The final competition announcement day is approaching quickly.
While we were preparing for the cross-unit performance, Kang Ichae focused on composing songs, and we had already prepared several candidate songs for the final.
"Oh, it's here."
During the first shoot, The Dawn, who had ranked last in the final expected rankings with 0 votes, but now they are a strong contender for the championship.
In fact, based on the total score they have received so far, they were just behind High Five in second place.
In the stagnant atmosphere compared to the beginning, sharp gazes were directed towards us.
Before long, all the contestants gathered and the lights dimmed.
"Wow!"
As people exclaimed in surprise, a VCR video showcasing the performances from the previous competitions played briefly.
Among them, The Dawn's performance was the fourth one.
[THE DAWN]
From the face-to-face ceremony, the duet of Sung Jiwon and me singing 'Say you love me', Kang Ichae's original rap, and Lia Purple's 'Easy Tempo', the hip-hop performance unit with an Eastern vibe, to Jung Dajun's comeback performance 'Ride with you'.
I could see a faint smile on Kim Seonghyun's face as he watched the screen from the side.
"[Shining Star Season 2, let's begin the announcement for the final competition.]"
After the VCR video ended, MC Ha Seoyeon appeared with a mechanical voice.
"Hello, did you enjoy the video?"
"Yes~!"
After putting the results aside, the atmosphere became a bit more relaxed as each group reflected on their efforts.
"The evaluation method will be the same as the previous competitions. However..."
As Ha Seoyeon snapped her fingers, a giant live hall and stage appeared on the screen.
"It will be conducted live instead of on-site voting. And the scores from the music release a week ago and the live voting will be combined to determine the total score."
Live voting.
That's what's currently bothering me the most.
Having experienced Season 1, I know the broadcasting process well, but Kim Heeyoung, who has a fair personality, won't edit the show to favor The Dawn. Even if the ratings are at stake, it's obvious that it won't be easy for them.
"Hmm."
I pondered over the various conditions and situations that I had already contemplated countless times.
Versi and Try. They weren't bad, but they didn't stand out and consistently stayed in the lower ranks. TEW, it was ambiguous, but I wasn't too worried about it.
In the end, High Five was the only one left.
"Hmm."
Honestly, I felt a bit anxious.
I had a rough idea of how on-site voting would go. Except for when we ranked last, the expected rankings were somewhat similar.
But live voting has many variables, and it was already difficult for The Dawn to compete with High Five in terms of popularity.
Even if the song is good, it's hard to garner their votes with a conventional storyline.
Lost in thought, I was interrupted by [Hello! This is Han Chae-ri!]
"Wow!"
As it was the final competition, they must have wanted to include more footage, and video messages from the mentors appeared.
Unlike Joo Woosung and his biased editing, Han Chae-ri watched everyone's performances diligently.
[I'm also very nervous, but don't betray the efforts you've made so far. Fight until the end!]
"She's like a real angel!"
"When practicing, it was really scary..."
Despite having a famous reputation, he treats all the cast members fairly and with enthusiasm, which has touched everyone.
After Han Chaeri, who greets everyone with a bright smile, Joo Woosung appears.
"Hello, I'm Joo Woosung."
Joo Woosung seemed a little down.
Even Ha Seoyeon, who is skilled at managing her expressions, seemed momentarily stunned.
Joo Woosung gently touched his fingers together and slowly expressed his thoughts on the competition.
"I have a lot of thoughts as the final competition approaches. I have learned a lot from the other contestants throughout the competition."
"...."
"I have many things I want to say, but there is only one thing I want to say before the final competition."
Joo Woosung hesitated for a moment and looked at the camera.
"I hope you have done your best. So that you have no regrets."
Everyone had a mesmerized expression, even though they hadn't received much help from him.
In the midst of that, I felt like I was floating alone. I was so focused on how to win first place.
"...."
When I looked up, I met eyes with Kang Yeonhoo who was looking at me.
He smiled mischievously, as if showing the composure of a winner in advance.
