The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol Chapter 22

Chapter 22

 

“Whatsoever happens, I absolutely want to be the team representative.”

Park Sugyeok, wearing an unhappy expression, quickly adjusted his face when he noticed the camera’s red recording light.

“Is there anyone else who wants to be the team representative?”

“…Doesn’t seem like it.”

“Then we just need to choose between Cha Siwoo and Park Sugyeok.”

“Being a representative requires leadership, but for this mission, song selection is more important. How about choosing whoever runs faster?”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

As the seven men exchanged opinions, the timer had already reached nearly fifteen minutes.

“Since we also need to decide on a song, shouldn’t we choose the representative quickly?”

‘I should cut this off before it drags on longer.’

“Wow, that much time has already passed.”

“Since we’re short on time, how about voting, like a proper democracy?”

“Sounds good.”

“Then, since we don’t have much time, let’s do a show-of-hands vote. Could Park Sugyeok and Cha Siwoo step forward?”

“Yes.”

As I took two steps forward, I could feel Park Sugyeok staring at me intensely from beside me.

‘At this rate, I’m going to catch fire.’

“Please give us a short statement on why you should be the representative. Park Sugyeok first.”

Turning toward the Vocal Team 2 members, Park Sugyeok clenched his fist.

“If I become the team representative, I’ll do my best to make sure our team takes first place.”

“Waaaah!”

“What a great ambition.”

The members of Vocal Team 2 applauded, clearly conscious of the cameras.

“Next, Cha Siwoo, please.”

I looked around.

I gave a professional smile to the six pairs of eyes directed at me, each carrying different meanings.

‘Time to show the experience I gained chasing celebrities as a paparazzo.’

“I’m more confident in my stamina than anyone else. I’ll run fast and definitely bring back the song everyone wants!”

“That’s cool!”

“As expected of a real man.”

Rua’s lips twitched as he spoke.

“Then let’s proceed quickly.”

“First, raise your hand if you think Park Sugyeok should be the representative.”

Park Sugyeok and the trainees who were friendly with him raised their hands.

“That’s three votes.”

“…”

“Next, raise your hand if you think Cha Siwoo should be the representative.”

Three people raised their hands, excluding me.

Park Sugyeok’s face reddened slightly.

When I finally raised my own hand, Lua immediately started clapping.

“Congratulations!”

“Based on the vote, Vocal Team 2’s representative is Cha Siwoo.”

“Congratulations.”

I bowed ninety degrees at the congratulations from the trainees.

“Thank you. Since I’ve become Vocal Team 2’s representative, I’ll take responsibility and do my best in the role.”

“You seem reliable.”

“Then shall we choose our song right away?”

“I object.”

As if he had been waiting for this, Park Sugyeok quickly raised his hand.

“Hm?”

“I could be faster than Cha Siwoo. Choosing the representative through a vote like this is unreasonable.”

Looking at the dwindling timer, Rua frowned.

“But the vote is already over. You should accept the result.”

“Still… I don’t think it’s right to choose the representative based on assumptions about who looks more athletic.”

“That’s true.”

One of Park Sugyeok’s friends immediately backed him up.

The timer on the screen showed only ten minutes remaining.

‘At this rate, we’ll waste even more time.’

I hated group projects ruined by a villain.

“Then let’s have a race.”

“Huh?”

“We don’t have time. Let’s run right now. You said you’re confident in your speed.”

“…Fine.”

“But this time, you absolutely accept the result. Understood?”

“Yes.”

A short sprint to the opposite wall was arranged immediately.

“On your marks–”

While Vocal Team 2 watched, I swallowed and waited for the signal.

“Go!”

Bang!

Whoosh!

Both of us launched ourselves forward at the same moment.

The instant my heel kicked off the ground, all surrounding noise vanished, leaving only my heartbeat and rough breathing ringing in my ears.

Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump!

It wasn’t the sound of running.

It was my heart pounding.

‘It’s been a while since I ran like this.’

Back when I was a paparazzo, I often chased fleeing targets while carrying a camera.

Without a camera weighing me down, my body felt much lighter.

The short race ended in my overwhelming victory.

‘Easy.’

“Cha Siwoo wins!”

“Waaah! You’re really fast!”

Park Sugyeok’s face was bright red as he gasped for breath.

“Now that the representative has been decided for sure, shall we quickly choose a song?”

I spoke hurriedly while glancing at the timer.

“I think ‘Neon Promise’ would be good.”

“Yeah. It was popular enough to stay at number one for a long time.”

‘Neon Promise’ was a song by Yu Haein’s group and was considered one of the representative male idol songs of the previous year.

Shaking his head from side to side, Rua spoke.

“No. That song carries too much risk. Wouldn’t it be better to choose a ballad that really shows off our vocals, like ‘The Moment I First Saw You’?”

“I agree. There aren’t many ballads that showcase singing ability this well.”

‘The Moment I First Saw You’ was a classic ballad and one of the standard audition songs for displaying vocal ability.

