?June yet again hoped for a miracle.
He saw the impact of their performance after it was aired. Fans and non-fans alike loved the performance, and it garnered the most views out of all the videos posted.
Their team name even trended higher than CHAOS, and those who weren't fans of EVE but watched Rising Stars were encouraged to vote for them on the SBC website.
Fans of Rising Stars were brought back to the much simpler, happier times, and they joined hands with astras to try to give EVE their very first win on King of Kings.
However, June didn't know if these efforts were enough to overthrow CHAOS. In the end, the gap between their views was only less than 600,000.
"EVE!" Haemin exclaimed, snapping June out of his thoughts.
He lifted his head and saw the participants looking at their group.
He realized he had been out of focus for a few minutes, so he didn't know if Haemin called their name for the first place or the second place.
June gazed at the screen and saw CHAOS' group name still on top. So, for a second, he thought they had garnered those 11 million votes.
However,?once he saw the numbers beside their group name, June realized that maybe, just maybe, miracles do happen sometimes.
"...and with 8 million votes, we have CHAOS!" Haemin concluded.
The members of CHAOS put up a professional front as the present votes were added to their score.
They had over 18 million votes at the moment, and trailing behind them was EVE...with 16 million votes.
"Holy mother of goats," Akira muttered in disbelief at the turn of events.
"Is this really happening?" Jisung asked, appearing absent-minded.
Y shook his head as he looked at the baffled looks on EVE's face.
He couldn't deny that he was pretty envious of what they had achieved. However, he knew that the group deserved it. So, he couldn't really hate them for achieving such great heights.
Uno, too, would have felt envious if this circumstance happened in the past.
However, after getting to know June, he felt like he had become more relaxed. Instead of hating EVE for achieving something they wanted to achieve, Uno took it as a driving force to do better next time.
After recovering from their shock, the members turned to their muse—June.
However, June already guarded his body before they could violate him.
"You made our victory possible, bro," Jisung admiringly said.
June slowly let his guard down before shaking his head.
"You guys made our song," June proudly said. "We all contributed to our victory—not just me."
The members nodded, accepting their victory with grace. Their morale was already boosted for the next mission, and they couldn't wait for what was in store for the team.
"Now that the ranks have been established, let's go to our next mission," Haemin exclaimed, capturing the participants' attention.
"I'm sure most of you are excited for this show to finally end," Haemin said.
Chuckles filled the room.
"However, I must say, the prize in the end will definitely be worth the hard work and effort you've poured into the show."
The participants murmured excitedly, wondering what it could be.
In the last season of 'Queen of Queens,' the reigning champions were given an exclusive tour to a European country. June hadn't gone overseas in his entire life (except for his transmigration, of course), so he was looking forward to winning a similar prize.
"This last mission will involve your creativity," Haemin continued. "Your creativity has been tested all throughout the competition, but I believe it is the most needed in this mission!"
"The title of this mission is the King's Stage!"
The studio turned dim, and intense music resounded in the studio after Haemin announced the mission's name. Spotlights of different colors danced around the room, heightening the tension and excitement felt by the participants.
"As idols, you are expected to do everything—like a king," Haemin continued.
"However, the greatest kings are those who came from nothing," he meaningfully smiled. "So, for this mission, that's exactly what you'll have—nothing."
"We won't be giving you anything at all. No fancy effects. No props. Nothing. Just the standard stage lights, you, the instrumental, and your talents. You will perform your latest title track, and it's up to you how to make it remarkable without any special effects."
June smirked in satisfaction. It was another genius concept by SBC. It was the type of stage that would show the bare talents of each group.
To be able to see the bigger picture, sometimes, we should go back to where we started—from nothing.
"And since EVE won this week's mission, they will be given a special advantage in the next pre-mission," Haemin smirked as the idols visibly slumped in their seats.
They could still remember the repercussions of the previous acting challenge. Those who participated were clowned up until this day, and they were sure those atrocious acting clips were going to be brought up even years into their careers.
However, it also gave June the opportunity to participate in another project—one that the people in the room didn't know of. Of course, there were speculations that June was recruited for an acting project, but since there haven't been any official articles, only EVE and those involved in Azure knew of the project.
"Don't worry," Haemin chuckled. "This is not another acting challenge."
A lot of the idols sighed in relief.
"However, it will involve a test of strength, endurance, and decision-making. You might not see the link of this pre-mission to your present job, but I assure you, the principles of the mission are very much aligned with what an idol does."
June didn't have a clue about what they would be doing for the next pre-mission.
"As you all know, idols need to be fit since it is a physically demanding job. So, we have devised this pre-mission to strengthen your stamina and overall physical well-being as idols."
June pursed his lips when he finally realized what they were going to do.
"For today, we will have a sports day!"
