After the cheering had died down a little, one of the judges; Jenny had decided to be the first to speak as she stood from her seat to address the participant. She was filled with excitement as a visible wide smile was written all over her face.
"That right there was a wonderful performance. I must say this is the most impressive presentation I'll see today. Dude, what's your name again?"
"Alex Gene, but you can call me Hydrogen." He had decided to used the same name he used for his DFG account, that way, once he started getting popular, people will be able to link the both names together, thereby making him even more popular. He had done the same thing in his previous life, making him popular as a music and game celebrity.
"Hydrogen…" Jenny paused before pointing both her thumbs out to Alex. "You're the best."
With this, everyone applauded once again, while the judges came together to discuss the final judgement.
"So what do you think guys?" Jenny asked, she was in total support of giving Alex a high rank, but her decision alone doesn't have any effect unless the remaining two gives their opinion. But that depends, if two of the judges are in support of giving Alex a high rank, then the decision of the highest support will be given. But if two are against giving Alex a rank five, then he won't receive it.
"What do you mean what we think? Didn't I told you everyone is getting a rank three?" Thomas reminded her.
"But his performance are great, we might lose a skilled individual if he gets stuck in rank three." Jenny complained.
"We can't lose him, if he's as skillful as you said, then he'll fight his way to the top. That's how a Star is born, they strive through hardship and difficulties. Now I'll give the announcement, that guy is getting a rank three." Thomas said as he shifted the microphone so he could speak into it.
"Let me do the announcement." Dora eventually spoke up, causing Thomas to glance at her with a confused expression.
"And why would I let you do that?" He asked.
"Well, you may decide not to give me, it's your decision and you have the final say, I'm only just trying to help here. But don't you think people will be wondering why you've been the only judge giving announcements all day. Alex usually hand over things like this to us, you know, it will make people feel like you're the boss, or what do you think?"
Thomas was silent for a while as he thought about what Dora had just said. He looked around and saw that everyone's gaze was on him.
Frowning, he grinned his teeth together and turned to look at Dora. "You two hypocrites, you've been watching me make the announcements all day, yet you can't tell me to stop. Are you two trying to act like bosses now? You should have told me Alex doesn't do stuffs like this."
"I thought you wouldn't agree if we inform you, that's why I and Jenny had kept quiet all this while." Hearing her name, Jenny had turned to look at Dora who had instantly kicked her on the feet; a sign for her to play along.
"Err, yeah we're so sorry. We should have informed you sooner." Jenny had to speak up to support her friend's notion.
"Then, how do you intend to clean this up. Everyone must be waiting for me to make the announcements. What could they be thinking right now? That Alex's substitute is a trash who makes announcements everytime." Thomas grabbed his hair, almost pulling them out of his head. If anyone was seeing this, they would think he's crazy. Luckily no one was paying attention to him as their gazes were on the female judge that had just stood up to address Alex.
"Here is the final judgement." Dora said, and all who have been anticipating for the news had instantly turned their gazes towards her. "Giving by the standards of this contest, each singing participants must have a clear and soothing voice, have a meaningful lyrics, display the emotions and weight gravity of the song, perform without any mistakes, gain the attention of the audience and everyone listening to your song. Participant 202, you exceeded all this, therefore you have been given RANK FIVE!"
Just as she said this, the whole arena had burst into cheering and clapping, it was as if they had came here mainly to support Alex. This was more than what a supporting team would do, this was more fan-like. Without even knowing, Alex had gained multiple fans and followers just from his single performance.
Even Jenny was clapping more louder than before, that was until she saw a specific person stand up beside her. Dora had also noticed Thomas standing from his seat, so she quickly waved her hands for the cheering to go down.
"Before we proceed, I would like to appreciate my boss, Thomas Hemsworth for being the one announcing the results all day, despite it being the job of co-judges like me. Kindly put your hands together to appreciate him guys. Without him, this year's UIC wouldn't have taken place. Let's appreciate him more." Dora announced to which everyone did as she said.
Thomas could only force himself to smile as he didn't want the audience to think he was frowning or something. He was the type that cares about the public's opinion, something Dora was now aware of. She also discovered that Thomas had been trying to fit in the roles of Alex, and that includes the things he does and do not. That's how she had brought up the excuse of how Alex doesn't make announcements in the UIC.
"Since my boss has displayed such a humility act, I would like to do so too. Till the end of today's performance, I will be the one to announce the final judgements."
Supporting her speech, everyone had started cheering her on, hyping and whooping at her benevolent act.
She had a plan and it seems to be working even though she knew that the life of someone special to her was on the line. She was just hoping her guts were right.
"Alex Gene, with the Stage name of Hydrogen, congratulations once again." Dora said as she shook Alex's hand while also exchanging a piece of paper between the pleasantries.
The crowd applauded him once again, even as he walked back to his seat some could be seen shaking hands with him while also congratulating him.
Upon getting to his seat, Bob had shook Alex's hands, followed by Tyler who had also stretched her hands towards him. This was the second time she would be doing this, and Alex feeling apprehensive by everyone's well wishes had grabbed her hands, returning the pleasantries.
But at that moment, something had came over Tyler as she took a glanceful look at Alex.
'What is this? Memories from two different people?'