Little Pink Starfish

Under the soft lighting and emotional background music, I lined up with the other contestants behind Aiden.

The moment I stood under the lights and faced the sea of people filling the venue, a flood of exhaustion suddenly overwhelmed me.

There were so many people that I couldn’t even make out what the signs they were holding said.

Still, I was able to faintly read the ones held close to the stage.

[Eunyul, thank you for being alive.]

Seeing that sign, I truly felt relieved.

‘To be alive…’

At the same time, though, I felt sorry toward the audience member holding that sign. Being alive should be the natural state, and yet being thanked for it felt like a responsibility.

‘Thank you.’

Instead of an apology, I waved slightly, expressing my gratitude.

“All right, everyone’s here,”
Aiden said, turning toward us. With a smile in his eyes, he stepped forward and began speaking to each contestant.

“How was your experience participating in CYB?”

He started a short interview with each of us—clearly to stall for time while the votes were being tallied.

“…Having debuted through another branch of CYB before, it feels like I’ve regained something I’d lost.”
Han Iro answered with a composed look.

Though he was currently covering up burn scars with the authority of “Love Born with Bubbles”, the media would undoubtedly latch onto that story. Still, he looked liberated. For him, more than ranking high, appearing before the world as his true self was the real goal.

“Contestant Ryu Eunyul.”

At last, Aiden stood before me and offered the mic.

“You’ve survived intense competition to make it to the final stage. We’re thrilled. How do you feel about competing in CYB?”

When he said “survived,” his lips curled upward with amusement.

‘Do you always pack so much meaning into your words…?’

I cleared my throat.

“I wanted to live as an idol.”

Then I spoke up.

“For years, I’ve worked toward two goals. To become an idol. And to live well.”

Becoming an idol.

And living well.

Those two goals may seem like one when put together, but I’ve come to understand that they’re not.

Living on its own can feel trivial at times.

But dismissing the value of living just because it seems trivial… the overwhelming presence of this crowd made that impossible.

They were all living, and I…

“…I’m truly happy to be living alongside all of you.”

I was grateful to be continuing my life, standing here where their eyes could reach me.

“I see. I’m glad to be living in the same era as you, Contestant Ryu Eunyul.”

Aiden smiled softly. He smiled—but looked far from joyful.

The cameras were all focused on the stage, and with Star Hated by All no longer by my side, I couldn’t act rashly.

And I figured Aiden was in the same boat.

‘What are you, really?’

I asked in my mind.

Thinking about Enoch, perhaps Aiden was a contractor tied to a constellation hostile to Star Hated by All.

But considering how he’d manipulated both Jung Jinseon and Hamin, it seemed unlikely that he was just any ordinary contractor.

‘But what really bugs me…’

…is the complete lack of purpose. He wasn’t methodical—just a mess of petty tricks and erratic moves.

Watching him continue interviews with a smile, I thought of one possibility.

‘Someone abusing overwhelming power like a spoiled god…’

Even Star Hated by All couldn’t fully discern what Aiden was. That detail alone stood out.

‘A god who toys with people for fun…’

In myths, gods weren’t always kind. Sometimes, they wrecked human lives for amusement.

Especially Aiden’s constellation—“The Ever-Burning Mother”—was said to kill a thousand people a day.

Of course, myths were often exaggerated.

But if “The Ever-Burning Mother” was still killing like that, it would be a monster, not a constellation.

‘I’ll need to talk to Star Hated by All when they return.’

With that in mind, I turned to face the stage again.

“Now then…”

With the interviews wrapped up, Aiden faced the audience.

“Shall we announce the final rankings?”

As soon as he said it, the screen behind the stage began showing footage of our journey.

Footage of us contestants.

‘I knew there were a lot of cameras around, but…’

I was a bit shocked when they showed a close-up of me freezing up during the third preliminary round’s CCM announcement.

They also showed Han Iro and Jung Noeul arguing about whether to eat vegetables or meat, and me and Min Heejae discussing arrangement choices.

Even Madojin was caught reading an insect encyclopedia with a serious face in the break room.

“Haha…”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

It was an outdated segment, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t stir something.

When I turned to the side, I saw Jung Jinseon silently holding back tears.

But there wasn’t time to be sentimental.

The screen faded to black—and our faces popped up on screen.

“Blessed by light! Count Your Blessing!”

As Aiden shouted, the mentors walked onto the stage.

“The top five contestants will debut in a project group directly supported by the constellations.”

As he continued, everyone’s expressions began to tense up.

Mine too.

“The rankings from 10th to 6th will be revealed later. For now, we’ll announce the top five.”

As soon as Aiden said that, the camera turned toward the podium beside him.

“And now, in 5th place!”

I clenched my trembling right arm to calm myself.

“Young but with the most mature dance skills among the contestants…”

Well, that made it obvious.

I turned to Jung Noeul, who looked confused.

‘Probably forgot he’s the youngest here after being a full-grown adult earlier.’

“…Contestant Jung Noeul!”

Only then did he realize it, his jaw dropping as he looked around.

As we all gathered around to congratulate him, Noeul looked as if he were being crushed by stuffed animals.

“I… I didn’t even know you were talking about me…”

He gave his acceptance speech with a dazed face, speaking so fast it almost turned into rap.

Then 4th place was announced.

“…Min Heejae!”

Min Heejae, as if he’d expected it, let out a soft chuckle and walked to the podium.

Confident in his musical talent and earnest in his reasons for joining CYB, he accepted it calmly—at first.

“Thank you so much.”

But then—

“…Kkhh!”

His face crumpled. Just like a child, he burst into tears and shared his gratitude.

“All… all of this glory goes to my constellation…!”

He couldn’t even finish the sentence through the sobs.

‘I wonder what happened…’

Did the Ten Kings Who Rule the Netherworld finally pass on?

A bittersweet thought passed through my mind. But for Heejae, this was probably the best ending.

I clapped as he stood beside Noeul.

“And now, 3rd place…”

We were down to just a few.

I glanced between Madojin and Han Iro.

Iro looked relaxed, while Madojin was unreadable as ever.

“Contestant Madojin!”

Despite the announcement, he stayed expressionless as he walked toward the podium.

Some of us had tried to hug or high-five him but ended up watching him walk off awkwardly.

‘At least accept the congratulations!’

I shouted in my mind.

“…Ah.”

Madojin turned, sensing my thoughts. He hesitated, unsure whether to go back or continue forward.

‘Geez…’

I walked over, placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Congrats.”

As I stopped him, the other contestants rushed over to offer congratulations too.

“…I almost missed out on the joy of being celebrated because I was too focused on the podium.”

Laughter rang out as he spoke into the mic.

‘Please don’t mess up your speech…’

I held my breath, but thankfully he gave a textbook, formal statement and stood beside Noeul and Heejae.

“Now we only have the top two remaining.”

Aiden’s voice lingered.

Han Iro and I met each other’s eyes.

I didn’t know if it was mutual confidence or something else, but I truly wished we’d both make the cut.

‘Though, if I can be a little greedy…’

…I did want first place.

“Let’s announce the top two finalists!”

As soon as Aiden said it, the photos of the remaining contestants disappeared.

“Contestant Han Iro!”

Han Iro’s face reappeared.

“…And Contestant Ryu Eunyul!”

My photo followed.

The screen zoomed in on the two of us.

“Please come up to the podium.”

At Aiden’s words, Iro and I looked at each other.

The other contestants offered their congratulations. Though perhaps with less enthusiasm than before—they were officially out of the running now.

“Shall we go, Eunyul?”

Iro whispered.

“Yeah.”

I smiled brightly.

Together, we walked toward the podium, side by side.