Reunited with My Ex-Boyfriend on an Idol Survival Show - Chapter 2

Reunited with My Ex-Boyfriend on an Idol Survival Show

Chapter 2

SYNOPSIS AND CHARACTER INFO

READ HERE

Dohyuk's gaze, which had been fixed on On Seha, gradually shifted elsewhere. He waved casually, responding to the cheers as if he hadn't noticed anything.

"Dohyuk-ssi, you must be incredibly busy. Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"It's an honor for me."

With each word Dohyuk spoke, the trainees erupted in applause, bolstering his words with their energy. Occasionally, shouts like "You're so handsome!" could be heard.

Strictly speaking, the 44 trainees gathered here were Dohyuk's peers. Even Seha was only a year older than him.

Yet Dohyuk possessed an unapproachable level of popularity and prestige. To the average trainee, he was an object of admiration.

'Why is Dohyuk here...?'

In this moment, only Seha felt the turmoil. Though their eyes met only briefly, Seha could read Dohyuk's gaze: a cold, emotionless stare. It was a stark contrast to the fleeting smile he now flashed at the trainees.

'That was a look I'd never seen before.'

This wasn't the Dohyuk Seha knew. Back when they were lovers, even when Dohyuk's features appeared sharp, his eyes would soften into a fox-like grin the instant their gazes met.

Well, after how things ended, it's no wonder his expression would harden.

Seha lowered his head, suddenly recalling the moment he had kicked Dohyuk away. Even so, we shouldn't have ended things like that, he often thought, though it was water under the bridge now.

"As a senior in the entertainment industry and a peer, I'll do my best to guide you all well."

"If it was Dohyuk, I'd ask him to guide me too!"

Dohyuk, who was exchanging remarks with the judges, scanned the trainees' seats once more. It was then, as he gripped the microphone, that he dropped his bombshell.

"I see some familiar faces here."

At Dohyuk's words, Seha, who had been keeping his head bowed, lifted it slightly. Their eyes locked in a lingering gaze, as if they had been waiting for this moment. Dohyuk's eyes remained completely devoid of emotion.

Dohyuk slowly rolled his eyes, savoring Seha's flinching reaction, before finally parting his lips.

"We haven't seen each other often due to our hectic schedules, but meeting here like this brings back special memories."

Every word Dohyuk uttered pierced Seha's heart like a sharp needle.

Back when Seha dated Dohyuk, the latter had been juggling drama and film shoots simultaneously, his schedule so demanding that even having two bodies wouldn't have been enough.

'He's not trying to acknowledge me, is he?'

Seha deliberately avoided Dohyuk's gaze, worried that his remark about not seeing each other often might be directed at him. He had a conscience; he didn't want to be associated with his younger ex-boyfriend whom he had dumped.

The set buzzed with speculation about Dohyuk's partner. Amidst the murmurs, a judge spoke up, as if suddenly realizing something.

"Ah, Dohyuk-ssi's agency trainee is also participating, right?"

Dohyuk nodded. Seha felt a mix of relief and a strange sense of disappointment that the remark wasn't about him.

"...Then shall we begin the judging?"

As Dohyuk changed the subject, Seha thought he caught a fleeting smirk on his face.

The Reloading Project's evaluation process was ruthless. Trainees were classified into four grades: A, B, C, and D, with each grade having a fixed capacity of 11 members.

Before the evaluation, trainees had to declare their desired grade. If a grade was already full, they had to nominate a trainee already assigned to that grade to be demoted.

A crazy survival show.

Even during Season 1, this nomination system drew criticism for deliberately fostering conflict. Yet its sensational nature proved highly effective in capturing public attention.

Most trainees opted to play it safe, choosing grades with available slots rather than nominating others. After all, the grades would be readjusted once the opening song was revealed.

But Seha...

"It has to be A-grade."

Seha was determined to earn an A-grade. As an independent participant, he knew he had to either excel spectacularly or fail miserably to stand out.

The judging order followed the entry numbers they had received at the beginning. Seha's number was 41, practically almost last in line.

After a long wait, Seha finally stepped forward to face the four judges and Dohyuk.

"I'm On Seha, an independent participant. My specialty is vocals, and I'm also confident in dancing."

"Your face seems like a specialty too," one of the judges remarked, causing a buzz to ripple through the studio. Most seemed to agree. Seha chuckled awkwardly.

"Trainee On Seha, it says here you've been with ON for quite a while?"

"About seven years," Seha replied.

Seha's answer sparked another round of murmurs among the crowd. Everyone understood what it meant for a trainee who had spent seven years at a major agency to appear as an independent contestant. He must have been cut after failing to make it to the debut group and is now wandering aimlessly.

"And aren't there some familiar faces here?"

Before the judge could finish speaking, three trainees who had already been evaluated frantically waved their hands. They were Seha's juniors from ON Entertainment, where they had trained together.

This should guarantee me some screen time...

