From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

910  There's No Place Like Home

"A—choo! I even love the way you sneeze," Pablo sang on the stage, throwing kisses at everyone who was watching. The cast members watched the performance with a mix of amusement and disgust. Nonetheless, the villagers seemed to be enjoying Pablo's atrocious portrayal. They clapped and watched with bright eyes, appearing like they were watching a top-notch performance. "I give you a squeeze, squeeze, squeeze!"

"Ah-choo! I love you," Pablo ended the song by placing his hands on his cheeks and batting his eyelashes at the crowd. June shook his head and grabbed a chicken leg from his plate. Yes, he still wasn't done eating. After cooking for the cast members for the past week, he decided it was time for him to step down! Of course, June was still great at holding grudges! How could they accuse him of stealing those cupcakes? They better cook their own food starting tomorrow. So, June decided he would eat food that was worth one and a half days. As he chewed on the chicken leg, however, he felt himself being hoisted up. It went by so fast. Before he knew it, he was already on the stage—and instead of a chicken leg, a microphone was in his hand, doused in the grease from the fried piece of meat. He looked at the crowd with wide eyes. "Sing for us!" Casper exclaimed. "Here comes the main event," Jisung said with excitement. Mimi clasped her hands in front of her chest while the others appeared like they were looking forward to his performance, too. The group of old women, who called themselves his fans, were at the very front, sitting on the grass with sparkling eyes. "W—what will I sing?" June asked. "Whatever you want!" Ramil PD said. "Come on, June. Give everyone a show." June scratched the back of his head and looked around. Then, he walked to the soundman and whispered a song. The soundman was surprised with the song choice. However, he nodded and searched for it. With that, June went back center stage, standing in front of the semi-large crowd. Somehow, it felt more nerve-wracking. He wasn't made up. He also didn't practice. It was a spontaneous performance where he had to fill the stage all alone. He cleared his throat, and along with that, the song finally played. The people were surprised by his song choice. "This song…," Hana muttered. "It was released even before I was born!" Casper turned to Jisung. "Do you know this song?" he asked. Jisung happily shook his head. "Nope," he smiled. "But, it's June. I'm bound to like it." Casper nodded, also only remembering the song from when his parents used to play it on the radio. The villagers, on the other hand, were very happy. It was a song that most of them knew—the song of their youth. June let out a deep breath before he sang his first words. "There's a path I've known since I was small, A winding road where shadows fall." The first lines had already shown so much emotion and skill. In the stillness of the near night, June's voice rang. His voice was nostalgic, bringing the old souls back to their happy days. - Crap. These old people have watched June perform before me. - It sounds so magical. I can't do this. - Forget about those cupcakes. Why is June so good at singing? - Wait, June is an idol? - You must be new here! He's the best idol. - How can anyone not know June? He's the billboard idol these days. Everywhere you turn, you see his face on ads and billboards. - And it's well-deserved. His popularity is paired with talent. "I've wandered far, across the land, With dreams too big, I got my own hand. But in the city where it's loud, I found myself lost in the crowd." It was a relatively simple song to sing, but June brought out its beauty with his own voice. The old crowd swayed side to side, with some becoming fans of June right on the spot. "This kid sings the best out of everyone," one said. "Didn't I tell you? June is the best," his fan said. "There's no place like home, they say,

And I feel it more with every day.

The noise, the rush, they pull me apart, n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

But home is where I left my heart." Mei glanced at the cast members. It was true that they had a tough time for the past seven days. However, it was still healing. It was their chance to escape the noise and the rush that came with being an entertainer.

"Ah, this feels like a nice ending," she muttered, leaning against her chair with a small smile. "The scent of rain on the dusty ground,

The quiet hum of life around.

The crackling fire, the evening air,

A life so simple, nothing compares." It was the perfect song for the night. It truly defined what they had witnessed in their short stay here. "Genius," Casper muttered as he gazed at June. "I see my mother's hands, worn but kind,

My father's laugh, the peace I find.

In the old oak tree where I used to climb,

And the porch swing rocking in its time." Uno smiled to himself and looked down at his hands. Somehow, it felt like he had lost to June—he always had. However, he didn't feel bitter about it. It just was. "The stars are clearer, the nights are still,

And the world seems softer on the hill.

The chickens cluck, the cattle low,

The things I missed, I now know." Joonie, on the other hand, had a hard time accepting it. Why was it that this man was good at everything? There must be something—a flaw of some sort. "For here is where my soul belongs,

In the corny country songs.

Where each breath feels full and free,

In the place that's always home to me." June opened his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips as he made eye contact with Pops. "So here I stand, not far to roam,

For in my heart, there's no place like home.

And though the world may call my name,

It's here I'll stay, forever the same."