Only the first and second place announcements remain.

I didn't worry about whether 'Park Moondae' would be eliminated.

'There are no candidates.'

No one's face seemed like they could be ranked first or second among the remaining people. Ah, the person who placed third at the last ranking announcement ceremony was witnessed with his girlfriend, and his public sentiment plummeted.

It's a bit unfortunate, but wouldn't it be disastrous to meet your girlfriend every time you took a break from filming while participating in an idol audition show?

"We're revealing the two first-place nominees now!"

The MC shouted a few hints into the mic. His voice was a little hoarse because of the long progression. And after a little delay, like in the previous rankings, the candidates were announced.

"Cha Yujin!"

Cha Yujin smiled and stepped forward. People below cheered as if this result was for granted.

"And the other candidate..."

Let's get ready to go out.

"...is participant Park Moondae!"

As I expected.

I came forward receiving formal congratulations from some of the other participants I didn't know well.

"Hyung, congratulations."

Gold 2 seemed to be sincere, but I could see that he was pretending to put on a brave front as he could slowly feel the elimination. I just patted his back a few times and went up to the podium. Cha Yujin who was already up there, reached out his hand.

"Let's shake hands!"

He looked very excited. I hope he can keep this enthusiasm and take the first place. I didn't say anything and accepted the handshake. The atmosphere in the concert hall temporarily became peaceful.

'Isn't this a confirmed debut then?'

I checked for any changes in the status window, but there was only the 'Succesful Performance' pop-up that had appeared earlier.

"What do the two of you think of the other candidate competing for the first place with you?"

Cha Yujin immediately picked up the microphone.

"It's really cool!"

"Haha! That's a very clear answer~"

The MC laughed and asked a question to create tension.

"Do you think you'll win first place today?"

"I don't know, but I like number one!"

Cha Yujin gave a thumbs up.

It wasn't to the extent that people who had a distate for joking around during the finals to comment about it, but it was enough to make those who were watching feel good.

"I see~ Now, let's hear from Park Moondae. What do you think about your opponent?"

I picked up the microphone.

"He's a very talented friend... It doesn't feel real that I'm here with him."

"That was a very humble comment just now~ But for placing first... How do you see the possibility?"

I somehow knew he would ask me this question. I took a break as if to think about the answer, and then talked while slightly shaking my head.

"...I think it would be difficult.... To be honest, second place is already way higher than my goal, so I'm just grateful for this."

I don't know why, but when I answered, 'I think it would be hard,' laughter broke out among the audience below the stage.

'Did I sound too sincere?'

"Ah, it's not a pity to be placed second? Wouldn't it really be a shame?"

"...Yes. Of course I would be very grateful if I could place first."

"Oh~ I understand. Everyone, this is participant Park Moondae's mindset."

'Persistent guy.'

The MC finally stopped asking questions and paused again.

's popularity, viewership ratings, reactions from all walks of life, and the best treatment you will receive if you debut, were showed on air again.

And after a long delay, just before the announcement.

"The long-awaited first place... will be announced after the commercial!"

'I knew this would happen.'

Normally, when things were like this, candidates were supposed to be nervous and then collapse down to show a dramatic reaction, but since the candidates were me and Cha Yujin, we only applauded and smiled.

Instead, moans of resentment and some curses popped out from below the stage.

'I think they just cursed.'

I was almost certain that I heard swear words popping out from behind the 'Moon Puppy' slogan sign.

"Hyung! The debut! Let's do a lot of fun things together!"

"...That'd be nice."

Cha Yujin talked to me as soon as the mid-term advertisement sign came up. He was so excited, anyone looking at this would think we had already debuted and entered the group's dormitory.

'Is he really not interested in winning first place?'

Even so the first place benefit is still something that is seen as an 'Enormous benefit!' and if you don't have much desire for the fame it wouldn't be strange for you to just be casual about it like 'I don't know~ I debuted~'.

But from the point of view of someone who knows what the benefits are, it made me nervous.

As I mentioned before, the benefit is actually a penalty.

In fact, originally Cha Yujin was supposed to be the first place, and he was the first place in previous ranking announcement ceremony too, so I know that he is more likely to win.

But sometimes people can have a hunch.

When I saw the Internet reaction yesterday, I can't help but feel anxious that 'Park Moondae' will rank first.

'...I don't know. Then I'll just get sworn at.'

I gave up on thinking. It's all right if I can avoid sudden death. After receiving a few words from Cha Yujin, the live broadcast resumed again.

"The long-awaited first place announcement of !"

The MC repeated what he said earlier. I'm about to memorize it.

'Slowly speak.'

Honestly, why are we taking so long when the both of us are already in the debut group.

'I think everyone already changed the channel.'

Fortunately, the MC finally said the name.

"...Park Moondae!"

Although it wasn't the name I was waiting for.

'...so it's like this.'

Meaning I won first place.

I lowered my face to hide my expression in case it was obvious, but then I realized something surprising. I felt... good about this.

