NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 113
Time passed and the next day arrived.
Finally, the day of the midterm evaluation had come.
In fact, the midterm evaluation was quite an event that stressed the trainers as much as the participants.
During the midterm evaluation, the screen time of the trainers judging the participants had skyrocketed.
Especially, the production team, who wanted dramatic scenes, demanded that trainers treat the participants even more harshly during the midterm evaluations, making it an even greater burden for the trainers.
However, there was one person who was not burdened by this midterm evaluation but rather looked forward to it.
That person was…
“Hmm~.”
…Han Si-woo.
Han Si-woo hummed a tune, finishing up preparations to head to the midterm evaluation that would take place shortly.
The reason he was waiting for the midterm evaluation so joyfully was that his evaluation was assigned to Ha Ye-rin’s team.
Ha Ye-rin’s opponent this time was none other than Yoo Seol.
In many objective indicators, Ha Ye-rin still lagged behind Yoo Seol.
But every time Ha Ye-rin faced such a daunting task, she would show an unbelievable side that surprised him.
‘How will Ye-rin surprise me this time?’
With an excited heart, Han Si-woo left his room with a pleasant smile.
“Please take care of me today too.”
“Haha, of course!”
In front of his room, the assigned VJ was waiting for him.
“Shall we get going now?”
“Ah… just a moment…”
Han Si-woo quickly rushed as he couldn’t wait to see Ha Ye-rin, but the VJ hesitated and said.
“Could you please wait a moment?”
“Is there… some issue with the camera?”
“…No, it’s just that Shin PD asked me to wait because he has something important to discuss with you.”
“…Ah, Shin PD.”
As soon as he heard Shin PD’s name, Han Si-woo frowned slightly.
Though they were like comrades with the same goal of promoting Na Ah Ah…, Han Si-woo didn’t particularly like people like Shin PD.
After all, for someone like Han Si-woo, who came from an idol background, Shin PD’s habit of using idol trainees as mere stepping stones didn’t seem appealing at all.
Moreover, even apart from his professional views, Han Si-woo just didn’t like Shin PD on a personal level.
Something felt… off.
Still, in the current hierarchy of Na Ah Ah, Shin PD was above him, so Han Si-woo suppressed his desire to run to Ha Ye-rin and waited for Shin PD.
Minutes passed, and soon, Shin PD arrived.
“Ah, Si-woo! I’m sorry for making you wait. Something urgent came up…”
“Not at all, I didn’t wait long. What did you want to say?”
“Uh, well… it’s not a big deal, but could you step out for a moment so we can talk just you and I?”
“Uhm, sure.”
With Shin PD dismissing the VJ, Han Si-woo couldn’t help but tilt his head in confusion.
What on earth did he want to discuss?
“Uh, it’s not really anything serious, but… you’re going to evaluate Ha Ye-rin and Yoo Seol, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Actually, there have been comments lately suggesting that you are showing too much favoritism towards Ha Ye-rin.”
“Ah….”
Han Si-woo occasionally monitored comments on Na Ah Ah, and he had seen the ones claiming he favored Ha Ye-rin… it was definitely there.
“…I’m not showing favoritism; it’s just that Ye-rin is just that good.”
“Uh, there’s also the way you address her. You refer to other participants as Yoo Seol participant, Seo Yoo-jin participant, but you call Ha Ye-rin ‘Ye-rin’ only. Did you know that?”
“……”
…This was indeed true.
It wasn’t as if he intentionally differentiated her with a special title.
Somewhere along the line, Han Si-woo had come to refer to Ha Ye-rin uniquely as ‘Ye-rin.’ It happened unconsciously.
As Han Si-woo remained silent with a stiff expression, Shin PD hesitantly asked him.
“Uhm, Si-woo. Don’t take it the wrong way, but may I ask…?”
“……?”
What could be such a question that made Shin PD hesitate like this?
Then, the question Shin PD asked was the most ridiculous one he had faced during his time as a top idol.
“Do you… like Ha Ye-rin? I mean, not as a participant, but as a romantic interest?”
“W-what are you talking about-!!”
Always valuing cold rationality, Han Si-woo blushed and shouted in excitement.
“O-of course, I like her as a participant! What do you mean romantic interest!!”
“I get it. I was just asking, so please calm down…”
“Do you even know how much of an age gap we have?! Ye-rin is 19, and I’m 33 this year! That’s a 14-year difference! 14 years!”
“Indeed, a 14-year gap would make you quite the shameless thief.”
“…….”
Well, saying ‘shameless thief’ was a bit too harsh, wasn’t it?
Han Si-woo glared at Shin PD with a strange sense of indignation, but perhaps he didn’t feel it, as Shin PD nodded and continued speaking.
“Anyway, I understand your feelings. So it’s true that you just like Ha Ye-rin as a participant, right?”
“……Yes, that’s correct.”
“Still, now that it’s come up, please be a bit cautious. Since we’re on the topic, I would ask that you maintain a slightly cold attitude during this midterm evaluation.”
“…….”
To treat Ha Ye-rin coldly…
He didn’t want to do it, but knowing he couldn’t ignore the production team’s requests, Han Si-woo nodded.
“…Understood.”
“Ah, thank you. I apologize for taking up your time. You can go now.”
“…Yes.”
As soon as their conversation ended, Han Si-woo promptly made his way to the practice room of Ha Ye-rin and Yoo Seol to conduct the midterm evaluation.
