The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 96

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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 96
“Lusbo, we’ll start the pre-recorded stage shoot soon. Please get ready.”
“Yes!”
All preparations were complete.
Now only the long-awaited pre-recorded stage shoot remained.
The waiting area in the narrow corridor beside the stage was suffused with a tension so thick it felt suffocating.
Perhaps because it was our first pre-recorded shoot, the Group Members’ expressions were noticeably rigid—far different from rehearsal.
Kang Chan stood ashen-faced, fidgeting with his in-ear monitor, while Yoo Ho-seung, who’d been drinking water since earlier, kept his lips firmly pressed together as if suppressing waves of nausea.
The members who usually flew around the practice room now resembled lambs being led to slaughter.
“Chan, are you okay?”
Kang Chan answered my question with a trembling voice.
“Ah, Si-woo… I think I’ve forgotten the choreography. I can’t remember the formations.”
‘That can’t be right.’
Kang Chan, who’d always demonstrated superior skill when it came to dancing, couldn’t possibly have forgotten the choreography.
His eyes darted about uncertainly.
‘I suppose there’s no helping it.’
I gripped Kang Chan’s shoulder firmly and pressed down with a twisting motion.
“Ow…!”
A measured amount of pain was the fastest way to drag fear back into reality.
“Chan. Even if you can’t remember, it’s fine. Your body remembers the choreography anyway.”
“…!”
“And if—just if—you make a mistake, I’ll cover for you. So just enjoy the stage like you always do. Understand?”
“I understand. But I won’t make any mistakes on stage, I promise.”
“Right. You’ll do great, so don’t be so nervous.”
“Okay.”
Fortunately, my words seemed to have an effect—color gradually returned to Kang Chan’s face.
‘Next is that one?’
“Ho-seung.”
This time, I gave Yoo Ho-seung’s nape a light tap.
“Hup…!”
He seemed quite startled, letting out a rather strange sound.
“Why are you so scared?”
“Hyung… honestly, I’m the one with the weakest skills. Am I really suited to be the center?”
“Of course you are. I’ve always told you—what’s the most important thing for a center?”
“…Your face.”
Exactly.
As a debuting rookie group, there was no one more suited to the center position for capturing attention than a visual member.
“Right, you’re remembering well.”
“But…”
“Ho-seung, have confidence. Your handsome face will make our team shine.”
Yoo Ho-seung’s eyes gradually settled, and he nodded with a resolute expression.
“Yes! I’ll do my very best.”
“That’s right! With Ho-seung on our team, we’ll definitely pull it off.”
“Understood.”
Once we’d reassured the two most anxious members, all eyes converged on us.
True to his sharp instincts as our leader, Kim Sun-yu gathered everyone together.
“All right, before we take the stage, should we shout our fighting spirit?”
“Absolutely.”
The team members formed a circle around Kim Sun-yu.
“Everyone, thank you for making it this far.”
Kim Sun-yu’s clear voice resonated through the waiting area.
“Today, let’s not overthink it—just perform exactly as we’ve practiced.”
As Kim Sun-yu extended his palm forward, the members placed their hands on top of his one by one.
When I added mine, I felt the cool, faintly trembling sensation of their hands.
“Since this is our debut stage, let’s absolutely tear it up!”
Someone nodded, and someone else bit their lip.
The six stacked hands grew tense with force.
“One.”
Warmth spread across our joined hands.
“Two.”
My heart began to race faster.
“Three!”
“Fighting!”
Our unified shout cut through the air.
That cry pushed away the tension and propelled us forward.
‘I can do this.’
In that instant, the curtain parted and light flooded in.
“Lusbo, please take the stage now!”
“Yes!”
The Staff Member’s signal dropped.
Without hesitation, I stepped forward first into the light.
Behind me, I heard the rough breathing of my members.
It wasn’t the fearful breathing from before.
Now it was the sound of beasts about to hunt.
I finally came to a stop at center stage.
The moment the spotlight struck my crown, I slowly lifted my gaze toward the audience seating.
