The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 403

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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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403

【I was afraid to take a leap
as you are not by my side】

His lustrous black hair caught the stage lights, and his clear, boyish eyes sparkled with their reflection. Even during his hiatus, his face had stood out—but now it seemed to glow with an almost ethereal radiance.

【I had fear in my heart
as I might not be your love】

Chae Jung-woo took the stage wearing nothing but a white shirt that draped softly over his frame and dark navy slacks—not a single ring adorning his fingers—yet he shone with an undeniable brilliance.

【But I know that I will be there】

“Wow, Chae Jung-woo is insane.”
“Right?”

The singers of WH Entertainment were renowned for their clean, understated vocal technique. But today, Chae Jung-woo seemed determined to shatter all of that, delivering the lyrics with unbridled passion and intensity.

【So tell me, that this is my christmas present】

A single voice filled the vast concert venue with enchantment.

“His voice carries such a warm, wintry feeling.”

Even after Chae Jung-woo’s performance ended, the members remained captivated by the delicate emotions woven through his crystalline tone, unable to shake the lingering spell.

“How does he even do that?”
“Seriously, it’s impossible unless you’re torturing an alien or something!”
“Chae Jung-woo is basically an alien, if you ask me.”

As White Cherry and several other idols continued their performances, the members remained preoccupied, discussing the special stage that Chae Jung-woo had led.
Of course, they quieted down once High Five took the stage.
According to their manager, High Five was scheduled for about ten minutes, positioned right before The Dun.

【New Thrill—】

On the monitoring TV, I could see Kang Yeon-hu’s wavy hair shimmering as it caught the light.

【—I can’t pretend to be composed in front of you
I’m swept up in even greater excitement】

High Five moved as one unified body, executing the choreography flawlessly. Even as they performed intense movements while singing and dancing, not a hint of breathlessness escaped them—it was almost suspicious enough to wonder if they’d applied AR enhancement to their performance.

【Sparks bouncing in the center of the circuit
Thrilling and exhilarating
Our racing, just the two of us
Make me resonate a little more】

Jung Chae-hyung of High Five, who had been spitting out rapid-fire rap in a bass-heavy voice that echoed like a cavern, swept his thumb across his lips and cast an alluring gaze with a subtle tilt of his eyes.
Kim Sung-hyun, who had been resting his chin on his hand and staring intently at the performance, added a brief comment.

“They’re good.”

At that, Kang Yi-chae beside him playfully bumped into Kim Sung-hyun and added his own remark.

“And we’re amazing too.”

Caught off guard by the unexpected encouragement, Kim Sung-hyun’s eyes widened before he broke into a helpless laugh.

“What is it, Kang Yi-chae? Where did you leave all that impressive vocabulary from the nostalgia interview?”
“Yi-chae, is there really no other word besides ‘amazing’?”
“Wow, so just because I said one thing, you’re all jumping on me like this? Even you, Ji-won hyung?”

Just as the slightly tense atmosphere dissolved and everyone fell back into their usual banter, a staff member from the Gayo Star Championship informed us that we needed to take the stage in two minutes.
As I left the waiting room with the members and stepped into the darkened backstage, Sung Ji-won suddenly turned to look at me.

“Ho-yoon!”

His words came with that ever-present smile on his lips.

“Let’s do amazing today!”

After that, the MCs’ introduction began to seep through.

【…—Our dawn descending upon South Korea’s night sky! Shall we all sing together?!】

Following the Staff Member’s hand signals and the cue coming through my earpiece, I climbed the staircase.

【The Dun!!】

As the members found their positions, the VCR began to play.
A caravan glided freely across the brilliant blue sky. Where a small airplane had passed, the long cloud that had taken its place quickly scattered like mist.

Whoooosh—.
Whoooosh—.

Then the screen transitioned, revealing Kim Sung-hyun in a white pilot uniform walking with measured steps.
Meanwhile, screams erupted from the audience seating.

【Hello? Are you there?
Are we connected?】

As the mechanical narration played, a pin spotlight illuminated, revealing Kang Yi-chae standing alone on the protruding stage.

【Do you wanna be connected?】

Kang Yi-chae seized the crimson microphone, tilted his chin high, and opened his mouth.

