The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol Chapter 44

Chapter 44

 

“Alright. It’s late already, so let’s handle it this way for now.”

“Yes. Thank you for your hard work this late at night.”

“We’ll draft and post the official statement as quickly as possible. It’s gotten really late for you trainees too, so head back and get some rest.”

“Thank you!”

After taking Hayul with me and leaving the meeting room, a quiet silence lingered throughout the hallway.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

I took the lead toward the dormitory, and I could hear rustling footsteps behind me.

Looks like Seo Hayul was following properly.

Step. Step.

Only the sound of shoe soles striking the floor echoed through the corridor.

“…Siwoo hyung!”

“Yeah?”

“Th-thank you.”

“This is what friends do, dummy.”

Once I got back to the dorm, I should contact reporter Kim Taehyun from Yurak Daily, the guy I met during the press conference.

 

☆☆☆

 

I had stayed up all night, yet my body and mind felt refreshed.

Because the title of the community’s hottest post had changed to one I had written.

 

> [(HOT!) Hunting Down the ‘Star Picking 5’ False Rumor Spreader]

> TX just posted an announcement on their official website saying they’ll be taking legal action regarding the false rumors about ‘Star Picking 5’.

> They’re apparently pursuing criminal charges, so they’re welcoming screenshots and links.

> (Apparently, even minors can face criminal punishment.)

> Makes me want to hunt them down even more lololol

> Also, the post accusing S.H.Y turned out to be fabricated, and the original post disappeared the instant the announcement went up lololol

> But just in case, I already saved screenshots of the original post lololol

> So good.

> Let the hunt begin~

– What’s going on with TX all of a sudden?

ㄴ For once, they’re acting like actual human beings.

– Did all the posts about S.H.Y get deleted?

ㄴ Yep. A reporter published a detailed article exposing that the photo wasn’t taken by the poster but was actually a screenshot taken from the internet.

ㄴ? Why would a reporter do that?

ㄴ Probably chasing clicks.

ㄴ What article?

ㄴ (link)

 

Clicking the link led to an article with a sensational headline and an impressive number of views.

The article painstakingly explained, down to the smallest detail, how the uploaded evidence photos were screenshots rather than original photographs.

It sharply pointed out that the accusations against S.H.Y were filled with lies and fabrications.

It then cited several celebrities who had suffered due to false rumors and made tragic decisions, emphasizing the dangers of spreading misinformation.

The article concluded by stating that not only adults but minors could also be punished for spreading false information, and that TX was preparing strong legal action.

‘The article is a little rough around the edges compared to his future work, but for now it’s still clean and well-written.’

The difference between a veteran and a rookie.

Still, after I organized the evidence and anonymously emailed it over, he gobbled it up immediately.

Then again, he’d always been the type of reporter driven by ambition and desire, so he knew exactly how to stir attention.

‘So public opinion has been dealt with for now?’

Comments telling Seo Hayul to quit and insulting him were being deleted rapidly.

Fans who supported the gray cat had begun rallying together, and some were even launching expeditions to hunt down the original poster.

Now that the controversy had been suppressed, all that remained was dealing with the bastard who wrote the post.

“Oh! Siwoo Hyung, Episode 6 is starting!”

“Hurry up and get over here!”

The team members, already seated in front of the TV, urged me over.

“I’m coming!”

Even today, the day before the Team Battle Mission, we had stopped practice once again and gathered in the dorm to watch ‘Star Picking 5’ together.

Apparently, the staff thought our reaction footage from last time was useful enough for broadcast, because they were actively encouraging us to give bigger reactions now.

Unlike at the beginning, after thirteen days of practicing together and sharing the same room, we had become quite close.

Actually, it would be more accurate to say we became close after the midterm evaluation.

“Man, I’m really sleepy.”

“Once the competition’s over, the first thing I’m doing is sleeping.”

The familiar opening theme played, and Episode 5 was summarized in a short montage.

It mainly felt like a compilation of highlight performances from the stronger trainees.

Before Episode 6 officially began, the screen displayed a neatly organized chart showing both the audience vote totals and judges’ scores.

[The team that ranked first in audience votes received 603 votes: Favorite Team! And the team that ranked first in judges’ scores earned 360 points: First Love Team!]

“Wow~”

“First Love Team really was good.”

“Seriously. If they hadn’t performed last, they might’ve ranked first in audience votes too.”

“Haha, thank you.”

The broadcast cut between trainees reacting with joy or disappointment over their scores.

Then…

[Now, including the viewer votes, we’ll begin the ranking announcement ceremony!]

The screen changed, revealing the trainees dressed neatly in their signature school uniforms.

As tense background music filled the air, names began being called one by one, starting from 49th place.

“Wow, I seriously thought I was going to die from nerves back then.”

“Me too!”

“Looking at it now, the atmosphere was absolutely insane.”

Thirteen days had already passed since then, so the trainees watching now could only sigh in relief.

“Oh, Seo Hayul!”

The camera zoomed tightly onto Hayul’s tearful face.

Whether he was naturally photogenic or not, the screen captured all the emotions he had been carrying with brutal clarity.

“Ah! Why did they film me that close…?”

Seeing Hayul’s ears turn red in embarrassment got me started.

“What a crybaby.”

“Ah! Siwoo hyung! I wasn’t crying!”

“I waaasn’t cryiiing~”

I mimicked him with the most annoying expression possible.

