Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: The Final Announcement
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“We have now reached the final part of our show.”
Wi Yeo-jun stood alone on the stage.
The other contestants and I were gathered in a circle backstage, waiting.
I couldn’t tell you how the day had passed.
‘I was so caught up in the performance that I didn't realize it, but I was incredibly nervous.’
My legs trembled as if all the tension I'd been holding back had hit me at once.
It was so bad I could barely stand, but with cameras still on me, I had to pretend to be calm.
‘Hoo….’
I took a deep breath inwardly, trying to calm my heart.
“We will now begin the ranking announcement.”
“No!”
“Aaaah!”
The despairing cries of the fans could be heard.
They had to accept that the time for enjoying the performances was over.
[I hate this so much.]
[I just wished this moment would never come.]
[Seo Yoon-seul debut. Seo Yoon-seul debut. Seo Yoon-seul debut. Seo Yoon-seul debut. Seo Yoon-seul debut. Seo Yoon-seul debut. Seo Yoon-seul debut. Seo Yoon-seul debut. Seo Yoon-seul debut.]
[I feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest, what do I do.]
[Please vote for number 11. Please vote for 11.]
The fans began to express their despair, each in their own way.
[I don't know anymore. I just wish they'd tell us quickly. My heart already hurts.]
“Here. In my hand is the list of contestants who will debut today.”
Wi Yeo-jun held up the envelope containing the paper with the voting results for everyone to see.
“Are you curious?”
“Yes!”
In response to Wi Yeo-jun's question, the audience members answered in breathless voices.
[I'm so nervous.]
[Haru 1st place. Haru 1st place. Haru 1st place. Please.]
[Eun-woo, please let's debut.]
The speed of the live chat also doubled.
The text changed in the blink of an eye, to the point where many people started to give up on reading the chat.
[Praying for Park Ji-ham's debut.]
[I'll live a good life, just please let our Yoon-seul debut.]
A chilly tension filled the concert hall.
“But before that, there are a few things you all must know.”
“What now!”
The voice of an angry fan rang out.
[What was with that person's volume? Did we just miss out on an opera talent? lolololol]
[I was getting annoyed too, but I can't compete with that person?]
Although there were a few fans who would raise their voices in irritation whenever Wi Yeo-jun made one of his ominous remarks, this was the first time a voice had been so loud and resonant.
It was powerful enough to fill the entire concert hall, which was much larger than before.
[I think Wi Yeo-jun was genuinely surprised this time?]
[That expression is the real deal lolololol]
[Before, he would just playfully brush it off when fans did that, but now he's blinking and can't speak.]
“Ahahaha. I was so surprised by that vocal power, I was momentarily taken aback.”
Like a true professional, Wi Yeo-jun continued with his script.
“I'd like to carefully recommend you try auditioning for musical theater someday.”
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Wi Yeo-jun has his wits back now.]
“And it seems many of you are nervous about what bombshell I'm about to drop. I'm just reading the script the production team wrote for me. Please don't hate me too much.”
Wi Yeo-jun said in a playful voice, wrapping his arms around his own shoulders.
[True lolololol Wi Yeo-jun is just reading what they wrote. It's not his fault.]
[The production team is just using Wi Yeo-jun as a shield….]
“And you don't need to worry too much. This is good news.”
“Woooooah!”
The moment Wi Yeo-jun finished speaking, the crowd cheered.
“Isn't that a bit of a quick change in attitude? Alright. Let's stop the chatter and get to the main point, shall we?”
As Wi Yeo-jun turned his head toward the screen, everyone’s gaze naturally followed.
“Before we announce the rankings, we will reveal the group name for those who will debut through RED CUBE.”
[Group name?]
[Awesome.]
[What's the name! What is it.]
[I'm about to pass out….]
“The logo and name will appear on this screen. Are you excited?”
“Yes!”
“Then shall we count down together? Three!”
“Two!”
The audience members began to count down along with Wi Yeo-jun.
“One!”
Bang.
With the sound of exploding fireworks, the RED CUBE logo appeared on the screen.
The cube moved about before stopping with a brilliant flash of light.
It instantly transformed into a sparkling cube that looked as if it were made of transparent glass, and below it, a name in English cursive appeared.
[RE-V]
“The group name for those who will debut through RED CUBE will be 'RE-V,' a shortened form of RED CUBE. The spelling is different, but in English, 'rave' means 'to praise enthusiastically, to acclaim.' It's just a common saying, but they say an idol group's fate follows its name. I've heard this name was chosen with the hope that the contestants will live their lives receiving high praise wherever they go, as a reward for all the hard times they've endured.”
[RE-V.]
[RE-V!]
[The meaning is nice. Of course, any name can be interpreted in different ways, but….]
[Why am I tearing up again after hearing the meaning.]
“So, now that the group name has been decided, shall we see who the five members of RE-V will be?”
[Hoo….]
[I pray. I pray. I'm praying with all my heart.]
“This time, as a special exception, we will announce the contestants starting from 1st place.”
