'...So he's going to focus everything on dance.'

For now, I understood the idea.

The unit stage for this concert was going to be promoted as WeTube's own content and a video would be released, so getting the fans' attention was certain.

But to do better than Cha Yujin? There would probably never be any backbiting about his position again. But the question was, would that be possible?

"...What if you get a solo dance break on this album instead?"

"Haha. Even if I did fairly well... people would say it would have been better if Ahyun or Yujin did it, wouldn't they?"

Keun Sejin answered me immediately. It seemed that he had been thinking about this situation for quite some time.

'...Still, to have a battle against Cha Yujin would be a bit...'

I didn't mean that Keun Sejin's abilities were not good.

'...Status window.'

I checked Keun Sejin's status window for the first time in a while.

The status window looked pretty outstanding. During this awards ceremony season, his growth was more noticeable as the 'talent' category went up to the A grade.

'He has the ability to stand out no matter which area.'

...The problem was that overall, Cha Yujin's abilities were slightly a cut above. Except for singing, which had the same grade, all the stats were slightly below Cha Yujin's.

It would be better if there were one or two categories with higher stats, but this... this was dubious.

'He'll get overpowered by Cha Yujin.'

That guy's current talent was S-. In addition, he had the black hole attribute, which in itself was such a scam ability.

Besides, Cha Yujin wasn't the type to have a synergistic effect with others. He would just be the one to stand out like crazy by himself.

'...Park M00nd34, that bastard must be happy to still hear the sound of palpitation.'

//TN: This may not be an accurate translation.

I could already hear the sound of all the worth of the points I put in to raise the dance stat, disappearing.

I held my sigh and looked at Keun Sejin.

"...I'm going to cut to the chase and speak honestly."

"Okay."

"Whether it's you, Seon Ahyun, or, no, I think it's almost impossible for anyone to stand out more than Cha Yujin when it comes to one-on-one."

"..."

"You've probably thought about that too."

It would have been better for him to go to unit number 3 and pick a part that drew attention.

Nevertheless, the fact that he chose Cha Yujin... was because his greed and fear to prove himself seemed to be quite large.

Keun Sejin looked at the floor and asked dejectedly.

"...Do you think it's impossible?"

"I think that... instead of trying to beat Cha Yujin, you should approach it in a different direction."

At least there was one option that seemed most probable.

"Just, pick the performance well. I don't want to compare you and Cha Yujin to each other about who's better."

I meant that he should make it so that responses like 'That dance unit performance is so good' would come out like crazy.

"If you don't fall behind in your part in that situation, your position as a dancer would be indisputable."

It might be difficult, but it would be more doable than beating Cha Yujin on the duo performance.

"You need to make Cha Yujin cooperate on the performance."

"...Yeah."

Keun Sejin nodded his head quite calmly. However, I couldn't even tell just how tightly he was clenching his fists.

'...His hands are shaking.'

I had not seen this guy so nervous and worried like this even before the finals of

'This is almost like when the rumors of school violence broke out.'

Wasn't this a bit excessive?

"Are there some other issues?"

"What?"

"I'm not talking about the general public opinion of the fans right now. Those are just some talks below the surface. You know, you're being overly nervous."

"..."

Keun Sejin didn't say anything for a while.

Then he smiled hollowly.

"I can't believe I'm even talking about this... Hey, do you know why I was left out of the debut group? It was because my position was dubious."

"...!"

"All of a sudden, right before the debut, a new kid joined whose parents were both actors, you know? He was well-known so they had to put him on the team... but then the higher-ups said they would only invest in seven people. So what could be done? One person had to be cut out."

"..."

"But there was a guy on the team who danced better than me, a guy who was younger than me, one who was handsome, one who sang better, and one who rapped better. They couldn't take out the leader since he is the leader after all, and in the end, the dubious me was the right person."

Keun Sejin was tapping his thigh with his hand.

"So that's why I was cut out. Well, what else could I do... Anyway, that's why I can't let go of it. It would be so... laughable if the talks get loud like this and no one would feel sorry about it even if I was thrown out. I'd be the only one who wouldn't get a good deal when we renew the contract... Haa, I really told you everything, seriously..."

Keun Sejin clicked his tongue and lowered his head. It seemed that he was talking about things he would never have said in his usual state.

'...This conversation seriously needs alcohol.'

Listening to this sober made me a bit dizzy.

'Anyway, I got the situation.'

It must have been quite a shock to have been dropped from the team right before the first debut.

Perhaps the fact that he paid attention to the positions of 'leader' and 'main dancer' throughout had more meaning to him than just taking care of the amount of screen time on the broadcast.

'But how am I supposed to react?'

I was quite perplexed since I had heard too much.

...There wasn't much I could say. Let's just list the positive facts as usual.

I held back a sigh and opened my mouth.

"First of all... aside from positions and things like that... the team just needs you."

"What, for entertainment?"

"No, just to cut the crap."

It was sad but true.

"You know, half of our team is clueless, and more than half are soft-hearted. Think about it, without you, what situation... would this team be in?"