Looks like the producers are planning to use his background at ON Entertainment as an editing hook.

Amidst the commotion, Seha was bothered by Dohyuk's gaze. His eyes blazing as he stared intently at Seha, clearly reacting to the mention of "familiar faces."

"Why are you glaring at me like that? Even if you knew me, you'd still hate it. Besides, you pointed out someone else yourself..."

Deliberately ignoring Dohyuk, Seha flashed a bright smile and waved to his juniors from ON Entertainment. When Seha's striking face filled the monitor inside the studio, gasps of admiration erupted from all corners.

"What grade are you hoping for? If the quota is full, please also specify which trainee you'd like to push out."

"I..."

Seha scanned the trainees. A-grade and B-grade were already full due to earlier applicants. Without even lingering on B-grade, Seha pointed decisively to a trainee in the A-grade section.

"I nominate A-grade trainee Hyun Sion."

A collective gasp erupted from the judges.

It was understandable, given that an independent trainee from ON had just nominated ON's ace. Seha had deliberately chosen Sion, anticipating this reaction.

"Wow, On Seha's got more guts than I thought! I honestly didn't expect him to nominate anyone."

"He looks so delicate, but this is quite surprising."

Putting aside their initial reactions, Dohyuk grabbed the microphone, ready to interview Hyun Sion, who had been nominated by Seha.

"Hyun Sion, could you share your thoughts on being nominated by a participant who used to be your senior at the same agency?"

Though the situation wasn't pre-arranged and could have been awkward, Hyun Sion remained composed. He even responded with a warm smile.

"I knew Hyung would choose me."

Just one word, spoken without hesitation, as if he had been waiting for this moment, instantly heated up the set.

Dohyuk silently lowered the microphone, his fist clenching briefly. The corner of his lip, curled in disdain, quivered slightly.

"Let's see what a veteran like you can do. Since you claim singing is your specialty, let's start with that."

Under the judge's direction, the formal evaluation began. Seha's face paled instantly as he recalled the song he had prepared.

'Ah, the song I prepared today...'

It was a song he couldn't possibly sing in front of Dohyuk.

If he had known Ryu Dohyuk would be here, he would never have chosen this song. He had simply picked it because it was the song he had practiced the most and felt most confident in.

But it was too late to change his mind now. Seha squeezed his eyes shut and brought the microphone to his lips, determined not to look in Dohyuk's direction until the song was over.

As the band's cool yet lyrical accompaniment began, Seha took a deep breath, found the rhythm, and slowly parted his lips.

My day stretches long into the night

When I close my eyes, a piercing darkness descends

You ride the constellations, racing toward me

Our story etched in the stars' trails

The slow, dreamlike lyrics flowed from Seha's throat, each syllable imbued with a sweet melody. Just as everyone was becoming captivated by his powerful vocals, one person remained unable to focus: Dohyuk.

Even if love doesn't come tonight, it's alright

Don't worry, my dreams won't hurt you.

Tickling your weary soul, I promise you this.

Dohyuk knew this song all too well. That's why he couldn't concentrate.

"Night Day" by the 5 member band Flood. It was the song On Seha had sung to comfort Ryu Dohyuk when burnout struck him due to his early start in the entertainment industry. The song that had made Dohyuk fall in love with Seha.

Now, the song Dohyuk thought he would never hear again was being sung right in front of him by his former lover, On Seha, with vocal prowess far more refined than what he remembered from the past.

Dohyuk glared at Seha, his expression troubled. But Seha, completely absorbed in the song, didn't even notice Dohyuk's piercing gaze as he belted out the chorus. The melody grew increasingly intense.

It's okay if love doesn't come tonight.

Yeah, tonight.

Under the shimmering, overflowing moonlight,

And the swaying, almost falling shadows.

Seha, his voice soaring with unwavering high notes that filled the set, opened his eyes just as he approached the song's climax. Coincidentally, his gaze locked with Dohyuk's, who was glaring at him. Undeterred, Seha murmured the final lyrics:

I'll tell you, bursting like stardust,

I love you.

Unlike before, Dohyuk was the first to look away, his eyes bloodshot and red.

The song concluded with a lingering hum. This was the end of the piece Seha had prepared. As the music faded and Seha swallowed the last notes, adjusting his grip on the microphone, not a single breath could be heard in the studio.

"...That's all."

Only after Seha announced the end did the audience seem to snap out of their daze, murmuring their admiration one by one. Over-the-top reactions followed in quick succession, as if they were certain the broadcast would air every moment.

Dohyuk was the first to grab the microphone. His bloodshot eyes had already cleared, but his voice still trembled.

"Personally, I've always loved this song, and it's been a while since I last heard it. It was deeply moving. But..."

For someone who claimed to be moved, his gaze was far too intense. After a brief pause, Dohyuk asked, "Why did you choose that song specifically?"

Specifically. Seha swallowed a bitter smile at the word choice, something only the two of them understood.