The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol Chapter 32

Chapter 32

 

Other than the embarrassing Option B, I had no real choice.

Idols were already sensitive about military-related issues. If I went with Option A and started shouting “Loyalty!” despite never having served, it would definitely spark controversy.

And Option C? A trainee speaking casually to the National Directors?

Wouldn’t that be like a rookie employee talking down to their boss?

That kind of disrespectful attitude was practically inviting a personality scandal.

“KYAAAAAAAH!”

A moment later, the entire audience erupted.

“That’s so cute!”

“WAAAAAAAH!”

“First Love Team!!!”

Some people covered their mouths.

Others widened their eyes and leaned forward in their seats.

The cheers were so overwhelming it felt as though they might swallow the entire stage.

‘Whew, thank goodness.’

I had been worried the atmosphere might turn awkward, but fortunately the reaction was positive.

‘I’m grateful they even like this kind of line.’

Although we had only just met, I found myself wanting to do even better for the National Directors in the future.

“First Love Team, huh? It’s definitely memorable. Please introduce your song as well.”

“The song we chose is ‘The Moment I First Saw You.’ Since today is the special day we’re meeting the National Directors for the first time, we rearranged it around the concept of first love.”

“Ah, so that’s why your outfits have such a refreshing vibe?”

“Yes! We wanted to capture the innocent feeling of first love.”

Our outfits combined white and sky-blue shirts, creating an overall refreshing and youthful first-love image.

‘Simple and clean is usually best.’

For a trainee’s first competition stage, I thought it was better to cater to what the audience wanted rather than wear something overly flashy.

After all, trainees hadn’t debuted yet.

They naturally possessed that youthful innocence.

To be honest, I had initially considered school uniforms.

But they overlapped too much with the signature outfits from ‘Star Picking 5’, and more importantly, there weren’t any minors on our team.

My conscience wouldn’t allow it.

“The styling suits your age group perfectly. Then let’s begin First Love Team’s performance of ‘The Moment I First Saw You’!”

Whether it was because we were performing last or because the audience was hearing us in person, the cheers ringing through the venue were stronger than ever.

‘We really practiced hard for two weeks.’

Thinking about all the nights we stayed up practicing after pushing the team relentlessly made my chest swell with emotion.

‘Let’s do this.’

As the stage lights went dark, I took my position according to the formation.

The instrumental of ‘The Moment I First Saw You’ echoed in my ears.

The lights gradually came up.

Soft lighting spread across the stage, bathing the space in gentle pastel tones.

Matching the first beat coming through my earpiece, Rua, standing at the center, began the opening verse.

 

— 

Within a passing season

You quietly came to me

— 

 

As I leaped through the intense choreography and crossed the stage, the hem of my outfit fluttered, and the lights brushed across my face.

My heart was still pounding.

But my feet landed perfectly on every beat.

The movements I had repeated countless times in the practice room now felt as natural as breathing.

At last, the chorus arrived.

Stopping at the center stage, I poured strength into my microphone.

 

— 

The moment I first saw you

I thought time had stopped

— 

 

“…!”

Rua stepped forward from behind me and stood beside me.

 

— 

I called your name again and again

Could it be that you feel the same?

— 

 

The highlight chorus, the highest part of the song, finally arrived.

I turned my head and looked at Rua.

‘This is the most important moment.’

My heart began pounding like crazy.

Looking at Rua’s bright smile, I added the harmony we had practiced for two weeks.

 

— 

Because our story began like destiny!

— 

 

“WAAAAAAAH!”

The chorus filled with soaring harmonies ended successfully.

The bright and cheerful music suddenly faded.

A low bassline flowed across the floor.

We formed a straight-line formation.

As I stepped out right after Rua at the center, the highlight choreography began.

Moving with the rhythm, I slowly hit each beat.

The sensual choreography, combined with the unexpected breathy melody, drew an explosive reaction.

“…AAAH!”

“KYYYYAAAAAH!”

“FIRST LOVE!!!”

As the notes climbed higher and higher, the intense choreography continued.

I could see fans in the audience waving slogans.

Among the colorful signs, I thought I spotted one that read Cha Siwoo standing out more than the others.

At that moment, my eyes met those of a woman waving the slogan.

She wore a radiant smile.

The joy on her face was pure and sincere.

The unconditional affection from someone I’d never met before made my chest feel strangely ticklish.

Receiving unfamiliar affection from a stranger stirred complicated emotions.

I felt grateful.

I felt apologetic.

And above all, I felt emotions I’d never experienced before.

‘The best way I can repay them right now is by giving everything I’ve got.’

As I focused on the relentless choreography, the performance gradually neared its end.

After harmonizing with Lua through the second chorus and finishing the synchronized dance, I struck the final ending pose.

The song ended.

Sweat ran down my back.

Yet the heat felt welcome.

“KYAAAAAAAH!”

“THAT WAS AMAZING!”

For a moment, everything felt dreamlike.

I felt almost hypnotized.

Then…

“National Directors who think First Love Team did well, please vote now!”

Hearing Yoo Haein’s voice, I snapped back to reality and looked toward the screen.

The number shot upward rapidly from zero.

Then it stopped with a four in the hundreds place.

“First Love Team’s vote count is…”

“450 votes.”

“…!”

Compared to the incredible response we’d received, it was a surprisingly low score.

“Ah…”

“…Why?”

Disappointed cheers and sighs echoed throughout the audience.

Being the very last team had apparently hurt us more than expected.

Aside from Rua, the rest of the team couldn’t hide their expressions after seeing the unexpectedly low vote total.

I quickly bowed ninety degrees.

“Thank you!”

‘You idiots. Be grateful for these votes too.’

