Chapter 111
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 111
Chapter Title Seleste Revealed
The announcement that the group name would be revealed soon caused even more of a stir from the audience seats than from us.
I can understand that.
Unless its ridiculously bizarre, the members themselves dont take the group name all that seriously.
On the flip side, fans who constantly chat with each other on SNS are hypersensitive to rival fandoms mocking the name of the group they stan.
Survival shows that form groups especially tend to churn out some truly odd names every now and then.
From a different angle, I found myself curious about the group name.
Would it debut with the exact same name as the Idol Training Simulation that Han Jihyuk had entered?
Or would something entirely different emerge?
These seven boys, chosen directly by our National Producers, will now be known as
Following Choi Sias words, the screen at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium lit up brightly.
Sky blue and white lights shimmered like they were dancing.
An elegant script font slowly materialized in the center of the glow.
Seleste
The word Select, carrying the meaning of being chosen and formed by the hands of our National Producers. Combined with Celeste, meaning the celestial sky, to birth the group name Seleste. These seven trainees, handpicked by National Producers worldwide over more than two months of journey, will shine like the beautiful celestial sky. We ask for your continued love and support for Seleste!
The name Seleste was unveiled.
It was the exact same group name as in the previous rounds Idol Training Simulation.
I nodded along with the other trainees, giving enthusiastic applause.
Its a good name. Solid meaning, and easy for people to say.
Sure, they couldve just slapped on something pretty and simple, but fans place huge importance on meaning.
Especially when its a group shaped massively by their own choices.
In that light, blending Select up front instead of just going with Celeste was a smart move.
Seleste, Seleste. Easy to chant, huh? I like it!
The group names perfect!
Wonder what the fandom namell be. So curious.
Ah, this just makes me want to debut even more.
The trainees seemed thrilled with the name too.
No forced mashups of random words to tie into the shows title.
No lengthy syllables that trip up the tongue.
With the group name announced, things are about to get real.
I felt a faint tension humming through my body.
Even with my passive skill keeping my mind calm and steady, the weight of the debut lineup reveal was immense.
Maybe it was the hands of Kang Siyoon and Heo Yubin gripping mine tightly on either side.
Its starting now, huh.
Yeah. Votingll wrap up soon.
Ah, if Id known itd be this tense, I shouldve popped a calming pill beforehand.
Kang Siyoon forced a smile to hide his nerves.
But the slight tremble in his hand betrayed exactly how he felt.
Heo Yubin, well. He was exactly as everyone expected.
KKKaris Brother! My hearts pounding way too fast!
Probably the same for everyone here. No need to freak out.
I was fine up until the stage, but now just standing heres got me shaking like crazy!
Could be the music fading and the silence settling in.
I wanna borrow your iron heart, Brother!
I could sense it subtly.
Heo Yubin was desperately trying to hide his true feelings right now.
Hes probably got the most complicated emotions out of all of us.
Debut, a privilege reserved only for the top seven.
Having clutched 8th place in the third ranking announcement, Heo Yubin was in a true makeorbreak spot.
Either climb from 8th with more votes and seize his debut dream.
Or, by some cruel twist of fate, stay stuck at 8th just shy of the cutoff and taste elimination.
I know that feeling all too well, unfortunately.
How grueling it is to end your journey in 8th.
How a single short announcement can deliver crushing despair and loss to one person.
Having experienced it firsthand, I silently gripped Heo Yubins hand tight.
A wordless promise Itll be fine, no doubt.
Receiving my message, he took a deep breath.
His trembling hand gradually steadied.
Itll work out. Right, Brother?
Of course. Im certain of it.
Hehe, Im so glad youre here beside me, Brother.
I answered Heo Yubins words with a faint smile.
Right then.
Choi Sia, handed something by the production staff, straightened her cue cards and picked up the mic.
Idol Training Simulation global voting is now closed. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.
The countdown began.
Every eye in the venue locked onto Choi Sia.
Global voting is now closed.
All that remained was tallying the votes.
Once the count finished, the fateful debut lineup would be revealed.
Whew
Please, please.
Sighs echoed from all around.
Chae Eungyu with eyes shut tight, murmuring please over and over.
Song Hyeongbin staring up at the gym ceiling, lost in thought.
Yu Minha shaking out his wrists and ankles in place, trying to shake off the tension.
And Ji Yooncheol, his usual poker face slightly cracked, staring blankly ahead.
Even with all their stage experience teaching them how to compose themselves, these were still young boys.
Enduring that spinechilling tension in silence was no easy feat.
Imagining the midshow ad break probably airing on TV screens right now, I kept holding Kang Siyoon and Heo Yubins hands.
An ad slot thatd normally last just 12 minutes felt like every second stretched into a full one for us.
After the ads, short interviews from the judges whod guided us played.
