From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show Chapter 1044: Performance Ready

"Our Jisung is performing brilliantly," Ren remarked, his eyes sparkling with pride.

"You certainly did an amazing job yourself a short while ago, Akira."

Predictably, the source of that compliment was Akira himself, who felt quite satisfied after concluding his special stage appearance with a few other idols.

As the performances reached their peak, the atmosphere in the arena was electric, with the audience thoroughly captivated. The organizers had truly outdone themselves, providing a fresh paradigm shift that the industry desperately needed to foster a healthier community.

Currently, the special stages were in full swing.

The dance squad, comprised of premier lead dancers from various top-tier idol groups, had taken command of the stage.

DAWN members observed with paternal pride as Jisung navigated the choreography. His magnetic stage presence was undeniable, prompting the crowd to erupt into even louder cheers with every motion he executed.

- Jisung is incredibly cool! My little hamster has finally evolved into an armadillo.

- I highly doubt Jisung would appreciate being compared to an armadillo.

- He looks fantastic, though. It’s hard to fathom that he isn’t the center of DAWN.

Even though he wasn’t DAWN’s primary center, Jisung could easily hold his own in that role for any other group. His fluid movements and intrinsic charisma allowed him to shine, even amongst a group of elite dancers. "He is truly something else," a junior idol whispered, mesmerized by how Jisung claimed the spotlight. "DAWN doesn’t just rely on a single center," another replied. "They are all centers!"

Meanwhile, June was forced to cut his viewing short, much to his chagrin, as he was slated to perform next. He meticulously smoothed his jacket cuffs, bracing himself for the special duet with Mei Ling.

The corridors were packed with idols mingling and socializing. As June ventured out, muted murmurs followed his path.

"Omo! It's Senior June!"

"Is he not remarkably handsome?"

"I can't deny it; he is the most stunning individual I have ever encountered."

"He resembles a character plucked straight from a manhwa."

As he drifted past, younger idols hurriedly bowed, nearly stumbling over their own feet in a rush to show reverence.

Even the senior idols watched him with a sense of profound respect. Most were well aware of the significant influence DAWN held over the industry. Following their vocal stance against their management agency and their push for humane conditions, numerous companies had begun prioritizing the welfare of their artists.

June acknowledged the stares with a subtle tilt of his head.

Reaching the backstage threshold, he found Mei Ling standing by the edge, her hands vibrating with nerves as she fixed her gaze on the ground.

She looked up upon his arrival, her brow furrowing at the teasing smirk plastered on his face. "What is the meaning of that look?" she questioned, her eyes narrowing.

June raised a single brow, tilting his head while noticing her trembling fingers. "Your hands are shaking," he remarked matter-of-factly.

"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Mei retorted, shutting her eyes to avoid his gaze.

June reached out to touch her arm, but she recoiled before any contact could occur.

"Whoa," she exclaimed. "We might be close, but I don't require any coddling."

June exhaled, shaking his head. "Coddling? Why would that be my intention?" He leaned in slightly closer, brushing something off her shoulder. "There was a bug on you."

Her eyes flew open, wide with alarm. "What?! Where?" She frantically swept her hands over her outfit.

Stepping back, June’s smirk broadened into a full smile. "Take a breath. There was no bug. I merely wanted to gauge your reaction."

Her face flushed with heat, and she glared at him, her former anxiety completely eclipsed by her mounting irritation. "You are absolutely infuriating!"

"And yet, you aren't shaking anymore," he noted coolly.

Mei froze, realizing the truth in his words. She exhaled a long breath and shook her head, attempting to regain her composure. "Fine, whatever. Let’s just get this over with."

"Are you feeling better?" June asked, his tone softening.

She glanced up at him, her annoyance receding. "Yeah, I'm ready. Let’s do this."

June smiled with amusement. "We have trained well for this, have we not? Just pretend we are back in the practice room. Don't worry about the audience. Once you stop obsessing over winning them over, they will enjoy the performance even more."

Mei let out a short laugh. "Speaking from personal experience?"

"Obviously," June replied.

The duo waited patiently for the conclusion of the dance sequence. June continued watching Jisung on the monitor, nodding in approval. He was truly dominating the stage. When the dance concluded, the staff signaled for June and Mei, and the pair made their way toward the stage. Backstage personnel paused their tasks to steal glimpses of them, leaving a trail of admiring whispers in their wake.

"They look like they’ve stepped right out of a work of art."

"I can hardly believe we are about to witness this."

"Whoever cast this pair is a genius."

"Do you know which song they are covering, though?"

As the lights dimmed and the stage came into focus, June and Mei stepped forward into the glow of soft, ethereal lighting. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as their faces appeared simultaneously on the massive LED displays.

"They look like they could be siblings," one person murmured.

"Or perhaps even deities," another suggested.

- I could write an entire essay on the theory that June and Mei were siblings in a past life. It is simply a canon event. You will never change my mind.

- What amount of money is required to possess such visuals?

- Girl, you’d need to spend a fortune.

- It certainly looks like they are performing a love song!

- No way! June is forbidden from singing a love song with anyone but me.

- Please, take your medication.

The cameras tracked their every motion. A hint of nervousness was palpable, though most of the audience was far too captivated by their stunning visuals to notice. They shared a striking resemblance, accompanied by an unspoken bond that seemed to exist beyond their outward appearances. The anticipation reached a fever pitch as the music finally began to play.

Then, the whispers of confusion rippled through the crowd.

"Wait... is this...?"

"Are they actually going to perform that song?"

"Isn't that a ballad meant for... the dearly departed?"