On the day of the team competition for “Targeting Star’s” original song ‘Aiming’, in the trainees’ waiting room, Yu Chan hyung approached me, pacing around with his thick stage makeup for the first time.
“Whoa, Chunyong. You look so handsome today.”
“It’s the makeup, of course.”
“No, no, it’s something else.”
Yu Chan hyung slightly furrowed his brows and framed my face with his fingers as if he was holding a box.
“You’ve always been a bit intimidating to approach, you know? Not in a bad way. Maybe it’s the sharpness. But now there’s a different vibe. Like, a different aura, you know.”
“…Looking sharp isn’t exactly a compliment, is it?”
“Isn’t it better? Do you believe in Tao, do you notice how people hesitate to talk to you?”
His blunt question made me pause for a moment.
Thinking back to my days as Arrows’ Rex and the current me, probably…
“…Not once?”
“See? That’s a good thing. Imagine the time you save not getting caught up in unwanted conversations. You’ve saved that time, man.”
“So you’re saying people are too scared to talk to me, right?”
“Ah, really, Chunyong, you look great! Hahaha!”
I really don’t think it’s a compliment.
I gave him a despondent smile, but still returned the compliment to hyung.
Yu Chan hung always had a sexy vibe, so lighter makeup that accentuated his features more than the heavy stage makeup, but that would reveal itself in time.
“I thought I’d be less nervous for the second stage, but maybe because I prepared it with others, I feel even more jittery.”
I deeply related to his words.
Compared to every moment I’ve stood on stage as an idol, every moment I’m risking everything in this survival show, feels more nerve-wracking than ever before.
Moreover, the mission I received from X this morning added to my tension.
[Surprise Mission (NEW!)]
Congratulations on making it from the treacherous self-introduction stage to the official competition! Aim for first place in the team competition as the first step toward becoming the greatest idol in K-pop history.
[Reward: Skill Selection (F)]
This moment given to me wasn’t merely a second chance due to luck, but an opportunity earned through a contract with someone.
It reminded me of what I needed to focus on.
“…I have to do well. Absolutely.”
“Huh? Chunyong hyung, what did you say?”
“Oh, uh?”
Before I knew it, the people from our team had gathered around me in a circle.
Logan, Seo Bin, Gao Yan, and Kim Joo An with his blank expression.
And Ji Hwa Sung as well.
Ji Hwa Sung, who had his fluffy bleached hair styled into flowing golden locks for the hair and makeup, looked more like an idol than ever.
The Arrows member I knew.
Noticing my gaze, Ji Hwa Sung coolly flipped his hair back and opened his mouth playfully.
“Why are you looking like that? It’s embarrassing. After making yourself look even cooler.”
“What…”
“Alright, alright! Anyway, let’s gather up. Ji Hwa Sung and the rest. Let’s assemble.”
“Ooh, dictator.”
“Ooh ooh. Hwa Sung looks like a young Stalin, Stalin.”
“Ooh ooh ooh. Autocrat.”
“These guys, really!”
The expressions of my teammates were filled with laughter. Any previous discord seemed to have disappeared.
Indeed, it’s best to confront and resolve problems quickly.
After a good laugh, Ji Hwa Sung gathered everyone’s hands in the middle and spoke energetically.
“Alright, let’s do well in today’s performance together. Now, everyone, hands in—.”
“Hold on. What are we supposed to shout?”
As Gao Yan asked earnestly, the others around him chided him.
“There’s only one thing, Gao Yan.”
“Gosh, Gao Yan. You’re so clueless!”
“What, what? Did everyone plan ahead without Gao Yan? How do you all know?”
“…Ugh, come here.”
Unable to bear it, I put my arm around Gao Yan’s neck and filled him in. Gao Yan’s eyes widened in realization. He quickly placed his hand where Ji Hwa Sung’s was and hurried the others.
“Hurry up, put your hands in. Gao Yan knows now too.”
Even Kim Joo An’s hand, which was reluctant to the end, was forcefully placed on top, and everyone shouted out with an excited voice.
All together―
“Let’s debut!”
* * *
A single spotlight shot down onto the darkened stage, and the man underneath mimicked shooting an arrow, exclaiming cheerfully,
“To your dream of debuting, shoot! Hello, Star Shooters. I’m your MC! I’m singer Choi Gaon.”
Wow!
Cheers erupted from the trainees and I who were sitting beside the stage.
That’s how broadcasting works. Since there were no audience members yet, we had to play the part of the audience.
Each camera capture was crucial for a trainee like us, so it was necessary.
“It’s been a week, trainees! I hope you’ve all been doing well!”
Choi Ga On greeted us with a bright smile, then began explaining about today’s stage.
“Today is the day we finally present the original song ‘Aiming’ from <Targeting Star> by each team. With three teams, the order is obviously crucial, right? Let’s decide that order before we get onto the stage!”
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TMMIB!
Random**Story not mine** Title: The Malicious Member is Back! Nicknamed the worst malicious member in idol history, called 'Trash-Rex.' Stage name Rex, real name Kim Chunyong. As he was urgently arrested, with only the entertainment world waiting for him...