After the mentor's video ended, Ha Seoyeon's expression changed completely.
"Not only the mentor. The production team has invited a special guest for the final competition. This person will help you achieve your best results."
Who else are they bringing in?
"We will introduce the special guest!"
I casually turned my gaze towards the entrance.
I thought it might be Joo Woosung as the mentor, or maybe Yoo Jia, the MC from Season 1.
But...
"Midas' Hand! The heart of K-pop reacts!"
Colorful lights gathered towards the entrance.
"-Blue Tiger, composer Lim Hyunsoo!"
Why is someone who is in the United States here?
"Wow!!"
"...Cough."
I heard a cough from Kang Ichae, who was sitting behind me, as if she was surprised.
Where did the modest and calm demeanor I saw last disappear to? Lim Hyunsoo confidently walked in with a bold face, sweeping her hair back.
"This, this."
And she winked at the camera, lowering her sharp black sunglasses.
"Everyone recognizes his face, huh?"
And yet, he turned around and posed as if shooting a gun.
"Oh my, really..."
I wish this scene didn't make it to the broadcast.
"Seo Hoyun!"
Today, there was no big shoot, but I was tired and about to go to the van when I received a text message and reluctantly led my tired body to the smoking room.
"It's been a while, huh?"
There, lim Hyunsoo was smoking a cigarette and blowing out white smoke.
"Couldn't quit smoking, huh?"
"Seems like you're still holding on, judging by your confident attitude."
"It's only natural."
Lim Hyunsoo, who was disappointed, stuck out her tongue as if to say it's a shame, and then leaned in close to my face, examining me from all angles.
"Wow, look at this fresh face. Have you been eating well and living well?"
"I should at least eat well. It seems like your skin has gotten a bit tanned, Ms. Composer."
"Yeah, while you were rotting away doing survival in Korea."
Didn't she just say my face looks good?
Ignoring her nonsense, I stepped back from the incoming cigarette smoke, but lim Hyunsoo smirked.
"Hoyun, I've come to realize the truth of life once again."
"What is it?"
I wasn't curious at all, but there was a big sign on my face that said, "Ask me quickly," so I decided to play along.
Lim Hyunsoo smiled satisfactorily.
"When things get tough, what do you do?"
"I don't know."
"You heal with finance and love."
"...."
Then lim Hyunsoo raised her sunglasses that she had taken off.
"Your Cheongbeom noona [blue tiger sister] had a wonderful and enjoyable vacation in California. She spent a lot of money, drank cocktails, and did other things..."
"Ugh. Stop it!"
"...Anyway, she said that her stress completely disappeared. I like people who have a healthy beauty."
What on earth is California?
Does money just flow when you go there?
I glared at lim Hyunsoo, feeling disgusted.
"Why do you bother people who are minding their own business?"
"Why are you reacting like this? Don't you want to hear about the hot time I had in California?"
"That's something you should tell Joo Woosung, the expert in that area."
But I couldn't stop LIm Hyunsoo's mouth.
Because of her endless stories about how amazing his vacation was with all the cool people, I had to cover my ears.
"If you're going to talk nonsense, I'm leaving. I'm busy."
"Hey, hey, I have something to say."
Lim Hyunsoo, who was laughing, grabbed me and flicked the ash off her cigarette, making the filter turn red.
"Did you see Kang Ichae?"
"The manager called him so he went back to the van first. Why?"
"he's so cold. he just said hello and left."
"Do you really not know why he only said hello?"
It was Kang Ichae's own consideration for lim Hyunsoo.
As quick-witted as he was, he read the subtle signs of the people he liked. So, to avoid Im Hyunsoo feeling uncomfortable around him, Kang Ichae deliberately left first.
"Kang Ichae, what a cute kid."
Lim Hyunsoo also seemed to vaguely understand the situation, and after a moment of contemplation, he raised his phone.
"Seo Hoyun, go and tell our ichae-ah something for me.
Since when did icha-ah become "our"?
