I Became An Idol To Pay Off My Debt

I announced my victory speech and smiled widely as I heard the cheers of the people, but suddenly, I was jolted awake.

“What did I just say…!”

I just said…, that it was good that I was reborn.

Not just that it was good to be born, but “reborn.”

This was practically a confession that I, myself, was living a second life after reincarnation.

But….

“We love you too-!!!!!”

“Waaaah-!!! Ye-rin, congratulations on your win-!!!!”

My fans seemed to completely disregard my slip of the tongue and cheered me on with expressions of emotion.

Some of them were even crying tears of joy after hearing my victory speech.

What could they possibly love me for….

I was so grateful.

‘Fortunately, it looks like no one is taking it too seriously.’

As I kept bowing my head and waving at my fans, Han Si-woo smiled and continued the event.

“Now, after Ha Ye-rin, let’s hear from Yoo Seol, who placed second at JJ Entertainment.”

“Ah….”

When Han Si-woo mentioned Yoo Seol, I finally regained my senses.

While enjoying my moment as the victor was my rightful pleasure, I felt a bit guilty for overly indulging and neglecting Yoo Seol.

But once Yoo Seol received the microphone from Han Si-woo….

“First, I want to congratulate Ye-rin on her victory. I think I’ve earned this incredible second place thanks to the fans. Please look forward to my activities with Rookies, and finally, I just want to say thank you! Thank you!”

“Waaaaah-!!!”

She finished her speech neatly and substantively, as if her feelings hadn’t been hurt at all.

And then….

smirk.

“Congratulations.”

She looked my way and mouthed congratulations with a smile.

After hearing those words from the smiling Yoo Seol, I was finally able to relax.

“Thank you.”

Just as I was about to express my thanks back to Yoo Seol by mimicking her motions,

Han Si-woo received a large card from the production team and….

“I will now present the prize money of 100 million won to the winner, Ha Ye-rin!”

“Woooooah-!!!”

He handed me the card that said [100 million won prize money].

Although it wasn’t actual cash yet, seeing that enormous sum awarded to me made the surrounding participants stop clapping and look at me with envy.

Han Si-woo, noticing their gazes, approached me with a smile.

“Ha Ye-rin! How do you plan to use this large sum of money?”

“Ah….”

At that moment, I briefly locked eyes with Yoo Seol.

But….

slide.

Yoo Seol quickly averted her gaze as if she were trying to escape.

As I watched her profile, I spoke into the microphone.

“I’m not quite sure yet. It’s my first time dealing with such a large amount, so I think I should take my time to think it through.”

“Haha, I see. I’m sure you’ll use the prize wisely, Ha Ye-rin! Now, please step down from your winner’s seat and come forward!”

With that final question about how I would spend the prize, Han Si-woo urged me to come forward. He called Yoo Seol as well, and soon all six of us Rookies were standing together at the front.

“Sisters.”

“Welcome.”

The members who had been confirmed as Rookies in advance greeted me and Yoo Seol.

I smiled and turned to them.

Yoo Seol, Lee Hye-jeong, Seo Yoo-jin, Na Han-na, Park Yoo-jung.

Everyone I liked.

And….

The members I would be working with for the next year as part of Rookies.

Was this a divine prank, or divine consideration?

All the people I wanted…, became my companions.

I couldn’t help but smile.

The other members also couldn’t stop smiling, as if they couldn’t believe what was happening.

“The six girls here are the members of Rookies that you all voted for!”

“Waaaaah-!!!”

“They’re all so pretty-!!!!”

“I love you-!!!!!!”

Fortunately, the audience seemed to agree with the combination of the six members and cheered enthusiastically without any complaints.

Riding the wave of their cheers, Han Si-woo continued with the finale.

“Please look forward to the activities and success of Rookies in the future! Finally, we will shout ‘Na Ah Ah’ and wrap it up! One, two, three!”

At Han Si-woo’s signal, the audience and participants shouted the slogan as if they were howling.

“Show me your dream-!!!!!”

“That was it for my Idol Academia!!! Thank you to everyone who watched-!!!”

“Waaaaaaaaah-!!!”

“No, don’t go-!!!!!!!”

“Stay here-!!!!”

As the audience screamed for Han Si-woo to stay, the stage lights dimmed and Na Ah Ah ended.

At that moment, the six of us Rookies were holding hands tightly.

“Let’s do our best for the next year.”

“Yes…!”

“Absolutely.”

My Idol Academia came to an end with this.

However….

A new chapter for Rookies was just beginning.

“Ye-rin unni! Congratulations on your win!”

“Ye-rin, thank you so much for everything….”

“Ye-rin, can you give me your number? I’ll contact you later, right?”

After all the filming ended, other participants rushed to the stage to congratulate the victorious Ha Ye-rin.

Yoo Seol, watching this, was the first to step down from the stage.

