Chapter 273: Level-Up
However, just like the movies, we cannot escape the bitter moments of life. While other people rejoiced, there were trainees who held their tears. And maybe that was why June couldn't bear himself to smile. One, because he debuted as the unfortunate center. And two, because he knew he wouldn't see the people he had called his friends as often as he would like from now on. The tension-filled background music now changed to a melancholic one, silencing the happy crowd. They all turned to the circular stage, where twelve young trainees stood heartbroken.
"C-Jay," Minho started off, capturing his full attention. He had a wide smile on his face, but there was a lingering sadness in his eyes.
"Would you like to say something to the debut team?" Jangmoon, who watched from the side, couldn't hold back his tears. His eyes met C-Jay's for a second, the ugly trainee he now considered his best friend, and he felt...sad. Maybe the two of them weren't meant to live out their dreams.
"Hello, everyone," C-Jay said, still trying to sound as jolly as ever.
"First of all, I want to congratulate the debut team. I knew you would make it. You're a very good team, and I'll be sure to support you every step of the way. I'll probably mute your team name on Navel because I'm still bitter about it, but hey, I'll probably get over it in a week," he joked, causing the audience to laugh.
"I'm guessing you all know me by my happy-go-lucky personality, and honestly, it's been quite a joy to be the resident meme of the show with Jangmoon over there," he pointed at the crying trainee.
"It's an honor to crack jokes and bring smiles to your faces," he sincerely said.
"But what most of you don't know is that I've often put up this front because, deep down, I wanted to give people what I couldn't give myself—genuine happiness." June pursed his lips. He couldn't cry.
"But something incredibly happened during my time on this show. I found that happiness right here, with all of you. The support, friendship, and cheers filled that void in my heart. I may not have the skills that some of the other contestants possess, but I have something even more invaluable—your laughter. And for that, I'm eternally grateful," he said, bowing his head.
"I guess Jangmoon's voodoo rituals had come through, and it now led to me getting eliminated," he managed to joke amidst the serious atmosphere.
"Well, I'm here now, you bastard. Let's find our dreams together." Jangmoon roughly wiped the tears from his eyes and nodded at his friend. C-Jay smiled while the audience applauded his courage. June, too, applauded his friend—someone he would dearly miss.
Minho smiled at C-Jay, too, silently thanking him for all the joy he had brought to the show.
"Lin Zhi," Minho said to the other eliminated trainee.
"Do you want to say anything before the night ends?" C-Jay handed Lin Zhi the mic. However, he just stood there—
Unresponsive and frozen. C-Jay and Minho frowned as Lin Zhi kept his gaze at the front. It seemed as if he couldn't hear anything. And that was truly the case. Lin Zhi's ears were ringing. Sehun's name being called as the last member of the team replayed in his mind, and until now, he still couldn't believe that he was defeated.
Utterly defeated.
"I see," Minho said, quickly diverting the topic.
"Well, that ends the announcement of the debut team—the new generation of idols that will take the world by storm." Nico scoffed in his seat.
"That's what they said about our group, too. We didn't become as big as those idol groups from bigger agencies." Jordan glared at Nico.
"Stop being so bitter, dude. Be thankful we were given an opportunity like this." Nico crossed his arms in front of his chest and sulked in his seat. In reality, he was just feeling more bitter since that June guy debuted as the team's center. It was supposed to be Zeth! Now, Mimi looked even more interested in that puny, little, pink-haired guy. Jia and Bora were now bawling in their seats. They held each other firmly, tears streaming down their cheeks. They couldn't believe their favorite trainees had made it into the debut group. Jia also couldn't believe that June was called to be the center of the team! It seemed like yesterday when he was an unknown trainee whose face was covered with a pink mask. Minjun gazed at the screen with bright eyes, where the pyramid-like seats were shown. With all the seats now filled, the lights beneath them were illuminated, making the debut team appear like stars in the sky. And that's what they were—stars.
"So cool," he muttered under his breath, his eyes focused on the pink apex.
"The night is coming to an end," Minho said, capturing the audience's attention once more.
"However, we can't leave without revealing the very name of the debut team!" The people started chattering among themselves. The present idol groups also started discussing what their name would be.
"I need them to have an ugly ass name," Nico said.
"I thought BOYMYSTIC was really cool when it was first revealed, but now, people around us keep reading it as BOMBASTIC!"
"Tell me about it," Moon nodded in agreement.
"And our name abbreviation was supposed to be BM. That's what my mom calls her daily bowel movement." Jordan clicked his tongue.
"Pay attention, kids."
"Please turn to the screen," Minho said, pointing behind him.
"The team's name is..." June pursed his lips in attention. He knew just how unlucky he was. However, he secretly prayed that their group's name wouldn't be affected by his lack of luck.
A cool animation was shown on screen, with a cartoonized trainee going up the stairs and gathering stars until he reached the very top. Then, the letters started to form when the cartoonized trainee reached the top.
"LEVEL-UP!" [Congratulations, host. You have succeeded in your mission: Stop Lin Zhi from debuting at all costs.] [You have now leveled-up all existing skills to A+.]