【Finally! This tedious time is passing
I love watching you radiate
Come up to the ring as I desire】

Kang Yi-chae poured out the lyrics with fierce intensity, making a gesture as if accelerating a motorcycle’s throttle.

【Chase me like if you can
Shift up and press the pedal all the way】

As if that were a signal flare, dozens of back dancers behind Kang Yi-chae split to both sides, executing sharp salutes, and in their midst, Jung Da-jun appeared with his hands clasped together.

【Whoever lets go first loses】

Jung Da-jun strode forward, removed the uniform cap he was wearing and tossed it aside, then blew a kiss toward the approaching camera.

【Don’t be afraid
There’s no need to look back
I can be your guide】

Sung Ji-won’s elegant voice rang out next.
A subtle murmur mixed in among the cheers.
Waiting in the back, I pulled my lips into a slight smile as I grasped Sung Ji-won’s hand and spun him roughly.

【Don’t hesitate, just move forward】

As the song reached its peak, the dance break began with Kim Sung-hyun at the forefront.

【Ah- Yes, I will never leave your side-!】

Kim Sung-hyun pulled the sunglasses from his uniform’s front pocket and gently bit the tip with his front teeth before flicking his index and middle fingers toward the camera capturing him.
Then he moved his body in sync with the accelerated beat.

【Ready to be connected?】

As if pushing himself to the very limit.
Each time new light burst from the VCR, Kim Sung-hyun’s muscles tensed taut along the heavy melody.
To keep pace with him, all the other members had to pour out twice the energy.

“Damn, the vocalists are going to collapse at this rate. Ease up on the power in those moves.”
“Agreed! Agreed! The youngest dancer is dying too!”
“The rapper here is passing out!”

During practice, there had been significant resistance because it was so difficult and grueling.

“…Can’t you just match it?”
“…I can.”
“…I’ll do it.”

But what could we do?
Our leader was making a pitiful face and throwing tantrums he’d never thrown in his entire life, so we had to match him.

【You’re praying wrong Umm Hmm
You should pray to me Damn! You are my favorite】

As Kim Sung-hyun raised his arm forcefully, his bare waist was briefly exposed through the gap in his shirt, and the fans’ cheers reached an even higher pitch.

【Handle me like if you can】

Just as the tempo began to slow, the song shifted into the melody of “Dive,” and the entire venue was bathed in blue light.
Out of the fifteen minutes I’d managed to secure under the pretense of appearing on a New Year’s variety show, only a third had passed, yet my breath was already coming in ragged gasps.
Maintaining an outward composure, I walked toward the center of the stage. As the members gathered in a circle, the floor trembled, and soon the lift began to rise slowly.

【Can you be together? or not?
Words I’d carelessly uttered clung like summer heat
Like a lotus flower whose breath had died away】

Beyond the lighting that rippled like waves, fans with reddened noses could be seen singing along to the song.

【Let us dive till the end
Until we surface from the sea to breathe】

It was impossible to make eye contact with each person, but I steadied my breathing and waved my hands earnestly, trying to return some acknowledgment to those who had come all this way to see The Dun on such a cold day.

【We cannot remain trapped in loneliness forever】

As darkness settled all around, the lift descended to the ground.
At the same moment, a young and clear voice pierced through the silence and spread outward.

【Let us dive till the end
Until we surface from the sea to breathe】

Bright white light flashed across the stage again, and beneath it, Jung Da-jun sang with a faint smile on his face.

‘Man, our maknae really has guts.’

It felt like just yesterday he was trembling with nervousness, yet somehow he’d grown this much.

【—In the not-too-distant future
We will meet again】

As we slowly gathered toward the center and took our positions like a single lotus flower, completing the performance of “Lotus Lantern Festival,” all the lights went out once more.
Then, guided by the staff, the singers who had appeared at the Gayo Star Championship took the stage in turn.
My eyes met with Kang Yeon-hu, who was entering alongside Chae Jung-woo, and I gave a light nod, which he quickly returned with a bow.

【Hello, this is White Cherry!】

Pre-recorded Christmas greetings from each performer played on the VCR.

【The Dun, the rising dawn!】

The Dun appeared on screen, and Kim Sung-hyun opened his mouth with a slightly flushed face.

