By Zephyria 
Of course, there weren’t only good reviews. There were still people who disliked Secrety, especially Yeon Yujin, whose unfavorable image from the past hadn’t completely faded.
But the President was satisfied, saying it was going according to plan.
“This is good enough. We’ve achieved our initial goal of changing Secrety’s image to a favorable one.”
Manager Hyung had kindly explained to me, considering my memory loss.
HB Entertainment, a small to medium-sized agency whose first idol group was Secrety, didn’t have the ability or know-how to do large-scale marketing like the big agencies, so every moment was a miracle, he said.
In addition to the Dungeon incident, the unexpected success of the live performance gave a green light to our empty schedule.
Manager Hyung’s face lit up.
“The Danggo Channel has offered us an appearance on
Since we had already done something similar through Secrety’s official channel, it didn’t seem difficult to me.
‘I can do that much.’
Anything would be better than practicing dancing to death.
The President’s eyes gleamed like a beast at Manager Hyeon-soo Hyung’s words.
“Get the kids on it, no matter what. You guys can do it, right?”
When the President asked the Secrety members gathered in the conference room, Ra Ho-yeon, the leader, nodded.
“We have plenty of time.”
Surprisingly, Seo Yun-chae was very happy and showed enthusiasm.
“If you give us the chance, we can do well.”
“…Me too.”
“Let’s start selecting songs right away.”
Cha Si-yoon and Shin Tae-beom also looked excited. Perhaps because of the recent positive public response, they had been smiling more often while looking at their phones.
‘Everyone seems to be in a good mood.’
When I first woke up in Yeon Yujin’s body, I was getting cursed at for ruining the group.
How long has it been? It felt like a very long time ago.
The President looked at Ra Ho-yeon and said,
“I’ll leave the song selection to the members. You guys know best which songs you can pull off the best.”
“Yes.”
“How’s Yujin’s dance practice going?”
“Well… he’s not making very fast progress. I guess it’s because he’s completely forgotten everything due to amnesia. I thought he’d pick it up quickly since dance is muscle memory, but it’s like he’s dancing for the first time.”
Ouch.
I felt guilty because it was exactly right, so I grumbled.
“…That’s harsh, Ra Ho-yeon. I’m still working hard to keep up without slacking off.”
“I’ll admit that. The choreographer praised you for your tenacity.”
The President, who was listening to our conversation, almost shed tears of emotion.
“Our Yujin has really changed… sniffle.”
Why are you so touched by this?
Experiencing the reactions of the agency staff made me wonder what had happened to the real Yeon Yujin to make him fall into the role of a rogue member.
There must be a reason.
Potato tapped my head.
[Isn’t there something you’ve forgotten?]
‘What?’
[Sigh. We had something important to do! The Ability Re-measurement test!]
Ah.
In the midst of the friendly atmosphere, I brought up the topic I had forgotten.
“Um, President.”
“Yes, Yujin. What is it?”
“Today is the day I’m supposed to get my Ability Re-measurement test.”
“…Ah.”
The atmosphere immediately became somber at my words.
“It’ll be faster to drive to the Ability Testing Center. Can I go with Manager Hyung quickly?”
“Oh, sure, go ahead.”
“Thank you. Hyeon-soo Hyung, let’s go together.”
“O-okay.”
Manager Hyung awkwardly got up from his seat. As he was about to leave with his hat pulled down, the President suddenly stood up and hurriedly added.
“D-don’t try too hard!”
Pfft.
I almost burst out laughing.
The desire for ‘Yeon Yujin’ to no longer be a hindrance to Secrety, which was cruising along, was too obvious.
“Yes, yes.”
My heart felt lighter for some reason. Was it because there were people who needed me?
Even though I was in ‘Yeon Yujin’s’ body, my current singing ability was entirely my own.
I could exist solely as myself in the moment I sang.
‘The Ability Re-measurement is nothing… It’s a piece of cake for me, who was judged to be SSS-class.’
When I was judged to be a unique genius Guide, I didn’t have any understanding of Guiding abilities, so I was immediately exposed.
But now, after experiencing all kinds of hardships, it was different.
‘If I just do it moderately and look like a C-class Guide…’
The fact that government officials had requested the Re-measurement test meant they had sensed something strange.
