The subsequent stages also boasted tremendous extravagance. Temporary sets were introduced one after another, making Spark’s desk, fake bookshelf, and few chairs look like they didn’t even qualify as a set.

Terkit, in particular, truly showed the weight of their seniority.

Their concept itself was ordinary, but their seasoned skill covered everything. Once the video went up on MeTube, it would be flooded with comments like, "The seniors came to put the idol scene in its place".

"It’s the finals... it really feels like the finals."

"Maybe we were the ones who came with a half-hearted attitude..."

Jeong Seongbin and Kang Giyeon became extremely serious. I could feel them over-immersing in the seniors’ stages.

But was there really a need to worry that much? Even objectively, Spark’s stage was excellent.

When we had to cover Parte’s song, Spark changed routes and decorated the stage with a youth concept. At the time, that was the choice that allowed them to show their best quality.

This time, however, they had chosen a new concept themselves. Even knowing it could become a weakness, they decided to challenge it, and they pulled it off beautifully. It wasn’t easy for a group to show this much growth in such a short time.

From just a thumbnail, someone might think the stage looked plain.

But so what? The impact of six people singing half the song together, and the harmony they created, would make up for anything else.

Next was Parte’s turn, who chose the exact opposite route from us. The sky-blue kitschy outfit gave a different impression from before.

"Oh, it’s Parte sunbaenims!"

Lee Cheonghyeon, who had thoroughly sprayed fixer over his fresh transparent makeup, hurried over and plopped down on the sofa.

With the retro boom and vintage craze, kitschy style was no longer a unique fashion. Just because Spark wore similar clothes during "IRREGULAR", we couldn’t just claim Parte copied Spark, nor should we.

"If overlapping concepts appear throughout the entire promotion period, that’s a different story."

Even then, pointing it out wouldn’t do us any good. I had already informed the members about this point in advance.

Thankfully, they didn’t awkwardly pretend not to care, nor did they look overly conscious of it.

"Interesting. I wonder what song they’ll do..."

"Judging by the outfits, maybe something from an older generation?"

Only being curious about what was shown. Not feeling the need to overpraise, not stressing out trying to find similarities. If people who knew would know, there was no need to exhaust ourselves stepping in.

Seeing them follow exactly what I’d said made me proud. Thanks to that, I watched Parte’s stage with a lighter heart.

My overall impression could be summed up in one word.

Regrettable.

The reason Spark could pull off such bold makeup was because what they’d shown so far had never been excessive. When kids who always looked like a clear spring suddenly came out in death-metal makeup like they’d crawled up from hell, it was bound to stand out.

Parte, on the other hand, usually had fairly heavy stage makeup. They went viral with color makeup on year-end stages and established character with face accessories during comeback weeks.

What happens if such a group comes out with just a little blush and a few stickers?

"Boring."

Moreover, maybe because they wanted to continue the light and refreshing image following the proclamation ceremony, the clothes were also monotonous.

Sure, Parte is handsome. But do people these days really settle for just handsome? Relying on looks and getting complacent is negligence of duty.

Do you think Spark wore mesh and chokers for no reason during the "IRREGULAR" cover? What, do you think they did that because they had nothing better to do? If you’re dialing down the makeup, you’ve got to add points somewhere else. You think we slapped all those patches on their jumpers for the self-PR stage for no reason?

Compared to earlier contestants who showed incredible vocal power, Parte’s song lacked emphasis too.

In the idol scene, the older the generation, the stronger their pride in live singing. It wasn’t groundless confidence, but closer to a medal cultivated in poor stage environments.

Perhaps because of that, many teams in "Idol Annals of the Dynasty" Season 2 chose stages where you could clearly tell it was live. High-note ad-libs cutting through the AR, the occasional sound of breathing between lines, that sort of thing.

For Spark, it was a development with nothing to lose. Rather, if it were an environment requiring lip-sync, we would have become the stars of new reaction GIFs every day.

Nevertheless, Parte stuck to their winning strategy. Meaning they worked hard to create a screen pretty to look at, led by the visual center Song Minil.

"If you’re not going to sing much, at least give Mr. Han Gawoon a killing part!"

Perhaps due to his calm image, Han Gawoon’s position was almost at the end of the movement path. There, Han Gawoon sang one line, put in a high note briefly, and danced the rest of the time.

Letting a master vocalist like Han Gawoon go to waste like this. It reminded me of UA in the past, who refused to give up EDM backing tracks even when they had Jeong Seongbin and Park Juu; how infuriating.

Parte taking the ending pose was the personification of refreshing itself. Everyone was handsome, smiled freshly, and threw cute hand hearts. It was a stage where nothing remained in memory except the color of sky blue.

