Falling for the Omega Idol
Chapter 157: THE DAY OF THE VOCAL PERFORMANCE

Chapter 157: THE DAY OF THE VOCAL PERFORMANCE

THE Argo was bustling with activity. Staff double-checked the stage lights, microphones, and camera setups in the performance hall. Meanwhile, contestants filled other areas of the ship. Some huddled with their groups in practice rooms running through last-minute drills, while others sat getting their hair and makeup done. The air was thick with tension for the upcoming vocal performance.

Haneul glanced out the window. Outside, a crowd buzzed with activity, but these weren’t just the usual dockworkers or casual passersby. This was a packed mass of people waiting to board the ship, all there to watch their performance.

How did he know that? Aside from the fact they were all crowded way too close to The Argo’s entrance, some held up signs with names, probably a contestant’s name, written on them. There was also more security around than usual, keeping watch to make sure no one tried to sneak onto the ship.

It was actually pretty amazing to see so many people waiting just to watch them. His sister had mentioned during their last call that the show was a huge hit, but he’d figured she was exaggerating to make him feel better. Now, seeing that crowd gathered under the hot sun, he had no choice but to believe it.

Haneul had actually wondered if anyone would show up today. He knew Vnet must have announced how people could watch their performance live, but he figured only a handful would come. Maybe the production team would even need to round up locals just to fill seats. But looking at the crowd below, that clearly wasn’t going to be an issue.

His sister had also told him the show had already aired two episodes. That meant there would be two episodes every week. Unexpected, since the Boys Odyssey in his previous world only released one per week. Did having an extra episode make the interesting for viewers? Whatever Vnet, or maybe the production team, was doing, it was clearly working.

"Those are a lot of people," Robin said, leaning over to look out the window at the crowd below.

"Now, I’m starting to feel nervous," Seongwoo said after also seeing the crowd.

"Hey, don’t start that now. We’re performing in two hours. We can’t have you feeling queasy," Joonhyuk said, his tone teasing. But if you looked closely, you’d see how his knuckles had whitened from clenching both fists too tight, proof he was just as nervous, maybe even more.

Haneul couldn’t blame them for feeling that way. If he were really just eighteen, he’d probably be panicking too, maybe even worse than the others. But thankfully, his previous life had thrown enough at him that this kind of pressure barely registered now. The truth was, he felt more excitement than nerves. Finally, after everything, he’d get to perform for a real audience.

Then Taeyang’s voice cut through his thoughts.

"There’s no reason to be nervous," he said, blunt as ever. With an arrogant tilt of his chin, he added, "The work you put in these past two weeks won’t go to waste. Trust that. Trust that it won’t betray you."

If anyone else had said it, it might’ve sounded condescending or even cringey. But Taeyang’s tone and the steady certainty in his eyes, like he was stating pure fact, somehow eased their two teammates’ nerves.

"I have to agree with that," Robin chuckled, raising a brow at Taeyang. "Seems like you’re truly cut out to be a leader, Taeyang-ssi

He said Taeyang’s name in a teasing way that made the other roll his eyes, which was unlike him. And that just made Robin laugh.

Haneul felt a small pang watching them. Their relationship had started off rocky, but being on the same team clearly made them more at ease with each other. The complete opposite of how things were between him and Taeyang.

They had a good start, but somehow, without him even understanding what happened, they just drifted apart. The funny thing was, they really only got along on that first day. And yet, for some stupid reason, he was still bothered by how things turned out.

He shook his head, determined to focus on their upcoming performance. But as he did, he noticed Taeyang looking at him. Only for the other to quickly glance away like it never happened. Haneul frowned. He really couldn’t figure out why Taeyang acted so strangely around him.

Take yesterday, for example. Taeyang had gotten him for lunch, and for once, Haneul thought they were having an actual conversation—one that wasn’t about their performance. Then out of nowhere, Taeyang clammed up, refusing to talk or even look at him. The rest of the walk to the dining hall passed in complete silence.

It made him wonder if there was something wrong with him.

Haneul paused and then took a deep breath. No, he wouldn’t let himself go in that line of thinking. It didn’t matter. Whatever Taeyang thought of him didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered right now was this performance. And that’s what he would focus on.

***

At one in the afternoon, the staff began letting the 200 selected audience members board the ship in an orderly manner. Security personnel stood at the entrance, checking each person before allowing them inside. As part of the rules, phones and recording devices were temporarily collected and placed in secure lockers, with staff reassuring everyone their belongings would stay safe and untouched until the performance ended. Each item was tagged and stored carefully to prevent mix-ups.

Once cleared, staff guided the audience through the ship’s corridors toward the performance hall. The seating was arranged neatly, with ushers directing people to their assigned spots to avoid crowding. The audience settled in, murmurs of anticipation filling the air as they waited.

Then, without warning, the lights dimmed, plunging the hall into darkness. Seconds later, a single spotlight flicked on, illuminating the center of the stage where a woman stood, wearing a crisp suit dress with her hair in a high ponytail.

"Hello everyone, welcome to Boys Odyssey," Lily said with a smile.