The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 74

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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 74
Unable to control my racing heartbeat, Chae’s captivating voice resonated through the speakers.
Your breath seeps into me
Fire in your gaze, burning bright (Burn it up)
Centered around Cha Si-woo, whose intense eyes burned as if he might ignite at any moment, the formation snapped into a perfect V-shape.
‘This stage… it’s dangerous for my heart.’
As his arms extended forward like he was bound in shackles, his body twisting slowly, the surroundings erupted into chaos in an instant.
“Kyaaaaaaah!”
“Ahhhhhhh!”
Countless enchanted screams filled the air, but the stage was only beginning.
Drawing closer, a held breath heartbeat
My secret seeping into you
In the center position Cha Si-woo had vacated, Kim Sun-yu and Rua showcased their choreography together.
‘Wow… they really came prepared.’
There was a reason Yu Hae-in had hinted beforehand that the lineup would be impressive.
The stage quality had already transcended trainee level—it was pure idol caliber.
‘Most importantly, the arrangement is genuinely excellent.’
As a track from a top-tier female idol group, it had high recognition, but the captivating arrangement had already surpassed the original.
The song’s powerful yet addictive nature was more than enough to captivate everyone.
As the chorus finally arrived, Cha Si-woo returned to center stage.
Red shadow, the fire burning within me
Touch me closer, a fate I cannot stop
After intense choreography, the melody suddenly shifted into slow-motion movements.
As his hips twisted with emphasized arm movements and hand gestures, the surroundings erupted in screams once more.
‘Is even his expression really that sexy?’
Park Mo felt an intense heat rising within her, yet her lips curved upward uncontrollably.
In your wavering gaze, I meet your lips
I seep in, into your heart!
‘This is insane. The original is already a high-note girl group song, and they raised the key even higher?’
Watching Chae sing the higher key with flawless smoothness and no change in expression sent shivers down my entire body.
‘Si-woo, you really came fully prepared today!’
The way Chae moved across the stage felt utterly transcendent, like a being from another dimension.
‘It’s as if this song was created for Si-woo from the very beginning.’
It was a performance so near-perfect it couldn’t be called a cover.
As powerful yet elaborate dark-pop choreography that couldn’t be torn away from unfolded, the audience seating area erupted in passionate cheers once more.
‘They’re definitely going to debut.’
As the highlight section arrived, the song’s melody shifted once again.
Sweet whispers echo
Between you and me, a dangerous rhythm
Hold your breath, there’s no end
Before this night came to an end,
Park Mo watched in a daze as her favorite idol slowly rotated his body, captivating the audience with his hands and eyes.
‘This is the best day of my life….’
Red shadow, the burning fire within me
Touch me closer, an unstoppable fate
I meet your lips in your wavering gaze
Park Mo barely held onto her sanity as she watched the continuing performance unfold before her eyes.
Even in the climactic chorus, Cha Si-woo delivered the high notes flawlessly without a single flaw—the very embodiment of a skilled idol.
‘Is this really a trainee performance?’
I seep in, into your heart
As the melody lingered in her ears, her heart began racing wildly at the sight of her favorite idol holding the ending pose.
Thump, thump.
“Kyaaaaa!!!”
“Please seep into me!”
“Pizza Team!!!”
The moment the song ended, an even more intense roar erupted through the Filming Studio.
‘It really did feel like seeping into my heart.’
Park Mo felt a strange sense of foreboding that she might not be able to escape this obsession.
☆☆☆
“Kyaaaa!”
“You’re amazing!!!”
“Woooah!!!”
“Si-woo!!”
My heart raced faster than ever at the passionate roars echoing through the space, threatening to burst from my chest.
“Huff…hah….”
Because I had been so immersed in dancing and singing, my breathing was more ragged than ever before.
‘It feels like my blood is rushing backward.’
“Huff…hahh!”
Though my breath came in heavy gasps, strangely, laughter kept escaping from my lips.
‘It’s really over.’
I had done everything I could.
Relief washed over me, yet worry crept in at the same time.
Now there was nothing left to do but wait for the voting results.
“Please give a round of applause for the Pizza Team, who showed us such a wonderful performance!”
Clap, clap, clap.
After bowing at ninety degrees several times toward the enthusiastically cheering Audience Seating Area, I descended from the Stage following the Staff Member’s guidance.
“We really nailed that performance, didn’t we?”
“Absolutely. Everyone did so well!”
“Really…everyone worked so hard!”
Perhaps it was the relief of having delivered a more successful performance than rehearsal.
My teammates’ expressions showed they had poured everything into their performance on stage, looking thoroughly relieved.
“Si-woo, my eye for talent never fails!”
Among them, Rua’s reaction was particularly overwhelming.
“Right? Si-woo was really amazing!”
With Kim Sun-yu beaming widely, the team’s atmosphere was quite warm.
“Pizza Team members, please head to the Waiting Room right away and change into your outfits!”
“Yes!”
The Competition Stage we had prepared for two weeks ended successfully, but everything wasn’t over yet.
