The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 50

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 50
“Perfect!”
As if he’d been waiting for this moment, Kim Sun-yu’s expression brightened instantly.
“Let’s head to the nearest digital billboard from here.”
I pulled up a map to check—Hapjeong Station was within walking distance.
By the time we finally arrived at Hapjeong Station, we couldn’t help but stop dead in our tracks before even reaching the billboard.
“…Is this even possible?”
Kim Sun-yu’s voice trembled noticeably, his eyes wide open.
‘Seriously, is this real?’
“We’re not seeing this wrong, are we?”
“Probably not?”
“…Ha.”
In that brief moment, word had spread across social media—professional cameras were already lined up in front of the Hapjeong Station billboard.
‘How did people gather this fast?’
“Kyaaaa! They’re here!”
“Kim Sun-yu!!!”
“Si-woo! Look over here!”
Snapping back to reality at the sound of delighted fans, we exchanged knowing glances.
“Actually, this works out well.”
“…What?”
“Why not just enjoy this moment?”
In an instant, Kim Sun-yu’s lips curved upward, and a radiant smile spread across his face.
“You’re right. We’ll definitely get some promotion out of this.”
As Kim Sun-yu and I stood side by side in front of the billboard, camera shutters began clicking from all directions.
I bowed deeply at ninety degrees toward the cheering fans.
“Hello everyone! Thank you so much for welcoming us like this!”
“Kyaaaa!”
“How did you all know to gather here so early in the morning?”
Kim Sun-yu, wearing a gentle smile, continued with practiced ease, his experience showing.
“We saw the SNS notification that you two were trending and rushed right out!”
“Of course I had to come when I heard you were here!”
“Si-woo! Please debut for sure!”
Waves of encouragement poured in from every direction at once.
‘So many people supporting us like this… I’m truly grateful.’
Though I’d reluctantly joined this audition program to save my younger sibling, every time I received the pure affection and support of the fans, my heart swelled with emotion.
“Thank you!”
“We promise to do our very best and make our debut!”
“That’s right!”
“Woooow!”
We struck the poses the fans requested, taking a brief photo session with them.
Since the main commute time was approaching, I quickly took a verification photo to avoid being a nuisance.
Thanks to Kim Sun-yu’s skillful coordination, the unexpected encounter with fans concluded successfully.
☆☆☆
‘Is this really how you’re supposed to use DalStagram?’
To survive this Quest, I had to place in the top seven no matter what.
So, to actively promote myself, I created an SNS account for the first time in my life.
‘I’ve only ever researched DalStagram before—this is my first time actually signing up.’
The registration process went smoothly.
The problem was that staring at the blank white screen with zero followers left me quite bewildered about what to do next.
‘Hmm… should I at least upload some photos?’
After lurking on Yoo Ho-seung’s account and getting a rough feel for it, I quickly began composing my first post.
[Photo]X6
Today I toured the digital billboard that fans prepared with Sunyu hyung!
I sincerely thank all the National Directors who always support us.
@Sunyu_123
#VerificationShot #Starpicking5 #ChaShiWoo #DebutNow
‘Will this be enough?’
For things I wasn’t sure about, I could learn by doing.
The caption felt a bit short, so I considered adding more, but looking at Yoo Ho-seung’s posts, they were all pretty brief.
‘This should be right. Let me post it.’
The moment I hit the share button.
Countless hearts poured in, and my follower count, which had been zero, began skyrocketing exponentially.
‘…Is this normally how it works?’
Watching the follower count climb, I felt confident that I’d done it right.
‘I should ask Yoo Ho-seung about this later.’
“Guardians, we’re beginning ICU visitation now.”
“Yes!”
Right on cue, I silenced my phone’s persistent alarm at the Nurse’s voice.
Before entering the ICU, I washed my hands, underwent disinfection, and put on disposable protective equipment before I could finally step through the door.
With each step deeper into the ICU, a cold and heavy atmosphere brushed against my face.
The acrid smell of disinfectant pricked my nostrils, and the sound of machines filled the space relentlessly.
When I opened the curtain with the familiar number, there was Cha Si-hyun in a motionless state, simply breathing heavily.
“Cha Si-hyun, it’s been a while. How have you been?”
Beep, beep, beep—
Instead of a response, the steady rhythm of the heart monitor sounded like a small pulse holding onto his life.
“I’ve been doing well. I’ve adapted to the survival show better than expected, and my rankings are stable.”
“…”
“I’ll definitely succeed in the Quest and get you better.”
“…”
“I can’t visit as often as before, but I’ll come whenever I have time, so please understand.”
“…”
“Tell me about your work, hyung. Where I’m staying now, there are kids who remind me of you.”
‘That’s why I think of you so often.’
“If you hadn’t gotten sick, you’d be chasing your dreams just like kids your age, wouldn’t you?”
“…”
“Our Si-hyun will definitely recover because of hyung, so don’t worry and stay strong!”
As I recounted the events from the filming location one by one, the thirty-minute visitation time slipped away in an instant.
“Guardians, visiting hours are now over. Please exit.”
It was just as I was saying goodbye at the Nurse’s words.
Click.
“…?”
At the familiar shutter sound, I turned my head toward where the noise came from, but there was no one there.
‘What was that? Did I mishear?’
As I looked around in confusion, a Nurse approached from a distance.
“Guardian of Cha Si-hyun, is there a problem?”
“Oh… No, there isn’t.”
“Alright. If there’s no issue, visiting hours have ended, so we’d appreciate your cooperation. Could you please leave now?”
“I apologize. I’ll leave right away.”
