The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol Chapter 73
Chapter 73
Ever since they became teammates, the two had grown close at an astonishing rate, showing the kind of comfortable chemistry typical of friends the same age.
After exchanging a high-five, Rua stepped down, and Kim Sunyoo took his place.
“Kim Sunyoo trainee, please read your rolling paper.”
“Kind, fulfills his role as a leader well, versatile, has a good personality, Sunyoo hyung is the second most important person in my life…?”
After reading all twenty comments, Kim Sunyoo pointed to one without a moment of hesitation.
“My best comment will be [Sunyoo hyung is the second most important person in my life].”
“The trainee who wrote that comment, please come up to the stage.”
“Yes.”
As I walked toward the stage, the expression on Kim Sunyoo’s face looked quite satisfied.
‘What? Did he choose it because he knew I was the one who wrote it?’
“Siwoo, that comment was really touching.”
“Haha. I’m glad you liked it.”
Watching Kim Sunyoo step down with a pleased smile, Park Chaeyoung raised her microphone.
“Cha Siwoo trainee.”
“Yes?”
“I’m personally curious. Why is Kim Sunyoo a trainee, your second priority?”
At that moment, every trainee’s gaze turned toward me.
A few of them were even staring with downright murderous eyes.
‘…?’
“Personally, there are many things I’m grateful to Sunyoo hyung for, so I said he’s my second priority.”
“Ah, I see. Then who’s your number one?”
“My younger sibling.”
The answer came out without even the slightest hesitation.
“I understand. Then please continue reading your rolling paper.”
“Yes.”
On the white sheet with my profile picture attached were all kinds of messages, ranging from neat handwriting to crooked scribbles.
“Mature, cool because he’s manly, sings well, likes Heartping, has a unique personality, funny, good at running…”
As expected, perhaps because everyone was conscious of the broadcast, the rolling paper was filled with nothing but compliments.
“Cha Siwoo trainee, which comment did you choose?”
“My best comment is [He’s cool because he’s manly].”
‘As expected, being cool is the best thing in the world.’
It seemed to be an unexpected choice, because confusion was plainly visible on Park Chaeyoung’s face.
“Ah… yes! The trainee who wrote that comment, please come up to the stage.”
I saw Kang Chan stride confidently onto the stage.
‘So it was you.’
Apparently, Kang Chan had a good eye for people.
“Thanks.”
“Yeah.”
The moment I stepped down, a low, deep voice echoed through the speakers.
“Dances well, has a quiet charm, possesses outstanding dance skills, Chan Hyung is a tsundere…”
His rolling paper was overwhelmingly filled with praise related to dancing.
“I’ll choose [Chan hyung is a tsundere].”
“…!”
At Kang Chan’s unexpected choice, the area immediately buzzed with commotion.
‘Why…? Kang Chan is a tsundere, though.’
While I was wondering about it, Yoo Seungho walked onto the stage.
“You really think that?”
“Yes. Of course!”
At Yoo Seungho’s cheerful reply, Kang Chan’s ears turned bright red.
‘Those two have gotten really close too.’
Amid the warm atmosphere that continued throughout the room, the filming of the final pre-recorded content finally came to an end.
☆☆☆
“Everyone, welcome to the final live broadcast of Star Picking 5!”
‘We finally made it this far.’
Thinking back on everything we had gone through, I felt deeply moved.
Today, it would finally be decided.
Whether I would live or die.
“WAAAAAAAH!”
“KYAAAAAAH!”
The audience erupted into cheers as Yoo Haein appeared in a perfectly pressed navy suit.
His neatly adjusted tie wasn’t even slightly out of place, and the watch subtly gleaming on his wrist added an air of authority to every movement.
“From this moment, we will officially begin the final broadcast of Star Picking 5!”
“Yes!”
“The live broadcast will be divided into three parts, and at the end, the trainees who will ultimately debut will be announced.”
The final live broadcast had been prepared on an unprecedented scale.
Because Season 5 had achieved the highest ratings in the history of the series.
‘I knew the popularity was rising rapidly, but to think it would become the highest-rated season.’
At first, everyone had predicted that Star Picking 5 would fail, but as if mocking those predictions, its highest viewership rating had surpassed 12%.
Even at a glance, the audience looked larger than any I had seen before.
“First, in Part 1, the trainees, divided into four teams, will perform their final competition stages.”
“KYAAAAAA!”
“Siwoooo!”
“Seunghoooo!”
“Sunyoouu!”
Passionate cheers for favorite contestants poured out without restraint.
Among those cheers, I could hear my own name too.
‘No matter how many times I hear it, it feels strange.’
“The stage that will determine who debuts… the final stage of Star Picking 5! Which team will perform first? Let’s find out right now on the screen!”
The stage lights dimmed until only the giant display remained illuminated.
A rapidly edited clip appeared, showing how the order for the final performances had been decided.
For reference, the team leaders had represented their teams in a game of rock-paper-scissors.
[Rock, Paper, Scissors!]
‘Come to think of it, I might actually be pretty talented at rock-paper-scissors.’
The broadcast showed me wiping everyone out with paper in the very first round, earning the right to choose first.
‘In the finals, going first is definitely an advantage.’
Until Part 1 ended, both online voting and live voting would remain open.
