From Skid Row to Superstardom: An Idol System Novel-Chapter 336: Performance Day (6)

Fwooosh!

As the flames flared up, painting the stage a fiery red, Carlos took the center stage, his brown eyes looked like magnetic whirlpools trying to suck you in, while his angelic voice poured out.

Give me your desires,

As I set your world on fire,

Seduce your mind and your soul,

Yeah, you can’t look away,

I fell from heaven, and I’m coming to take youuu~

As the beautiful, pure voice held the note with unmatched clarity, cutting through the background track and instrumentation, Esther gasped in shock.

She had honestly forgotten how ethereal Carlos’s voice could be, and hearing him stretch his vocal cords and hold the note for seconds made her ears feel blessed.

She would absolutely believe he was an angel from heaven, coming down to seduce her.

And she would go along without any trouble.

As she stared at Carlos, Ari slid in front of him, a wicked smile on his face.

Performing the sharp choreography in his relaxed way, he pointed at the audience as his slightly raspy voice began to sing.

Now I’m running wild,

So get down on your knees,

And let me be your idol

Dun dun dun dun

As the beat changed, adding an electronic drop that morphed into something haunting, Daniel and Suzuki Rei both performed a one-handed front flip to land on either side of Ari.

Taking center stage, the two of them began dancing, each sharp move mirroring the other while Ari continued as he was.

They punctuated every beat with a sharp movement and rising in intensity as the instrumental and chanting background vocals crescendoed.

Then-

Pooof!

In a puff of white smoke, like ninjas, all three boys disappeared while the shadow of one person appeared.

Dun dun dun dun

The stage spotlight focused on the mist, but all that could be seen was the shadowy outline of a figure walking forward with bold steps, like a boxer stepping into the ring.

Then Levi appeared, his usual blond buzz cut dyed black with gothic red crosses painted all over it.

Dressed in leather pants and a black vest with silver chains crisscrossing all across the front and arms, and silver rings on his fingers, Levi began rapping with his usual aggressive and sharp delivery.

We’re all villains for the fame,

Yeah, we’re your mother fucking idols

As the audience gasped at the unexpected cursing, Levi let out the rarely seen sharp smile that exposed canines that looked sharper than usual.

Squatting down, he gestured at the audience and patted his chest before pointing back at the stage as he continued rapping.

Thank you for the pain,

’cause it got us going viral

Uh, yeah

We’re hotter than a fever,

Levi stood up before walking to one of the speakers on stage.

With a careless swagger, he stepped on it, resting his elbow on his propped knee, her gestured to the crowd while continuing to rap.

Turn you into our believers

Get on your knees and pray,

’cause we’re your idols

As Levi finished his verse, he was suddenly yanked back and disappeared into the white smoke that had filled the stage, while the spotlight that was previously in the center swung all the way to the right side of the stage.

A second later, Rei appeared from the smoke with the microphone held to his lips.

As he began walking along the edge of the stage, Esther focused on the Japanese boy’s pained expression as she heard his voice from only one side of the speakers, while a slight breeze blew against the back of her neck, raising goosebumps.

You know I’m thе only one,

who’ll love your sins~

Then, he spun back into the smoke, and the slightly raspy, recognizable tone of Ariel began coming from the left side of the stage as he appeared.

His eyes were lowered and his lips slightly open as he sang while a slightly warm breeze blew, causing even more hairs to rise on Esther’s arms.

Feel the way my voicе gets underneath your skin~

Hearing the voice that really felt like it was digging in her skin, for some reason, Esther felt a bit scared again.

It felt as if she were being hunted and seduced by a villain.

Because I’m~

Listen cause I’m preaching to the choir

As Ari disappeared, Carlos’s clear voice rang out, and as if his voice had power, she saw him slowly rising upwards, as if he were levitating from the mist.

(Yahhhhh!)

When the choir-like chanting began once more, and flames surged up to match the sound’s intensity, Esther noticed white-robed figures, barely visible at the edge of the mist, holding a book that said ’Hymn’.

Can I get the mic a little higher?~ (Yahhh!)

As Carlos held the note, he rose even higher into the air, the white mist thickening and reddening as the chanting grew louder.

Give me your desires, (pray for me)

As I set your world on fire, (get on your knees)

Seduce your mind and your soul, (pray for me)

Yeah, you can’t look away, (get on your knees)

I fell from heaven, and I’m coming to take youuu~

Suddenly, Carlos fell to the misty ground, and Ester gasped, wondering if it was a mechanical failure, but his singing held steady until a familiar voice took over.

Now I’m running wild,

Get down on your knees,

I gonna be your idol

Whoooosh!

With a sudden gust of wind, all of the mist on the stage cleared, revealing three extra-large Chinese drums and 3 white robed figures behind them, each holding a wooden mallet with a white tip.

Be your idol!

Standing on opposite ends of the stage were Suzuki Rei and Daniel, once again in mirrored positions.

