I Became An Idol To Pay Off My Debt

The participants weren’t the only ones taken aback by the shocking vote difference of 260,000 between Ha Ye-rin in first place and Yoo Seol in second.

“Seriously, this is really bad for our ratings…” the production team sighed.

For the production team, who needed to show dramatic moments on air, the massive gap between first and second place was a headache.

If victory was so obvious, it would only zap the audience’s tension.

Of course, the production team didn’t wish for Ha Ye-rin to lose outright. In fact, having this shooting star with a genius concept win at Na Ah Ah would work best for them.

But…

“Just win by a hair, just by a hair,” the Na Ah Ah production team hoped for a close win for Ha Ye-rin over Yoo Seol, not this overwhelming lead.

Before, it had been a neck-and-neck race between Ha Ye-rin and Yoo Seol, so why the sudden gap?

“If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have given Ha Ye-rin a bit of a push…”

Shin PD sighed, fidgeting as the show’s flow turned out differently than he’d hoped.

Seeing this, one of the junior writers, almost like a part of his psyche, approached to lighten the mood.

“Senior, you seem troubled.”

“…Ugh, yeah, it’s giving me a headache.”

“Don’t worry too much, senior. If it gets dire, we can always tweak the vote counts just before the finale, right?”

The junior’s suggestion was essentially to manipulate the vote counts. It had been a handy trick for dramatic scenes in the past…

“I said I wanted to play it safe this time, right? If we get caught using it, I’m finished. So drop that idea.”

“…Ah, sure. Sorry about that.”

Having been burned badly by SAV before, Shin PD refused the suggestion firmly.

“Let’s just wait for now. Let’s hope our planned drama for this fourth competition flops in a good way.”

“Yeah, we’ve prepared well, so everything should go as we hope.”

The production team of Na Ah Ah, who had already seen the tremendous vote difference between Ha Ye-rin and Yoo Seol, prepared for a special competition this week.

If they played their cards right, Yoo Seol could bridge the massive 260,000-vote gap with Ha Ye-rin.

Shin PD and the junior writer wrapped up their conversation, wishing the competition ahead would unfold as they envisioned.

—

“Now, let’s take a short break.”

After the ranking announcement, the participants enjoyed a brief rest.

The first place seat was comfortable with cushions and a soft backrest, so I leaned back against it.

And then…

“Sister.”

As per my Left Guardian Law, Seo Yoo-jin waltzed over to my seat the moment the break started!

She rested her body against the left armrest and tightly hugged my left arm.

I patted her head affectionately.

Then came the whoosh of commotion.

“Hey, Sister…!”

“Ye-rin…!”

“Huh…?”

Suddenly, other participants rushed over to my seat, and I wondered what was happening…

“I watched the broadcast yesterday; it was awesome!”

“Your performance was so cute, Ye-rin!”

“Congrats on first place, Sister!”

They began swarming around me, trying to butter me up with affectionate pats.

With Seo Yoo-jin sticking close as usual, I was baffled to see others, who weren’t even that close, suddenly acting this way.

And soon…

“Um, Ye-rin.”

“Sis…”

“Who will you team up with this time?”

Oh.

I realized why they were so eager to swarm me.

Being in first place with an overwhelming gap meant I was a guaranteed debut pick and a strong winning candidate.

They were trying to cling onto me for some scraps.

‘…This is getting tiresome.’

Since being reborn as Ha Ye-rin, I had attracted people, both male and female, with ulterior motives.

Already fed up with such flattery, I coldly addressed the participants around me.

“The team selection method for this competition hasn’t even been announced yet; how can I decide who to team up with?”

“W-Well, if the team leader picks teammates, then I…”

“Oh, no! Me! I promise I can do well!”

“I’m pretty high on the ranking too! Pick me…”

“…”

While I understood their desperate desire to debut, their sudden eagerness left me in an awkward spot.

Seeing my discomfort, my Left Guardian Yoo-jin, who had my arm around hers, stood up with a growl.

“Sisters! What’s this behavior? You don’t even know Ye-rin well, so don’t bother her! Don’t make her tired; get down now!”

As expected, her fierce attitude suited her Arrogant Trait well.

While the participants surrounding me hesitated for a moment, they quickly shot back.

“Yoo-jin, when did you even get close to Ye-rin?”

“At the beginning of Na Ah Ah, you hated Ye-rin too!”

Desperate to make their mark, they countered Yoo-jin’s remarks.

“Th-That’s…!”

Recalling the early days of Na Ah Ah brought a pout to Yoo-jin’s face as she glanced at me, worried I might still harbor bitterness against her from that time.

