Chapter 47 - The Birth of the Ultimate Girl-Group (Part 2)

‘What does he want us to do?’ I asked myself.

Jinwoo then began to explain.

“That’s it. I want you to pick the eight girls who you think should be in the group. And add in the reason why. That’s the last mission.”

At that, everyone gave a look of understanding and nodded.

I raised my hand.

“Can we also include ourselves?” I asked.

Jinwoo nodded.

“Of course,” he answered.

Then he added, “I want you to pick the eight members that you think will truly add to the group.”

“Don’t just base it off your personal feelings,” Mi-hyang added from the back.

Maybe since because it was live, her face didn’t look as pissed as she usually did.

“Okay, let’s bring out the desk.”

At that, the staff members brought up desks and chairs for us and laid them out in a straight line on stage. We all took our seats.

A pen and paper was placed on each desk and we began to think about which of the girls should be in the final eight.

“Hmm.”

I tapped my chin with my pen. Eight members. The fact that I could only write eight names out of fifteen was kind of sad. What about the seven who were eliminated? Then again, this was reality. If I had to write it, I had to write it. I began to write.

Sian Lee.

Of course I wrote my own name.

Yoo-young Lee

She was the main vocalist. Of course I added her.

Ji-hyun Yoo

She was amazing as the sub-vocalist, plus she and I got along pretty well too.

Jia Lee

I added her because she was pretty. And it’s so sweet how she’s always thinking of me. I’d marry her if I could.

Hainan.

She’s cute and adorable.

Jumi Yeom.

She was pretty up there as a vocalist with Yoo-young.

Rhinzi

Lovely Girlz will need someone who can be the powerful dancer.

Yoo-jin Jeong.

She has a big chest and honestly, she’s a tad clueless.

Looking at what I wrote, I saw that it was the same as what the netizens had selected. We sure do think the same. To be honest, I sort of went back and forth between voluptuous Yoo-jin and rapper Jimin. In terms of skill, Jimin was actually better than Yoo-jin, but she was younger. And another reason I picked her was, as I said, she’s a bit on the clueless side. Teasing the older girls, asking them why their chests are so small; whining that the food she eats only goes to her chest; putting her boobs on her desk as she complains about the weight – we needed that sort of funny charm in the group. She’s very fun to watch. And that’s why I picked her. Anyways, I was the first one to finish.

“Are you done already?” Jinwoo asked.

“Yes,” I replied with a nod.

Then I asked, “Can I go to the bathroom?”

“Sure, go haead.”

With Jinwoo’s permission, I walked off stage to go to the restroom. Suddenly, Jun-jin was following me, camera in tow.

“Sian, wait for me!”

“Huh?”

“Ha…hah….ha...”

Jun-jin gasped for breath as he hurried after me.

“I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Oh, I’m only going to follow you to the entrance.”

“Okay.”

I began to walk and Jun-jin walked with me, aiming the camera at me.

“Who did you write?”

“Me.”

“Oh okay, so you wrote your own name. Other people don’t really do that.”

“I’m not like other people.”

“Oh.”

“What? Is it bad that I wrote my own name?”

“No,” Jun-jin said with a smirk. He no longer seems to be afraid of me, even when I give him the look. Maybe he’s used to it. That’s okay, I just have to wait. Wait for him to say something stupid again, that is. Then, I can punch him again.

“I, for one, truly believe that you should be in the group.”

“Good for you,” I replied with a smile.

Hey, who doesn’t like compliments?

“So who else did you write?”

“It’s a secret.”

“I’ll edit it out.”

“Can you do that?”

“I’m on the editing team too. I’ll edit out this conversation.”

“Well then.”

Impressive.

“Who else did you write?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“You’re really popular these days. Everyone wants to know who you picked. Even if you don’t tell me, it will get out somehow. The public will be dying to know.”

“Hmmm.”

On the one hand, it’s nice. But on the other hand...the ones who weren’t listed in the top eight may get sad.

“What will you do for me if I tell you?”

I decided to make a deal. If I give some, I should gain some.

“Hmm…Hoppang?”

“It’s hot outside. Do you want to get hit with one instead?”

“Uh, you got it wrong. Hoppang ice cream.”

“Oh.”

Oh right, there is an ice cream that’s shaped like hoppang. I got confused. Why didn’t he just say the full name?

“Just one though?” I asked skeptically.

Hoppang ice cream sounded nice but…they’re kind of small. I can finish one in one go.

“I’ll buy you two.”

“Meh.”

They’re not even expensive. Cheapskate.

“Three.”

“Meh.”

“Four...”

“Hmph.”

“Five, then…that’s already 5,000 won...” Jun-jin whined.

In the end, I agreed. I shouldn’t be so greedy or become a leech. I’ll take five hoppang ice creams.

“It’s the same as the ones the netizens picked.”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah. Satisfied?”

“Oh, so it’s Yoo-young, Ji-hyun, Jia, Hainan, Rhinzi, Jumi, and Yoo-jin?”

“Yep,” I answered with a nod.

“You really do have the same minds.”

Jun-jin was smiling as if he knew that would happen.

“Yeah, I guess.”

Suddenly, I found ourselves in front of the bathroom.

“Sian, you need to take off your mic.”

“Oh right.”

Everyone would’ve heard me go number two. I plucked off the mic at my hip and gave it to Jun-jin before going into the bathroom. I sat down on the toilet seat. Though I still wasn’t comfortable with that.

“Ugh, I want to do this standing up.”

