The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol Chapter 48

Chapter 48

 

In the pitch-black atmosphere, it felt as if cold moonlight was scattering across the stage, making the mood even more intense.

‘So Hayul-nyang is the center this time.’

Since my favorite is called Seo Hayul “Hayul-nyang,” the fans had naturally started calling him that too.

‘Well, it’s not a bad nickname.’

It was a little disappointing that Siwoo wasn’t the center, but if it was Seo Hayul, who was grouped with him as Roommates and Heart Ping Bread, I could accept it.

As Seo Hayul, who had been standing with his head lowered during the intro, slowly raised it, his languid gray eyes shimmered faintly.

The moment their gazes met, an indescribable secret seemed to be sleeping within those eyes.

Thump.

Miss Park’s heart began racing.

‘That expression and atmosphere are insane. Looking at him now, Hayul-nyang is ridiculously handsome too.’

 

— 

Cold breath

Knocks on my heart once again

— 

 

“…!”

“Wow…!”

Instead of rap, a deep, cavernous low voice unexpectedly echoed through the venue, drawing surprised gasps from the audience.

‘This kid can sing pretty well too, can’t he?’

Of course, not as well as Siwoo, but the rich low tone that could tug at people’s heartstrings added even more charm to the song.

 

— 

I thought I’d forgotten

But I can still hear your voice

— 

 

‘No wonder they made him the center.’

Seo Hayul’s unexpected expressions and singing captivated everyone, his aura overwhelming every other trainee on stage.

More than anything, Hayul’s unique atmosphere matched the song and concept perfectly, creating incredible synergy.

As Miss Park watched the performance as if hypnotized, a familiar voice snapped her back to reality.

 

— 

Since the day the light disappeared

I couldn’t stop

— 

 

“Kyaaaah!”

“Siwoo!!!”

His already pale skin looked even more porcelain-white today.

His eyes sparkled sharply while holding a deep darkness within them.

Standing on stage, Cha Siwoo was wrapped in an aura so fragile it felt as if he might collapse at any moment.

‘He’s completely different from the guy acting cute during the team introduction!’

The lightly smudged smoky eye makeup created shadows reminiscent of exhaustion and emptiness.

The corners of his slightly dry crimson lips were fixed in a cynical smile, radiating a decadent charm.

‘How can a man be this professional?!’

Miss Park’s heart pounded wildly.

After Siwoo’s part ended, a fast-tempo rap section followed alongside explosive EDM.

There were quite a few rap parts since the team had many rappers, but the pacing and dynamics were controlled so well that it actually made the performance more exciting.

After a dazzling group dance sequence, Siwoo stepped back into the center.

 

— 

I’m undead (I’m alive)

Your curse that never ended

— 

 

…!

The sight of Cha Siwoo smiling precariously while delivering a clean high note with his attractive voice was genuinely dangerous.

 

— 

Even if my heart stops (I’m alive)

My feelings for you still burn

— 

 

The highlight section, where Cha Siwoo’s high notes merged with Seo Hayul’s deep voice, felt like an enchantment that bewitched anyone who heard it.

‘What are these guys? Why are they this good?’

As the chorus ended, flashes of lightning and a crimson moon alternated across the LED backdrop.

The entire stage transformed into a mysterious realm, and the atmosphere changed instantly.

Seo Hayul stood in the center and stretched out his arm. The other trainees dropped to their knees while facing forward.

At his gesture, as though he were controlling vampires, the members simultaneously raised their arms.

Black leather gloves gleamed under the lights, deepening the immersion.

The powerful choreography expressing vampires and undead creatures felt both dangerous and strangely seductive.

Every movement of their fingertips and every tremble in their gaze seemed to contain both destruction and temptation.

As the intense dance and music continued and the atmosphere reached its peak, the performance rushed toward its conclusion.

With Seo Hayul’s bold gesture, the Vampire Team performed choreography as if they were violently devouring one another.

“That’s insane…”

The members on stage began collapsing one by one.

Then, just as Cha Siwoo, the last one standing, lunged toward Seo Hayul…

“Siwoo!”

Her favorite staggered and fell dramatically.

At last, only Seo Hayul remained standing on stage, wearing a languid expression.

 

— 

It’s not over yet.

— 

 

Looking at the audience with indifferent eyes, Seo Hayul whispered, and the song came to an end.

“Kyaaaah!”

“That’s crazy!!”

“Vampire!!!”

“I love you!”

‘They turned an obscure song into this? These guys really went all out.’

The lingering excitement refused to fade, and the heat and cheers continued to engulf the venue.

 

☆☆☆

 

“Haah… haah…”

I waved at the roaring crowd while desperately trying to catch my breath.

Remembering the judges’ comments that our choreography lacked impact, I had added several high-difficulty moves. Now it felt like my lungs were about to burst.

‘Damn, I’m dying.’

Despite my body heaving as though blood were rushing backward through my veins, the corners of my mouth kept lifting.

“Siwoo!!!”

“Seo Hayul!!”

“Waaaah!”

The cheers piercing my ears felt like a miracle cure, making me think all my exhaustion had disappeared.

“Great job, Vampire Team, on delivering the final performance. All trainees who performed the Mystery concept, please come back onto the stage!”

At Yoo Haein’s call, the Pioneer Team, who had been waiting below, quickly climbed back onto the stage.

