章 88: Finale (4)

Kim So-yeon screamed when Mi Yong in all his beauty took the mic. His costume was less dressy compared to that of Joon-woo's, but it worked. It worked so well, her roommate scolded her from the kitchen.

"Oh, let me tell you a story

When I was very small

Believing on unsuspecting story

You'll definitely get sick someday if you lie

You taught me to be young–"

Mi Yong sang with a tone bordering husky with a sweet aftertaste. Ryeo Hyun finished up the verse with his truly husky and deep voice. It contrasted perfectly in Kim So-yeon's biased opinion.

"Listen carefully, look at this

You lock me up in a wonderful fantasy

Spit out your true intentions

Tie a child's pure day with a string

Like a puppet

Click-clack, click-clack–"

Sa Jung-Soo and Cha Ji-Hyuk split the pre-chorus. Because of their time together as trainees, as broadcasted through the episodes, they harmonized well for their age. Kim So-yeon thought their outfits were great too. Sa Jung-Soo's higher pitched tone and Cha Ji-Hyuk's lower.

Kim So-yeon nodded satisfied as they sang. The two had just made it out of her debut line and now she felt slightly bad. However, thoughts were short lived, as Joon-woo and his long-haired beauty stepped up to his mic.

Kim So-yeon squealed almost as loud as she did for Mi Yong. If they debuted together, just Joon-woo and Mi Yong, she would be the happiest fan girl alive.

Joon-woo's outfit was nothing short of stunning. Unique but not too overshadowing, and unlike some of the stage outfits before, actually suited his height a little more. And with the electric guitar slung along his body, he took hold of the mic slightly aggressively. He embodied the mood of the song in a way that sent chills down Kim So-yeon's spine.

"Strawberry cake

Sweet together is fake

Your words make me slowly

It rots me badly

Sweet candy liar

Run to the fire pit

I'm a hater now

Do it whatever happens–"

With some support from Mi Yong towards the end, Joon-woo sang the chorus. It was made of rough and high notes that required high vocal control. And Joon-woo did it. Kim So-yeon felt chills down her spine and along her arms.

"Everyone loves fairytale

With the same ending, you to me again

Forcing a happy ending obviously

Tell me to be obvious person, no

I'm not falling for your lies anymore–"

Joon-woo's voice always made Kim So-yeon want more. And to her luck, Joon-woo didn't put down the mic, singing the verse in halves with Ryeo Hyun. If Mi Yong and Ryeo Hyun's voice sounded good together, Joon-woo and Ryeo Hyun's was heavenly.

Joon-woo could control his tone well, and took on a softer one for the verse, allowing Ryeo Hyun's husky voice to shine more on the lines.

"Listen carefully, look at this

You lock me up in a wonderful fantasy

Spit out your true intentions

Tie a child's pure day with a string

Like a puppet

Click-clack, click-clack–"

Again, Sa Jung-Soo and Cha Ji-Hyuk split the pre-chorus with ease. Really, it was a team of pure vocals. And live, they sang, live! They sounded like debuted rookies!

Joon-woo and Ryeo Hyun got ready to sing the heavy chorus, but instead of the usual version, it was different. Joon-woo took the electric guitar in hand, as if prepping to play it.

"Strawberry cake

Sweet together is fake

Your words make me slowly

It rots me badly

Sweet candy liar

Run to the fire pit

I'm a hater now

Do it whatever happens–"

Kim So-yeon realized she was smiling through the whole chorus. She hadn't noticed such. Her cheeks slightly hurt when she dropped the smile. Really, they were too good.

But she couldn't even catch her breath, as the post chorus that she expected to come after was replaced by the strums of an electric guitar.

Joon-woo couldn't help but break the thematic blank and dark expression with a small smile when he began to play. Kim So-yeon found it both the cutest and most attractive thing. Her helpless smile returned.

Joon-woo played according to how the post chorus would usually sound, but slowly, slowly, and slowly diverged from it. It was so natural that anyone could tell that Joon-woo had played guitar for a while.

She looked at the screen, all eyes on Joon-woo in his maxi-skirt and knit oversized sweater. Playing the guitar, Joon-woo looked ethereal, his androgynous look was highlighted perfectly. She wanted to screenshot this moment just to hang it on his wall. Joon-woo next to Mi Yong. Joon-woo with his guitar.

After twenty seconds or so, Joon-woo tied the familiar chorus into the original chords.

Mi Yong also couldn't help but flash a smile when he stepped up to his mic.

"Strawberry cake

(Woah, oh, ooh, woah)

Sweet together fake

(Oh, sweet together fake, yeah, sweet together fake, yeah)

Sweet candy liar (Sweet candy liar)

Run to the fire pit

I'm a hater, hater now

See ya later, later."

Smoothly, Ryeo Hyun and Mi Yong finished the song with alternating vocals.

It took Kim So-yeon a few moments to process that the performance ended. And all she could think was– "I want more."

Misa and FYP gave the group a standing ovation.

The cameras cut to the other teams. They were also clapping, admiration lining some faces. Stereotypical "ohhh"'s and "wow!"'s were heard and Kim So-yeon nodded along. Those were three of her picks. She felt like a proud mother.

Misa shook her head with a small and unbelievable smile. "Honestly, that was really close to perfect…"

Sa Jung-Soo and Cha Ji-Hyuk slightly blushed, though the others just broke into small smiles. They were proud of themselves, too.

"Contestant Jung-Soo, you used your higher pitched voice perfectly here. There were a few moments where you were a bit breath-y, but I can only count them on my finger."

"Contestant Ji-Hyuk, your lower tone is beautiful. You were also a little breath-y and needed some cover from Mi Yong or Joon-woo. But it was fine, because you and Jung-Soo harmonized like real rookie idols. Keep that up."

Misa finished her speech, leaving the two blushing messes. Kim So-yeon couldn't help but think they were cute.

"Ryeo Hyun. People with your type of voice usually don't know how to utilize it. But the segments you've sung today, were perfectly selected and sung. You too, needed just a little cover from Mi Yong and Joon-woo. But overall, you were very very exceptional."

Ryeo Hyun slightly bowed, muttering a low "thank you".

"Mi Yong. In previous performances, your advantage of being an ex-idol wasn't clear. But today, your experience was clearly shown. I can tell you've been on a stage before. I can tell you've hosted concerts. Your voice is warm and controlled and though you specialize in dance, you can still sing so well."

Mi Yong wore a small smile and bowed. Kim So-yeon blushed.

"Joon-woo." Misa chuckled, "How long have you been playing guitar?"

Joon-woo leaned into the mic. "About 8 years…"

Misa nodded, "Both acoustic and electric?"

Joon-woo nodded.

"You play, not like a person who plays guitar, but a guitarist. And your vocals are, as always, very pleasant to the ear. You have a very bright future, as a leader, guitarist, and vocalist."

Joon-woo's face was blank at the compliment. "...thank you."

Mi Yong let out a chuckle at Joon-woo's embarrassed tone.

FYP took the mic into his own hands. The team prepared for criticism.

"I think you guys should be proud of yourselves. Joon-woo, despite being the youngest contestant, you led the team well. Mi Yong and Ryeo Hyun, you harmonize very well. Sa Jung-Soo and Cha Ji-Hyuk, just a little more practice and you'll be at their caliber too."

And with that, they were sent to sit with the other contestants. Immediately, they were engulfed in support and praise. From contestants that previously gawked and mocked the team even. Joon-woo stuck his tongue out at Kim Seo-jun when the cameras finally turned away from them.