Of course, there were many who wanted to talk to Yoo Seol as well….

“Soeul unni! You’ve worked so hard…!”

“Sorry. I’m really tired. Can we talk later?”

“Ah…, okay.”

With a smile, Yoo Seol waved off everyone who approached and descended from the stage.

Since everyone was focused on the stage, the path to the backstage and waiting room was empty.

And in that quiet place, as Yoo Seol walked….

thud.

…she just sat down.

‘Finally, it’s debut day. It’s a good day. A good day…, definitely….’

Soon, a single tear rolled down her cheek.

The reason she cried even after debuting was simple.

‘I should have won….’

Because she hadn’t won in Na Ah Ah.

To be exact…, she needed the prize money of 100 million won for her mother’s hospital bills, but she had let that slip away right before her eyes.

‘It’s still a long way until the accounting is settled… How can I get the money for my mom’s emergency surgery…?’

She was said to be smart, but Yoo Seol was only 21 years old.

A little more than a year after turning 18, this young social newcomer was carrying a burden that was far too heavy.

But what troubled Yoo Seol the most in that moment was….

“Congratulations! It’s Ha Ye-rin from Brotherhood Planning!”

When Ha Ye-rin’s victory was confirmed…, a small resentment against Ha Ye-rin bloomed in Yoo Seol’s heart.

If only you hadn’t existed.

If only you hadn’t been here, I would’ve won.

If only you hadn’t been here, I could’ve covered my mom’s hospital bills.

‘Ah….’

Ha Ye-rin had looked beautiful on that stage today.

Her level was so high it felt like an honor to work with her in the future.

Ha Ye-rin… had won fair and square.

The moment she realized her own ugly thoughts of envy towards Ha Ye-rin….

Yoo Seol felt ashamed of herself.

She was so ashamed she couldn’t raise her head.

‘Ahh….’

Thus, she shrank under the weight of reality and her own self-disgust.

It was then that….

“Yoo Seol?”

“……!”

Startled by the sudden call of her name, she looked up from crying and saw….

“Ah, it is you.”

“Who… are you?”

A man with an enormous stature and a fearsome face loomed over her.

As Yoo Seol eyed him suspiciously, he waved his hand dismissively and pulled out a business card from his pocket.

It read….

“I am this kind of person.”

[Brotherhood Capital President, Kang Hyung-man.]

“Brotherhood… Capital?”

…A company name that looked anything but ordinary was written there.

Brotherhood Capital….

Yoo Seol’s face stiffened, feeling like it was definitely a name she shouldn’t tangle with, so Kang Hyung-man hurriedly handed her another card, flustered.

“Oh, sorry. That was an old card. This one is the current one.”

[Brotherhood Planning President, Kang Hyung-man]

“If it’s Brotherhood Planning…, are you the president of Ye-rin’s agency?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Now that you mention it, I do remember seeing you once or twice as we passed each other… But why is Ye-rin’s president here with me…?”

Kang Hyung-man checked that no one was around and continued.

“This area is originally off-limits to me, so I’ll be quick. I know your situation. You can’t be picky between hot rice and cold rice right now, can you?”

“……How do you know that?”

“So I apologize for taking measures before reporting, but check your phone later. Your mother’s hospital bills… have been fully taken care of as of today.”

“……What?”

What could that possibly mean….

Yoo Seol looked at Kang Hyung-man with disbelief in her eyes.

He didn’t seem like someone who would lie.

If that was true…, did he really pay for her mother’s medical expenses…?

‘Then my mom can be saved…!’

…..

Wait a minute.

Yoo Seol was about to be overwhelmed with joy but quickly regained her composure.

There was no one who operated purely out of goodwill in this world.

Kang Hyung-man, who stood before her, must have some ulterior motive behind it.

‘He’s the president of an agency, so… could it be….’

A thought flickered in her mind.

“…Since you paid for my mom’s hospital bills, you must be hoping to sign me to Brotherhood Planning when my contract with JJ Entertainment ends, right?”

“…….”

When Kang Hyung-man didn’t respond, Yoo Seol felt certain.

And then, she accepted that reality.

One of the most important aspects for an idol is of course choosing a good company to have as a partner and backer.

Although it felt a bit bittersweet as if she were losing an opportunity, she understood that she couldn’t be picky about things as dire as her mother’s hospital bills.

They could offer her a contract tantamount to slavery, but….

‘I have no choice…, do I…?’

Yoo Seol decided to accept it.

But then….

“…Right, I wanted to bring you to Brotherhood Planning in exchange for lending you the hospital fees. But unfortunately, it wasn’t me who paid for your hospital fees.”

“What do you mean it wasn’t you?”

“It was Ye-rin.”

“……What?”

“Ye-rin paid for your mother’s hospital bills.”

“…….”

At that moment, Yoo Seol’s mind went blank, and she couldn’t even comprehend what she was hearing.

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