Winning first place is a penalty, but when I won, the adrenaline strangely hit my head. The taste of achieving this was thrilling.

I almost laughed out loud.

'This is more than when I got into college.'

Thanks to this, I was able to express my feelings right away without hiding my face.

"Congratulations ~!"

Cha Yujin hugged me very wholeheartedly.

'He's very American.'

I gave him a short hug and picked up the microphone.

When I looked at the concert hall from the same position as the MC, I saw some of the production team looking at me as if saying 'Isn't there any crying?'

'Yeah, there isn't.'

I just smiled.

Well, honestly, half of the luck was the status window... but I have my share in it anyway.

"Participant Park Moondae, how do you feel? Please tell us how you feel right now?"

"Yes."

I took a moment and then just spoke honestly.

Was it because I was drunk on adrenaline? I couldn't calculate much with my head and the words seemed to come out of my spinal cords instead.

"To be honest, I came here with the goal of debuting. I really wanted to debut, I had to do it... so I didn't even think of winning first place. I didn't have any expectations for that. I thought that just debuting was already more than enough."

I caught my breath.

"But... it's so nice to be able to do it."

Cheers and light laughs broke out here and there. As I continued with 'honestly, I didn't know this would happen' it was difficult for me to hear my own words.

The MC received a signal from the production crew that meant 'take your time' and asked me again.

"Is there anyone you want to thank?"

I was going to say it even if he didn't ask.

"Well... I can't think of anyone specifically to mention. Just thank you to those who invested in 'Park Moondae'."

A scream erupted from below the stage, I paused for a moment, and then slowly continued.

"I wish I could repay you... Um, no matter how much you spend on me, I will do my best to make sure that I can make all your consumptions worth your money. Thank you."

I bowed at the end of the speech. The sound of sniffling could be heard in between of cheers and applause. Even the person holding the 'Moon Puppy' sign gave up on holding it properly and it was almost crumpled making the slogan look similar to 'oon ppy'.

'At these words....?'

I was a little embarrassed, but I'm glad my words made them happy.

Even though it wasn't their business, seeing people being happy for me made me a bit emotional.

'This isn't bad.'

If this was the case, then it doesn't matter if I get the first place penalty. When I made up my mind, the MC was interviewing Cha Yujin next, who ranked in second place.

Cha Yujin smiled and made a speech to his mother in English and eagerly waved his hand to the audience. To be honest, I could see why people picked him. He's the type of person who doesn't cause people unnecessary stress or emotional exhaustion.

"Thank you~"

Cha Yu-jin finished his speech cheerfully. The production team sent signs that he should move to join the others in the debut group next to the podium.

After Cha Yujin jumped and left excitedly, the MC turned to me.

"Now, the time to make a choice has come."

It's here.

I stood upright and put my hands together.

"The enormous benefit given to the first place winner! The identity of it will be disclosed now! Participant Park Moondae!"

"Yes."

"What kind of benefit would you wish for?"

"...I'm not sure."

I want to get 100 million won.

//TN: roughly 100 000 usd

"I don't really know... an early debut?"

"Ah~ That is important!"

The MC held out his hand.

"Now, show us the benefits!"

Then, the opening effect appeared on the large electronic display in the front and the electronic display next to it, and then a text soon appeared.

"...!?"

Why are they showing the prize money there?

"Yes! Park Moondae can immediately receive 50 million won as the first prize! You can pick it up as soon as this live broadcast ends!"

//TN: roughly 50 000 usd

This can't be happening.

Even in the midst of confusion, my head worked hard to calculate the real amount. 39 million won after taxes.

Of course... it's nice to receive that.

However, there is no such thing as receiving 30 million won just like this.

"Or! There is another option too!"

Following the MC's words, a new text appeared on the electronic display.

"With the authority of first place winner, Park Moondae can nominate one of the 14 participants, who came to this final ranking announcement, as a team member to debut together!"

'It's out.'

This damn option popped up.

The ultimate benefit of telling the first place winner to select one of eliminated participants of the finals to join the debut group.

A penalty disguised as a benefit!

This got even worse.

'Are you asking me to choose between the prize money and this?'

How could I pick the prize money in this situation?

If I choose the prize money, it's like turning the remaining 14 people into enemies, so of course i would have no choice but to choose the option to recruit another member!

I already know what kind of curses there would be.

Perhaps no one standing here would be able to choose the prize money. Obviously the producers knew that and did something like this.

Torturing the mind of the winner in order to put some drama in the last episode of the program for no reason is like those who put negative voting as an official rule.

'I'm getting pissed off.'

Shall I just grab the prize money and receive some curses a bit?

"Park Moondae participant?"

"...Yes."

I barely replied in time.

All kinds of screams were rampant in the audience to the point of deafening. Even the people standing below the stage screamed my name and shouted. Their heads aren't working.

"Have you made up your mind?"

"...Yes."

There was nothing good about dragging this out. I opened my mouth.