If Parte ranked high today, I’d shave my head and go into the mountains to reflect on my lack of insight. I vowed firmly inside.

Thankfully, I didn’t have to go on a temple stay. Parte took 5th place, and Spark took 1st place, so my hair got to stay right where it was.

After the audience exited and the rankings were announced, guidance on the 3rd competition followed immediately.

"For a true gentleman, you can’t leave out both literary and martial excellence."

"That’s right. Then what qualities can’t you leave out for an idol?"

At Mr. Polo’s question, answers like dancing and singing came from the contestants.

"In the third round, we’ll hold a position battle where you can show your qualities in greater depth!"

"I heard there are differences in this position battle compared to the last season. Can you explain, Mr. Polo?"

Mr. Polo took the mic again. There were two key points.

This position competition involved only vocal and dance representatives without rap...

"As part of cultural exchange, from this competition onwards, evaluations from envoys selected overseas will ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ be reflected!"

......The evil spirit of overseas voting, which had been quiet since the ‘stage you want to see again’ vote, was revived.

"Since Terkit has no rapper, did they remove the rap position battle for fairness?"

It turned out better. Although it would be reassuring if Lee Cheonghyeon went out, forced participation without options could lead to burnout.

Another good change was that, unlike before, only one member per team could participate in each position. It was a relief Verion was nice; if caught with another group, I might have become a loner by myself.

Excluding the overseas voting, it was a satisfactory change. Just as I was about to sigh in relief, Mr. Yur turned over the cue card with a strange smile.

"This isn’t the end. A true prodigy must be able to show their abilities no matter the time or circumstances."

No, just how outstanding of a talent do you want?

Even if you tell us to send out the best genius, Spark only has two dance representatives. Well, both are geniuses, but still.

While grumbling inside, a staff member appeared from the corner of the studio pushing a cart with wheels. On the cart covered with cloth, there were six drawing boxes.

Surely not. Right?

You can’t be having the cheeky thought of drawing participants randomly... right?

My heart pounded and the back of my neck prickled. Jeong Seongbin and Kang Giyeon were sitting beside me, so among the remaining members, it was obvious who this gaze belonged to.

Please, don’t do something so irrational and illogical as betting on uncertainty.

If you want a good stage, you should let people decide on what’s best. Don’t you want to enjoy the sweet joy of exploding views? We are offering to personally bring down the god of vocals, and you’re kicking away this golden opportunity?

However, the heaven was heartless and the production team had no sense. Tragically, the ball drawing of fate proceeded regardless of our will....

"Ugh......!"

....Spark’s leader Jeong Seongbin ended up picking himself as the vocal position representative.

"Juu, I’m sorry."

"No, I’m really okay......!"

Even after returning to the dorm, Jeong Seongbin couldn’t lift his head. According to Choi Jeho, Jeong Seongbin begged until his hands became feet all the way from the broadcasting station in the car.

On site, everyone couldn’t hide their astonishment but managed their expressions like pros. Jeong Seongbin also stated his aspiration, "I will do my best!" even with trembling corners of his mouth.

Why does the heaven never give Park Juu a chance? There were still many stages ahead, but maybe back in Season 1, I shouldn’t have insisted on going myself and should’ve handed him the mic instead.

"It’s not like this is the only chance."

"Still......"

"Everyone, you don’t have to walk on eggshells around me......!"

Despite Park Juu trying hard to change the atmosphere, everyone except Choi Jeho was gloomy.

"I’m sorry too......"

"Why you too, Giyeon!"

Kang Giyeon, who was hovering around Jeong Seongbin, suddenly bowed his head.

"I was center at the banquet too, and now I get picked again... If I’d known this would happen, I would have made Jeho hyung center like usual."

"Who could’ve known this would happen!"

Lee Cheonghyeon tried to cheer up his friend by patting his back. It didn’t have much effect.

"Giyeon, you don’t have to feel so guilty. Choi Jeho went out as a representative last time." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"But still."

"Ask him directly. He’ll probably think it’s a relief he didn’t have to go."

At my words, Kang Giyeon’s expression changed to "really?".

Choi Jeho, who was watching us, said indifferently.

"It’s true."

"Why?"

"Doing something with others doesn’t suit me."

Choi Jeho had been so stressed last time matching with another team. Kang Giyeon didn’t know because he wasn’t roommates with this guy at the time, but Choi Jeho probably would have hated going out even if picked by drawn lot.

"Me too."

Park Juu said, smiling gently.

"I’m also not good at doing things with other people...... so I think it’s good that you were picked, Seongbin."

Strictly speaking, Park Juu had actually said he wanted to participate even knowing he’d have to sing with others. But at his friend’s comfort, the deep crease in Jeong Seongbin’s brows slowly eased back into place.