The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol Chapter 84

Chapter 84

 

“Schedule” was enough to make the members stop touring the dorm and gather back at the entrance.

“Tomorrow, we’ll leave for the salon at 6 a.m. We have a commercial shoot at 10 a.m., and an interview scheduled for 9 p.m.”

Even though we hadn’t officially debuted yet, our schedule was already packed thanks to our high level of recognition.

“Hey, Manager! Then, when do we prepare for the new song?”

“Hmm… You’ll probably have to work on it whenever there’s free time in between. Your schedule is going to be pretty tight for a while.”

‘I expected as much, but the company really isn’t planning to give us separate practice time.’

Being an idol truly wasn’t an easy profession.

“Okay.”

Having already been tempered by the murderous schedule of the survival show, the members simply nodded with smiles as if this much was nothing.

‘The kids are tougher than I thought…?’

“Then I’ll come pick you up at 6 a.m. tomorrow. I’m staying at a nearby accommodation, so if anything happens, feel free to call me anytime.”

After exchanging phone numbers, the manager quickly left the dorm.

“Let’s split up the rooms first!”

“Let’s decide on roommates!”

The members began shouting in the living room, excited about living together.

‘This should make good content.’

There would probably be enough material for at least one episode.

“Shall we?”

Apparently thinking the same thing, Kim Sunyoo stopped in the middle of the living room with a gentle smile.

“How should we decide roommates?”

Everyone naturally gathered in the center of the room.

No one had even unpacked their bags yet.

Someone’s suitcase lay half-open on the floor.

‘If we’re thinking about variety content, that method is probably best.’

“How about leaving it to luck and drawing lots?”

It was the simplest method and probably the one that would generate the fewest complaints.

The members immediately reacted with excitement.

“Wow, that sounds fun!”

“It’s completely luck-based!”

“I’m in!”

If idols who hadn’t even debuted yet chose roommates based on existing friendships, it could easily become controversial.

As a group, teamwork was important, so even the slightest source of gossip needed to be avoided.

Especially because right now, individual fans vastly outnumber team fans.

This was probably the best way to avoid giving people any reason to create divisions.

‘If we show good chemistry among the members, the fans will naturally unite, right?’

It was an unavoidable fate when living as a team rather than as individuals.

Fortunately, whether they understood that or were simply excited about dorm life, everyone eagerly agreed.

Taking out a piece of paper from his bag, Kim Sunyoo tore it into pieces and started writing numbers.

“Numbers 1 and 2 are the Sun Room.”

For reference, each of the three rooms already had names written on plaques outside their doors.

The names were a little cute.

I had a feeling they’d been chosen with varied content in mind.

“3 and 4 are the Moon Room. 5 and 6 are the Star Room.”

“Okay.”

“Sounds good.”

“Since I made the slips, I’ll draw last to keep it fair. Who wants to go first?”

“Me!”

Rua immediately raised his hand.

“Alright. Rua goes first.”

As Rua stood before the camera, Kim Sunyoo vigorously shook the folded slips.

Rustle. Rustle.

The sound of paper brushing together echoed through the room.

Amid the surprisingly tense atmosphere, Rua picked up the first folded slip.

“I got number 1.”

“Oh!”

“Sun Room!”

The members gave enthusiastic reactions.

‘No matter what happens, I absolutely cannot draw number 2.’

It wasn’t that I disliked Rua.

As a person, he was one of the most impressive and admirable teammates.

But instinct told me something.

‘If I end up sharing a room with him, he’ll definitely bother me nonstop.’

My survival instincts were sounding the alarm.

Conscious of the camera’s red recording light, I applauded enthusiastically as well.

“Who wants to draw next?”

“I will!”

It was advantageous to go early in situations like this.

“Alright. Siwoo, want to draw?”

“Yes.”

I slowly got up and approached the camera.

As the cool texture of the paper brushed my fingertips, I instinctively picked the folded slip that felt right.

‘Please… just not number 2.’

My heart was pounding like crazy over something so trivial.

“Let’s see…!”

“What number did Siwoo get?”

Slowly unfolding the paper, I saw a neatly written number.

‘Damn.’

“Huh? Siwoo got number 2.”

Kim Sunyoo’s eyes widened before he burst out laughing.

“Wow, Siwoo! We’re in the same room!”

“Siwoo-hyung is officially in the Sun Room!”

Everyone except me seemed delighted with the roommate results.

Especially Rua.

He looked incredibly happy.

‘…Please just let me sleep.’

“Who wants to draw next?”

“Me!”

It was Yoo Hoseung.

“Maknae, is there anyone you want to share a room with?”

Thinking about making good broadcast content, Kim Sunyoo tossed out the question.

“To be honest, I think I’d be fine with anyone. But if possible, I’d like someone with similar living habits.”

Yoo Hoseung answered tactfully, avoiding any possibility of controversy.

‘Hoseung would do fine even on variety shows later.’

Personally, after Kim Sunyoo, Yoo Hoseung was the teammate I trusted the most.

“Alright, Hoseung. Want to draw?”

“Yes!”

