The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 67

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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 67
I couldn’t stand the Broadcasting Station’s behavior.
No matter what I say here, they’ll twist it into a negative edit anyway, but that doesn’t mean I’ll just sit back and take it.
“Honestly, participating in Star picking5 was the first time in a long while that I received pure affection from someone.”
In fact, it was the first time I’d felt such affection since childhood.
“It was thanks to the precious love from fans who supported me from beginning to end that I could achieve such a high ranking as 10th place.”
“…Yes, that’s true,”
“Just because my ranking dropped doesn’t mean the fans’ love has changed. I’m simply grateful for their overwhelming affection and the precious emotions they’ve given me.”
“…!”
“I’d like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all the fans. Though I have much to improve, I promise to do my best until the very end!”
I bowed respectfully at a ninety-degree angle toward the camera doing the close-up.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
As I lifted my head at the sound of applause echoing through the filming studio, I saw the trainees with reddened eyes clapping enthusiastically.
‘I’m sure those guys felt something similar.’
After all, no one can remain unmoved by pure affection directed at them.
“That was quite touching. Trainee Cha Si-woo, please go sit in seat number 10.”
“Yes!”
‘I got through the editing safely.’
If they were determined to create a negative edit, I could block it in advance by answering preemptively.
Once I sat in seat 10, the ranking announcement continued.
The guys who’d eaten chicken with me took their seats one by one next to me.
‘The benefit seems to have affected the rankings more than I expected.’
The rankings of those who’d eaten chicken with me had all dropped overall.
“Now we’ll announce the trainee who achieved 1st place!”
While I kept my lips curved upward like an applause bot, the moment announcing 1st place finally arrived.
‘I wonder who’ll be first this time?’
“Congratulations. The final 1st place in this ranking announcement goes to Trainee Kim Sun-yu!”
‘Oh…!’
The career trainee had reclaimed 1st place.
Compared to 2nd place, it was a difference of 4.5 million votes.
‘If I hadn’t received 5 million votes from the benefit, the rankings would’ve flipped. These two are really neck and neck.’
Indeed, a one-on-one battle between a career trainee and a 10-million-follower influencer was entertaining to watch from a third-party perspective.
Kim Sun-yu seemed delighted by the victory, breaking into a wide smile.
Kim Sun-yu delivered touching remarks as if all the time endured so far had burst out in that single moment.
After that, the microphone was passed to Yoo Ho-seung, who placed 2nd.
‘This time neither of them cried?’
“Trainee Yoo Ho-seung. You’ve placed 2nd this time. Aren’t you upset about losing 1st place?”
It was obviously a provocative comment, but Yoo Ho-seung simply offered a pure smile.
“No, I’m not upset. Actually, I’m happy too!”
‘…Could he be copying me right now?’
As I struggled to maintain my composure despite the absurdity of it all, Yoo Ho-seung glanced at me once before turning his gaze back to the camera.
“Your comment reminds me of what one of the trainees said when they gave their thoughts on ranking tenth. Would you mind if I asked why?”
“When I became a team with the hyungs this time, I realized clearly what truly matters to me.”
“…!”
“I’m happy because there are fans who always believe in me and cheer me on. I want to sincerely thank the fans for helping me move forward toward my dreams.”
“That’s quite touching.”
“Oh, and one last thing—thank you too, Si-woo hyung and Chan hyung!”
‘The more I see him, the more impressive he becomes.’
“Then the two trainees, please move to the first and second place seats!”
I was clapping warmly as I watched Yoo Ho-seung move to his new position.
‘Huh? What’s this?’
Kang Chan’s ears, sitting beside me, had turned bright red.
‘Is he embarrassed right now?’
Until Kim Sun-yu and Yoo Ho-seung sat in the first and second place chairs, I became a clapping machine and gave my best reaction.
As the camera that had persistently filmed the two of them pulled back, the stage lights suddenly began to dim gradually.
Soft yet tension-filled music began to play, and Yu Hae-in picked up the microphone.
“Now, for the final announcement—the trainee who survives in twentieth place!”
‘One survivor out of the final eleven.’
Whoever it is, if they appear on screen one more time, it will be a significant opportunity for that trainee.
Three trainees with anxious expressions appeared on the screen.
“The twentieth place trainee is…!”
After Yu Hae-in dragged out the tension for about ten minutes, he finally delivered the verdict.
“Congratulations! The trainee who has ultimately survived is Hong Ryu-han!”
“Waaaaaah!”
“Ah….”
The fates of the three trainees diverged sharply.
‘But that person… keeps managing to stay just above the cut-off line.’
Since this trainee had always survived by the narrowest of margins, they remained particularly memorable.
“Hong Ryu-han, please move to seat number twenty. The remaining trainees may head home!”
As the Star picking5 closing music flowed through the speakers, the trainees remaining in the waiting area began to shed tears.
‘They’ve come this far, so they must feel quite regretful.’
Watching the trainees’ faces full of longing, the closing music sounded particularly cruel today.
 ***
“Congratulations to all twenty trainees who have made it to the final round!”
As a third of the trainees vanished in one fell swoop, the Filming Location fell into an oppressive silence.
“You’ve all worked incredibly hard to reach this point. Now, only one final mission stands between you and your debut.”
The word “final” jolted me awake in an instant.
‘I absolutely have to debut here.’
