Gangster to Idol

Cain shook his head. "What's his deal?"

Riku hesitated before replying, rubbing the back of his neck. "Apparently . . . you've become a meme again, C.C."

Cain raised an eyebrow. "A meme? What for this time?"

Riku sighed, trying to suppress a smile. "Well . . . you know, the whole thing with Felice. People are saying you're 'too cool to care' after she winked at you, and it's kinda .

. . blowing up online."

Cain sighed, half frustrated and half annoyed. "Great. Just what I needed."

=== 🎶 ===

Even though Episode 3 hadn't aired yet, the RRR production team knew exactly how to keep the buzz going.

They dropped a slick, edited teaser — just a few seconds of pure drama — but it was enough to light up the fanbase.

The highlight? Felice, the star of the show, throwing a perfectly timed wink in C.C.s direction.

It was a calculated move, designed to stir up controversy and fan theories. The moment had fans losing their minds, some claiming it was a sign of something deeper, while others were convinced it was just for show.

Either way, the production team had achieved their goal: ensuring that the internet would be hyping the show day in and day out, fueling debates and making sure Rising Radiance Revolution stayed on everyone's radar.

That wink was a spark, and now the whole fanbase was set on fire.

ThatGuy: "Did You See Felice Wink at C.C.?!"

CCFallacyFan: "Ugh, seriously? Felice deserves better than some guy like C.C. He's so arrogant, always thinking he can coast through just because he's got a bit of charm. That wink meant nothing, she's just being polite."

TeamFelice: "Felice is too good for C.C.! Did you even see his performance last week? He totally bombed. She's probably pitying him, not interested in him."

StopTheShip: "Enough with this 'C.C. x Felice' nonsense! He's dragging her down. Felice needs someone who actually has talent and isn't wrapped up in drama!"

CCFanForLife: "I thought it was adorable! Felice definitely likes him. I mean, why would she wink at anyone else? She sees something special in him, and honestly, I think they're a great match."

FeliceHeartEyes: "YES, I totally ship it! C.C. might have his rough edges, but he's real, and Felice needs someone who can keep it 100%. Love them together already!"

RisingStarShipper: "The chemistry was undeniable. Felice's wink wasn't just some random thing. She knows what she's doing, and C.C. has been putting in the effort lately. I'm here for this love team!"

StayChill: "Okay, I don't think the wink was a big deal. But it could be something. Let's just wait and see if they interact more in the next episode before jumping to conclusions. I wonder if Felice will still be in the next episode?"

RisingWatcher: "Whether you love or hate C.C., you gotta admit, the drama is entertaining. Felice winking at him is going to stir up even more tension in the competition, which makes for good TV."

Cain scrolled through his phone, trying to ignore the flood of notifications. He told himself he wouldn't check the comments, but it was impossible to escape. His feed was filled with posts, all centered around that moment — the wink that was apparently shaking the internet.

His social media accounts had blown up. More messages than usual, more questions, more prying eyes. The death threats had skyrocketed, with fans taking things way too far after that one innocent moment.

It was just a wink! For fuck's sake! Cain cursed internally, tossing his phone onto the bed in frustration.

"Because they're bored," Fifi chimed in, floating lazily beside him. "Felice is a big deal, and every little move she makes is scrutinized. She doesn't wink at just anyone, especially not at guys. So, of course, it caused a huge stir."

Cain sighed, rubbing his temple. "Forget it."

Before he could dwell any longer, Leo's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Hey, C.C., you hitting the shower first?"

Cain glanced over at Leo, who was still sprawled out on his bed, clearly having skipped the morning workout. "Yeah. You ditched the morning exercise again?"

Leo grinned, unbothered. "Filming for my vlog last night. By the time I wrapped up it was so late, I didn't have the energy to run around this morning." He flipped onto his stomach, stretching lazily. "It's just the two of us now, so we gotta step it up if we want our own rooms too."

Cain nodded, though his mind was still elsewhere.

"Though I kinda miss having roommates," Leo chuckled, stretching out. "By the way, you're a hot topic right now, thanks to Felice."

Cain resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Everyone's making a big deal out of nothing. You should focus on your music instead of lazing around."

Leo laughed it off, but his tone shifted as he muttered under his breath, barely audible. "It's fine . . . I'll probably be done after the next episode anyway."

Cain paused for a second but chose not to comment, heading to the bathroom instead. He needed a break from all the noise.

=== 🎶 ===

Later that afternoon, the trainees stood in line outside the empty hall, waiting for their one-on-one session with Raneisha. The atmosphere was buzzing with nervous energy, though Cain remained as stoic as ever.

Leo, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with excitement.

"I still can't believe we're having one on one sessions with Raneisha," Leo said, his eyes wide with excitement. "The woman who's been my crush since I saw her on TV! It's like a dream come true."

.net

Cain frowned, crossing his arms. "You're idolizing her too much."

Leo gave him a side-eye. "Dude, you have no idea. Being this close to someone that beautiful would fluster any of us mere mortals. I mean, she's the Raneisha. And you — you're just standing here like it's no big deal."

Cain's expression remained stone cold. "I'm not here to be starstruck. I'm here to become an idol, nothing more."

Leo blinked, surprised. "Damn. The self-control on you, man. I'm actually a little jealous."

Cain didn't respond, his mind still holding a quiet grudge against the woman. Sure, she was famous and objectively beautiful, but all he could think about was the fact that she kicked him in the groin during their first encounter.

The memory still stung, and not just physically.