But if I showed no change in the Re-measurement and came out with the result, ‘Heh, I’m still D-class!’, it would be even more suspicious.
Hiding one’s abilities. That was something only an Ability User who had reached the peak of their abilities could do.
‘Like a hidden master in a martial arts novel.’
So, C-class, which wouldn’t arouse suspicion, was just right.
C-class was the last line that would prove that the government officials’ eyes weren’t wrong, while still allowing me to continue this idol life.
‘There are many people who live as Hunters from C-class onwards… but when I searched, all the famous celebrities seemed to be at least B-class.’
The peaceful world seemed to have a strong tendency to evaluate and rank Hunters.
It was like ranking universities. The trend of not paying much attention unless you were a high-ranking Esper or Guide seemed to be fueling it.
It seemed like a completely useless thing to me… but it seemed to be a very sensitive issue for the Espers and Guides of this era.
‘Even if your rank is high, you’ll be the first to be called in times of emergency.’
Tsk tsk. As I clicked my tongue and tried to go outside, Seo Yun-chae grabbed me. More precisely, he grabbed my sleeve.
“…What? You’re stretching my clothes.”
Seo Yun-chae’s face was red as he moved his lips. What kind of expression was that? It was hard to read his emotions.
“…Are you coming back?”
“What? I can’t hear you. Someone’s voice is so tiny-.”
“I asked if you’re coming back here, why!”
I was so surprised.
Not only me, but Potato was also surprised.
Potato, who was trying to take a nap on my head, glared at Seo Yun-chae.
[Did you swallow a train boiler? So noisy!]
‘I totally agree.’
The guy who used to pick fights with me, with Yeon Yujin, had been quiet lately. Was this the build-up for this?
I casually brushed off Seo Yun-chae’s hand and replied nonchalantly.
“I have nowhere else to go. Anyone would think I’m running away?”
“…No one knows what the test results will be. If you get an A or S grade, you’ll be…”
Seo Yun-chae couldn’t continue.
I glanced at the other members, and they had similar expressions to Seo Yun-chae.
‘What.’
I thought I was still treated like an ugly duckling. I guess not.
Everyone didn’t say it out loud, but they seemed to want me to stay even if the Re-measurement test results were good.
It was unexpected.
“Weren’t you guys the ones who wanted me gone more than anyone else?”
When I asked bluntly, Seo Yun-chae’s face turned red again. Ah, I could tell this time. He was angry.
“We did… but not anymore. You’ve changed. You don’t skip workouts or choreography practice even when it’s hard, and you’re dedicated. You sing well too. So…”
He moved his lips again.
After hesitating for a long time, Seo Yun-chae shouted.
“So…! Let’s do it together! No matter what the results are, we want to work with you as the same team, as Secrety.”
The most rude guy, what’s wrong with him?
I was wondering if I should tease him more, but the answer popped out of my mouth on its own.
“Okay.”
“…Huh?”
“That’s what I was going to do. Even if you didn’t ask.”
I was just as embarrassed after saying it. What. Why am I doing this? Am I crazy? Am I out of my mind?
Seo Yun-chae’s face relaxed for the first time, like a stupid idiot.
“Are you now…”
Ah, whatever.
“Hyeon-soo Hyung! Let’s go together!”
I ran to the elevator and went down as if running away.
What am I doing in front of thirty-year-old, wet-behind-the-ears Esper kids?
‘It’s absurd…’
But my expression must have been pretty good, because Hyeon-soo Hyung’s eyes widened.
“Is something good happening? You’re smiling so brightly.”
“…Am I?”
Sure enough, when I looked in the mirror, I was really smiling.
‘…Ahem, I guess I’m happy because the prickly guys are acting cute.’
[That’s not it.]
Potato giggled and tried to pry more, but I ignored it.
‘…But is it okay for me to be doing this?’
I need to find the culprit who killed me as soon as possible so I can leave in peace.
My heart grew heavy at the thought.
‘That guy who tried to kill me and steal my abilities, is he still alive and well?’
If possible, I hope he’s living a life of luxury without any shortcomings.
That way, when I bring him down, he’ll despair like I did.
The moment Yeon Yujin’s car departed.
“……”
Hyeon Jae-ha, who had been hanging from a tree, quietly followed behind.