The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 77

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

Chapter 77
“Cha Si-woo, trainee!”
The moment my name was called, the entire world seemed to fall silent, as if my breath had stopped.
‘…Me?’
Boom—!
As fireworks exploded loudly, the acrid smell of gunpowder jolted me back to reality.
Lifting my head, colorful confetti scattered brilliantly across the stage.
“Kyaaaaaaah!”
“Cha Si-woo! Cha Si-woo!!”
“Congratulations, Si-woo!”
The audience seating erupted in thunderous cheers, and scorching spotlights poured down upon me all at once.
‘Is this real?’
My breath caught, then my lungs resumed their rhythm a beat too late.
My legs had gone rigid in the face of this surreal moment—I couldn’t take a single step.
‘I only hoped to debut to complete the Quest.’
At the unexpected rank of first place, my heart began pounding wildly.
It was an exhilarating sensation I’d never experienced before.
Or to be honest, an intense dopamine rush of excitement was coursing through my entire body.
Ding.
[Congratulations! You have successfully completed the Sub Quest (10): ‘Finally debut on the Final Stage.’]
The moment I saw the translucent blue window materialize before my eyes, it all felt suddenly real.
‘Finally…!’
The fact that I had debuted in first place—something that had seemed so distant—made my heart race even faster.
I had taken one step closer to the final Quest that would grant me the universal panacea.
The corners of my mouth lifted involuntarily into a smile.
[Would you like to receive your Quest reward? Please note that rewards are distributed according to your ranking.]
‘I’ll claim the reward later.’
[Understood.]
I was curious about what the reward was and wanted to open it immediately, but I held back.
I needed to be careful given that this was a live broadcast.
“Cha Si-woo, congratulations on debuting in first place. Would you share your thoughts on placing first?”
I accepted the weighty golden trophy that Yu Hae-in extended with both hands.
‘But… is this actually gold?’
Gold prices were steep these days, so realistically it was likely plated.
‘Well, a trophy is symbolic anyway.’
Cradling the trophy, I picked up the microphone with my other hand.
Even as I grasped the microphone, it hadn’t truly sunk in.
The fact that my name on the LED display board was accompanied by the number one.
“Honestly… I never thought I would actually place first.”
The surrounding congratulations fell silent in an instant.
“Honestly, I thought just making it this far was already more than I deserved.”
‘I figured as long as I secured a debut spot, even at a lower ranking, that would be enough.’
But my true feelings were different.
I steadied my trembling breath and gazed out at the audience seating.
Most of them were strangers I was seeing for the first time today, yet every single pair of eyes was fixed on me.
My lips kept curving upward, and before I knew it, a genuine smile escaped.
“Since I started as a trainee later than others, I’ve always felt inadequate. Yet the reason I never gave up was…”
‘Because this is the best I can do to save my younger sibling. And…’
“It was possible because of your support. Thank you for allowing me to reach this stage.”
I meant every word.
It was only possible because of the fans who showed unconditional, pure affection to someone as humble and insignificant as me.
“And this first-place award isn’t something I received alone—it’s thanks to my friends who trained with me, the trainers who believed in me until the end, and all of you National Directors.”
My grip on the microphone tightened involuntarily.
“Though I still have much to learn, I promise to continue proving myself so that this first place you’ve given me won’t be something to regret. I ask for your continued interest and love for our newly formed team.”
In truth, there was so much more I wanted to say.
All those nights spent practicing as naturally as eating meals.
The memories of pushing my body to its limits while juggling part-time work and training.
The moments when I managed to successfully complete team assignments by carefully handling each difficult member.
Countless memories flashed through my mind, from the first time I met fans and beyond.
But the moment I saw the Writer’s urging—the large letters spelling “Younger Sibling” on the sketchbook—my mind snapped back to focus.
‘There’s a clear difference between something that was revealed unintentionally and something I chose to disclose myself.’
Certainly, one factor in my first-place finish was the sympathy and pity that spread once my family circumstances became known.
But I had no intention of exploiting my family situation myself.
Ignoring the Writer’s urging, I flashed my professional smile and delivered my closing remarks.
“National Directors, I promise to be Cha Si-woo—someone who feels responsibility and does his best. Thank you sincerely for choosing me.”
The words I couldn’t say would now be shown through action via my debut.
I bowed ninety degrees toward the audience seating and the cameras.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
“Si-woo, congratulations on first place!”
“You worked so hard!”
“May you walk only a path of flowers from now on!”
“Cha Si-woo, you’re amazing!”
I remained bowed for a long time, basking in the warm and affectionate congratulations pouring down.
“We’ve heard Cha Si-woo’s heartfelt first-place remarks. Now, shall we hear from the second-place trainee who will be debuting with him?”
At Yu Hae-in’s voice moving the proceedings forward, I was able to straighten up.
As I stepped back, Yoo Ho-seung, who had received the bouquet, picked up the microphone.
