Drag Queens and the Sexy Dance-Off
The hype-up lines for dancing wrapped up, and the host bellowed in a booming voice.
"Participants, come on up front!"
Seo Joo-hwan and the other guys shuffled awkwardly to the stage. But Lee Seok-chan alone strutted out like a runway model, waving to the crowd.
"Whoa~! You all look so pretty!"
Pfft… ah, sorry. I got so startled by how gorgeous you are, heh."
The host played it off so naturally, but no one in the auditorium bought it as a slip-up.
'Lick your lips before you say that shit…'
No sooner had Seo Joo-hwan thought it than the host licked his lips with his tongue. It was like he'd mastered mind-reading.
"Waaah! So pretty!"
"Kyaa! Seok-chan oppa—no, unnie, you're too cute!"
"Kyahahaha! Joo-hwan oppa's the prettiest!"
The students, treating it like it was someone else's circus, burst into roaring laughter and cheers.
"Let's speed this up! We've still got the talent show and drinking party after the cross-dressing contest. First, shall we hear from our ladies—er, gentlemen?"
It was obviously deliberate! The cross-dressed guys' faces soured. Undeterred, the host passed the mic around for introductions.
"By the way, the winning team gets 300 extra points, and the individual winner gets a 50,000-won cultural gift certificate!"
The sudden prize announcement lit up the guys' eyes.
"Fifty grand? For real?"
"Didn't hear about a personal prize?"
"Yes! Free cash!"
At the mention of 50,000 won, the participants' vibes shifted. It wasn't chump change for college kids. Sure, it wasn't enough to justify dressing in drag, but they'd figured it was just for laughs—now the prize sparked real motivation. No one cared about the team points. But even hustling now, the frontrunners were already clear. Most guys had gone full comedy gag mode. Only about three had put real effort into it. Seo Joo-hwan included.
Team 7 had started as a gag concept too, but when he stepped up for drag, they'd gone all-in on makeup.
Meanwhile, one frontrunner, Seo Joo-hwan, thought:
'I don't need 50k…'
With millions in royalties hitting soon, what was 50 grand? He'd just cashed out Bitcoin—50k was pocket lint compared to that.
He tried to focus on the positives.
'This'll be a good memory, right?'
Something to laugh about fondly later. That mattered most to him. He already had enough painful memories to revisit.
'Might just end up as a black history moment…'
At least it wouldn't scar like his pre-regression life. College days alone, eating solo without friends. Cursed constitution shrinking his social circle and world. A barren life with no real memories, no matter how hard he racked his brain. That dark past life was why he'd even bothered with college.
Truth be told, if he'd just wanted money, fame, peace, and wealth, uni was pointless. Focusing on writing or developing Lust System talents would've been faster. But he chose college to reconnect with bonds he'd pushed away before. And to fill this life with joyful memories.
As Seo Joo-hwan psyched himself up with grand thoughts, introductions continued. The mic edged closer. Most participants had gone, leaving Lee Seok-chan.
He took the mic, stepped forward, and smirked.
"Hello, oppas and unnies. I'm Seok-chan~ I'll be taking the win!"
Bending his knees slightly, pitching his voice high and cutesy—it was nauseating!
'Urk. Gross!'
Seo Joo-hwan felt last night's dinner rising. Seok-chan pulled off drag way too well, which made it worse.
"Kyaaah! Seok-chan unnie's gorgeous!"
"Unnie, what's your makeup routine?!"
The guys grimaced, but the girls went wild. In a department flooded with women, maybe guy opinions didn't matter.
'This is gonna be rough.'
Right off the bat, a powerhouse rival. Everyone else was comedy; beating Seok-chan seemed impossible. Pulling aegyo in front of this crowd? Not his style.
He took the mic from Seok-chan.
"Uh… call me Hwan."
Couldn't match that energy—bland greeting done. Boos rippled briefly. Whatever.
'Memories my ass. Just wanna get off stage…'
Drag was not for him.
*
"Alright, now sexy dance time! Final appeal! Oh, and the winner's up to the host's whim!"
""Wooooh!""
Jeers erupted. The host grinned awkwardly.
"You think we got time for individual votes? You'd just cheer your own team! Don't you wanna see the talent show already?"
""Wooooh!""
"Got beef? Host next year! Jeering teams lose points!"
""Waaah!""
"Okay! Team 7 that cheered gets 50 extra points!"
""Yeeeaah!!""
The host's bold power trip filled the hall with cheers. Smirking satisfactorily at the dumbfounded student council peeps staring at her, she yelled:
"Music! Hit it!"
Cue the track: sticky piano and melody stretching languid, punctuated by heavy drums. Soaring strings added a sensual vibe.
Seok-chan led off, riding the rhythm smoothly. Seo Joo-hwan watched others start, listening close.
'What's this song?'
Total unknown. Crowd reactions pegged it as some girl group hit, but he ignored K-pop. Still, he could dance without knowing lyrics.
He'd been sighing to bail moments ago—now shoulders popped, syncing to the beat. Im Su-hee's gift kicked in.
Multi-Dancing Line
Effect: Posture auto-corrects to match dance lines for any genre.
His B-rank dance talent handled the unfamiliar track's rhythm. The special ability guided perfect moves.
Instinctively loosening up, he glided lightly forward.
"Waaah! Joo-hwan oppa's killing it!"
"Oppa—no, unnie! Hwan unnie's so sexy!"
The crowd exploded at his turnaround. While other guys shuffled or flailed awkwardly (Seok-chan aside), Seo Joo-hwan surrendered to music and skill. Hands and feet grooved, weaving a hypnotic aura.
He smirked faintly, swaying easy.
'Dancing's fun, but…'
Wish he weren't in drag. Midway through light steps, he veered toward the host. Purely personal grudge.
'Your turn to squirm!'
Those snarky lines—he had to troll back once. Grabbing her hand amid her fluster, he yanked her center stage.
Crowd loved it, especially student council.
"Do Yu-i's got her match!"
"Yu-i! Show off that dance crew skill—it's been ages!"
Dance crew, huh. Sure enough, the host—Do Yu-i—shed her surprise, flashing a sly grin.
"Pfft. Senior, you knew I'm in the dance crew and dragged me out? Stalker much? Got a crush?"
She bantered shamelessly. Plan foiled, Seo Joo-hwan muttered awkwardly.
"Nah, just wanted to mess with you."
"Eek? So mean! To a timid little flower girl?!"
"Pfft."
Shameless, coming from her—now grooving with a hand on his shoulder. Her wave flowed seamless. At this rate, the host herself might snag the win.
Tsking, Seo Joo-hwan thought:
'Just dance.'
Their paths crossed, unleashing a thunderous cheer.