As the interviews wrappedlikely meaning the tally was doneChoi Sia took the mic again with a solemn expression.
And so, tonightwho will be the glorious seven debuting as Seleste? The final round global vote wrapped up with a whopping 10,091,987 votes from 180 countries. Once more, our deepest thanks to our National Producers for your passionate participation.
Ten million votes totalthat was insane firepower.
And not even with duplicate votes the system allowed just one per phone.
Proof of how massive Idol Training Simulations global pull had become.
Who will be the first trainee debuting as a Seleste member? Final Top 7we now reveal number 6.
No more delays straight into the 6th place announcement.
A grand BGM swelled through the gymnasium.
Aside from the BGM and a few National Producers calling out names, silence reigned.
I looked to the screen.
The camera crew was cycling through closeups of every likely 6thplace contender.
Kang Donghwi, Heo Yubin, even Kang Siyoon.
The first recipient of our National Producers choice
Kang Siyoon and Heo Yubin squeezed my hands harder on both sides, sensing the reveal was imminent.
Their tension and desperation transmitted through my skin, crystal clear.
Congratulations, Trainee Heo Yubin!
The moment Heo Yubins name rang out, the pressure on my right hand vanished.
Seconds ago clutching my hand like a lifeline, hed collapsed right there.
Yubiiiiiin!
Yubin, congrats!
Yubin, huge congrats on debuting!
Trainees swarmed him from all sides, piling into a group hug.
Yu Minha was pounding his sameage friends shoulder like it was his own victory.
Hashimoto Ken shed tears like a faucet, clapping nonstop.
The star of the moment was wailing at full volume.
Waaahhh!
Yubin, stop crying! Youll ruin your face!
Bbut, bbut! Waaahhh! Hhow could I not cryyy!
Aigoo, aigoo. You did great, so great! You worked so hard.
Kang Siyoon scooped up Heo Yubin and helped him stand.
His legs trembled like theyd lost all strength.
Congrats, Yubin. Truly, from the heart. I knew youd pull it off.
As I gripped his hand firmly again, it was like fresh energy surged through himhe found his balance.
Heo Yubin wiped his tear and snotstreaked face and beamed at me goofily.
Karis Brother, thank you so much.
If youre grateful, treat me to a big meal later.
Only if you debut too, Brother!
Deal.
Heo Yubin flashed one last grin and headed down from the platform.
Even as he walked toward the stairs on the opposite side of the gym, tears kept streaming from his eyes.
National Producers shouted at him not to cry with all their might.
Hearing them, he kept waving and bowing to both sides as he went.
Trainee Heo Yubin has etched what could be called a miracle of Idol Training Simulation. Starting from Underground rank, he steadily climbed the ranks to secure 6th place and confirm his debut. With vocal prowess earning him the title of main vocal certainty, we sincerely hope Trainee Heo Yubin brings us great songs as part of Seleste!
Finally reaching Choi Sias side, Heo Yubin took the mic and shared his feelings with a shaky voice.
My mom and dad, who showed this timid kid the world of music from youngthank you so much. I was always scared Id just be a heartache for you, but now I finally feel like I can repay you. Im so happy. And above all, to our National Producers who believed in Trainee Heo Yubin from start to finishsniff! Thank you, truly thank you! Ill always sing with my!
Sniffles punctuated it here and there, but he got his message across clearly.
Yubins improved his speaking a ton.
Definitely come a long way since the first ranking announcement.
Ah, feels like my own kids debuting. Wonder how Yubins parents are holding up.
Kang Siyoon wiped tears beside me, smiling nonstop.
But his time on the trainee platform wouldnt last much longer.
Selestes next member, Top 7 number 5. Congratulations, Trainee Kang Siyoon!
Hearing his name, Kang Siyoon froze in a daze for a split second.
Then he turned to me and uttered just one line.
Me, really?
Yeah, you idiot. Congrats.
After that, well. Incoming trainees made any real talk impossible again.
Siyoon, you did it!
Congrats, Kang Siyoon!
Siyoon, ah, what a relief. Such a relief!
This time, Song Hyeongbin hugged him hardest, relief flooding his face.
Theyd leaned on each other a lot prepping for it, apparently.
Hahaha! Ah, dont hit so hard!
Kang Siyoon weathered the congratulatory barrage, then turned to me.
I silently thrust out a fist, and he grinned back, bumping it with his.
And just like that, all of Cell 31s comrades have debuted.
Unbelievable.
Heo Yubin, whom I didnt even recall hearing about in the previous round.
Kang Siyoon, whod flunked out of the finals with me.
Both met Karis von Walden, skyrocketed in skill, and claimed their spots in Seleste fair and square.
Every moment still felt like a plot twist.
But the real drama hadnt even been written yet.