Second Try Idol

※ [Notification] Would you like to review the previously deferred choices?

- Caution! Choose within twenty-four hours of viewing! If you have not made your choice by then, everything will be reverted to how it used to be.

- Caution! You are now accessing your lost memories.

‘Deferred Choices? Is this suggesting I deferred a choice? Accessing lost memories? Does this mean I have memories I lost without even knowing it?’

I couldn’t be certain if the text before my eyes was directed at me. I was sure I didn’t forget any memories, and I’d never seen such an absurd text box before. Thus, there couldn’t be any deferred choices I had made.

‘If you’re going to tell me something, make it clear!’

It felt like whoever was behind this enjoyed seeing me confused because they kept telling me things in such a cryptic manner that I couldn't plan my next steps. I withdrew my hand that had been reaching for the text box.

I was not someone who overthought things like Joo-Han or Hyun-Woo, but I knew better than to mess with something so obviously suspicious. It didn't seem like something I needed to look at right now.

“Everyone, get ready to leave! Make sure you haven't left anything behind!”

Chronos's manager Tae-Seong called the members into the living room. I grabbed my bag, which was sprawled across the floor, and headed to the living room.

One notable difference between Elated and Chronos was the manager. Elated had stayed with In-Hyun until the end, but according to these new memories, Chronos had switched managers early on. The countless memories we had built with In-Hyun in Elated were instead made with Lee Su-Hwan, the current label head of Chronos.

The seventeen-year-old Lee Jin-Sung seemed to like Su-Hwan a lot, just like the other members did.

‘And the CEO seems to care a lot about the members, too.’

Honestly, I never thought I’d be comparing things even at this level. Elated never had any issues with In-Hyun, but in this world, the strange sense of discomfort and unease we had felt over time was fully exposed.

I finally understood the vague dissatisfaction I had with In-Hyun. He always carried an air of apology, but in retrospect, he lacked genuine human kindness.

‘Is Chronos' relaxed schedule thanks to Su-Hwan's influence?’

I sighed. Bitterness filled me. We had burned through our peak period with an exhausting schedule. I never imagined I’d learn the true nature of In-Hyun here. Of course, this could all just be a dream.

“What are you doing, Jin-Sung? Let's go.”

“Huh?”

Lost in thought, I found myself staring blankly at Tae-Seong. Hyun-Woo looked under the weather and grabbed my arm before pulling me along.

“Ah, yes.” I gritted my teeth as I followed Hyun-Woo. The strength of his grip around my wrist felt unusually pronounced. “Hyung.”

“What?” Hyun-Woo asked brusquely. He was walking straight ahead, but his voice was kind and familiar. It was the kind of gentle tone I had missed so much.

“I’m sorry.”

“...”

This young Hyun-Woo wouldn’t understand what I was apologizing for. He had no idea what I had done to the Hyun-Woo of another world, so he was still kind. I bit my lip hard.

I couldn't see Hyun-Woo anywhere but here. It didn’t matter that this Hyun-Woo and the one from my original world were different individuals. However, I wouldn’t be able to see this face, hear this voice, or feel this unavoidable kindness if I returned.

I couldn’t bear the thought of missing even looking at him from behind. If it really came down to choosing whether to stay here or go back, would I choose to return?

…I couldn’t make up my mind.

***

The place we arrived at after a car ride was a large filming studio. We were here to shoot Chronos' group variety show Chronos Playtime. The treatment for popular groups was clearly different.

Shooting a group variety show in such a big studio with so many production staff was something else. Maybe it was because the label was new? If this were up to Supervisor Kim, he would never have approved this kind of investment scale.

Today’s shoot was a mini sports day. The members put on their prepared uniforms, and the filming began.

Joo-Han was the host, and he announced that today’s theme was a sports day (individual competition). The members had mixed reactions.

“Isn’t this too advantageous for Jin-Sung? He’s good at anything that involves physical or athletic activities!” Yoo-Joon protested loudly, but Joo-Han wasn’t having any of it.

Joo-Han blocked Yoo-Joon with a cue card and said, “Running favors you and Hyun-Woo. Limbo is more suited for Yoon-Chan's flexibility. There will also be puzzle games.”

