The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 73

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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 73
From the moment they became a team, the two had rapidly grown close, displaying the comfortable chemistry of same-aged peers.
After exchanging a high-five, Rua stepped down, and Kim Sun-yu took his place on stage.
“Kim Sun-yu, please read the rolling paper messages.”
“Kind-hearted, performs well as a leader, versatile, good personality, you’re my second priority in life…?”
After finally reading all twenty messages, Kim Sun-yu pointed to one without hesitation.
“My best message is ‘you’re my second priority in life.'”
“The trainee who wrote that message, please come up on stage.”
“Yes.”
As I made my way to the stage, Kim Sun-yu’s expression looked quite satisfied.
‘What’s this? Did he choose it knowing I wrote it?’
“Si-woo, that message was touching.”
“Ha ha. I’m glad you liked it.”
As Kim Sun-yu descended with a pleased smile, Park Chae-young picked up the microphone.
“Cha Si-woo.”
“Yes?”
“I’m personally curious—why is Kim Sun-yu your second priority?”
In an instant, every trainee’s gaze fixed on me.
Among them, a few looked at me with rather sharp eyes.
‘…?’
“Personally, I’m grateful to him for many things, so I ranked him second.”
“I see. Then who’s first?”
“My younger sibling.”
The answer came without a moment’s hesitation, surprising even myself.
“Understood. Then please continue reading the rolling paper.”
“Yes.”
On the white paper with my profile photo were various messages—some in neat handwriting, others in messy scrawls.
“Mature, cool and manly, sings well, likes Heart Ping, has a unique personality, fun, good at running….”
As expected, the rolling paper was filled only with compliments, clearly mindful of the broadcast.
“Which message did you choose, Cha Si-woo?”
“My best message is ‘cool and manly.'”
‘After all, being cool is the best thing in the world.’
Park Chae-young’s expression showed clear bewilderment at the unexpected choice.
“Ah…. Yes! The trainee whose message was chosen, please come up on stage.”
Kang Chan strode confidently onto the stage.
‘So it was you.’
It seemed Kang Chan had a good eye for people after all.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
The moment I descended from the stage, a deep baritone voice resonated through the speakers.
“He dances well, he has a quiet charm, he possesses exceptional dancing skills, Kang Chan is a tsundere….”
The rolling paper was overwhelmingly filled with praise about his dancing.
“I’ll go with [Kang Chan is a tsundere].”
“…!”
At Kang Chan’s unexpected choice, the surroundings suddenly erupted in commotion.
‘Why…? Kang Chan really is a tsundere though.’
As I was puzzled, I saw Yoo Ho-seung stepping onto the stage.
“You really think that?”
“Yes, of course!”
At Yoo Ho-seung’s bright response, Kang Chan’s ears turned bright red.
‘Those two have gotten really close.’
As the warm atmosphere continued, the final reserve footage shoot finally came to an end.
☆☆☆
“Welcome to the final broadcast of Star picking5, airing live!”
‘I’ve finally made it here.’
As I recalled the time I’d spent running toward this moment, my emotions felt fresh and new.
Today it would be decided for certain.
My fate—life or death.
“Waaaaaah!”
“Kyaaaa!”
The audience seating erupted in cheers at Yu Hae-in’s entrance in a well-pressed navy suit.
His neatly adjusted tie showed not a hint of disorder, and the watch gleaming subtly at his wrist added an air of authority with his every movement.
“We will now officially begin the final broadcast of ‘Star picking5’!”
“Yes!”
“The live broadcast will be divided into three parts, and at the end, we will announce the trainee who will finally debut.”
The final broadcast, conducted live, had been prepared on a record-breaking scale.
This was because Season 5 had achieved the highest viewership ratings of the entire series so far.
‘I knew the popularity was skyrocketing, but I didn’t expect it to hit the highest point of the season.’
‘Star picking5’, which everyone had said would fail at first, seemed to mock that prediction—the viewership rating had surpassed a remarkable 12%.
The number of audience members I could see was also the largest I’d witnessed so far.
“First, in Part 1, we will have the final competition stage performances by trainees divided into four teams.”
“Kyaaaa!”
“Si-woo!!!”
“Ho-seung!!”
“Sun-yu!”
Passionate cheers for their favorites poured out without restraint.
My name also rang out among the cheers.
‘No matter how many times I hear it, the feeling is always strange.’
“The first team to showcase their stage on the ‘Star picking5’ Final Stage, which will determine the debut—who could it be? Let’s see right now!”
The lights on the stage dimmed, and only the large screen shone brightly.
The scene of determining the Final Stage order through the large display screen was quickly edited and aired.
For reference, the stage order had been decided through rock-paper-scissors, with the Team Representative going out as the representative.
[Rock, paper, scissors!]
‘I’ve felt this for a while now, but it seems I have quite a talent for rock-paper-scissors.’
Thanks to sweeping the first round with scissors, the footage of me being able to determine the order first was edited and broadcast.
‘The first slot in the Final Stage is definitely advantageous.’
The last live broadcast had Internet voting and real-time voting running simultaneously until Part 1 ended.
Because of this, showing a high-impact performance from the start was advantageous to receive even one more vote.
‘The last slot is the worst.’
