From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

Chapter 769 Rising Stars 5 Finale (3)

Their performance ended, yet it still lingered in the air.

The boys of EVE, standing under the stars, created a beautiful and meaningful picture-one that nobody could replace.

- Nobody could replace EVE in my heart.

- True. I tuned into this season, and it just didn't feel the same. Although I love the girls, I can't help but compare them to EVE

- All of them are born to be idols!

-EVE is going to go down history-I'm telling you.

- Overrated.

June smiled as the camera panned back to him. He stood at the center of the stage, ready to host the show once again after their performance.

Ilis hair got messed up from the performance. I lowever, it only made him look even cuter.

- Omo! A cute kitty with hair standing in all directions.

Kyaah! June is so fucking cute. I want him to fu-

Stop right there.

- I want him to fulfill his dreams and always be happy! What are you thinking about?

"That was EVE with 'The Brightest Star Is Me, otherwise known as the theme song of this year's Rising Stars!" he exclaimed, and the crowd erupted into cheers once more.

The girls, too, gave the boys standing ovations, knowing that they owned the song that was originally theirs.

"Now, it's the girls' time to show their talents," June continued.

"The girls prepared a performance with all of them, and after their performance, the voting shall close."

The girls stood from their seats and went backstage, preparing for their performance.

Mei let out a deep breath and positioned herself in the middle.

"Good luck, Mei," Ara said.

Mei pursed her lips and nodded. "Good luck, too."

June waited for the cue from the staff before he continued. Once everything was set, the director spoke through his in-ear monitors.

"Go!"

"With a brand new song, Tire and Water, let us all welcome the top 25!" June exclaimed.

With that, the girls walked out from backstage, eliciting screams from the audience. It wasn't as loud as that of EVE's, but it was loud nonetheless.

The girls took their positions, and since it was dark, the audience couldn't see their current formation.

June, who joined the mentors and the members of EVF. on the seats in front of the stage, watched the girls intently.

It hadn't been that long since he had given his system to Mei, so he wondered how her skills had changed since then.

Just then, the lights burst into brilliance, illuminating the stage with an orange hue.

The top 25 girls stood in a striking pyramid formation, with Mei positioned at the center.

June's heart felt like it stopped beating for a second.

"She's the center?" he muttered.

It seemed like he wasn't the only one confused, too.

- Mei as the center? Really now?

- So many people are still so bitter! Mei has improved so much in the course of the show. You're

just letting your miserable selves show by calling her untalented all of the time.

As much as I didn't like Mei during the first half of the show, it also can't be denied that she has really improved.

- Her performance with June was iconic! It was one of the best vocal performances of the show. Mei, despite feeling nervous, lifted her head and stared right into the camera,

Like perfect timing, the camera zoomed in on her, earning cheers as loud as the one that EVE got.

The other girls were confused as to the sudden increase in the volume of their voices. However, seeing Mei on the small screen before them made them realize the reason behind it.

Jeemin shook her head. She, too, wanted to become the center for the last stage, but somehow, she also knew that Mei deserved it.

She showed it during the choosing of the center role.

Mei killed it.

As the elemental music of 'Fire and Water' filled their air, reminiscent of The Final Countdown, their schoolgirl scarves fluttered-one side orange, the other blue-symbolizing their unity amidst diversity.

- Mei hasn't sung yet, but I already believe she deserves the center position.

- A face like hers only arises once in a century.

- We're so lucky we have two of them in this lifetime, though-Mei and June.

-May and June! Hey, that's actually pretty cute. Their ship name could be #Monthz

-Stfu. You're a mistake.

-Your mother should have swallowed you instead.

-Don't ship June with a random ass girl.

-June is for everyone! He can't date anyone!

Amidst the arguments happening online, the performance continued.

It started with a dynamic dance break; their movement synchronized to near perfection. June raised his eyebrows in pleasant surprise. His gaze was directed to one person only-Mei. Iler dancing had drastically improved since they'd performed together.

A small smile appeared on his lips as he continued observing Mei.

That didn't go past the people watching in the front, as some of them filmed June and quickly posted it on Navel.

It was captioned 'You won't believe who June is looking at

It looked like a relatively normal video, with June having an attentive look in his eyes-like a lover would do. Then, it panned to Mei at the very end, eliciting unwanted comments from astras and normies alike.

-Something's definitely going on with them!

-I'm glad I wasn't the only one who noticed! They're too close to just be friends.

-June is just mentoring her. You guys can't be normal for once.

-A guy and a girl can't be just friends."

-I'm letting you go, June.

-Bitch, he never even held onto you in the first place.

The girls continued dancing before staying still for a second.

Then, Mei stepped forward, her voice carrying the weight of their journey.

"Water and fire, never meant to blend,

But it's what I've got, my path to the end.

Enduring the burn, feeling the chill,

Reaching for dreams, bending my will."

Just when June thought that Mei's dancing was surprising, her singing had surpassed his

expectations a hundredfold!

The audience couldn't help but gasp as they heard Mei's voice.

Even Lee Sik had to pinch himself awake to ensure he wasn't dreaming.

"Dang," Junc muttered.

"Fu is putting in some work."