"Inhabitant Juwon."
Silence.
It stretched so long that even if a needle had dropped, everyone would have heard it clearly.
"What?" A dumbfounded voice slipped from Jun's lips. He stared blankly at the face displayed above. "Juwon?"
How? How does that make sense? Jun looked at his friend, biting his lower lip nervously.
The one whose name was called wasn't just anyone. He was the show's best visual. From the moment he first appeared on BOI's screen, he had instantly gained the moniker BOI's Imperial Prince—thanks to his classic, actor-like features. While beauty was subjective, to the people of this country, Juwon was the most good-looking of them all. At the opening mission, the very first gathering, every participant had been in awe of his handsomeness.
But Jun also knew Juwon's skills. He was never just a flower vase. He had the vocals to back him up and had consistently ranked high in their company's monthly evaluations. His dancing, too, was distinct—elegant, refined—cementing his image in fans' minds as the "Imperial Prince."
Juwon was good. That's why he easily got Part Seven. If he'd gone for better parts, he could've had a fair chance at those, too.
In his previous life, Juwon had never been voted off, never dropped from the top ranks.
So what had changed this time?
Jun couldn't think straight. The saying, A butterfly's flap could trigger a hurricane, crossed his mind. He knew exactly what had changed. Himself—and his actions.
"Participant Jun," the MC asked slowly, "now that the three people to leave have been announced, is there somebody you want to save?"
Jun blinked back to awareness and met Juwon's gaze.
Then, without hesitation, he said, "Juwon. I want to use my privilege to save Juwon."
For Jun—who aimed to regain everything he had lost—Juwon leaving the Greenhouse was out of the question.
Thankfully, he had gotten the privilege. He couldn't be sure Sujin or Min would have made the same choice.
"Jun, thanks." Juwon stepped forward and hugged him briefly before pulling away.
Xavi, Daeho, and the others clapped, though most of them looked like they were doing it only because it was expected.
The two who had been voted off picked up their bags with bitter smiles. They were ready to exit through the door that would surely open soon.
That was survival: accept, move on, and keep doing your best while you still could.
But just as everyone thought the matter had ended, the speakers crackled again.
All eyes turned toward the screen.
There's still more? Their expressions silently accused the producers, who were watching through the cameras.
"Now that we've heard Greenhouse Inhabitant Jun's choice," the MC's robotic voice rang, "it is time to announce the condition behind the privilege."
On-screen, Juwon's card flipped again—his face fading away, replaced by another. When the new card turned over, Jun's face appeared.
A bad feeling washed over the room. The trainees who hadn't cared when Juwon was revealed now looked surprised—some even horrified.
"Wait. Jun… will take Juwon's place?" Kato shook his head in disbelief. Others grimaced, their faces showing how much they hated the idea.
"This isn't real, right?"
"He's number one in score. That shouldn't happen."
"Ha ha. Please."
Strong protests rippled through the group.
Nobody wanted to lose the leader who had carried them. They all knew that if not for the unfortunate accident, no one would've been sent away. Everyone could have stayed in the Greenhouse, enjoying the best resources—largely thanks to Jun's leadership. Naturally, they wanted him to remain.
But the devil-like producers crushed their hope. Jun's card slid down to join Xavi's and Daeho's.
"Because the Greenhouse Inhabitants averaged 79, three must be sent to the Barren Lands. Greenhouse Inhabitant Jun saved Inhabitant Juwon. Therefore, in Juwon's stead, Jun will go to the Barren Lands."
Jun looked around, catching the dismay etched into every face.
Silence blanketed the hall again. Fate, it seemed, was toying with him.
Juwon staggered.
"Please wait—he placed first!" Sujin raised his hand frantically.
Neo spoke too, his accent heavy. "If it's a privilege, then the one who earned it should not be penalized."
But the MC was unmoved. "The rule is that three must leave because of the team's average."
Kato, the eldest Japanese trainee, tried reasoning. "But Jun decided without knowing the consequence. Please give him another chance to choose."
Still, the voice was adamant. "Once again—the rule is three must leave because of the team's average."
Jun heard it all. After a moment, he laughed helplessly at the inevitable. What the hell? Are the producers insane? Or is this fate, making sure things don't deviate too much from before?
To the others, he just looked dumbfounded and crushed.
Juwon, seeing him like that, covered his face with his hands. His body trembled as he cried silently, looking as miserable as Daeho.
When Jun finally recovered, he gave everyone a confident smile. "It's okay. I'll be back."
He consoled his friends. The atmosphere only grew gloomier, like dark clouds gathering above their heads.
The mission ended as the screen blackened. No one spoke. The silence was suffocating, broken only by footsteps toward the door.
In the end, some things had changed.
But Jun still ended up leaving the Greenhouse after the first mission.