From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

Chapter 1046: This Is It

"This is it," Akira dramatically said. "DAWN's final performance of the year. The group had done everything to keep the members together, and they have come so far."

"From surviving a show together and now putting on countless performances, DAWN are known as living legends! They have become the top grossing idols with only a little over a year into their career, and a lot of people are anticipating what the future will hold. Oh, what a journey it has been. Who knew it would come to this?" he even fake sobbed.

"The end is near now-"

"Ouch!"

His dramatic monologue was cut short when Jaeyong slapped the back of his head.

Jaeyong shook his head as he stood from the couch. "You're acting as if our career is coming to a close."

"It kind of is," Akira muttered. "It would be a while before we get to see our fans again."

"That's not true," Jisung said, shaking his head. "We'll always be engraved in their hearts! They're already used to us, and when they miss us, they can just look back on everything we've done. It's been written on paper. There's also plenty of videos online."

"I guess all things are temporary," Casper said before pursing his lips. "We can't keep doing this forever, you know?"

Ren sighed. "You're also acting as if this is a goodbye! It's really not. We're even going to resume our tour by next year."

June watched them with amusement. "Come on now," he said. "We're up next."

The boys snapped out of their sentimental facades and put on their game faces as they walked

to the stage-the place where they all belonged. They weren't the last performers of the night, especially since there were a lot of senior artists present for the night.

However, they might as well be.

The door creaked open, and a staff member poked their head inside. "It's time."

The room fell silent for a brief second before everyone straightened up. No words were exchanged as they moved together. As the door clicked shut behind them, they were greeted by the roar of the crowd beyond the stage.

The hallway leading to the stage was dimly lit, shadows stretching long across the polished floor.

Other artists and staff parted as they passed, their heads nodding in acknowledgment. Whispers followed them, murmurs of admiration and respect that could be felt even amidst the noise.

June stayed at the back, letting his team lead. He watched them walk ahead. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

The hallway grew darker as they approached the backstage area. The lights faded, leaving only the faintest glow to guide their way.

June's steps slowed as he looked ahead, his gaze locking onto the silhouettes of his teammates. The darkness wrapped around them, but they were unmistakable-Ren's sharp stride, Casper's slight bounce, Jisung's jittery walk, Jaeyong's steady pace, Akira's cheerful steps, Sehun's calm aura, and Zeth's model saunter. Each one of them was unique yet perfectly in sync.

June shook his head, a quiet laugh escaping him.

Without realizing it, he came to a stop. His feet refused to move as he stood there, frozen in awe. He was seeing his team-seeing the people who had stood beside him through every storm and had pulled him out of the darkest places-who had become his family.

It felt like time slowed, the world narrowing down to just this moment. It was cliche (and pretty corny), but hey, June could make a few exceptions.

Sensing his stillness, his team turned around.

One by one, they glanced back, their faces illuminated by the faint light. They didn't say anything at first, just smiled-those warm, knowing smiles that said everything words couldn't.

Jisung was the first to step back, reaching out a hand.

"Bro."

The rest followed, their voices sounding both teasing and encouraging. June couldn't catch the exact words, but it didn't matter.

"DAWN," Jaeyong said, cutting through the noise. "Time to shine."

They pulled him forward, their hands on his shoulders, his back. June chuckled, the sound spilling out before he could stop it.

As they went closer to the curtain backstage, the darkness pressed closer, and then-light. The stage lights blazed to life. The cheers erupted, shaking the ground beneath them. June blinked against the brightness, momentarily overwhelmed.

They stepped onto the stage, and the noise grew impossibly louder.

"DAWN!"

"DAWN!"

"DAWN!"

The crowd stretched as far as the eye could see. June couldn't make out every individual, but he didn't need to. What he saw was enough-their joy and excitement.

It was surreal. The moment hit him all at once, leaving him breathless.

This wasn't just about their performance or their success. This was about every struggle they had endured, every challenge they had overcome, every bond they had forged. It was about the people who believed in them, who supported them even when the odds were against

them.

June's gaze swept across the stage, landing on his teammates. They stood there, shoulders squared and heads high.

The music started. June took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling in time with the rhythm. He stepped forward. The crowd's cheers rose and fell-a living, breathing entity that fed off their energy and gave it back thousandfold.

And yet, amidst the lights and the noise, a quiet thought settled in June's mind. It really did feel like the end, like the culmination of everything they had worked for. But as the final note rang out, as the lights dimmed and the cheers echoed into the night, June knew better.

This wasn't the end.

It was the beginning.

As they stood there, June turned to his teammates. Their faces were flushed with exertion, but the smiles never left their lips.

If you asked the world (or maybe even Fu), June had become the top idol-a title many dreamed of but few achieved.

But if you asked him, he had gained something far greater.

He had found his family, his purpose, his place in the world.

And he wouldn't have it any other way.

END.