Idol Revive: If I Don't Debut, I'll Disappear
Chapter 74: Public Thoughts

Chapter 74: Public Thoughts

With each word masked by the endless beeps, the viewers grew more frustrated behind their screens. However, contrary to their annoyance, Yeo Haru’s face lit up bit by bit.

"Brother, you’re really the best!" Yeo Haru exclaimed excitedly.

– If Haru thinks it’s good, then I’ll just think it’s good.

– What a cute duo.

– What "best"? We didn’t even hear the explanation! Flower Garden, this is unfair!!!

– I came to this show because of Immortal’s baby, but I’m now a fan of another guy. He’s hard working, he’s kind, and takes care of Haru.

Despite the viewers’ growing impatience, the episode still didn’t reveal the answer directly. Instead, the scene abruptly cut to the team’s performance.

Rayen was curious about Yeo Haru’s words, but he felt awkward disrupting his ongoing thoughts to ask directly. Instead, he just kept watching.

But watching himself dance? What an unexpected experience.

There’s also another thing he wanted to clarify. Since they used supernatural means to communicate, how would their performance sound like? Would it also automatically be translated on the viewer’s minds? Wouldn’t that sound off?

The performance on screen began with a close-up of Rayen’s face. Just seeing his own lifeless expression sent a shiver down his spine. It felt incredibly awkward!

Then his on-screen self opened his mouth, and the sound of his voice washed away some of the discomfort. It wasn’t being translated. He was singing using the song’s original language. Because Rayen knew the song, he was sure that it really sounded this way.

Deciding not to bother with the supernatural translation anymore, Rayen listened intently to himself. Countless times, he had heard his voice from their songs’ recordings, but seeing it with a dance and seemingly acting onstage?

Adrift’s MVs were usually cinematic instead of showing them singing. And the scenes were enacted by hired actors, so it was an entirely fresh sensation for him to see himself.

The red-haired person singing on screen didn’t feel like him. During the first episode reaction video filming when he watched his audition performance, things had been different. Back then, the cameras were intimidating and he couldn’t pay it much attention. Also, his hair was still black that episode, so it felt more familiar.

But this person? Who was this? Even the viewers thought the same.

– Is this cactus guy? I only watched him dancing, never knew he sings like this.

– He really sings well, I feel goosebumps even watching from here. Tell me, was he really singing live?

– Yes, see his audition too. I became his fan when I watched that.

Adrian let out a low whistle while watching. He had seen the performance from backstage, but only from a limited angle. The episode’s camera work was incredible though, making the performance feel like a full-fledged music video.

But more than that, what made the viewers even more surprised was Rayen’s incredibly precise movements. The way he danced in sync with the marionettist was too precise to say that he was just an amateur.

Was this really the person that danced comically in Cractusss’s advertisement?

– Did they really just practice for 10 days?

– They did. But with the intensity of their practice, it’s no wonder.

– Whoaa. Who said he’s a bad dancer? He’s decent, you know.

– His aura... His lifeless eyes, this is treasure.

Rayen couldn’t agree more with the comments he was seeing on the screen — except for the last one, of course.

’Is that really me?’

The camera panned out, showing the whole group dancing as dolls flew across the stage and Liam dashed by like a magician instead of a marionettist.

’How would Plotter explain this, though?’

– He’s not that incredible. Look at Yeo Haru. He’s the one killing the performance.

The screen shifted to the dance break led by Yeo Haru. His intense movements dominated the stage. He was exceptional – too good even. His performance outshone the others, creating a strange dissonance.

– Yeah, he’s really "killing" it.

– He’s becoming out of sync.

– He’s good, but now I get what the sponsor was saying.

Despite that though, the performance continued onstage. Just then, when it was Yeo Haru’s turn to be "thrown" away, the magic happened. When he rejoined with the choreography, his movements were unlike before. It seemed as though he had become one with the team.

– He changed!

– What happened?

– Haru, baby! Go!

– That rapper who threw Haru... His voice is so sexy. What’s his name?

– I agree. I just searched him up on IdolRe’s site. He goes by KLi.

– How did it turn out like this? I just went to the bathroom when they looked hopeless, but what am I seeing right now?

– Next time, just make sure to bring your device with you even when shitting.

As people commented, the performance was reaching the climax. With every steps, the marionettist who struggled to climb the balcony finally reached it. Rayen’s high note echoed through the speakers.

"Take me now!!!"

But then, Liam fell.

– Ahhh! No!

– Does he have an equipment?!

Red flowers bloomed, the lights dimmed, and the music halted.

When lights came back again, the camera was focused on the lifeless dolls at the center of the stage. Zooming in more, two of the dolls’ faces was fitted into the frame — one of them bore a striking resemblance with the marionettist earlier.

The bullet comments disappeared momentarily. Concluding with their performance, the episode left the viewers desperate for more.

– It’s over? Really over?

– Why? Flower Garden, just why???

– Tell me they won, please.

As the credits rolled, Rayen didn’t know what to feel. Watching himself dance felt surreal.

Yeo Haru also seemed to be thinking deeply, expression completely unreadable.

In a daze, Rayen stood up and left. Since there was nothing else to do, he decided to head back to the dorm.

Adrian lagged behind, held up by a certain girl, but Rayen didn’t mind. It was better that no one would mock him on the way back.

When Rayen reached the dorm, two square devices silently resting on the coffee table immediately caught his attention.

Their phones were back!

Soon, Adrian also entered. He quickly caught up to his roommate after managing to shrug off Ara.

Noticing the devices on the coffee table, Adrian whistled. "Sweet."

Rayen picked up the phones, handing Adrian his. As if Mini Plotter sensed him, the screen lit up with a notification.

[Idol:Revive: The 3rd episode summary report is here.]

’Summary report?’

Tapping the screen, Idol:Revive opened, revealing a new interface. It looked like one of those social media yearly summaries. Mini Plotter popped up in the corner of the screen.

"Yahoo!" it greeted cheerfully. "How was the third episode? Did you like it?"

’I don’t really know.’

"Since the third episode has aired, the episodic report will now commence!" Mini Plotter added.

Adrian glanced at Rayen’s phone. "What’s that?"

"I don’t know," Rayen replied with a shrug. "It says it’s a summary for the episode."

"Oh, I have that too..." Adrian muttered before frowning. "But why is yours so different from mine?"

Rayen leaned over to look at Adrian’s screen. It was true. Adrian’s summary only displayed one interface, listing how many impressions he had made and the Life Book points he had earned from it.

[3rd Episode Summary Report

Because of your incredible looks, you’ve made an impression on over 13,000 viewers.

Life Book Points: +136

>>See full details]

Adrian sighed dramatically. "Sometimes, I wonder who the real main character in this story is."

"What?"

"No, nothing."

"You... Don’t tell me you think that you’re a story’s main character?"

"... Why not? Doesn’t this all seem fiction-like to you at all? We died, then we somehow got revived and we have to participate in a weird idol show. Sounds like a good story to me," Adrian said, still dejected. "But with your unique system, I don’t really know now."

’Being a writer really messed his head...’

"Ever forget I could read your thoughts on your face?" Adrian asked.

Rayen’s expression told him he didn’t care.

’Read all you want, I don’t want to bother saying it to you directly.’

Interrupting them, Mini Plotter spoke, "Do you want to see your summary now?"

"Yes, yes," Rayen responded, not paying any mind about Adrian’s curious look.

"The public’s thoughts about you is..." Mini Plotter paused dramatically.

’Is what?’

The screen behind Mini Plotter swiped to reveal the next panel.

"The Duality."