While Jane was still puzzled by the strange tension she had sensed between the two, Baek I-hyeon's gaze smoothly moved away from Won Yu-ha.
"…I hope all of you do your best today. I'll be cheering for you as well."
"Waaah!!"
When Baek I-hyeon lowered the microphone after his words of encouragement, the set erupted with the trainees' loud cheers.
Jane clapped along with the other mentors as she took another glance at Yu-ha's face. Yu-ha was clapping calmly like the other trainees, as if nothing unusual had happened.
'…What was that just now?'
Even as she left the set with the mentors, Jane couldn't shake the unpleasant feeling lingering in her chest. She had never once seen Yu-ha make such a cold, rigid expression.
"Mr. I-hyeon, have you met Yu-ha before?"
Once they returned to the monitoring room, Jane couldn't suppress her curiosity and asked Baek I-hyeon.
He looked at her with brief surprise, then answered with an embarrassed expression.
"…Was it that obvious?"
"Oh, you two knew each other already?"
Rio, who overheard, perked up and asked. Baek I-hyeon, looking sheepish, continued.
"Mm, I tried not to show it. He's a kid I used to know when we were younger. It's been a really long time, though… And Yu-ha probably didn't know I would be appearing today."
"Yu-ha seemed surprised too."
"He would be. We haven't contacted each other in ages. We separated when we were really young, so I always thought about finding him, but never had the chance."
"So you uploaded that Stargram post because of that? To support Yu-ha?"
At Cha-mina's question, Baek I-hyeon shook his head.
"I can't say there wasn't any personal affection behind it, but I was genuinely moved by the stage. I'm from a survival show too—I know every trainee works sincerely. I don't post just because I know someone. Didn't Yu-ha do incredibly well?"
"Oh, totally. That stage is still considered a legend among all the
When Do-Min backed up her words, Baek I-hyeon nodded in agreement.
"The Orchid members were impressed too. Especially since Yu-ha was always special even when he was a kid—he grew so well. That's actually why I rushed to upload first before Woochan-hyung could."
"That fancam really grew his fandom too. It was even trending in real time."
"Mm, I tried not to make our personal connection obvious… If it showed at all…"
"No, no, not at all. None of us knew until you said something. The kid knows how to separate personal and professional matters, and so do you. Maybe that saying's true—similar people flock together."
Hearing Do-Min answer with satisfaction, Baek I-hyeon gave a shy smile.
Even after he left to prepare for hosting, the mentors kept talking about the unexpected connection between the two.
"But really, it's surprising. I-hyeon has never revealed any personal ties like this before."
"He gives off the image of someone who's good at socializing but doesn't really have close friends, you know? People say even with his Orchid members, he keeps polite distance. But he came all the way to
"And it's someone he knew before debut too. Kinda intriguing. This could make a fun broadcast segment."
While the others chatted excitedly about this new side of Baek I-hyeon, Jane couldn't stop thinking about the discomfort stuck in her chest.
Baek I-hyeon's expression had been full of warm affection, just like someone seeing a cherished little brother. His words also sounded like someone who truly knew Won Yu-ha well.
But the expression Yu-ha had shown in that brief moment when their eyes met…
'…It looked like contempt.'
There was nothing warm about it.
***
"
"Aaaahhh…"
"But no need to be sad! This team has been chosen by the mentors as 'the most anticipated team' and is said to be the Avengers of this evaluation. Personally, I'm excited as well. Shall we meet them?"
Team 3 had been assigned the final performance slot. After smoothly hosting the previous four stages, Baek I-hyeon introduced Won Yu-ha's team last.
"'National Phantom Thief' team, please come on out!"
Baek I-hyeon looked toward Yu-ha as he entered the stage. Just like in the short-form video, Team 3 wore coordinated suit-based outfits.
But instead of neatness or stiffness, their styling gave off a sense of deliberate freedom.
Loosened shirt buttons, jackets omitted, sleeves rolled up, suspenders without vests paired with shorts, long socks, and black shoes—their look had charm and wit.
As Yu-ha stepped onto the stage and made eye contact with Baek I-hyeon, the latter smiled at him. Yu-ha did not make a cold face like before, but he avoided the smile gently—just enough to remain polite.
"One, two, three."
"Hello, Idol Makers! We are the team that's come to steal your hearts~"
"Your National Phantom Thief!"
As soon as they reached the stage and received their mics, the members greeted the audience with playful synchronization to Yu-ha's shout. Cheers poured from the seats as Baek I-hyeon continued the script.
"Team National Phantom Thief is closing out the 3rd evaluation stage. You must've felt nervous watching the teams before you."
"They were all so good that I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous… but we practiced so hard that remembering that effort helped us wait for our turn!"