Hyun-Woo glanced at me and then sat the fuming Yoo-Joon back down. “It’s okay. Jin-Sung is not in good condition today.”

“Ah, right. I hope I win in wrestling.”

It was a conversation typical for their age group.

It was oddly amusing that they were so happy about their youngest member’s poor condition. Knowing they were just teasing, I stood up and retorted, “What are you talking about? I’m going to win at wrestling.”

I tried to mimic the version of myself from my new memories, but Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon paused and stared at me before whispering to each other again.

“See? He really isn't in good condition today. He’s forcing himself.”

“Yeah, I noticed.”

“...”

I was not the Jin-Sung the members knew, but I could see why their teasing would upset me from time to time.

Anyway, the filming proceeded smoothly afterward. I thought I'd lose everything to the other members with their unusual enthusiasm, but that wasn’t the case. At seventeen, my body felt incredibly light and my muscles were ready for action. I easily outperformed the others in the strength-based events.

However, I lost to Hyun-Woo in the random dance session. Even with the new memories, it was hard to keep up when the songs were played in fragments. Besides, I hadn’t danced much since the group disbanded, which could be another reason for my failure.

Ultimately, Yoo-Joon won the sports day. He received a small gift card and a grilled pork set as prizes. It was food we'd all share anyway. The shoot ended on a high note, and the members fell asleep almost immediately upon returning to the dorm. After nearly five hours of filming, it was no surprise they were exhausted.

Not feeling particularly tired, I headed to the small balcony connected to the dorm's hallway.

‘The stamina of seventeen-year-old Jin-Sung is really something else.’ I chuckled as I finally understood why the fans used to describe me as being full of energy.

Living the idol life again so suddenly made me laugh. I looked up at the dark night sky, feeling a mix of emotions.

“The weather’s nice,” I said to myself. It would have been perfect for a glass of soju.

I let out another deep breath. The longer I stayed here, the more complicated my thoughts became. The sports day shoot had been incredibly fun.

Despite appearing on numerous variety shows, I hadn’t truly laughed in a long time. Even when Elated members filmed shows together, the joy was never this pure. While I had memories of fulfillment and happiness, there was always a heaviness when interacting with the Elated members. Whether during concerts or other events, the absence of one person always felt like a crime against happiness.

But here, the members laughed freely, joked around, sang, danced, and were genuinely happy. Watching them be this carefree and joyful made me happy too. I wanted to see them like this forever if possible.

Just then, a voice filled with emotions heavier and more complicated than my own called out from behind me. “Jin-Sung.”

It was Hyun-Woo. He quietly approached and stood next to me. Unable to meet his gaze, I looked straight ahead and answered. “Yeah?”

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay.”

Hyun-Woo didn’t say anything else. The silence stretched out, one that wouldn’t have existed if this were Chronos' Jin-Sung. I wondered what Hyun-Woo was thinking. Though I couldn’t bring myself to look at him, it felt as if he knew something but chose to remain silent. He just sighed deeply.

Since arriving here so suddenly, I constantly pondered why I had been brought to this place. The conclusion I reached was Hyun-Woo. The reason this world diverged from the one I knew was him. Although I wasn’t a god and couldn’t be sure, perhaps it was to ask for the forgiveness I never got.

Maybe I was supposed to reflect on the happiness Hyun-Woo could have experienced here and seek forgiveness. Even if it was just self-rationalization, that was what it felt like. I took a deep breath and said, “Hyung.”

“Why?”

I finally managed to look at Hyun-Woo. As someone who had ruined another person’s life, I could steel myself.

“Whatever choice I make, it will be for you.”

I wanted Hyun-Woo, who had only known pain, to be happy. This world wasn’t mine, so I would make my final choice for him. That was all.

Hyun-Woo's expression stiffened, and he asked, “Choice? What are you planning to do?”

“Uh?”

His face suddenly went pale. “Are you the creator god? Or did you meet him? Did he tell you to choose something? What?”

“What are you—”

Ding!

[Notification] A regressor is nearby!

The regressor intends to reveal their identity to you!

Caution! Any deferred choices will be forcibly viewed within twenty-four hours.

If you are not prepared, please avoid this.

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