Falling for the Omega Idol-Chapter 195: SECOND ELIMINATION ROUND (III)
AFTER Baek Eunwoo was called, Robin felt a knot of worry tighten in his stomach. The next name would be for the eleventh rank. After that, there would only be ten slots left. He looked around at the faces of the other contestants still waiting. He saw the same anxious expression on many of them. They were all sitting up straight, their eyes fixed on the stage. At this point, he knew he was not the only one who felt this way. He was sure that every single one of them was most likely feeling the exact same fear.
They might not be called at all, and this might be the point where their journey would end.
Although Robin had ranked high in the first elimination, it did not mean that it would be the same this time as well. After all, the mentors did not rank them this time, but the public did. Their ranking all depended on whether or not the public liked them enough. Just look at Baek Eunwoo. He was ranked second during the first elimination, but he was ranked 12th now. Although 12th was still high, it was no second. How much worse would it be for Robin?
Aside from the fact that he wasn’t sure if he got enough screen time for the public to even like him, there was also the fact that he was a foreigner. He knew international viewers could vote, but the percentage of the local votes should still be higher. Out of all the foreign contestants who were still here, only five had been called so far. And all of those five contestants were Asian, or at least of mixed race decent. Unlike him, who was a full-blooded French guy.
Lily looked down at her card. "And now, for the 11th rank chosen by our navigators," she said. She paused, taking a moment before speaking the name. In that brief silence, Robin felt his heart beat faster and harder in his chest. Then her voice filled the hall. "Lee Haru."
Robin let out the breath he had been holding and looked to where Haru was sitting. The kid looked very confused, as if he had already given up and was very surprised that his name was actually called. But the moment it fully registered in his mind, he jumped to his feet and then hugged his teammates with pure joy.
Even though Robin’s own name had not been called, he felt a genuine happiness that Haru was safe. He truly believed the kid deserved to continue on to the next round.
As Haru walked to the front, he passed by the seats where Robin and Haneul were sitting. He stopped and first gave Robin a quick, happy hug. Robin laughed and told him congratulations. Then, Haru turned and hugged Haneul as well, who also offered his congratulations.
"This is all thanks to the vocal lessons you gave me, hyung," Haru whispered to Haneul as he let the other go.
Haneul shook his head. "No, this is all your own effort."
Haru wanted to say something more. But they had little time, so he just gave a wide grin instead. Then he continued walking to the front of the room, finally stopping when he was standing on top of the number ’11’.
Haneul looked at Haru and was glad that the other was safe. Although he had a feeling that Haru would be safe until the finale, considering that he managed to debut in Haneul’s previous world. But with so many things that had changed, he was not sure if what he knew would happen would still happen. No, at this point, it was already a given that things were different. Heck, he had not even thought about the events in the show that happened in his previous world because so many things were already so different in this one.
"And now we will enter the top ten," Lily announced.
Her voice pulled Haneul right out of his own thoughts. He glanced to his side and noticed that Robin’s leg was shaking up and down. The other must be feeling very nervous right now. Especially since there were only ten places left to be called.
In truth, Haneul also felt the same way. Even though they had done very well in the vocal mission, there was still a chance that they could be eliminated. But Haneul believed that all the members of their team would be able to move on to the next round. At least, he really hoped so.
Then, the name of the next contestant was called.
Haneul saw that Robin’s fists were clenched tightly on his lap. His worry was probably doubling over because his name was still not called.
"Don’t worry, hyung. Your name will definitely be called soon," he said, his voice quiet but firm with belief.
Robin glanced at Haneul when he heard that. The other had a determined look on his face, like he really believed every word he’d just said. Robin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He felt moved that Haneul had so much faith in him, but it also made him nervous. Now he was afraid of letting Haneul down if his name wasn’t called and he was eliminated.
As if to solve all of his problems, the next name Lily called was—
"And now, for the ninth rank," Lily announced. "The contestant who has secured this position..." She paused, letting the tension build to its peak. "Is Robin Leroux."
Maybe because Haneul had just told him his name would be called, when it actually happened, Robin did not feel any shock at all. He just sat there, almost numb. It was only when Haneul turned and hugged him tightly that he seemed to wake up completely to the reality of the moment.
"You did it, hyung! I told you they would call your name," Haneul said, his words bursting with happiness and relief.
Robin finally let out a laugh that was filled with pure joy as he hugged Haneul back. "Are you my lucky charm? Then let me share some of it with you. Your name will definitely be called too."