Kim Sunyoo shuffled the folded slips with flashy hand movements.

“Let’s see…!”

“What number will Hoseung get?”

As everyone watched, Yoo Hoseung finally picked a slip.

“Number 5! Star Room!”

“Wooooah!”

Then Kang Chan drew number 3, and the roommate selection continued.

“Hayul, what number did you get?”

“…I got 6.”

“Then Hayul and Hoseung are officially roommates!”

“Wooooah!”

“The maknae line gets the same room?”

“Congratulations!”

Scratching the back of his head awkwardly, Seo Hayul carefully spoke to Yoo Hoseung.

“Hoseung, take care of me.”

“Yes. Hayul-hyung, let’s get along well!”

Unexpectedly, there was a slight awkwardness between them.

The two youngest members still didn’t seem particularly close.

Watching them, I placed my hands on both of their heads.

“…!”

Then I ruffled them mercilessly.

“Ah! Siwoo-hyung!”

“My hair was styled! It’ll get ruined!”

“Hahahahaha!”

Only now were they showing their true selves.

“You two maknaes, get along.”

“Don’t worry.”

“We’ll be fine. Worry about yourself instead.”

Yeah.

He had a point.

This wasn’t the time for me to be worrying about others.

“Then naturally, I’ll be sharing with Chan since I’m last. Chan, let’s get along from now on.”

“Yes. Sunyoo-hyung, please take care of me.”

“Good. I’m happy to have a chance to get closer to Chan.”

“…Yes.”

Kang Chan’s ears turned bright red.

‘So that settles all the roommates?’

Seo Hayul and Yoo Hoseung got the Star Room.

Kang Chan and Kim Sunyoo got the Moon Room.

With that, the roommate selection was finally complete.

“Is everyone happy with their roommate?”

‘No.’

I swallowed my true feelings and smiled.

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

“Haha. That’s good. But even if someone isn’t satisfied with their roommate, don’t be discouraged. We’ll rotate roommates every month.”

‘Oh yeah!’

Kim Sunyoo truly was the kind of leader you couldn’t help but like.

“Alright. Everyone unpack and get some sleep early. The manager said he’s picking us up at 6 a.m., so don’t stay up too late.”

“Yes!”

Watching the others disperse, I dragged my reluctant feet toward the Sun Room.

“Hey, Siwoo!”

Rua rushed over and happily slung an arm around my shoulders.

“We’re sharing a room! It must be fate!”

“Haha.”

Mindful of the camera filming us, I let him keep his arm there.

Looking at the camera mounted beside the Sun Room door, Rua naturally winked.

“Everyone, let’s open the Sun Room door!”

‘He’s a born entertainer.’

The door swung open boldly.

Immediately, a window in the center of the wall caught my eye.

Light filtered through thin curtains and neatly split the floor in half, making the room feel divided into two distinct spaces.

A bed sat at each end of the room.

There was a small storage cabinet, and the space carried the cautious balance typical of a two-person room.

“Rua-hyung, which side would you like?”

In reality, I was older than him.

But according to our official registered ages, Rua was the older one, so I decided to honor seniority.

“I’ll take the right side!”

“Okay. Then I’ll take the left.”

The direction hardly mattered, so I unpacked my things without complaint.

‘This dorm is nicer than the studio apartment I used to live in.’

Recently remodeled, the room was simple but quite clean.

I carefully unpacked my few belongings from my worn crossbody bag into my new home.

 

☆☆☆

 

“Hey, Siwoo!”

Someone’s desperate voice instantly snapped me awake.

“Wake up already!”

‘When did I fall asleep?’

As my blurry vision came into focus, I saw a blond-haired man relentlessly tickling my toes.

“Ugh.”

“Oh! You’re finally awake?”

‘Can’t you wake me up like a normal person…?’

“Rua-hyung, is it already 6 a.m.?”

Still half asleep, my voice came out hoarse.

For some reason, cold sweat was running down my forehead.

“No?”

“…?”

I turned toward the clock.

It was 4 a.m.

‘That’s way too early. I could still sleep for at least another hour and a half.’

“Then why did you wake me up?”

“Because you kept having nightmares.”

“Me…?”

“Yeah. Didn’t you know?”

I had absolutely no idea.

‘So that’s why I was sweating.’

“No, I didn’t know. Sorry if I woke you up. Was I really noisy?”

“Not really. It’s just that you…”

Rua swallowed his words and shook his head.

“More importantly, want to listen to a song I made?”

“…What?”

‘At this hour?’

“It’s not finished yet. More like a sketch. But I wanted your opinion.”

‘He couldn’t have had much time. When did he make it?’

I already knew Rua was a genius.

But I never expected him to produce a song this quickly.

“Of course. It’s for the team. I’m always happy to help with things like that.”

“Haha. Give it a listen.”

I put on the earphones Rua handed me.

The intro was the sound of wind blowing through lush green trees.

Leaves brushed against one another in the breeze, whispering softly.

Rustle. Rustle.

It almost felt as though I could see young green leaves gently swaying to that sound.

‘The intro already pulls me in.’