Normally, 1st place would be revealed last, but it was clear they changed the order because it was all but certain that Haru would be number one.
“The first contestant to become a member of RE-V is…”
[Well, 1st place is Haru, obviously.]
[There's a reason they changed it.]
[I couldn't get a ticket today, so I was bummed and just went to the front of the venue to get some merch. But Haru's fans were so relaxed.]
[I'm jealous. A safe debut spot.]
[If you knew about the six years Haru struggled, you would never say you're jealous.]
Since everyone knew this, no one was tense.
Haru walked out with a bright smile to grab the microphone.
With a look of mixed emotions, he picked up the flower-adorned microphone.
“Congratulations! You're the first to secure a spot in the debut lineup. How do you feel?”
“First, I want to say thank you and I love you to all the fans who voted for me. And thank you so, so much to everyone who gave me this opportunity. Thanks to you, I can now face my parents with pride. I'm truly happy.”
Tears of joy streamed down Haru's face.
Seeing him, who never cried even through hardship, shed tears at his happiest moment, the fans waved their slogans even more fervently.
“I will work hard. Thank you.”
After Haru finished his speech, Wi Yeo-jun guided him to his seat.
“There are now four microphones left.”
“Awwwww!”
“Inevitably, nine contestants must turn back at the door of their debut.”
The fans of the lower-ranked contestants couldn't hide their gloom.
They knew that unless something extraordinary happened, it was impossible for the rankings to suddenly flip.
[I think the reason our boy was so on edge was because he knew this was really the end for him.]
[So 1st place is Haru after all. It's amazing he was 1st place throughout the show except for that one time.]
[I wasn't expecting 1st place anyway.]
“I will now announce 2nd place.”
Wi Yeo-jun glanced back and forth between his cue card and the audience.
Originally, 2nd place was as good as Kang Ju-hyeok's fixed position.
‘Since Kang Ju-hyeok, who was 2nd, voluntarily dropped out, who will it be? Could it be Jung Eun-woo, who was 3rd last time?’
“2nd place is... contestant Jung Eun-woo!”
My prediction was spot on.
“Thank you. Thank you. They say you get exactly three opportunities in life. I thought I had already used all of mine. But I guess I was wrong. It seems I had one left. So I hope everyone lives their lives believing they still have a chance.”
Jung Eun-woo bowed deeply to the audience to express his gratitude.
“Let's check the 3rd place contestant.”
The people in the audience could be seen with their hands clasped in desperate prayer.
“Contestant Lee Ho-jun. Congratulations. Please come forward, contestant Lee Ho-jun.”
Lee Ho-jun slowly made his way forward.
He picked up the microphone, his face filled with overwhelming emotion.
“Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you.”
He didn't say who or what he was thankful for, but it somehow made his current emotions feel even clearer.
“We are about to announce 4th place. Is everyone nervous?”
“Yes!”
I, too, began to feel even more nervous.
Because there were only two spots left.
The other contestants seemed to feel the same way.
Honestly, while we said we were satisfied just to have made it to the final stage, who could truly be satisfied with just that?
It was nothing more than a comment made to hide our disappointment.
“4th place is…”
The corners of the mouths of Park Ji-ham and the contestant who had previously been 4th twitched with a brief spasm.
“Congratulations, contestant Park Ji-ham.”
Park Ji-ham collapsed on the spot, as if his legs had given out.
The camera didn't miss a beat, capturing the moment.
Soon, Park Ji-ham pushed himself up using the wall and made his way to the stage.
He picked up the microphone, his face a mess of tears.
“Please share a few words with us.”
“*Sob…*”
Park Ji-ham was so overcome with tears that he couldn't speak.
“It seems his emotions are running too high for him to calm down. Let's please wait a moment.”
“Don't cry!”
“It's okay if you don't say anything! We all understand!”
The fans quickly shouted in response to Wi Yeo-jun's attempt to smooth things over.
Park Ji-ham steadied his breathing and quickly dabbed at his tears with his sleeve.
“Thank you so much for giving me a new chance. When I first received an F grade, I couldn't help but feel despair. I could only resent the fact that I had vocal cord nodules. But... I truly never thought I would debut here. To the fans who cheered for me and loved me, I want to say I'm sorry, thank you, and I love you. And lastly, Yoon-seul.”
My eyes blinked at the sudden call of my name.
“I hope we can debut together.”
For a moment, a solemn silence fell over the concert hall.
“Now, there is only one microphone left.”
All eyes turned to the single microphone standing alone.
‘How wonderful would it be if that were mine.’
It wasn't entirely impossible.
My previous rank was 7th.
But with Kang Ju-hyeok dropping out, my rank had naturally risen to 6th.
Just one person. If I could beat just one person, I could take that spot. The debut spot.
‘Please... please...’
Overwhelmed by nervousness, I squeezed my eyes shut.
“The one who will take the final microphone is... congratulations.”
My mouth went dry.
“Contestant Seo Yoon-seul.”