“Kyaaaaaaaa!”
“Lusbo!!!”
“You guys are finally debuting!”
My heart raced even faster at the intense greeting from the fans who had been waiting for this moment.
Even at this early hour, I couldn’t believe so many people had come.
These fans were truly ones I could only be grateful for, time and again.
The Group Members, equally overwhelmed, beamed with radiant smiles as they waved toward the Audience Seating Area.
“One, two, three!”
At Kim Sun-yu’s call, the members quickly took their positions.
“We are shining stars! Hello, we are Lucy Star Boys!”
“Woooow!”
“Getting to hear their greeting in person…!”
The fans’ warm welcome made my lips curve upward uncontrollably.
“Everyone, thank you so much for joining us for our first stage.”
“We’re truly moved that you came out so early in the morning.”
“I hope the journey here wasn’t too difficult for you?”
The conversation continued in the brief window before filming began.
“Of course we had to come—it’s your debut!”
“You guys worked so hard preparing for this.”
“We can’t wait to see the stage!”
“Thank you so much!”
It was in the middle of this brief exchange with the fans.
“Lusbo, we’re starting the recording now. Please take your positions.”
“Yes!”
As we moved away from the Audience Seating to form our stage formation, another wave of intense cheers erupted.
The stage lights dimmed, and the intro—a melody we’d heard hundreds of times and knew by heart—burst through the speakers.
My heart pounded as if it might burst, yet my lips curved into a perfect smile instead of trembling.
Adrenaline surged through me like an explosion waiting to happen.
☆☆☆
Park Mo’s heart began racing wildly as she finally got to see her favorite in person after so long.
‘Insane…! The outfit fits the members perfectly.’
The costume she’d only seen in album jacket photos was now right before her eyes in reality.
‘Our Si-woo in that light blue jacket with white pants…!’
It was an outfit that suited her favorite perfectly, complementing his porcelain-like complexion flawlessly.
‘Why does Si-woo look good in literally everything?’
Satisfied with the styling, a contented smile naturally bloomed across Park Mo’s face.
“Wow…!”
“These guys are seriously handsome.”
“They look way better in person than in photos.”
Other fans seemed to feel the same way, as genuine exclamations of admiration erupted throughout the venue.
After exchanging light pleasantries, watching her favorite move away to take their stage formation at the Staff Member’s direction was pure enchantment.
‘The members are so considerate.’
The sight of Lusbo waving and offering their gratitude to the fans even as they moved away was nothing short of endearing.
“Then we’ll begin the pre-recorded filming!”
As the Staff Member’s voice rang out loudly, the lights cut out in an instant.
Gasps echoed simultaneously from all around the audience seating.
Without realizing it, my grip tightened on the slogan banner I was holding.
My fingertips trembled slightly.
As the crystalline piano melody intertwined with the sounds of nature, layering one note upon another, my ears felt utterly indulged.
The song was sweet and beautiful from the opening instrumental alone.
Finally, the moment the stage lights ignited.
The boys standing beneath the bright illumination seemed as though they had always belonged there, so naturally did they command the space.
The word “rookie” felt utterly inadequate.
With Kang Chan and Seo Ha-yul seated side by side, leaning back against each other, the introduction began.
Hello, hello
“…!”
The moment the first verse flowed out, the air in the audience seating shifted.
My heart responded before the melody could even register in my ears.
It felt as though the sound of my racing heartbeat overlapped with the music.
The wind spoke to me first
Today feels like it might be different somehow
I check my clothes once more
Before I leave, my eyes meet mine in the mirror
The harmony of their mid-to-low voices was captivating enough to ensnare both ears in a single breath.
An unfamiliar excitement
So my heart begins to beat a little faster
Because it’s my first time
Everything seems special
As Seo Ha-yul and Kang Chan stepped back, my bias finally stepped forward.
One step closer
The wind pushes my back
When I lift my head
It’s already begun
Despite being a rookie, Cha Si-woo’s eyes and lips smiled naturally.