Kim Sunyoo, who arrived first, looked completely tense.

Amid the still-burning excitement, Yoo Haein raised a cue card toward the audience.

“For this final 1:1 Team Battle, even I honestly have no idea who’s going to win!”

“Vampire Team!”

“Pioneer Team!!”

“The results of this incredibly close battle will be determined by your votes. Voting starts now!”

A low melody accompanied by heavy drumbeats echoed through the speakers like a pounding heartbeat.

‘Whew… this is nerve-racking.’

The fact that I was facing a seasoned professional in a direct one-on-one showdown made my heart pound harder than ever.

‘I did my best, but I honestly don’t know if I can win.’

“If you think the Pioneer Team performed better in the Mystery concept, press 1! If you think the Vampire Team performed better, press 2!!!”

Beep-beep-beep-beep!

The numbers on the split-screen scoreboard began climbing rapidly.

Beep. Beep-beep-beep.

Only after both teams’ leading digits had reached the 400s did the numbers begin slowing down.

Glancing at the clock, Yoo Haein began counting down.

“We’ll be closing the vote shortly. Three… two… one… stop!”

“Ah…!”

“The match has been decided by a mere four votes!”

Relieved sighs and disappointed groans mixed throughout the audience.

“With 502 votes to 498, surviving by only four votes is the Vampire Team, who performed ‘The Story That Couldn’t End’!”

“Wooooah!”

“Kyaaaah!”

‘We did it!’

Ding!

[Congratulations. You have successfully completed Sub-Quest (7): “Survive by winning the Team Battle Mission.”]

‘I survived!’

[Would you like to receive your reward now?]

‘Yes.’

[Reward: Stat +1. You may choose which stat to increase.]

A stat reward after such a long time felt sweet and exhilarating.

“Only a four-vote difference… my heart is still racing! The fact that it was such a close battle made it even more exciting.”

“Waaaah!”

“First, let’s hear from the victorious Vampire Team!”

I barely managed to peel my excited teammates off me before bowing ninety degrees toward the audience.

“First of all, thank you to everyone who voted for the Vampire Team.”

Seeing me bow, the team members quickly came to their senses and followed suit.

“We worked incredibly hard day and night preparing this stage. More than anything, we’re happy that we survived.”

“I like the honesty. Did you encounter any difficulties during preparation?”

“Actually, everyone on our team except me is a rapper.”

Laughter spread through the audience.

“Hahaha!”

“So deciding the arrangement and positions wasn’t easy.”

“That makes sense.”

“Because there were so many rappers concentrated on one team, I was honestly worried. But the members trusted me and followed me well, which allowed us to put on a great performance.”

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Applause erupted throughout the venue.

“Come to think of it, you created such a successful performance with four rappers and one vocalist. That’s impressive.”

“Thank you.”

“We’ll continue looking forward to the Vampire Team’s future performances.”

“Yes!”

“Next, let’s hear the final words from the Pioneer Team, who were unfortunately eliminated by just four votes.”

Kim Sunyoo’s expression was dark enough to tell at a glance how devastated he felt.

“First… I’d like to apologize to all the National Directors who believed in and supported us.”

His lips trembled, and clear tears finally began falling.

“This was a hard-earned opportunity, and I feel deeply regretful that we couldn’t show an even better stage. I’m sorry for failing to meet the expectations of the fans who supported us.”

His sincere voice quivered with emotion.

“Still, I’ll use everything I experienced on ‘Star Picking 5’ as motivation to keep pursuing my dream. Thank you.”

Kim Sunyoo’s elimination was now officially confirmed.

‘He probably thought he was safe after placing first in the ranking announcement. He never expected to be eliminated like this.’

“Thank you. I sincerely support all of your dreams as well.”

“Ah…”

“No…!”

The atmosphere in the venue was one of complete shock at the news that the trainee who had ranked first in the initial ranking announcement had ultimately been eliminated.

As I moved toward the edge of the stage following the staff’s instructions to film the closing scene while cheers and lamentations filled the air…

“Siwoo.”

I turned around at the familiar voice and saw Kim Sunyoo staring at me with a conflicted expression.

“Yes?”

“I wanted to debut together with you. It’s a shame.”

His voice was filled with regret, and his reddened eyes only made him seem more wistful.

‘Looks like he genuinely wanted to debut with me.’

“Really? I’m not particularly disappointed.”

“…Huh?”

Kim Sunyoo tilted his head slightly, looking completely bewildered.

‘You idiot.’

“We’re going to meet again soon.”

“…?”

To help the confused Kim Sunyoo understand, I pointed toward the stage.

“It’ll be announced soon.”

“What exactly is going to be announced?”

Instead of answering, I simply gave him a professional smile.

At that exact moment, the closing music playing through the stage speakers abruptly cut off.

“Before we conclude the second mission of ‘Star Picking 5’, the 1:1 Team Battle, we have one final announcement to make!”

“…Huh?”

“What is it?”

Audience members who had been preparing to leave quickly turned around.

As if enjoying their reaction, Yoo Haein wore an innocent smile and pointed at the giant screen with his index finger.

“For all the National Directors saddened by the eliminated trainees, we’ve prepared a surprise gift.”

A gift box appeared on the screen.

“The gift is…”