Gangster to Idol

Leo had left the stage quietly, his face still wearing that forced smile, but the defeat was evident on his face. He was the first to return to their room, already preparing to pack up.

Cain stood backstage, his heart heavy. As much as he wanted to chase after Leo, to be there for him during this dark moment, he knew he couldn't leave. His own performance was still ahead, and he couldn't leave the stage.

"It's fine, C.C.," Leo called, forcing a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. He gave C.C. a half-hearted pat on the shoulder before locking eyes with him, his usual playful demeanor replaced with something more serious. "This is as far as I could go. But you . .

. you and Riku still have a shot."

He flashed that trademark smile of his, the one that was always full of life, now tinged with bittersweet resignation. "I'll be supporting you from the sidelines. So, don't let me down. Do your best, alright?" Leo's thumb shot up in his usual gesture, but the enthusiasm behind it was a shadow of what it used to be.

Without waiting for Cain's response, Leo turned and headed back to their room to pack up, his figure retreating into the distance.

Cain instinctively reached out, ready to stop him, but Fifi fluttered in front of him, her tiny hands pushing his back gently. "Sometimes, a guy doesn't want you to see his tears. Let him go. He needs this moment alone."

Cain clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he watched Leo disappear. He hated feeling powerless, hated not being able to do anything. His lips pressed into a thin line as he exhaled slowly.

This was what it meant to compete. The harsh truth. It wasn't just about talent—it was about surviving the cuts, about knowing that not everyone would make it through. And as much as Cain liked to think of himself as tough and indifferent, the people he had met along this journey had started to change him, little by little. He had seen their dreams, their struggles, and now, their heartbreak.

Shaking his head to clear the thoughts, Cain refocused on the competition. He wasn't out of the woods yet. If he failed now, Leo's hopes would shatter alongside his own. He couldn't afford to dwell on emotions—not here, not now.

This was a battlefield. Not the kind Cain was used to, but a battlefield nonetheless. And if he let himself falter, if he let the weight of Leo's loss pull him down, he'd be following Leo out that door.

This wasn't the time to mourn or feel sorry. This was the time to focus. To push harder. To win.

"I will win," Cain muttered, determination hardening his gaze as he prepared himself for the stage. The competition wasn't over yet—not by a long shot.

Finally his name was called.

"Is C.C. going to be okay?" one of the audience asked, concern etched across their face.

"He's made it this far, but do you think he can carry himself to the next episode with just his voice?" another pondered, their brow furrowing in doubt.

"Mediocre voices were eliminated. Of course, he'd be out too," came the dismissive reply.

The murmurs floated through the air like restless ghosts, but they fell silent the moment Cain's voice sliced through the air, a powerful voice that drew every gaze. It wasn't just a sound; it was an awakening, reverberating with a raw intensity that captivated the room.

.net

🎵 In the silence where I stand,

Lost and broken, but I'll take my hand.

Every scar tells a story untold,

In the depths of night, I'll turn to gold. 🎵

The stage lights flickered. Cain stepped into the spotlight, the world around him fading. A hauntingly beautiful ballad that perfectly matched the tumult of emotions swirling within him swirled.

As he sang, the words spilled forth, and a heavy silence fell over the audience. Everyone could almost hear their own breathing.

🎵 I'm rising from the shadows,

Finding light in every tear.

With every note, I'll break the silence,

Feel the fire, I'll persevere.

Through the doubt, through the struggle,

I'll find my voice, I'll find my way.

In this moment, I am fearless,

Hear my heart, hear me say! 🎵

His voice was raw, slightly husky, and deeper than before, resonating with a profound intensity that enveloped the room.

This was C.C. in his truest form. The familiar notes of the song were imbued with his unique essence, each word punctuated with unfiltered emotion.

The moment he began, all his skills activated in full throttle triggered by his true voice. An invisible aura radiated from him, wrapping around the audience like a warm embrace, pulling them deeper into the song he wove, hypnotize by his voice.

It was as if time stood still—no one spoke, no one moved. They were utterly absorbed, captivated by the depth of his voice and the vulnerability that poured from him.

Even Raneisha, normally wasn't move with others music, found herself lost in the haunting melody. Her mind was flooded with inspiration for her own songs, ideas rushing in like a tide, but for the moment, she was swept away by C.C.s performance that she forgot to hit the buzzer.

Cain's heart raced, a knot tightening in his stomach. The silence from the audience felt deafening. Had he failed?

🎵 Rising from the shadows,

This is my time, this is my call.

With every song, I'll stand taller,

I'll rise above, I won't fall. 🎵

But just when doubt threatened to overwhelm him, a series of buzzes erupted in the air, breaking the stillness. It was as if the audience had awoken from a dream they didn't want to leave.

All three mentors slammed their buzzers in unison, their chairs spinning around with a synchronized click. Their expressions shifted from disbelief to pure awe—a rare moment in RRR history where all mentors had pressed their buzzer on an independent trainee!

The atmosphere crackled with electricity, marking the first time anyone had ever commanded such an overwhelming response from all three judges in a single performance.

Some in the audience were visibly moved, tears glistening in their eyes. The power of C.C.s voice, the soul laid bare in every note, had struck a chord deep within them.

The emotions surged like a wave, crashing over Cain with indescribable emotion. As the final notes faded into the air, the applause erupted like a storm, echoing through the venue like thunder.

In that instant, Cain had touched hearts, ignited passions, and breathed life into dreams.