Seeing her cute expression made me smile comfortingly, which finally made her cheer up and lash out at the participants again.

“Th-That was then! I’m totally in sync with Ye-rin now! I’m Ye-rin, and Ye-rin is me! I cannot forgive anything that makes Ye-rin tired!”

Watching Yoo-jin defend me, I couldn’t help but feel like I was witnessing a Pokémon.

Go, Yoo-jin! Follow me!

Thanks to Yoo-jin drawing the participants’ attention away, I was able to relax amid the ruckus.

And then my eyes caught…

“Huh…?”

I noticed Lee Hye-jeong, who looked like she wanted to approach me but was too shy with so many people around.

“Sis!”

I decided to leave the situation to Yoo-jin and made my way over to Hye-jeong.

“Um, Ye-rin…”

“You had something to say to me, didn’t you? Why are you being so shy?”

When I prompted her, she smiled shyly and replied, “I just wanted to congratulate you on first place.”

“…Sis.”

But Hye-jeong’s expression didn’t seem that joyful.

She had also faced hardships alongside me in A Class, but…

“I’m first, and you’re fourteenth.”

The gap between us was enormous.

I guessed Hye-jeong’s expression wasn’t very comfortable as she looked at me.

“She’s not lacking in skill, so why…?”

Feeling a pang of sadness for Hye-jeong, I leaned in and whispered into her ear.

“I haven’t forgotten what I told you back then.”

“…!”

The words I had spoken to Hye-jeong in the bathroom about us debuting together.

I wasn’t just throwing empty words around.

I genuinely liked Hye-jeong, who had excellent vocals and a kind heart.

Most of all, there was something soothing about being around Hye-jeong.

That’s why I desperately wished to debut alongside her.

Navigating the rough seas of idol life, I felt having Hye-jeong by my side would be a great support.

“…Sis, how about we be on the same team this time?”

“…Same team?”

“We haven’t teamed up since the first Team Competition, and I really want to be on a team with you. I don’t know how the team selection game works, but let’s figure it out together.”

“…”

Was there a way I could help Hye-jeong?

Yes! By teaming up, I could share my spotlight with her.

Seeing through my intention, Hye-jeong smiled and nodded.

“Okay, thank you, Ye-rin. Let’s be on the same team.”

“Yes, sister.”

I mirrored her smile, appreciating the cozy moment as we stood face-to-face.

‘It’s been ages since it was just the two of us…’

Talking to Hye-jeong reminded me of the early days of Na Ah Ah.

And then…

‘…Huh?’

I quickly noticed something strange.

Was it just my imagination? Why did she look…?

“Sis, your cheeks seem thinner than before…”

Just then.

“Alright, we’re resuming the shoot!”

“Ah.”

At the production team’s cue to start filming again, I had to pause and return to my original spot.

“Sis, I’ll go now. Don’t forget, we’ll team up!”

“…Got it.”

On my way back to the first place seat…

“…Sis.”

I was stopped by Seo Yoo-jin, returning to her own spot.

“Will you team up with me for this Team Competition?”

I gently patted Yoo-jin’s head, who had drawn everyone’s focus away from me.

“That would be an honor.”

“Ye-rin…!”

There was no other contestant as thoroughly on my side as Yoo-jin with such immense talent.

“Let’s definitely be on the same team, Yoo-jin.”

“Yeah…!”

After sending Yoo-jin off with a smile, I settled back into my seat. Han Si-woo began the next segment.

“Okay, let’s start the Team Selection for the fourth competition!”

Selecting teams is paramount in Team Competitions.

What kind of method will they use this time?

From 100 participants, only 22 remained.

My preferred teammates were… Lee Hye-jeong, Seo Yoo-jin, and Park Yoo-jung.

I focused on Han Si-woo, tensed about the team selection method.

And then…

“…Hehe.”

“…?”

As all participants’ tense gazes landed on him, Han Si-woo let out a chuckle.

‘…What’s going on?’

We couldn’t help but tilt our heads at the sight.

With another smile to the participants, he continued.

“I didn’t call it the fourth Team Competition; I called it the fourth competition. Does anyone find that odd?”

“……!”

“The remaining 22 participants will pair up two by two for this competition.”

Not a Team Competition but a simple competition, and we’re teaming up in pairs.

Could it be…?

Boom!

Before I could even entertain that ominous thought, the LED screen lit up.

“……”

I stared blankly at the text on the screen.

[1v1 Match.]

“This fourth competition is a 1v1 match.”

“……”

“Now, everyone, please choose the participant you wish to face in this competition!”

Caught off guard by this sudden twist, I could only stare in disbelief.

This competition had a theme unlike the previous ones—this was an arena!

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