8 a.m.
Before the Final Stage performance began, I headed to the set for my interview.
One contestant, who had finished their interview before me, was just walking out.
The set, styled with CYB’s aesthetic in mind, was decorated in a gothic style to evoke a sacred atmosphere.
‘Seeing it in person… kinda cringy.’
Thinking that, I sat in the seat the staff guided me to.
It looked like a throne.
<It may look fancy, but the material is plastic.>
The Star’s comment made me chuckle.
‘Well, it’s single-use.’
As I watched the staff buzzing around, the interviewer finally arrived.
Apparently, mentors who had worked with contestants would be rotating in as interviewers.
Mine was Chaeya, the vocal mentor.
Chaeya received a cue card from the staff, glanced at me, and offered a warm smile and polite nod.
It reminded me that I owed her a lot—especially during the aftermath of the Boy A incident.
I smiled and bowed in return.
Chaeya took her seat across from me, and the interview began.
“Hello, I’m Chaeya. We’re finally approaching the end of this season’s CYB Korea!”
Chaeya addressed the camera with natural ease.
“I hear some categories already have their final rankings determined. For the male idol division, we’re just about to begin the final stage.”
She looked at me.
“Today, I’ll be speaking with contestant Ryu Eunyul. Eunyul, could you say a word to your fans?”
“Hello, I’m Ryu Eunyul. Thank you so much to everyone who’s been watching over me.”
I waved both hands toward the camera as I spoke.
“I really wanted to interview you.”
Chaeya leaned her chin on her hand.
“Do you remember the first audition round? I was the judge for your group.”
“Ah, yes. Of course I remember. I haven’t forgotten what you said either.”
“…I said you felt like someone I met in a dream, didn’t I?”
“…Yes.”
“To confess… before the first auditions began, my constellation gave me a prophecy.”
Chaeya chuckled softly.
“…That I would meet a fated companion. So I sat down as a judge, full of anticipation.”
“Ahaha…”
I laughed awkwardly.
“My constellation, The One Who Couldn’t Foresee Angolmois, is surprisingly accurate with predictions.”
“…I see.”
“So I have a question.”
Chaeya’s eyes sharpened.
She was still smiling, but her gaze had turned into that of the strict judge I remembered.
“…You’ve become the most talked-about contestant in this season’s CYB male idol division. Even more so than Han Iro, the former child actor.”
Though she didn’t say it directly, she was clearly referring to the Boy A incident.
I had expected this question.
I was relieved that the person asking was someone like Chaeya—someone who’d at least shown understanding toward me.
Regardless, the label of being the “mastermind behind the Boy A scandal” would follow me for a long time.
Public opinion had shifted in a more positive direction, but the issue hadn’t disappeared entirely.
From CYB’s perspective, it was probably the kind of question they couldn’t ask, but also couldn’t not ask.
“Are you happy, Ryu Eunyul?”
“…Pardon?”
I hadn’t expected the question to end up there.
“You’ve gone through a lot competing in CYB—challenges, hardships, and joy. So I want to ask: are you happy?”
Chaeya smiled gently.
“I…”
I fiddled with the sleeve of my dress shirt.
Then I answered honestly.
“I’m not happy just yet.”
“Really?”
“Yes. People tend to live their lives more indifferently than happily. Sometimes even if happiness is right in front of us, we don’t recognize it.”
“That’s true.”
“Right… so I don’t think I’m happy yet.”
But, I added,
“Through CYB, I’ve come to understand a lot. I was finally able to face myself. I could feel the presence of companions and fans who accepted me as I am. And most of all…”
I cleared my throat.
“…I’m certain I will be happy. That alone is something this experience has given me.”
“I see.”
Chaeya nodded.
“To say you’ll definitely be happy… quite the ambition.”
Despite her words, she looked pleased.
“I hope you will be. From one colleague in this industry to another.”
The CYB Male Idol Division Final Stage was held at the special stage on the grounds of the Bichang Guild Central HQ.
The Bichang Guild’s HQ had been used for several seasons now as the training location for the male idol finalists, and the venue could hold up to 4,000 people.
It wasn’t just known for CYB’s finals—it was often used for other singers’ concerts as well.
The camera swept across the vast venue, divided into three floors.
I had just finished my makeup in the waiting room and was watching the live broadcast feed on the monitor.
The camera began showing the audience.
Everyone was waiting for the show to start.