I muttered curses to myself. If I had to choose the one thing I hated about this body, it was going to the bathroom. Or when I see a girl’s chest. Or when I touch a girl’s butt. And especially when Jia tries to act cute towards me. Oh, and lastly, when Jia clings next to me. Now that really drives me crazy. I can’t control my feelings, but I can’t do anything about them either. Might I remind you that my mental age is thirty...All men are full of sexual desires at that age...

“‘Body is nothing more than emptiness, emptiness is nothing more than body.’...”

I recited the old sutra again, purging the anger out of my soul.

***

I returned to the stage. It seems like everyone had already finished writing. Jinwoo, Mi-hyang, Snake, C-Night, and Hye-jin all looked over our lists, deep in discussion.

“Sian, who did you write?” Jia asked with a curious expression.

“You.”

“I wrote your name too.”

“Good job,” I said, giving her an indulgent smile.

I wanted to give her a pat on the head again, but since it’s live, I stopped myself. If I had my way, I’d give Jia a kiss, but I’m a girl. That could seriously backfire on me.

“But I feel bad for the ones I didn’t write.”

“That’s not good.”

“Yeah.”

“It can’t be helped. We can only say that it’s just not their time yet.”

“Yeah,” Jia replied with a nod.

“But did you hear?” she suddenly asked.

“What?” I said.

How is it that I never know what’s going on?

“Mu-music is starting a show called Un-Position Rapstar and they’re casting you.”

“Me? Why? What’s Un-Position Rapstar?”

“It’s a rap battle show.”

“....”

I guess I’m just doing everything now.

“I’m not a rapper.”

“He thinks you can do it.”

“Who?”

“Jinwoo.”

“Our Jinwoo?”

I glanced over at him. The asshole was still looking over the lists.

“Yeah, I overheard him while he was talking to our manager,” Jia said, eyes open wide with excitement.

“You have ears everywhere,” I said with a grin.

Jia sure does hear a lot of stuff.

“But aren’t you filming for a sitcom too?”

“Yeah, Jinwoo already signed the contract.”

“Lucky.” Jia sighed with envy.

“Not really. I think it’s annoying.”

I mean, I will get paid, which is nice, but still annoying. Oh, and even if I do earn money, it’s split amongst all the members. That’s why everyone was pleased that I’m filming a drama.

“Can I come and watch?” Jia asked.

Oh, right, Jia wanted to act as well.

“I’d love that. You should stick with me everyday.”

I quite liked the sound of that. Jia being by my side all the time. A young, pretty, adorable, and loving girl by my side all day, every day. Why wouldn’t want that?

“Thanks! I’m going to learn everything I can while I follow you around!”

“You go and do that.”

Suddenly, acting didn’t sound so bad after all. It’s the same for everyone. If a girl you like has an interest in something, you want to do everything you can to master it and impress her. And if Jia really becomes an actress…that is, if she ends up doing a kissing scene with another guy...or a bed scene...heads will roll.

“We’re done.”

Jinwoo suddenly cut in. The other judges nodded and looked at us. They glanced at each other and smiled.

“We looked over your lists. You guys had the same idea as the public,” Jinwoo said with a nod.

He also added, “The stars from this evaluation will also be added and the eight members will be selected based on the total number of stars. Don’t be sad just because you won’t be debuting with Lovely Girlz. Just think of this as a stepping stone in your continuing journey.”

We all nodded at Jinwoo’s words. Yeah. The results will be fair and objective. Whether or not it was good or bad, we would just have to accept it.

“I’m so nervous,” Jia said needlessly.

Jia had always been in the Top 3. Of course she’ll be included.

“You’re already in. There’s no need to be nervous.”

“Still...”

“You just like to worry.” I laughed.

What’s the use? We all knew who was going to be the group. I’m sure everyone else had already come to terms with it as well. You just had to see the star chart and the online poll results to know who was going to be in the final eight. So whether or not you’re selected, there won’t be any surprises today.

“I’ll call you out one by one,” Jinwoo said.

We all stood with rapt attention, but a few already began to cry. Minji – sweet Minji who had turned over a new leaf during these last few weeks – began to sob. Liang Liang as well. The Japanese members, Ara and Sena, were starting to show some tears as well.

‘How sad...’

I began to feel bad for them. We all did our best. I guess I softened up a bit myself. The old me would’ve just ignored them.

Jinwoo began to call our names one by one.

“First place is Yoo-young Lee. Congratulations, Yoo-young.”

A modest smile spread over Yoo-young’s face. But no tears.

“Second place is Sian Lee. Congratulations, Sian.”

This time, it was my name that was called. I showed my gratitude with a bow of my head. There was no need for me to look surprised since I already knew what to expect.

“Third is Ji-hyun. Congratulations, Ji-hyun.”

Jinwoo smiled at Ji-hyun who returned it with one of her own.

“Fourth place is Jia Lee. Congratulations, Jia.”

At that, Jia let out a cry and began to sob. I pulled her into a hug and patted her back. I noticed Hye-jin wiping a few tears herself. Angel Five’s main dancer Hye-jin Oh. The more I see her, the lovelier she gets. Jinwoo gave an understanding smile to Jia before he continued.

“The fifth is Hainan. Congratulations, Hainan.”

Jinwoo smiled at Hainan who also began to cry. It seems like she’d been holding herself back. We were all fond of Hainan, who was young but mature for her age. Soon, she was bawling too, and the members near her all engulfed her in a group hug. I wanted to comfort her as well, but she was a bit down the line from me. Jinwoo kept going and it was as we had expected. Jumi was sixth. Rhinzi was seventh. And the final eight spot went to Yoo-jin. The members of Lovely Girlz had been called. The newest Korean girl group was born, ready to become a sensation.