It wasn’t a forced expression, but rather a face that conveyed genuine excitement and anticipation.
Hello, hello
To you right now
Can you hear this heart racing like it’s my first time?
As the chorus erupted, gasps of admiration leaked out from various corners of the audience seating.
“Kyaaaaa!”
“I can hear it!”
“Wow…!”
As Yoo Ho-seung moved to center stage and began the choreography with swinging arms, Park Mo and I found ourselves lifting our hands without thinking.
As I followed along with the addictive choreography, swinging my arms side to side, the fans around me naturally smiled and swayed their arms in unison.
It was as if the wall between the stage and the audience seating had crumbled away.
In this moment, there existed only the artist and the fans—an overwhelming immersion that transcended everything else.
Hello, hello
When you wave your hand
Our story unfolds
‘The kids are so refreshing and lovely!’
The fresh, youthful feeling from their debut was woven directly into the lyrics.
Every time the Group Members’ eyes met, laughter rippled between them.
I loved that they weren’t too perfect—there was something thrilling about that imperfection.
The slightly awkward breathing, the choreography infused with raw energy—these were precious sensations only possible at this moment in their career.
Laughter bursts forth first
No reason needed to feel good
Even the awkwardness
Today it’s all on our side
Even if we’re a little clumsy
Courage comes naturally
In that moment our eyes meet
Everything falls into place
‘They really made an incredible song.’
The melody was pleasant, the lyrics were beautiful and catchy, and the hook was addictively strong.
It was the kind of track that would linger in your ears long after hearing it once.
‘Most importantly, the kids can really sing and dance well.’
As befitted their Survival Audition background, their skills were undeniable.
Though they seemed somewhat nervous, putting extra tension into their movements, their sharp, synchronized choreography—hitting every beat with precision—gave the audience an inexplicable thrill.
When the final chorus sing-along section arrived, my lips moved before I could think.
Hello, hello
Just like this right now
It’s okay to keep running forward
Hello, hello
Because it’s our first time
We shine even brighter
Park Mo’s voice blended with the cheers of other fans, melting into the song.
Simply being here together in this moment was enough to make me happy.
‘I made the right choice picking Si-woo as my favorite.’
Finally, the music reached its end.
The Group Members, frozen in their ending pose, stood in a semicircle with Yoo Ho-seung at the center.
Kim Sun-yu waved his hand lightly, while Cha Si-woo tilted his shoulder into a natural pose.
Though the composition highlighted Yoo Ho-seung as the center, not a single member faded into shadow—they all shone brightly.
“Wooooow!”
“Lusbo!”
“Kyaaaaa!”
‘So the ending fairy is indeed Ho-seung.’
It was slightly disappointing that he wasn’t my bias, but seeing Yoo Ho-seung’s overwhelming visuals, I understood completely.
‘But why does Ho-seung look more handsome every time I see him?’
Just then, the camera slowly zoomed in on Yoo Ho-seung.
The LED Display Board captured the moment Yoo Ho-seung removed his in-ear monitor and exhaled sharply.
“…!”
The timing was calculated down to a single breath.
As Yoo Ho-seung raised his hand and waved it gently in greeting, his fingertips glimmered under the lights, and a warm smile reached his eyes.
At that exact moment, the screen froze.
‘Wow… he really is breathtakingly beautiful. This isn’t a human face—it’s a masterpiece.’
Screams erupted once more from various spots in the Audience Seating Area.
“Kyaaaak!”
“Ho-seung!!!”
“Lusbo is the best!”
In that moment, Park Mo had an intuition.
What she had witnessed today was not merely a rookie idol’s debut stage, but the first page of an enormous story.
My heart trembled again as I gazed upon them, their brilliance magnified by being a beginning.
As the ending poses of every Group Member, starting with center Yoo Ho-seung, were captured by the camera, the cheers from the Studio surged beyond their limits.
‘They’re incredible, truly.’
Park Mo found herself genuinely anticipating what these boys, who had just taken their first steps, would show the world from this moment forward.

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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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