"..."

As if looking back from the one-month rush before our debut to the recent Onyx incident, Keun Sejin was silent for a moment.

But he soon shook his head.

"You're just giving your own opinions. I haven't done any big changes."

"Um, about that, actually, I quite rely on you."

"What?"

"No well... I know that once there's a good suggestion, you would absolutely drive the atmosphere towards it."

"..."

I felt a little awkward. I cleared my throat and continued.

"Chungwoo hyung is the leader. But if I had to choose the person most suitable for team play, I think it would be you. Whether it's on stage, during broadcasts, inside or outside the team... there are very few people who can do their parts in any given situation."

I finished my speech.

"Even a member with such a good hexagonal balance is an essential position for an idol group. Well... that's how it is."

"..."

After hearing me out, Keun Sejin closed his mouth and turned his head in the opposite direction.

'He can't be crying, right?'

I hoped that he wasn't crying. It would get really weird.

And a moment later, Keun Sejin couldn't hold it in anymore and exploded.

He wasn't crying but laughing.

"Hahaha! You look like you're about to die from cringing!"

"...You're laughing?"

"Puhah, hey, wouldn't you laugh in this situation?! A guy like Park Moondae is saying all kinds of things to comfort me!"

Even if this bastard gave me the most compliments, I'd be damned.

Keun Sejin stopped laughing before he was going to get beaten by the neck pillow.

"Hahaha, seriously... phew, anyway, I got it. It's funny, but... it comforted me. Wow, this is great."

Keun Sejin grinned, then suddenly crossed his arms and deliberately muttered in an exaggerated voice.

"But wouldn't it be useless if the fans aren't aware that Keun Sejin is such a great idol? Shouldn't I get Chungwoo hyung's leader position?"

Don't pretend to be joking while saying the truth, you bastard.

I answered as calmly as I could.

"The majority is already aware. You're worried that those opinions will spread to other fans but on the contrary, I think you have an advantage in the long term."

"...Really?"

"Yeah. The fact that you have no weaknesses becomes more apparent as years accumulate."

It was also a trend confirmed in the actual data market.

When the time came when the demand for each member fluctuated, the ones who could secure themselves well were people like him.

Keun Sejin seemed to be unable to fully trust my statement. But he smiled and nodded his head.

"...Sure. I'll think of it like that and do my best on stage~"

It seemed sincere, though.

In any case, it seemed like he came to a conclusion in his mind, so it looked like he received the attribute effect.

Looking at the name alone, I thought it might be an attribute related to public opinion due to Keun Sejin's tendencies, so I was a little surprised that it was like this.

'Well, that also suits him.'

Not complaining could refer to yourself and everyone around you.

While preparing for this unit stage, there must have been a similar stance to Cha Yujin.

'...You're going to be gentle and comforting and make things go exactly your way.'

I wondered how far it could go.

"Then, I'll go up now. Come up when you've sorted yourself out."

"What are you saying when you're the one who already sorted it out? Hey, let's go together!"

"..."

Keun Sejin stretched forward and prepared to get out of the car.

As I looked at his hand, I suddenly remembered the image of him manipulating the cards.

"...Come to think of it, how did you mark the cards?"

"Huh?"

"The cards to decide the units. The ones you manipulated."

"Ah~ Oh? Wait a minute."

Keun Sejin chuckled.

"Hey, I didn't manipulate them!"

"...!"

"What can I do when I'm able to remember the scratch marks on the back of the cards while handling them? It's because I'm smart... Aigoo, my brain is at fault!"

I was glad he didn't manipulate it, but... somehow I was getting pissed off.

As we got out of the car and walked to the waiting room, Keun Sejin giggled a few more times.

Then he spoke seriously in front of the waiting room.

"Anyway...I'm more grateful. I'm not saying this because you listened to my situation even though you thought that I manipulated it."

"...If the concert finishes well, buy me a cow."

"Okay. Then just any cow? I'll buy you Korean beef."

"Sure."

"...You too, tell me if you have any concerns."

"..."

My concerns.

For a moment I thought about explaining my situation to these guys.

...Mm, I would probably have to go on a hiatus starting from that moment and make an appointment with a psychiatrist.

As expected, I should just pretend there wasn't anything.

"Yeah. If I'll have one."

"Oh~ How confident for not having any concerns yet!"

Keun Sejin laughed and entered the waiting room.

The manager seemed to have grasped the situation as he confirmed that Keun Sejin returned to his usual condition and gave me a small thumbs up.

'Keun Sejin can probably see it all, though.'

Anyway, the waiting time after that was peaceful without any big deals. This was because all the members except for Kim Raebin did not make any eye contact with Zyroph.

And on this day, TeStar took home the 4th quarter Main Album award and the Rookie of the Year award.

"Thank you very much! Last week, we celebrated our 200th day since our debut..."

While waiting for Keun Sejin's next turn, who held the microphone and spoke eloquently, I finally received the news I had been waiting for.