Chapter 113

Chapter 113

Raise Three Idols Well And They’ll Launch a Confession Attack.

Episode 113: A Talent No One Expected.

“I don’t think I can do it.”

Seeing Han Gyeoul, frozen and shaking her head unknowingly, Oh Yoori smiled slightly as if to reassure her.

“You don’t need to think of it as too difficult. Just think of it as gathering the current public opinion into one.”

“Current public opinion?”

“Yes, the opinion spreading among the trainees.”

Wherever people gather, such as in companies, schools, academies, or groups, public opinion was bound to form. It was no different for Girl 100.

“Although Girl 100 is very closed off, actively cutting off communication with the outside world by banning smartphones and living in a communal dorm in a remote location, they can’t completely block external information from coming in. In fact, the more closed off they are, the faster rumors spread once they start circulating.”

“…Huh? I haven’t heard anything like that?”

“…”

As they talked, Yoori couldn’t help but feel startled by Gyeoul’s overwhelming nerdiness, which came out like a landmine.

“…There might be a few exceptions.”

Still, she tried to change the subject as casually as possible.

“Anyway, despite the risk of receiving penalties, there are many trainees who secretly hide their smartphones or find out news from the outside through managers. They’ve become aware of the ongoing controversy surrounding Girl 100. And that has spread as rumors, so most of them are aware of the crisis now. Public opinion has formed.”

“I see… public opinion has formed.”

Gyeoul felt no sense of discomfort in the fact that she was the only one unaware of this opinion.

“The point to focus on is how this opinion flows. You might not know this, but most trainees obviously feel a significant amount of anxiety and dissatisfaction.”

“I think I can guess that if the vote-rigging is true, then competition and effort would feel meaningless.”

Gyeoul felt the same way.

No matter how hard she tried, the realization that achieving results was utterly impossible left her feeling hopeless.

“That’s right. While trainees aren’t actively expressing it, they hold a negative view of the current Girl 100. Of course, not everyone feels that way.”

Contrasting with her previous statements, Gyeoul felt puzzled and asked back.

“What do you mean, not everyone?”

Yoori nodded, as if understanding why Gyeoul would have such question, and said,

“For the confirmed 11 members of the debut group, it will be perceived differently.”

“Aha. So, the other trainees might not look favorably on those who are in the 11 or seem likely to make it.”

Seeing Gyeoul make such a sharp observation, Yoori admired her.

“That’s an excellent point. How did you come to that conclusion?”

“It’s a bit different, but I have similar experiences in that context… It was quite difficult.”

“…”

With every word Gyeoul spoke seeming like a landmine, Yoori wondered what kind of life Gyeoul had lived.

However, such topics would have to be addressed later.

Because there wasn’t much time for Yoori.

“As you predicted, Gyeoul unnie, the trainees are subtly splitting into groups. There’s a divide between the upper ranks benefiting from the vote-rigging allegations and the middle and lower ranks. And this opposition is preventing a common opinion from emerging while everyone in the current Girl 100 must have grievances.”

“Yeah, the members of the 11 and those benefiting from the vote-rigging can’t feel completely at ease either. If this controversy continues, not only could the project group be disbanded, but Girl 100 itself could be canceled midway.”

Pleased with Gyeoul’s concise analysis, Yoori smiled.

“That’s right. The point where I’m asking you, Gyeoul unnie, to ‘incite’ is right there. I hope you can guide the two opposing groups to criticize the common enemy, the Girl 100 production team, so they can express their dissatisfaction with a unified voice.”

Gyeoul now clearly understood what Yoori was asking of her.

However, she was negative about whether she could do it.

“…Um, but Yoori, I’m really sorry to say this. Wouldn’t it be better for you to do it than me? I’ve never stood in front of others, and I’m not good at speaking, so I don’t feel confident leading anyone.”

At her words, Yoori shook her head, looking troubled.

“I also considered doing it myself. It’s my area of expertise, after all. But I don’t have the position or time for that.”

“Yoori, why?”

Yoori smiled bitterly as she spoke.

“I’m the whistleblower who blew up the smoothly sailing Girl 100. I won’t be viewed favorably by trainees dreaming of debuting with Girl 100, and I’m not seen positively by the production team either. With such a negative image, it’s difficult for me to be the instigator.”

This was an obstacle that even Yoori, as skilled as she was in acting and winning people’s favor, would find hard to overcome.

“Moreover, I don’t have any free time. My participation in the common shoots of Girl 100 is also limited, and I’m monitored to prevent any additional exposure or tricks. Right now, I’ve barely managed to shake them off to create this brief opening.”