In Part 2, which would proceed after Part 1 ended, there was a group performance, so we had to prepare from now on.
‘It’s unfortunate that I can’t watch the next team’s performance, but there’s no helping it.’
Following the Staff Member, I moved busily, leaving behind the cheers directed at other teams.
☆☆☆
In Part 2, group performances followed one after another, starting with the theme song “Cheer me on” stage.
The group performance, having been prepared alongside the final competition, had an unmistakably rushed feel to it.
Still, the song itself had relatively low dance difficulty.
Additionally, since we were performing as a group, individual parts were minimal, so we could execute it successfully without major mistakes.
‘Now only the last song remains.’
After rushing through everything, Part 2 was left with only one final song to be performed.
For reference, the closing song was a farewell song, as is typical of audition programs.
The trainees were rapidly changing clothes and moving about, forcibly adapting to live broadcasting for the first time.
‘Live broadcasting is more chaotic than I expected.’
Before even fully absorbing the emotion of it being the end, some of the trainees had vacant expressions on their faces from the repetitive cycle of performing, running, and moving.
[Now only the truly final stage remains. Before the final stage, we’ll have a time to reveal the trainees’ rolling papers.]
‘I wondered where they’d use the final filmed segment, but here it is.’
The Broadcasting Station staff efficiently utilized the time between stages with filmed content.
‘Well, it’s not like we’re broadcasting just once or twice, so it’s quite systematic in its own way.’
Watching the trainees hastily getting their makeup touched up below the stage, I shifted my gaze to the large screen.
Through the Filming Location speakers, piano notes fell slowly.
The cautious melody in a lower register was typically fitting background music for a farewell.
[Trainee Seo Ha-yul, please come forward and read your rolling paper.]
[Yes.]
[Let’s debut together, you’ve worked hard….]
Starting with Seo Ha-yul, the trainees reading their rolling paper messages were quickly edited and passed by.
I too was edited to say [You’ll definitely be able to debut] instead of the message I had chosen.
‘I somewhat expected it, but this is indeed buildup for the emotional payoff, isn’t it?’
It was around the time when touching remarks and trainees with reddened eyes began appearing more frequently.
“Trainees, you’ll be going up right now!”
“Yes!”
As all the trainees took their positions on the Stage, the accompaniment for the final song flowed through the speakers.
True to the formula of survival competitions, the final stage was a touching farewell song.
The reason I had to let you go
was because you needed to be there
to find happiness
and I finally understand that now
Starting with Seo Ha-yul’s low note, the farewell song gradually built toward its climax.
Even though we must part ways
I will never forget this moment for the rest of my life
The trainees were trying not to cry, but their suppressed emotions and every note flowed through the microphone.
‘Are they… crying?’
True to their sensitive age, most of the trainees ended up with tears streaming down their faces.
Even if we’re far apart
let us cherish our memories
and cheer each other on
Sniffles echoed throughout the Audience Seating Area.
The reality that this was truly the end was finally sinking in.
Parting is painful
but I have no regrets
because I showed you everything of myself
As the song approached its end, Kang Chan and I were the only trainees not crying.
Don’t suffer
live happily and well
The final section was almost like a duet between Kang Chan and me.
Finally, as the farewell song ended, the clear sight of trainees weeping openly filled the space.
“That was truly a moving performance. Thank you for loving and watching Star picking5 all this time.”
Following Yu Hae-in’s remarks, the sniffling trainees quickly bowed.
The lights on the Stage went out all at once, and in the darkened Filming Location, only a massive LED screen remained lit.
“Now, in Part 3, we will have the announcement of which trainees will debut!”
That’s right.
Only those who survive this cruel announcement ceremony would be able to debut.
“We’ll see you again after these messages.”
The moment Yu Hae-in finished speaking, Staff Members quickly rushed onto the Stage.
“Trainees, please stop crying now!”
“If you keep crying, you’ll go on live broadcast with swollen eyes. Is that really okay?”
“Let me quickly touch up your makeup.”
At the sudden return to reality, the sniffling trainees quickly regained their composure.
‘Oh no. Seo Ha-yul’s eyes are going to be all puffy again.’
“We have 5 minutes until the live broadcast begins.”
With only 5 minutes to prepare, the Stage became absolute chaos.
Every Makeup Artist came up, each attaching themselves one-on-one to the trainees and quickly tidying them up.
“The live broadcast resumes in 1 minute. Everyone, finish up!”
As the Makeup Artist’s urgent hands worked on me, I heard continuous sniffling from beside me.
“…Sniff!”
When I turned my head, I saw Seo Ha-yul struggling to hold back tears.
“Hey, Seo Ha-yul.”
“Yes?”
“What’s making you so sad?”
“Well…sniff!”
The guy with the reddened nose opened his mouth as the Makeup Artist’s urgent hands attended to him.
“It’s really over now…sniff! What if we get separated from the hyungs and can’t see each other anymore?”
Watching him sniffle, I reluctantly placed my hand on his head.
“Why are you thinking like that?”
“…Sniff.”
“We’ll all be able to debut together.”

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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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