Be your idol!

"Where did the drums come from?" the girl beside Esther whispered, staring at the three boys standing motionless and at Suzuki Rei and Daniel Kim approaching each other slowly.

Dun dun dun dun

Dun dun dun dun~

As the beat began dropping, the white-robed figure in the center skillfully rotated the drumsticks between lean fingers before slamming them on the drums in unison with the two drummers.

Living (BANG)

In Your (BANG)

Mind (BANG)

NOW (BANG)

As each word was sung, the three drummers took turns, slamming their hands down on the drums with all their strength to enunciate each word Rei and Daniel sang, harmonizing as they performed a mirrored choreography that drew them to the center of the stage.

As if they were practicing martial arts, their limbs were fully extended, each step forceful and in time with the drumbeat.

Too late (BANG)

Cause you’re (BANG)

Mine now (BANG)

As the boys continued banging the drums, Esther couldn’t help but look at the boy in the center, who was playing the drums in a flashy manner.

Throwing the drumsticks up, bouncing them against his elbow, flipping them against the drum before catching it, and then hitting his drum in time, it was a display that drew eyes to him, especially when compared to the others who were playing simply and with full force.

Even if she didn’t want to know, Esther recognized the long, pale, slender fingers that were easily flicking the drumsticks around.

Naturally, it was Ariel.

BANG BANG BANG BANG

As the drumming grew in intensity, the robes fell off one by one, revealing Levi and Carlos faces while Ari stayed covered.

Your blood, heart, soul, and pain

(BANG BANG BANG BANG)

Make it all a part of me~

(BANG BANG BANG BANG)

Now in the center, Daniel turned and picked up a hidden mic stand, positioning it in front of Ari.

And with one swift motion, Ari whipped off his robe while jumping onto the center drum, much to the dismay of PD Emily, who had repeatedly warned him that under no circumstances should he do such a thing.

Firmly balanced on the drum, Ari leaned over the mic stand and began singing.

Listen cause I’m preaching to the choir!

(YAHHHHHHH)

The pyrotechnics at the front of the stage flared up, illuminating everything with a bright red light.

Can I get the mic a little highererrrrr~~~~

It was a note change that went lower before rising in a smooth vocal run, giving off a different vibe than when Carlos sang the lyrics, completely stunning the crowd.

Letting out a small smile, Daniel raised the mic stand so that it was the perfect height to stay at Ari’s lips when he stood straight, before sliding it out of the way.

Nodding at him in thanks, Ari grabbed the mic stand with his left hand.

Staring at the audience while reaching out, he planted his left foot against it, and-

Give me your desires~

In a smooth motion, reminiscent of holding onto a snowboard before going down the slope, Ari balanced on the thin metal pole and allowed gravity to carry him to the ground.

And simultaneously, the red ribbon on the white cloak was yanked, causing the cloak to flare up like two wings, igniting and lingering in the air behind him.

It was the perfect photo opportunity, and Esther made sure to capture it perfectly.

From her years of experience, she knew these would sell well.

BANG!

As I set your world on fire~

As Ari landed, the impact ignited the ground and his boots, and he began walking forward, dancing along with his team who surrounded him.

Seduce your mind and your soul,

Yeah, you can’t look away,

I’m the one who can save youuu~

A slender finger pointed at the audience before beckoning them to come closer.

From the dark smile exposing the white fangs, commanding eyes that brooked no disagreement, flaming boots, and the flaming fabric in one hand, no one could tear their eyes away from the figure in the center, who looked like a rockstar as he approached the edge of the stage while singing.

With a lazy flick of his hand, the flaming fabric was tossed down and stomped on as Ari continued to sing, his expression imposing.

You’ve got me runnin’ wild

Squatting down and pointing to himself with that usual cocky smile of his, Ari sang while pointing to his chest.

Now get down on your knees,

You’re looking at your idol

BANG!

As a dramatic sound rang out, the stage lights were cut off, and the only thing that could be seen on the dark stage was the flames that were burning in the shape of angel wings.

Esther could only stare in stunned silence at the stage before remembering to turn off her glasses and camera.

She really couldn’t believe what her eyes had just seen, and her ears had just heard.

Was this really a performance created by a team of boys younger than her?

Wasn’t this a performance secretly made by the judges?

Why did it feel like she had just watched a professional music video?"No, this...is crazy! Why the heck does it feel like I’m at an award ceremony? Ariel! What the heck are they feeding you?" the girl in the French flag dres beside her shouted before covering her mouth.

From the judges to the audience, everyone at the venue could tear their eyes away from the red-haired boy who was casually stomping out the flaming robe while repeatedly lifting his shirt to cool off.

********

As he continued violently stomping the burning robe on the ground, Ari only had one thought-

’Was the PD or one of the stage crew trying to kill him? Why the hell weren’t the flames going out?’