The restrictions and isolation were stronger than expected, which was why it had taken so long to approach Gyeoul.

“Once Kim Seon-ye finishes filming all the scenes to use me as a means to end the vote-rigging controversy, she’ll forcibly expel me from Girl 100 under the pretext of voluntary withdrawal. While Team Leader Seon, who has attached himself to Kim Seon-ye, uses all sorts of excuses to prevent that situation, that won’t last long either. If Kim Seon-ye wants to save the broadcast, getting rid of me will be essential both in the short and long term.”

Thanks to her explanation, Gyeoul completely understood.

It certainly seemed very difficult for Yoori to step up for inciting.

“Unlike me, Gyeoul unnie has the top-tier skills that everyone recognizes, whether they’re in the upper, middle, or lower ranks. And unlike the image she projects on screen, her humble and hardworking attitude earns her widespread favor.”

“…Me?”

“Yes, so if you, Gyeoul unnie, step in, you’ll definitely be able to control the trainees and guide public opinion.”

“…”

Even with Yoori’s assurance, Gyeoul couldn’t muster confidence and hesitated, so Yoori pulled out her trump card.

“Team Leader Seon also said that you could do it, Gyeoul unnie.”

It was Seon Taeyang, the cheat key limited to the members of TwoBear.

“…Taeyang-ssam?”

“Yes, he said to trust and rely on you because you are truly amazing. He called you a genius of the century who excels at anything you do.”

While he didn’t say it quite like that, Yoori told a white lie.

“I see, Taeyang-ssam said that about me.”

Hearing Yoori’s words and picturing Seon Taeyang in her mind, Gyeoul charged herself with confidence and declared resolutely,

“I’ll do it! I’ll incite!”

“You’ve thought very well!”

As Yoori clapped softly in celebration of that resolve, Gyeoul shyly asked,

“But how do I go about this incitement?”

“You don’t need to think of it too hard. Just mention the common dissatisfaction and anxiety that the trainees have regarding Girl 100. To both the middle and lower ranks as well as the upper ranks. If everyone can hear it, the conversation will flow naturally. At that point, simply raising the suggestion of, ‘Let’s voice our common concerns,’ will be enough.”

“I’m not sure how to bring that up; in fact, even starting a conversation is hard for me…”

“…”

In this regard, Yoori also felt it was difficult to give advice.

After all, it was something far too easy and simple for her.

But she recognized that everyone had different difficulties, so a solution was needed.

Still, it was just as confusing for her.

Therefore, Yoori, unlike herself, offered advice without confidence.

“…How about referencing AllTube?”

“AllTube?”

“Yes, there you can find tips on how to speak to people or how to give speeches, so it might help to reference it.”

“What should I search for?”

“Um… searching for words like persuasion, speech, and revolution should be sufficient for reference, right?”

Though Yoori wasn’t entirely confident in her suggestion, Gyeoul took it as a guide and answered briskly.

“Thank you, Yoori! I’ll make sure to reference it and do well!”

“…Ah, yes. I’ll trust you, Gyeoul unnie.”

At that moment, a voice urgently calling for Yoori was heard from the hallway.

“Oh Yoori! Where are you?”

“I must have been caught slipping away. I’ll definitely come back to find you. Please work hard for the incitement for Team Leader Seon! Let’s go!”

“…R-Right, fighting!”

Thus, Yoori appeared like the wind and vanished like the wind.

Gyeoul stared blankly at the empty spot for a moment and steeled her resolve.

“She said there’s no time, so I shouldn’t hesitate and need to act as quickly as possible.”

Gyeoul took out the tablet she received as a reward for being selected as an excellent trainee, meant for practice.

Since it was a tablet issued by Girl 100, AllTube and the internet were blocked.

However, it had been unlocked by Kim Yujin, who wanted to check comments on her videos and had plenty of experience using devices.

Of course, this was a secret from the filming crew.

Gyeoul operated the tablet and secretly played an AllTube video.

As Gyeoul searched for words like persuasion, speech, and revolution, the AllTube algorithm led her to realms she had never experienced before.

‘Aux Armes, citoyens!’ (Arise, citizens!)

“…”

‘Hasta la victoria siempre.’ (Until victory, always.)

“…”

‘Ein Gespenst geht um in Europa—das Gespenst des Kommunismus.’ (A specter is haunting Europe—the specter of communism.)

“…”

Gyeoul was inspired by the great speakers who had warmed people’s hearts, and she began to recite their soul-stirring lines.

“Until now, all history is the history of class struggles.”

Thus, the red flag began to flutter in Han Gyeoul’s heart.