"And we're confident in our stage! We're sure we won't disappoint the Idol Makers!"
Following Park Wonhyo's words, Aiden Lee laughed brightly and added. The audience erupted with cheers, and Baek I-hyeon asked the scripted question.
"Haha, we'll look forward to your performance. But I heard there were a lot of ups and downs before this stage. And unlike other teams, your short-form center and your stage center are different, is that true?"
"…Yes, that's right."
The one who answered was Won Yu-ha. Looking toward the audience, he spoke calmly.
"I was the center for the short-form video, but today's stage center is Hyunjin-hyung."
"I heard there was almost a center switch mid-preparation."
"Yes, but the center never actually changed. Our team continued to believe Hyunjin-hyung was the one who could bring out this evaluation piece the best. That's how confident we are in this stage. Our center is the best."
As Won Yu-ha glanced at Kang Hyunjin and smiled as if raising anticipation, cheers burst from the audience seats below. Baek I-hyeon also gave a faint smile and redirected the attention.
"That's extremely high praise. Now then, trainee Kang Hyunjin—being on stage with such strong support from your teammates must make the responsibility of center feel even heavier."
"…First, I want to show a stage worthy of the teammates who believed in me and kept giving me chances. My condition hasn't been good throughout the training camp…"
Following Baek I-hyeon's lead, Hyunjin hesitated with the mic for a moment. Then he looked at his teammates, briefly meeting Yu-ha's eyes.
"...."
"…Thanks to my teammates, and above all, thanks to our leader Yu-ha, I think I was able to overcome everything. It's still before the stage, but I really wanted to say thank you. I'll show the Idol Makers a performance that will live up to their expectations."
Hm. So that's how they're framing it.
Baek I-hyeon turned his eyes from the two, who finished without a shred of hostility, and looked down at his cue cards.
From what he had heard previously, at least one of them should have been antagonizing the other—and if it were anyone, it should've been Hyunjin. Yet now, for some reason, neither seemed to be clashing at all.
It was probably Yu-ha who had created this change in atmosphere.
'He hasn't changed at all, that kid.'
Thinking so, Baek I-hyeon let out a soft laugh and delivered his closing comment.
"Thank you for your thoughts. Not only trainee Kang Hyunjin, but all the members of this so-called Avengers Team are known for their incredible skill, so I'm really looking forward to it. Now, let's watch the National Phantom Thief team's stage."
After stepping off stage, Baek I-hyeon returned to the MC's monitoring room.
While the stage was rapidly being set and the National Phantom Thief team entered again to take formation, Baek I-hyeon waited leisurely for the performance to begin.
The team stood in a line with Hyunjin at the center. As the intro slowly started, a sound like wind flowing across the stage drifted in.
A glowing jewel rose on the screen, and as a beam of light shone down onto the bowing Hyunjin, he lifted his head.
—you ready?
(yeah, I'm ready)
At Hyunjin's small nod responding to the intro, the sound of a coin dropping and a game starting rang out. Then a jazzy piano line spread across the stage.
The screen shifted to a European city filled with grand old buildings and a massive clock tower.
In the dark night, with the lit city as the backdrop, the intro's mysterious feel gave way to an opposite, vibrant melody—contrabass lines and drum beats filling the stage with color.
—This night drenched in pitch-black light
Under dazzling shining lights
—My royal, lying asleep
Right then, the single-line formation split into two, revealing Won Yu-ha.
The camera captured both trainees as they faced each other. With rich expressions that created a languid atmosphere, Yu-ha stood opposite Hyunjin, who brushed past him with confident gestures and a bouncing wave that felt like a playful challenge. Behind them, the trainees lowered their bodies and formed a group dance.
—The end of the game is winner or loser
—Take 1 for the match
Leave me to this dangerous act
As Hyunjin and Yu-ha stepped back, Aiden Lee and Park Wonhyo took the front. Aiden looked around playfully like searching for something, then winked with a bright smile and reached out his hand.
Sliding forward as if dodging the circling members, Park Wonhyo high-fived Aiden and delivered a confident point move.
While the gathered members formed a clockwise circle around them, Gyeong Jiwon and Yu-ha stepped forward next.
—This deepening moment leads to climax
In your maze where no exit exists
—I cast my final die
Certainty pulls me in
Gyeong Jiwon's smooth, technique-filled voice mixed perfectly with Yu-ha's clean yet expressive vocals. Between the transforming diagonal group formations, Hyunjin returned to center.
—(keep closer)
With a relaxed smile, Hyunjin reached toward the camera in a whispered line that made the audience erupt—and then the stage burst into a dynamic group performance following his lead.
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