The teams backstage couldn't deny it. This was probably the most-anticipated performance of the night. Since all of them had finished performing, they settled in their seats, their eyes focused on the large television screens that Azure had kindly set up for them.
"It's finally here," Zeth said, leaning against his knees.
Akira and Jaeyong, too, plopped down on the couch, their eyes never straying away from the television.
"I wonder how June will perform this time," Akira said. "I bet this is the hardest performance for him yet."
"Oh really?" Jaxon asked, sitting next to them. "I watched all the episodes, and June had the worst time in all of the stages. Do you remember your first performance? It was fucking disastrous. None of you listened well."
Akira clicked his tongue. "Well, have you seen the second mission with Zeth? His teammates had such big heads, and they couldn't take any suggestions from each other. And let's not get started on the third mission. These two," he pointed at Zeth and Jaeyong, "kicked June out of their team."
Jaxon chuckled. "He had some of the most bizarre moments in Rising Stars."
"But they all turned out to be okay," Akira said. "They were perfect, even. So, I think they'll actually do well. I'm just not sure about the cute aspect."
Meanwhile, in the other rooms…
"Do you think they'll do well?" C-Jay asked.
Jisung nodded. "They will. June always does well."
"But I haven't seen June smile that much," their teammate responded. "His forte is on dark, emotional songs."
"I agree," another teammate said. "I feel like this is a recipe for disaster…even if their team did very well on the interim evaluations."
"Hmm," another chimed. "I think Lin Zhi's team will actually win this one. The impact of their performance lingered even during our stage. I think he can even beat Zeth with that shirtless tactic."
Jisung pursed his lips. "I think it all lies upon how they execute their concept. I can't wait to see their performance."
Just then, like perfect timing, the stage became fully illuminated, and June's smile was the very first thing the viewers saw. Zeth stood up from his seat as June's smile and pink hair were revealed. "What the hell? His hair is pink?"
Akira and Jaeyong looked at each other with wide eyes. Being a June fanatic themselves, they couldn't help but be amazed.
Pink? That was totally June's color.
The other teams weren't any better. They were instantaneously shocked to see the pink, cotton-candy hair on top of June's head.
Cheers filled the studio, startling even the trainees inside their respective rooms.
"Holy shit," C-Jay exclaimed. "The studio is going to burst from these screams."
It was already so loud in their confined rooms. Just how loud was the audience screaming inside the studio?
The trainees stared at the screen in disbelief. June's smile was natural—like this was his natural state and not the grumpy, blunt, and nonchalant trainee they had filmed with for the past month.
Even Jisung and C-Jay, who had seen June smile a couple of times, still felt amazed. He actually looked…cute?
C-Jay shook his head as he turned to his teammate who said June's forte was on dark, emotional songs. "June doesn't have a forte, bro," he said. "That scary guy is probably good at everything."
Meanwhile, the reactions of the audience weren't any different. In fact, it seemed like the venue had gone crazy after June's hair was revealed. Even Jihyun couldn't hold back a scream as she stared at his face on the large LED screen.
Doctor Kim, who was determined to shit on June's face as soon as it was shown, halted and merely stared at him. He shook his head and squinted his eyes to take a better look.
This boy—he looked better in real life. Doctor Kim's eyes sparkled as he looked at June's delicate features. This was the type of face he always wanted to have!
However, the audience didn't have much time to dwell on their thoughts as the speakers started playing a bright, melodious tune that instantly engulfed the venue in sweetness.
If the past four performances felt like fire, the intro of this song sounded more mellow—like a warm hug.
The stage was bathed in the soft glow of gentle, golden light. It wrapped around the five boys, casting a warm radiance upon their school uniforms, creating a contrast against the backdrop of an old-looking school building. The young lads, each in their shorts and bow ties, stood there with hearts as bright as the sun itself.
A hush fell over the audience as they concentrated on the performance. Smiles filled with adoration adorned their faces as they took in the sight before them. These five boys were a picture of innocence, embodying the beauty of youth in all its simplicity. The cherry blossoms danced behind them on the LED screen, the petals like gentle confetti falling from the heavens.
As the sweet, innocent melody wafted through the air, the five boys began moving to the beat. It wasn't what the audience expected, but it was a delightful surprise, like discovering a hidden treasure in plain sight. Their movements were reminiscent of childhood games— clapping hands—simple yet so synchronized.
June, standing in the center, let it all go.
There was a radiant smile on his face as he gracefully executed the cute gestures of the performance. His teammates, who had practiced endlessly with him, couldn't help but be surprised by this transformation.
They had seen June reach his limit during rehearsals, but now, under the warm lights, it felt like he was the cutest among them all.
June was the epitome of their song, and in that moment, his teammates were fueled to do even better.
With their preliminary dance coming to an end, June made his way to the front, clutching onto his black kitten bag with two hands, looking like a lost little kid on his first day of school.
And then, he sang.
