Listening to it, it was the demo song melody that had been handed over to Kang Rojun. They were now recording the guide version properly, which had previously only been done as a draft. The lyrics written by Kang Rojun were being sung by the guide vocalist.

As he listened quietly to it.

'I never thought the day would come when I’d be using lyrics written by an unknown lyricist who hasn’t even debuted.'

He recalled meeting Rojun at the 'Produce That 100!' campus two days ago, along with PD Woo Han-suk. More specifically, the part of the conversation where it was confirmed they would use Rojun’s lyrics.

It had started with Rojun’s smiling response.

“I look forward to working with you.”

Song Min-geun waved his hand at the devastatingly beautiful smile.

“Whoa- don’t smile like that. Being that handsome could actually be scary. Let’s talk about the lyrics fee and details later. Uh- as for which singer this song is going to, I can’t really say right now. I’ll let you meet them in person later. More importantly, for the song release, what name should be credited as the lyricist? Do you have something in mind?”

As Kang Rojun paused to think, Song Min-geun turned his head toward PD Woo Han-suk.

“When will the real names or stage names of the ‘Produce That 100!’ kids be revealed?”

"We'll announce it when we get the final 4 winners."

“So, I guess the stage names will be decided then too. Now that I think about it, No. 1 ssi, you also write, right? Wasn’t it ‘Writer Kang Chul-soo’ in that field? Hmm- but whether it’s idol, writer, or lyricist, wouldn’t it be better to have just one name? Even if it’s a stage name.”

Kang Rojun quickly replied.

“For now, can I use ‘No. 1’ and change it later?”

"That's possible."

“I was thinking of changing the writer name, too. I used ‘Writer Kang Chul-soo’ because I had to keep it hidden.”

Then Rojun, who had made eye contact with both PD Woo Han-suk and Song Min-geun, said definitively.

“Then please change it to ‘Rojun’ later.”

Song Min-geun, who had returned to reality here, chuckled.

'So he’s planning to use ‘Rojun’ as his stage name, writer name, and lyricist name. ‘Rojun', huh- I like it.'

He wrote something at the top of the paper placed on the equipment.

-Lyricist name to be changed later, No. 1 - Rojun

About 30 minutes later, back at the 'Produce That 100!' campus.

After wrapping up the first shoot related to the 4th evaluation, a brief interview session was underway in the hall with the participants. Later, the 24 members from Group 1 and Group 2, including Kang Rojun, were scattered around the hall by team. PD Woo Han-suk had allotted each team some discussion time.

With only 6 days left until next Monday for practice, the schedule was extremely tight.

As a result, the participants spread out chaotically across the hall were deeply focused. Rojun and No. 26 of Group 2’s A Team took a spot near the left wall from the center of the hall.

“......”

“......”

The two had no particular conversation for the moment. Compared to other teams, it was quiet. Kang Rojun casually glanced at No. 26, who sat across from him looking at his phone. He had the aura of a “cold and handsome” guy that women would swoon over. His default expression was blank, and though he was taciturn like No. 58, the vibe was different. No. 26 had a slightly rough, carefree sort of air? That kind of impression.

Kang Rojun was the first to break the silence.

“No. 26 nim, are you really okay skipping the rap training?”

No. 26 gave a nod.

"Yes. We're a team. If we're going to receive it, we receive it together, and if we're not going to receive it, we shouldn't receive it together. Did you change your mind by any chance?"

“No.”

“All right.”

For reference, every team except for Kang Rojun and No. 26 decided to take the rap training. That included No. 58. Then, No. 26 put his phone down and continued speaking.

"There's also the broadcast angle, but more than that, do you remember me?"

“Hm?”

“On the first day of ‘Produce That 100'. When everyone was wearing masks and lined up in front of the entrance, I was right behind you.”

How could he have known? Rojun shook his head.

“No. I was too nervous to look around.”

“You were nervous? You seemed so composed, it didn’t seem that way at all. Anyway, that was the first and last time I saw you up close.”

No. 26, who muttered in a rough tone, pointed his chin toward No. 58 sitting quite a distance away.

“No. 58 nim is strong. You’d know since you’re from the same room.”

“Yes. He’s strong.”

“I’ve been watching- he has good instinct for vocals, dance, and rap. He’ll be best at rap.”

Kang Rojun posed a question.

“How about you, No. 26 nim? How’s your rap?”

“I’m good too. I passed ‘Produce That 100!’ with rap, and I’ve been doing it even before the show.”

Though the response was somewhat curt, it overflowed with confidence. Rojun thought to himself, Oh? and No. 26 asked in return.

“What about you, No. 1 nim?”

“Rap- this is my first time, actually."

“......”

No. 26, who had been staring at Kang Rojun with a blank expression, lightly shrugged his shoulders.

“It doesn’t sound like a lie, but somehow it feels like it’s going to end up being one.”

“That’s a strange thing to say.”

“I just complimented No. 58 nim earlier, but to be honest, the one who’s the most insane in ‘Produce That 100!’ is you, No. 1 nim. It’s not just about having good instincts or whatever- you’re born with it. Even if this is your first time rapping, I feel like you’ll do it like it’s not.”

“......”

“Well- that aside. We need to choose our rap song first. Do you have anything you want to do?”

Nothing came to mind. Rojun passed the baton to No. 26.

“What about you, No. 26 nim? If you’ve been doing rap for a while, I’m fine with you deciding.”

“Really?”

Soon, No. 26 answered in a lifeless tone.

"Then let's do it with rap that I wrote."

A faint smile formed on Kang Rojun’s lips. He was intrigued.

"You mean self-composed rap, right?"

*****

For 30 or more extra chapters, you can check out my Patreon here -- /dreamscribe