Ding.
[Sub Quest (10): Achieve your final debut on the Final Stage. Upon success, rewards will be distributed according to your ranking. Upon failure, you will die.]
‘Phew… I’ve finally made it this far.’
After progressing through ten sub quests, debut was now within arm’s reach.
‘I must succeed.’
“Now, for the next mission…”
As tense music swelled through the air, the camera methodically swept across each trainee’s face.
“Before we begin, let’s have lunch first!”
“…Pardon?”
The unexpected deflation of tension instantly transformed the atmosphere.
“I can see you’re all quite nervous right now. Since you’ve all made the top twenty, let’s throw a celebration party!”
“Really?”
“We’ve prepared plenty of delicious food that I’m sure you’ll all love!”
“Yes!!”
At the mention of food, the trainees’ expressions brightened visibly, a stark contrast to moments before.
The atmosphere ignited in an instant.
‘There’s no resisting food, is there?’
Not a single trainee here could resist the prospect of a party with delicious food.
‘Besides, I was getting hungry anyway.’
“Everyone, please move to the Cafeteria now.”
“Yes!”
Following the Staff Member’s guidance, we made our way to the Cafeteria.
As we moved, the PD briefed us quickly.
“The food we received sponsorship for is all gathered in the Cafeteria, so please enjoy it as much as you can!”
‘I knew something was off about suddenly holding a party we’ve never done before.’
The Production Team had clearly gotten their hands on some serious money.
“Please eat comfortably while giving positive comments for the evaluation!”
“Yes!”
Despite the product placement, the trainees’ expressions remained bright at the prospect of food.
As we drew closer to the Cafeteria, a sweet and savory aroma drifted through the air.
“Wow…! That smells incredible.”
“I want to go in right now!”
The moment the Staff Member confirmed all trainees had gathered and boldly opened the door—
“Wooooow!”
“Insane!!!”
“Can we really eat all of this?”
Following the excited trainees’ gaze, I turned to look at the Dining Table, where food was piled high across its expansive surface.
“Of course. Everyone, please enjoy the party!”
Chicken, pizza, hamburgers, and bento boxes—a menu that anyone would inevitably crave—were displayed in generous abundance.
‘All of it’s branded food from a Large Conglomerate Subsidiary.’
With the Final Stage just around the corner, seeing such blatant advertising made it clear that the capital backing of a Large Conglomerate truly was exceptional.
“I’m going for the hamburger!”
“Chicken for me!”
The sight of the trainees rushing forward like wild animals with their reins cut loose was quite impressive.
‘They’re absolute beasts.’
Watching the food dwindle, I quickened my pace as well.
‘Let’s start with pizza.’
Normally I would have grabbed chicken, but today was different.
Perhaps because I’d eaten chicken yesterday, I simply didn’t crave it today.
So I boldly changed course toward the pizza.
‘Once it cools, the cheese hardens, so I need to eat it while it’s still warm.’
The pizza rising with steam was a combination variety with generous toppings.
‘Considering heat loss relative to surface area, pizza loses heat the fastest, so this is the most rational choice.’
“Let’s eat!”
With Yu Hae-in seated at the head of the Dining Table, the trainees’ eating broadcast began in earnest.
As I pulled the pizza with one hand, the cheese stretched out in a long strand.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve properly greased my stomach.’
I was savoring the pizza’s taste earnestly when it happened.
“How is it? Does it taste good?”
At the sudden voice, I lifted my head to find Yu Hae-in wearing a harmless smile.
‘Since it’s product placement, I should give the answer he wants.’
In response to Yu Hae-in’s question, I quickly swallowed the pizza in my mouth.
“Yes. First, the dough is chewy with an excellent texture. The cheese flavor is savory, and with generous toppings, it has wonderful umami and deep flavor.”
“Trainee Cha Si-woo, you’re quite the gourmet. Your expression is excellent.”
“Thank you.”
“Indeed, Do Re Mi Fa Sol Pizza is the best!”
Yu Hae-in, having mentioned the brand he was promoting, turned his gaze away with a satisfied smile.
This time, Yu Hae-in approached Seo Ha-yul, who was earnestly eating a hamburger beside me.
“Trainee Seo Ha-yul, how’s the hamburger?”
“…Yes! It’s delicious!”
“That’s good. Eat plenty.”
As I watched Yu Hae-in exchange questions and answers with the trainees several more times, I finished eating all varieties of food satisfyingly.
“Everyone, was the food delicious?”
“Yes!!!”
A louder voice than before echoed through the Cafeteria.
The trainees looked genuinely happy—their expressions made it clear they’d enjoyed the meal.
“That’s a relief. Everyone seems to be in good spirits.”
“We’re thrilled!”
“Well then, let’s maintain this positive atmosphere and reveal the theme for the Final Stage mission.”
‘Out of nowhere?’
Though I was caught off guard, everyone’s nerves had eased considerably now that our stomachs were full and satisfied.
“The theme is complete creative freedom!”
“Wow!”
Given a free-choice theme for the first time, the trainees’ faces brightened even further.
“Since this is your final stage, I want you to showcase your creativity and present the performance you’re most confident about.”
‘Why did the Production Team suddenly decide to give us creative freedom?’
It definitely wasn’t out of trust in us.
‘Have they really run out of ideas by the time we’ve reached Season 5?’

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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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