‘Wait…’
I spotted a sign with my name on it.
— Eunyul! Let’s take 1st place!!
“Haha…”
I couldn’t help but smile.
<So, are you ready?>
As I scanned the crowd with a proud smile, the Star spoke up.
“Yeah. I’ve done everything I can, so I have no regrets.”
<Heh, o-of course. W-we will absolutely take first place.>
“Star, you’re…”
I picked up the metal case from the vanity table.
“…super nervous, huh?”
When I opened the lid, the Star appeared in his fly form, flipped over like he’d been hit with bug spray.
<W-what are you talking about! Nervous? I don’t know that word!>
“Ahh, is that so?”
The same Star who always teased me when I was nervous was now trembling at the thought of getting on stage.
Pft.
I couldn’t help laughing.
<A-are you laughing at me!?>
He waved his front legs in protest.
“I’m not laughing at you.”
I rested my chin in my hand and looked at him.
“I’m just really excited to be on stage with you. Aren’t you?”
<Hmph… now you’re trying to trick me. I won’t fall for such lies.>
“I’m not lying. Sure, CYB is a test, and we’re all competing for a spot… but singing and dancing? That’s been a form of celebration since ancient times.”
The Star clicked his tongue and climbed onto my extended index finger.
I brought my hand up and stared at his grotesque fly form.
“I’m glad I get to enjoy this festival with you.”
And I meant it.
We’d formed a contract in a rocky way, always wary of and mocking each other, but somewhere along the way, that had started to feel like a bond between longtime rivals.
<…Hmph.>
The Star scoffed.
<To be honest, I’ll never get used to this era. Constellations supporting entertainers directly—it’s laughable. In the past, it was considered a virtue for constellations not to meddle in the world of their creations. They only learned that lesson after witnessing countless tragedies.>
True.
Most mythological tragedies did involve divine interference.
If the gods had just left humans alone, most of those disasters wouldn’t have happened.
<And that’s why… being able to share something with creations through celebration, not war, might just be something special.>
The Star smiled.<My dancing is wild. I hope you can keep up.>
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
I shrugged.
“CYB Male Idol Division! The Final Stage begins now!”
Suddenly, Aiden’s voice rang from the monitor.
I checked the time.
The broadcast had begun.
In the dark venue, neon lights swirled in waves.
Aiden stood center stage.
“After endless competition, ten contestants are standing by to meet you all. Are you ready to meet them?”
The audience roared in response.
Knock knock.
At that moment, a staff member knocked on the waiting room door.
“Yes! Coming!”
I gently placed the Star back into the metal case.
The first performance was The Ending, by the team of Han Iro, Jeong Noeul, Min Heejae, Madojin, and one other member.
My group’s performance would follow.
It was time to gather with the team and get ready.
We checked our outfits one last time and went over the choreography.
It would be hard to score high in the team stage.
Partly because I’d yielded the main vocal spot, but mostly because our song didn’t match the atmosphere well.
Our bright street-style outfits couldn’t compare to the sharp black suits used in The Ending.
And Han Iro, Jeong Noeul, Min Heejae, and Madojin—
Even without knowing the fifth member well, I could say confidently that those four had debut-level talent.
Real-time reactions online backed that up.
— This is totally the debut song for the project team ㅠㅠ
— How is Iro so pretty? Like a literal water droplet.
— Doesn’t Noeul look like a mischievous little acrobat from a circus? lol
ㄴ lol at “acrobat”
— Found my new emotional collapse spot ●▅▇█▇▄▌
ㄴ ●▅▇█▇▄▌
ㄴ ●▅▇█▇▄▌
— Heejae in glasses… suit + glasses combo is chef’s kiss
‘…They’re really about to sweep the project team at this rate.’
I laughed dryly.
But I wasn’t afraid.
‘I’ll make it all up during my solo performance.’
I was confident.
Not because of the Star’s help or my useful artifacts.
But because of everything I’d experienced up to now.
Clap clap!
A staff member clapped their hands.
“Alright, time to get ready to go on stage!”
We stood without a word.
As we walked the corridor toward the stage, the music and cheers grew louder in our ears.
“Everyone ready to do well?”
Second place asked, glancing around at the team.
I laughed.
“Whether we’re ready or not, we have to do well.”
When I said that, everyone nodded firmly.
“Shall we do a team cheer?”
Someone suggested.
And we all shouted as one.
Fighting―!!
Little Pink Starfish 
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