The others quickly regained their composure and followed my lead.

“Thank you!”

“Thank you!”

“Next, we’ll hear the judges’ evaluations.”

As the spotlight shone on the judges’ section, several familiar faces came into view.

“First Love Team, that performance was wonderful!”

Park Chaeyoung picked up the microphone first.

“Honestly speaking, I personally think it was one of the top performances among all fifteen teams. The arrangement was excellent, and the vocal elements were outstanding. I couldn’t stop smiling while watching.”

“Thank you.”

“And the harmony between trainee Rua and trainee Cha Siwoo was genuinely goosebump-inducing. Everyone showed even greater improvement than during the interim evaluation.”

I bowed ninety degrees toward Park Chaeyoung as she set down her microphone.

“You also changed the choreography positions according to my feedback.”

This time, the choreographer picked up the microphone.

“Yes!”

“The flow was much smoother and easier to watch overall. The song maintained that innocent first-love feeling throughout, then surprised us during the highlight section with a restrained, tasteful sensuality. Personally, I found that contrast refreshing.”

“Thank you.”

“And the amusement-park-like atmosphere was excellent as well. This stage best matched the evaluation criteria among all the performances.”

The praise continued pouring in from the judges.

Finally, after all the comments ended, Yoo Haein flipped her cue card with a gentle smile.

“This team has received the best evaluations we’ve heard so far among all the trainee performances. Then, let’s reveal the judges’ scores.”

The stage darkened.

A soft string arrangement gradually swelled.

Tense music flowed through the speakers as the screen displayed the judges’ scoreboards.

“85, 90, 90, and 95,,, for a total of 360 points! First Love Team is currently in first place for judges’ scores!”

“WAAAAAAAH!”

‘We did it!’

We had received the highest score from the judges, the category carrying the greatest weight in the evaluation.

That meant we were highly likely to avoid elimination and remain safely within the rankings.

‘Our audience vote was lower than I hoped… but our judges’ score was high!’

If I could also do well in the individual voting, there was a chance I might even place in the Top 10 during the ranking announcement.

Knowing there was still hope for completing the quest eased the tension in my chest.

“Thank you!”

I bowed deeply toward the judges, sincerely expressing my gratitude.

Following the staff’s instructions, we stepped off the stage.

The members of Vocal Team 2 immediately embraced each other in celebration.

Meanwhile, Yoo Haein continued her closing remarks on stage.

“National Directors, the first competition of ‘Star Picking 5’ has now concluded.”

“AAAAAH!”

“Today’s live audience votes and judges’ scores will be reflected in the rankings. Any trainee who fails to place within the Top 50 will be eliminated.”

Groans and sighs spread throughout the venue.

“The online voting currently in progress will also be included in the final score. The ranking announcement ceremony will take place exactly one week from now. There’s still time, so please continue voting to help your favorite idols debut!”

“YEEEEEEEAH!”

“That concludes the Position Evaluation Competition. Thank you.”

The closing song, ‘Cheer Me On’, began playing through the speakers.

Audience members slowly started leaving the venue.

“Vocal Team 2, gather over here.”

“Yes!”

As we followed the staff, they explained the next schedule.

“You’ll return to the waiting room first, then everyone will head back to the dormitory together. Once you arrive, today’s filming will officially end. Please pack your belongings and return for filming one week later for the ranking announcement ceremony.”

“Yes!”

“Then please head directly to the waiting room.”

“Understood.”

As we followed the staff, the excited team members began shouting in celebration.

“Thank goodness!”

“Seriously, I got scared when I saw the vote count, but being first in judges’ scores is amazing!”

“We did well on stage, but I think we scored so highly because we matched the evaluation criteria perfectly!”

Maintaining a professional smile for the cameras following us, I nodded.

“Everyone worked hard. I’m happy we successfully finished the performance.”

We had done everything we possibly could.

‘Now all I can do is hope my individual vote count ends up being high.’

“Siwoo.”

Rua threw an arm around my shoulders.

“Yes?”

“You were incredible out there today!”

“You were pretty amazing yourself, hyung.”

Honestly, his singing ability was getting scary.

“Really? Thanks. Hearing that from someone with such a great vocal tone feels nice.”

“Haha. Same here.”

“But Siwoo, what are you doing during the next week? If you’ve got nothing planned, want to practice with me?”

‘During that one week, I need to earn hospital expenses through part-time work.’

Seeing the camera’s red recording light, I chose my words carefully.

“Sorry, but could we do it next time? I have something I need to take care of.”

“Hmm… really? Alright then!”

‘Once I get my phone back, I should call the wedding hall manager right away.’

Right then, we arrived at the waiting room.

When we opened the door to the room next to the one we’d originally used, countless eyes immediately turned toward us.

“Wow~ Here comes First Love Team!”

“Your stage was seriously amazing!”

“The first-love concept was really good.”

I responded politely with a professional smile to the praise mixed with competitive tension.

This scene would probably be edited into the broadcast as well.

Just as my face was about to cramp from smiling, a staff member entered carrying a basket full of phones.

“Alright, everyone, collect your phones. Once you arrive at the dorms, return your microphones and enjoy your free time.”

“Yes!”

During filming for ‘Star Picking 5’, we had to surrender our phones.

Only on designated free days were they returned shortly before we headed back to the dormitory.

‘People need to contact their agencies and families beforehand, after all.’

Like students being called up one by one, we lined up and received our phones in order.

“Trainee Cha Siwoo.”

“Yes!”

‘Hopefully there aren’t any calls from the hospital…’

The moment I turned on the screen of the phone I’d just received…

[(Warning!) A penalty will be applied.]

A translucent crimson window flashed wildly before my eyes.