Chapter Five: A Public Display of Shame

The rest of the school day blurred by in a haze of embarrassment and fatigue. Jiwon's mind was still reeling from the encounter in the bathroom, where he'd been forced to exercise in front of Seojin and his friends. He tried to ignore the whispers that followed him through the hallways, but every snicker felt like a knife in his chest.

By the time he reached home, he was exhausted. His muscles ached, and his mind was heavy with dread. He hoped he could hide from his parents, but as he entered the living room, the warm light of the evening illuminated their concerned faces.

"Jiwon! There you are!" his mother exclaimed, her voice tinged with relief. "We were starting to worry."

He forced a smile, hoping it would mask the turmoil inside. "I'm fine, just tired," he replied, hoping to deflect their probing questions.

His father, however, didn't let it go. "You've been quiet lately. Are you sure everything's okay at school? We noticed you've been coming home later."

Jiwon shrugged, the weight of his secret pressing down on him. He didn't want to burden them with the truth—about the bullying, about the humiliating exercises, and about the idol system taking control of his life. He had to deal with it on his own.

"Really, Dad, I'm just busy with schoolwork," he lied, shifting his gaze to the floor.

His parents exchanged worried glances, but they seemed to accept his answer for now. "Alright, but if you ever need to talk, we're here for you," his mother said softly, reaching out to squeeze his hand.

Jiwon nodded, swallowing hard. "Thanks."

After dinner, he retreated to his room, where the only sounds were the soft clicks of his computer and the distant hum of the city outside. But even in the sanctuary of his space, he could still feel the weight of his reality pressing down on him.

[Auto Mode: Engaging in 5 minutes]

The notification interrupted his thoughts, and he groaned, knowing what was coming. Just as he'd managed to escape the day's torment, the system was about to drag him back into it.

[Next Task: 30-minute Cardio Session]

Jiwon cursed under his breath, but his body was already moving against his will. He pushed himself off the bed and started jogging in place, his breath coming in quick bursts. The system forced him to keep up the pace, every movement reminding him of how exhausted he felt.

But he had no choice. No way to escape the demands that now ruled his life.

After what felt like an eternity, the cardio session finally ended, and Jiwon collapsed on his bed, panting. He closed his eyes, willing himself to forget the world outside.

But just as he started to drift off, his phone buzzed again.

[New Task: Attend School Talent Show Tomorrow. Prepare a Performance.]

Jiwon's eyes flew open. A talent show? He had to perform? Panic flooded through him. He'd never been good at singing, and the thought of showcasing himself in front of his entire school filled him with dread.

[Auto Mode Activated: 1-hour Singing Practice]

He groaned, his body responding before he could even process what was happening. The system forced him to stand and start vocal exercises. He hated the way his voice cracked and wavered as he tried to keep up with the demands.

"Why are you doing this to me?" he muttered, wishing he could just quit. But the system didn't care about his pleas.

By the time he finally fell asleep, he was beyond exhausted, both mentally and physically.

The next day arrived with an uncomfortable mix of excitement and dread. Jiwon walked through the school gates, the chatter of students echoing around him. He could hear whispers and laughter, the familiar sting of judgment sharpening as he made his way to the auditorium.

The talent show was set to be a showcase of students' abilities—singing, dancing, and everything in between. Jiwon's heart raced as he remembered the task from the night before. He could still back out, but the system wouldn't let him.

As he entered the auditorium, he was greeted by the sight of students warming up, practicing their acts in groups. Jiwon felt his stomach twist with anxiety, and he tried to shrink into himself, hoping to remain unnoticed.

But that hope shattered when he spotted Seojin leaning against the wall, a smug look on his face. "Look who decided to show up. Ready to embarrass yourself?" he taunted, loud enough for a few nearby students to hear.

Jiwon's cheeks burned, and he forced himself to keep walking, ignoring the laughter that followed him.

[Auto Mode Engaged: 30 minutes of Vocal Practice]

The notification chimed again, but this time, Jiwon couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. He wasn't ready to perform. He couldn't let the system force him into this humiliation.

"Jiwon!" a voice called, and he turned to see his friend Minji rushing over, concern written across her face. "Are you okay? You look really pale."

"I'm fine," he insisted, though his voice trembled. "Just... tired."

"You sure? I heard you were going to perform," she said, eyeing him curiously.

He wanted to confide in her, to tell her the truth about the system, but he couldn't. "Yeah, I guess so."

Minji frowned. "You don't have to if you don't want to. Just do what makes you comfortable."

Jiwon nodded, but deep down, he knew he didn't have a choice. He could already hear the countdown in his mind—the ticking clock urging him toward his fate.

As the show started, Jiwon watched students take the stage, showcasing their talents with confidence and poise. Each act seemed to amplify his anxiety, and when his name was called, his heart sank.

With shaky legs, he approached the stage, the lights blinding him as he stood before the audience. The murmurs of his classmates faded into an overwhelming silence, and for a moment, he was frozen in place.

Then, the system activated, forcing his body into position, and he began to sing.

But the moment he opened his mouth, it was clear he wasn't prepared. The notes came out wobbly and strained, and he felt the humiliation wash over him as laughter erupted from the crowd.

"No, no, no..." he whispered, tears stinging his eyes as he continued, the system compelling him to finish. But the laughter grew louder, the jeers cutting deeper than any physical pain.

"Just give up already!" Seojin shouted, egging the crowd on.

Jiwon's voice cracked, and he felt the weight of their judgment suffocating him. He wanted to run, to hide, but the system wouldn't let him stop.

The laughter rang in his ears as he stumbled through the performance, and all he could think about was the sting of shame and the feeling of being completely alone.

As he finished, the applause that followed felt more mocking than supportive. He bowed his head, fighting back tears as he left the stage, feeling smaller than ever.

Once offstage, he couldn't hold back anymore. He rushed to the bathroom, the humiliation overwhelming him.

As he leaned against the cool tiles, he let the tears flow freely. What had he done?

[Task Failed: Performance Not Up to Standard]

The notification flashed on his phone, and Jiwon sank to the floor, overwhelmed. He'd failed. The system had pushed him into a spotlight he wasn't ready for, and now everyone knew it.

He wanted to scream, to lash out at the system for what it had put him through. But all he could do was sit there, feeling the weight of his reality crush down on him.

Would this ever change? Would he ever be free from the humiliation, from the bullying, and from the demands of the system?