Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Turn
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After a week-long break, the day of the ranking ceremony had arrived once again.
It was a nerve-wracking moment.
The stage was structured with two platforms connected by something like a short bridge. The contestants waited under dim lighting, while the MC, Wi Yeo-jun, stood under a brilliant spotlight, creating a stark contrast.
‘They must have designed the stage to create that effect.’
“There are now only fifteen spots left for the final stage.”
As Wi Yeo-jun finished speaking, a dramatic sound effect played, and the dark wall behind him lit up.
Simultaneously, a transparent display case was revealed. Inside were exactly fifteen microphones, adorned with sparkling cubic zirconia.
It seemed they'd prepared something different, having overused the chair-reveal gimmick.
‘But... fifteen?’
Until now, the number of eliminated contestants had been fixed at ten, so I had vaguely assumed it would be the same this time.
But this meant that more than half of us would be eliminated.
“This time, we’ll do things a little differently and announce the third-place winner first.”
Having climbed to ninth place, I could be considered safe from elimination, but with the change in the voting system, you never knew.
‘Besides, surviving this round means making it to the finals.’
If I were to be eliminated on the final stage, I felt I wouldn't have any regrets, knowing I had done everything I could.
“In third place is... Jung Eun-woo. Congratulations. Please step forward to claim your microphone.”
He was perfectly within the safe zone for debut.
Barring any major upsets, that is.
Jung Eun-woo strode toward the microphone, accepting everyone's congratulations.
“The owner of the first microphone has been decided. Please use it to share a few words.”
“Yes. I want to tell my fans, family, and friends who have supported me that I’m grateful and I love them. I’ve been so happy these days, to the point where I wonder if I deserve to receive this much love in my life. I truly hope to repay this love someday. Thank you.”
After a short round of applause, the ranking ceremony proceeded more quickly than I expected.
They could create the tempo they wanted through editing anyway, and with much to get through, it seemed they were moving things along swiftly.
Fourth place was Lee Ho-jun, and fifth was Lee Hyung-jun.
Since first and second place would be Haru and Kang Ju-hyeok, the debut safe zone was now closed.
“In sixth place, congratulations, Park Ji-ham! You’ve climbed quite a few ranks since last time.”
Park Ji-ham walked forward, a look of bewilderment on his face.
Those who had already claimed their microphones congratulated him.
“Sixth place... This rank is more than I deserve. When I first joined RED CUBE, I never imagined I would make it to the final stage.”
Tears began to well up in Park Ji-ham’s eyes.
“And I want to thank Yoon-seul once again. Thanks to him, I was able to not give up on singing. You all probably don’t know how emotional this is for me.”
Park Ji-ham lowered his head slightly before lifting it again.
“I will cherish this feeling and strive to become someone who can extend a hand to others.”
“Yes. That was a truly heartfelt speech. It’s wonderful to see you all caring for and respecting one another. Now, let’s announce the next rank.”
Wi Yeo-jun continued.
“Next up is seventh place. The owner of the seventh microphone is... Congratulations, Seo Yoon-seul.”
It was two ranks higher than last time.
The distance had seemed short when others walked it, but as I made my way, it felt incredibly far.
As I picked up the microphone, a strange feeling washed over me.
“Thank you. I can’t believe I’m going to the final stage. To my fans, I’m always grateful, and I love you. I’ll work hard until the finals, so please continue to support me!”
I said that because many fans were upset about me writing ‘please don’t hate me’ on my RED CUBE self-introduction.
After that, the ranking ceremony continued.
Still, waiting with a microphone in my hand made me feel much more at ease.
Now, only the first and second-place announcements remained.
The lighting was dim, so I couldn't see the expressions of those still waiting, but I imagined they wore faces of resignation.
“First place is Kang Ju-hyeok. Congratulations.”
Automatically, Haru became second place.
It was the first time that Haru, who had consistently ranked first, had dropped to second.
“First place... I truly never expected my name to be called here.”
Kang Ju-hyeok waved at the camera with a happy expression.
“Congratulations.”
After the perfunctory round of applause, Wi Yeo-jun picked up his microphone again.
“There is now only one microphone left.”
Everyone knew its owner would be Haru, so there was no particular tension in the air.
“Second place is Haru! Congratulations.”
Haru walked over and picked up the last microphone.
The display case was now empty.
“Thank you. I hope my fans won’t be upset that I came in second. Because I was always so happy just to have been in first place. Besides, I’m also happy that a younger brother I really like took first. I’ll work hard on the final stage, so please watch over me. Thank you.”
