TDOCD Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Trauma

 A startled cry escaped my lips as an unexpected quest window suddenly appeared.

"Wait...”

What? Running away? Trauma? Hold on a minute...

Was she really considering running away just because she couldn't handle the opening part?

I’m screaming inside my head.

The absurdity of the quest left me standing there dumbfounded, my pupils trembling in disbelief.

Then, accompanied by another cheerful alert sound, an unfamiliar window appeared:

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[Quest Helper!]

Now displaying Seo Ra-eun's emotional state.

Success condition: Positive emotion keywords must exceed 50%!

Upon success, Ra-eun will receive a buff.

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"Wow..." I pressed my hand against my forehead, trying to ward off an incoming headache.

Everything made sense now. I had wondered why Ra-eun, who handled all other parts flawlessly, struggled only with the opening. It wasn't just nerves or pressure – it was trauma.

'How am I supposed to help her overcome trauma? This is impossible. Even if we had plenty of time, maybe... but we barely have half a day until the actual filming begins.'

Yet giving up wasn't an option. The quest made it clear – if we gave up, Ra-eun would flee, unable to overcome her trauma.

What should I do? What should I do? As my mind started to spiral...

Knock knock

Someone knocked on the waiting room door and entered.

"Everyone, good job with the rehearsal."

"Ah, senior..."

Mentor Yu-hwa stood there, her expression noticeably grave as she looked at the members. Their faces fell even further.

'Why does her expression look like that again?'

I lowered my head, trying to hide my own increasingly tense expression. An ominous feeling crept over me.

The waiting room remained silent for a long while. The chaotic sounds from outside seemed unnaturally loud in comparison.

Yu-hwa, who had been surveying the members with eyes as frustrated as their own, finally spoke with difficulty.

"First off, I watched the rehearsal. You did well."

"Thank you."

"You did well, but there are a few areas that need improvement. The main performance is coming up soon, right? So I wanted to give some final feedback..."

The members' hands fidgeted nervously with each word Yu-hwa spoke. She paused momentarily, as if hesitant despite her determined tone, then turned to Ra-eun with a hardened expression.

"Really, everything else was good. I think this will definitely capture the viewers' attention, and with your skills, I believe you'll do well."

Yu-hwa fell silent after this light praise. She furrowed her brow hesitantly.

'Why... what are you trying to say...'

I bit my lip as I watched Yu-hwa through the urgent situation message.

'Yu-hwa, please... Don't say anything. She seems like she'll get worse if you say something now.'

But my desperate thoughts didn't reach Yu-hwa. She opened her mouth with a resolute expression.

"But the opening part is really disappointing."

The camera recording us gleamed coldly.

The waiting room fell silent once again.

Ding!

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Ra-eun's emotional state:

Embarrassment, despair, depression, frustration, defeat, sadness, inferiority

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This was bad... My head sank even lower.

It was true and I understood the criticism, but still... This was the worst possible emotional state before a performance.

"I know we've discussed this before, but it needs to be more exciting and bright. Not just your expression – you're so tense that it's affecting your vocalization, breathing, and even pronunciation."

Ra-eun responded painfully. Yu-hwa, who usually spoke gently to avoid hurting the trainees, apparently couldn't maintain that approach with the main competition so close.

Ra-eun's face fell even further at Yu-hwa's unusually firm tone. Seeing Ra-eun on the verge of tears made my heart race with urgency.

Yet Yu-hwa continued her critique coolly, even as she watched Ra-eun's distress.

"The other parts – well, it's okay if there are some flaws and mistakes there. Your trainees performing for the first time, so that's understandable. But the person handling the opening part can't afford that luxury."

If only Ra-eun's true abilities had shown through despite her frozen expression, she wouldn't be receiving this criticism.

"The intro choreography built up such great immersion, but all interest vanished the moment the first part started. Both the director and I felt that way – won't the public feel the same?"

I get it, but please stop hitting so hard! She's going to run away...

At least the production team and mentors watch until the end. But the public won't be so forgiving. Once they form that initial negative impression of 'Oh, the first part is a mess,' it's hard to shake off.

"To compete and win with an innocent concept in a competition show full of talented teams, you need to excel from start to finish. You're all so skilled, and Ra-eun, you're so talented – it would be such a shame to lose because of first-minute nerves."

"Yes, senior, you're right."

"So I wanted to ask – how about changing the opening part performer, even now?"

Ha-young flinched visibly, her shoulders tensing. She glanced cautiously at Ra-eun.

Ra-eun's head dropped silently.

Silence.

Start Plan's cameras captured every moment of this scene without missing a detail.

Ding!

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Ra-eun's emotional state:

Embarrassment, despair, depression, resignation, defeat, sadness, inferiority, depression, frustration, sadness, loneliness, distrust

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Please, just stop.

Ah... this scene will definitely make it to broadcast.

Ra-eun must have been thinking the same concerns I had. At this rate, her emotional state would only worsen.

Yu-hwa checked the time with a deep, sympathetic sigh.

"I feel bad about taking away an opportunity I gave you, but..."

She probably hadn't expected this either. Who would have thought that an issue pointed out on the first day would remain unfixed until the day of performance, despite having a week to work on it?

"I know you all get along well, but this is a competition. Discuss it among yourselves and give me an answer within 30 minutes. If you decide to change it, I'll help you adjust the formation and supervise your practice."

Yu-hwa heaved another heavy sigh as she looked at the members, who couldn't even muster a response and kept their heads bowed. She said she'd return later and left the waiting room.

The silence persisted even after she left.

No one dared speak to Ra-eun.

Ding!

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Ra-eun's emotional state:

Embarrassment, despair, depression, frustration, defeat, sadness, inferiority, frustration, sadness, loneliness, distrust, suffocation, guilt, desire to escape, pain

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Oh no, this is getting worse. How can her emotions keep spiraling downward like this?

Right, this isn't just nervousness – it's trauma.

When did this trigger first get pulled?

My gaze naturally fell on the back of Ra-eun's head.

Even from behind, her fear was palpable.

"A trauma too overwhelming to overcome..."

Could I, who had only met Ra-eun a week ago and knew nothing about her, really solve this problem?

'No. There's no way I can solve this...'

If this were something I could help with, Ra-eun would have opened up that last night during training camp when everyone was sharing their feelings.

That night when Han Da-min and Min Ha-young revealed their inner thoughts, Ra-eun hadn't said a word.

It meant this wasn't a wound that others could interfere with.

If I tried to do something rashly, I might just end up being that person who stuck their nose where it didn't belong.

The thought that I could comfort someone else's wounds was truly arrogant, but...

"This is difficult..."

Just then, Ra-eun, who had been hanging her head, suddenly looked up and turned to face the members.

"I'm sorry everyone. Ji-ye, I'm so sorry."

"What? Why?"

The members all waved their hands frantically in protest.

I especially waved my hands vigorously, as Ra-eun's gaze had quickly fixed on me.

"What do you have to be sorry for? We all know how hard you've worked, unnie."

My bewildered expression must have been clearly visible to everyone.

Ra-eun spoke with a face full of apologetic distress.

"Everyone trusted me and waited until now, and Ji-ye trusted me and recommended me for the opening part, but I've only caused trouble because I couldn't do it well..."

"No, no, it's understandable that you felt pressured. First, let's calm down, have some water, and think about what to do."

Ha-young hurriedly brought over some water and handed it to her.

"I'm really okay. The mood has gotten too heavy. I'm fine, so let's change the parts. I'm sorry!"