I quickened my pace as I watched a Doctor hurrying into the ICU.
It seemed an emergency patient had arrived.
‘I should get out of the way quickly. I’ll come back tomorrow anyway.’
Just before the ICU door closed, I turned my head to take one last look at Cha Si-hyun’s face.
‘Why do I always feel such longing, no matter how many times I see him.’
My heart ached at the fact that right now, all I could do for Cha Si-hyun was complete Quests.
‘I wish I could have been sick instead.’
☆☆☆
I don’t understand why days off seem to pass even faster.
On Friday evening, the day Episode 7 would air, I was thoroughly armed as I prepared to visit a Cafe.
This was because I’d learned that a Support Cafe dedicated to Roommez and Vocalz was currently operating.
‘I somewhat expected it, but Seo Ha-yul and Rua really got paired up properly.’
Due to the nature of Idol Survival, where groups debut together, fans tend to hope their favorite trainee debuts alongside someone they have good chemistry with.
Since Seo Ha-yul, who had been paired with me from the beginning through Heart Ping and rooming together, and Rua, who frequently stuck around, were viewed as having great chemistry, a Support Cafe in Seongsu-dong opened up where our three were bundled together and supported collectively.
‘Actually, the fans get along pretty well with each other too.’
Of course, excluding a small number of toxic ones.
With the ranking announcement approaching, I sent a group chat message right after the team battle survival ended to help each other out.
Since our schedules aligned precisely on Friday, we’d already arranged to meet in front of the Support Cafe in the evening.
‘We’ll take verification photos at the Cafe, and then watch the live broadcast of Star picking5 Episode 7 together at night—that’ll be perfect.’
Whoooosh—
Right on cue, a familiar announcement chimed, and the sound of metal wheels scraping against rails grew louder, filling the Tunnel.
[A train is now arriving. Please step back behind the safety line.]
As the compressed wind rushed ahead and brushed against my hair, I grabbed my hat before it could fly away.
This time, I’d completely hidden my face with a mask, glasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Thoroughly disguised as I was, fortunately no one recognized me.
Whoooosh— screeeech—
With a deep rumble that shook the ground below, the sharp braking sound of the train pierced the air as the vehicle pulled into the Platform.
Once aboard the subway, I made my way to the quietest corner I could find.
The train rushed toward Seongsu Station at a steady pace.
‘Honestly, I can’t bring myself to take a Taxi.’
I’d attempted it a few times as my recognition grew, but the mere sight of a Taxi planted vivid, searing images of the accident in my mind.
It seemed the trauma from my death had manifested into full-blown PTSD.
In fact, just before boarding the subway today, I’d steeled myself and even tried to grab the handle of a Taxi.
In that instant, my heart raced as if I’d slammed on the accelerator, and I felt a noose tightening around my throat.
A sharp, piercing sound echoed in my ears like a hallucination, so I immediately let go and abandoned the attempt.
‘At least it’s only Taxis that trigger this reaction?’
While the sight of a Taxi made me feel sick, Buses and other vehicles posed no problem when I rode them.
‘I just need to be careful until my debut.’
Once I debuted, I’d have a dedicated manager and company vehicle, so taking a Taxi would become extremely rare.
‘Once I get paid, I could even buy a used car and drive that around.’
Before I knew it, the subway had arrived at Seongsu Station.
‘That was faster than expected.’
I navigated through the crowds while keeping my eyes on the map on my phone.
It was when I finally arrived near the Support Cafe in Seongsu-dong.
Ding. Ding.
The yellow group chat window on my phone screen was buzzing frantically.
[Seo Ha-yul: I’m all here. Are the hyungs coming?]
[Rua: Yes. Parking.]
[I’m here too. Arriving soon.]
After replying to the messages, I found myself unable to step any closer to the Cafe and had to stop in my tracks.
From the front entrance of the Cafe, an endless line stretched out before my eyes.
‘What? Why are there so many people?’
People stood single-file along the narrow sidewalk, and the line snaked and twisted all the way down the alley.
‘Don’t Cafes usually get crowded in the morning or afternoon?’
Even though it was well past dinner time, the waiting line showed no signs of ending.
People stood waiting, some scrolling through their phones, others chatting and laughing.
‘They all look so excited.’
The fact that complete strangers were standing in line like this just to support me sent a wave of warmth rising from deep within my chest.
‘But where the hell are those guys?’
I tapped the group chat window on my phone again.
[I’m here, but the line is so long I can’t get in?]
The previously noisy group chat fell silent in an instant.
‘What’s going on? Should I just stand in line for now?’
I had stopped at the very back of the waiting queue.
“Kyaaaah!”
“Seo Ha-yul!”
“Seo Ha-yul!!!”
‘…Oh no.’
At the source of the screams stood a distinctive shock of gray hair, surrounded by a throng of people.
Seo Ha-yul, caught between a rock and a hard place with his ears flushed crimson, wore an awkward smile on his face.
“Rua!!!”
“Your Highness!!”
“Ha-ha!”
On the opposite side, a cascade of shimmering blonde hair was surrounded by admirers, and the owner of that hair was grinning brightly, clearly relishing the attention.
‘So both of them were hopeless after all.’
Shouldn’t they at least make some minimal effort to cover their faces?
‘They’re basically advertising themselves openly.’
Watching these two walk into the Support Cafe in full makeup without a shred of discretion made me sigh involuntarily.
‘Should I just slip away?’
I was caught between abandoning them in this awkward situation or stepping in to help.
“Hey! Cha Si-woo!”
I lifted my head at the unusually bright voice calling out today.
‘…This guy!’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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