Chapter 272: Beginning

Hey, do you remember that Miss Universe moment that June was waiting for? Maybe it wasn't too late for that. It didn't directly involve him, though, but June felt hopeful nonetheless. Just as the tension in the dome and in the online streaming platforms had reached its peak, someone from the crew stopped Minho's announcement.

- Shit. Shit. Shit. Who the hell is that? - Why are they stopping Minho in the middle of an announcement? Can't they wait until later?

- I'm going insane.

- Who's daddy is that?

"Dad?" Minjun's eyes widened when he saw the familiar man's back on the stage. The middle-aged man quickly handed Minho a new envelope, took the old one, and then trudged away from the stage.

"It is dad," Minjun muttered, a small smile appearing on his face. He didn't miss how his dad winked at him before he left the stage, causing the little kid's smile to grow even bigger.

Meanwhile, Jo, who had been chilling peacefully in his seat, straightened his posture when he saw his boss on stage.

"What the fuck," he muttered under his breath. And then, he felt his phone go off—a notification. Jo froze as he dreaded the mysterious man's message. Now, he didn't know why his boss went to the stage or what he handed Minho, but he didn't have a good feeling about it. Jo shakily opened his phone and clicked on the latest e-mail he had gotten. Maybe the mysterious man's message would have been better. Because right now, in the middle of the show, Jo was sent a termination letter by none other than his boss. Jo looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the esteemed man, but it seemed like he had disappeared into thin air. For a second, he made eye contact with the mysterious man he had been illegally transacting with since the beginning of the competition, silently asking what was going on. However, Jo found him irrelevant at that moment. He needed to find his boss. So, Jo got up from his seat and looked around the dome, hoping to ask for a second chance. Laohu frowned as his accomplice left him. However, he settled in his seat, knowing that everything was already done and paid for.

"Sorry for the interruption," Minho announced, clearing his throat.

"I'll go right ahead with the announcement." He opened the envelope, his eyebrows raising in surprise as soon as he saw the first syllable. Then, Minho smiled.

"Congratulations, Sehun! You are the last member of the debut team. Please come up to the pyramid stage," he announced. Sehun felt his ears ring as his name was called. However, he wasn't the only one. Lin Zhi took another step forward, ready to surge to the pyramid stage and claim his title. Then, he quickly stopped when Sehun went before him, surpassing him and leaving him in his shadows. Tony almost fell down as soon as Sehun's name was announced. Then, he glanced back at Laohu. However, he frowned when he saw that the Chinese man was already out of sight.

Then, Tony felt a chill run down his spine. Does that mean he wouldn't be getting his cut? Sehun walked over to the pyramid stage, his seven other members welcoming him with bright smiles. This was it. This was their team. With tears streaming down his cheeks, he faced the audience and shakily took the microphone from the stand.

"It's me, Sehun," he started off, his voice cracking right away.

- I have never voted for this guy, but why do I feel that he deserves this slot?

- Bro, I'm so happy right now. Sehun actually fits the debut group so well.

- Sehun, I'll be a fan from now on!

There were a lot of people who were happy about the outcome of the results.

However, as much as there were supporters, there were also a lot of fans who were angry that their favorite trainees weren't able to make it.

- I'm just waiting for the rigged accusations at this point. June at first? This dude at eighth? Is that even possible? - I can't accept the fact that Jaxon isn't here. I just can't.

- Fuck this line-up. These are absolutely Azure's favorite trainees. Sehun continued his speech.

"I stand before you today as someone who, to be honest, never quite believed I'd make it to this stage," he started off.

"I've had my doubts along the way, questioned my abilities, and wondered if I truly deserved to be here. However, it's your support and belief that has kept me going. You guys inspired me, challenged me, and made me a better artist. I would also like to acknowledge my fellow teammates, especially June," he said, glancing behind him at the highest seat. June was pleasantly surprised by the personal call-out.

"Our time as a team may have been short, but it was with you that I had my greatest stages. I'm so glad you debuted as a center. You truly deserve it." June smiled and gave a thumbs-up. However, deep inside, he still felt unlucky that he ended up as the center of the team. Sehun sighed deeply before he continued.

"I may be the oldest one in the group, but I swear to be the greatest older brother to them, to guide and protect them as we continue this amazing journey together." He looked at each of his teammates and felt emotional.

"As I look to the future, I'm filled with excitement. The stages that lie ahead already spark my heart with fire. I can't wait to share our music, our passion, and our art with you."

"It's a journey that's just begun," he softly said.

"And we promise we'll give it our all." With those words, Sehun ended his speech. Everything seemed to turn into slow motion as June looked around the venue. Wild smiles, tears of joy and disappointment, and hugs of comfort were seen all around. The crowd burst into deafening cheers—like this was the long-awaited resolution of a movie.

However, June knew the movie was far from over. In fact, it felt like the movie was just about to begin.