director Kim fell silent.
“She isn’t my daughter, so I don’t feel that same attachment. And I don’t feel like losing more money just to cover for her.”
There was a reason CEO Hong deliberately said daughter.
It was a warning—if Director Kim refused her proposal, she wouldn’t cover up even that secret anymore.
If that got out, Kim Ryeoyu would lose her very last chance.
“I won’t terminate her trainee contract—for now. So step back and let’s watch how things play out.”
“But…!”
At that, the long-silent Kim Ryeoyu finally spoke up.
“CEO. I—I really messed up. But if you just give me one more chance… I swear I’ll never, ever cause trouble again. If you let me debut, I promise I’ll fix everything. I’ll do exactly as you tell me. Please.”
She had done it because she wanted to debut.
She only tried to hold others back because she was desperate.
CEO Hong looked bored.
“Do you think you’re the first kid I’ve seen with a rotten personality?”
“…!”
“I’ve seen plenty. And I was still willing to debut you. Because honestly, there are tons of idols with bad personalities. But you know what they do, Ryeoyu? At least they hide it.”
“From now on, I’ll hide it! I’ll hide everything. Please, just give me one more—”
“I’ve already given you more than enough chances.”
CEO Hong stood.
“You have exactly two options. Go onstage yourself and say you won’t debut, apologize for the trouble you caused. Or, make Huyeong do it for you.”
“CEO!”
“The first option is better. With that one, you’ll at least get another chance someday. The second… will strip away even that.”
Looking into CEO Hong’s eyes, Kim Ryeoyu realized the truth.
This was not someone she could negotiate with.
Why had she ever thought she could?
At last, she conceded.
“…I’ll… I’ll step down myself….”
“Smart choice.”
Finally, CEO Hong smiled.
“Wait a moment.”
Director Kim suddenly stood.
“Then… are you planning to debut them as four?”
“And why exactly are you asking, Director Kim?”
“The shareholders have always supported a five-member structure. Colors has never launched a group with fewer than five—”
She was clinging to her last hope.
Anything to keep hold of the final rope.
If Kim Ryeoyu debuted, the company might suffer a little now.
But that’s how the entertainment industry always was.
If you held on, eventually you’d shine.
No matter how much mud you had to crawl through, how much abuse you had to take.
Better to debut than not debut at all.
Right now, she might be a liability.
But someday, Ryeoyu could become an asset.
Director Kim truly believed that.
Not just because she was her daughter—but because she genuinely thought she had talent.
“I never said anything about debuting as four.”
“…What?”
“I only said Ryeoyu was out. I never said we’d stop at four members.”
CEO Hong sighed.
“When the 5th-place trainee is removed, naturally someone else takes that spot.”
Kim Ryeoyu’s bitter “voluntary withdrawal” speech left everyone stunned.
Except for one person—CEO Hong.
She had never expected Ryeoyu to step down so easily.
That’s why, while the cameras were still fixed on her, CEO Hong sent another cue card to Do Huyeong.
The moment Huyeong read it, she let out a short, incredulous laugh.
“Please, just trust me and wait a little longer.”
Since Ryeoyu clearly wasn’t stepping down quietly, PD Oh signaled to Huyeong.
Cut it off.
PD Oh was thrilled by CEO Hong’s decision not to let Ryeoyu debut.
Not because he disliked her—truthfully, he didn’t care much either way.
But because Ryeoyu’s sudden withdrawal was incredible TV.
He could already see the ratings skyrocketing.
“Yes, thank you very much, trainee Kim Ryeoyu, for your final words. Although her journey with MenuColor ends here, we know that she will go on to find her own path elsewhere.”
Do Huyeong had to rack her brain to find the most neutral possible words.
“Make a New Color was launched by Colors Entertainment in partnership with M10, to discover the next five-member girl group. We didn’t just look at skill or visuals, but also character, potential, and each trainee’s unique spark.”
Subtly, Huyeong slipped in a mention of character.
That was at CEO Hong’s request.
“With trainee Kim Ryeoyu stepping down, that leaves only four members in Steel Blue.”
Smiling, she approached the trainees.
“Trainee Yeon Juhong.”
She stopped in front of her.
Juhong’s jaw dropped wide open at suddenly hearing her name.
“M-me?!”
“Colors was the very first company you joined. We’ve watched your journey from the moment you first dreamed of being an idol until now. You’ve shown great talent, admirable passion, and even a warm heart that cares for the other trainees. The others trust you deeply. The fact that the Colorists ranked you 6th shows their trust and affection as well.”
The longer Huyeong spoke, the more dazed Juhong looked—was this a dream or reality?
“Colors has always believed in you, and wants to believe in you again.”
“Th-thank you so much!”
Gradually, reality sank in.
Her expression was half fear, half hope.
“And so, Colors has one question for you.”
Huyeong paused dramatically.
“Will you become the next Color Muse of Colors… the final member of Steel Blue?”
Juhong’s mouth gaped wider than ever, her eyes opened to their widest—
Then she shut her mouth, squeezed her eyes closed, and said:
“Yes. I really… really want to.”
Poof.
The moment her words ended, flower petals rained down once more.
Not for the 6th place finisher.
Not for a replacement of 5th.
But for the final member.
And so, in the very last moment—
The ten trainees stood together in a circle, arms linked, blessing one another’s futures.