That meant putting on a powerful, impactful performance right from the start would earn more votes.
‘Going last is the worst position.’
The fourth team would have less than ten minutes after performing before voting closed, making it much harder to gather votes.
Since performing earlier meant receiving more voting time, I had boldly chosen the first slot.
After every team’s order was decided, footage of our team’s practice process, recorded earlier, was shown.
Whether because it was the final episode or because they were paying attention to public opinion, we were thankfully spared an evil edit this time.
[Please look forward to our performance!]
After enough practice footage had been shown to build anticipation, the giant screen went dark.
All the buildup was over.
“Pizza Team, your main stage is about to begin. Please head out now!”
“Yes!”
Since we were performing first, we had already been waiting backstage and completed our final checks at the staff’s signal.
‘Should we do that before going on stage?’
After a moment of thought, I looked at my teammates, whose faces were filled with tension.
“Everyone, gather up for a moment!”
“Okay!”
“Yeah.”
“Yes!”
At my gesture, the members formed a circle so tight that they could practically feel each other’s breath.
‘This is the sort of thing the leader is supposed to do.’
“Today… is really our last stage.”
Some were trembling slightly.
Others tapped their feet while trying to steady themselves.
“Since it’s our last one, let’s give it everything we’ve got and leave no regrets!”
I stretched my hand forward.
One by one, the others stacked their hands on top of mine.
“Good!”
“You’ve all worked hard.”
“Let’s definitely debut!”
“Don’t be scared—let’s destroy it!”
Each voice layered over the next, making the circle feel stronger and stronger.
“Alright! One, two, three!”
“FIGHTING!!”
That shout wasn’t just a slogan.
It was a spark that ignited all the practice, effort, and dreams we had refused to give up.
And in that moment, nobody needed to say it aloud.
We all knew.
Today, we would show everything we had.
“The first performance of the final stage will be… Pizza Team! Pizza Team, please come up now!”
The moment Yoo Haein finished speaking through the speakers, we climbed the metal stairs under the guidance of the staff.
As we walked toward the edge of the stage, dazzling lights poured down all at once.
“WAAAAAAAH!”
“SIWOOO!”
“Rua, OVER HERE!”
The overwhelming roar of cheers made my heart tremble.
‘The final stage that will decide whether I live or die.’
My heartbeat thundered in my ears, and my palms were already slick with sweat.
Waiting for me were massive display screens, rows of cameras, and the final evaluation that would determine my future.
Slowly, I lifted my head and looked toward the audience.
“KYAAAAAAH!”
The sight of waving light sticks and fluttering slogans sent a shiver down my entire body.
‘I can do this.’
It was the final spell I cast upon myself.
“Pizza Team has an incredibly star-studded lineup. Leader, please introduce your team.”
Looking at the harmlessly smiling Yoo Haein, I picked up the microphone.
“Three, two, one! Hello, we are–”
At the cue, all the team members bowed together.
Ding.
—
[Please choose one of the following three answers.]
- We’re Pizza Team, perfectly baked just like a real pizza! Every topping was prepared with care, so please enjoy our performance deliciously!
- We’re Pizza Team, ready to show everything we’ve prepared, packed as hot and full as a pizza! Please enjoy our stage!
- We’re Pizza Team—you’ll be hooked after just one slice! Please watch us kindly!
—
‘What’s this? Why are all the options normal for once?’
[Because it’s the finals, obviously. You should approach the stage seriously.]
‘Has the System finally come to its senses?’
Still, after hearing nothing but ridiculous answers all this time, seeing normal choices somehow left me feeling oddly disappointed.
“We’re Pizza Team, ready to show everything we’ve prepared, packed as hot and full as a pizza! Please enjoy our stage!”
“KYAAAAAAH!”
“PIZZA TEAM!!!”
Without exaggeration, it was the loudest cheer I had heard so far.
‘Is it because there are more people? It feels even more overwhelming.’
“A hot pizza! that introduction is memorable and unique! Pizza Team, please begin your performance now!”
The stage lights went out all at once.
‘Phew… Let’s just do as well as we practiced.’
As the signal for the music arrived, the atmosphere on stage became taut and solid.
The instant the first beat dropped, my heart began pounding in sync with the pulse of the stage.
‘I can do this!’
Now there was only one thing left to do.
Show them.
Show them why I had come this far.
☆☆☆
“Holy shit!!!”
Even during the final live broadcast, Miss Park had managed to secure a seat in the audience, and she instinctively covered her mouth with both hands.
‘That’s a girl-group song, isn’t it?’
Everyone had expected them to perform a top-tier boy-group song for the final stage.
Their expectations had been completely shattered.
As the opening of a girl-group song known for its sexy yet powerful choreography flowed from the speakers, the audience became noticeably restless.
“Huh? Isn’t this a song by Hera?”
“Why would they choose a girl-group song for the final stage?”
Miss Park was equally confused.
But the moment the stage lights came on, she completely forgot her questions.
Because her favorite contestant was standing in the center of the stage, staring forward with a fierce gaze.
“KYAAAAAAH! SIWOO!”
His tight black outfit accented with vivid red details looked undeniably sensual and sexy at a glance.
‘Wait… my boy is the center?!’
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