Raising an eyebrow, LIm Hyunsoo smirked confidently and raised the corner of her mouth.
"I just sent a song. Tell him to check it."
"...Is there something strange about this?"
"Of course not."
Even though I squinted and looked at her, lim Hyunsoo just chuckled and didn't give a direct answer.
"Well, I'll tell Kang Ichae. But did you forget something?"
"Hmm?"
"You're a special guest."
LIm Hyunsoo, there must be a reason why you came all the way here.
"What advice do you have for the cast?"
Lim Hyunsoo, with a sly smile, lightly tapped my arm.
"Don't die, and get first place."
"Got it."
I chuckled slightly and left lim Hyunsoo behind.
I thought she should give me at least one song as a gift for showing her face after a long time, but
"Anyway, you look healthy, so that's good."
Sometimes what Joo Woosung said was right.
Indeed, lim Hyunsoo looked better with a bit of self-praise.
"Hyung, you're back~?"
As we returned to the van, today's targets, Kim Seonghyun and Jung Dajun, were teasing Kang Ichae.
But even as they teased him, Kang Ichae glanced at me with curiosity, wondering what conversation I had with Im Hyunsoo.
"Kang Ichae."
"Yes?"
Sitting next to her, I pulled the blanket over.
"The composer wants you to check your messages."
"Oh, really?"
I relayed the message and closed my eyes.
I thought there wouldn't be any major issues with the song.
But I was wrong.
"Hmm?"
Kang Ichae's eyes widened as he checked his messages in the van.
"Where's Kang Ichae?"
"Huh? Um, isn't he in the room?"
"I peeked in, but he wasn't there."
"Huh? I saw him going in earlier."
But on that day.
Kang Ichae was unusually quiet.
With my mind overflowing with thoughts, I didn't realize it, but something felt off. He wasn't playfully teasing me as usual.
As his roommate who shared a room with Kang Ichae, I took the lead and went into the room. Looking around the empty room, Sung Jiwon raised his eyebrows.
"Look, he's not here."
"...Hmm?"
As Sung Jiwon and I looked at each other in confusion, Jung Dajun, who was rummaging through the kitchen, quickly approached us.
"What's wrong? Why are you like that?"
"Kang Ichae is missing."
"Maybe he went to exercise?"
Kim Seonghyun, who came out of the bathroom with a towel on his head, said as he followed us into the room. And in that moment, he hesitated to sit in the chair where Kang Ichae often sat.
"I'll call him now... Ahh!!"
Something startled him.
"Wow!"
"Ahh!"
Kim Seonghyun and Jung Dajun looked startled and quickly retreated to the nearest door. Jiwon and I were pushed back as well.
"...."
Slowly...
Beyond the spinning chair, Kang Ichae's face appeared from under the pile of blankets on the bed.
"...Is this a horror movie?"
Kim Seonghyun, who grabbed his racing heart, asked in shock.
"Hey, hey, hey... Why are you doing this without any warning?!"
"H-Hyung, I really thought you were a ghost."
Kim Seonghyun and Jung Dajun, who couldn't speak properly, trembled as they held each other tightly.
I pushed them aside and walked confidently towards Kang Ichae's bed.
"Did something happen? But why aren't you answering?"
"...."
"Kang Ichae?"
I called him again, but he remained silent. Something was definitely off.
Even when I lightly tapped her cheek, she didn't respond or say anything.
"What's going on?"
"...."
"Well, let's go eat first."
Sometimes, we all need some time alone.
As I shrugged my shoulders and was about to leave with the other members, Kang Ichae grabbed onto my clothes and burst into tears.
"...??"
"I-I'm worried about myself...."
I quickly held her face with both hands to lift it up and check, but there were no tears. Her face was smooth and fluffy, as if every single strand of hair was alive.
"This brat...."
"I'm so worried that I'm going crazy~!!!"
As Kang Ichae continued to cry, lying face down on the bed, making fake crying sounds that anyone could see through, my expression turned sour.
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