The fourth slot was disadvantageous for receiving votes since voting would close less than 10 minutes after the performance.
Judging that receiving more votes by performing early was better, I boldly called out the first slot.
After all the teams’ orders were determined, the pre-recorded practice process of our team was edited and aired.
Perhaps because it was last, or perhaps they were mindful of public opinion, but fortunately we didn’t receive any malicious editing this time.
[Please look forward to our performance!]
After enough footage of the practice process to stimulate curiosity was shown, the large display screen went dark.
It meant all the buildup was over.
“Pizza Team, the Main Stage will begin shortly. We’re sending you out right now!”
“Yes!”
As the first slot, we had been waiting in the space behind the stage, and at the Staff Member’s signal, we completed our final checks.
‘Should I do that before going on stage?’
After a brief moment of consideration, I opened my mouth while looking at my teammates’ expressions filled with tension.
“Everyone, gather for a moment!”
“Yes!”
“Right.”
“Yes!”
At my gesture, my teammates formed a circle close enough to feel each other’s breath.
‘This is something the leader should do anyway.’
“Today… this is really our final performance.”
Some trembled their hands, others tapped their toes as they steadied their hearts.
“Since it’s the last one, let’s do our absolute best without any regrets!”
As I extended my hand forward, one by one, my teammates’ hands stacked on top of mine.
“Good!”
“You’ve all worked so hard until now.”
“Let’s definitely debut!”
“Don’t be afraid—let’s destroy it all!”
Each voice layered upon the last, and the circle grew steadily stronger.
“Alright! One, two, three!”
“Fighting!!”
That cry was not merely a chant, but a spark that ignited all the practice we had done and the dreams we could not abandon in a single moment.
And in that instant, everyone understood without needing to say a word.
I was going to show everything on this stage today.
“The first performance of the Final Stage is… the Pizza Team! Pizza Team, please come up right now!”
The moment Yu Hae-in’s voice through the speaker faded, I climbed the metal stairs following the Staff Member’s guidance.
As I walked toward the edge of the stage, blinding lights poured down all at once.
“Wooooow!”
“Si-woo!!!”
“Rua, over here!”
My heart trembled at the roaring cheers so intense they were almost scorching.
‘This is the final stage that will determine my fate.’
My heartbeat thundered in my ears, and my palms were already drenched with sweat.
Waiting for me were the massive LED screens and rows of cameras. And beyond this stage lay the final evaluation that would define my entire life.
I slowly lifted my gaze toward the audience seating.
“Kyaaaaa!”
The moment I saw the sea of light sticks and banners waving before my eyes, a chill ran through my entire body.
‘I can do this.’
It was the final spell I cast upon myself.
“The Pizza Team certainly has a dazzling lineup. Leader, would you please introduce the team?”
Watching Yu Hae-in smile harmlessly, I picked up the microphone.
“Three, two, one, hello! We are…”
In sync with the chant, my teammates bowed their heads together.
Ding.
[Please choose one of three answers to the question.]
A. We’re the Pizza Team, perfectly baked just like real pizza. Every topping is crafted with care, so please enjoy our stage deliciously!
B. We’re the Pizza Team, filling everything we’ve prepared so far with heat like a pizza! Please enjoy today’s stage deliciously!
C. We’re the Pizza Team—one slice and you’ll be hooked! Please look upon us kindly!
‘When did we get only normal answers?’
[Well, it’s the Finals after all. We need to approach the stage seriously.]
‘Has the System finally come to its senses?’
Still, after always spouting ridiculous answers, seeing normal options now left me feeling oddly disappointed.
“We’re the Pizza Team, filling everything we’ve prepared so far with heat like a pizza! Please enjoy today’s stage deliciously!”
“Kyaaaaa!”
“Pizza Team!!!”
Without question, it was the loudest cheer I’d heard yet.
‘Is it because there are more people? It feels more overwhelming.’
“A hot pizza—what a vivid and distinctive introduction! Pizza Team, please begin your performance right now!”
All the lights on stage went out at once.
‘Alright… just do what I’ve practiced.’
The moment the music cue came, the air on stage solidified.
As the first beat dropped, my heart began to pulse in sync with the stage’s heartbeat.
‘I can do this!’
Now there was only one thing left to do—show them why I came this far.
Show them everything I’ve sacrificed to reach this stage.
☆☆☆
“This is insane!!!”
Park Mo, who had managed to secure a seat in the audience seating for this final live broadcast, could only throw her hands up and cover her mouth in shock.
‘That’s a girl group song?’
Everyone’s expectations that he’d perform a top-tier male idol song for his final stage had been spectacularly shattered.
As the sultry yet powerful opening of the girl group track—one with captivating choreography—poured through the speakers, the atmosphere around the audience grew noticeably turbulent.
“Wait… isn’t that a Hera song?”
“Why would he choose a girl group song for his final stage?”
Park Mo shared the confusion, but the moment the stage lights illuminated, all doubt vanished from her mind.
Her bias stood at the center of the stage, his gaze burning with intensity.
“Kyaaaaa! Si-woo!”
The black outfit clung to him perfectly, accented with striking red details that were undeniably sensual and captivating.
‘Is my boy… the center right now?!’

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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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