“First, I’m so grateful to all the fans who voted for me! Honestly, I’m well aware that second place is more than someone with my lacking singing and dancing abilities deserves.”
Yoo Ho-seung’s voice was noticeably trembling.
“Yet thanks to the overwhelming love from my fans, someone as lacking as me was able to reach such a high position and debut.”
As Yoo Ho-seung spoke his remarks with a serious expression, clear tears finally streamed down his face.
“I’m shameless to say it, but I’m so happy I finally get to debut! I promise to work even harder and show you all amazing performances from now on!”
Yoo Ho-seung’s tearful face reflected on the LED Display Board looked like a scene from a film.
‘Even his tears look handsome.’
“Please love our team. I sincerely thank all the fans who have supported me until now! I look forward to your continued support.”
The moment he lowered the microphone, Yoo Ho-seung broke down completely, his voice cracking with emotion.
“That was a touching comment from our second-place finisher. Trainee Yoo Ho-seung, please move to the chair marked with the number 2.”
“Sniff…! Yes!”
Wiping away tears like dewdrops, Yoo Ho-seung walked toward his chair.
‘But… what about me?’
Standing motionless and vacant, I felt slightly awkward.
Only after the camera obsessively filmed Yoo Ho-seung sitting in chair number 2 did Yu Hae-in pick up the microphone again.
‘Are they finally going to let me in?’
“So, shouldn’t we give the first-place finisher some special benefits?”
‘Oh right. First place comes with a prize, doesn’t it?’
For reference, throughout the ‘Star picking’ series, the prize for winning had always been prize money.
“The benefit for first place this time will be something on a completely different level from previous series.”
‘Huh…? What about my money?’
“It is…”
That’s how human greed works.
It’s true I was happy to be selected as first place unexpectedly, but realistically, money matters too.
“You’ll be given the privilege of deciding the group’s name!”
I felt a strange sensation, as if I were being robbed of first-place prize money I’d never even received.
‘My money…’
“Trainee Cha Si-woo, how do you feel about receiving such an incredible benefit?”
‘Goodbye, my money.’
“…I’m honored.”
“Your response seemed a beat too slow, didn’t it?”
“Ha, you must be mistaken.”
‘But what should I name the group?’
I suddenly found myself facing a naming task I never expected in my wildest dreams.
‘Having to decide something so carefully on such short notice… I can’t think of anything decent.’
A group name is something that draws criticism no matter what you choose.
So I had no choice but to rack my brain as hard as possible.
‘Something that won’t get too much hate.’
Historically, groups that debuted through ‘Star picking’ have been endlessly criticized for having terrible names.
Perhaps conscious of all that criticism, the broadcasting station people threw this bomb directly at me this time.
‘Those broadcasting station bastards always try to avoid taking losses.’
This wasn’t a first-place benefit—it was a bomb.
“Trainee Cha Si-woo, you look quite worried.”
“Yes. Actually, a group name has a major impact on the team’s overall image, so while this decision-making power is an honor, it also feels quite burdensome.”
My mouth turned bitter, unable to protest why they’d dumped this bomb on me.
“Please don’t worry too much. To ease the burden on trainee Cha Si-woo, we’ve actually prepared something for you all.”
“…?”
“Everyone, would you please look at the screen?”
As I turned my gaze to the LED display board, five letters appeared on the screen.
“The screen displays five group names carefully selected through experts who operate the Naming Philosophy Academy.”
“…!”
At least there was one saving grace—I had options.
“As a first-place benefit, I’ll give you the opportunity to choose whichever group name you prefer from these five!”
The problem was that all five group names were equally incomprehensible.
After Zero (AFTER ZERO)
SS Boys (Star Six BOYS)
Crown Six (CROWN SIX)
Astrave (ASTRAVE)
Lucy Star Boys (Lucy Star Boys)
‘…Did experts really choose these?’
Every single one was terrible.
‘I could come up with something better myself.’
“Please make your choice right now!”
‘Hmm… which one will get me the least criticism?’
“My choice is… Lucy Star Boys.”
“That’s an unexpected choice! May I ask why you selected it?”
‘Because it’s the least terrible?’
Unable to speak the truth, my mouth felt dry, but I managed my best professional smile.
“I learned the meaning of Lucy through our fans.”
“Oh, what does it mean?”
“The fans told me that Lucy means a shining existence.”
I’d actually learned the meaning of Lucy through the fans calling us Lucinyeong.
“I hope our group becomes a shining star, guiding hope’s path through darkness, so I chose ‘Lucy Star Boys.'”
“That’s a beautiful meaning. The team name for the group debuting through Star picking5 is now confirmed as ‘Lucy Star Boys’!”
‘I have to assign meaning to a name decided on the spot…’
Being an idol really wasn’t an easy position.
“Waaaaaaah!”
“Then trainee Cha Si-woo, please sit in the chair marked with the number ‘1.’”
“Yes.”
My role was finished—time to exit the stage.
As a triumphant fanfare played, lively music flowed across the stage.
As I made my way to the seat, I didn’t forget to smile in a way the fans would appreciate, aware of the camera persistently following me.
Once seated, I even performed the gesture of lifting the trophy for good measure.
‘Now my role is truly finished.’
“Then, as a final announcement, we have the reveal of the trainee who will be joining Star picking5 as the sixth member.”

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