【…—I hope this becomes a Christmas where you can share love with many people, not alone.】

As Kim Sung-hyun’s voice reached the concert venue, the mischievous youngest member poked the Leader repeatedly. At that, Kim Sung-hyun lowered his eyebrows and smiled gently.

【Hello, this is Chae Jung-woo.】

Chae Jung-woo appeared next.
Standing alone, he spoke with a soft smile.

【It’s just become Christmas Eve now. I hope everyone had a happy and warm winter. Have a joyful Christmas.】

With him, the video dissolved, and piano notes rang out.
It was “Snowflake,” a project song created for the Gayo Star Championship.
Colorful light sticks swayed in unison.
Beneath the piano melody and the soft drum sounds layered underneath, Kang Yeon-hu, who held the opening verse, took the lead.

【Actually, I’ve been struggling lately
Days when I seemed to stand alone forever in the darkness】

From the start, the high note soared cleanly.
Cheers erupted loudly in response.
The camera angle shifted, and Sung Ji-won appeared, gripping the microphone tightly with both hands.

【There were days I thought I was alone
Days when nothing seemed possible】

While other groups sang, Jung Da-jun clapped enthusiastically and moved his lips along.

【But on the day snow fell
You took my hand】

As White Cherry and Lia Purple’s crystalline vocals gradually heated up the song,

【I can’t lay bare this selfish desire of mine
that always wishes for your happiness
but my heart keeps piling up alone】

Kang Yi-chae’s thick, husky voice cut through.

【I will always be here
because you came to me like a miracle
on this day when snowflakes fall, with you who are so special】

Kang Yi-chae lifted his gaze upward as if watching snowflakes descend from the sky, then lowered it and smiled. Jung Chae-hyung took over from there.

【Our footprints remain
on this special Christmas】

Just as I was thinking this was really a composition that favored WH Entertainment, an alarm sounded.

Ding!

A notification only I could hear.
Piercing through the colorful confetti scattering like snowflakes.

[Quest Success!]

A blue window appeared amid brilliantly shimmering light.

[The fact that Seo Ho-yoon’s appearance fee and prize money from ‘David and Goliath’ were donated became known before the program aired, through an article titled ‘Seo Ho-yoon’s Good Deeds… A Meaningful Line of Donations Continuing Since Debut’.
The article’s view count exceeded a certain threshold, satisfying the condition.
It ranked 1st in entertainment news, earning 15,000 points.]

I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
I felt I could guess the article’s content without even reading it.
WH Entertainment had apparently made a preemptive move to refresh their year-end image.

[Current Points: 304,000]
[Congratulations, Seo Ho-yoon.]

I gazed quietly at the engraved words on the screen.

【I cannot lay bare this selfish desire of mine
that always wishes for your happiness
yet my heart quietly accumulates alone】

[Happ…]
[Happ…]

Beside it, a new window appeared, and the text that had been repeatedly written and erased finally formed a single sentence.

[Wishing you a happy year-end.]

Even though I had been aware just moments before that it was almost my turn, I nearly lost the beat without realizing it.

【…—our precious memories becoming cherished moments
the warmth of your hand holding mine…】

I closed my eyes, composing myself.
Then I drew out my voice with all my strength.

【…like gently falling snow
quietly accumulating within my chest】

I sensed a slight stir from those around me, but I had no time to pay attention to such things.

【…Ah- Ah- Ah!】

As Kang Yeon-hu’s ad-libs followed and the song reached its crescendo, Chae Jung-woo stepped forward.

【The final moment is drawing near to us
when we emerge from the long tunnel and breathe in the cold air
snow falls and you are suddenly by my side】

Over Chae Jung-woo’s refined voice, gentle harmonies layered themselves carefully.
Everyone, moved by the atmosphere, broke into warm laughter.
Yet here, even as I wore a smile, my heart burned pitch black.

【In this frightening future, there is only one certainty】

If this situation had been a scene from a broadcast I’d planned, I would have made the protagonist press a reset button at this moment for dramatic effect.
But in my actual world, without cameras and an audience, I couldn’t do that.

【I would be holding your hand】

When it came to Seo Ho-jin, I became a coward who couldn’t make any decision easily.

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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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