“Everyone. It’s not over yet.”
I thought the ranking ceremony was over and we would naturally pack up and head to our rooms, but Wi Yeo-jun said something other than his usual closing remarks.
‘Since the show ends after the final stage, everything is deviating from the norm. What are they planning now?’
“This time, you will form teams with whomever you wish.”
It was an unexpected announcement.
‘I thought the final teams would naturally be decided by fan votes.’
While we were still stunned, the eliminated contestants left the stage.
They weren't even given time for a final goodbye.
‘That’s a bit cruel.’
Until now, whenever someone was eliminated, we had a chance to say our last goodbyes.
‘They didn't even show the rankings of the eliminated contestants. It's a complete contrast to the beginning. But Choi Young-jun and Choi Jung-woon were eliminated, too.’
I hadn't had any direct run-ins with Choi Young-jun or Choi Jung-woon since the performance two rounds ago, but things were still uncomfortable because of their fans.
I'd seen Choi Young-jun's fandom and my own clash so many times that I couldn't help but worry.
‘Because getting exhausted happens in an instant.’
I had seen such cases far too often.
Those who had tried so hard to protect me all ended up leaving, exhausted, in the end.
‘Still, I guess there won't be any fights for a while.’
Usually, in idol survival shows, voting is crucial, so by this point, teams are formed based on fan votes. Being suddenly told to form our own groups was bound to be bewildering.
“The number of members doesn’t matter either. Form a team with however many people you want.”
At that moment, my eyes met Lee Ho-jun’s.
We didn't say a word, but I knew we were thinking the same thing.
‘That's one member secured.’
Now that we had a rapper, it would be good to find a main dancer and a lead vocalist for the performance.
“Well then, I’ll see you at the next performance. RED CUBE!”
Wi Yeo-jun made a square with his fingers and left the stage.
At that, everyone began to move about busily.
I met up with Lee Ho-jun first.
“Um... can I join you guys?”
I turned my head and saw it was Park Ji-ham.
He hesitated, perhaps thinking we might reject his offer.
I didn't mind Park Ji-ham joining, but I needed to ask for Lee Ho-jun's opinion, so I glanced over at him.
Lee Ho-jun nodded, seemingly in agreement.
“Of course. Let’s do it together.”
Park Ji-ham smiled and stood beside us.
Three members.
It felt like we needed at least one more person.
“Let us in, too!”
Kang Ju-hyeok said, draping his arms over my and Lee Ho-jun’s shoulders.
Haru was right beside him.
Everyone reacted positively.
Honestly, it was only natural. Both of them were talented and weren't the type to ruin the mood.
“Alright.”
Five members.
It seemed like a good idea to finalize the team with this lineup.
“Can I join you guys, too?”
It was Jung Eun-woo.
“I’m fine with it.”
“Me too.”
“Me too.”
And so, Jung Eun-woo also became part of our team.
Worried that adding more people would get complicated, we immediately went and reported our team to the production staff.
“Alright. Let’s work hard together from now on!”
We put our hands together and cheered to build up our team spirit.
Come to think of it, aside from me, the other five were all members of the debut group.
‘To think we'd end up on the same team like this. It feels a little strange.’
***
Practice went very smoothly.
Previously, things would start off rocky but end well.
This time, however, was different.
From song selection to part distribution and the stage concept, everything went off without a hitch.
Not a single person raised an objection.
Yet, everyone freely expressed their opinions as we coordinated.
We were living out the ‘ideal group project’ meme from social media.
Thanks to that, I didn't have to worry about anything else and could just focus on putting on a great performance.
“Wow. But this time is even more hectic.”
Jung Eun-woo said, stretching his stiff body.
Honestly, it was understandable.
‘Since only three teams were formed, we had to prepare one team performance, one group performance with everyone, and another performance with our group split in half. It was bound to be chaotic.’
It meant we had to prepare three performances in two weeks.
Because of that, we were cooped up in the practice room from the very first day.
“Shall we continue practicing then?”
“Sounds good.”
Suddenly, the practice room door opened, and a writer came in.
“Ju-hyeok. Could you come with me for a moment?”
“Sure. I’ll be right back.”
The writer and Kang Ju-hyeok left the practice room together.
“Looks like it’s time for individual interviews.”
Since it was about time for them, no one thought much of it.
No one noticed the impending disaster.
“Alright, let’s continue practicing without Ju-hyeok.”
While we were practicing, Kang Ju-hyeok returned with a dark expression on his face.
“I think I have to drop out of the show.”