TDOCD Chapter 89

Maomai
Aug 17
6 min read

CHAPTER 89 4^th Mission

A startled, unfiltered shout echoed through the room.

All the trainees turned toward its source, but with both 5^th May Rookie and I Meet You members standing there with gaping mouths staring at the song title paper, it was impossible to tell who had made the sound.

Their reaction was understandable though - after all, Neobeat's "Dream Chase" was a band song. Whoever had selected it must have had their reasons, but what were they thinking?

Could there be trap songs hidden in each box?

This wasn't a dance track, ballad, or pop song - it was a band piece.

Moreover, it was a solo vocal band song without predetermined part distributions and naturally had no choreography.

Even with arrangements, these kinds of songs were difficult to adapt for competitions.

The original vocalist's color was so strong that covering it would be incredibly challenging.

Unless the cover artist had an even more powerful vocal tone than the original, something would always feel lacking.

It was no surprise that 5^th May Rookie and I Meet You, who usually showcased their difficult dance routines rather than vocals, had such a strong reaction.

"Team B's song is Neonbeat's Dream Chase - a song with magnificent band sound! Trainee Jayeon, please return to your position."

Jayeon bowed her head with a serious expression and returned to her place.

"We can expect fierce competition!" Announced MC Choi Gyu-jin, who had somehow moved to the center of the platform, his voice cutting through the commotion caused by the song selection.

The trainees fell silent, startled. Gyu-jin smiled warmly.

"As we eagerly anticipate what unique performances our trainees will show in Round 4, I too, as the host of Start Plan, will be waiting with excitement for the next round."

Ding-!

The Start Plan ending BGM played on cue with MC Gyu-jin's words.

"And with that, dear viewers, lights of Start Plan, we'll see you again in Round 4. Thank you!"

After his closing remarks, the jib camera rose high to capture a full shot of the set. A moment later...

"...Cut!"

The director's satisfied shout marked the end of the long filming session.

***

After filming wrapped, the trainees quickly dispersed with their respective agency staff.

They were moving noticeably faster than usual, likely eager to discuss their upcoming performances.

While trainees with agencies rushed off set, our independent group waited patiently for everyone else to leave.

"No need to rush. Let's head down after everyone's gone," Han Damin suggested, and all members agreed.

There was no point leaving now when the elevators would be packed.

'Now then...'

Time to get to work?

I had gathered some important information through reporter Choi Gyo-young before coming here.

I was planning to verify it as soon as filming ended.

Just as I reached for my phone in my bag, Damin's excited voice rang out.

"By the way, guys, we're having dinner together today, right?"

Ah, right. I quietly put my phone back. We had promised to have a meal together after filming. Especially since we'd prepared for the competition separately this time, we probably had a lot to share.

"Of course! I've been waiting for this Flora dinner!"

"Yes! I was really looking forward to it too!"

Min Hayoung and Seo Ra-eun's eyes sparkled as they spoke.

Choi Song-yi grinned smugly and pulled out a card from her wallet.

"Yes, I kept my schedule clear. Mother gave me her card. The meal's on me. She said we can get something expensive."

"Wow! Song-yi, you're the best!"

"Oh, really? I was going to treat! Well, since your mother offered, I'll get it next time! Haha!"

"Um, please thank your mother for us!"

Even Song-yi seemed exceptionally excited about today.

'Ah, it'll be hard to get back into the broadcasting station once we leave...'

Well, can't be helped. There will be other opportunities. It's not that urgent anyway - I can check during the next competition.

"Yes, let's go. I have plenty of time."

As I spoke to the members, I glanced around at the production staff cleaning up the filming location. In the distance, I spotted someone moving more busily than anyone else.

"Beom-tae, bring the tape over here!"

"Yes!"

"Beom-tae, come here for a second. While you're getting the tape, take this to PD Jung on the second floor. It's urgent, hurry!"

"Huh? Ah, PD Jung... but I..."

"What are you waiting for? I told you I'm busy!"

The person called Beom-tae, already holding tape in his hands, hesitated before finally accepting the file from his senior.

He nervously glanced at his senior and, when they weren't looking, rushed to deliver the tape first.

"Senior, here's the tape..."

The senior absentmindedly took the tape and then glared at him with a frown.

"What are you doing? This isn't the tape I meant! The filming's over, what would we use this for? I meant binding tape, you idiot."

"Ah..."

"Stop standing there looking stupid and go get it!"

"Yes..."

He scratched the back of his head timidly and started running again with awkward steps.

PD Gu Beom-tae, the rookie producer with a naive impression who always wore the same-colored t-shirt.

'So it was him?'

According to reporter Choi Gyo-young... Gu Beom-tae was the person who knew about my identity and had leaked it to reporter Choi Gyo-young and Choi Song-yi's father.

"PD Gu Beom-tae frequently visited the broadcasting station even before getting hired. He has deep connections here - his parents are a broadcasting station PD and a veteran social affairs journalist. He sees things himself and probably hears things from his mom and dad too. Anyway, he's very knowledgeable about rumors and inside stories. If you chat him up a bit, he'll spill the information you want. He's quite useful."

"I heard about Ji-ye from PD Gu too. Most people who know about it heard it from him."

Reporter Choi had said this with a puzzled expression.

"He's such a strange person, really~ If I knew that much information, I'd sell it for money. But money isn't his goal. He's not looking for anything in return either. He just leaks big stories without any particular reason. I don't understand why he does it."

A rookie PD who spreads major entertainment industry rumors everywhere without reason - isn't that extremely suspicious?

That's why I had asked Ryu Jae-geum to look into various things during our training camp. And there it was. A reason.

'Hah, they say you meet your enemies on a narrow bridge...'

Who would have thought we'd meet at the broadcasting station?

Just then, while I was internally grinding my teeth...

"...Ji-ye, what are you doing? Aren't you coming?"

Seo Ra-eun's hand gently wrapped around my arm.

Ah, right. The dinner. I turned my head quickly and smiled brightly.

"It's nothing."

Ra-eun smiled back.

"Let's go. The elevators should be less crowded now."

"Okay."