Unable to contain his embarrassment, Hayul began flailing.

‘Thank goodness he got a good edit.’

He had received the kind of hardworking underdog narrative that could practically qualify as a PD Pick.

A trainee who started at Grade E, overcame hardships, delivered a successful performance, and finally achieved a high ranking.

As I continued doting on Hayul, the announcement for 11th place appeared.

The scene showing Rua and me side by side was surprisingly memorable.

Rua being announced as 11th place, followed by me hugging him in relief after surviving the quest, had been edited into an emotional moment.

[The extraordinary friendship of Vocal Team 2!]

Together with that caption, our bright, smiling faces looked like those of lifelong best friends.

“Siwoo hyung, are you close with Rua hyung?”

“…Sure.”

Saying we weren’t close in front of a camera would’ve caused even more trouble.

“You look so happy for him.”

‘Because I survived too.’

“I’m happy as the team leader because a teammate achieved a good result.”

“Come on! Everyone knows you two are close.”

“Yeah, you’re friends with Rua hyung.”

“Haha.”

‘So I got tied to him after all, huh?’

Well, it was better than the rumors of conflict between trainees.

Besides, Rua had no scandals and was talented.

[In 7th place is a trainee who demonstrated outstanding vocal ability and leadership.]

I turned my attention back to the screen.

Over the dramatic sound of heavy breathing came Yoo Haein’s voice.

[The trainee taking this position is Cha Siwoo!]

Apparently surprised by the unexpected ranking, my eyes had widened considerably.

“Congratulations again!”

“You’re the highest-ranked among us!”

“As expected of our team leader!”

I bowed my head toward my teammates, who were applauding and congratulating me.

“Haha. Thank you!”

On screen, I was holding a microphone while wearing a smile that felt completely unfamiliar.

It wasn’t the artificial smile I had cultivated for working life.

It was a genuine smile.

And somehow, that made my chest feel strangely ticklish.

[First of all, I sincerely thank all the National Directors who voted for me…]

As I gave my speech, Hayul spoke up.

“Hyung, I think you’re really good at talking.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I always feel that way. You just… speak well.”

At Hayul’s words, Yoon Minsu nodded vigorously.

“Seriously. Sometimes Siwoo feels less like a younger brother and more like an older brother.”

“Oh! I know exactly what you mean. It’s like looking at my uncle who’s been beaten down by office life.”

‘Does my age show in the way I talk?’

“Haha.”

“You really don’t feel like someone our age!”

Maybe because I entered society early, years of workplace experience naturally seeped into my speech.

I’d have to learn how kids my age actually talk.

As I climbed the stairs toward the chair marked with the number 7, the scene of Rua suddenly pulling me into a hug had been edited into a heartwarming moment.

“What a wonderful friendship!”

Contrary to the comment, Hayul’s expression had stiffened slightly.

“It’s not like that.”

At last, the eventful Episode 6 came to an end.

After sending the underage trainees, including Hayul, back to their rooms, the rest of us headed to the practice room to prepare for tomorrow’s performance.

 

☆☆☆

 

The competition day was hectic from early morning.

Inside the waiting room, breathing, footsteps, and conversations mixed into a small whirlwind.

While receiving makeup in front of the mirror, my teammates checked their costumes nearby.

Since this was a one-on-one Team Battle, performance order wasn’t particularly important.

As a result, the production staff had arranged the order according to stage setup efficiency.

The mystery-themed stage was scheduled to go last.

‘They say it’s for efficiency, but Kim Sunyoo’s influence is probably part of it.’

It was only natural that they’d want to film the trainee who had achieved first place for the first time at the very end.

Since we had more spare time than the other teams, the makeup session continued leisurely.

“Cha Siwoo trainee. Today we went with a darker makeup style to match the concept.”

In the mirror, I saw myself transformed with shades of black and deep crimson.

Against pale skin, the reddish tint around my eyes stood out vividly.

Black eyeliner elongated my eyes, giving them a sharp appearance, while silver glitter sparkled faintly between my lashes.

My cheeks were nearly devoid of color, but my lips were painted a deep wine shade, making it look as though I had just tasted blood.

“Thank you. You did an amazing job again!”

The makeup radiated a lifeless stillness while simultaneously carrying a strangely alluring and dangerous beauty.

“You know how good I am. Honestly, your face is doing half the work.”

It was the same makeup artist who had worked on me last time, tailoring the look to the concept once again.

“Thank you so much! I’ll do my best on stage, so your hard work won’t go to waste!”

I stood up and immediately bowed ninety degrees.

“Alright. Go out there and do well!”

The makeup artist flashed a proud smile before heading off toward another trainee.

‘Preparations are finished now. All that’s left is waiting, right?’

“Cha Siwoo trainee!”

As I started walking toward the sofa, a stylist wearing several elastic bands around her wrist hurried over.

“Yes?”

“Do you happen to know where Seo Hayul is? He said he was going to the restroom earlier, but he still hasn’t come back.”

“The restroom?”

“Yes. I think it’s been about thirty minutes. We need to check his costume soon…”

The stylist looked around anxiously.

“I’ll go check the restroom right away! I’ll bring Hayul back, so please wait a little!”

“Alright.”

My instincts were screaming at me.

‘Something’s wrong.’

As soon as I stepped into the hallway outside the waiting room, my pace naturally began to quicken.