Shin PD watched Han Si-woo’s departing figure, lost in thought.
‘It’s ambiguous.’
It was clear that Han Si-woo had feelings for Ha Ye-rin…, but was it admiration as a talented idol junior or a romantic gaze? He couldn’t tell.
‘But hey, there’s no way a guy over thirty would genuinely like an underage girl.’
Shin PD decided to think that Han Si-woo only liked Ha Ye-rin as a junior idol.
The reason Shin PD was trying to gauge Han Si-woo’s true feelings was simple.
Because soon…, he was planning to go through the process of handing Ha Ye-rin over to MS Planning.
MS Planning was a large corporation known for treating its affiliated artists harshly. And everyone knew about the immoral private life of the head of MS Planning…
Han Si-woo held significant power in this circle. It was clear that he wouldn’t just watch as Ha Ye-rin was sold off to MS Planning.
‘I guess I need to handle this as discreetly as possible….’
With that thought in mind, Shin PD moved on with malicious schemes dancing in his head.
‘I really don’t want to be cold to Ye-rin….’
How could he possibly treat someone he found so amusing coldly?
Reluctantly, Han Si-woo entered the practice room, acting as icy as possible.
Since it was the production team who craftily shaped the program for the public to see.
Therefore, respecting and accommodating the requests of the production team was his own principle.
“…Have you all finished preparing?”
“Producer Han Si-woo…!”
“…Yes, we’ve finished.”
“…Then please show us quickly.”
Without even greeting Ha Ye-rin and Yoo Seol, Han Si-woo sat down with a cold expression and demeanor.
Favoritism towards a participant.
It was the poison of an audition program.
If the audience sensed that Han Si-woo favored Ha Ye-rin…, it would undoubtedly have an adverse effect on the program, on Ha Ye-rin, and on Han Si-woo himself.
Thus, Han Si-woo decided, even if it was forcefully, to show a cold demeanor towards Ha Ye-rin during this midterm evaluation.
“…What are you stalling for? Did you forget that you’re waiting for the producer? Or are you not prepared?”
“Ah, no! Absolutely not!”
Seeing Han Si-woo, who usually was warm, act coldly from the start, Ha Ye-rin and Yoo Seol were baffled and quickly prepared the stage.
Just then…
“…Hold on.”
“…Yes?”
“…Ye-rin. Walk to the end of the practice room and come back here right now.”
“…? Ah, okay.”
Despite her confusion at the sudden request, Ha Ye-rin followed his instructions, walking to the end of the practice room and back.
Seeing that movement, Han Si-woo, with a stiff expression, spoke up.
“…Your gait is minutely slower than usual. Could you show me your ankle?”
“…How do you want me to show you my usual gait?”
“Come on.”
“…….”
With Han Si-woo’s firm words, Ha Ye-rin bit her lip and lifted her pant leg slightly.
Then, revealing her slightly swollen ankle, which wasn’t too serious but still looked a bit puffy.
“…What’s going on here!”
As soon as he saw it, concern burst forth, causing Han Si-woo to forget his resolution to act cold and kneel beside Ha Ye-rin, examining her ankle closely.
“Your ankle is swollen…! Did you twist it or something?”
“…Haha, yes. It happened like that.”
“Are you laughing right now? Hah…, what should I do…?”
Though it didn’t seem too serious…, joints were the lifeblood of dancers.
Han Si-woo couldn’t hide his upset heart at seeing Ha Ye-rin injured right before a crucial competition.
“…I’ll get you some effective medicine and patches by tomorrow, and you need to apply them daily.”
“Is that really necessary…?”
“Make sure to do it. I’ll inspect it daily.”
“Yes…”
Under Han Si-woo’s repeated insistence, Ha Ye-rin nodded with a bewildered face.
Watching her, Han Si-woo felt his resolve to treat her coldly crumble into pieces.
Surprised, he…
“…Please tell the writers to make sure to edit this scene out later.”
“Sure.”
After politely requesting the VJ to edit it out later, Han Si-woo put on a cold expression once more and sat down.
“Managing your health is part of your skill. It’s rather disappointing to see that you got injured at this crucial time.”
“……?”
“…If you’re ready, let’s get started quickly.”
“Ah, yes.”
Ha Ye-rin and Yoo Seol were bewildered by Han Si-woo’s ever-changing demeanor but quickly finished their stage preparations.
Meanwhile, Han Si-woo was mentally preparing himself, engaging in some self-control.
‘From now on, I’ll be absolutely cold. Even if something is done well, I won’t say it’s good, and I’ll first say it’s disappointing.’
He often heard he was cold and harsh among junior and senior idols.
And this time, Han Si-woo intended to show that cold side of him without holding back.
‘I’m sorry, Ye-rin. Hearing my cold feedback might make you cry.’
Just then, as Han Si-woo kept his steely resolve, the music began…
♪♬♬-!!
“Puhaha!”
As the familiar intro played, Han Si-woo was disarmed in one second, breaking into laughter.
And who could blame him…
[Young boy story – Si-woo & Tae-young]
This song…, the one he had personally written, composed, and sung during his unit activities.
And Ha Ye-rin had taken up his position from his active days.
His favorite and most anticipated junior was recreating his performance from when he was active.
It was a moment too happy to hold back a smile, no matter how hard he tried to build walls around his heart.