The opinions within Vocal Team 2 were evenly split.

Less than three minutes remained on the screen.

‘Hmm.’

Any song would be fine, but there was one thing we absolutely needed to avoid.

Any song from a top-tier male idol group.

Including ‘Neon Promise’.

No matter how good trainees were, trying to imitate a top-tier idol group would inevitably look like an amateur talent show.

‘The comparisons would be brutal.’

As the argument intensified, no consensus emerged.

While opinions clashed as fiercely as the dwindling timer, I quietly raised my hand.

“Both songs are good, but I think we need to focus on the mission itself. I believe ‘The Moment I First Saw You’ is the right choice.”

All eyes in Vocal Team 2 turned toward me.

“Why?”

“Because it’s a position evaluation. Showing vocal ability is the most important thing. There’s a reason ‘The Moment I First Saw You’ is considered a classic audition song. Its high notes and emotional progression are very distinct, making it perfect for showcasing technique and breath control.”

“…!”

“That’s what allows us to demonstrate the vocal position most effectively. Since this mission is a position evaluation, it’s the song that fits the objective best.”

Several trainees nodded, but Park Sugyeok quickly shook his head.

“But in the end, we still need to show that we’re idols. Wouldn’t ‘Neon Promise’ be better? The performance is much more spectacular.”

‘And because of that, the comparison would be even harsher.’

“If that’s the concern, then why don’t we rearrange ‘The Moment I First Saw You’ to fit our style?”

“…!”

“The evaluation criteria include not just individual ability, but also teamwork, stage production, and star quality. Instead of performing the song as-is, I think it’d be better to create our own stage that showcases both vocal appeal and idol appeal.”

“But–!”

The one who cut off Park Sugyeok’s stubborn objection was Rua.

“Sounds good! I like it.”

“Cha Siwoo really has great analytical skills.”

“I agree. ‘The Moment I First Saw You’ seems like the better choice since it fits the evaluation and lets us catch two rabbits with one stone.”

Lua, who had supported the traditional ballad from the beginning, flashed a broad grin and sent me a wink.

Avoiding his gaze, I quickly held another democratic vote.

The vote resulted in ‘The Moment I First Saw You’ receiving five votes.

 

☆☆☆ 

 

“Team representatives, are you ready?”

I stood quietly at the starting line, calming my breathing.

My left knee naturally touched the ground while both hands stretched behind the white line.

“Dance Team 1, let’s go!”

“Vocal Team 2, fighting!”

“Rap Team 5, run!”

Passionate cheers rang out from behind me.

Fifteen team representatives stood on the starting line, tension hanging in the air.

“Run to the song you want!”

Bang!

At the starting signal, I sprinted forward with everything I had.

The wind brushed past my ears.

My heart thundered inside my chest.

The moment my feet struck the ground, it felt as though every bone in my body had come alive.

‘Maybe getting five years younger really did make my body younger too.’

My body felt light.

‘I’m running faster than I expected.’

“Oh ho! These trainees are incredible runners!”

The song I intended to claim was getting closer.

“It’s an intense battle!”

Beside me, a tanned man with a sturdy physique was chasing closely behind.

“It’s neck and neck between trainee Cha Siwoo and trainee Kang Chan!”

The wind lashed against my face.

“Haa… haa…”

His breathing sounded close.

I slightly turned my head.

Our eyes met.

In that instant, a silent declaration of war passed between us.

‘This guy can really run.’

More power surged into my leg muscles.

Losing simply wasn’t in my nature.

I pushed harder against the floor.

Finally, I reached the wall covered with albums.

‘How long has it been since I ran this seriously?’

I stretched out my hand and snatched up ‘The Moment I First Saw You’ before anyone else.

“Phew… haa…”

As I caught my breath, I felt an intense gaze from beside me.

Deep within Kang Chan’s eyes, powerful emotions flickered.

“Cha Siwoo arrives first! Kang Chan arrives second!”

The other representatives arrived one after another.

“You’re fast.”

Kang Chan was holding the album for ‘Neon Promise’.

“Thank you. Your speed is impressive too.”

“…Yeah.”

After our brief exchange, all representatives finally completed their song selections.

“Trainees, did you get the songs you wanted?”

“Yes!”

“No.”

The trainees who arrived late and were left with only girl-group songs or trot songs looked miserable.

“In two weeks, you will perform position evaluation stages with these songs in front of invited National Directors.”

“Woooow!”

“…Finally!”

“A stage in front of National Directors… I’m so nervous!”

The trainees couldn’t hide their excitement at the thought of performing before actual viewers.

“Now, I’ll explain the evaluation criteria that you’re all most curious about.”

“…!”

“Since this is the first competition stage, the rankings will be determined using 30% live audience voting, 30% online voting, and 40% judge scores.”

Ding.

Suddenly, the translucent blue window appeared.

 

— 

[Sub-Quest (6): Place within the Top 10 during the first ranking announcement.]

A reward will be granted upon success.

Failure results in death.

—