<h4>Chapter 13: Survival - Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha (1)</h4>


    “Make sure Hyun-Woo’s leg injury is subtly visible. Okay?” the manager spoke with a bright grin to the stylists. Despite my injury and visible scar, I couldn’t help but wonder why he seemed so pleased about it. It was ironic that he was trying to capitalize on my injury, yet deep down, I understood the reason behind his behavior.


    For days, the lighting ident had kept portal sites abuzz, catapulting our group Chronos into the spotlight. Even before our broadcast debut, we were already a hot topic on social media. My injury would only take a day or two to heal, but the attention we were garnering was immense. Naturally, this made our manager excited.


    “How about this? Should I make Hyun-Woo wear ankle-length socks while everyone else wears long socks thate up to their knees?” the stylist suggested, and the manager nodded.


    “Yeah, and put a bandage on him too. Make sure everyone knows that Hyun-Woo was the victim of the lighting ident.”


    “Hyung, this is too much. Do we really need to do this?”


    “Come on, Hyun-Woo. Do you think it’smon to receive this much attention? If you were seriously injured, I wouldn’t have suggested this.”


    As they continued their discussion, a slightly oversized bandage was ced on my ankle. I couldn’t help but wonder if we really needed to do such a thing just to attract attention, especially since YMM Entertainment wasn’t exactly a smallpany.


    “Can I get a bandage on my arm as well? I got hurt too,” Jin-Sung chimed in, not wanting to be left out.


    “Sure, put one on Jin-Sung too. Oh, is there anything that can make me stand out more?”


    Everyone, except for me, seemed to have thrown their pride out the window. The stylist obliged and ced a small bandage on Jin-Sung’s arm.


    “Are we all set now?” At the manager’s prompt, the members started to stand up. Today was the filming day for the <i>Pick We Up </i>audition, a day we all had been working hard for.


    As we got up from the chairs, our unique outfits rustled and drew sighs and gasps among ourselves.


    “...Sigh.”


    The loudest sighs came from Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon. They were dressed in red skirts that went down to their knees, coupled with frillyces, yellow twin-tail wigs, red hats, and red socks. It was pitiful to see them, who were considered the stylish ones among the trainees, in such outfits.


    I looked at Goh Yoo-Joon with a twitching face, making him frown deeply. “What are you looking at? You think I look funny? You look hrious too.”


    “I know, okay?” I admitted as I was well aware of my ridiculous attire. That was why I had been deliberately avoiding mirrors. While they were dressed in socks and frillyces, I was draped in an apron, sporting braided hair, a mask, and thick makeup to match my outfit. Even though it was my suggestion, the thought of appearing on television like this was unnerving.


    We had gotten ready for our television appearance, discussed the leaked video, and prepared for our entry into the broadcast station. Now, we could go. The manager then gave us advice on how to behave, emphasizing humility.


    Jin-Sung couldn’t help but tease, “Hey, guys. At least, you all look better than Yoon-Chan, alright? Now, can we all get in the car?”


    Yoo-Joon clicked his tongue in response. "Look at him, acting mighty just because he is wearing pants."


    Yoon-Chan, who was getting up from the chair, hesitated and sat back down, embarrassingly tugging at the hem of his short skirt. Well, everyone was dressed much better than Park Yoon-Chan.


    As soon as Joo-Han got in the car, the manager handed his phone to him and said, "UNET is impressive. They have already released an article announcing our debut shoot today."


    "It''s surprising. Only our group''s name, Chronos, is written in the article," remarked Joo-Han.


    Joo-Han showed the article on the phone to the manager. After a quick nce at it, the manager smiled pleasantly. "Of course, we are the ones making headlines even before the broadcast."


    The headlines that were thought to be dominated by the major entertainment agency became ours—perhaps thanks to the lighting incident. There were negative reactions and rumors of attention-seeking maniption, but we didn''t care.


    <i>‘What does it matter if our name is known before the broadcast?’</i> I knew that such recognition was rare unless you were part of a major agency.


    "Oh, and the person who leaked the filming was from UNET."


    "Isn''t that a problem?"


    "It is, but what can we do? We can''tin that it was leaked without our permission. It''s not good to go against UNET," the manager exined as he looked at me through the rearview mirror. He was probably checking on my reaction, as I was the most affected by the incident and the leak. However, I pretended not to notice and looked out the window.


    "At least, they said they''dpensate for it by ensuring we get enough airtime."


    "If they take care of the airtime, that''s good enough for me," I mumbled, trying to hide my relief. Only then did the manager avert his gaze from me.


    Despite the situation, I couldn''t help but feel a hint of satisfaction. The UNET-leaked footage had somehow spun the aftermath of the ident in my favor, a wee change from my previous predicaments.


    "Oh, by the way, Hyun-Woo, you will need toe to the officeter. The filmingpany wants to offer their apologies in person."


    "Oh, okay," I responded, a bit surprised by the unexpected turn of events.


    In the past, they would simply depositpensation money into my bank ount without offering a proper apology. But now, with the issue blowing up on social media, the filmingpany felt the need for a face-to-face meeting.


    Of course, I still harbored past grudges and did not intend to ept the apology easily. However, it was clear that they were making an effort to appease me.


    The UNET Broadcasting building came into view.


    "Start getting ready."


