The Countdown Begins
Today’s newspaper headline screamed:
[Heaven-Sent Spotlight! Count Your Blessings (CYB) Five Days Until the First Round Begins!]
Due to time zone differences, the dates for CYB preliminaries vary by country, but in Korea, only five days remained.
Not just newspapers—even TV news, social media, and online forums were buzzing with anticipation.
Understandably so.
There’s no festival like CYB.
As of now, all that was officially known was the start date—five days away—and a rough list of expected participants.
Of course, one line of fact brings ten lines of rumors.
That’s just how it works.
I was scrolling through reactions on internet forums inside Rowen’s studio.
If you wanted to catch the real, raw public sentiment, forums were where you went.
murmured The Star That All Despise, perched on my shoulder.
“Well… yeah, it’s where Satan gets roasted every day.”
Click click!
I scrolled through trending posts.
One thread caught my eye:
[Hey guys! I picked 10 most promising male trainees for this season’s CYB hehe]
I clicked.
Usually, these lists featured big-name agency trainees.
Six from major labels, three from mid-size companies, and one wildcard—usually someone with a unique backstory.
Now that idol-Constellation contracts go through sanctums, indie trainees are rare.
Sure enough, I spotted my name on the list.
Not surprising—I’d been a trainee since middle school.
People probably figured it was about time I debuted.
Plus, I’d popped up in the media a few times.
When I appeared in that YN documentary about trainee life, I looked half-dead from dieting but forced myself to look cheerful.
“I’ll endure anything for my dream!”
…was my closing line on that show.
Hamin still mocked me over it.
Let’s see what they wrote about me:
― Ryu Eunyul
- I think he got scouted on the street? That would explain his visuals. Cute!
- He gives off “pure at first, corrupted later” vibes lol.
- He was in some documentary called “Idol Training: Then and Now”! His eyes looked dead but he pretended to be happy—looked kinda pitiful but cute?
- Feels like if you starved him for three days and threw him a banana peel, he’d be grateful…
…This person is a sadist.
I kept reading.
- Remember a few months ago near the YN building, when a little kid almost got hit by a car? Someone saved the kid but got hit instead?
Rumor says it was him!!
How do people find this stuff out?
- Anyone see that N-LIVE stream from Amil recently? People say she mentioned “Eunyul” in it.
The audio was fuzzy but it kinda sounded like it.
Wait a sec—
That could be bad.
If it got out that I had a connection—even a slight one—with a famous idol like Amil, especially during my rookie days, it’d be risky.
Even though we’d only met twice, it didn’t matter.
Rumors would do the rest.
If a nasty story started spreading, both Amil and I would be in trouble.
I checked the comments:
― Thanks for the list hehe!! ― But… I watched that N-LIVE too and pretty sure I heard “Eunyul”…
Okay. Can’t leave that one alone.
I replied:
― Sorry if this sounds like I’m being a buzzkill, but I watched the stream too, and it just sounded like someone else talking over her. The voice tone was too low to be Amil’s, and the stream glitched right after that anyway. I get that everyone’s excited, but maybe don’t jump to conclusions without proof? Let’s all be chill—these idols are under enough pressure already.
I hit enter.
That was all I could do for now.
The Star That All Despise burst out laughing.
“Shut up.”
I sighed.
“Eunyul! Come eat!”
Rowen called out from the kitchen.
His tone sounded… motherly, even.
Over time, Rowen and I had grown a lot closer.
With five days left until the first round, Rowen ordered me to focus on rest.
“Managing your condition is part of training,” he said.
I told The Star That All Despise to stay hidden and made my way to the kitchen.
The food sucked.
I dipped chicken breast into sriracha and gnawed on it when Rowen asked:
“How are you feeling?”
“…Alright, I guess.”
Though that forum post still bugged me…
“Think you’ll do well?”
“…I’ve made up my mind to give it everything.”
“That’s good enough for now.”
Rowen took off his teddy-bear apron.
“Resolve, you see, is something you put down and pick up again depending on the situation. When you’re tired, let it go. When you’ve got the strength, hold on tight.”
He handed me another vacuum-packed chicken breast.
“So for now, just take it easy.”
“Thanks, Rowen-sunbae. I’ll remember that.”
…But can we please stop with the chicken breast?
“You’ve worked hard, Eunyul.”
