Gangster to Idol

Riku had only meant to make small talk because he was seated beside C.C., but before he knew it, he had created a social media account. Now, he wasn't sure what to make of it.

"What's your username?" Cain asked suddenly, his tone casual.

"Eh?" Riku blinked, caught off guard.

"So I can follow you," Cain clarified, his gaze steady.

"Are you sure?"

C.C. was an established content creator with a million following. Anyone he followed would instantly be thrust into the spotlight.

Cain raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I be sure?"

"Well . . . because we're competitors," Riku replied, his words tinged with hesitation. "Aren't you worried your followers might become mine?" After all, being followed by someone with a million fans was a big deal.

Cain huffed a laugh. "Why should I be afraid? I know what I can do, so there's nothing to fear. If my followers decide to follow you, that's their choice. I'll just earn more fans than you, simple as that."

Riku was taken aback by C.C.'s confidence. He found himself admiring his self-assuredness, a trait that he didn't have. He was kind of jealous despite his admiration.

"Ah, then I'll follow you too," Riku said, his cheeks flushing slightly pink.

As Cain observed Riku fumbling with his phone, he muttered under his breath, growing impatient. "How are they deciding who goes in first?"

Riku looked up, offering a small smile. "Those guys are from the big companies. Naturally, they get first priority."

"Is that so?" Cain's voice was laced with impatience, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scanned the room.

"Yeah, look over there — that's EJ. He's known for his charismatic stage presence and versatile talents. He's the top trainee from Starlight Entertainment."

Cain's ears perked up, noting the name. Good to know who the competition were.

"And that's Jinwoo Park," Riku continued, pointing discreetly. "A skilled dancer with an intense gaze, he's from Radiant Studios. Rumor has it he's the next big thing."

"And over there," Riku added, nodding toward another trainee. "That's Mika Asano, a Japanese trainee with an incredible voice. He's with NeonWave Productions."

Cain's gaze swept the room, taking in the sight of all the major players.

"There are a lot of big shots from the major entertainment companies here," Riku whispered, a hint of doubt in his voice. "Do we even stand a chance?"

But Cain wasn't fazed.

"You look confident," Fifi's voice chimed in his mind, a teasing note to her words.

Cain's lips curled into a smirk. "Even CROSS has a lot of rival gangs. This is just another battlefield."

Fifi rolled her eyes, giving him a mental nudge. "Just don't get cocky, hotshot."

Cain chuckled quietly, catching Riku off guard with his unexpected smile. He kept muttering to himself too. Maybe that's C.C.s way of encouraging himself? Was it the source of his confidence?

Riku took mental note to copy him.

"C.C.?!"

Cain's name was called, and he stood up, ready to head into the production area.

"See you inside," Riku said, giving a friendly wave.

Cain nodded and made his way through the doors. Inside was a sprawling hall with a high-tech stage at the center, equipped with cutting-edge sound systems and cameras. The judges' seats were positioned in front of the stage, while the audience sat in rows behind them, some familiar faces among them.

The real action, though, was backstage. Tents were scattered around, each one buzzing with activity. High-profile artists had elaborate setups complete with makeup artists and stylists, a clear sign of their companies big budget.

A staff member approached Cain. "Do you have a team?"

"A team?"

"Yeah, a glam squad to prep you for the initial challenge."

"Ah, no. I'm good."

"Alright, follow me."

Cain was guided to a seat on the side of the stage.

"We'll call you when it's your turn."

"Got it."

As Cain settled in, he noticed the empty seats slowly filling up. Riku reappeared beside him, looking happy that he got seated beside C.C.

"Why aren't we seated over there?" Cain asked, pointing to the seats just behind the judges. They seemed to be reserved for some of the other trainees, who had a noticeably high-profile air about them.

"Those spots are reserved for trainees from big companies. They get special privileges," Riku whispered.

Cain chuckled, taking it all in stride. "Seems like the big players get the VIP treatment."

Riku nodded, looking a bit envious. "Yeah, but it's not all about the money. It's what you bring to the stage that counts."

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the most electrifying competition of the year! This is RRR: Rising Radiance Revolution, where dreams meet destiny and every performance could be the spark that lights up your future!

"Tonight, we're kicking off with a bang! We've got a hundred incredible trainees from all corners of the entertainment world, each one bringing their own unique flair and talent. These are the stars of tomorrow, and they're here to show us why they deserve to shine!

"From stunning vocalists to jaw-dropping dancers, and everything in between — prepare to be amazed as our contestants take the stage to give it their all. And remember, this is not just a showcase; it's a battle for glory, with high stakes and fierce competition!

"So, get ready to cheer, gasp, and maybe even shed a tear as we watch these rising stars give their best performances. Let's make some noise and kick off the first episode of RRR: Rising Radian Revolution! Are you ready?!"

As the audience's cheers reached a fever pitch, the host took center stage, their voice cutting through the roar of excitement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the electrifying debut of RRR! We're about to dive into an incredible journey to discover the next big sensation in music and performance. But before we get started, let's meet the powerhouse panel who'll be guiding and shaping our stars."

The audience erupted into cheers as the host took the stage, their energy setting the tone for the competition.

The spotlight shifted to the mentors as the host continued.

"Now, without further ado, let's introduce the incredible panel of judges who will be guiding our contestants through this intense journey."

The lights dimmed slightly, focusing on the first judge as the host spoke.

"First up, we have the dazzling . . . Kalista!"

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