    Hearing the manager''s words, all of us who had been chatting while scrolling through the articles on our phones fell silent.


    "As soon as we get out of the car, the cameras will start rolling. Don''t be surprised... Actually, it''s okay to be surprised. Just greet them politely. Remember, don''t be overly conscious and just go inside."


    "Okay."


    "Do you remember what I told you before? From the moment you enter the broadcasting station, you be the most humble person in the world. Don''t wander around, and remember there are cameras in the waiting room too..." The manager continued to list out instructions as he parked, even though he had already briefed us at the hair salon.


    The camera team from the show <i>Pick We Up</i> suddenly spotted our vehicle and started running toward us. Seeing them, the manager hastily finished his instructions and looked at Park Yoon-Chan. "And, and... Yoon-Chan!"


    "Yes?"


    "Yoon-Chan, um-what''s it... uh..." the manager stammered. He then sighed and threw a nket that he brought to Park Yoon-Chan.


    "You have to keep that nket wrapped around your legs throughout the filming."


    "...Okay."


    "If you don''t want your exposed legs and underwear immortalized on TV, be careful. Got it?"


    "...Got it. Let''s stop talking about the skirt now..."


    Hearing their conversation, the other members couldn''t help but chuckle quietly. Despite all of us being in hrious outfits, Park Yoon-Chan''s seemed to be the funniest of all. Yoon-Chan, who had momentarily regained hisposure, started to sink into gloom again.


    ***


    Park Yoon-Chan''s face, still flushed red, didn’t seem like it would return to normal any time soon, even after we arrived in the waiting room. In fact, it seemed to be getting worse.


    He was the only one among us wearing a miniskirt, portraying Cha-Cha, who had transformed into an adult. The stylists had purposely put wigs on the rest of us but only adorned Park Yoon-Chan’s hair with a headpiece.


    Park Yoon-Chan quickly spread out a nket to cover his legs, still evidently mortified. “I... really... am so embarrassed I could die... I feel like... everything will show if I dance in this...”


    "You are wearing shorts underneath anyway," I reminded him, attempting to offer somefort.


    "I really can''t bear it."


    "We are sorry. We won''t tease you anymore."


    Was it inappropriate topliment Park Yoon-Chan by saying things like, "Yoon-Chan is pretty" and "He looks feminine”? From the perspective of the timid Park Yoon-Chan, thesements mighte across as teasing.


    ...Honestly, he did look good, so I did chime in with ament too. I understood how he felt... but what could I do? I couldn’t back down from a n I had worked hard on.


    Hmm. This was the time for me, as the elder, to say a word to my vulnerable younger friend. I stared at Park Yoon-Chan intently and approached him. Then the camera captured my movement. The camera, the members, and the staff all looked at me and Park Yoon-Chan.


    "Yoon-Chan."


    "Yes?"


    I lowered my voice to set the mood. Looking at Park Yoon-Chan''s fidgeting hands, I said in a serious tone, "Is Cha-Cha just a joke for you?"


    "...Sorry?" Confusion swept across Park Yoon-Chan''s face. The members and staff watched us intently, and the camera outside was ready to capture the moment in the ensuing silence.


    "...Pfft."


    "What is he saying?"


    The membersughed at my not-so-funnyment as expected. But I didn''t falter and channeled my inner ddin''s Genie, crossing my arms before delivering my message again. "Cha-Cha is no joke. We don''t have any other chances. Take this audition seriously. Understand? I am dead serious."


    "Hahaha!" Lee Jin-Sung''s boisterousughter echoed. I had to have appeared quite funny, dressed in a<i> Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha</i> costume while delivering these words.


    "Don''tugh!" I scolded them, even though I intended to make themugh.


    ***


    The waiting room was chaotic. The members, the manager, three cameras, numerous lights, and many staff members whose names I couldn''t recall—all were moving around in a confined space, making it seem even smaller.


    Perhaps feeling bad about my failed attempt at humor, Park Yoon-Chan threw off the nket and started practicing, no longer concerned about embarrassment under the camera lights. “We are doing this because we want to!” That was our shared sentiment as we put all our techniques into practice. As we chanted the magic pendant spell, the producer behind the camera asionally let slip a smile.


    "This group is the most memorable," he remarked.


    After our shooting was over, while preparing to move to another waiting room, the producer casually mentioned, "You''ve got some entertaining stuff prepared, and it doesn''te off as a joke. It will certainly grab the viewers'' attention right from the start."


    The camera was already off, and the producer''s tone became a bit rougher but still hearty. He seemed to really like what we had prepared.


    "How are the other teams?" Our manager gently inquired while aligning with the producer''s mood.


    The producer looked at him and replied, “They are all good. I can''t specify as it''s confidential, but they have prepared well."


    "Ah, I see."


    "But I like this group the most. I like it because these handsome guys aren''t trying to act cool," the producer said jokingly. Our manager instinctively bowed and expressed gratitude at each of the producer''spliments.


    "I have decided to give you ample screen time this time. Well, let''s see how it goes. If it''s good, I might put your group ahead of the majorpanies’ groups and release it as a teaser video." The producer encouragingly pped our manager''s shoulder and left the waiting room. All of a sudden, the crowded waiting room was filled with silence, and the manager muttered under his breath, "...A teaser video?"


    At that moment, a fierce spark ignited in the eyes of Cha-Cha.