Rowen smiled brightly.
“You know, if you flunk the first round—I’ll kill you.”
You’re saying that with a smile now!?
I looked away from Rowen’s angelic grin and out the penthouse window.
So full of life.
Maybe one day, I’ll see this view every morning…
Maybe I can show it to Dad too, wherever he is.
“By the way, Eunyul.”
“Yes?”
I glanced over at Rowen.
…Wait.
For once, he wasn’t smiling.
Even when he threatened to electrocute me or tie me to a tree and let mosquitoes devour me, he always smiled. But now?
“When you saved Chaeyoung’s little brother… how did you feel?”
For a moment I blanked on the name—then remembered that was Amil’s real name.
“I didn’t really think. I just acted.”
“I figured.”
Rowen chuckled.
“That’s what I find interesting about you.”
“You mean the part where I don’t think?”
“Why would you take it that way?”
He pouted.
Because you’ve roasted me with every word up until now, that’s why!
“I mean, I think you’re kind. That’s why I wanted to help you. It intrigued me. I’m not exactly the kindest person, after all.”
No kidding. I figured that out the hard way.
…But Rowen is a god, so I’ll forgive him.
“There’s someone I want you to help.”
“…Help?”
What was he talking about?
“They’re… like foam,” he said, staring off thoughtfully.
Then he stood up.
Five days passed in a blur.
The first round of Korea’s CYB preliminaries was held in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.
Beneath that city lay the Minotauros’ Labyrinth.
Of course, the Minotaur was long gone—hunted down by hunters years ago.
But the massive underground labyrinth remained.
Demolishing or filling it in would cost a fortune, so it was used as a set for movies and shows.
The venue wasn’t revealed until three days before the event.
They needed a place that could hold a ton of people. The labyrinth was perfect.
As I stepped into the maze, The Star That All Despise zipped excitedly around me.
“You know how many hunters died trying to catch that ‘adorable’ thing?”
“More like terrifying.”
I looked around.
This was Zone B of the maze.
Other areas would host different categories—this one was for male idol applicants.
Narrow marble corridors stretched out endlessly.
I couldn’t see the end—not because it was too long, but because of the mass of trainees waiting ahead.
We’d arrived at dawn.
I’d already been waiting over five hours.
[Me: How many people ahead of you??]
[Hamin: Enough to make me want to commit mass murder.]
[Me: LMAO ㅠㅠ]
I killed time chatting with Hamin.
Meanwhile, I worked to keep my cool.
Most participants would be eliminated in Round 1.
Even trainees from big companies like YN weren’t safe.
Before Constellations got involved, people could rig survival show results or push certain favorites.
Now, that was impossible.
Constellations personally judged fairness.
Which made pure skill—and your Constellation’s strength—more important than ever.
Slack off even a little and you’d be left behind.
Anyone who didn’t take it seriously was already long gone.
The scariest part?
Even among the hardworking, only a few would shine.
“Alright, everyone from this line—please double-check your numbers! Your turn’s coming up!”
A staff member shouted through a megaphone.
My turn was close.
Just then—
“Nervous?”
A voice from behind.
I turned to see a tall guy standing there.
He looked older—by at least three years.
Completely different vibe from me.
Broad shoulders, strong build.
Hair dyed cotori beige, slicked back neatly.
A formal, almost vintage outfit.
Was he mixed? His eyes had a faint bluish tint.
“Uh…”
I stared at him blankly, then nodded.
“Yeah… a little.”
“No need to be.”
His voice was calm and even.
“You’ll pass, I’m sure of it.”
“…Huh?”
He spoke as if he knew me.
“Have we met before?”
“No,” he said, shaking his head.
“This is our first time.”
“…Really?”
He was suspicious.
“What’s your name?”
“Ma Dojin.”
“What agency?”
“None.”
…No agency?
“I didn’t intend to become an idol. But I have a reason to now. So I applied.”
His tone was strangely stiff.
“Shall we shake hands?”
He extended his hand.
“O-oh. Sure.”
I grasped it.
Zap!
Huh?
What was that just now…?
The Fallen Star screeched from inside my Bluetooth case.
Right. I forgot in the moment.
But just then—
“Attention, please! Numbers D214 through D220—please enter!”
Damn.
…It was my turn.
Little Pink Starfish 
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